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Act 4, Scene 2
Henry VIII Translation Act 5, Scene 1
Enter GARDINER, Bishop of Winchester, a Page with a torch before him, met by LOVELL
GARDINER
It's one o'clock, boy, is't not?
GARDINER
It's one o'clock, isn't it, boy?
BOY
It hath struck.
BOY
Yes, the clock struck one.
GARDINER
These should be hours for necessities, Not for delights; times to repair our nature With comforting repose, and not for us To waste these times. Good hour of night, Sir Thomas! Whither so late?
GARDINER
This is not a time for fun but for necessities. It's a time when we should be sleeping to repair our bodies, not wasting time. Good evening, Sir Thomas! Where are you going so late?
LOVELL
Came you from the king, my lord?
LOVELL
Did you come from the king, my lord?
GARDINER
I did, Sir Thomas: and left him at primeroWith the Duke of Suffolk.
GARDINER
I did, Sir Thomas. I left him playing cards with the Duke of Suffolk.
LOVELL
I must to him too,Before he go to bed. I'll take my leave.
LOVELL
I must go to him, too, before he goes to bed. Goodbye.
GARDINER
Not yet, Sir Thomas Lovell. What's the matter? It seems you are in haste: an if there be No great offence belongs to't, give your friend Some touch of your late business: affairs, that walk, As they say spirits do, at midnight, have In them a wilder nature than the business That seeks dispatch by day.
GARDINER
Wait, Sir Thomas Lovell. What's the matter? You seem to be in a hurry. If there's no harm in it, give me an idea of what you're doing so late. Business that arises at midnight like ghosts is more urgent than the business done by day.
LOVELL
My lord, I love you; And durst commend a secret to your ear Much weightier than this work. The queen's in labour, They say, in great extremity; and fear'd She'll with the labour end.
LOVELL
My lord, I love you and I will dare to tell you an important secret. The queen's in labor and they say she's in great danger. It's feared that she'll die in childbirth.
GARDINER
The fruit she goes with I pray for heartily, that it may find Good time, and live: but for the stock, Sir Thomas, I wish it grubb'd up now.
GARDINER
I pray that the child she's pregnant with survives. As for her, Sir Thomas, I hope she dies now.
LOVELL
Methinks I could Cry the amen; and yet my conscience says She's a good creature, and, sweet lady, does Deserve our better wishes.
LOVELL
I think I could say amen to that. But my conscience tells me she's a good person and deserves our best wishes for her, the sweet lady.
GARDINER
But, sir, sir, Hear me, Sir Thomas: you're a gentleman Of mine own way; I know you wise, religious; And, let me tell you, it will ne'er be well, 'Twill not, Sir Thomas Lovell, take't of me, Till Cranmer, Cromwell, her two hands, and she, Sleep in their graves.
GARDINER
But sir, sir, listen to me, Sir Thomas. You're a gentleman like me. I know you're wise and religious. Let me tell you, things will never be all right, they won't, Sir Thomas Lovell, believe me, until Cranmer and Cromwell, her two servants, and she are dead and buried.
LOVELL
Now, sir, you speak of two The most remark'd i' the kingdom. As for Cromwell, Beside that of the jewel house, is made master O' the rolls, and the king's secretary; further, sir, Stands in the gap and trade of moe preferments, With which the time will load him. The archbishop Is the king's hand and tongue; and who dare speak One syllable against him?
LOVELL
Sir, you're talking about two of the most respected men in the country. As for Cromwell, he's now in charge of court records in addition to the treasury, and the king's secretary. And, sir, there are more promotions coming to him soon. The archbishop is the king's right hand man and speaks for him, so who dares say a single word against him?
GARDINER
Yes, yes, Sir Thomas, There are that dare; and I myself have ventured To speak my mind of him: and indeed this day, Sir, I may tell it you, I think I have Incensed the lords o' the council, that he is, For so I know he is, they know he is, A most arch heretic, a pestilence That does infect the land: with which they moved Have broken with the king; who hath so far Given ear to our complaint, of his great grace And princely care foreseeing those fell mischiefs Our reasons laid before him, hath commanded To-morrow morning to the council-board He be convented. He's a rank weed, Sir Thomas, And we must root him out. From your affairs I hinder you too long: good night, Sir Thomas.
GARDINER
Yes, yes, Sir Thomas, some people dare. I myself have dared to speak my mind about him. In fact today, sir, I can tell you, I think I convinced the king's counselors that he is, as I know he is and they know he is, a terrible heretic and a disease that has infected the country. They, convinced about this, have spoken with the king. He has listened to our complaint enough to understand what we have said about the disasters in store. Out of fairness and care for the country, he has commanded that man to appear at the counsel meeting tomorrow morning. That man's a disgusting weed, Sir Thomas, and we have to dig him out. I'm keeping you too long from your business. Good night, Sir Thomas.
LOVELL
Many good nights, my lord: I rest your servant.
LOVELL
Good night, my lord. I am still at your service.
Exeunt GARDINER and Page
Enter KING HENRY VIII and SUFFOLK
KING HENRY VIII
Charles, I will play no more tonight;My mind's not on't; you are too hard for me.
KING HENRY VIII
Charles, I won't play any more tonight. My mind isn't on it. You're too good at it.
SUFFOLK
Sir, I did never win of you before.
SUFFOLK
Sir, I've never won against you before.
KING HENRY VIII
But little, Charles;Nor shall not, when my fancy's on my play.Now, Lovell, from the queen what is the news?
KING HENRY VIII
You only won a little money, Charles, and won't when my mind is on playing cards. Now, Lovell, what's the news from the queen?
LOVELL
I could not personally deliver to her What you commanded me, but by her woman I sent your message; who return'd her thanks In the great'st humbleness, and desired your highness Most heartily to pray for her.
LOVELL
I couldn't personally deliver the message you gave to her, but I sent it to her through her maid. She thanked you as humbly as possible and asked you to pray for her.
KING HENRY VIII
What say'st thou, ha?To pray for her? what, is she crying out?
KING HENRY VIII
What? What did you say? To pray for her? Is she screaming?
LOVELL
So said her woman; and that her sufferance madeAlmost each pang a death.
LOVELL
That's what her maid said. And that she suffered so much at every contraction that she almost died.
KING HENRY VIII
Alas, good lady!
KING HENRY VIII
Poor lady!
SUFFOLK
God safely quit her of her burthen, andWith gentle travail, to the gladding ofYour highness with an heir!
SUFFOLK
May God deliver the child safely, with an easy labor, and make you happy by giving you an heir!
KING HENRY VIII
'Tis midnight, Charles; Prithee, to bed; and in thy prayers remember The estate of my poor queen. Leave me alone; For I must think of that which company Would not be friendly to.
KING HENRY VIII
It's midnight, Charles. Please go to bed, and pray for my poor queen's health. Leave me alone. I have to think about things and need to be alone.
SUFFOLK
I wish your highnessA quiet night; and my good mistress willRemember in my prayers.
SUFFOLK
I hope you have a peaceful night and I will pray for my good queen.
KING HENRY VIII
Charles, good night.
KING HENRY VIII
Charles, goodnight.
Exit SUFFOLK
Enter DENNY
KING HENRY VIII
Well, sir, what follows?
KING HENRY VIII
Well, sir, what is it?
DENNY
Sir, I have brought my lord the archbishop,As you commanded me.
DENNY
Sir, I have brought the archbishop as you asked.
KING HENRY VIII
Ha! Canterbury?
KING HENRY VIII
What, the archbishop of Canterbury?
DENNY
Ay, my good lord.
DENNY
Yes, my lord.
KING HENRY VIII
'Tis true: where is he, Denny?
KING HENRY VIII
It's true, I asked to see him. Where is he, Denny?
DENNY
He attends your highness' pleasure.
DENNY
He's waiting for you, your highness.
Exit DENNY
LOVELL
[Aside] This is about that which the bishop spake:I am happily come hither.
LOVELL
[To himself] This is about the business the bishop told me about. I came here at a good time.
Re-enter DENNY, with CRANMER
KING HENRY VIII
Avoid the gallery.
KING HENRY VIII
Empty the room.
LOVELL seems to stay
KING HENRY VIII
Ha! I have said. Be gone. What!
KING HENRY VIII
I told you what to do. Get out!
Exeunt LOVELL and DENNY
CRANMER
[Aside] I am fearful: wherefore frowns he thus?'Tis his aspect of terror. All's not well.
CRANMER
[To himself] I am afraid. Why does he frown like that? That's how he looks when he's angry. Something is wrong.
KING HENRY VIII
How now, my lord! you desire to knowWherefore I sent for you.
KING HENRY VIII
Hello, my lord! You want to know why I sent for you.
CRANMER
[Kneeling] It is my dutyTo attend your highness' pleasure.
CRANMER
[Kneeling] It's my duty to do as you wish.
KING HENRY VIII
Pray you, arise, My good and gracious Lord of Canterbury. Come, you and I must walk a turn together; I have news to tell you: come, come, give me your hand. Ah, my good lord, I grieve at what I speak, And am right sorry to repeat what follows I have, and most unwillingly, of late Heard many grievous, I do say, my lord, Grievous complaints of you; which, being consider'd, Have moved us and our council, that you shall This morning come before us; where, I know, You cannot with such freedom purge yourself, But that, till further trial in those charges Which will require your answer, you must take Your patience to you, and be well contented To make your house our Tower: you a brother of us, It fits we thus proceed, or else no witness Would come against you.
KING HENRY VIII
Please, get up, my good lord of Canterbury. Come on, we have to walk a little. I have news to tell you. Come on, come on, give me your hand. My good lord, I'm sad to have to say this and I'm sorry to tell you the following: I have, very unwillingly, lately heard many terrible, I must say, terrible complaints about you. Hearing these complaints made me and my council call you before us this morning. Unfortunately, because it'll take time to clear your name, you'll have to wait for your trial patiently in the Tower. Since you're like my brother, it's right to proceed like this. Otherwise no witness would dare to appear against you.
CRANMER
[Kneeling] I humbly thank your highness; And am right glad to catch this good occasion Most throughly to be winnow'd, where my chaff And corn shall fly asunder: for, I know, There's none stands under more calumnious tongues Than I myself, poor man.
CRANMER
[Kneeling] I thank you humbly, your highness. I'm very happy to have this opportunity to be investigated thoroughly and judged. I know that no one is more lied about than I am, poor me.
KING HENRY VIII
Stand up, good Canterbury: Thy truth and thy integrity is rooted In us, thy friend: give me thy hand, stand up: Prithee, let's walk. Now, by my holidame. What manner of man are you? My lord, I look'd You would have given me your petition, that I should have ta'en some pains to bring together Yourself and your accusers; and to have heard you, Without indurance, further.
KING HENRY VIII
Stand up, good Canterbury. I am convinced of your faithfulness and honesty. Give me your hand, stand up. Please, let's walk. Now, by the virgin Mary, what kind of man are you? My lord, I thought you would ask me to bring your accusers to you, and that I'd hear you defend yourself.
CRANMER
Most dread liege, The good I stand on is my truth and honesty: If they shall fail, I, with mine enemies, Will triumph o'er my person; which I weigh not, Being of those virtues vacant. I fear nothing What can be said against me.
CRANMER
Most powerful king, I stand by my truth and honesty. If they fail me, I will dislike myself as much as my enemies do. I don't care about my body except because of the virtue in it. I'm not afraid of anything that can be said against me.
KING HENRY VIII
Know you not How your state stands i' the world, with the whole world? Your enemies are many, and not small; their practises Must bear the same proportion; and not ever The justice and the truth o' the question carries The due o' the verdict with it: at what ease Might corrupt minds procure knaves as corrupt To swear against you? such things have been done. You are potently opposed; and with a malice Of as great size. Ween you of better luck, I mean, in perjured witness, than your master, Whose minister you are, whiles here he lived Upon this naughty earth? Go to, go to; You take a precipice for no leap of danger, And woo your own destruction.
KING HENRY VIII
Don't you know what people think about you, what everyone thinks? You have a lot of enemies, and important ones. You should worry about their plotting. It's not always justice and truth that wins in a lawsuit. Think how easily bad people could find criminals as bad as they are to tell lies against you in court. Such things have happened. You have powerful and evil enemies. Do you think you'll have better luck, I mean luck in avoiding lying witnesses, than me, the master you serve while I'm alive on this evil earth? Really, it's like you think jumping off a cliff isn't dangerous. You're risking destruction.
CRANMER
God and your majestyProtect mine innocence, or I fall intoThe trap is laid for me!
CRANMER
May God and you protect me in my innocence, or I'll fall into the trap that's been set for me!
KING HENRY VIII
Be of good cheer; They shall no more prevail than we give way to. Keep comfort to you; and this morning see You do appear before them: if they shall chance, In charging you with matters, to commit you, The best persuasions to the contrary Fail not to use, and with what vehemency The occasion shall instruct you: if entreaties Will render you no remedy, this ring Deliver them, and your appeal to us There make before them. Look, the good man weeps! He's honest, on mine honour. God's blest mother! I swear he is true-hearted; and a soul None better in my kingdom. Get you gone, And do as I have bid you.
KING HENRY VIII
Don't worry. They won't do anything I don't let them do. Take heart and appear before them this morning. If in the course of accusing you they sentence you, make sure to argue as hard as you can against it, with whatever force the occasion demands. If arguing doesn't help, give them this ring and appeal to me in front of them. Look, the good man is crying! I swear he must be honest. By God's blessed mother! I swear he's good-hearted, and there's no better man in my kingdom. Go on and do as I told you.
Exit CRANMER
KING HENRY VIII
He has strangledHis language in his tears.
KING HENRY VIII
He can't talk through his tears.
Enter the OLD LADY; enter LOVELL, following her
GENTLEMAN
[Within] Come back: what mean you?
GENTLEMAN
[Inside] Come back: what are you doing?
OLD LADY
I'll not come back; the tidings that I bring Will make my boldness manners. Now, good angels Fly o'er thy royal head, and shade thy person Under their blessed wings!
OLD LADY
I won't come back. The news I bring will make my rudeness seem like good manners. May good angels fly over your royal head and shade you with their holy wings!
KING HENRY VIII
Now, by thy looksI guess thy message. Is the queen deliver'd?Say, ay; and of a boy.
KING HENRY VIII
I can guess what you'll say from looking at you. Has the queen given birth? Say yes, and to a boy.
OLD LADY
Ay, ay, my liege; And of a lovely boy: the God of heaven Both now and ever bless her! 'tis a girl, Promises boys hereafter. Sir, your queen Desires your visitation, and to be Acquainted with this stranger 'tis as like you As cherry is to cherry.
OLD LADY
Yes, yes, my king. And to a beautiful boy: may God bless her now and forever! It's a girl, who guarantees boys will be born later. Sir, your queen wants you to visit her so you can meet this stranger who looks as much like you as a cherry looks like a cherry.
KING HENRY VIII
Lovell!
KING HENRY VIII
Lovell!
LOVELL
Sir?
LOVELL
Sir?
KING HENRY VIII
Give her an hundred marks. I'll to the queen.
KING HENRY VIII
Pay her a hundred marks. I'll go see the queen.
Exit
OLD LADY
An hundred marks! By this light, I'll ha' more. An ordinary groom is for such payment. I will have more, or scold it out of him. Said I for this, the girl was like to him? I will have more, or else unsay't; and now, While it is hot, I'll put it to the issue.
OLD LADY
A hundred marks! I swear I'll get more. That's what you pay an ordinary groom for taking care of your horse. I'll get more or keep scolding him till I get it. Did I say the girl looked like him for this? I'll have more or I'll take that back. Now, I'll ask for more while there's still a chance.
Exeunt
