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Act 5, Scene 1
Henry VIII Translation Act 5, Scene 2
Before the council-chamber. Poursuivants, pages, etc., attending.
Enter CRANMER
CRANMER
I hope I am not too late; and yet the gentleman, That was sent to me from the council, pray'd me To make great haste. All fast? what means this? Ho! Who waits there? Sure, you know me?
CRANMER
I hope I'm not too late. But the gentleman sent to me by the council asked me to hurry. Locked? What does this mean? Hello? Who's waiting there? Don't you recognize me?
Enter Keeper
KEEPER
Yes, my lord;But yet I cannot help you.
KEEPER
Yes, my lord, but I can't help you.
CRANMER
Why?
CRANMER
Why?
Enter DOCTOR BUTTS
KEEPER
Your grace must wait till you be call'd for.
KEEPER
You have to wait until you're called.
CRANMER
So.
CRANMER
All right.
DOCTOR BUTTS
[Aside] This is a piece of malice. I am gladI came this way so happily: the kingShall understand it presently.
DOCTOR BUTTS
[To himself] This is some evil scheme. I'm glad I happened to come this way. The king will hear about this at once.
Exit
CRANMER
[Aside] 'Tis Butts, The king's physician: as he pass'd along, How earnestly he cast his eyes upon me! Pray heaven, he sound not my disgrace! For certain, This is of purpose laid by some that hate me— God turn their hearts! I never sought their malice— To quench mine honour: they would shame to make me Wait else at door, a fellow-counsellor, 'Mong boys, grooms, and lackeys. But their pleasures Must be fulfill'd, and I attend with patience.
CRANMER
[To himself] That was Butts, the king's physician. He looked at me so earnestly as he passed! I pray he doesn't spread the word about my disgrace! This must have been done on purpose by some people who hate me—may God change their minds! I never wanted to make enemies of them. They must want to dishonor me, or they would be ashamed to make me wait at the door, a council-member like them, among all sorts of servants. But I have to do what they want, and I'm waiting patiently.
Enter KING HENRY VIII and DOCTOR BUTTS at a window above
DOCTOR BUTTS
I'll show your grace the strangest sight—
DOCTOR BUTTS
I'll show you the strangest sight—
KING HENRY VIII
What's that, Butts?
KING HENRY VIII
What's that, Butts?
DOCTOR BUTTS
I think your highness saw this many a day.
DOCTOR BUTTS
I think you've seen in many days.
KING HENRY VIII
Body o' me, where is it?
KING HENRY VIII
Goodness, where?
DOCTOR BUTTS
There, my lord: The high promotion of his grace of Canterbury; Who holds his state at door, 'mongst pursuivants, Pages, and footboys.
DOCTOR BUTTS
There, my lord. The good treatment of the archbishop of Canterbury, who's waiting at the door among petitioners and servants.
KING HENRY VIII
Ha! 'tis he, indeed: Is this the honour they do one another? 'Tis well there's one above 'em yet. I had thought They had parted so much honesty among 'em At least, good manners, as not thus to suffer A man of his place, and so near our favour, To dance attendance on their lordships' pleasures, And at the door too, like a post with packets. By holy Mary, Butts, there's knavery: Let 'em alone, and draw the curtain close: We shall hear more anon.
KING HENRY VIII
What? Yes, it's him. Is this the way they treat each other? It's good there's still someone more important than them. I thought they had enough honesty between them, or at least good manners, not to make a man of his importance and good standing with me wait for their attention, and at the door, too, as if he were a postman delivering packages. But, by holy Mary, Butts, this is vicious. Leave them alone and let's close the curtain. We'll hear more soon.
Exeunt
