France Stand backe or els thou run'st vpon thy death Enter a Seruant Mes. Pardon my Lord I come to tell your honour That they haue hired a Neopolitan Who by his Oratorie hath promised them Without the shedding of one drop of bloud Into their handes safe to deliuer you And therefore craues none but himselfe may enter And a poore swaine that attendes on him Exit seruant Bed A Neopolitan bid him come in Were he as cunning in his Eloquence As Cicero the famous man of Rome His wordes would be as chaffe against the winde Sweete-tong'd Ulisses that made Aiaxe mad Were he and his toung in this speakers head Aliue he winnes me not then t is no conquest dead Enter Cromwell like a Neopolitan and Hodge with him Cro. Sir are you the maister of the house Hoa. I am sir Cro. By this same token you must leaue this place And leaue none but the Earle and I together And this my Pessant here to tend on vs Hoa. With al my hart God grant you doe some good Exit Hoast Cromwell shuts the dore Bed Now sir what 's your will with me Cro. Intends your honour not to yeeld your selfe Bed No good man goose not while my sword doth last Is this your eloquence for to perswade me Cro. My Lord my eloquence is for to saue you I am not as you iudge a Neopolitan But Cromwell your seruant and an Englishman Bed How Cromwel not my Farriers sonne Cro. The same sir and am come to succour you Hod. Yes faith sir and I am Hodge your poore Smith Many a time and oft haue I shooed your Dapper Gray Bed And what auailes it me that thou art here Cro. It may auaile if you le be rul'd by me My Lord you know the men of Mantua And these Bononians are at deadlie strife And they my Lord both loue and honour you Could you but get out of the Mantua port Then were you safe dispite of all their force Bed Tut man thou talkest of thinges impossible Dost thou not see that we are round beset How then is it possible we should escape Crom. By force we cannot but by pollicie Put on the apparell here that Hodge doth weare And giue him yours the States they know you not For as I thinke they neuer saw your face And at a watch-word must I call them in And will desire that we safe may passe To Mantua where I le say my businesse lies How doth your Honor like of this deuise Bed O wondrous good But wilt thou venter Hodge Hod. Will I O noble Lord I do accorde in any thing I can And do agree to set thee free do fortune what she can Bed Come then le ts change our apparrell straight Crom. Goe Hodge make hast least they chance to call Hod. I warrant you I le fit him with a sute Exit Earle Hodge Crom. Heauens graunt this pollicie doth take successe And that the Earle may safelie scape away And yet it greeues me for this simple wretch For feare they should offer him violence But of two euils t is best to shun the greatest And better is it that he liues in thrall Then such a Noble Earle as he should fall Their stubborne harts it may be will relent Since he is gone to whom their hate is bent My Lord haue you dispatched Enter Bedford like the Clowne and Hodge in his cloake and his Hat Bed How doost thou like vs Cromwell is it well Crom. O my Lord excellent Hodge how doost feele thy selfe Hodg. How do I feele my selfe why as a Noble man should do O how I feele honor come creeping on My Nobilitie is wonderfull melancholie Is it not most Gentleman like to be melancholie Crom. Yes Hodge now goe sitte downe in his studie And take state vpon thee Hodge I warrant you my Lord let me alone to take state vpon me but harke you my Lord do you feele nothing bite about you Bed No trust me Hodge Hod. I they know they want their pasture it s a strange thing of this vermine they dare not meddle with Nobilitie Crom. Go take thy place Hodge I le call them in All is done enter and if you please Hodge sits in the study and Cromwell calles in the States Enter the States and Officers with Halberts Gou. What haue you wone him will he yeelde himselfe Crom. I haue ante please you and the quiet Earle Doth yeeld himselfe to be disposed by you Gou. Giue him the monie that we promised him So let him go whether it please himselfe Crom. My businesse sir lies vnto Mantua Please you to giue me safe conduct thether Gou. Goe and conduct him to the Mantua Port And see him safe deliuered presently Exit Cromwell and Bedford Goe draw the curtaines let vs see the Earle O he is writing stand apart a while Hodge Fellow William I am not as I haue beene I went from you a Smith I write to you as a Lord I am at this present writing among the Polonyan Casiges I do commend my Lordship to Raphe to Roger to Bridget to Doritie so to all the youth of Putnay Gou. Sure these are the names of English Noblemen Some of his speciall friends to whom he writes But stay he doth adresse himselfe to sing Here he sings a song My Lord I am glad you are so frolick and so blithe Beleeue me noble Lord if you know all You de change your merrie vaine to sudden sorrow Hodg. I change my merrie vaine no thou Bononian no I am a Lord and therefore let me goe And doe defie thee and thy Sasigis Therefore stand off and come not neere my honor Gou. My Lord this iesting cannot serue your turne Hod. Doost thinke thou blacke Bononyan beast That I doe floute doe gibe or iest No no thou Beare pot know that I a noble Earle a Lord pardie Gou. What meanes this Trumpets sound A Trumpet soundes Enter a Messenger Cit. One come from the States of Mantua Gou. What would you with vs speake thou man of Mantua Mes. Men of Bononia this my message is To let you know the Noble Earle of Bedford Is safe within the towne of Mantua And willes you send the pessant that you haue Who hath deceiued your expectation Or els the States of Mantua haue vowed They will recall the truce that they haue made And not a man shall stirre from forth your towne That shall returne vnlesse you send him backe Go. O this misfortune how it mads my hart The Neopolitan hath beguiled vs all Hence with this foole what shall we do with him The Earle being gone a plague vpon it all Hod. No I le assure you I am no Earle but a smith sir One Hodge a smith at Putnay sir One that hath gulled you that hath bored you sir Gou. Away with him take hence the foole you came for Hod. I sir and I le leaue the greater foole with you Mes. Farewell Bononians come friend along with me Hod. My
though our maisters loue Did binde vs while his loue was to the King It is no boote now to denie these things Which may be preiuditiall to the state And though that God hath raisde my fortune hyer Then any way I lookt for or deseru'de Yet my life no longer with me dwell Then I prooue true vnto my Soueraigne What say you maister Cromwell haue you those writings I or no Crom. Here are the writings and vpon my knees I giue them vp vnto the worthy Dukes Of Suffolke and of Norffolke he was my Maister And each vertuous part That liued in him I tenderd with my hart But what his head complotted gainst the state My countries loue commands me that to hate His sudden death I greeue for not his fall Because he sought to worke my countries thrall Suff. Cromwell the King shall here of this thy dutie Whom I assure my selfe will well rewarde thee My Lord le ts go vnto his Maiestie And show these writings which he longs to see Exit Norffolke and Suffolke Enter Bedford hastily Bed How now whos 's this Cromwell By by soule welcome to England Thou once didst saue my life didst not Cromwell Crom. If I did so 't is greater glorie for me that you remember it Then of my selfe vainelie to report it Bed Well Cromwell now is the time I shall commend thee to my Souereigne Cheere vp thy selfe for I will raise thy state A Russell yet was neuer found ingrate Exit Hales O how vncertaine is the wheele of state Who latelie greater then the Cardinall For feare and loue and now who lower lies Gaye honours are but Fortunes flatteries And whom this day pride and promotion swels To morrow enuie and ambition quels More Who sees the Cob-web intangle the poore Flie May boldlie say the wretches death is nigh Gard. I know his state and proud ambition Was too too violent to last ouer-long Hales Who soares too neare the sunne with golden winges Mealtes them to ruine his owne fortune bringes Enter the Duke of Suffolke Suf. Cromwell kneele downe in king Henries name Arise sir Thomas Cromwell thus beginnes thy fame Enter the Duke of Norffolke Norf. Cromwell the maiestie of England For the good liking he conceiues of thee Makes thee maister of the iewell house Chiefe Secretarie to himselfe and with all Creates thee one of his highnesse priuie Counsell Enter the Earle of Bedforde Bed Where is sir Thomas Cromwell is he knighted Suf. He is my Lorde Bed Then to adde honour to his name The King creates him Lord keeper of his priuie Seale And maister of the Roules Which you sir Christopher do now enioy The King determines higher place for you Crom. My Lords these honors are too high for my desert More O content thee man who would not choose it Yet thou art wise in seeming to refuse it Gard. Here 's honors titles and promotions I feare this climing will haue a sudden fall Norff. Then come my Lords le ts al together bring This new made Counseller to Englands King Exit all but Gardiner Gard. But Gardiner meanes his glorie shall be dimde Shall Cromwell liue a greater man then I My enuie with his honour now is bred I hope to shorten Cromwell by the head Exit Enter Friskiball very poore Fris. O Friskiball what shall become of thee Where shalt thou go or which way shalt thou turne Fortune that turnes her too vnconstant wheele Hath turn'd thy wealth and riches in the Sea All parts abroade where euer I haue beene Growes wearie of me and denies me succour My debters they that should releeue my want Forsweares my monie saies they owe me none They know my state too meane to beare out law And here in London where I oft haue beene And haue done good to manie a wretched man Am now most wretched here dispisd my selfe In vaine it is more of their hearts to trie Be patient therefore laye thee downe and die He lies downe Enter good man Seely and his wife Ioane Seely Come Ioane come le ts see what hee le doe for vs now Iwis we haue done for him when many a time and often he might haue gone a hungrie hungrie to bed Wife Alas man now he is made a Lord hee le neuer looke vpon vs hee le fullfill the old Prouerbe Set Beggers a horse-backe and thei le ride A welliday for my Cowe such as he hath made vs come behinde hand we had neuer pawnd our Cowe els to pay our rent Seely Well Ioane hee le come this waye and by Gods dickers I le tell him roundlie of it and if hee were tenne Lordes a shall knowe that I had not my Cheese and my Bacon for nothing Wife Doe you remember husband how hee woulde mouch vp my Cheese cakes he hath forgot this now but wee le remember him Seelie I we shall haue now three flappes with a Foxe taile but I faith I le gibber a ioynte but I le tell him his owne staye who comes heere O stand vppe heere hee comes stand vppe Enter Hodge verie fine with a Tipstafe Cromwell the Mace caryed before him Norffolke and Suffolke and attendants Hod. Come away with these beggars here rise vp sirra Come out the good people runne afore there ho Friskiball riseth and stands a farre off Seelie I wee are kicked awaye now wee come for our owne the time hath beene he woulde a looked more friendlye vpon vs And you Hodge we know you well inough though you are so fine Cro. Come hether sirrah stay what men are these My honest Host of Hounslow and his wife I owe thee mony father do I not Seelie I by the bodie of mee dooest thou woulde thou wouldest paye me good foure pound it is I haue a the poste at home Cro. I know t is true sirra giue him ten Angels And looke your wife and you do stay to dinner And while you liue I freelie giue to you Foure pound a yeare for the foure pound I ought you Seelie Art not changed art ould Tom still Now God blesse the good Lord Tom Home Ioane home I le dine with my Lorde Tom to day And thou shalt come next weeke Fetch my Cow home Ioane home Wife Now God blesse thee my good Lorde Tom I le fetch my Cow presentlie Exit Wife Enter Gardiner Cro. Sirra goe to yon stranger tell him I desire him Stay at dinner I must speake with him Gar. My Lorde of Norffolke see you this same bubble That same puffe but marke the end my Lord marke the ende Nor. I promise you I like not somthing he hath done But let that passe the King doth loue him well Cro. God morrow to my Lord of Winchester I know you beare me hard about the Abbie landes Gar. Haue I not reason when religion is wronged You had no colour for what you haue done Cro. Yes the abolishing of Antichrist And of this Popish order from our Realme I am no enemy to religion But what is done it is for Englands good What did they
THE True Chronicle Historie of the whole life and death of Thomas Lord Cromwell As it hath beene sundrie times publikely Acted by the Right Honorable the Lord Chamberlaine his Seruants Written by W. S. Imprinted at London for William Iones and are to be solde at his house neere Holburne conduict at the signe of the Gunne 1602 The life and death of the Lord Cromwell Enter three Smithes Hodge and two other old Cromwels men Hodge COme masters I thinke it be past fiue a clock Is it not time we were at worke My old Master hee le be stirring anon 1. I cannot tell whether my old master will be stirring or no but I am sure I can hardly take my afternoones nap for my young Maister Thomas He keepes such a quile in his studie With the Sunne and the Moone and the seauen starres That I do verily thinke hee le read out his wits Hodge He skill of the starres there 's goodman Car of Fulhum He that carryed vs to the strong Ale where goodie Trundell Had her maide got with childe O he knowes the Starres Hee le tickle you Charles Waine in nine degrees That same man will tell you goodie Trundell When her Ale shall miscarie onely by the starres 2. I that 's a great vertue indeed I thinke Thomas Be nobody in comparison to him 1. Well maisters come shall we to our hammers Hodge I content first le ts take our mornings draught And then to worke roundly 2. I agreed goe in Hodge Exit omnes Enter young Cromwell Crom. Good morrow morne I doe salute thy brightnesse The night seemes tedious to my troubled soule Whose black obscuritie binds in my minde A thousand sundry cogitations And now Aurora with a liuely dye Addes comfort to my spirit that mountes on high Too high indeede my state being so meane My study like a minerall of golde Makes my hart proude wherein my hope 's inrowld My bookes is all the wealth I do possesse Here within they must beate with their hammers And vnto them I haue ingaged my hart O learning how deuine thou seemes to me Within whose armes is all felicity Peace with your hammers leaue your knocking there You doe disturbe my study and my rest Leaue off I say you madde me with the noyse Enter Hodge and the two Men Hodge Why how now Maister Thomas how now Will you not let vs worke for you Crom. You fret my hart with making of this noise Hod. How fret your hart I but Thomas you le Fret your fathers purse if you let vs from working 2. I this t is for him to make him a gentleman Shal we leaue worke for your musing that 's well I faith But here comes my olde maister now Enter olde Cromwell Old Cro. You idle knaues what are you loytring now No hammers walking and my worke to do What not a heate among your worke to day Hod. Marrie sir your sonne Thomas will not let vs worke at all Old Cro. Why knaue I say haue I thus carkde car'd And all to keepe thee like a gentleman And dost thou let my seruants at their worke That sweat for thee knaue labour thus for thee Cro. Father their hammers doe offend my studie Old Cro. Out of my doores knaue if thou likest it not I crie you mercie is your eares so fine I tell thee knaue these get when I doe sleepe I will not haue my Anuill stand for thee Crom. There 's monie father I will pay your men He throwes money among thē Old Cro. Haue I thus brought thee vp vnto my cost In hope that one day thou wouldst releeue my age And art thee now so lauish of thy coine To scatter it among these idle knaues Cro. Father be patient and content your selfe The time will come I shall hold golde as trash And here I speake with a presaging soule To build a pallace where now this cottage standes As fine as is King Henries house at Sheene Old Cro. You build a house you knaue you le be a begger Now afore God all is but cast away That is bestowed vpon this thriftlesse lad Well had I bound him to some honest trade This had not beene but it was his mothers doing To send him to the Vniuersitie How build a house where now this cottage standes As faire as that at Sheene he shall not here me A good boy Tom I con thee thanke Tom Well said Tom gramarcies Tom In to your worke knaues hence you sausie boy Exit all but young Cromwell Cro. Why should my birth keepe downe my mounting spirit Are not all creatures subiect vnto time To time who doth abuse the world And filles it full of hodge-podge bastardie There 's legions now of beggars on the earth That their originall did spring from Kings And manie Monarkes now whose fathers were The riffe-raffe of their age for Time and Fortune Weares out a noble traine to beggerie And from the dunghill minions doe aduance To state and marke in this admiring world This is but course which in the name of Fate Is seene as often as it whirles about The Riuer Thames that by our doore doth passe His first beginning is but small and shallow Yet keeping on his course growes to a sea And likewise Wolsey the wonder of our age His birth as meane as mine a Butchers sonne Now who within this land a greater man Then Cromwell cheere thee vp and tell thy soule That thou maist liue to flourish and controule Enter olde Cromwell Old Crom. Tom Cromwell what Tom I say Crom. Do you call sir Old Crom. Here is maister Bowser come to know if you haue dispatched his petition for the Lords of the counsell or no Crom. Father I haue please you to call him in Old Crom. That 's well said Tom a good lad Tom Enter Maister Bowser Bow Now Maister Cromwell haue you dispatched this petition Crom. I haue sir here it is please you peruse it Bow It shall not need wee le read it as we go by water And Maister Cromwell I haue made a motion May do you good and if you like of it Our Secretarie at Antwarpe sir is dead And the Marchants there hath sent to me For to prouide a man fit for the place Now I do know none fitter then yourselfe If with your liking it stand maister Cromwell Crom. With all my hart sir and I much am bound In loue and dutie for your kindnesse showne Old Cro Body of me Tom make hast least some body Get betweene thee and home Tom I thanke you good maister Bowser I thanke you for my boy I thanke you alwayes I thanke you most hartely sir Hoe a cup of Beere there for maister Bowser Bow It shall not need sir maister Cromwell will you go Crom. I will attend you sir Old Crom. Farewell Tom God blesse thee Tom God speed thee good Tom Exit omnes Enter Bagot a Broker solus Bag. I hope this day is fatall vnto some And by their losse must Bagot seeke to gaine
kindnesse toulde them what Woode the shippe was made of and they in kindnesse eate vp my victualles as indeede one good turne asketh another Well would I could I finde my maister Thomas in this Dutch Towne he might put some English Beare into my bellie Cro. What Hodge my fathers man by my hand welcome How doth my father what 's the newes at home Hod. Maister Thomas O God maister Thomas your hand gloue and all this is to giue you to vnderstanding that your father is in health and Alice Downing here hath sent you a Nutmeg Besse Make a race of Ginger my fellow Will Tom hath between them sent you a dozen of pointes good man Tolle of the Goate a paire of mittons my selfe came in person and this is all the newes Cro. Gramarsie good Hodge and thou art welcome to me But in as ill a time thou comest as may be For I am traueling into Italie What saist thou Hodge wilt thou beare me companie Hodge Will I beare thee companie Tom what tell'st me of Italie were it to the furthest part of Flaunders I would goe with thee Tom I am thine in all weale and woe thy owne to commaund what Tom I haue passed the rigorous waues of Neptunes blastes I tell you Thomas I haue beene in the danger of the flouds and when I haue seene Boreas beginne to plaie the Ruffin with vs then would I downe of my knees and call vppon Vulcan Cro. And why vpon him Hod. Because as this same fellow Neptune is God of the Seas so Vulcan is Lord ouer the Smithes and therefore I being a Smith thought his Godhead would haue some care yet of me Crom. A good conceit but tell hast thou dined yet Hod. Thomas to speake the truth not a bit yet I Crom. Come go with me thou shalt haue cheere good store And farewell Antwarpe if I come no more Hodg. I follow thee sweet Tom I follow thee Exit omnes Enter the Gouernour of the English house Bagot Banister his wife and two officers Gouer. Is Cromwell gone then say you maister Bagot What dislike I pray what was the cause Bag. To tell you true a wilde braine of his owne Such youth as they cannot see when they are well He is all bent to trauaile that 's his reason And doth not loue to eate his bread at home Gou. Well good fortune with him if the man be gone We hardly shall finde such a one as he To fit our turnes his dealings were so honest But now sir for your Iewels that I haue What do you say will you take my prise Bag. O sir you offer too much vnderfoote Gou. T is but two hundred pound betweene vs man What 's that in paiment of fiue thousand pound Bag. Two hundred pound birladie sir t is great Before I got so much it made me sweat Gou. Well Maister Bagot I le proffer you fairelie You see this Marchant maister Banister Is going now to prison at your sute His substance all is gone what would you haue Yet in regarde I knew the man of wealth Neuer dishonest dealing but such mishaps Hath falne on him may light on me or you There is two hundred pound betweene vs We will deuide the same I le giue you one On that condition you will set him free His state is nothing that you see your selfe And where naught is the King must lose his right Bag. Sir sir you speake out of your loue T is foolish loue sir sure to pittie him Therefore content your selfe this is my minde To do him good I will not bate a penie Ban. This is my comfort though thou doost no good A mighty ebbe followes a mighty floud Mi. Ba. O thou base wretch whom we haue fostered Euen as a Serpent for to poyson vs If God did euer right a womans wrong To that same God I bend and bow my heart To let his heauy wrath fall on thy head By whome my hopes and ioyes are butchered Bag. Alas fond woman I praie thee praie thy worst The Fox fares better still when he is curst Enter Maister Bowser a Marchant Go. Maister Bowser your welcome sir from England What 's the best newes how doth all our friendes Bow They are all well and do commend them to you There 's letters from your brother and your sonne So falre you well sir I must take my leaue My hast and businesse doth require such Go. Before you dine sir what go you out of towne Bow I faith vnlesse I here some newes in towne I must away there is no remedie Gou. Maister Bowser what is your busines may I know it You may sir and so shall all the Cittie Bow The King of late hath had his treasurie rob'd And of the choysest iewelles that he had The value of them was some seauen thousand pound The fellow that did steale these solewels he is hanged And did confesse that for three hundred pound He sould them to one Bagot dwelling in London Now Bagot 's fled and as we here to Antwarpe And hether am I come to seeke him out And they that first can tell me of his newes Shall haue a hundred pound for their reward Ba. How iust is God to right the innocent Gou. Maister Bowser you come in happie time Here is the villaine Bagot that you seeke And all those iewels haue I in my handes Officers looke to him hould him fast Bag. The diuell ought me a shame and now hath paide it Bow Is this that Bagot fellowes beare him hence We will not now stand for his replie Lade him with Yrons we will haue him tride In England where his villanies are knowne Bag. Mischiefe confusion light vpon you all O hang me drowne me let me kill my selfe Let go my armes let me run quick to hell Bow Away beare him away stop the slaues mouth They carry him away Mi. Ba. Thy workes are infinite great God of heauen Gou. I hard this Bagot was a wealthie fellow Bow He was indeed for when his goods were zeased Of Iewels coine and Plate within his house Was found the value of fiue thousand pound His furniture fullie worth halfe so much Which being all strainde for for the King He francklie gaue it to the Antwarpe marchants And they againe out of their bountious minde Hath to a brother of their companie A man decaide by fortune of the Seas Giuen Bagots wealth to set him vp againe And keepe it for him his name is Banister Gou. Maister Bowser with this happie newes You haue reuiued two from the gates of death This is that Banister and this his wife Bow Sir I am glad my fortune is so good To bring such tidings as may comfort you Ban. You haue giuen life vnto a man deemed dead For by these newes my life is newlie bred Mi. Ba. Thankes to my God next to my Soueraigne King And last to you that these good hopes doth bring Gou. The hundred pound I must receiue as due For finding Bagot
first gaue me life Alas what dutie is too much for him This man in time of need did saue my life And therefore cannot do too much for him By this old man I often times was fed Els might I haue gone supperlesse to bed Such kindnesse haue I had of these three men That Cromwell no way can repaie againe Now in to dinner for we stay too long And to good stomacks is no greater wrong Exit omnes Enter Gardiner in his studie and his man Gard. Sirra where be those men I causd to stay Ser. They do attend your pleasure sir within Gard. Bid them come hether and stay you without For by those men the Foxe of this same land That makes a Goose of better then himselfe Wee le worie him vnto his latest home Or Gardiner will faile in his intent As for the Dukes of Suffolke and of Norffolke Whom I haue sent for to come speake with me Howsoeuer outwardlie they shadow it Yet in their hearts I know they loue him not As for the Earle of Bedford he is but one And dares not gaine-say what we do set downe Enter the two witnesses Now my friends you know I sau'd your liues When by the law you had deserued death And then you promised me vpon your othes To venture both your liues to do me good Both wit We swore no more then that we will performe Gard. I take your words and that which you must do Is seruice for you God and for your King To roote a rebell from this flourishing land One that 's an enemie vnto the Church And therefore must you take your solemne oathes That you heard Cromwell the Lord Chauncellor Did wish a dagger at King Henries hart Feare not to sweare it for I hard him speake it Therefore wee le shield you from insuing harmes 2. Wit If you will warrant vs the deed is good Wee le vndertake it Gar. Kneele downe and I wil here absolue you both This Crucifix I lay vpon your head And sprinckle holy-water on your browes The deed is meritorious that you do And by it shall you purchase grace from heauen 1. Now sir wee le vndertake it by our soules 2. For Cromwell neuer loued none of our sort Gar. I know he doth not and for both of you I will preferre you to some place of worth Now get you in vntill I call for you For presentlie the Dukes meanes to be here Exit wit Cromwell sit fast thy time 's not long to raigne The Abbies that were puld downe by thy meanes Is now a meane for me to pull thee downe Thy pride vpon thy owne head lights vpon For thou art he hath changd religion But now no more for here the Dukes are come Enter Suffolke Norffolke and the Earle of Bedford Suff. Goodden to my Lord Bishop Nor. How fares my Lord what are you all alone Gar. No not alone my Lords my mind is troubled I know your honours muse wherefore I sent And in such hast What came you from the King Norff. We did and left none but Lord Cromwell with him Gard. O what a dangerous time is this we liue in There 's Thomas Wolsay hee s alreadie gone And Thomas Moore he followed after him Another Thomas yet there doth remaine That is farre worsse then either of those twaine And if with speed my Lords we not pursue it I feare the King and all the land will rue it Bed Another Thomas pray God it be not Cromwell Gard. My Lord of Bedford it is that traitor Cromwell Bed Is Cromwell false my hart will neuer thinke it Suff. My Lord of Winchester what likelihood Or proofe haue you of this his treacherie Gar. My Lord too much call in the men within Enter witnesses These men my Lord vpon their othes affirme That they did here Lord Cromwell in his garden Wished a dagger sticking at the hart Of our King Henrie what is this but treason Bed If it be so my hart doth bleed with sorrow Suff. How say you friends what did you here these words 1. wit We did and like your grace Norff. In what place was Lord Cromwell when he spake them 2. wit In his Garden where we did attend a sute Which we had waited for two yeare and more Suff. How long i st since you heard him speake these words 2. wit Some halfe yeare since Bed How chance that you conceald it all this time 1. wit His greatnesse made vs feare that was the cause Gard. I I his greatnesse that 's the cause indeed And to make his treason here more manifest He calles his seruants to him round about Telles them of Wolsayes life and of his fall Saies that himselfe hath manie enemies And giues to some of them a Parke or Manor To others Leases Lands to other some What need he doe thus in his prime of life And if he were not fearfull of his death Suff. My Lord these likelihoods are very great Bed Pardon me Lords for I must needs depart Their proofes are great but greater is my heart Exit Bedford Norff. My friends take heed of that which you haue said Your soules must answer what your tongues reports Therefore take heed be warie what you doe 2. wit My Lord we speake no more but truth Norff. Let them depart my Lord of Winchester Let these men be close kept Vntill the day of triall Gar. They shall my Lord here take in these two men Exit witnesses My Lords if Cromwell haue a publike triall That which we do is voide by his deniall You know the king will credit none but him Nor. T is true he rules the King euen as he pleases Suff. How shall we do for to attache him then Gard. Marie my Lords thus by an Acte he made himselfe With an intent to intrap some of our liues And this it is If any Councellor Be conuicted of high treason He shall be executed without a publike triall This Act my Lords he causd the King to make Suff. A did indeed and I remember it And now it is like to fall vpon himselfe Nor. Let vs not slack it t is for Englands good We must be warie els hee le go beyond vs Gar. Well hath your Grace said my Lord of Norffolke Therefore let vs presently to Lambeth Thether comes Cromwell from the Court to night Let vs arest him send him to the Tower And in the morning cut off the traitors head Norf. Come then about it let vs guard the towne This is the day that Cromwell must go downe Gard. Along my Lords well Cromwell is halfe dead He shaked my hart but I will shaue his head Exeunt Enter Bedford solus Bed My soule is like a water troubled And Gardiner is the man that makes it so O Cromwell I do feare thy end is neare Yet I le preuent their malice if I can And in good time see where the man doth come Who little knowes how neares his day of dome Enter Cromwell with his traine Bedford makes
fall as sudden and vnlooked for to What glorie was in England that I had not Who in this land commanded more then Cromwell Except the King who greater then my selfe But now I see what after ages shall The greater man more sudden is their fall And now I do remember the Earle of Bedford Was very desirous for to speake to me And afterward sent to me a letter The which I thinke I haue still in my pocket Now may I read it for I now haue leasure And this I take it is He reades the Letter My Lord come not this night to Lambeth For if you do your state is ouerthrowne And much I doubt your life and if you come Then if you loue your selfe stay where you are O God had I but read this letter Then had I beene free from the Lions paw Deferring this to read vntill to morrow I spurnd at ioy and did imbrace my sorrow Enter the Leiutenant of the Tower and officers Now maister Lieutenant when 's this day of death Lieu. Alas my Lord would I might neuer see it Here are the Dukes of Suffolke and of Norffolke Winchester Bedford and sir Richard Ratcliffe With others but why they come I know not Crom. No matter wherefore Cromwell is prepard For Gardiner has my state and life insnard Bid them come in or you shall do them wrong For here stands he whom some thinkes liues too long Learning killes learning and insteed of Inck To dip his Pen Cromwels heart blood doth drinke Enter all the Nobles Norf. Good morrow Cromwell what alone so sad Crom. One good among you none of you are bad For my part it best fits me be alone Sadnesse with me not I with any one What is the king acquainted with my cause Norf. We haue and he hath answered vs my Lord Cro. How shall I come to speake with him my selfe Gard. The King is so aduertised of your guilt He will by no meanes admit you to his presence Cro. No way admit me am I so soone forgot Did he but yesterday imbrace my neck And said that Cromwell was euen halfe himselfe And is his Princely eares so much bewitched With scandolous ignomie and slanderous speeches That now he dooth denie to looke on me Well my Lord of Winchester no doubt but you Are much in fauour with his Maiestie Will you beare a letter from me to his grace Gard. Pardon me I le beare no traitors letters Crom. Ha will you do this kindnesse then Tell him by word of mouth what I shall say to you Gard. That will I Crom. But on your honour will you Gard. I on my honor Crom. Beare witnesse Lords Tell him when he hath knowne you And tried your faith but halfe so much as mine Hee le finde you to be the falsest harted man In England Pray tell him this Bed Be patient good my Lord in these extreames Crom. My kinde and honorable Lord of Bedford I know your honor alwaies loued me well But pardon me this still shall be my theame Gardiner is the cause makes Cromwell so extreame Sir Ralphe Sadler pray a word with you You were my man and all that you possesse Came by my meanes to requite all this Will you take this letter here of me And giue it with your owne hands to the king Sad. I kisse your hand and neuer will I rest Eare to the king this be deliuered Exit Sadler Crom. Why yet Cromwell hath one friend in store Gard. But all the hast he makes shall be but vaine Here 's a discharge for your prisoner To see him executed presentlie My Lord you here the tenor of your life Crom. I doe imbrace it welcome my last date And of this glistering world I take last leaue And noble Lords I take my leaue of you As willinglie I goe to meete with death As Gardiner did pronounce it with his breath From treason is my hart as white as Snowe My death onlie procured by my foe I pray commend me to my Soueraigne king And tell him in what sort his Cromwell died To loose his head before his cause were tride But let his Grace when he shall here my name Say onely this Gardiner procured the same Enter young Cromwell Lieu. Here is your sonne come to take his leaue Crom. To take his leaue Come hether Harry Cromwell Marke boye the last words that I speake to thee Flatter not Fortune neither fawne vpon her Gape not for state yet loose no sparke of honor Ambition like the plague see thou eschew it I die for treason boy and neuer knew it Yet let thy faith as spotlesse be as mine And Cromwels vertues in thy face shall shine Come goe along and see me leaue my breath And I le leaue thee vpon the houre of death Son. O father I shall die to see that wound Your blood being spilt will make my hart to sound Cro. How boy not looke vpon the Axe How shall I do then to haue my head stroke off Come on my childe and see the end of all And after say that Gardiner was my fall Gar. My Lord you speake it of an enuious hart I haue done no more then lawe and equitie Bed. O good my Lord of Winchester forbeare It would a better seemed you to beene absent Then with your wordes disturbe a dying man Cro. Who me my Lord no he disturbes not me My minde he stirres not though his mightie shocke Hath brought mo peeres heads downe to the blocke Farewell my boy all Cromwell can bequeath My hartie blessing so I take my leaue Hang. I am your deaths man pray my Lord forgiue me Crom. Euen with my soule why man thou art my Doctor And bringes me precious Phisicke for my soule My Lord of Bedford I desire of you Before my death a corporall imbrace Bedford comes to him Cromwell imbraces him Farewell great Lord my loue I do commend My hart to you my soule to heauen I send This is my ioy that eare my bodie fleete Your honourd armes is my true winding sheete Farewell deare Bedford my peace is made in heauen Thus falles great Cromwell a poore ell in length To rise to vnmeasured height winged with new strength The land of Wormes which dying men discouer My soule is shrinde with heauens celestiall couer Exit Cromwell and the officers and others Bed. Well farewell Cromwell the trewest friend That euer Bedford shall possesse Well Lordes I feare when this You le wish in vayne that Cromwell had Enter one with Cromwels head Offi. Heare is the head of the deceased Cromwell Bed. Pray thee goe hence and beare his heade away Vnto his bodie inter them both in clay Enter Sir Raulphe Sadler Sad. Ho now my Lordes what is Lord Cromwell dead Bed. Lord Cromwels body now doth want a heade Sad. O God a little speede had saued his life Here is a kinde repriue come from the king To bring him straight vnto his maiestie Suf. I I sir Raulph repriues comes now too late Gar. My conscience now telles me this deede was ill Would Christ that Cromwell were aliue againe Nor. Come let vs to the king whom well I know Will grieue for Cromwell that his death was so Exeunt omnes FINIS