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
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
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
serue for but to feede a sort Of lazie Abbotes and of full fed Fryers They neither plow nor sowe and yet they reape The fat of all the Land and sucke the poore Looke what was theirs is in King Henries handes His wealth before lay in the Abbie lands Gar. Indeede these things you haue aledged my Lord When God doth know the infant yet vnborne Will curse the time the Abbies were puld downe I pray now where is hospitality Where now may poore distressed people go For to releeue their neede or rest their bones When weary trauell doth oppresse their limmes And where religious men should take them in Shall now be kept backe with a Mastiue dogge And thousand thousand Nor. O my Lord no more thinges past redresse T is bootelesse to complaine Cro. What shall we to the Conuocation house Nor. Wee le follow you my Lord praie leade the way Enter Old Cromwell like a Farmer Old Cro. How one Cromwell made Lord Keeper since I left Putnay And dwelt in Yorkeshire I neuer hard better newes I le see that Cromwell or it shall goe hard Cro. My aged father state set aside Father on my knee I craue your blessing One of my seruantes go and haue him in At better leasure will we talke with him Old Cro. Now if I die how happy were the day To see this comfort raines forth showers of ioy Exit Olde Cromwell Nor. This dutie in him showes a kinde of grace Cro. Go on before for time drawes on apace Exit all but Friskiball Fris. I wonder what this Lord would haue with me His man so stricktlie gaue me charge to stay I neuer did offend him to my knowledge Well good or bad I meane to bide it all Worse then I am now neuer can befall Enter Banister and his wife Ba. Come wife I take it be almost dinner time For maister Newton and maister Crosbie sent to me Last night they would come dine with me And take their bond in I pray thee hie thee home And see that all things be in readinesse Mi. Ba. They shal be welcome husband I le go before But is not that man maister Friskiball She runnes and imbrases him Ba. O heauens it is kinde maister Friskiball Say sir what hap hath brought you to this passe Fris. The same that brought you to your misery Ba. Why would you not acquaint me with your state Is Banister your poore friend quite forgot Whose goods whose loue whose life and all is yours Fri. I thought your vsage would be as the rest That had more kindnesse at my handes then you Yet looked asconce when as they saw me poore Mi. Ba. If Banister should beare so bace a hart I neuer would looke my husband in the face But hate him as I would a Cockatrise Ba. And well thou mightest should Banister deale so Since that I saw you sir my state is mended And for the thousand pound I owe to you I haue it ready for you sir at home And though I greeue your fortune is so bad Yet that my hap 's to helpe you makes me glad And now sir will it please you walke with me Fris. Not yet I cannot for the Lord Chancelour Hath here commaunded me to waight on him For what I know not pray God t is for my good Ba. Neuer make doubt of that I le warrant you He is as kinde a noble gentleman As euer did possesse the place he hath Mi. Ba. Sir my brother is his steward if you please Wea le go along and beare you company I know we shall not want for welcome there Fris. With all my hart but what 's become of Bagot Ba. He is hanged for buying iewels of the Kinges Fris. A iust reward for one so impious The time drawes on sir will you go along Ba. I le follow you kinde maister Friskiball Exit Omnes Enter two Marchants 1. Now maister Crosbie I see you haue a care To keepe your word in paiment of your monie 2. By my faith I haue reason vpon a bond Three thousand pound is too much to forfeit Yet I doubt not Maister Banister 1. By my faith your summe is more then mine And yet I am not much behinde you too Considering that to day I paid at court 2. Masse and well remembred What 's the reason the Lord Cromwels men Weare such long skirts vpon their coates They reach almost downe to their verie ham 1. I will resolue you sir and thus it is The Bishop of Winchester that loues not Cromwell As great men are enuied aswell as lesse A while agoe there was a iarre betweene them And it was brought to my Lord Cromwels eare That Bishop Gardiner would sit on his skirt Vpon which word he made his men long Blew coates And in the Court wore one of them himselfe And meeting with the Bishop quoth he my Lord Here 's skirt enough now for your Grace to sit on Which vexed the Bishop to the very hart This is the reason why they weare long coates 2. T is alwaies seene and marke it for a rule That one great man will enuie still another But t is a thing that nothing concernes me What shall we now to Maister Banisters 1. I come wee le pay him royally for our dinner Exit Enter the Vsher and the Shewer the meate goes ouer the Stage Vsher. Vncouer there Gentlemen Enter Cromwell Bedford Suffolke Old Cromwell Friskiball goodman Seelie and attendants Crom. My noble Lordes of Suffolke and of Bedford Your honors welcome to poore Cromwels house Where is my father nay be couered Father Although that duty to these noble men doth challenge it Yet I le make bolde with them Your head doth beare the callender of care What Cromwell couered and his Father bare It must not be Now sir to you Is not your name Friskiball and a Florentine Fris. My name was Friskiball till cruell fate Did rob me of my name and of my state Crom. What fortune brought you to this countrie now Fri. All other parts hath left me succorlesse Saue onelie this because of debts I haue I hope to gaine for to releeue my want Crom. Did you not once vpon your Florence bridge Helpe two distressed men robd by the Bandetto His name was Cromwell Fri. I neuer made my braine a calender of any good I did I alwaies lou'd this nation with my heart Crom. I am that Cromwell that you there releeued Sixteene Duckets you gaue me for to cloath me Sixteene to beare my charges by the way And sixteene more I had for my horse hier There be those seuerall summes iustlie returnd Yet with iniustice seruing at my need And to repay them without interest Therefore receiue of me these foure seuerall bags In each of them there is foure hundred marke And bring me the names of all your debitors And if they will not see you paide I will O God forbid that I should see him fall That helpt me in my greatest need of all Here stands my Father that
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
as though he would speake to him he goes on Cro. Your well encountered my good Lord of Bedford I see your honour is adressed to talke Pray pardon me I am sent for to the king And do not know the businesse yet my selfe So fare you well for I must needes be gone Exit all the traine Bed You must well what remedie I feare too soone you must be gone indeed The king hath businesse but little doest thou know Whos 's busie for thy life thou thinkes not so Enter Cromwell and 〈…〉 agayne Crom. The second time wel met my Lord of Bedford I am very sory that my hast is such Lord Marques sicke beeing sicke to death I must receaue of him the priuie seale At Lambeth soone my Lord wee le talke our fill Exit the traine Bed How smooth and easie is the way to death Enter a seruant Mes. My Lord the dukes of Norfolke and of Suffolke Accompanied with the Bishop of Winchester Intreates you to come presently to Lambeth On earnest matters that concernes the state Bed To Lambeth so goe fetch me pen and inke I and Lord Cromwell there shall talke enough I and our last I feare and if he come He writes a letter Heare take this letter and beare it to Lord Cromwell Bid him read it say it concernes him neare Away begone make all the hast you can To Lambeth do I goe a woefull man Exit Enter Cromwell and his traine Crom. Is the Barge readie I will straight to Lambeth And if this one dayes businesse once were past I 'de take my ease to morrow after trouble How now my friend wouldst thou speake with me The Messenger brings him the letter he puts it in his pocket Mes. Sir heare 's a letter from my Lord of Bedford Crom. O good my friend commend me to thy Lord Hould take those Angels drinke them for thy paynes Mes. He doth desire your grace to reade it Because he sayes it doth concerne you neare Crom. Bid him assure himselfe of that farewell Tomorrow tell him shall he heare from me Set on before there and away to Lambeth Exeunt omnes Enter Winchester Suffolke Norfolke Bedford Sargiant at armes the Harauld and halberts Gar. Halberts stand close vnto the water side Sargiant at armes be bould in your office Harrauld deliuer your proclamation Ha. This is to giue notice to all the kings subiects The late Lord Cromwell Lord Chancellor of England Vicor generall ouer the realme Him to hould and esteeme as a traytor Agaynst the Crowne and dignitie of England So God saue the king Gar. Amen Bed Amen and roote thee from the land For whilst thou liuest truth cannot stand Nor. Make a lane there the traitor 's at hand Keepe backe Cromwels men Drowne them if they come on Sargiant your office Enter Cromwell they make a lane with their Halbertes Cro. What meanes my Lord of Norfolke by these wordes Sirs come along Gar. Kill them if they come on Sar. Lord Cromwell in king Henries name I do arrest your honour of high treason Crom. Sargiant me of treason Cromwels men offer to drawe Suf. Kill them if they draw a sworde Crom. Hould I charge you as you loue me draw not a sworde Who dares accuse Cromwell of treason now Gar. This is no place to reckon vp your crime Your Doue-like lookes were viewed with serpents eyes Crom. With serpents eyes indeed by thine they were But Gardiner do thy woorst I feare thee not My fayth compared with thine as much shall passe As doth the Diamond excell the glasse Attached of treason no accusers by Indeede what tongue dares speake so foule a lie Nor. My Lord my Lord matters are too well knowne And it is time the king had note thereof Crom. The king let me goe to him face to face No better triall I desire then that Let him but say that Cromwels fayth was fayned Then let my honour and my name be stayned If euer my hart agaynst my king was set O let my soule in Iudgement aunswere it Then if my faythe 's confirmed with his reason Gaynst whom hath Cromwell then committed treason Suf. My Lord your matter shall be tried Meane time with patience content your selfe Cro. Perforce I must with patience be content O deare friend Bedford doest thou stand so neare Cromwell reioyceth one friend sheds a teare And whether i st which way must Cromwell now Gar. My Lord you must vnto the tower Lieutenant take him to your charge Cro. Well where you please yet before I part Let me conferre a little with my men Gar. As you goe by water so you shall Cro. I haue some businesse present to impart Nor. You may not stay Lieutenant take your charge Cro. Well well my Lord you second Gardiners text Norfolke farewell thy turne wil be the next Exit Cromwell and the Lieutenant Gar. His guiltie conscience makes him raue my Lord Nor. I let him talke his time is short enough Gar. My Lord of Bedford come you weepe for him That would not shed halfe a teare for you Bed It grieues me for to see his sudden fall Gar. Such successe wish I to traitours still Exeunt Enter two Citizens 1. Why can this newes be true i st possible The great Lord Cromwell arreasted vpon treason I hardly will beleeue it can be so 2. It is too true sir would it were otherwise Condition I spent halfe the wealth I had I was at Lambeth saw him there arrested And afterward committed to the Tower 1. What wa st for treason that he was committed 2. Kinde noble Gentleman I may rue the time All that I haue I did inioy by him And if he die then all my state is gone 1. It may be doubted that he shall not die Because the King did fauour him so much 2. O sir you are deceiued in thinking so The grace and fauour he had with the king Hath causde him haue so manie enemies He that in court secure will keepe himselfe Must not be great for then he is enuied at The Shrub is safe when as the Cedar shakes For where the King doth loue aboue compare Of others they as much more enuied are 1. T is pittie that this noble man should fall He did so many charitable deeds 2. T is true and yet you see in each estate There 's none so good but some one doth him hate And they before would smile him in the face Will be the formost to do him disgrace What will you go along vnto the Court 1. I care not if I do and here the newes How men will iudge what shall become of him 2. Some will speake hardly some will speake in pitie Go you to the Court I le vnto the Citie There I am sure to here more newes then you 1. Why then soone will we meet againe Exit Enter Cromwell in the Tower Crom. Now Cromwell hast thou time to meditate And thinke vpon thy state and of the time Thy honours came vnsought I and vnlooked for Thy