Wol. [Aside] What should this mean?[553] 160
Sur. [Aside] The Lord increase this business![553]
King. Have I not made you
The prime man of the state? I pray you, tell me,
If what I now pronounce you have found true:
And, if you may confess it, say withal,
If you are bound to us or no. What say you? 165
Wol. My sovereign, I confess your royal graces,
Shower'd on me daily, have been more than could
My studied purposes requite; which went[554]
Beyond all man's endeavours: my endeavours[555]
Have ever come too short of my desires, 170
Yet filed with my abilities: mine own ends[556]
Have been mine so that evermore they pointed[557]
To the good of your most sacred person and
The profit of the state. For your great graces
Heap'd upon me, poor undeserver, I 175
Can nothing render but allegiant thanks,
My prayers to heaven for you, my loyalty,
Which ever has and ever shall be growing[558]
Till death, that winter, kill it.
King. Fairly answer'd;
A loyal and obedient subject is 180
Therein illustrated: the honour of it
Does pay the act of it; as, i' the contrary,[559]
The foulness is the punishment. I presume
That, as my hand has open'd bounty to you,
My heart dropp'd love, my power rain'd honour, more 185
On you than any; so your hand and heart,
Your brain and every function of your power,
Should, notwithstanding that your bond of duty,
As 'twere in love's particular, be more
To me, your friend, than any.
Wol. I do profess[560] 190
That for your highness' good I ever labour'd
More than mine own; that am, have, and will be—[561]
Though all the world should crack their duty to you,[562]
And throw it from their soul; though perils did
Abound, as thick as thought could make 'em, and[563] 195
Appear in forms more horrid—yet my duty,
As doth a rock against the chiding flood,
Should the approach of this wild river break,
And stand unshaken yours.
King. 'Tis nobly spoken.
Take notice, lords, he has a loyal breast, 200
For you have seen him open't. [Giving him papers.] Read o'er this;[564]
And after, this: and then to breakfast with
What appetite you have.[565]
[Exit King, frowning upon the Cardinal: the nobles throng after him, smiling and whispering.
Wol. What should this mean?
What sudden anger's this? how have I reap'd it?[566]
He parted frowning from me, as if ruin 205
Leap'd from his eyes. So looks the chafed lion
Upon the daring huntsman that has gall'd him;
Then makes him nothing. I must read this paper;
I fear, the story of his anger. 'Tis so;[567]
This paper has undone me: 'tis the account 210
Of all that world of wealth I have drawn together[568]
For mine own ends; indeed, to gain the popedom,
And fee my friends in Rome. O negligence![569]
Fit for a fool to fall by: what cross devil[569]
Made me put this main secret in the packet 215
I sent the king? Is there no way to cure this?
No new device to beat this from his brains?
I know 'twill stir him strongly; yet I know
A way, if it take right, in spite of fortune
Will bring me off again. What's this? 'To the Pope!' 220
The letter, as I live, with all the business
I writ to's holiness. Nay then, farewell![570]
I have touch'd the highest point of all my greatness;[570]
And, from that full meridian of my glory,
I haste now to my setting: I shall fall 225
Like a bright exhalation in the evening.
And no man see me more.[571]
Re-enter to Wolsey the Dukes of Norfolk and Suffolk, the Earl of Surrey, and the Lord Chamberlain.