Lies now even in the centre of this isle, By this one bloody trial of sharp war. Hope. True hope is swift, and flies with swallows wings, Kings it makes gods, and meaner creatures kings. Daybreak. The silent hours steal on, And flaky darkness breaks within the east. Richmond's Prayer before the Battle. O Thou, whose captain I account myself, Richard Starting out of his Dream. Give me another horse,-bind up my wounds,Have mercy, Jesu !-Soft; I did but dream.O coward conscience, how dost thou afflict me! The lights burn blue. It is now dead midnight. Cold fearful drops stand on my trembling flesh. Conscience. Conscience is but a word that cowards use, Devis'd at first to keep the strong in awe. Richard's Address before the Battle. A thousand hearts are great within my bosom : Richard's Desperation on the Battlefield. Slave, I have set my life upon a cast, -000— KING HENRY VIII. In this play is recorded the fall of Cardinal Wolsey, who, full of anguish at losing the favour of the king, retires to Leicester Abbey, where he expires. The dying moments of Katharine, wife of the king, are depicted, and the union of the king with Anne Bullen. The christening of the Princess Elizabeth (afterwards Queen Elizabeth) concludes the play, an eloquent prophecy as to her future greatness being delivered by Archbishop Cranmer. In speaking of Shakspere's historical plays, Dr. Johnson pronounces the two parts of Henry the Fourth and Henry the Fifth to possess the greatest excellence; and "King John, Richard the Third, and Henry the Eighth, deservedly stand in the second class." To climb steep hills, Аст I. Anger. Requires slow pace at first: Anger is like Action to be carried on with Resolution. If I am traduced by tongues which neither know My faculties nor person, yet will be The chronicles of my doing,-let me say, 'Tis but the fate of place, and the rough brake* That virtue must go through. We must not stint † Our necessary actions in the fear To cope malicious censurers; which ever That is new trimm'd; but benefit no further In fear our motion will be mock'd or carp'd at, New Customs. New customs, Though they be never so ridiculous, Nay, let them be unmanly, yet are followed. *A thicket of thorns. § Sometimes. † Retard. Encounter. || Approved. ACT II. The Duke of Buckingham's Prayer for the King. May he live Longer than I have time to tell his years ! Ever belov'd, and loving, may his rule be, And, when old time shall lead him to his end, A loss of her, A Good Wife That, like a jewel, has hung twenty years The Blessings of a Low Station. 'Tis better to be lowly born, And range with humble livers in content, Than to be perk'd up in glistering grief, And wear a golden sorrow. Queen Katharine's Speech to the King, her Husband. Alas, sir, In what have. I offended you? what cause Hath my behaviour given to your displeasure, And take your good grace from me? Heaven witness, At all times to your will conformable: Ever in fear to kindle your dislike, Yea, subject to your countenance: glad or sorry, As I saw it inclined. When was the hour your friends I ever contradicted your desire, Queen Katharine's Speech to Cardinal Wolsey. King Henry's Character of Queen Katharine. That man i' the world who shall report he has Sovereign and pious else, could speak thee out), † * Appearance. + Speak out thy merits. |