Leap'd from his eyes: so looks the chafèd lion Upon the daring huntsman that has gall'd

him ;

Then makes him nothing. I must read this paper:

I fear, the story of his anger.-'Tis so :

I have touch'd the highest point of all my great

ness:

And, from that full meridian1 of my glory,
I haste now to my setting. I shall fall
Like a bright exhalation in the evening,
And no man see me more.

2

Re-enter the DUKES OF NORFOLK and SUFFOLK, the EARL OF SURREY, and the Lord Chamberlain.

Nor. Hear the king's pleasure, cardinal: who commands you

3

4

To render up the great seal presently
Into our hands; and to confine yourself
To Asher-house, my lord of Winchester's,
Till you hear further from his highness.
Wol.
Stay,
Where's your commission," lords? words can-

20

25

30

35

Who dare cross them,

Bearing the King's will from his mouth ex

pressly?

Wol. Till I find more than will, or words, to

do it.

(I mean, your malice) know, officious lords,
I dare, and must deny. Now I feel

Of what coarse metal ye are moulded,-envy.
How eagerly ye follow my disgraces,

40

As if it fed ye! and how sleek and wanton
Ye appear in everything may bring my ruin!
Follow your envious courses, men of malice; 45
You have Christian warrant for them, and, no

doubt,

In time will find their fit rewards. That seal
You ask with such a violence, the king

(Mine, and your master) with his own hand gave me :

Bade me enjoy it, with the place and honours, 50 During my life, and, to confirm his goodness, Tied it by letters patent: Now, who'll take

it?

6

Sur. The king, that gave it.

Wol.

It must be himself then. Suf. Lord cardinal, the king's further plea

sure is,

Because all those things you have done of late

By your power legatine within this kingdom,
Fall into the compass of a pramunire,-
That therefore such a writ be sued against you;
To forfeit all your goods, lands, tenements,"
Chattels,10 and whatsoever, and to be
Out of the king's protection : "This is my
charge.

Nor. And so we'll leave you to your medita

tions

55

60

How to live better. For your stubborn answer, About the giving back the great seal to us, The king shall know it, and, no doubt, shall thank you.

So fare you well, my little good lord cardinal. [Exeunt all but WOLSEY. Wol. So farewell to the little good you bear

me.

65

Farewell, a long farewell, to all my greatness! This is the state of man: To-day he puts forth 70 The tender leaves of hope, to-morrow blossoms, And bears his blushing honours 12 thick upon

him:

The third day comes a frost, a killing frost ; And,-when he thinks, good easy man, full surely

His greatness is a-ripening,-nips his root,
And then he falls, as I do. I have ventured,
Like little wanton 13 boys that swim on bladders,
This many summers in a sea of glory;
But far beyond my depth: my high-blown
pride

At length broke under me; and now has left

me,

75

80

Weary, and old with service, to the mercy
Of a rude stream, that must for ever hide me.
Vain pomp and glory of this world, I hate ye;
I feel my heart new open'd: oh, how wretched
Is that poor man that hangs on princes' favours! 85
There is, betwixt that smile we would aspire

14

to, That sweet aspect 15 of princes, and their ruin,

16

More pangs and fears than wars or women have;
And when he falls, he falls like Lucifer,'
Never to hope again.—

Enter CROMWELL, amazedly.

Why, how now, Cromwell?

What! amazed

Crom. I have no power to speak, sir.

Wol. At my misfortunes? can thy spirit wonder A great man should decline? Nay, an you 17 weep,

I am fallen indeed.

Crom.

Wol.

18

How does your grace? 1s

Why, well;
Never so truly happy, my good Cromwell.
I know myself now; and I feel within me
A peace above all earthly dignities,19
A still and quiet conscience.

cured me,

The king has

I humbly thank his grace; and from these shoulders,

These ruin'd pillars, out of pity, taken

90

95

100

A load would sink a navy, too much honour: 105
O, 'tis a burden, Cromwell, 'tis a burden,
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 20 of soul I feel),
To endure more miseries, and greater far,
Than my weak-hearted enemies dare offer.
What news abroad?

ΠΙΟ

Crom.

The heaviest, and the worst,

Is your displeasure with the king.

Wol.

God bless him! Crom. The next is, that Sir Thomas More 21 is chosen

Lord chancellor in your place.

Wol.
That's somewhat sudden :
But he's a learned man. May he continue
Long in his highness' favour, and do justice
For truth's sake and his conscience; that his

bones,

When he has run his course, and sleeps in bless-
ings,

May have a tomb of orphan's tears22 wept on'em!
What more?

Crom. That Cranmer is return'd with wel

come,

Install'd lord archbishop of Canterbury.

Wol. That's news indeed.

Crom.

23

115

120

125

Last, that the lady Anne,' Whom the king hath in secrecy long married, 130 This day was view'd in open as his queen, Going to chapel; and the voice is now Only about her coronation.

24

Wol. There was the weight 25 that pull'd me
down. O Cromwell,

The king has gone beyond me; all my glories 135
In that one woman I have lost for ever:
No sun shall ever usher 26 forth mine honours,
Or gild again the noble troops that waited
Upon my smiles. Go, get thee from me,
Cromwell,

E