King Henry VIII

King Henry VIII

ACT V SCENE II	Before the council-chamber. Pursuivants, Pages, &c.
	attending.
	Enter CRANMER
CRANMER	I hope I am not too late; and yet the gentleman,
	That was sent to me from the council, pray'd me
	To make great haste. All fast? what means this? Ho!	5
	Who waits there? Sure, you know me?
	Enter Keeper
Keeper	Yes, my lord;
	But yet I cannot help you.
CRANMER	Why?
	Enter DOCTOR BUTTS
Keeper	Your grace must wait till you be call'd for.	10
CRANMER	So.
DOCTOR BUTTS	Aside
	I came this way so happily: the king
	Shall understand it presently.
	Exit
CRANMER	Aside
	The king's physician: as he pass'd along,
	How earnestly he cast his eyes upon me!	15
	Pray heaven, he sound not my disgrace! For certain,
	This is of purpose laid by some that hate me--
	God turn their hearts! I never sought their malice--
	To quench mine honour: they would shame to make me
	Wait else at door, a fellow-counsellor,	20
	'Mong boys, grooms, and lackeys. But their pleasures
	Must be fulfill'd, and I attend with patience.
	Enter the KING HENRY VIII and DOCTOR BUTTS at a window above
DOCTOR BUTTS	I'll show your grace the strangest sight--
KING HENRY VIII	What's that, Butts?
DOCTOR BUTTS	I think your highness saw this many a day.	25
KING HENRY VIII	Body o' me, where is it?
DOCTOR BUTTS	There, my lord:
	The high promotion of his grace of Canterbury;
	Who holds his state at door, 'mongst pursuivants,
	Pages, and footboys.	30
KING HENRY VIII	Ha! 'tis he, indeed:
	Is this the honour they do one another?
	'Tis well there's one above 'em yet. I had thought
	They had parted so much honesty among 'em
	At least, good manners, as not thus to suffer	35
	A man of his place, and so near our favour,
	To dance attendance on their lordships' pleasures,
	And at the door too, like a post with packets.
	By holy Mary, Butts, there's knavery:
	Let 'em alone, and draw the curtain close:	40
	We shall hear more anon.
	Exeunt