King Henry VIII | Page 5

high hatred would effect wants not A minister in his power. You know his nature, That he's revengeful, and I know his sword Hath a sharp edge; it's long, and, 't may be said, It reaches far, and where 'twill not extend, Thither he darts it. Bosom up my counsel, You'll find it wholesome. Lo, where comes that rock That I advise your shunning.
[Enter Cardinal Wolsey, the purse borne before him, certain of the Guard, and two Secretaries, with papers. The Cardinal in his passage fixeth his eye on Buckingham, and Buckingham on him, both full of disdain.]
WOLSEY. The Duke of Buckingham's surveyor, ha? Where's his examination?
SECRETARY. Here, so please you.
WOLSEY. Is he in person ready?
SECRETARY. Ay, please your Grace.
WOLSEY. Well, we shall then know more; and Buckingham Shall lessen this big look.
[Exeunt Wolsey and his train.]
BUCKINGHAM. This butcher's cur is venom-mouth'd, and I Have not the power to muzzle him; therefore best Not wake him in his slumber. A beggar's book Outworths a noble's blood.
NORFOLK. What, are you chaf'd? Ask God for temp'rance; that's the appliance only Which your disease requires.
BUCKINGHAM. I read in 's looks Matter against me, and his eye revil'd Me as his abject object. At this instant He bores me with some trick. He's gone to the King; I'll follow, and outstare him.
NORFOLK. Stay, my lord, And let your reason with your choler question What 'tis you go about. To climb steep hills Requires slow pace at first. Anger is like A full hot horse, who being allow'd his way, Self-mettle tires him. Not a man in England Can advise me like you; be to yourself As you would to your friend.
BUCKINGHAM. I'll to the King, And from a mouth of honour quite cry down This Ipswich fellow's insolence, or proclaim There's difference in no persons.
NORFOLK. Be advis'd; Heat not a furnace for your foe so hot That it do singe yourself. We may outrun, By violent swiftness, that which we run at, And lose by over-running. Know you not, The fire that mounts the liquor till 't run o'er, In seeming to augment it wastes it? Be advis'd. I say again, there is no English soul More stronger to direct you than yourself, If with the sap of reason you would quench, Or but allay, the fire of passion.
BUCKINGHAM. Sir, I am thankful to you; and I'll go along By your prescription; but this top-proud fellow, Whom from the flow of gall I name not, but From sincere motions, by intelligence, And proofs as clear as founts in July when We see each grain of gravel, I do know To be corrupt and treasonous.
NORFOLK. Say not "treasonous."
BUCKINGHAM. To the King I'll say't, and make my vouch as strong As shore of rock. Attend. This holy fox, Or wolf, or both,--for he is equal ravenous As he is subtle, and as prone to mischief As able to perform't; his mind and place Infecting one another, yea, reciprocally-- Only to show his pomp as well in France As here at home, suggests the King our master To this last costly treaty, the interview, That swallowed so much treasure, and like a glass Did break i' the rinsing.
NORFOLK. Faith, and so it did.
BUCKINGHAM. Pray, give me favour, sir. This cunning Cardinal The articles o' the combination drew As himself pleas'd; and they were ratified As he cried "Thus let be," to as much end As give a crutch to the dead. But our count-cardinal Has done this, and 'tis well; for worthy Wolsey, Who cannot err, he did it. Now this follows,-- Which, as I take it, is a kind of puppy To the old dam, treason,--Charles the Emperor, Under pretence to see the Queen his aunt,-- For 'twas indeed his colour, but he came To whisper Wolsey,--here makes visitation. His fears were, that the interview betwixt England and France might, through their amity, Breed him some prejudice; for from this league Peep'd harms that menac'd him. He privily Deals with our Cardinal; and, as I trow,-- Which I do well, for I am sure the Emperor Paid ere he promis'd; whereby his suit was granted Ere it was ask'd--but when the way was made, And pav'd with gold, the Emperor thus desir'd, That he would please to alter the King's course, And break the foresaid peace. Let the King know, As soon he shall by me, that thus the Cardinal Does buy and sell his honour as he pleases And for his own advantage.
NORFOLK. I am sorry To hear this of him; and could wish he were Something mistaken in't.
BUCKINGHAM. No, not a syllable: I do pronounce him in that very shape He shall appear in proof.
[Enter Brandon, a Sergeant-at-arms before him, and two or three of the Guard.]
BRANDON. Your office, sergeant; execute it.
SERGEANT. Sir, My