Henry VIII: Act 5, Scene 2

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    Before the council-chamber. Pursuivants, Pages, & c.

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    attending.
    Enter CRANMER
    CRANMER
    I hope I am not too late; and yet the gentleman,
    That was sent to me from the council, pray'd me
    To make great haste. All fast? what means this? Ho!
    Who waits there? Sure, you know me?
    Enter Keeper
    Keeper
    Yes, my lord;
    But yet I cannot help you.
    CRANMER
    Why?
    Enter DOCTOR BUTTS
    Keeper
    Your grace must wait till you be call'd for.
    CRANMER
    So.
    DOCTOR BUTTS
    [Aside] This is a piece of malice. I am glad
    I came this way so happily: the king
    Shall understand it presently.
    Exit
    CRANMER
    [Aside] 'Tis Butts,
    The king's physician: as he pass'd along,
    How earnestly he cast his eyes upon me!
    Pray heaven, he sound not my disgrace! For certain,
    This is of purpose laid by some that hate me--
    God turn their hearts! I never sought their malice--
    To quench mine honour: they would shame to make me
    Wait else at door, a fellow-counsellor,
    'Mong boys, grooms, and lackeys. But their pleasures
    Must be fulfill'd, and I attend with patience.
    Enter the KING HENRY VIII and DOCTOR BUTTS at a window above
    DOCTOR BUTTS
    I'll show your grace the strangest sight--
    KING HENRY VIII
    What's that, Butts?
    DOCTOR BUTTS
    I think your highness saw this many a day.
    KING HENRY VIII
    Body o' me, where is it?
    DOCTOR BUTTS
    There, my lord:
    The high promotion of his grace of Canterbury;
    Who holds his state at door, 'mongst pursuivants,
    Pages, and footboys.
    KING HENRY VIII
    Ha! 'tis he, indeed:
    Is this the honour they do one another?
    'Tis well there's one above 'em yet. I had thought
    They had parted so much honesty among 'em
    At least, good manners, as not thus to suffer
    A man of his place, and so near our favour,
    To dance attendance on their lordships' pleasures,
    And at the door too, like a post with packets.
    By holy Mary, Butts, there's knavery:
    Let 'em alone, and draw the curtain close:
    We shall hear more anon.
    Exeunt