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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.

[Exit all the train.]

BEDFORD.

You must; well, what remedy?

I fear too soon you must be gone indeed.

The king hath business, but little doest thou know,

Whose busy for thy life: thou thinks not so.

[Enter Cromwell and the train again.]

CROMWELL.

The second time well met, my Lord of Bedford;

I am very sorry that my haste is such.

Lord Marquess Dorset being sick to death,

I must receive of him the privy seal.

At Lambeth, soon, my Lord, we'll talk our fill.

[Exit the train.]

BEDFORD.

How smooth and easy is the way to death!

[Enter a servant.]

MESSENGER.

My Lord, the dukes of Norfolk and of Suffolk,

Accompanied with the Bishop of Winchester,

Entreats you to come presently to Lambeth,

On earnest matters that concerns the state.

BEDFORD.

To Lambeth! so: go fetch me pen and ink.

I and Lord Cromwell there shall talk enough;

Aye, and our last, I fear, and if he come.

[He writes a letter.]

Here, take this letter, and bear it to Lord Cromwell.

Bid him read it; say it concerns him near:

Away, begone, make all the haste you can.

To Lambeth do I go a woeful man.

[Exit.]

ACT V. SCENE II. A street near the Thames.

[Enter Cromwell and his train.]

CROMWELL.

Is the Barge ready? I will straight to Lambeth,

And if this one day's business once were past,

I'd take my ease to morrow after trouble.—

How now, my friend, wouldst thou speak with me?

[The Messenger brings him the letter; he puts it in his pocket.]

MESSENGER.

Sir, here's a letter from my Lord of Bedford.

CROMWELL.

O good, my friend, commend me to thy Lord.

Hold, take those Angels; drink them for thy pains.

MESSENGER.

He doth desire your grace to read it,

Because he says it doth concern you near.

CROMWELL.

Bid him assure himself of that. Farewell.

To morrow, tell him, shall he hear from me.—

Set on before there, and away to Lambeth.

[Exeunt omnes.]

ACT V. SCENE III. Lambeth.

[Enter Winchester, Suffolk, Norfolk, Bedford,

Sargeant at arms, the Herald, and halberts.]

GARDINER.

Halberts, stand close unto the waterside;

Sargeant at arms, be bold in your office;

Herald, deliver your proclamation.

HERALD.

This is to give notice to all the king's subjects: The late Lord Cromwell, Lord Chancellor of England, Vicar general over the realm, him to hold and esteem as a traitor against the Crown and dignity of England: So God save the king.

GARDINER.

Amen.

BEDFORD.

Amen,—and root thee from the land,

For whilst thou livest truth cannot stand.

NORFOLK.

Make a lane there, the traitor's at hand.

Keep back Cromwell's men;

Drown them if they come on.—Sargeant, your office.

[Enter Cromwell, they make a lane with their halberts.]

CROMWELL.

What means my Lord of Norfolk by these words?

Sirs, come along.

GARDINER.

Kill them, if they come on.

SARGEANT.

Lord Cromwell, in king Henry's name,

I do arrest your honour of high treason.

CROMWELL.

Sargeant, me of treason?

[Cromwell's men offer to draw.]

SUFFOLK.

Kill them, if they draw a sword.

CROMWELL.

Hold; I charge you, as you love me, draw not a sword.

Who dares accuse Cromwell of treason now?

GARDINER.

This is no place to reckon up your crime;

Your Dove-like looks were viewed with serpent's eyes.

CROMWELL.

With serpent's eyes, indeed, by thine they were;

But Gardiner do thy worst, I fear thee not.

My faith, compared with thine, as much shall pass,

As doth the Diamond excel the glass.

Attached of treason, no accusers by!

Indeed, what tongue dares speak so foul a lie?

NORFOLK.

My Lord, my Lord, matters are too well known,

And it is time the king had note thereof.

CROMWELL.

The king! let me go to him face to face;

No better trial I desire than 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,

O let my soul in Judgement answer it:

Then, if my faith's confirmed with his reason,

Gainst whom hath