Bed.
My soul is like a water troubled;
And Gardiner is the man that makes it so.
O Cromwell, I do fear thy end is near;
Yet I'll prevent their malice if I can:
And in good time, see where the man doth come,
Who little knows how near's his day of doom. Enter Cromwell, with his train. Bedford makes as though he would speak to him. Cromwell goes on.

Crom.
You're well encounter'd, my good lord of Bedford.
I see your honour is address'd to talk* ^note.
Pray pardon me; I am sent for to the king,
And do not know the business yet myself:
So fare you well, for I must needs be gone. [Exit Cromwell, &c.

Bed.
You must; well, what remedy?
I fear too soon you must be gone indeed.
The king hath business; but little dost thou know,
Who's busy for thy life; thou think'st not so. Re-enter Cromwell, attended.

Crom.
The second time well met my lord of Bedford:
I am very sorry that my haste is such.
Lord marquis Dorset being sick to death,
I must receive of him the privy-seal.
At Lambeth soon, my lord, we'll talk our fill. [Exit.

Bed.
How smooth and easy is the way to death* ^note

Mes.
My lord, the dukes of Norfolk and of Suffolk,
Accompanied with the bishop of Winchester,
Entreat you to come presently to Lambeth,
On earnest matters that concern the state.

Bed.
To Lambeth! so: go fetch me pen and ink;
I and lord Cromwell there shall talk enough:
Ay, and our last, I fear, an if he come. [Writes.
Here, take this letter^{7 note}, and bear it to lord Cromwell;
Bid him read it; say it concerns him near:
Away, be gone, make all the haste you can.
To Lambeth do I go a woeful man. [Exeunt.

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