Nor.
Well met, my Lord Chamberlain.

Cham.
Good day to both your Graces.

Suf.
How is the King employ'd?

Cham.
I left him private,
Full of sad thoughts and troubles.

Nor.
What's the cause?

Cham.
It seems, the marriage with his brother's wife
Has crept too near his conscience.

Suf.
No, his conscience
Has crept too near another lady.

Nor.
'Tis so;
This is the Cardinal's doing; the King-Cardinal!
That blind priest, like the eldest son of fortune,
Turns what he lists. The King will know him one day.

Suf.
Pray God, he do! he'll never know himself else.

Nor.
How holily he works in all his business,
And with what zeal? for now he has crackt the league
'Tween us and th' Emperor, the Queen's great nephew,
He dives into the King's soul, and there scatters
Doubts, dangers, wringing of the conscience,
Fears, and despair, 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 lustre;

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?

Cham.
Heav'n keep me from such counsel! 'tis most true,
These news are ev'ry where; ev'ry tongue speaks 'em,
And ev'ry true heart weeps for't. All, that dare
Look into these affairs, see his main end,
The French King's sister. Heav'n will one day open
The King's eyes, that so long have slept upon
This bold, bad man.

Suf.
And free us from his slavery.

Nor.
We had need pray, and heartily, for deliv'rance;
Or this imperious man will work us all
^{2 note}From princes into pages; all men's honours
Lie like one lump before him, to be fashion'd
^{3 note}

Suf.
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.

Nor.
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?

Cham.
Excuse me,
The King hath sent me other-where; besides
You'll find a most unfit time to disturb him.
Health to your Lordships. [Exit Lord Chamberlain.

Nor.
Thanks, my good Lord Chamberlain.

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