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Act 2, Scene 1
Henry VIII Translation Act 2, Scene 2
Enter Chamberlain, reading a letter
CHAMBERLAIN
'My lord, the horses your lordship sent for, with all the care I had, I saw well chosen, ridden, and furnished. They were young and handsome, and of the best breed in the north. When they were ready to set out for London, a man of my lord cardinal's, by commission and main power, took 'em from me; with this reason: His master would be served before a subject, if not before the king; which stopped our mouths, sir.' I fear he will indeed: well, let him have them: He will have all, I think.
CHAMBERLAIN
"My lord, I made sure the horses you sent for were well chosen, trained, and cared for. They were young and good-looking, and of the best breed of the north. When they were ready to send to London, a servant of the cardinal's took them from me by force and with a warrant he had. He said this was the reason: his master had to be served before a subject, if not before the king. We couldn't say anything to that, sir." I am afraid he will be served before the king. Well, let him have them. I think he will have everything.
Enter, to Chamberlain, NORFOLK and SUFFOLK
NORFOLK
Well met, my lord chamberlain.
NORFOLK
Hello, my lord chamberlain.
CHAMBERLAIN
Good day to both your graces.
CHAMBERLAIN
Good day to both of you.
SUFFOLK
How is the king employ'd?
SUFFOLK
What is the king doing?
CHAMBERLAIN
I left him private,Full of sad thoughts and troubles.
CHAMBERLAIN
I left him alone, thinking sad thoughts and feeling troubled.
NORFOLK
What's the cause?
NORFOLK
Why?
CHAMBERLAIN
It seems the marriage with his brother's wifeHas crept too near his conscience.
CHAMBERLAIN
It seems that he's feeling guilty about his marriage to his brother's wife.
SUFFOLK
No, his conscienceHas crept too near another lady.
SUFFOLK
No, I think he's thinking about another lady.
NORFOLK
'Tis so: This is the cardinal's doing, the king-cardinal: That blind priest, like the eldest son of fortune, Turns what he list. The king will know him one day.
NORFOLK
It's true. This is the cardinal's doing, the king-cardinal more like. That blind priest does what he wants as if he's fortune's oldest son and heir. The king will find out what he's really like someday.
SUFFOLK
Pray God he do! he'll never know himself else.
SUFFOLK
I pray to God he does! Or he'll never understand himself.
NORFOLK
How holily he works in all his business! And with what zeal! for, now he has crack'd the league Between us and the emperor, the queen's great nephew, He dives into the king's soul, and there scatters Dangers, doubts, wringing of the conscience, Fears, and despairs; and all these for his marriage: And out of all these to restore the king, He counsels a divorce; a loss of her That, like a jewel, has hung twenty years About his neck, yet never lost her lustre; Of her that loves him with that excellence That angels love good men with; even of her That, when the greatest stroke of fortune falls, Will bless the king: and is not this course pious?
NORFOLK
He acts so religiously in everything he does! And so eagerly! Because now he has broken the alliance between us and the emperor, the queen's powerful nephew, he messes with the king's mind and scatters dangerous thoughts, doubts, fears, and despair, and troubles his conscience. All this is about his marriage. And to cure the king of all this he suggests a divorce. That would mean the loss of the woman who hung around his neck like a jewel for twenty years and never lost her brightness. The loss of the woman who loves him as much as angels love good men. The woman who would still bless the king even if the worst disaster happened. Isn't this a religious thing to do?
CHAMBERLAIN
Heaven keep me from such counsel! 'Tis most true These news are every where; every tongue speaks 'em, And every true heart weeps for't: all that dare Look into these affairs see this main end, The French king's sister. Heaven will one day open The king's eyes, that so long have slept upon This bold bad man.
CHAMBERLAIN
May heaven protect me from advice like that! It's true that this news is everywhere. Everyone is saying this and every good heart weeps for it. Everyone who dares look into this affair see that he wants the king to marry the French king's sister. One day God will open the king's eyes. He hasn't seen this bold, bad man as he really is for so long.
SUFFOLK
And free us from his slavery.
SUFFOLK
And God will free us from slavery to him.
NORFOLK
We had need pray, And heartily, for our deliverance; Or this imperious man will work us all From princes into pages: all men's honours Lie like one lump before him, to be fashion'd Into what pitch he please.
NORFOLK
We need to pray (and to pray strongly) for help, or this proud man will turn us from princes into servants. He does whatever he wants with men's honors.
SUFFOLK
For me, my lords, I love him not, nor fear him; there's my creed: As I am made without him, so I'll stand, If the king please; his curses and his blessings Touch me alike, they're breath I not believe in. I knew him, and I know him; so I leave him To him that made him proud, the pope.
SUFFOLK
As for me, my lord, I neither love him nor fear him. That's what I say. I'll do the best I can without his help, if the king wishes it. His curse and his blessings affect me equally: they're just breath and I don't believe in them. I always knew what he was like and I still do. So I leave him to the man who made him proud, the Pope.
NORFOLK
Let's in; And with some other business put the king From these sad thoughts, that work too much upon him: My lord, you'll bear us company?
NORFOLK
Let's go in and distract the king from these sad thoughts that affect him too much with some other business. Will you accompany us, my lord?
CHAMBERLAIN
Excuse me; The king has sent me otherwhere: besides, You'll find a most unfit time to disturb him: Health to your lordships.
CHAMBERLAIN
I can't, I'm sorry. The king has sent me elsewhere. Besides, this isn't a good time to disturb him. Goodbye.
NORFOLK
Thanks, my good lord chamberlain.
NORFOLK
Thank you, lord chamberlain.
Exit Chamberlain; and KING HENRY VIII draws the curtain, and sits reading pensively
SUFFOLK
How sad he looks! sure, he is much afflicted.
SUFFOLK
He looks so sad! He's definitely feeling very disturbed.
KING HENRY VIII
Who's there, ha?
KING HENRY VIII
Who's there?
NORFOLK
Pray God he be not angry.
NORFOLK
I pray to God he isn't angry.
KING HENRY VIII
Who's there, I say? How dare you thrust yourselvesInto my private meditations?Who am I? ha?
KING HENRY VIII
I said, who's there? How dare you interrupt me when I'm thinking? Who do you think I am, huh?
NORFOLK
A gracious king that pardons all offences Malice ne'er meant: our breach of duty this way Is business of estate; in which we come To know your royal pleasure.
NORFOLK
A kind king who forgives offenses that weren't intentional. We failed in our duty because of state business and we've come to know what you want to do about it.
KING HENRY VIII
Ye are too bold:Go to; I'll make ye know your times of business:Is this an hour for temporal affairs, ha?
KING HENRY VIII
You're too bold. Go away. I'll let you know what time you can come talk about business. Does this seem like a time for unholy business?
Enter CARDINAL WOLSEY and CARDINAL CAMPEIUS, with a commission
KING HENRY VIII
Who's there? my good lord cardinal? O my Wolsey,The quiet of my wounded conscience;Thou art a cure fit for a king. [To CARDINAL CAMPEIUS] You're welcome,Most learned reverend sir, into our kingdom:Use us and it. [TO CARDINAL WOLSEY] My good lord, have great careI be not found a talker.
KING HENRY VIII
Who's there? The cardinal? Oh my dear Wolsey, you heal my wounded conscience. You're a cure good enough for a king.
[To CARDINAL CAMPEIUS] You're welcome, wise respected sir, to my kingdom. Do what you like with it and with me.
[TO CARDINAL WOLSEY] My good lord, make sure I don't talk too much.
CARDINAL WOLSEY
Sir, you cannot.I would your grace would give us but an hourOf private conference.
CARDINAL WOLSEY
You couldn't possibly, sir. I wish you would just give us an hour of private conversation, your grace.
KING HENRY VIII
[To NORFOLK and SUFFOLK] We are busy; go.
KING HENRY VIII
[To NORFOLK and SUFFOLK] I'm busy; go away.
NORFOLK
[Aside to SUFFOLK] This priest has no pride in him?
NORFOLK
[So only SUFFOLK can hear] Surely this priest doesn't have any pride in him?
SUFFOLK
[Aside to NORFOLK] Not to speak of:I would not be so sick though for his place:But this cannot continue.
SUFFOLK
[So only NORFOLK can hear] None to speak of. I wouldn't be like him in return for all his power. This can't go on.
NORFOLK
[Aside to SUFFOLK] If it do,I'll venture one have-at-him.
NORFOLK
[So only SUFFOLK can hear] If it does, I'll attack him.
SUFFOLK
[Aside to NORFOLK] I another.
SUFFOLK
[So only NORFOLK can hear] So will I.
Exeunt NORFOLK and SUFFOLK
CARDINAL WOLSEY
Your grace has given a precedent of wisdom Above all princes, in committing freely Your scruple to the voice of Christendom: Who can be angry now? what envy reach you? The Spaniard, tied blood and favour to her, Must now confess, if they have any goodness, The trial just and noble. All the clerks, I mean the learned ones, in Christian kingdoms Have their free voices: Rome, the nurse of judgment, Invited by your noble self, hath sent One general tongue unto us, this good man, This just and learned priest, Cardinal Campeius; Whom once more I present unto your highness.
CARDINAL WOLSEY
You have shown greater wisdom than all other princes in telling your doubts to the spokesperson of all Christianity. Who can be angry now, or envious? The Spanish, who are her relatives and loyal to her, must confess if they are good people that the trial is fair and noble. All the clerks, I mean the learned ones, in Christian kingdoms can speak wisely about this. Rome, with its good judgement, invited by you, has sent one man to speak for it to us, this good man, this fair and learned priest, Cardinal Campeius. I introduce him to you once more, your highness.
KING HENRY VIII
And once more in mine arms I bid him welcome,And thank the holy conclave for their loves:They have sent me such a man I would have wish'd for.
KING HENRY VIII
And once more I welcome him with a hug and thank the cardinals for their affection to me. They have sent me just the kind of man I hoped for.
CARDINAL CAMPEIUS
Your grace must needs deserve all strangers' loves, You are so noble. To your highness' hand I tender my commission; by whose virtue, The court of Rome commanding, you, my lord Cardinal of York, are join'd with me their servant In the unpartial judging of this business.
CARDINAL CAMPEIUS
You deserve the love of all strangers, your grace, because you are so noble. I give my warrant to you, your highness. In it the court of Rome makes me, their servant, and you, my lord Cardinal of York, impartial judges in this matter.
KING HENRY VIII
Two equal men. The queen shall be acquaintedForthwith for what you come. Where's Gardiner?
KING HENRY VIII
Two equally virtuous men. The queen will be told what you've come for immediately. Where's Gardiner?
CARDINAL WOLSEY
I know your majesty has always loved her So dear in heart, not to deny her that A woman of less place might ask by law: Scholars allow'd freely to argue for her.
CARDINAL WOLSEY
I know you've always loved her so much that you won't deny her what even a less important woman has the right to ask for: scholars allowed to argue freely on her side.
KING HENRY VIII
Ay, and the best she shall have; and my favour To him that does best: God forbid else. Cardinal, Prithee, call Gardiner to me, my new secretary: I find him a fit fellow.
KING HENRY VIII
Yes, God forbid, and she'll have the best ones. I'll reward the one who does best. Cardinal, please call Gardiner, my new secretary. I like him.
Exit CARDINAL WOLSEY. Re-enter CARDINAL WOLSEY, with GARDINER
CARDINAL WOLSEY
[Aside to GARDINER] Give me your hand much joy andfavour to you;You are the king's now.
CARDINAL WOLSEY
[So only GARDINER can hear] Shake my hand. I wish you well. You work for the king now.
GARDINER
[Aside to CARDINAL WOLSEY] But to be commandedFor ever by your grace, whose hand has raised me.
GARDINER
[So only CARDINAL WOLSEY can hear] But I'll always do as you command, your grace. You helped me rise in power.
KING HENRY VIII
Come hither, Gardiner.
KING HENRY VIII
Come here, Gardiner.
Walks and whispers
CARDINAL CAMPEIUS
My Lord of York, was not one Doctor PaceIn this man's place before him?
CARDINAL CAMPEIUS
My Lord of York, didn't a certain Doctor Pace do this man's job before him?
CARDINAL WOLSEY
Yes, he was.
CARDINAL WOLSEY
Yes, he did.
CARDINAL CAMPEIUS
Was he not held a learned man?
CARDINAL CAMPEIUS
Wasn't he thought to be a learned man?
CARDINAL WOLSEY
Yes, surely.
CARDINAL WOLSEY
Yes, absolutely.
CARDINAL CAMPEIUS
Believe me, there's an ill opinion spread thenEven of yourself, lord cardinal.
CARDINAL CAMPEIUS
Believe me, then, there's a bad rumor being spread about you, lord cardinal.
CARDINAL WOLSEY
How! of me?
CARDINAL WOLSEY
What! About me?
CARDINAL CAMPEIUS
They will not stick to say you envied him, And fearing he would rise, he was so virtuous, Kept him a foreign man still; which so grieved him, That he ran mad and died.
CARDINAL CAMPEIUS
They're not afraid to say you envied him and you were afraid he would rise in power because he was virtuous, so you kept him away from the king. This made him so sad that he went crazy and died.
CARDINAL WOLSEY
Heaven's peace be with him! That's Christian care enough: for living murmurers There's places of rebuke. He was a fool; For he would needs be virtuous: that good fellow, If I command him, follows my appointment: I will have none so near else. Learn this, brother, We live not to be grip'd by meaner persons.
CARDINAL WOLSEY
May he rest in peace! That's all my Christian duty to him: saying that. As for living slanderers, there are places they can be punished. He was a fool, because he insisted on being virtuous. That good man does what I say when I give him commands. I have no one else as faithful. Learn this, brother: we don't need less important people meddling with us.
KING HENRY VIII
Deliver this with modesty to the queen.
KING HENRY VIII
Tell the queen kindly about this.
Exit GARDINER
KING HENRY VIII
The most convenient place that I can think of For such receipt of learning is Black-Friars; There ye shall meet about this weighty business. My Wolsey, see it furnish'd. O, my lord, Would it not grieve an able man to leave So sweet a bedfellow? But, conscience, conscience! O, 'tis a tender place; and I must leave her.
KING HENRY VIII
The best place I can think of to hear the case is Black-Friars. You will meet about this important business there. Have it prepared, my dear Wolsey. Oh, my lord, wouldn't a man who had a choice about it be sad to leave such a sweet wife? But my conscience, my conscience! My conscience is disturbed about this and I must leave her.
Exeunt
