Suf. God safely quit her of her Burthen, and With gentle Trauaile, to the gladding of Your Highnesse with an Heire

King. 'Tis midnight Charles, Prythee to bed, and in thy Prayres remember Th' estate of my poore Queene. Leaue me alone, For I must thinke of that, which company Would not be friendly too

Suf. I wish your Highnesse A quiet night, and my good Mistris will Remember in my Prayers

King. Charles good night.

Exit Suffolke.

Well Sir, what followes? Enter Sir Anthony Denny.

Den. Sir, I haue brought my Lord the Arch-byshop, As you commanded me

King. Ha? Canterbury? Den. I my good Lord

King. 'Tis true: where is he Denny? Den. He attends your Highnesse pleasure

King. Bring him to Vs

Lou. This is about that, which the Byshop spake, I am happily come hither. Enter Cranmer and Denny.

King. Auoyd the Gallery.

Louel seemes to stay.

Ha? I haue said. Be gone. What?

Exeunt. Louell and Denny.

Cran. I am fearefull: Wherefore frownes he thus? 'Tis his Aspect of Terror. All's not well

King. How now my Lord? You do desire to know wherefore I sent for you

Cran. It is my dutie T' attend your Highnesse pleasure

King. Pray you arise My good and gracious Lord of Canterburie: Come, you and I must walke a turne together: I haue Newes to tell you. Come, come, giue me your hand. Ah my good Lord, I greeue at what I speake, And am right sorrie to repeat what followes. I haue, and most vnwillingly of late Heard many greeuous, I do say my Lord Greeuous complaints of you; which being consider'd, Haue mou'd Vs, and our Councell, that you shall This Morning come before vs, where I know You cannot with such freedome purge your selfe, But that till further Triall, in those Charges Which will require your Answer, you must take Your patience to you, and be well contented To make your house our Towre: you, a Brother of vs It fits we thus proceed, or else no witnesse Would come against you

Cran. I humbly thanke your Highnesse, And am right glad to catch this good occasion Most throughly to be winnowed, where my Chaffe And Corne shall flye asunder. For I know There's none stands vnder more calumnious tongues, Then I my selfe, poore man

King. Stand vp, good Canterbury, Thy Truth, and thy Integrity is rooted In vs thy Friend. Giue me thy hand, stand vp, Prythee let's walke. Now by my Holydame, What manner of man are you? My Lord, I look'd You would haue giuen me your Petition, that I should haue tane some paines, to bring together Your selfe, and your Accusers, and to haue heard you Without indurance further

Cran. Most dread Liege, The good I stand on, is my Truth and Honestie: If they shall faile, I with mine Enemies Will triumph o're my person, which I waigh not, Being of those Vertues vacant. I feare nothing What can be said against me

King. Know you not How your state stands i'th' world, with the whole world? Your Enemies are many, and not small; their practises Must beare the same proportion, and not euer The Iustice and the Truth o'th' question carries The dew o'th' Verdict with it; at what ease Might corrupt mindes procure, Knaues as corrupt To sweare against you: Such things haue bene done. You are Potently oppos'd, and with a Malice Of as great Size. Weene you of better lucke, I meane in periur'd Witnesse, then your Master, Whose Minister you are, whiles heere he liu'd Vpon this naughty Earth? Go too, go too, You take a Precepit for no leape of danger, And woe your owne destruction

William Shakespeare
Classic Literature Library

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