Why, well; Wol. Never so truly happy, my good Cromwell. 379 A still and quiet conscience. The king has cured me, A load would sink a navy, too much honour. Too heavy for a man that hopes for heaven! Crom. I am glad your grace has made that right use of it. Wol. I hope I have: I am able now, methinks, Out of a fortitude of soul I feel, To endure more miseries and greater far Crom. Wol. The heaviest and the worst Is your displeasure with the king. God bless him! Crom. The next is, that Sir Thomas More is chosen Wol. 390 That's somewhat sudden : Crom. That Cranmer is return'd with welcome, 400 Install'd lord archbishop of Canterbury. Wol. That's news indeed. Crom. Last, that the Lady Anne, Whom the king hath in secrecy long married, Going to chapel; and the voice is now Only about her coronation. Wol. There was the weight that pull'd me down. Q Cromwell, The king has gone beyond me: all my glories In that one woman I have lost for ever: No sun shall ever usher forth mine honours, Or gild again the noble troops that waited 410 Upon my smiles. Go, get thee from me, Cromwell; To be thy lord and master: seek the king; That sun, I pray, may never set! I have told him What and how true thou art: he will advance thee; I know his noble nature-not to let Thy hopeful service perish too: good Cromwell, Crom. O my lord, Must I then leave you? must I needs forgo Wol. Cromwell, I did not think to shed a tear 420 430 In all my miseries; but thou hast forced me, And sleep in dull cold marble, where no mention Still in thy right hand carry gentle peace, 440 To silence envious tongues. Be just, and fear not: Thy God's, and truth's; then if thou fall'st, O Thou fall'st a blessed martyr! Serve the king; There take an inventory of all I have, To the last penny; 'tis the king's: my robe, And my integrity to heaven, is all 450 I dare now call mine own. O Cromwell, Cromwell! Crom. Good sir, have patience. Wol. So I have. Farewell The hopes of court! my hopes in heaven do dwell. [Exeunt. |