Ser. Lord Thomas Cromwell, in king Henry's

name,

I do arreft your honour of high treafon.

Crom. Serjeant, me of treafon ?

[Cromwell's attendants offer to draw.

Suf. Kill them, if they draw a fword.

Crom. Hold; I charge you, as you love me, draw not a fword.

Who dares accufe Cromwell of treafon now?

Gard. This is no place to reckon up your crime'; Your dove-like looks were view'd with ferpents' eyes. Crom. With ferpents' eyes indeed, by thine they

were.

But, Gardiner, do thy worft; I fear thee not.
My faith compar'd with thine, as much fhall pafs
As doth the diamond excell the glafs.
Attach'd'of treafon, no accufers by!"

Indeed what tongue dares fpeak fo foul'a lie?
Nor. My lord, my lord, matters are too well
known;

And it is time the king had note thereof.

Crom. The king! let me go to him face to face;
No better trial I defire than that.

Let him but fay, that Cromwell's faith was feign'd,
Then let my honour and my name be ftain'd.
If e'er my heart against the king was fet,

O let my foul in judgment anfwer it!

L

Then if my faith's confirmed with his reason, ...) I
'Gaint whom hath Cromwell then committed treafon?
Suf. My lord, my lord, your matter shall be tried ; [
Mean time with patience content yourfelf. A s
Crom. Perforce I muft with patience be content :-
O dear friend Bedford, dost thou stand so hear?#cƆ
Cromwell rejoyceth one friend sheds a tear. w I
And whither is't? Which way must Cromwell now ?^
Gard. My lord, you must unto the Tower. Lieu-

Crom. Well, where you please: but yet before I

part,

Let me confer a little with my men.

Gard. Ay, as you go by water, fo you shall.
Crom. I have fome bufinefs prefent to impart.
Nor. You may not ftay: lieutenant, take your
charge.

Crom. Well, well, my lord, you fecond Gardiner's

text.

Norfolk, farewel! thy turn will be the next.

[Exeunt Cromwell and Lieutenant. Gard. His guilty confcience makes him rave, my

lord.

Nor. Ay, let him talk; his time is fhort enough.
Gard. My lord of Bedford, come; you weep for

him

That would not fhed even half a tear for you.
Bed. It grieves me for to fee his fudden fall.
Gard. Such fuccefs wish I unto traitors all.

ASCEN EIV.

London.

A ftreet.

Enter two Citizens.

¡ [Exeunt.

1 Cit. Why, can this news be true? is't poffible? The great lord Cromwell arrested upon treason? I hardly will believe it can be fo.

2 Cit. It is too true, fir. Would it were other

wise,

Condition I fpent half the wealth I have!

I was at Lambeth, faw him there arrested,
And afterward committed to the Tower.

Cit. What, was't for treafon that he was com

mitted?

2 Cit. Kind, noble gentleman! I ́may rue the time : All that I have, I did enjoy by him; And if he die, then all my ftate is ftate is gone.

1 Cit. It may be hoped that he fhall not die, Because the king did favour him so much.

2 Cit. O fir, you are deceiv'd in thinking so:
The grace and favour he had with the king,
Hath caus'd him have fo many enemies.
He that in court fecure will keep himself,
Muft not be great, for then he is envied at.
The fhrub is fafe, when as the cedar fhakes;
For where the king doth love above compare,
Of others they as much more envied are.

1 Cit. 'Tis pity that this nobleman should fall, He did fo many charitable deeds.

2 Cit. 'Tis true; and yet you fee in each estate There's none fo good, but fome one doth him

hate;

And they before would smile him in the face,
Will be the foremost to do him difgrace.
What, will you go along unto the court?

1 Cit. I care not if I do, and hear the news, How men will judge what shall become of him. 2 Cit. Some will speak hardly, fome will speak in pity.

Go you to the court; I'll go into the city;
There I am fure to hear more news than you.

1 Cit. Why then foon will we meet again: adieu !

[Exeunt.

Why then foon will we meet again: adieu!] The concluding word of this line has been fupplied by Mr, Steevens. A rhime was probably intended. MALONE.

SCENE V.

A room in the Tower.

Enter Cromwell,

Crom. Now, Cromwell, haft thou time to medi

tate,

And think upon thy ftate, and of the time.

Thy honours came unfought, ay, and unlook'd for;
Thy fall as fudden, and unlook'd for too.
What glory was in England that had I not?
Who in this land commanded more than Cromwell?
Except the king, who greater than myself?
But now I fee what after ages fhall;

The greater men, more fudden is their fall.
And now I do remember, the earl of Bedford
Was very defirous for to speak to me;
And afterward fent unto me a letter,
The which I think I still have in my pocket,
Now may I read it, for I now have leisure;
And this 1 take it is.

My lord, come not this night to Lambeth,
For if you do, your state is overthrown;
And much I doubt your life, an if you come:
Then if you love yourself, ftay where you are.
O God, O God! had I but read this letter,
Then had I been free from the lion's paw:
Deferring this to read until to-morrow,
I fpurn'd at joy, and did embrace my forrow.

[Reads.

Enter Lieutenant of the Tower, Officers, &c.

Now, mafter lieutenant, when's this day of death? Lieu. Alas, my lord, would I might never fee it! Here are the dukes of Suffolk and of Norfolk, Winchefter, Bedford, and fir Richard Radcliff, With others; but why they come I know not.

Crom.

Crom. No matter wherefore. Cromwell is prepar'd,

For Gardiner has my life and ftate ensnar'd.
Bid them come in, or you fhall do them wrong,
For here stands he who fome think lives too long.
Learning kills learning, and, instead of ink

To dip his pen, Cromwell's heart-blood doth drink.

Enter the dukes of Suffolk and Norfolk; the earl of Bedford, Gardiner bishop of Winchester, fir Richard Radcliff, and fir Ralph Sadler.

Nor. Good morrow, Cromwell. What, alone fo fad?

Crom. One good among you, none of you are bad.
For my part, it beft fits me be alone;
Sadnefs with me, not I with any one.

What, is the king acquainted with my cause?
Nor. He is; and he hath anfwer'd us my lord.
Crom. How fhall I come to fpeak with him myfelf?
Gard. The king is fo advertis'd of your guilt,
He'll by no means admit you to his prefence.
Crom. No way admit me! am I fo foon forgot?
Did he but yesterday embrace my neck,

And faid that Cromwell was even half himself?
And are his princely ears fo much bewitch'd

With fcandalous ignomy, and flanderous fpeeches,
That now he doth deny to look on me?

Well, my lord of Winchester, no doubt but you Are much in favour with his majesty :

Will you bear a letter from me to his grace?

Gard. Pardon me; I will bear no traitor's letters. Crom. Ha!-Will you do this kindness then? Tell him

By word of mouth what I fhall fay to you

?

With fcandalous ignomy,-] Ignominy. The word is contracted in the fame manner in Shakspeare's plays, and in many other of our ancient dramas. MALONE.

Gard.