CROMWELL

Good morrow morn, I do salute thy brightness, The night seems tedious to my troubled soul: Whose black obscurity binds in my mind, A thousand sundry cogitations: And now Aurora with a lively die, Adds comfort to my spirit that mounts on high. Too high indeed, my state being so mean, My study Like a mineral of gold: Makes my heart proud wherein my Hope's inrowld, My books is all the wealth I do possess, Here within they must beat with their hammers. And unto them I have engaged my heart, Oh learning how divine thou seems to me: Within whose arms is all felicity, Peace with your hammers leave your knocking there, You do disturb my study and my rest, Leave off I say, you mad me with the noise. You fret my heart, with making of this noise. Theres money father I will pay your men. Do you call sir. Father I have, please you to call him in. I have sir, here it is, please you peruse it. With all my heart sir, and I much am bound, In love and duty for your kindness shown. I will attend you sir. Thanks courteous woman, For thy hearty prayer: It grieves my soul to see her misery, But we that live under the work of fate, May hope the best, yet knows not to what state Our stars and destinies hath us asignde, Fickle is fortune and her face is blind. A good conceit, but tell hast thou dined yet? Come go with me, thou shalt have cheer good store. And farewell Antwarpe if I come no more. Content thee man, this is but fortune. Well Hodge, what remedy? What shift shall we make now? Hodge I believe thou must for us both. The Bandetto. This unexpected favour at your hands, Which God does know, if ever I shall requite it, Necessity makes me to take your bounty, And for your gold can yield you nought but thanks, Your charity hath helped me from despair. Your name shall still be in my hearty prayer. I pray excuse me, this shall well suffice, To bear my charges to Bononia, Whereas a noble Earl is much distressed: And Englishman, Russell the Earl of Bedford, Is by the French King, sold unto his death, It may fallen out, that I may do him good, To save his life, I'll hazard my heart blood: Therefore kind sir, thanks for your liberal gift, I must be gone to aid him ther's no shift. All good that God does send, light on your head, Theres few such men within our climate bred. How say you now Hodge, is not this good fortune. No Hodge, we must begone unto Bononia, There to relieve the noble Earl of Bedford: Where if I fail not in my policy, I shall deceive their subtle treachery. By force we cannot, but by policy, Put on the apparel here that Hodge does wear, And give him yours: the States they know you not, For as I think they never saw your face, And at a watchword must I call them in, And will desire, that we safe may pass To Mantua, where I'll say my business lies, How does your Honour Like of this devise? Go Hodge make hast, least they chance to call. Heavens grant this policy does take success, And that the Earl may safely escape away. And yet it grieves me for this simple wretch, For fear they should offer him violence, But of two evils, 'tis best to shun the greatest, And better is it that he lives in thrall, Then such a Noble Earl as he should fallen. Their stubborn hearts, it may be will relent: Since he is gone, to whom their hate is bent, My Lord have you dispatched. Oh my Lord excellent, Hodge how dost feel thy self? Yes Hodge, now go sit down in his study. And take state upon thee. Go take thy place Hodge, I'll call them in. All is done, enter and if you please. I have ante please you, and the quiet Earl, Does yield himself to be disposed by you. My business sir lies unto Mantua, Please you to give me safe conduct thither. Sir, what soever lies in me, Assure I will show my utmost duty. Cromwell my Lord. Here are the writings, and upon my knees, I give them up, unto the worthy Dukes, Of Suffolk, and of Norfolk: he was my Master, And each virtuous partly, That lived in him, I tendered with my heart, But what his head complotted gainst the state. My countries love commands me that to hate: His sudden death I grieve for, not his fallen, Because he sought to work my countries thrall. If I did so, it's greater glory for me, that you remember it, Then of my self vainly to report it. My Lords, these honours are too high for my desert, My noble Lords of Suffolk and of Bedford, Your honours welcome to poor Cromwell's house: Where is my father? nay be covered Father, Although that duty to these noble men, does challenge it Yet I'll make bold with them. Your head does bear the callender of care: What Cromwell covered, and his Father bore, It must not be. Now sir to you, Is not your name Friskiball and a Florentine. What fortune brought you to this country now? Did you not once upon your Florence bridge, Help two distressed men, robbed by the Bandetro, His name was Cromwell? I am that Cromwell that you there relieved, Sixteen Ducats you gave me for to cloth me, Sixteen to bear my charges by the way, And sixteen more I had for my horse hire, There be those several sums justly returned, Yet with injustice, serving at my needs, And to repay them without interest, Therefore receive of me these four several bags, In each of them there is four hundred mark, And bring me the names of all your debtors, And if they will not see you paid, I will: Oh God forbid, that I should see him fallen, That helped me in my greatest needs of all: Here stands my Father that first gave me life, Alas what duty is too much for him: This man in time of needs did save my life, And therefore cannot do too much for him. By this old man I often times was fed, Else might I have gone supperless to bed. Such kindness have I had of these three men, That Cromwell no way can repay again: Now in to dinner, for we stay too long, And to good stomachs is no greater wrong. The second time well met my Lord of Bedford, I am very sorry that my hast is such, Lord Marks Dorset being to death, I must receive of the seal At Lambeth, soon my Lord weel talk our fill, Is the Barge ready I will straight to Lambeth, And if this one days business once were passed, I'de take my ease to morrow after trouble, How now my friend wouldst thou speak with me. Oh good my friend commend me to thy Lord, Hold take those Angels, drink them for thy pains. Bid him assure himself of that, farewell, Tomorrow tell him shall he hear from me, Set on before there, and away to Lambeth. Sargiant me of treason. Hold I charge you, as you love me draw not a sword, Who dares accuse Cromwell of treason now. With serpents eyes indeed, by thine they were, But Gardener do thy worst, I fear thee not, My faith compared with thine as much shall pass, As does the Diamond excel the glass: Attached of treason, no accusers by, Indeed what tongue dares speak so soul a lie. The king, let me go to him face to face, No better trial I desire then that, Let him but say that Cromwell's faith was feigned, Then let my honour, and my name be stained: If ever my heart against my king was set, Oh let my soul in Judgement answer it, Then if my faiths confirmed with his reason, Gainst whom hath Cromwell then committed treason, Now Cromwell hast thou time to meditate, And think upon thy state, and of the time, Thy honours came unsought, I and unlooked for, Thy fallen as sudden, and unlooked for to, What glory was in England that I had not, Who in this land commanded more then Cromwell, Except the King who greater then my self, But now I see, what after ages shall, The greater man, more sudden is their fallen. And now I do remember the Earl of Bedford Was very desirous for to speak to me, And afterwards sent to me a letter, The which I think I have still in my pocket, Now may I read it, for I now have leisure, And this I take it is. My Lord come not this night to Lambeth, For if you do, your state is overthrown. And much I doubt your life, and if you come: Then if you love your self, stay where you are. Oh God had I but read this letter, Then had I been free from the Lions paw, Deferring this, to read until to morrow, I spurned at joy, and did embrace my sorrow. Enter the Lieutenant of the Tower and officers. Now master Lieutenant, when's this day of death. No matter wherefore, Cromwell is prepared, For Gardener has my state and life insnard, Bid them come in, or you shall do them wrong, For here stands he, whom some thinks lives too long, Learning kills learning, and instead of Ink To dip his Pen, Cromwell's heart blood does drink. One good among you, none of you are bade, For my partly, it best fits me be alone, Sadness with me, not I with any one. What is the king acquainted with my cause? Would, will you do this kindness then? Tell him by word of mouth, what I shall say to you. But on your honour will you? Bear witness Lords, Tell him when he hath known you, And tried your faith but half so much as mine, Heel find you to be the falsest hearted man In England: Pray tell him this. My kind and honourable Lord of Bedford, I know your honour always loved me well, But pardon me, this still shall be my theme, Father their hammers do offend my study. Father be patient, and content your self, The time will come I shall hold gold as trash: And here I speak with a presaging soul, To built a palace where now this cottage stands, As fine as is King Henries house at Sheen. Why should my birth keep down my mounting spirit, Are not all creatures subject unto time: To time, who does abuse the world, And fills it full of hodgepodge bastardy, Theres legions now of beggars on the earth, That their original did spring from Kings: And many Monarchs now whose father's were, The riffraff of their age: for Time and Fortune Wears out a noble train to beggary, And from the dunghill minions do advance To state: and mark in this admiring world, This is but course, which in the name of Fate, Is seen as often as it whirls about: The River Thames that by our door does pass, His first beginning is but small and shallow: Yet keeping on his course, grows to a sea. And likewise Wolsey, the wonder of our age, His birth as mean as mine, a Butchers son, Now who within this land a greater man. Then Cromwell cheer thee up, and tell thy soul, That thou mayest live to flourish and control. Thus far my reckoning does go straight & even, But Cromwell this same ployding fits not thee: Thy mind is altogether set on travel, And not to live thus cloistered Like a Nun, It is not this same trash that I regard, Experience is the jewel of my heart. Yes heres those sums of money you must carry, You go so far as Frankfurt do you not. Well prithee make all the hast thou canst, For there be certain English gentlemen: Are bound for Venice, and may happily want, And if that you should linger by the way: But in hope that yowl make good speed, Theres two Angels to buy you spurs and wandes. Gold is of power would make and Eagles speed. Enter Mistress Banister. What gentlewoman is this that grieves so much, It seems she does address her self to me. My name is Thomas Cromwell gentlewoman. No trust me, I never saw the man, But here are bills of debt I have received, Against one Banister a Merchant fallen into decay. Good mistress Banister, what I can, I will, In any thing that lies within my power. Why is he come to Antwarpe as you here? Well mistress Banister assure your self. I'll speak to Bagot in your own behalf: And win him to all the pity that I can, Mean time, to comfort you in your distress, Receive these Angels to relieve your need, And be assured that what I can effect: To do you good, no way I will neglect. And you, pray pardon me, I know you not. Oh the man that pursues Banister, Here are the bills of debt you sent to me: As for the man you know best where he is, It is reported you have a flinty heart, A mind that will not stoop to any pity; And eye that knows not how to shed a tear, A hand thats always open for reward, But master Bagot would you be ruled by me: You should turn all these to the contrary, Your heart should still have feeling of remorse, Your mind according to your state be liberal, To those that stand in need and in distress; Your hand to help them that do stand in want, Rather then with your poise to hold them down, For every ill turn show your self more kind, Thus should I do, pardon I speak my mind. My gain: I had rather chain me to and over, And Like a slave there toil out all my life, Before idem live so base a slave as thou: I Like and hypocrite to make a show, Of seeming virtue and a devil within, No Bagot, would thy conscience were as clear, Poor Banister never had been troubled here. Will it be thought that I am other wise, Let them that think so know they are deceiu'de; Shall Cromwell live to have his faith misconstered, Antwarpe for all the wealth within thy Town, I will not stay here not two hours longer: As good luck serves my accounts are all made even, Therefore isle straight unto the treasurer, Bagot I know yowl to the governor, Commend me to him, say I am bound to travail, To see the fruitful parts of Italy, And as you ever boar a Christian mind, Let Banister some favour of you find. Farewell sir, pray you remember what I said, No Cromwell, no, thy heart was never so base: To live by falsehood or by brokery, But falls out well, I little it repent, Hereafter, time in travel shall be spent. What Hodge my father's man, by my hand welcome, How does my father? whats the news at home? Gramarsie good Hodge, and thou art welcome to me, But in as ill a time thou comest as may be: For I am traveling into Italy, What sayest thou Hodge wilt thou bear me company. And why upon him. Content thee man, here set up these two bills, And let us keep our standing on the bridge: The fashion of this country is such, If any stranger be oppressed with want, To write the manner of his misery, And such as are disposed to succour him, Will do it, what hast thou set them up? I am sir a distressed Englishman. Sir are you the master of the house, By this same token you must leave this place, And leave none but the Earl and I together, And this my Pessant here to tend on us. Intends your honour, not to yield your self: My Lord my eloquence is for to save you, I am not as you judge a Neopolitan: But Cromwell your servant, and and Englishman. The same sir, and am come to succour you. It may avail if yowl be ruled by me, My Lord you know the men of Mantua; And these Bononians are at deadly strife, And they my Lord, both love and honour you, Could you but get out of the Mantua port, Then were you safe despite of all their force. My Lord I have added to my knowledge, the lo Countries, France, Spain, Germany, and Italy : And though small gain, of profit I did find, Yet did it please my eye, content my mind. My Lord no Court with England may compare, Neither for state nor civil government: Lust dwells in France, in Italy, and Spain, From the poor peasant to the Princes train, In Germany, and Holland riot serves, And he that most can drink, most he deserves: England I praise not: for I here was born, But that she laugheth the others unto scorn. Cromwell takes his leave of you, That near will leave to love and honour you. Come hither sirrah, stay what men are these, My honest Host of Hounslow, and his wife: I owe thee money father, do I not. I know 'tis true, sirrah give him ten Angels, And look your wife, and you do stay to dinner: And while you live: I freely give to you, Four pound a year, for the four pound I ought you. Sirrah, go to yond stranger, tell him I desire him Stay at dinner, I must speak with him; God morrow to my Lord of Winchester, I know you bear me hard, about the Abbey lands. Yes the abolishing of Antichrist, And of this Popish order from our Realm: I am no enemy to religion, But what is done, it is for England's good, What did they serve for but to feed a sort: Oflazie Abbots, and of full fed Friars, They neither blow, nor sow, and yet they reap, The fat of all the Land, and suck the poor: Look what was theirs, is in King Henries hands, His wealth before lay in the Abbey lands. What shall we to the Convocation house. My aged father: state set aside, Father on my knee I crave your blessing: One of my servants go and have him in, At better leisure will we talk with him. Go on before for time draws on apace. Your well encountered my good Lord of Bedford, I see your honour is addressed to talk, Pray pardon me, I am sent for to the king, And do not know the business yet my self, So fare you well, for I must needs be gone. What means my Lord of Norfolk by these words, Sirs come along. Perforce I must with patience be content, Oh deer friend Bedford dost thou stand so near, Cromwell rejoices one friend sheds a tear, And whither is't, which way must Cromwell now? Well where you please, yet before I partly, Let me confer a little with my men. I have some business present to impart. Well, well my Lord, you second Gardiners text, Norfolk farewell, thy turn will be the next. How, shall I come to speak with him my self? No way admit me, am I so soon forgotten, Did he but yesterday embrace my neck, And said that Cromwell was even half himself, And is his Princely ears so much bewitched With scandalous ignomy, and slanderous speeches, That now he doth deny to look on me, Well my Lord of Winchester, no doubt but you, Are much in favour with his Majesty, Will you bear a letter from me to his grace?