GARDINER

My Lord of Norfolk, we two wear whilom fellows, And master Cromwell, though our masters love: Did bind us, while his love was to the King, It is no boot now to deny these things, Which may be preiuditiall to the state: And though that God hath raised my fortune higher, Then any way I looked for, or deseru'de. Yet my life no longer with me dwell, Then I prove true unto my Sovereign: What say you master Cromwell? have you those writings, I, or no? My Lord of Norfolk: see you this same bubble, That same puff, but mark the end, my Lord mark the end. Have I not reason, when religion is wronged, You had no colour for what you have done. Indeed these things you have alleged my Lord, When God does know the infant yet unborn: Will curse the time, the Abbeys were pulled down, I pray now where is hospitality, Where now may poor distressed people go: For to relieve their need, or rest their bones, When weary travel does oppress their limbs, And where religious men should take them in, Shall now be kept back with a Mastive dog, And thousand thousand. Kneel down, and I will here absolve you both, This Crucifix I lay upon your head, And sprinkle holy-water on your brows, The deed is meritorious that you do, And by it shall you purchase grace from heaven. I know he does not, and for both of you, I will prefer you to some place of worth: Now get you in, until I call for you, For presently the Dukes means to be here. Exit wit. Cromwell fit fast, thy time's not long to reign, The Abbeys that were pulled down by thy means, Is now a mean for me to pull thee down: Thy pride upon thy own head lights upon, For thou art he hath changed religion: But now no more, for here the Dukes are come. No not alone my Lords, my mind is troubled: I know your honours muse wherefore I sent, And in such hast: What came you from the King? My Lord too much, call in the men within, Enter witnesses. These men my Lord upon their oaths affirm, That they did here Lord Cromwell in his garden, Wished a dagger sticking at the heart, Of our King Henry, what is this but treason? They shall my Lord hoe take in these two men, Exit witnesses. My Lords, if Cromwell have a public trial, That which we do, is void by his denial: You know the king will credit none but him. Well hath your Grace said my Lord of Norfolk Therefore let us presently to Lambeth, Thither comes Cromwell from the Court to night, Let us arrest him, send him to the Tower, And in the morning, cut off the traitors head. Halberts stand close unto the water side, Sargiant at arms be bold in your office, Harrauld deliver your proclamation. Amen. Kill them if they come on. This is no place to reckon up your crime, Your Dovelike looks were viewed with serpents eyes, My Lord you must unto the tower, Lieutenant take him to your charge. As you go by water so you shall. His guilty conscience makes him rave my Lord. My Lord of Bedford, come you weep for him, That would not shed half a tear for you. Such success wish I to traitors still. I know his state and proud ambition, Was too too violent to last overlong. Heres honours, titles, and , I fear this climbing, will have But Gardener means his glory shall be dimde: Shall Cromwell live a greater man then I, My envy with his honour now is bred, I hope to shorten Cromwell by the head. Sirrah, where be those men I caused to stay? Bid them come hither, and stay you without, For by those men, the Fox of this same land, That makes a Goose of better then himself, Weel worie him unto his latest home, Or Gardener will fail in his intent. As for the Dukes of Suffolk and of Norfolk, Whom I have sent for to come speak with me, Howsoever outwardly they shadow it. Yet in their hearts I know they love him not: As for the Earl of Bedford he is but one, And dares not gainsay what we do set down: Enter the two witnesses. Now my friends, you know I saved your lives, When by the law you had deserved death, And then you promised me upon your oaths, To venture both your lives to do me good. I take your words, and that which you must do, Is service for you God, and for your King, To root a rebel from this flourishing land, One thats and enemy unto the Church: And therefore must you take your solemn oaths, That you herd Cromwell the Lord Chancellor, Did wish a dagger at King Henries heart: Fear not to swear it, for I hard him speak it, Therefore weel shield you from ensuing harms. Oh what a dangerous time is this we live in, Theres Thomas Wolsay, he's already gone, And Thomas More, he followed after him: Another Thomas yet there does remain, That is far worse then either of those twain, And if with speed my Lords we not pursue it, I fear the King and all the land will rue it. My Lord of Bedford, it is that traitor Cromwell. I, I, his greatness thats the cause indeed, And to make his treason here more manifest, He calls his servants to him round about, Tells them of Wolsayes life, and of his fallen, Says that himself hath many enemies, And gives to some of them a Park or Manor, To others Leases, Lands to other some: What needs he do thus in his prime of life, And if he were not fearful of his death. Marry my Lords thus, by and Act he made himself, With and intent to entrap some of our lives, And this it is: If any Councillor Be convicted of high treason, He shall be executed without a public trial, This Act my Lords he caused the King to make. Along my Lords, well Cromwell is half dead, He shaked my heart, but I will shave his head. The King is so advertised of your gilded. He will by no means admit you to his presence. Pardon me, isle bear no traitors letters. That will I. I on my honour.