Chan. Let him come in. D. Keep. Your grace may enter now. [CRANMER approaches the Council-table. Chan. My good lord archbishop, 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, 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 them not in their hands to make them gentle; But stop their mouths with stubborn bits, and spur them, Till they obey the manage. If we suffer (Out of our easiness, and childish pity To one man's honour) this contagious sickness, Of the whole state; as, of late days, our neighbours, Cran. 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, Be what they will, may stand forth face to face, 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, From hence you be committed to the Tower; Cran. Ah, my good lord of Winchester, I thank you, 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. Crom. My lord of Winchester, you are a little, For what they have been: 'tis a cruelty, Gar. Good master secretary, I cry your honour mercy; you may, worst Crom. Why, my lord? Gar. Do not I know you for a favourer Of this new sect? ye are not sound. Crom. Not sound? Gar. Not sound, I say. Crom. 'Would you were half so honest! Men's prayers then would seek you, not their fears, Crom. Do. Remember your bold life too. Chan. This is too much; Forbear, for shame, my lords. Gar. I have done. Crom. And I. Chan. Then 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; Cran. Is there no other way of mercy, But I must needs to the Tower, my lords? Gar. What other Would you expect? You are strangely troublesome: Let some o'the guard be ready there. Cran. For me? Enter Guard. Must I go like a traitor thither ? Gar. Receive him, And see him safe i'the Tower. Cran. Stay, good my lords, I have a little yet to say. Look there, my lords; Out of the gripes of cruel men, and give it Sur. 'Tis no counterfeit. Suf. 'Tis the right ring, by heaven: I told ye all, When we first put this dangerous stone a rolling, '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? Cham. 'Tis now too certain: How much more is his life in value with him? 'Would I were fairly out on't. Crom. My mind gave me, In seeking tales, and informations, Against this man, (whose honesty the devil 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; His royal self in judgment comes to hear K. Hen. You were ever good at sudden commenda tions, Bishop of Winchester. But know, I come not Good man, [To CRANMER.] 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 his place becomes thee not. K. Hen. No, sir, it does not please me. I had thought, I had men of some understanding |