Cran.
I am fearful. Wherefore frowns he thus?
'Tis his aspect of terror. All's not well.

King.
How now, my Lord? you do desire to know,
Wherefore I sent for you.

Cran. [kneeling.]
It is my duty
T'attend your Highness' pleasure.

King.
Pray you, rise!
My good and gracious Lord of Canterbury.
Come, you and I must walk a turn together;
I've news to tell you. Come, give me your hand.
Ah, my good Lord, I grieve at what I speak;
And am right sorry to repeat what follows.
I have, and most unwillingly, of late
Heard many grievous, I do say, my Lord,
Grievous complaints of you; which being consider'd,
Have mov'd us and our Council, that you shall
This morning come before us; where I know,
You cannot with such freedom purge yourself,
But that, till further trial, in those charges
Which will require your answer, you must take
Your patience to you, and be well contented
To make your house our Tower. ^{6 note}You a brother of us,
It fits we thus proceed; or else no witness
Would come against you.

Cran. [Kneeling.]
I humbly thank your Highness,
And am right glad to catch this good occasion
Most throughly to be winnow'd, where my chaff
And corn shall fly asunder; for, I know,
There's none stands under more calumnious tongues
Than I myself, poor man.

King.
Stand up, good Canterbury;

Thy truth and thy integrity is rooted
In us, thy friend. Give me thy hand, stand up;
Pry'thee, let's walk. [Cranmer rises.] Now, by my holy dame,
What manner of man are you? my Lord, I look'd,
You would have given me your petition, that
I should have ta'en some pains to bring together
Yourself and your accusers, and have heard you
Without indurance further.

Cran.
Most dread Liege,
* ^note
The good I stand on is my truth and honesty:
If they shall fall, I with mine enemies
Will triumph o'er my person, which I weigh not,
Being of those virtues vacant. I fear nothing
Which can be said against me.

King.
Know you not
How your state stands i'th'world, with the whole world?
Your foes are many, and not small; their practices
Must bear the same proportion; and not ever
The justice and the truth o'th' question carries
The due o'th' verdict with it. At what ease
Might corrupt minds procure knaves as corrupt
To swear against you? Such things have been done.
You're potently oppos'd; and with a malice
Of as great size. Ween you of better luck,
I mean, in perjur'd witness, than your master,
Whose minister you are, while here he liv'd
Upon this naughty earth? Go to, go to,
You take a precipice for no leap of danger,
And woo your own destruction.

Cran.
God and your Majesty
Protect mine innocence, or I fall into
The trap is laid for me!

King.
Be of good cheer;
They shall no more prevail, than we give way to.

Keep comfort to you, and this morning see
You do appear before them; if they chance,
In charging you with matters, to commit you,
The best persuasions to the contrary
Fail not to use; and with what vehemency
Th' occasion shall instruct you. If intreaties
Will render you no remedy, this Ring
Deliver them, and your appeal to us
There make before them. Look, the good man weeps!
He's honest, on mine honour. God's blest mother!
I swear, he is true-hearted; and a soul
None better in my kingdom. Get you gone,
And do as I have bid you. [Exit Cranmer.
H'as strangled all his language in his tears. Enter an old Lady.

Gen. Within.
Come back; what mean you?

Lady.
I'll not come back, the tidings that I bring
Will make my boldness manners. Now good angels
Fly o'er thy royal head, and shade thy person
Under their blessed wings!

King.
Now, by thy looks
I guess thy message. Is the Queen deliver'd?
Say, ay; and of a boy.

Lady.
Ay, ay, my Liege;
And of a lovely boy; the God of heav'n
Both now and ever ^{7 note}bless her!—'tis a girl,
Promises boys hereafter. Sir, your Queen
Desires your visitation; and to be
Acquainted with this stranger; 'tis as like you,
As cherry is to cherry.

King.
Lovell,—

Lov.
Sir.

King.
Give her an hundred marks. I'll to the Queen. [Exit King.

Lady.
An hundred marks! by this light, I'll ha' more.
An ordinary groom is for such payment.
I will have more, or scold it out of him.
Said I for this, the girl was like him? I'll
Have more, or else unsay't. Now, while 'tis hot,
I'll put it to the issue. [Exit Lady.

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