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