Gar.
It's one o'clock, boy, is't not?

Pag.
It hath strook.

Gar.
These should be hours for necessities,
Not for delights; times to repair our nature
With comforting repose, and not for us
To waste these times.—Good hour of night, sir Thomas!
Whither so late?

Lov.
Came you from the king, my lord?

Gar.
I did, sir Thomas; and left him at primero
With the duke of Suffolk.

Lov.
I must to him too,
Before he go to bed. I'll take my leave.

Gar.
Not yet, sir Thomas Lovel. What's the matter?
It seems, you are in haste: an if there be
No great offence belongs to't, give your friend
Some touch of your late business: Affairs, that walk
(As, they say, spirits do) at midnight, have
In them a wilder nature, than the business
That seeks dispatch by day.

Lov.
My lord, I love you;
And durst commend a secret to your ear
Much weightier than this work. The queen's in labour,
They say, in great extremity; and fear'd,

She'll with the labour end.

Gar.
The fruit, she goes with ^note,
I pray for heartily; that it may find
Good time, and live: but for the stock, sir Thomas,
I wish it grub'd up now.

Lov.
Methinks, I could
Cry the amen; and yet my conscience says
She's a good creature, and, sweet lady, does
Deserve our better wishes.

Gar.
But, sir, sir,—
Hear me, sir Thomas: you're a gentleman
Of mine own way, I know you wise, religious;
And let me tell you, it will ne'er be well,—
'Twill not, sir Thomas Lovel, take't of me,—
'Till Cranmer, Cromwel, her two hands, and she,
Sleep in their graves.

Lov.
Now, sir, you speak of two
The most remark'd i'the kingdom. As for Cromwel,—
Beside that of the jewel-house, he is made master
O 'the rolls, and the king's secretary; further, sir,
Stands in the gap and trade of more preferments,
With which the time ^note will load him: The arch-bishop
Is the king's hand, and tongue; And who dare speak
One syllable against him?

Gar.
Yes, yes, sir Thomas,
There are that dare; and I myself have ventur'd
To speak my mind of him: and, indeed, this day,
Sir, (I may tell it you) I think, I have
Incens'd the lords o'the council, that he is
(For so I know he is, they know he is)
A most arch heretick, a pestilence
That does infect the land: with which they moved,

Have broken with the king; who hath so far
Given ear to our complaint, (of his great grace,
And princely care; fore-seeing those fell mischiefs,
Our reasons lay'd before him) he hath commanded,
To-morrow morning to the council-board
He be convented. He's a rank weed, sir Thomas,
And we must root him out. From your affairs
I hinder you too long: good night, sir Thomas.

Lov.
Many good nights, my lord; I rest your servant. [Exeunt Gardiner, and Page. As Lovel is going out, Enter the King, and the Duke of Suffolk, as new risen from Play.

Kin.
Charles, I will play no more to-night;
My mind's not on't, you are too hard for me.

Suf.
Sir, I did never win of you before.

Kin.
But little, Charles;
Nor shall not, when my fancy's on my play.—
Now, Lovel, from the queen what is the news?

Lov.
I could not personally deliver to her
What you commanded me, but by her woman
I sent your message; who return'd her thanks
In the great'st humbleness, and desir'd your highness
Most heartily to pray for her.

Kin.
What say'st thou? ha!
To pray for her? what, is she crying out?

Lov.
So said her woman; and that her sufferance made
Almost each pang a death.

Kin.
Alas, good lady!

Suf.
God safely quit her of her burthen, and
With gentle travel, to the glading ^note of
Your highness with an heir!

Kin.
'Tis midnight, Charles,

Pr'ythee, to bed; and in thy prayers remember
The estate of my poor queen. Leave me alone;
For I must think of that, which company
Would not be friendly to.

Suf.
I wish your highness
A quiet night, and my good mistress will
Remember in my prayers.

Kin.
Charles, good night.— [Exit Suffolk. Enter Sir Antony Denny.
Well, sir, what follows?

Den.
Sir, I have brought my lord the arch-bishop,
As you commanded me.

Kin.
Ha! Canterbury?

Den.
Ay, my good lord.

Kin.
'Tis true: Where is he, Denny?

Den.
He attends your highness' pleasure.

Kin.
Bring him to us. [Exit Denny.

&clquo;Lov.
&clquo;This is about that which the bishop spake;&crquo;
&clquo;I am happily come hither.&crquo; Re-enter Denny, with Cranmer.

Kin.
Avoid the gallery. [Lovel seemeth to stay.] Ha! I have said. Begone. ^note
What! ^note [Exeunt Lovel, and Denny.

&clquo;Cra.
&clquo;I am fearful: wherefore frowns he thus?&crquo;
&clquo;'Tis his aspéct of terror. All's not well.&crquo;

Kin.
How now, my lord? You do desire to know
Wherefore I sent for you.

Cra.
It is my duty,
To attend your highness' pleasure.

Kin.
Pray you, arise,
My good and gracious lord of Canterbury.
Come, you and I must walk a turn together;

I have news to tell you: Come, 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: you a brother of us,
It fits we thus proceed, or else no witness
Would come against you.

Cra.
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.

Kin.
Stand up, good Canterbury;
Thy truth, and thy integrity, is rooted
In us, thy friend: Give me thy hand, stand up;
Pr'ythee, let's walk. 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 to have heard you,
Without indurance, further.

Cra.
Most dread liege,
The good I stand on is my truth, and honesty;

If they shall fail, I, with mine enemies,
Will triumph o'er my person; which I weigh not,
Being of those virtues vacant. I fear nothing
What can be said against me.

Kin.
Know you not
How your state stands i'the world, with the whole world?
Your enemies many ^note, and not small; their practices
Must bear the same proportion: and not ever
The justice and the truth o'the question carries
The due o'the verdict with it: At what ease
Might corrupt minds procure knaves as corrupt
To swear against you? such things have been done.
You are 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, whiles here he liv'd
Upon this naughty earth? Go to, go to;
You take a precipice ^note for no leap of danger,
And woo your own destruction.

Cra.
God, and your majesty,
Protect mine innocence, or I fall into
The trap is lay'd for me.

Kin.
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 shall chance,
In charging you with matters, to commit you,
The best persuasions to the contrary
Fail not to use, and with what vehemency
The occasion shall instruct you: if entreaties
Will render you no remedy, this &dagger2; 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.—He has strangl'd ^note
His language in his tears. [Exit Cranmer.

Gen. [within]
Come back; What mean you? Enter old Lady, Lovel following.

o. L.
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!

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

o. L.
Ay, ay, my liege;
And of a lovely boy; The God of heaven
Both now and ever 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.

Kin.
Lovel,—

Lov.
Sir.

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

o. L.
An hundred marks! By this light, I'll have 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 to him? I'll
Have more, or else unsay't: now ^note, while 'tis hot,
I'll put it to the issue. [Exeunt.

SCENE II. The council-Chamber. Chair, under a State, for the King; beneath, a Table: Chamber-keeper attending. Servants at the Door without; to which, Enter Cranmer.

Cra.
I hope, I am not too late; and yet the gentleman,
That was sent to me from the council, pray'd me
To make great haste. All fast? what means this?—Hoa!
Who waits there?—Sure, you know me?

Kee.
Yes, my lord;
But yet I cannot help you.

Cra.
Why? Enter Doctor Butts.

Kee.
Your grace
Must wait 'till you be call'd for.

Cra.
So.

But.
This is a piece of ^note malice. I am glad,
I came this way so happily: The king
Shall understand it presently. [Exit Butts.

Cra.
'Tis Butts,
The king's physician; as he pass'd along,
How earnestly he cast his eyes upon me:
Pray heaven, he sound not my disgrace! For certain,
This is of purpose lay'd, by some that hate me,
(God turn their hearts! I never sought their malice)
To quench mine honour: they would shame to make me
Wait else at door; a fellow counsellor,
Among ^note boys, grooms, and lackeys. But their pleasures
Must be fulfil'd, and I attend with patience. Enter the King, and Butts, at a Window above.

But.
I'll shew your grace the strangest sight,—

Kin.
What's that, Butts?

But.
I think, your highness saw this many a day.

Kin.
Body o' me, where is it?

But.
There, † my lord:
The high promotion of his grace of Canterbury;
Who holds his state at door, 'mongst pursuivants,
Pages, and foot-boys.

Kin.
Ha! 'Tis he, indeed:
Is this the honour they do one another?
'Tis well, there's one above 'em yet. I had thought,
They had parted so much honesty among 'em,
(At least, good manners) as not thus to suffer
A man of his place, and so near our favour,
To dance attendance on their lordships' pleasures,
And at the door too, like a post with packets.
By holy Mary, Butts, there's knavery:
Let 'em alone, and draw the curtain close;
We shall hear more anon. [Curtain drawn. Enter the Lord Chancellor, Duke of Suffolk, Duke of Norfolk, Earl of Surrey, Lord Chamberlain, Gardiner, and Cromwel. The Lord Chancellor places himself at the upper End of the Table on the left Hand, a Seat being left void above him as for the Arch-bishop of Canterbury; the rest seat themselves in Order on each Side; Cromwel at lower End, as Secretary.

Chaⁿ.
Speak to the business, Mr. secretary;
Why are we met in council?

Cro.
Please your honours,
The chiefest ^note cause concerns his grace of Canterbury.

Gar.
Has he had knowledge of it?

Cro.
Yes.

Nor.
Who waits there?

Kee.
Without, my noble lords?

Gar.
Yes.

Kee.
My lord arch-bishop;
And has done half an hour, to know your pleasures.

Chaⁿ.
Let him come in.

Kee.
Your grace may enter now. Cranmer approaches the Council Table.

Chaⁿ.
My good lord arch-bishop, I am very sorry
To sit here at this present, and behold
That † chair stand empty: But we all are men,
In our own natures frail, and capable
Of our flesh;14Q0947 few are angels: out of which frailty,
And want of wisdom, you, that best should teach us,
Have misdemean'd yourself, and not a little,
Toward the king first, then his laws, in filling
The whole realm, by your teaching, and your chaplains',
(For so we are inform'd) with new opinions,
Divers, and dangerous; which are heresies,
And, not reform'd, may prove pernicious.

Gar.
Which reformation must be sudden too,
My noble lords: for those, that tame wild horses,
Pace 'em not in their hands to make 'em gentle;
But stop their mouths with stubborn bits, and spur 'em,
'Till they obey the manage. If we suffer
(Out of our easiness, and childish pity
To one man's honour) this contagious sickness,
Farewel all physick: And what follows then?
Commotions, uproars, and a general taint
Of the whole state: as, of late days, our neighbours,
The upper Germany, can dearly witness,
Yet freshly pity'd in our memories.

Cra.
My good lords, hitherto, in all the progress
Both of my life and office, I have labour'd,
And with no little study, that my teaching,
And the strong course of my authority,
Might go one way, and safely; and the end
Was ever, to do well: nor is there living
(I speak it with a single heart, my lords)
A man, that more detests, more stirs against,
Both in his private conscience, and his place,
Defacers of a publick peace, than I do.
Pray heaven, the king may never find a heart
With less allegiance in it! Men, that make
Envy, and crooked malice, nourishment,
Dare bite the best. I do beseech your lordships,
That, in this case of justice, my accusers,
Be what they will, may stand forth face to face,
And freely urge against me.

Suf.
Nay, my lord,
That cannot be; you are a counsellor,
And, by that virtue, no man dare accuse you.

Gar.
My lord, because we have business of more moment,
We will be short with you. 'Tis his highness' pleasure,
And our consent, for better trial of you,
From hence you be committed to the tower;
Where being but a private man again,
You shall know many dare accuse you boldly,
More than, I fear, you are provided for.

Cra.
Ah, my good lord of Winchester, I thank you,
You are always my good friend; if your will pass,
I shall both find your lordship judge and juror,
You are so merciful: I see your end,
'Tis my undoing: Love, and meekness, lord,

Become a churchman better than ambition;
Win straying souls with modesty again,
Cast none away. That I shall clear myself,
Lay all the weight ye can upon my patience,
I make as little doubt, as you do conscience
In doing daily wrongs. I could say more,
But reverence to your calling makes me modest.

Gar.
My lord, my lord, you are a sectary,
That's the plain truth; your painted gloss discovers,
To men that understand you, words and weakness.

Cro.
My lord of Winchester, you are a little,
By your good favour, too sharp; men so noble,
However faulty, yet should find respect
For what they have been: 'tis a cruelty,
To load a falling man.

Gar.
Good Mr. secretary,
I cry your honour mercy; you may, worst
Of all this table, say so.

Cro.
Why, my lord?

Gar.
Do not I know you for a favourer
Of this new sect? ye are not sound.

Cro.
Not sound?

Gar.
Not sound, I say.

Cro.
'Would you were half so honest!
Men's prayers then would seek you, not their fears.

Gar.
I shall remember this bold language.

Cro.
Do:
Remember your bold life too.

Chaⁿ.
This14Q0948 ^note is too much;
Forbear, for shame, my lords.

Gar.
I have done.

Cro.
And I.

Chaⁿ.
Then ^note thus for you, my lord,—It stands agreed,
I take it, by all voices, that forthwith
You be convey'd to the tower a prisoner;
There to remain, 'till the king's further pleasure
Be known unto us: Are you all agreed, lords?

all.
We are.

Cra.
Is there no other way of mercy,
But I must needs to the tower, my lords?

Gar.
What other
Would you expect? You're strangely troublesome:—
Let some o'the guard be ready there.

Cra.
For me? Enter Guard.
Must I go like a traitor thither?

Gar.
Receive him,
And see him safe i' the tower.

Cra.
Stay, good my lords,
I have a little yet to say. Look there, my lords;
By virtue of that &dagger2; ring, I take my cause
Out of the gripes of cruel men, and give it
To a most noble judge, the king my master.

Cha.
This is the king's ring.

Sur.
'Tis no counterfeit.

Suf.
'Tis the right ring, by heaven: I told ye all,
When we first put this dangerous stone a rowling,
'Twould fall upon ourselves.

Nor.
Do you think, my lords,
The king will suffer but the little finger
Of this man to be vex'd?

Cha.
'Tis now too certain:
How much more is his life in value with him?
'Would I were fairly out on't.

Cro.
My mind gave me,
In seeking tales, and informations,
Against this man, (whose honesty the devil
And his disciples only envy at)
Ye blew the fire that burns ye: Now have at ye. Enter King, frowning on them; takes his Seat.

Gar.
Dread sovereign, how much are we bound to heaven
In daily thanks, that gave us such a prince;
Not only good and wise, but most religious:
One that, in all obedience, makes the church
The chief aim of his honour; and, to strengthen
That holy duty, out of dear respect,
His royal self in judgment comes to hear
The cause betwixt her and this great offender.

Kin.
You were ever good at sudden commendations,
Bishop of Winchester. But know, I come not
To hear such flatteries ^note now, and in my presence;
They are too thin and base to hide offences,
To me you cannot reach: You play the spaniel,
And think with waging of your tongue to win me;
But, whatsoe'er thou tak'st me for, I am sure,
Thou hast a cruel nature, and a bloody.—
Good man, sit down. Now let me see the proudest
He, that dares most, but wag his finger at thee:
By all that's holy, he had better starve,
Than but once think this place ^note becomes thee not.

Sur.
May it please your grace,—

Kin.
No, sir, it does not please me.
I had thought, I had had men of some understanding
And wisdom of my council; but I find none.
Was it discretion, lords, to let this man,
This good man, (few of you deserve that title)

This honest man, wait like a lousy foot-boy
At chamber door? and one as great as you are?
Why, what a shame was this? Did my commission
Bid ye so far forget yourselves? I gave ye
Power as he was a counsellor to try him,
Not as a groom: There's some of ye, I see,
More out of malice than integrity,
Would try him to the utmost, had ye mean ^note;
Which ye shall never have, while I live.

Chaⁿ.
Thus far,
My most dread sovereign, may it like your grace
To let my tongue excuse all. What was purpos'd,
Concerning his imprisonment, was rather
(If there be faith in men) meant for his trial,
And fair purgation to the world, than malice;
I am sure, in me.

Kin.
Well, well, my lords, respect him;
Take him, and use him well, he's worthy of it:
I will say thus much for him, If a prince
May be beholding to a subject, I
Am, for his love and service, so to him.
Make me no more ado, but all embrace him;
Be friends, for shame, my lords.—My lord of Canterbury,
I have a suit which you must not deny me:
There is ^note a fair young maid, that yet wants baptism;
You must be godfather, and answer for her.

Cra.
The greatest monarch now alive may glory
In such an honour; How may I deserve it,
That am a poor and humble subject to you?

Kin.
Come, come, my lord, you'd spare your spoons:14Q0949 you shall have
Two noble partners with you; the old dutchess of Norfolk,

And lady marquiss Dorset; Will these please you?—
Once more, my lord of Winchester, I charge you,
Embrace, and love, this man.

Gar.
With a true heart,
And brother's ^note love, I do it.

Cra.
And let heaven
Witness, how dear I hold this confirmation.

Kin.
Good man, those joyful tears shew thy true heart. ^note
The common voice, I see, is verify'd
Of thee, which says thus, Do my lord of Canterbury
A shrewd turn, and he is your friend for ever.—
Come, lords, we trifle time away; I long
To have this young one made a christian.
As I have made ye one, lords, one remain;
So I grow stronger, you more honour gain. [Exeunt. SCENE III. Court of the Palace. Noise and Tumult within. Enter Porter, and his Man.

Por.
You'll leave your ^note noise14Q0950
Anon, ye rascals: Do you take the court
For Paris-garden ^note? ye rude slaves, leave your gaping.

within.
Good Mr. porter, I belong to the larder.

Por.
Belong to the gallows, and be hang'd, you rogue:
Is this a place to roar in? ^note—
Fetch me a dozen crab-tree staves, and strong ones;
These are but switches to 'em.—
I'll scratch your heads: You must be seeing christnings?
Do you look for ale and cakes here, you rude rascals?

Man.
Pray, sir, be patient; 'tis as much impossible,
(Unless we sweep 'em from the door with cannons)
To scatter 'em, as 'tis to make 'em sleep

On May-day morning, which will never be:
We may as well ^note push against Paul's, as stir 'em.

Por.
How got they in, and be hang'd?

Man.
Alas, I know not; How gets the tide in?
As much as one sound cudgel of four foot
(You see † the poor remainder) could distribute,
I made no spare, sir.

Por.
You did nothing, sir.

Man.
I am not Sampson, nor sir Guy, nor Colbrand,
To mow 'em down before me: but, if I spar'd
Any, that had a head to hit, either young
Or old, he or she, cuckold or cuckold-maker,
Let me ne'er hope to see a chine again;
And that I would not for a cow, God save her.

within.
Do you hear, Mr. porter?

Por.
I shall be with you presently,
Good Mr. puppy.—Keep the door close, sirrah.

Man.
What would you have me do?

Por.
What should you do,
But knock 'em down by the dozens?—Is this Morefields,
To muster in? or have we some strange Indian,
Wi'the great tool, come to court, the women so besiege us?
Bless me,
What a fry of fornication is at door!
O'my christian conscience, this one christning will
Beget a thousand; here will be father, godfather,
And all together.

Man.
The spoons will be the bigger, sir.
There is a fellow somewhat near the door,
He should be a brazier by his face,
For, o'my conscience, twenty of the dog-days
Now reign in his nose; all that stand about him are

Under the line, they need no other penance:
That fire-drake did I hit three times on the head,
And three times was his nose discharg'd against me;
He stands there, like a mortar-piece, to blow us.
There was a haberdasher's wife of small wit
Near him, that rail'd upon me,
'Till her pink'd porringer fell off her head,
For kindling such combustion ^note in the state:
I miss'd the meteor once, and hit that woman,
Who cry'd out, clubs! when I might see from far
Some forty truncheoneers draw to her succour,
Which were the hope o'the Strand where she was quarter'd:
They fell on, I made good my place; at length
They came to the broom-staff wi'me ^note, I defy'd 'em still;
When suddenly a file of boys behind 'em,
Loose shot, deliver'd such a shower of pebbles,
That I was fain to draw mine honour in,
And let 'em win the work:
The devil was amongst 'em, I think, surely.

Por.
These are the youths that thunder at a playhouse,
And fight for bitten apples; that no audience,
But the sweet tribulation of Tower-hill,
Or the limbs of Lime-house, their dear brothers, are
Able to endure. I have some of 'em in Limbo
Patrum, and there they are like to dance these three days;
Besides the running banquet of two beadles,
That is to come. Enter the Lord Chamberlain.

Cha.
Mercy o'me, what a ^note multitude are here!
They grow still too, from all parts they are coming,
As if we kept a fair! Where are these porters,
These lazy knaves?—Ye've made a fine hand, fellows

There's a trim rabble let in. Are all these
Your faithful friends o'the suburbs? We shall have
Great store of room, no doubt, left for the ladies,
When they pass back from the christning.

Por.
An't please your honour,
We are but men; and what so many may do,
Not being torn a pieces, we have done:
An army cannot rule 'em.

Cha.
As I live,
If the king blame me for't, I'll lay ye all
By the heels, and suddenly; and on your heads
Clap round fines, for neglect: Y'are lazy knaves;
And here ye lye baiting of bombards, when
Ye should do service. Hark, the trumpets sound;
They're come already from the christening:
Go, break among the prease, and find a way ^note out
To let the troop pass fairly; or I'll find
A Marshalsea, shall hold you play these two months. [Exit Chamberlain.

Por.
Make way there for the princess.

Man.
You great fellow,
Stand close up, or I'll make your head ake.

Por.
You i'the chamblet,
Get up o'the rail, I'll peck you o'er the pales else. [Exeunt, forcing back the Croud. SCENE IV. The same. Enter Trumpets, sounding; then two Aldermen, Lord Mayor, Garter, Cranmer, Duke of Norfolk with his Marshal's Staff, Duke of Suffolk, two Noblemen bearing great standing Bowls for the christning Gifts: then four Noblemen bearing

a Canopy, under which the Dutchess of Norfolk, Godmother, bearing the Child richly habited in a Mantle &c. Train born by a Lady: then follow the Marchioness Dorset, the other Godmother, and Ladies. Troop halts, and Garter advances.

Gar.

Heaven, from14Q0951 thy endless goodness, send prosperous life, long and ever happy, to the high and mighty princess of England, Elizabeth!

Cra.
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 lay'd up to make parents happy,
May hourly fall upon ye!

Kin.
Thank you, good lord arch-bishop:
What is her name?

Cra.
Elizabeth.

Kin.
Stand up, lord.—
With this † kiss take my blessing: God protect thee!
Into whose hand I give thy life.

Cra.
Amen!

Kin.
My noble gossips, ye have been too prodigal:
I thank ye heartily; so shall this lady,
When she has so much English.

Cra.
Let me speak, sir,
For heaven now bids me; and the words I utter
Let none think flattery, for they'll find 'em 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
(But few now living can behold that goodness)

A pattern to all princes living with her,
And all that shall succeed: Sheba ^note was never
More covetous of wisdom, and fair virtue,
Than this pure soul shall be: all princely graces,
That mould up such ^note a mighty piece as this is,
With all the virtues that attend the good,
Shall still be doubl'd on her: 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: Good grows with her:
In her days, every man shall eat in safety,
Under his own vine, what he plants; and sing
The merry songs of peace to all his neighbours:
God shall be truly known; and those about her
From her shall read the perfect way of honour,
And by that ^note claim their greatness, not by blood.
[Nor shall this peace14Q0952 sleep with her: But as when
The bird of wonder dies, the maiden phœnix,
Her ashes new create another heir,
As great in admiration as herself;
So shall she leave her blessedness to one,
(When heaven shall call her from this cloud of darkness)
Who, from the sacred ashes of her honour,
Shall star-like rise, as great in fame as she was,
And so stand fix'd: peace, plenty, love, truth, terror,
That were the servants to this chosen infant,
Shall then be his, and like a vine grow to him;
Wherever the bright sun of heaven shall shine,
His honour, and the greatness of his name,
Shall be, and make new nations: he shall flourish,
And, like a mountain cedar, reach his branches

To all the plains about him: Our children's children
Shall see this, and bless heaven.

Kin.
Thou speakest wonders.]

Cra.
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 pure unspotted ^note lilly shall she pass
To the ground, and all the world shall mourn her.

Kin.
O lord arch-bishop,
Thou hast made me now a man; never, before
This happy child, did I get any thing:
This oracle of comfort has so pleas'd me,
That, when I am in heaven, I shall desire
To see what this child does, and praise my maker.—
I thank ye all.—To you, my good lord mayor,
And your good ^note brethren, I am much beholding;
I have receiv'd much honour by your presence,
And ye shall find me thankful.—Lead the way, lords;—
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. [Exeunt.

EPILOGUE.
'Tis ten to one, this play can never please
All that are here: Some come to take their ease, ^note
And sleep an act or two; but those, we fear,
We have frighted with our trumpets; so, 'tis clear,
They'll say, 'tis naught: ^note others, to hear the city
Abus'd extremely, and to cry,—that's witty;
Which we have not done neither: that, I fear,
All the expected good we are like to hear
For this play at this time, is only in
The merciful construction of good women;
For such a one we shew'd 'em: If they smile,
And say, 'twill do, I know, within a while
All the best men are ours; for 'tis ill hap,
If they hold, when their ladies bid 'em clap.

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