Henry VIII
Text Circles Dramatis Personae Synopsis All Definitions

Share
All
text
First folio
Modern text
Definitions
Key line
Enter Lord Chamberlaine, reading this letter.Enter the Lord Chamberlain, reading this letter H8 II.ii.1
LORD CHAMBERLAIN 
My Lord, the Horses your Lordship My lord, the horses your lordship H8 II.ii.1
sent for, with all the care I had, I saw well chosen, ridden, sent for, with all the care I had I saw well chosen, ridden,rid (v.)
manage, conduct, control		H8 II.ii.2
and furnish'd. They were young and handsome, and of the and furnished. They were young and handsome, and of thefurnished (adj.)

old form: furnish'd
equipped, fitted out, outfitted		H8 II.ii.3
best breed in the North. When they were ready to set out for best breed in the north. When they were ready to set out for H8 II.ii.4
London, a man of my Lord Cardinalls, by Commission, and London, a man of my lord Cardinal's, by commission andcommission (n.)
warrant, authority [to act]		H8 II.ii.5
maine power tooke 'em from me, with this reason: his main power, took 'em from me, with this reason: his main (adj.)

old form: maine
very great, major, considerable		H8 II.ii.6
power (n.)
force, strength, might
maister would bee seru'd before a Subiect, if not before the master would be served before a subject, if not before the H8 II.ii.7
King, which stop'd our mouthes Sir.King; which stopped our mouths, sir. H8 II.ii.8
I feare he will indeede; well, let him haue them; I fear he will indeed. Well, let him have them. H8 II.ii.9
hee will haue all I thinke.He will have all, I think. H8 II.ii.10
Enter to the Lord Chamberlaine, the Dukes of Norfolke Enter to the Lord Chamberlain the Dukes of Norfolk H8 II.ii.11.1
and Suffolke.and Suffolk H8 II.ii.11.2
Norf. NORFOLK 
Well met my Lord Chamberlaine.Well met, my Lord Chamberlain. H8 II.ii.11
Cham. LORD CHAMBERLAIN 
Good day to both your Graces.Good day to both your graces. H8 II.ii.12
Suff. SUFFOLK 
How is the King imployd?How is the King employed? H8 II.ii.13.1
Cham. LORD CHAMBERLAIN 
I left him priuate,I left him private, H8 II.ii.13.2
Full of sad thoughts and troubles.Full of sad thoughts and troubles.sad (adj.)
serious, grave, solemn		H8 II.ii.14.1
Norf. NORFOLK 
What's the cause?What's the cause? H8 II.ii.14.2
Cham. LORD CHAMBERLAIN 
It seemes the Marriage with his Brothers WifeIt seems the marriage with his brother's wife H8 II.ii.15
Ha's crept too neere his Conscience.Has crept too near his conscience. H8 II.ii.16.1
Suff. SUFFOLK  
(aside) H8 II.ii.16
No, his ConscienceNo, his conscience H8 II.ii.16.2
Ha's crept too neere another Ladie.Has crept too near another lady. H8 II.ii.17.1
Norf. NORFOLK 
Tis so;'Tis so; H8 II.ii.17.2
This is the Cardinals doing: The King-Cardinall,This is the Cardinal's doing; the King-Cardinal, H8 II.ii.18
That blinde Priest, like the eldest Sonne of Fortune,That blind priest, like the eldest son of fortune, H8 II.ii.19
Turnes what he list. The King will know him one day.Turns what he list. The King will know him one day.list (v.)
wish, like, please		H8 II.ii.20
Suff. SUFFOLK 
Pray God he doe, / Hee'l neuer know himselfe else.Pray God he do! He'll never know himself else. H8 II.ii.21
Norf. NORFOLK 
How holily he workes in all his businesse,How holily he works in all his business, H8 II.ii.22
And with what zeale? For now he has crackt the LeagueAnd with what zeal! For, now he has cracked the league H8 II.ii.23
Between vs & the Emperor (the Queens great Nephew)Between us and the Emperor, the Queen's great nephew, H8 II.ii.24
He diues into the Kings Soule, and there scattersHe dives into the King's soul and there scatters H8 II.ii.25
Dangers, doubts, wringing of the Conscience,Dangers, doubts, wringing of the conscience, H8 II.ii.26
Feares, and despaires, and all these for his Marriage.Fears, and despairs – and all these for his marriage. H8 II.ii.27
And out of all these, to restore the King,And out of all these to restore the King, H8 II.ii.28
He counsels a Diuorce, a losse of herHe counsels a divorce, a loss of her H8 II.ii.29
That like a Iewell, ha's hung twenty yearesThat like a jewel has hung twenty years H8 II.ii.30
About his necke, yet neuer lost her lustre;About his neck, yet never lost her lustre; H8 II.ii.31
Of her that loues him with that excellence,Of her that loves him with that excellence H8 II.ii.32
That Angels loue good men with: Euen of her,That angels love good men with; even of her H8 II.ii.33
That when the greatest stroake of Fortune fallsThat, when the greatest stroke of fortune falls, H8 II.ii.34
Will blesse the King: and is not this course pious?Will bless the King – and is not this course pious?course (n.)
course of action, way of proceeding		H8 II.ii.35
Cham. LORD CHAMBERLAIN 
Heauen keep me from such councel: tis most trueHeaven keep me from such counsel! 'Tis most true H8 II.ii.36
These newes are euery where, euery tongue speaks 'em,These news are everywhere, every tongue speaks 'em, H8 II.ii.37
And euery true heart weepes for't. All that dareAnd every true heart weeps for't. All that daretrue (adj.)
loyal, firm, faithful in allegiance		H8 II.ii.38
Looke into these affaires, see this maine end,Look into these affairs see this main end, H8 II.ii.39
The French Kings Sister. Heauen will one day openThe French King's sister. Heaven will one day open H8 II.ii.40
The Kings eyes, that so long haue slept vponThe King's eyes, that so long have slept uponsleep upon (v.)

old form: vpon
disregard, ignore, pay no attention to		H8 II.ii.41
This bold bad man.This bold bad man. H8 II.ii.42.1
Suff. SUFFOLK 
And free vs from his slauery.And free us from his slavery. H8 II.ii.42.2
Norf. NORFOLK 
We had need pray,We had need pray, H8 II.ii.43
And heartily, for our deliuerance;And heartily, for our deliverance, H8 II.ii.44
Or this imperious man will worke vs allOr this imperious man will work us all H8 II.ii.45
From Princes into Pages: all mens honoursFrom princes into pages. All men's honours H8 II.ii.46
Lie like one lumpe before him, to be fashion'dLie like one lump before him, to be fashioned H8 II.ii.47
Into what pitch he please.Into what pitch he please.pitch (n.)
height [to which a bird of prey soars before swooping]		H8 II.ii.48.1
Suff. SUFFOLK 
For me, my Lords,For me, my lords, H8 II.ii.48.2
I loue him not, nor feare him, there's my Creede:I love him not, nor fear him – there's my creed. H8 II.ii.49
As I am made without him, so Ile stand,As I am made without him, so I'll stand,stand (v.)
continue, remain, wait, stay put		H8 II.ii.50
If the King please: his Curses and his blessingsIf the King please. His curses and his blessings H8 II.ii.51
Touch me alike: th'are breath I not beleeue in.Touch me alike; they're breath I not believe in.touch (v.)
affect, move, stir		H8 II.ii.52
I knew him, and I know him: so I leaue himI knew him, and I know him; so I leave him H8 II.ii.53
To him that made him proud; the Pope.To him that made him proud – the Pope. H8 II.ii.54.1
Norf. NORFOLK 
Let's in;Let's in, H8 II.ii.54.2
And with some other busines, put the KingAnd with some other business put the King H8 II.ii.55
From these sad thoughts, that work too much vpon him:From these sad thoughts that work too much upon him.sad (adj.)
serious, grave, solemn		H8 II.ii.56
My Lord, youle beare vs company?My lord, you'll bear us company? H8 II.ii.57.1
Cham. LORD CHAMBERLAIN 
Excuse me,Excuse me, H8 II.ii.57.2
The King ha's sent me otherwhere: BesidesThe king has sent me otherwhere. Besides,otherwhere (adv.)
elsewhere, somewhere else		H8 II.ii.58
You'l finde a most vnfit time to disturbe him:You'll find a most unfit time to disturb him. H8 II.ii.59
Health to your Lordships.Health to your lordships! H8 II.ii.60.1
Norfolke. NORFOLK 
Thankes my good Lord Chamberlaine.Thanks, my good Lord Chamberlain. H8 II.ii.60.2
Exit Lord Chamberlaine, and Exit Lord Chamberlain H8 II.ii.60
the King drawes the Curtaine and sits reading pensiuely.The King draws the curtain and sits reading pensively H8 II.ii.61.1
Suff. SUFFOLK 
How sad he lookes; sure he is much afflicted.How sad he looks; sure he is much afflicted. H8 II.ii.61
Kin. KING HENRY 
Who's there? Ha?Who's there, ha? H8 II.ii.62.1
Norff. NORFOLK 
Pray God he be not angry.Pray God he be not angry. H8 II.ii.62.2
Kin. KING HENRY 
Who's there I say? How dare you thrust yourseluesWho's there, I say? How dare you thrust yourselves H8 II.ii.63
Into my priuate Meditations?Into my private meditations? H8 II.ii.64
Who am I? Ha?Who am I, ha? H8 II.ii.65
Norff. NORFOLK 
A gracious King, that pardons all offencesA gracious king that pardons all offences H8 II.ii.66
Malice ne're meant: Our breach of Duty this way,Malice ne'er meant. Our breach of duty this way H8 II.ii.67
Is businesse of Estate; in which, we comeIs business of estate, in which we comeestate (n.)
state, kingdom		H8 II.ii.68
To know your Royall pleasure.To know your royal pleasure. H8 II.ii.69.1
Kin. KING HENRY 
Ye are too bold:Ye are too bold. H8 II.ii.69.2
Go too; Ile make ye know your times of businesse:Go to; I'll make ye know your times of business. H8 II.ii.70
Is this an howre for temporall affaires? Ha?Is this an hour for temporal affairs, ha?temporal (adj.)

old form: temporall
secular, civil, worldly		H8 II.ii.71
Enter Wolsey and Campeius with a Commission.Enter Wolsey and Campeius with a commission H8 II.ii.72
Who's there? my good Lord Cardinall? O my Wolsey,Who's there? My good lord Cardinal? O my Wolsey, H8 II.ii.72
The quiet of my wounded Conscience;The quiet of my wounded conscience,quiet (n.)
calmness, peace of mind, serenity		H8 II.ii.73
Thou art a cure fit for a King; you'r welcomeThou art a cure fit for a king. (to Campeius) You're welcome, H8 II.ii.74
Most learned Reuerend Sir, into our Kingdome,Most learned reverend sir, into our kingdom; H8 II.ii.75
Vse vs, and it: My good Lord, haue great care,Use us, and it. (to Wolsey) My good lord, have great care H8 II.ii.76
I be not found a Talker.I be not found a talker.talker (n.)
someone of words but not deeds		H8 II.ii.77.1
Wol. WOLSEY 
Sir, you cannot;Sir, you cannot. H8 II.ii.77.2
I would your Grace would giue vs but an houreI would your grace would give us but an hour H8 II.ii.78
Of priuate conference.Of private conference. H8 II.ii.79.1
Kin. KING HENRY  
(to Norfolk and Suffolk) H8 II.ii.79
We are busie; goe.We are busy; go. H8 II.ii.79.2
Norff. NORFOLK  
(aside to Suffolk) H8 II.ii.80
This Priest ha's no pride in him?This priest has no pride in him! H8 II.ii.80.1
Suff. SUFFOLK  
(aside to Norfolk) H8 II.ii.80
Not to speake of:Not to speak of! H8 II.ii.80.2
I would not be so sicke though for his place:I would not be so sick though for his place.sick (adj.)

old form: sicke
longing, pining, avid		H8 II.ii.81
But this cannot continue.But this cannot continue. H8 II.ii.82.1
Norff. NORFOLK  
(aside to Suffolk) H8 II.ii.82.0
If it doe, If it do, H8 II.ii.82.2
Ile venture one; haue at him.I'll venture one have-at-him.have-at-him (n.)
thrust		H8 II.ii.83.1
Suff. SUFFOLK  
(aside to Norfolk) H8 II.ii.83.0
I another.I another. H8 II.ii.83.2
Exeunt Norfolke and Suffolke.Exeunt Norfolk and Suffolk H8 II.ii.83.3
Wol. WOLSEY 
Your Grace ha's giuen a President of wisedomeYour grace has given a precedent of wisdom H8 II.ii.84
Aboue all Princes, in committing freelyAbove all princes, in committing freely H8 II.ii.85
Your scruple to the voyce of Christendome:Your scruple to the voice of Christendom.scruple (n.)
suspicion, misgiving, doubt		H8 II.ii.86
voice (n.)

old form: voyce
authoritative opinion, judgement
Who can be angry now? What Enuy reach you?Who can be angry now? What envy reach you?envy (n.)

old form: Enuy
malice, ill-will, enmity		H8 II.ii.87
The Spaniard tide by blood and fauour to her,The Spaniard, tied by blood and favour to her, H8 II.ii.88
Must now confesse, if they haue any goodnesse,Must now confess, if they have any goodness, H8 II.ii.89
The Tryall, iust and Noble. All the Clerkes,The trial just and noble. All the clerks – clerk (n.)

old form: Clerkes
scholar, sage, man of learning		H8 II.ii.90
(I meane the learned ones in Christian Kingdomes)I mean the learned ones in Christian kingdoms –  H8 II.ii.91
Haue their free voyces. Rome (the Nurse of Iudgement)Have their free voices. Rome, the nurse of judgement, H8 II.ii.92
Inuited by your Noble selfe, hath sentInvited by your noble self, hath sent H8 II.ii.93
One generall Tongue vnto vs. This good man,One general tongue unto us, this good man,general (adj.)

old form: generall
joint, common, communal		H8 II.ii.94
This iust and learned Priest, Cardnall Campeius,This just and learned priest, Cardinal Campeius, H8 II.ii.95
Whom once more, I present vnto your Highnesse.Whom once more I present unto your highness. H8 II.ii.96
Kin. KING HENRY 
And once more in mine armes I bid him welcome,And once more in mine arms I bid him welcome, H8 II.ii.97
And thanke the holy Conclaue for their loues,And thank the holy conclave for their loves. H8 II.ii.98
They haue sent me such a Man, I would haue wish'd for.They have sent me such a man I would have wished for. H8 II.ii.99
Cam. CAMPEIUS 
Your Grace must needs deserue all strangers loues,Your grace must needs deserve all strangers' loves,stranger (n.)
foreigner, alien, outsider		H8 II.ii.100
You are so Noble: To your Highnesse handYou are so noble. To your highness' hand H8 II.ii.101
I tender my Commission; by whose vertue,I tender my commission, by whose virtue, H8 II.ii.102
The Court of Rome commanding. You my LordThe court of Rome commanding, you, my lord H8 II.ii.103
Cardinall of Yorke, are ioyn'd with me their Seruant,Cardinal of York, are joined with me their servant H8 II.ii.104
In the vnpartiall iudging of this Businesse.In the unpartial judging of this business.unpartial (adj.)

old form: vnpartiall
impartial, detached, neutral		H8 II.ii.105
Kin. KING HENRY 
Two equall men: The Queene shall be acquaintedTwo equal men. The Queen shall be acquaintedequal (adj.)

old form: equall
fair, equitable, evenhanded		H8 II.ii.106
Forthwith for what you come. Where's Gardiner?Forthwith for what you come. Where's Gardiner? H8 II.ii.107
Wol. WOLSEY 
I know your Maiesty, ha's alwayes lou'd herI know your majesty has always loved her H8 II.ii.108
So deare in heart, not to deny her thatSo dear in heart not to deny her that H8 II.ii.109
A Woman of lesse Place might aske by Law;A woman of less place might ask by law –  H8 II.ii.110
Schollers allow'd freely to argue for her.Scholars allowed freely to argue for her. H8 II.ii.111
Kin. KING HENRY 
I, and the best she shall haue; and my fauourAy, and the best she shall have, and my favour H8 II.ii.112
To him that does best, God forbid els: Cardinall,To him that does best, God forbid else. Cardinal, H8 II.ii.113
Prethee call Gardiner to me, my new Secretary.Prithee call Gardiner to me, my new secretary; H8 II.ii.114
I find him a fit fellow.I find him a fit fellow.fit (adj.)
suited, fitting, appropriate		H8 II.ii.115
Exit Wolsey H8 II.ii.115
Enter Gardiner.Enter Wolsey, with Gardiner H8 II.ii.116
Wol. WOLSEY  
(aside to Gardiner) H8 II.ii.116
Giue me your hand: much ioy & fauour to you;Give me your hand: much joy and favour to you. H8 II.ii.116
You are the Kings now.You are the King's now. H8 II.ii.117.1
Gard. GARDINER  
(aside to Wolsey) H8 II.ii.117
But to be commandedBut to be commanded H8 II.ii.117.2
For euer by your Grace, whose hand ha's rais'd me.For ever by your grace, whose hand has raised me. H8 II.ii.118
Kin. KING HENRY 
Come hither Gardiner.Come hither, Gardiner. H8 II.ii.119
Walkes and whispers.Walks and whispers H8 II.ii.120
Camp. CAMPEIUS 
My Lord of Yorke, was not one Doctor PaceMy Lord of York, was not one Doctor Pace H8 II.ii.120
In this mans place before him?In this man's place before him? H8 II.ii.121.1
Wol. WOLSEY 
Yes, he was.Yes, he was. H8 II.ii.121.2
Camp. CAMPEIUS 
Was he not held a learned man?Was he not held a learned man? H8 II.ii.122.1
Wol. WOLSEY 
Yes surely.Yes, surely. H8 II.ii.122.2
Camp. CAMPEIUS 
Beleeue me, there's an ill opinion spread then,Believe me, there's an ill opinion spread then,ill (adj.)
bad, adverse, unfavourable		H8 II.ii.123
Euen of your selfe Lord Cardinall.Even of yourself, lord Cardinal. H8 II.ii.124.1
Wol. WOLSEY 
How? of me?How? Of me? H8 II.ii.124.2
Camp CAMPEIUS 
They will not sticke to say, you enuide him;They will not stick to say you envied him,stick (v.)

old form: sticke
hesitate, linger, think twice		H8 II.ii.125
And fearing he would rise (he was so vertuous)And fearing he would rise, he was so virtuous, H8 II.ii.126
Kept him a forraigne man still, which so greeu'd him,Kept him a foreign man still, which so grieved himstill (adv.)
constantly, always, continually		H8 II.ii.127
That he ran mad, and dide.That he ran mad and died. H8 II.ii.128.1
Wol. WOLSEY 
Heau'ns peace be with him:Heaven's peace be with him! H8 II.ii.128.2
That's Christian care enough: for liuing Murmurers,That's Christian care enough. For living murmurers H8 II.ii.129
There's places of rebuke. He was a Foole;There's places of rebuke. He was a fool, H8 II.ii.130
For he would needs be vertuous. That good Fellow,For he would needs be virtuous. That good fellow, H8 II.ii.131
If I command him followes my appointment,If I command him, follows my appointment;appointment (n.)
order, direction, arrangement		H8 II.ii.132
I will haue none so neere els. Learne this Brother,I will have none so near else. Learn this, brother,near (adj.)

old form: neere
intimate, familiar		H8 II.ii.133
We liue not to be grip'd by meaner persons.We live not to be griped by meaner persons.mean (adj.)
of low rank, inferior in position, less important		H8 II.ii.134
gripe (v.)

old form: grip'd
clutch, grasp, seize
Kin. KING HENRY 
Deliuer this with modesty to th'Queene.Deliver this with modesty to th' Queen.modesty (n.)
propriety, protocol, seemly behaviour		H8 II.ii.135
Exit Gardiner.Exit Gardiner H8 II.ii.135
The most conuenient place, that I can thinke ofThe most convenient place that I can think of H8 II.ii.136
For such receipt of Learning, is Black-Fryers:For such receipt of learning is Blackfriars;receipt (n.)
reception, receiving venue		H8 II.ii.137
learning (n.)
scholarship, learned opinion
There ye shall meete about this waighty busines.There ye shall meet about this weighty business. H8 II.ii.138
My Wolsey, see it furnish'd, O my Lord,My Wolsey, see it furnished. O, my lord, H8 II.ii.139
Would it not grieue an able man to leaueWould it not grieve an able man to leaveable (adj.)
strong, vigorous, powerful		H8 II.ii.140
So sweet a Bedfellow? But Conscience, Conscience;So sweet a bedfellow? But conscience, conscience! H8 II.ii.141
O 'tis a tender place, and I must leaue her.O, 'tis a tender place, and I must leave her. H8 II.ii.142
Exeunt.Exeunt H8 II.ii.142
 Previous Act II, Scene II Next  
x

Jump directly to