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Make me no more ado, but all embrace him;
Be friends, for shame, my lords.-

[They embrace CRANMER.]

My lord of Canterbury,

I have a suit which you must not deny me:
There is a fair young maid, that yet wants baptism;
You must be godfather, and answer for her.

Cran. The greatest monarch now alive may glory
In such an honour: How may I deserve it,
That am a poor and humble subject to you?

King. Come, come, my lord, you'd spare your spoons: you shall have

Two noble partners with you; the old duchess of Norfolk,

And lady marquis Dorset ; Will these please you?— Once more, my lord of Winchester, I charge you, Embrace, and love this man.

Gard. With a true heart,

And brother's love, I do it.

Cran. And let heaven

[Embraces CRANMER,

Witness, how dear I hold this confirmation.

King. Good man, those joyful tears show thy true heart.

The common voice, I see, is verify'd

Of thee, which says thus, Do my lord of Canterbury
A shrewd turn, and he's your friend for ever.-
Come, lords, we trifle time away; I long
To have this young one made a christian.
As I have made ye one, lords, one remain;
So I grow stronger, you more honour gain.

[Exeunt the King, CRANMER, GARDINER, Chan-
cellor, NORFOLK, SUFFOLK, SURREY, Chamber-
lain, LovEL, and CROMWELL.

SCENE IV.

The Palace Yard.

The Procession to the Christening.

SCENE V.

The Palace.

Flourish of Trumpets and Drums.

The King, and all the Court, discovered.

Cran. (Kneeling.) Now to your royal grace, and the good queen,

My noble partners, and myself, thus pray ;-
All comfort, joy, in this most gracious lady,
Heaven ever laid up to make parents happy,
May hourly fall upon ye!

King. Thank you, good lord archbishop:
What is her name?

Cran. Elizabeth.

King. Stand up, lord.

[The King takes the Child, and kisses her. With this kiss take my blessing: Heaven protect thee! Into whose hand I give thy life.

[Returns the Child to the Duchess of NORFOLK.

Cran. Amen.

King. My noble gossips, ye have been too prodigal : I thank ye heartily; so shall this lady, When she has so much English.

Cran. Let me speak, sir;

For heaven now bids me: And the words I utter
Let none think flattery, for they'll find 'em truth.
This royal infant, (heaven still move about her!)
Though in her cradle, yet now promises
Upon this land a thousand thousand blessings,
Which time shall bring to ripeness: She shall be
A pattern to all princes living with her,

And all that shall succeed.

Truth shall nurse her,

Holy and heavenly thoughts still counsel her:

She shall be lov'd, and fear'd: Her own shall bless her;

Her foes shake like a field of beaten corn,

And hang their heads with sorrow :

Our children's children

Shall see this, and bless heaven.

King. Thou speakest wonders.

Cran. She shall be, to the happiness of England, An aged princess; many days shall see her, And yet no day without a deed to crown it. 'Would I had known no more! but she must die, She must, the saints must have her; yet a virgin, A most unspotted lily shall she pass

To the ground, and all the world shall mourn her, King. O lord archbishop,

This oracle of comfort has so pleas'd me,

That, when I am in heaven, I shall desire
To see what this child does.-I thank you all.→→→
Lead the way, lords;-

Ye must all see the queen, and she must thank you,
She will be sick else. This day, no man think

He has business at his house; for all shall stay,
This little one shall make it holiday.

Flourish of Trumpets and Drums.

THE END.

Printed by S. GOSNELL, Little Queen Street, Holborn.

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[Exeunt.

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