Buck. My surveyor is false: the o'er-great Cardinal Hath showed him gold. My life is spanned al ready : I am the shadow of poor Buckingham, Whose figure even this instant cloud puts on, By darkening my clear un.-My lord, farewell. [Exeunt. Cornets. SCENE II.-The Council-chamber. Enter King HENRY, leaning on the Cardinal's shoulder, the Nobles, and Sir THOMAS LOVELL: the Cardinal places himself under the King's feet on his right side. K. Hen. My life itself, and the best heart of it, Thanks you for this great care: I stood i' the level Of a full charged confederacy, and give thanks And point by point the treasons of his master A noise within, crying, 'Room for the Queen I' Enter the QUEEN, ushered by the Dukes of NORFOLK and SUFFOLK: she kneels. The KING riseth from his state, takes her up, kisses, and placeth her by him. Q. Kath. Nay, we must longer kneel: I am a suitor. K. Hen. Arise, and take place by us :-half your suit Never name to us: you have half our power: Q. Kath. That you Thank your majesty. would love yourself, and in that love Not unconsidered leave your honour, nor Of my petition. K. Hen. Lady mine, proceed. Q. Kath. I am solicited, not by a few, And those of true condition, that your subjects Are in great grievance. There have been com missions Sent down among 'em, which hath flawed the heart Of all their loyalties: wherein, although, My good lord Cardinal, they vent reproaches Of these exactions, yet the King our master,— Whose honour Heaven shield from soil!—even he escapes not Language unmannerly; yea, such which breaks The sides of loyalty, and almost appears In loud rebellion. Nor. Not almost appears,'— It doth appear; for upon these taxations, K. Hen. Taxation! Wherein and what taxation?-My lord Cardinal, You that are blamed for it alike with us, Know you of this taxation? Wol. Please you, sir, I know but of a single part, in aught Pertains to the state; and front but in that file Where others tell steps with me. Q. Kath. No, my lord You know no more than others but you frame Things, that are known alike, which are not whole some To those which would not know them, and yet must These exactions Perforce be their acquaintance. They are devised by you; or else you suffer K. Hen. Still exaction! The nature of it? In what kind, let's know, Q. Kath. I am much too venturous In tempting of your patience; but am boldened The sixth part of his substance, to be levied Is named, your wars in France. This makes bold mouths: Tongues spit their duties out, and cold hearts freeze Allegiance in them: their curses now Live where their prayers did; and it's come to pass That tractable obedience is a slave To each incensed will. I would, your highness Would give it quick consideration; for There is no primer business. K. Hen. This is against our pleasure. Wol. By my life, And for me, I have no further gone in this, than by A single voice, and that not passed me but The chronicles of my doing, let me say 'Tis but the fate of place and the rough brake That virtue must go through. Our necessary actions in the fear Το cope We must not stint malicious censurers, which ever, As ravenous fishes, do a vessel follow That is new-trimmed, but benefit no further For our best action. If we shall stand still, |