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Enter LORD CHAMBERLAIN, reading this letter.
Enter LORD CHAMBERLAIN, reading this letter.
CHAMBERLAIN  
               My lord, the horses your Lordship sent
               for, with all the care I had I saw well chosen, ridden,
               and furnished. They were young and handsome and
               of the best breed in the north. When they were ready
5
             to set out for London, a man of my Lord Cardinal’s,
               by commission and main power, took ’em from me
               with this reason: his master would be served before
               a subject, if not before the King, which stopped our
               mouths, sir.
10
I fear he will indeed; well, let him have them.
He will have all, I think.
CHAMBERLAIN  
               My lord, the horses your Lordship sent
               for, with all the care I had I saw well chosen, ridden,
               and furnished. They were young and handsome and
               of the best breed in the north. When they were ready
             to set out for London, a man of my Lord Cardinal’s,
               by commission and main power, took ’em from me
               with this reason: his master would be served before
               a subject, if not before the King, which stopped our
               mouths, sir.
I fear he will indeed; well, let him have them.
He will have all, I think.
Enter to the LORD CHAMBERLAIN, the DUKES OF NORFOLK and SUFFOLK.
Enter to the LORD CHAMBERLAIN, the DUKES OF NORFOLK and SUFFOLK.
NORFOLK  
Well met, my Lord Chamberlain.
NORFOLK  
Well met, my Lord Chamberlain.
CHAMBERLAIN  
Good day to both your Graces.
CHAMBERLAIN  
Good day to both your Graces.
SUFFOLK
How is the King employed?
SUFFOLK
How is the King employed?
CHAMBERLAIN  
15
I left him private,
Full of sad thoughts and troubles.
CHAMBERLAIN  
I left him private,
Full of sad thoughts and troubles.
NORFOLK  
What’s the cause?
NORFOLK  
What’s the cause?
CHAMBERLAIN
It seems the marriage with his brother’s wife
Has crept too near his conscience.
CHAMBERLAIN
It seems the marriage with his brother’s wife
Has crept too near his conscience.
SUFFOLK  
20
No, his conscience
Has crept too near another lady.
SUFFOLK  
No, his conscience
Has crept too near another lady.
NORFOLK  
’Tis so;
This is the Cardinal’s doing. The king-cardinal,
That blind priest, like the eldest son of Fortune,
25
Turns what he list. The King will know him one day.
NORFOLK  
’Tis so;
This is the Cardinal’s doing. The king-cardinal,
That blind priest, like the eldest son of Fortune,
Turns what he list. The King will know him one day.
SUFFOLK
Pray God he do! He’ll never know himself else.
SUFFOLK
Pray God he do! He’ll never know himself else.
NORFOLK
How holily he works in all his business,
And with what zeal! For, now he has cracked the
league
30
Between us and the Emperor, the Queen’s
great-nephew,
He dives into the King’s soul and there scatters
Dangers, doubts, wringing of the conscience,
Fears and despairs—and all these for his marriage.
35
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 luster;
Of her that loves him with that excellence
40
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?
NORFOLK
How holily he works in all his business,
And with what zeal! For, now he has cracked the
league
Between us and the Emperor, the Queen’s
great-nephew,
He dives into the King’s soul and there scatters
Dangers, doubts, wringing of the conscience,
Fears and despairs—and all these for his marriage.
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 luster;
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?
CHAMBERLAIN
Heaven keep me from such counsel! ’Tis most true:
These news are everywhere, every tongue speaks ’em,
45
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.
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  
50
And free us from his slavery.
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 honors
55
Lie like one lump before him, to be fashioned
Into what pitch he please.
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 honors
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,
60
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.
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,
65
And with some other business put the King
From these sad thoughts that work too much upon
him.—
My lord, you’ll bear us company?
NORFOLK  
Let’s in,
And with some other business put the King
From these sad thoughts that work too much upon
him.—
My lord, you’ll bear us company?
CHAMBERLAIN  
Excuse me;
70
The King has sent me otherwhere. Besides,
You’ll find a most unfit time to disturb him.
Health to your Lordships.
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.
NORFOLK  
Thanks, my good Lord
Chamberlain.
LORD CHAMBERLAIN exits; and the KING draws the curtain and sits reading pensively.
LORD CHAMBERLAIN exits; and the KING draws the curtain and sits reading pensively.
SUFFOLK, to NORFOLK
75
How sad he looks! Sure he is much afflicted.
SUFFOLK, to NORFOLK
How sad he looks! Sure he is much afflicted.
KING
Who’s there? Ha?
KING
Who’s there? Ha?
NORFOLK, to SUFFOLK 
Pray God he be not angry.
NORFOLK, to SUFFOLK 
Pray God he be not angry.
KING
Who’s there, I say? How dare you thrust yourselves
Into my private meditations? Who am I, ha?
KING
Who’s there, I say? How dare you thrust yourselves
Into my private meditations? Who am I, ha?
NORFOLK
80
A gracious king that pardons all offenses
Malice ne’er meant. Our breach of duty this way
Is business of estate, in which we come
To know your royal pleasure.
NORFOLK
A gracious king that pardons all offenses
Malice ne’er meant. Our breach of duty this way
Is business of estate, in which we come
To know your royal pleasure.
KING  
You are too bold.
85
Go to; I’ll make you know your times of business.
Is this an hour for temporal affairs, ha?
Enter WOLSEY and CAMPEIUS, 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
90
           welcome,
Most learnèd reverend sir, into our kingdom.
Use us and it.—My good lord, have great care I be not found a talker.
KING  
You are too bold.
Go to; I’ll make you know your times of business.
Is this an hour for temporal affairs, ha?
Enter WOLSEY and CAMPEIUS, 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.—My good lord, have great care I be not found a talker.
WOLSEY  
Sir, you cannot.
95
I would your Grace would give us but an hour
Of private conference.
WOLSEY  
Sir, you cannot.
I would your Grace would give us but an hour
Of private conference.
KING, to NORFOLK and SUFFOLK 
We are busy. Go.
KING, to NORFOLK and SUFFOLK 
We are busy. Go.
NORFOLK, aside to SUFFOLK
This priest has no pride in him?
NORFOLK, aside to SUFFOLK
This priest has no pride in him?
SUFFOLK, aside to NORFOLK
Not to speak of.
100
I would not be so sick, though for his place.
But this cannot continue.
SUFFOLK, aside to NORFOLK
Not to speak of.
I would not be so sick, though for his place.
But this cannot continue.
NORFOLK, aside to SUFFOLK 
If it do,
I’ll venture one have-at-him.
NORFOLK, aside to SUFFOLK 
If it do,
I’ll venture one have-at-him.
SUFFOLK , aside to NORFOLK  
I another.
SUFFOLK , aside to NORFOLK  
I another.
NORFOLK and SUFFOLK exit.
NORFOLK and SUFFOLK exit.
WOLSEY
105
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 favor to her,
110
Must now confess, if they have any goodness,
The trial just and noble; all the clerks—
I mean the learnèd ones in Christian kingdoms—
Have their free voices; Rome, the nurse of judgment,
Invited by your noble self, hath sent
115
One general tongue unto us, this good man,
This just and learnèd priest, Cardinal Campeius,
Whom once more I present unto your Highness.
WOLSEY
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 favor to her,
Must now confess, if they have any goodness,
The trial just and noble; all the clerks—
I mean the learnèd ones in Christian kingdoms—
Have their free voices; Rome, the nurse of judgment,
Invited by your noble self, hath sent
One general tongue unto us, this good man,
This just and learnèd priest, Cardinal Campeius,
Whom once more I present unto your Highness.
KING
And once more in mine arms I bid him welcome,
And thank the holy conclave for their loves.
120
They have sent me such a man I would have wished
for. He embraces CAMPEIUS.
KING
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. He embraces CAMPEIUS.
CAMPEIUS, handing the KING a paper
Your Grace must needs deserve all strangers’ loves,
You are so noble. To your Highness’ hand
I tender my commission—by whose virtue,
125
The court of Rome commanding, you, my Lord
Cardinal of York, are joined with me their servant
In the unpartial judging of this business.
CAMPEIUS, handing the KING a paper
Your Grace must needs deserve all strangers’ loves,
You are so noble. To your Highness’ hand
I tender my commission—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
Two equal men. The Queen shall be acquainted
Forthwith for what you come. Where’s Gardiner?
KING
Two equal men. The Queen shall be acquainted
Forthwith for what you come. Where’s Gardiner?
WOLSEY
130
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.
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
Ay, and the best she shall have, and my favor
135
To him that does best. God forbid else. Cardinal,
Prithee call Gardiner to me, my new secretary.
I find him a fit fellow.
KING
Ay, and the best she shall have, and my favor
To him that does best. God forbid else. Cardinal,
Prithee call Gardiner to me, my new secretary.
I find him a fit fellow.
WOLSEY goes to the door.
WOLSEY goes to the door.
Enter GARDINER to WOLSEY.
Enter GARDINER to WOLSEY.
WOLSEY, aside to gARDINER 
Give me your hand. Much joy and favor to you.
You are the King’s now.
WOLSEY, aside to gARDINER 
Give me your hand. Much joy and favor to you.
You are the King’s now.
GARDINER, aside to WOLSEY 
140
But to be commanded
Forever by your Grace, whose hand has raised me.
GARDINER, aside to WOLSEY 
But to be commanded
Forever by your Grace, whose hand has raised me.
KING  
Come hither, Gardiner.
KING  
Come hither, Gardiner.
The KING and GARDINER walk and whisper.
The KING and GARDINER walk and whisper.
CAMPEIUS
My lord of York, was not one Doctor Pace
In this man’s place before him?
CAMPEIUS
My lord of York, was not one Doctor Pace
In this man’s place before him?
WOLSEY  
145
Yes, he was.
WOLSEY  
Yes, he was.
CAMPEIUS
Was he not held a learnèd man?
CAMPEIUS
Was he not held a learnèd man?
WOLSEY  
Yes, surely.
WOLSEY  
Yes, surely.
CAMPEIUS
Believe me, there’s an ill opinion spread, then,
Even of yourself, Lord Cardinal.
CAMPEIUS
Believe me, there’s an ill opinion spread, then,
Even of yourself, Lord Cardinal.
WOLSEY  
150
How? Of me?
WOLSEY  
How? Of me?
CAMPEIUS
They will not stick to say you envied him
And, fearing he would rise—he was so virtuous—
Kept him a foreign man still, which so grieved him
That he ran mad and died.
CAMPEIUS
They will not stick to say you envied him
And, fearing he would rise—he was so virtuous—
Kept him a foreign man still, which so grieved him
That he ran mad and died.
WOLSEY  
155
Heav’n’s peace be with him!
That’s Christian care enough. For living murmurers,
There’s places of rebuke. He was a fool,
For he would needs be virtuous. That good fellow
If I command him follows my appointment.
160
I will have none so near else. Learn this, brother:
We live not to be griped by meaner persons.
WOLSEY  
Heav’n’s peace be with him!
That’s Christian care enough. For living murmurers,
There’s places of rebuke. He was a fool,
For he would needs be virtuous. That good fellow
If I command him follows my appointment.
I will have none so near else. Learn this, brother:
We live not to be griped by meaner persons.
KING , to GARDINER
Deliver this with modesty to th’ Queen.
GARDINER exits.
The most convenient place that I can think of
For such receipt of learning is Blackfriars.
165
There you shall meet about this weighty business.
My Wolsey, see it furnished. O, my lord,
Would it not grieve an able man to leave
So sweet a bedfellow? But, conscience, conscience!
O, ’tis a tender place, and I must leave her.
KING , to GARDINER
Deliver this with modesty to th’ Queen.
GARDINER exits.
The most convenient place that I can think of
For such receipt of learning is Blackfriars.
There you shall meet about this weighty business.
My Wolsey, see it furnished. O, my lord,
Would it not grieve an able man to leave
So sweet a bedfellow? But, conscience, conscience!
O, ’tis a tender place, and I must leave her.
They exit.
They exit.

Original Text

Modern Text
Enter LORD CHAMBERLAIN, reading this letter.
Enter LORD CHAMBERLAIN, reading this letter.
CHAMBERLAIN  
               My lord, the horses your Lordship sent
               for, with all the care I had I saw well chosen, ridden,
               and furnished. They were young and handsome and
               of the best breed in the north. When they were ready
5
             to set out for London, a man of my Lord Cardinal’s,
               by commission and main power, took ’em from me
               with this reason: his master would be served before
               a subject, if not before the King, which stopped our
               mouths, sir.
10
I fear he will indeed; well, let him have them.
He will have all, I think.
CHAMBERLAIN  
               My lord, the horses your Lordship sent
               for, with all the care I had I saw well chosen, ridden,
               and furnished. They were young and handsome and
               of the best breed in the north. When they were ready
             to set out for London, a man of my Lord Cardinal’s,
               by commission and main power, took ’em from me
               with this reason: his master would be served before
               a subject, if not before the King, which stopped our
               mouths, sir.
I fear he will indeed; well, let him have them.
He will have all, I think.
Enter to the LORD CHAMBERLAIN, the DUKES OF NORFOLK and SUFFOLK.
Enter to the LORD CHAMBERLAIN, the DUKES OF NORFOLK and SUFFOLK.
NORFOLK  
Well met, my Lord Chamberlain.
NORFOLK  
Well met, my Lord Chamberlain.
CHAMBERLAIN  
Good day to both your Graces.
CHAMBERLAIN  
Good day to both your Graces.
SUFFOLK
How is the King employed?
SUFFOLK
How is the King employed?
CHAMBERLAIN  
15
I left him private,
Full of sad thoughts and troubles.
CHAMBERLAIN  
I left him private,
Full of sad thoughts and troubles.
NORFOLK  
What’s the cause?
NORFOLK  
What’s the cause?
CHAMBERLAIN
It seems the marriage with his brother’s wife
Has crept too near his conscience.
CHAMBERLAIN
It seems the marriage with his brother’s wife
Has crept too near his conscience.
SUFFOLK  
20
No, his conscience
Has crept too near another lady.
SUFFOLK  
No, his conscience
Has crept too near another lady.
NORFOLK  
’Tis so;
This is the Cardinal’s doing. The king-cardinal,
That blind priest, like the eldest son of Fortune,
25
Turns what he list. The King will know him one day.
NORFOLK  
’Tis so;
This is the Cardinal’s doing. The king-cardinal,
That blind priest, like the eldest son of Fortune,
Turns what he list. The King will know him one day.
SUFFOLK
Pray God he do! He’ll never know himself else.
SUFFOLK
Pray God he do! He’ll never know himself else.
NORFOLK
How holily he works in all his business,
And with what zeal! For, now he has cracked the
league
30
Between us and the Emperor, the Queen’s
great-nephew,
He dives into the King’s soul and there scatters
Dangers, doubts, wringing of the conscience,
Fears and despairs—and all these for his marriage.
35
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 luster;
Of her that loves him with that excellence
40
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?
NORFOLK
How holily he works in all his business,
And with what zeal! For, now he has cracked the
league
Between us and the Emperor, the Queen’s
great-nephew,
He dives into the King’s soul and there scatters
Dangers, doubts, wringing of the conscience,
Fears and despairs—and all these for his marriage.
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 luster;
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?
CHAMBERLAIN
Heaven keep me from such counsel! ’Tis most true:
These news are everywhere, every tongue speaks ’em,
45
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.
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  
50
And free us from his slavery.
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 honors
55
Lie like one lump before him, to be fashioned
Into what pitch he please.
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 honors
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,
60
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.
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,
65
And with some other business put the King
From these sad thoughts that work too much upon
him.—
My lord, you’ll bear us company?
NORFOLK  
Let’s in,
And with some other business put the King
From these sad thoughts that work too much upon
him.—
My lord, you’ll bear us company?
CHAMBERLAIN  
Excuse me;
70
The King has sent me otherwhere. Besides,
You’ll find a most unfit time to disturb him.
Health to your Lordships.
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.
NORFOLK  
Thanks, my good Lord
Chamberlain.
LORD CHAMBERLAIN exits; and the KING draws the curtain and sits reading pensively.
LORD CHAMBERLAIN exits; and the KING draws the curtain and sits reading pensively.
SUFFOLK, to NORFOLK
75
How sad he looks! Sure he is much afflicted.
SUFFOLK, to NORFOLK
How sad he looks! Sure he is much afflicted.
KING
Who’s there? Ha?
KING
Who’s there? Ha?
NORFOLK, to SUFFOLK 
Pray God he be not angry.
NORFOLK, to SUFFOLK 
Pray God he be not angry.
KING
Who’s there, I say? How dare you thrust yourselves
Into my private meditations? Who am I, ha?
KING
Who’s there, I say? How dare you thrust yourselves
Into my private meditations? Who am I, ha?
NORFOLK
80
A gracious king that pardons all offenses
Malice ne’er meant. Our breach of duty this way
Is business of estate, in which we come
To know your royal pleasure.
NORFOLK
A gracious king that pardons all offenses
Malice ne’er meant. Our breach of duty this way
Is business of estate, in which we come
To know your royal pleasure.
KING  
You are too bold.
85
Go to; I’ll make you know your times of business.
Is this an hour for temporal affairs, ha?
Enter WOLSEY and CAMPEIUS, 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
90
           welcome,
Most learnèd reverend sir, into our kingdom.
Use us and it.—My good lord, have great care I be not found a talker.
KING  
You are too bold.
Go to; I’ll make you know your times of business.
Is this an hour for temporal affairs, ha?
Enter WOLSEY and CAMPEIUS, 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.—My good lord, have great care I be not found a talker.
WOLSEY  
Sir, you cannot.
95
I would your Grace would give us but an hour
Of private conference.
WOLSEY  
Sir, you cannot.
I would your Grace would give us but an hour
Of private conference.
KING, to NORFOLK and SUFFOLK 
We are busy. Go.
KING, to NORFOLK and SUFFOLK 
We are busy. Go.
NORFOLK, aside to SUFFOLK
This priest has no pride in him?
NORFOLK, aside to SUFFOLK
This priest has no pride in him?
SUFFOLK, aside to NORFOLK
Not to speak of.
100
I would not be so sick, though for his place.
But this cannot continue.
SUFFOLK, aside to NORFOLK
Not to speak of.
I would not be so sick, though for his place.
But this cannot continue.
NORFOLK, aside to SUFFOLK 
If it do,
I’ll venture one have-at-him.
NORFOLK, aside to SUFFOLK 
If it do,
I’ll venture one have-at-him.
SUFFOLK , aside to NORFOLK  
I another.
SUFFOLK , aside to NORFOLK  
I another.
NORFOLK and SUFFOLK exit.
NORFOLK and SUFFOLK exit.
WOLSEY
105
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 favor to her,
110
Must now confess, if they have any goodness,
The trial just and noble; all the clerks—
I mean the learnèd ones in Christian kingdoms—
Have their free voices; Rome, the nurse of judgment,
Invited by your noble self, hath sent
115
One general tongue unto us, this good man,
This just and learnèd priest, Cardinal Campeius,
Whom once more I present unto your Highness.
WOLSEY
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 favor to her,
Must now confess, if they have any goodness,
The trial just and noble; all the clerks—
I mean the learnèd ones in Christian kingdoms—
Have their free voices; Rome, the nurse of judgment,
Invited by your noble self, hath sent
One general tongue unto us, this good man,
This just and learnèd priest, Cardinal Campeius,
Whom once more I present unto your Highness.
KING
And once more in mine arms I bid him welcome,
And thank the holy conclave for their loves.
120
They have sent me such a man I would have wished
for. He embraces CAMPEIUS.
KING
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. He embraces CAMPEIUS.
CAMPEIUS, handing the KING a paper
Your Grace must needs deserve all strangers’ loves,
You are so noble. To your Highness’ hand
I tender my commission—by whose virtue,
125
The court of Rome commanding, you, my Lord
Cardinal of York, are joined with me their servant
In the unpartial judging of this business.
CAMPEIUS, handing the KING a paper
Your Grace must needs deserve all strangers’ loves,
You are so noble. To your Highness’ hand
I tender my commission—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
Two equal men. The Queen shall be acquainted
Forthwith for what you come. Where’s Gardiner?
KING
Two equal men. The Queen shall be acquainted
Forthwith for what you come. Where’s Gardiner?
WOLSEY
130
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.
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
Ay, and the best she shall have, and my favor
135
To him that does best. God forbid else. Cardinal,
Prithee call Gardiner to me, my new secretary.
I find him a fit fellow.
KING
Ay, and the best she shall have, and my favor
To him that does best. God forbid else. Cardinal,
Prithee call Gardiner to me, my new secretary.
I find him a fit fellow.
WOLSEY goes to the door.
WOLSEY goes to the door.
Enter GARDINER to WOLSEY.
Enter GARDINER to WOLSEY.
WOLSEY, aside to gARDINER 
Give me your hand. Much joy and favor to you.
You are the King’s now.
WOLSEY, aside to gARDINER 
Give me your hand. Much joy and favor to you.
You are the King’s now.
GARDINER, aside to WOLSEY 
140
But to be commanded
Forever by your Grace, whose hand has raised me.
GARDINER, aside to WOLSEY 
But to be commanded
Forever by your Grace, whose hand has raised me.
KING  
Come hither, Gardiner.
KING  
Come hither, Gardiner.
The KING and GARDINER walk and whisper.
The KING and GARDINER walk and whisper.
CAMPEIUS
My lord of York, was not one Doctor Pace
In this man’s place before him?
CAMPEIUS
My lord of York, was not one Doctor Pace
In this man’s place before him?
WOLSEY  
145
Yes, he was.
WOLSEY  
Yes, he was.
CAMPEIUS
Was he not held a learnèd man?
CAMPEIUS
Was he not held a learnèd man?
WOLSEY  
Yes, surely.
WOLSEY  
Yes, surely.
CAMPEIUS
Believe me, there’s an ill opinion spread, then,
Even of yourself, Lord Cardinal.
CAMPEIUS
Believe me, there’s an ill opinion spread, then,
Even of yourself, Lord Cardinal.
WOLSEY  
150
How? Of me?
WOLSEY  
How? Of me?
CAMPEIUS
They will not stick to say you envied him
And, fearing he would rise—he was so virtuous—
Kept him a foreign man still, which so grieved him
That he ran mad and died.
CAMPEIUS
They will not stick to say you envied him
And, fearing he would rise—he was so virtuous—
Kept him a foreign man still, which so grieved him
That he ran mad and died.
WOLSEY  
155
Heav’n’s peace be with him!
That’s Christian care enough. For living murmurers,
There’s places of rebuke. He was a fool,
For he would needs be virtuous. That good fellow
If I command him follows my appointment.
160
I will have none so near else. Learn this, brother:
We live not to be griped by meaner persons.
WOLSEY  
Heav’n’s peace be with him!
That’s Christian care enough. For living murmurers,
There’s places of rebuke. He was a fool,
For he would needs be virtuous. That good fellow
If I command him follows my appointment.
I will have none so near else. Learn this, brother:
We live not to be griped by meaner persons.
KING , to GARDINER
Deliver this with modesty to th’ Queen.
GARDINER exits.
The most convenient place that I can think of
For such receipt of learning is Blackfriars.
165
There you shall meet about this weighty business.
My Wolsey, see it furnished. O, my lord,
Would it not grieve an able man to leave
So sweet a bedfellow? But, conscience, conscience!
O, ’tis a tender place, and I must leave her.
KING , to GARDINER
Deliver this with modesty to th’ Queen.
GARDINER exits.
The most convenient place that I can think of
For such receipt of learning is Blackfriars.
There you shall meet about this weighty business.
My Wolsey, see it furnished. O, my lord,
Would it not grieve an able man to leave
So sweet a bedfellow? But, conscience, conscience!
O, ’tis a tender place, and I must leave her.
They exit.
They exit.
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