Be yet patient! I have but a few words more to say. I am going to my cold and silent grave: my lamp of life is nearly extinguished: my race is run: the grave opens to receive me, and I sink into its bosom! I have but one request to ask at my departure from this world-it is the charity of its silence! Let no man write my epitaph: for as no man who knows my motives dare now vindicate them, let not prejudice or ignorance asperse them. Let them and me repose in obscurity and peace, and my tomb remain uninscribed, until other times and other men can do justice to my character. When my country takes her place among the nations of the earth, then, and not till then, let my epitaph be written. I have done. KING HENRY VIII. ACT III, SCENE 2-WOLSEY AND CROMWELL SCENE: An antechamber in Henry VIII.'s palace. Wol. So farewell to the little good you bear me. But far beyond my depth; my high blown pride Never so truly happy, my good Cromwell. A peace above all earthly dignities, A still and quiet conscience. The king has cur'd me, A load would sink a navy-too much honor; Crom. I am glad your grace has made that right use of it. Wol. I hope I have; I am able now, methinks, Out of a fortitude of soul I feel, To endure more miseries and greater far Than my weak-hearted enemies dare offer. Crom. The next is, that Sir Thomas More is chosen Lord chancellor in your place. That's somewhat sudden; Wol. For truth's sake and his conscience; that his bones, May have a tomb of orphans' tears wept on them! Whom the king hath in secrecy long married, This day was view'd in open as his queen, Going to chapel; and the voice is now Only about her coronation. Wol. There was the weight that pull'd me down. O Cromwell, The king has gone beyond me; all my glories In that one woman I have lost forever; No sun shall ever usher forth mine honors, Or gild again the noble troops that waited. Upon my smiles. Go, get thee from me, Cromwell; I am a poor fall'n man, unworthy now To be thy lord and master; seek the king; That sun, I pray, may never set! I have told him What and how true thou art; he will advance thee; Some little memory of me will stir him I know his noble nature-not to let Thy hopeful service perish too; good Cromwell, Crom. Wol. Cromwell, I did not think to shed a tear Let's dry our eyes; and thus far hear me, Cromwell; Love thyself last; cherish those hearts that hate thee; Still in thy right hand carry gentle peace, To silence envious tongues. Be just, and fear not; Thy God's and truth's; then, if thou fall'st, O Cromwell, And, prithee lead me in; There take an inventory of all I have, To the last penny; 'tis the king's; my robe, I dare now call mine own. O Cromwell, Cromwell! Crom. Good sir, have patience. So I have. Farewell The hopes of court! my hopes in heaven do dwell. [Exeunt. KING JOHN PARTS OF ACTS III AND IV SCENE: Plain near Angiers. Elinor the Queen-mother, has taken Arthur aside to console him, and John beckons to Hubert. K. John. Come hither, Hubert. O my gentle Hubert, We owe thee much; within this wall of flesh There is a soul, counts thee her creditor, And with advantage means to pay thy love: Give me thy hand. I had a thing to say,But I will fit it with some better time. |