Henry Viii

The Famous History of the Life of King Henry the Eighth, A Tragedy

William Shakespeare

• Publisher: HarperPerennial Classics
• Year: 2014
• eBook ISBN: 9781443443364
• Topic: Literature
• Subtopic: Shakespeare Drama
• Index: Literature

Desperate for a son and heir, King Henry VIII risks both his realm and his immortal soul when he divorces Katherine of Aragon in favour of Anne "Bullen." The last of Shakespeare's histories, Henry VIII remains famous for more than just its subject matter—a mishap during the performance of the play resulted in the original Globe theatre burning to the ground.

Known as "The Bard of Avon," William Shakespeare is arguably the greatest English-language writer known. Enormously popular during his life, Shakespeare's works continue to resonate more than three centuries after his death, as has his influence on theatre and literature. Shakespeare's innovative use of character, language, and experimentation with romance as tragedy served as a foundation for later playwrights and dramatists, and some of his most famous lines of dialogue have become part of everyday speech.

HarperPerennialClassics brings great works of literature to life in digital format, upholding the highest standards in ebook production and celebrating reading in all its forms. Look for more titles in the HarperPerennial Classics collection to build your digital library.

ACT TWO

SCENE I. Westminster. A street.

Enter two Gentlemen, at several doors.

1 GENTLEMAN Whither away so fast?

2 GENTLEMAN O, God save ye!

Ev’n to the Hall, to hear what shall become

Of the great Duke of Buckingham.

1 GENTLEMAN I’ll save you

That labour, sir. All’s now done but the ceremony

Of bringing back the prisoner.

[5]

2 GENTLEMAN Were you there?

1 GENTLEMAN Yes, indeed, was I.

2 GENTLEMAN Pray, speak what has happen’d.

1 GENTLEMAN You may guess quickly what.

2 GENTLEMAN Is he found guilty?

1 GENTLEMAN Yes, truly is he, and condemn’d upon’t.

2 GENTLEMAN I am sorry for’t.

1 GENTLEMAN So are a number more.

[10]

2 GENTLEMAN But, pray, how pass’d it?

1 GENTLEMAN I’ll tell you in a little. The great Duke

Came to the bar; where to his accusations

He pleaded still not guilty, and alleged

Many sharp reasons to defeat the law.

[15]

The King’s attorney, on the contrary,

Urg’d on the examinations, proofs, confessions,

Of divers witnesses; which the Duke desir’d

To have brought, viva voce, to his face;

At which appear’d against him his surveyor,

[20]

Sir Gilbert Peck his chancellor, and John Car,

Confessor to him, with that devil-monk,

Hopkins, that made this mischief.

2 GENTLEMAN That was he

That fed him with his prophecies?

1 GENTLEMAN The same.

All these accus’d him strongly, which he fain

[25]

Would have flung from him; but indeed he could not;

And so his peers, upon this evidence,

Have found him guilty of high treason. Much

He spoke, and learnedly, for life; but all

Was either pitied in him or forgotten.

[30]

2 GENTLEMAN After all this, how did he bear himself?

1 GENTLEMAN When he was brought again to th’ bar to hear

His knell rung out, his judgment, he was stirr’d

With such an agony he sweat extremely,

And something spoke in choler, ill and hasty;

[35]

But he fell to himself again, and sweetly

In all the rest show’d a most noble patience.

2 GENTLEMAN I do not think he fears death.

1 GENTLEMAN Sure, he does not;

He never was so womanish; the cause

He may a little grieve at.

2 GENTLEMAN Certainly

The Cardinal is the end of this.

[40]

1 GENTLEMAN ’Tis likely,

By all conjectures: first, Kildare’s attainder,

Then deputy of Ireland, who remov’d,

Earl Surrey was sent thither, and in haste too,

Lest he should help his father.

2 GENTLEMAN That trick of state

Was a deep envious one.

[45]

1 GENTLEMAN At his return

No doubt he will requite it. This is noted,

And generally: whoever the King favours

The Cardinal instantly will find employment,

And far enough from court too.

2 GENTLEMAN All the commons

[50]

Hate him perniciously, and, o’ my conscience,

Wish him ten fathom deep: this Duke as much

They love and dote on; call him bounteous Buckingham,

The mirror of all courtesy –

Enter BUCKINGHAM from his arraignment; Tipstaves before him; the axe with the edge towards him; halberds on each side; accompanied with SIR THOMAS LOVELL, SIR NICHOLAS VAUX, SIR WILLIAM SANDYS, and common people, etc.

1 GENTLEMAN Stay there, sir,

And see the noble ruin’d man you speak of.

2 GENTLEMAN Let’s stand close and behold him.

[55]

BUCKINGHAM All good people,

You that thus far have come to pity me,

Hear what I say, and then go home and lose me.

I have this day receiv’d a traitor’s judgment,

And by that name must die; yet, beaven bear witness,

[60]

And if I have a conscience, let it sink me

Even as the axe falls, if I be not faithful!

The law I bear no malice for my death:

‘T has done, upon the premises, but justice.

But those that sought it I could wish more Christians.

[65]

Be what they will, I heartily forgive ’em;

Yet let ’em look they glory not in mischief

Nor build their evils on the graves of great men,

For then my guiltless blood must cry against ’em.

For further life in this world I ne’er hope

[70]

Nor will I sue, although the King have mercies

More than I dare make faults. You few that lov’d me

And dare be bold to weep for Buckingham,

His noble friends and fellows, whom to leave

Is only bitter to him, only dying,

[75]

Go with me like good angels to my end;

And as the long divorce of steel falls on me

Make of your prayers one sweet sacrifice,

And lift my soul to heaven. Lead on, a God’s name.

LOVELL I do beseech your Grace, for charity,

[80]

If ever any malice in your heart

Were hid against me, now to forgive me frankly.

BUCKINGHAM Sir Thomas Lovell, I as free forgive you

As I would be forgiven. I forgive all.

There cannot be those numberless offences

[85]

’Gainst me that I cannot take peace with. No black envy

Shall mark my grave. Commend me to his Grace;

And if he speak of Buckingham, pray tell him

You met him half in heaven. My vows and prayers

Yet are the King’s, and, till my soul forsake,

[90]

Shall cry for blessings on him. May he live

Longer than I have time to tell his years;

Ever belov’d and loving may his rule be;

And when old time shall lead him to his end,

Goodness and he fill up one monument!

[95]

LOVELL To th’ water side I must conduct your ...

Table of contents

• Contents
• Henry VIII
• Dramatis Personae
• The Prologue
• Act One
• Act Two
• Act Three
• Act Four
• Act Five
• About the Author
• About the Series
• Copyright
• About the Publisher