Henry VIII
Shakescleare Translation

Henry VIII Translation Act 5, Scene 2

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Before the council-chamber. Poursuivants, pages, etc., 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?

CRANMER

I hope I'm not too late. But the gentleman sent to me by the council asked me to hurry. Locked? What does this mean? Hello? Who's waiting there? Don't you recognize me?

Enter Keeper

KEEPER

Yes, my lord;But yet I cannot help you.

KEEPER

Yes, my lord, but I can't help you.

CRANMER

Why?

CRANMER

Why?

Enter DOCTOR BUTTS

KEEPER

Your grace must wait till you be call'd for.

KEEPER

You have to wait until you're called.

CRANMER

So.

CRANMER

All right.

DOCTOR BUTTS

[Aside] This is a piece of malice. I am gladI came this way so happily: the kingShall understand it presently.

DOCTOR BUTTS

[To himself] This is some evil scheme. I'm glad I happened to come this way. The king will hear about this at once.

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.

CRANMER

[To himself] That was Butts, the king's physician. He looked at me so earnestly as he passed! I pray he doesn't spread the word about my disgrace! This must have been done on purpose by some people who hate me—may God change their minds! I never wanted to make enemies of them. They must want to dishonor me, or they would be ashamed to make me wait at the door, a council-member like them, among all sorts of servants. But I have to do what they want, and I'm waiting patiently. 

Enter KING HENRY VIII and DOCTOR BUTTS at a window above

DOCTOR BUTTS

I'll show your grace the strangest sight—

DOCTOR BUTTS

I'll show you the strangest sight—

KING HENRY VIII

What's that, Butts?

KING HENRY VIII

What's that, Butts?

DOCTOR BUTTS

I think your highness saw this many a day.

DOCTOR BUTTS

I think you've seen in many days.

KING HENRY VIII

Body o' me, where is it?

KING HENRY VIII

Goodness, where?

DOCTOR BUTTS

There, my lord: The high promotion of his grace of Canterbury; Who holds his state at door, 'mongst pursuivants, Pages, and footboys.

DOCTOR BUTTS

There, my lord. The good treatment of the archbishop of Canterbury, who's waiting at the door among petitioners and servants.

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.

KING HENRY VIII

What? Yes, it's him. Is this the way they treat each other? It's good there's still someone more important than them. I thought they had enough honesty between them, or at least good manners, not to make a man of his importance and good standing with me wait for their attention, and at the door, too, as if he were a postman delivering packages. But, by holy Mary, Butts, this is vicious. Leave them alone and let's close the curtain. We'll hear more soon.

Exeunt