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?

LORD CHAMBERLAIN

Heaven keep me from such counsel! ’Tis most true—

These news are everywhere, 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.

SUFFOLK And free us from his slavery.

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 fashioned

Into what pitch he please.

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.

NORFOLK

Let’s in,

And with some other business put the King

From these sad thoughts that work too much upon him.

(To the Lord Chamberlain)

My lord, you’ll bear us company?

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.

NORFOLK

Thanks, my good Lord Chamberlain.

Exit the Lord Chamberlain

King Henry draws the curtain, and sits reading pensively

SUFFOLK

How sad he looks! Sure he is much afflicted.

KING HENRY

Who’s there? Ha?

NORFOLK

Pray God he be not angry.

KING HENRY

Who’s there, I say? How dare you thrust yourselves

Into my private meditations!

Who am I? Ha?

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.

KING HENRY

Ye are too bold.

Go to, I’ll make ye know your times of business.

Is this an hour for temporal affairs? Ha?

Enter Cardinal Wolsey and Cardinal Campeius, the latter with a commission

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 Campeius)

You’re welcome,

Most learnèd reverend sir, into our kingdom.

Use us, and it. (To Wolsey) My good lord, have great

care

I be not found a talker.

CARDINAL WOLSEY

Sir, you cannot.

I would your grace would give us but an hour

Of private conference.

KING HENRY (to Norfolk and Suffolk) We are busy; go.

Norfolk and Suffolk speak privately to one another as they depart

NORFOLK

This priest has no pride in him!

SUFFOLK

Not to speak of.

I would not be so sick, though, for his place—

But this cannot continue.

NORFOLK

If it do

I’ll venture one have-at-him.

SUFFOLK

I another.

Exeunt Norfolk and Suffolk

CARDINAL WOLSEY (to the King)

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 by blood and favour to her,

Must now confess, if they have any goodness,

The trial just and noble. All the cterks—

I mean the learnèd ones in Christian kingdoms—

Have their free voices. Rome, the nurse of judgement,

Invited by your noble self, hath sent

One general tongue unto us: this good man,

This just and learned priest, Card’nal Campeius,

Whom once more I present unto your highness.

KING HENRY (embracing Campeius)

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 wished for.

CARDINAL CAMPEIUS

Your grace must needs deserve all strangers’ loves,

You are so noble. To your highness’ hand

I tender my commission,

He gives the commission to the King

(To Wolsey)

by whose virtue,

The Court of Rome commanding, you, my lord

Cardinal of York, are joined with me their servant

In the unpartial judging of this business.

KING HENRY

Two equal men. The Queen shall be acquainted

Forthwith for what you come. 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 allowed freely to argue for her.

KING HENRY

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.

Cardinal Wolsey goes to the door and calls Gardiner

I find him a fit fellow.

Enter Gardiner

CARDINAL WOLSEY (aside to Gardiner)

Give me your hand. Much joy and favour to you.

You are the King’s now.

GARDINER (aside to Wolsey) But to be commanded