Richm. Great God of Heaven, say Amen to all: But tell me, is yong George Stanley living?

Der. He is my Lord, and safe in Leicester Towne, Whither (if you please) we may withdraw us.

Richm. What men of name are slaine on either side? Der. John Duke of Norfolke, Walter Lord Ferris, Sir Robert Brokenbury, and Sir William Brandon.

20

Richm. Interre their Bodies, as become their Births, Proclaime a pardon to the Soldiers fled,

That in submission will returne to us,
And then as we have tane the Sacrament,
We will unite the White Rose, and the Red.
Smile Heaven upon this faire Conjunction,
That long have frown'd upon their Enmity:
What Traitor heares me, and sayes not Amen?
England hath long beene mad, and scarr'd her selfe;
The Brother blindely shed the Brothers blood;
The Father, rashly slaughtered his owne Sonne;
The Sonne compell'd, beene Butcher to the Sire;
All this divided Yorke and Lancaster,
Divided, in their dire Division.

O now, let Richmond and Elizabeth,

30

The true Succeeders of each Royall House,
By Gods faire ordinance, conjoyne together:
And let thy Heires (God if thy will be so)
Enrich the time to come, with Smooth-fac'd Peace,
With smiling Plenty, and faire Prosperous dayes.
Abate1 the edge of Traitors, Gracious Lord,
That would reduce these bloudy dayes againe,
And make poore England weepe in Streames of Blood;

17. (if you please) .. may withdraw: if it please
withdraw-Q2.

20. Brokenbury: Brakenbury-4F. 38. thy: their-1-2,8Q.

40 1dull

may now

19. Ferris: Ferrers-CAPELL.

21. become: becomes-RowE.

Let them not live to taste this Lands increase,

That would with Treason, wound this faire Lands peace. Now Civill wounds are stopp'd, Peace lives agen;

That she may long live heere, God say, Amen. Exeunt

FINIS.

THE FAMOUS HISTORY OF

THE LIFE OF

KING HENRY THE EIGHT

First printed in First Folio, 1623

INTRODUCTION

ARGUMENT OF THE PLAY

HENRY THE EIGHT may be regarded as an

epilogue to the historical plays, and a prologue to the actual reign of Elizabeth. The Prologue to the play itself announces its purpose to absolve jest and confine its plot to serious affairs of state; but it develops into pageantry toward the last.

The first two acts outline the struggle between Cardinal Wolsey, the lord chancellor, and the Duke of Buckingham. The cardinal is jealous of the duke's power, and, in Act II, contrives his trial and execution. Meantime Wolsey gives a court banquet, at which the king is struck with the beauty of Anne Bullen, a maid of honour. He resolves to divorce his wife, Katharine, and summons her to trial. She appeals to the Pope.

In Act III Wolsey changes sides, and, from aiding his royal master, sends a private letter to the Pope praying a withholding of the divorce. Henry chances to gain access to the cardinal's papers and is so enraged that he deprives Wolsey of office and meditates indicting him for high treason, when the disgraced cardinal dies.

Meanwhile the king has taken matters in his own hands by putting aside Katharine and wedding Anne. The fallen queen passes away (Act IV) and the new one is publicly crowned.