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Charles Kean [1855], Shakespere's historical play of King Henry the Eighth; arranged for representation at the Princess's Theatre, by Charles Kean. First performed on Wednesday, 16th May, 1855 (Printed by John K. Chapman and Co. [etc.], London) [word count] [S35600].
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SCENE III. —INTERIOR OF THE CHURCH OF THE GREY FRIARS, GREENWICH, RESTORED FROM CONTEMPORANEOUS BUILDINGS, IN THE ABSENCE OF ACTUAL VESTIGES. King Henry, Duke of Norfolk, with his marshal's staff, Duke of Suffolk, Lord Chamberlain, Noblemen, bearing great standing bowls for the christening gifts; Lords and Ladies, Duchess of Norfolk, godmother, bearing the child richly habited in a mantle, &c. Train borne by a Lady. The Marchioness of Dorset, the other godmother. Lord Chancellor, Lord Mayor, Sheriff's, Aldermen, Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury, Bishop of London and the other Bishops; Trumpeters, Mace-bearers, Pursuivants, Guards, Garter King-at-Arms —all discovered. At the end of the flourish of trumpets, Garter speaks.

Gart.

Heaven, from thy endless goodness, send prosperous life, long, and ever happy, to the high and mighty princess of England, Elizabeth!* note

[Flourish.

Cran. [Kneeling.]
And to your royal grace, and the good queen,
My noble partners, and myself, thus pray;—
All comfort, joy, in this most gracious lady,
Heaven ever laid up to make parents happy,
May hourly fall upon ye!

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K. Hen.
Thank you, good lord archbishop;
What is her name?

Cran.
Elizabeth.

K. Hen.
Stand up, lord.— [The King kisses the Child.
With this kiss take my blessing: Heaven protect thee!
Into whose hands I give thy life.

Cran.
Let me speak, sir,
For Heaven now bids me; and the words I utter
Let none think flattery, for they'll find them truth.
This royal infant, (heaven still move about her!)
Though in her cradle, yet now promises
Upon this land a thousand thousand blessings,
Which time shall bring to ripeness: She shall be
A pattern to all princes living with her,
And all that shall succeed: truth shall nurse her,
Holy and heavenly thoughts still counsel her:
She shall be lov'd, and fear'd: Her own shall bless her:
Her foes shake like a field of beaten corn,
And hang their heads with sorrow. Our children's children
Shall see this, and bless heaven.

K. Hen.
Thou speakest wonders.

Cran.
She shall be to the happiness of England,
An aged princess; many days shall see her,
And yet no day without a deed to crown it.
'Would I had known no more! but she must die,
She must, the saints must have her; yet a virgin,
A most unspotted lily shall she pass
To the ground, and all the world shall mourn her.

K. Hen.
O lord archbishop,
This oracle of comfort has so pleas'd me.
That, when I am in heaven, I shall desire
To see what this child does. I thank ye all.
Ye must all see the queen, and she must thank ye,
She will be sick else. This day, no man think
He has business at his house; for all shall stay,
This little one shall make it holiday.(1)8Q0051
[Flourish of trumpets as the Curtain falls. THE END.

-- 90 --

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Charles Kean [1855], Shakespere's historical play of King Henry the Eighth; arranged for representation at the Princess's Theatre, by Charles Kean. First performed on Wednesday, 16th May, 1855 (Printed by John K. Chapman and Co. [etc.], London) [word count] [S35600].
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