Suf. Pray God he do! he'll never know himself else.[302] 20
Nor. How holily he works in all his business![303]
And with what zeal! for, now he has crack'd the league
Between us and the emperor, the queen's great nephew.[304]
He dives into the king's soul, and there scatters
Dangers, doubts, wringing of the conscience,[305] 25
Fears and despairs; and all these for his marriage:[306]
And out of all these to restore the king,
He counsels a divorce; a loss of her
That, like a jewel, has hung twenty years
About his neck, yet never lost her lustre, 30
Of her that loves him with that excellence
That angels love good men with, even of her
That, when the greatest stroke of fortune falls,
Will bless the king: and is not this course pious?
Cham. Heaven keep me from such counsel! 'Tis most true 35
These news are every where; every tongue speaks 'em,
And every true heart weeps for't: all that dare
Look into these affairs see this main end,[307]
The French king's sister. Heaven will one day open
The king's eyes that so long have slept upon 40
This bold bad man.
Suf. And free us from his slavery.
Nor. We had need pray,
And heartily, for our deliverance;[308]
Or this imperious man will work us all
From princes into pages: all men's honours 45
Lie like one lump before him, to be fashion'd[309]
Into what pitch he please.[310]
Suf. For me, my lords,
I love him not, nor fear him; there's my creed:
As I am made without him, so I'll stand,
If the king please; his curses and his blessings 50
Touch me alike; they're breath I not believe in.[311]
I knew him, and I know him; so I leave him
To him that made him proud, the pope.
Nor. Let's in;
And with some other business put the king
From these sad thoughts that work too much upon him: 55
My lord, you'll bear us company?
Cham. Excuse me;
The king has sent me otherwhere: besides,
You'll find a most unfit time to disturb him:[312]
Health to your lordships.
Nor. Thanks, my good lord chamberlain.
[Exit Lord Chamberlain; and the King draws the curtain and sits reading pensively.[313]