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. Indeed what tongue dares fpeak fo foul'a lie? And it is time the king had note thereof. Crom. The king! let me go to him face to face; Let him but fay, that Cromwell's faith was feign'd, O let my foul in judgment anfwer it! L Then if my faith's confirmed with his reason, ...) I 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. 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. him That would not fhed even half a tear for you. 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, 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: 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, 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; 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; The greater men, more fudden is their fall. My lord, come not this night to Lambeth, [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. 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. What, is the king acquainted with my cause? And faid that Cromwell was even half himself? With fcandalous ignomy, and flanderous fpeeches, 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. |