KING HENRY VIII 5.5

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KING HENRY VIII 5.5

The palace.

[Enter trumpets, sounding; then two Aldermen, Lord

Mayor, Garter, CRANMER, NORFOLK with his marshal's

staff, SUFFOLK, two Noblemen bearing great

standing-bowls for the christening-gifts; then

four Noblemen bearing a canopy, under which the

Duchess of Norfolk, godmother, bearing the child

richly habited in a mantle, &c., train borne by a

Lady; then follows the Marchioness Dorset, the

other godmother, and Ladies. The troop pass once

about the stage, and Garter speaks]

Garter Heaven, from thy endless goodness, send prosperous

life, long, and ever happy, to the high and mighty

princess of England, Elizabeth!

[Flourish. Enter KING HENRY VIII and Guard]

CRANMER [Kneeling] And to your royal grace, and the good queen,

My noble partners, and myself, thus pray: 5

All comfort, joy, in this most gracious lady,

Heaven ever laid up to make parents happy,

May hourly fall upon ye!

KING HENRY VIII Thank you, good lord archbishop:

What is her name? 10

CRANMER Elizabeth.

KING HENRY VIII Stand up, lord.

[KING HENRY VIII kisses the child]

With this kiss take my blessing: God protect thee!

Into whose hand I give thy life.

CRANMER Amen.

KING HENRY VIII My noble gossips, ye have been too prodigal: 15

I thank ye heartily; so shall this lady,

When she has so much English.

CRANMER Let me speak, sir,

For heaven now bids me; and the words I utter

Let none think flattery, for they'll find 'em truth. 20

This royal infant--heaven still move about her!--

Though in her cradle, yet now promises

Upon this land a thousand thousand blessings,

Which time shall bring to ripeness: she shall be--

But few now living can behold that goodness-- 25

A pattern to all princes living with her,

And all that shall succeed: Saba was never

More covetous of wisdom and fair virtue

Than this pure soul shall be: all princely graces,

That mould up such a mighty piece as this is, 30

With all the virtues that attend the good,

Shall still be doubled on her: truth shall nurse her,

Holy and heavenly thoughts still counsel her:

She shall be loved and fear'd: her own shall bless her;

Her foes shake like a field of beaten corn, 35

And hang their heads with sorrow: good grows with her:

In her days every man shall eat in safety,

Under his own vine, what he plants; and sing

The merry songs of peace to all his neighbours:

God shall be truly known; and those about her 40

From her shall read the perfect ways of honour,

And by those claim their greatness, not by blood.

Nor shall this peace sleep with her: but as when

The bird of wonder dies, the maiden phoenix,

Her ashes new create another heir, 45

As great in admiration as herself;

So shall she leave her blessedness to one,

When heaven shall call her from this cloud of darkness,

Who from the sacred ashes of her honour

Shall star-like rise, as great in fame as she was, 50

And so stand fix'd: peace, plenty, love, truth, terror,

That were the servants to this chosen infant,

Shall then be his, and like a vine grow to him:

Wherever the bright sun of heaven shall shine,

His honour and the greatness of his name 55

Shall be, and make new nations: he shall flourish,

And, like a mountain cedar, reach his branches

To all the plains about him: our children's children

Shall see this, and bless heaven.

KING HENRY VIII Thou speakest wonders. 60

CRANMER She shall be, to the happiness of England,

An aged princess; many days shall see her,

And yet no day without a deed to crown it.

Would I had known no more! but she must die,

She must, the saints must have her; yet a virgin, 65

A most unspotted lily shall she pass

To the ground, and all the world shall mourn her.

KING HENRY VIII O lord archbishop,

Thou hast made me now a man! never, before

This happy child, did I get any thing: 70

This oracle of comfort has so pleased me,

That when I am in heaven I shall desire

To see what this child does, and praise my Maker.

I thank ye all. To you, my good lord mayor,

And your good brethren, I am much beholding; 75

I have received much honour by your presence,

And ye shall find me thankful. Lead the way, lords:

Ye must all see the queen, and she must thank ye,

She will be sick else. This day, no man think

Has business at his house; for all shall stay: 80

This little one shall make it holiday.

[Exeunt]

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		[Enter trumpets, sounding; then two Aldermen, Lord
		Mayor, Garter, CRANMER, NORFOLK with his marshal's
		staff, SUFFOLK, two Noblemen bearing great
		standing-bowls for the christening-gifts; then
		four Noblemen bearing a canopy, under which the
		Duchess of Norfolk, godmother, bearing the child
		richly habited in a mantle, &c., train borne by a
		Lady; then follows the Marchioness Dorset, the
		other godmother, and Ladies. The troop pass once
		about the stage, and Garter speaks]

Garter		Heaven, from thy endless goodness, send prosperous
		life, long, and ever happy, to the high and mighty
		princess of England, Elizabeth!
		[Flourish. Enter KING HENRY VIII and Guard]

CRANMER	[Kneeling] And to your royal grace, and the good queen,
	My noble partners, and myself, thus pray:	5
	All comfort, joy, in this most gracious lady,
	Heaven ever laid up to make parents happy,
	May hourly fall upon ye!

KING HENRY VIII		Thank you, good lord archbishop:
		What is her name?	10

KING HENRY VIII		Stand up, lord.
		[KING HENRY VIII kisses the child]
		With this kiss take my blessing: God protect thee!
		Into whose hand I give thy life.

KING HENRY VIII	My noble gossips, ye have been too prodigal:	15
	I thank ye heartily; so shall this lady,
	When she has so much English.

CRANMER	Let me speak, sir,
	For heaven now bids me; and the words I utter
	Let none think flattery, for they'll find 'em truth.	20
	This royal infant--heaven still move about her!--
	Though in her cradle, yet now promises
	Upon this land a thousand thousand blessings,
	Which time shall bring to ripeness: she shall be--
	But few now living can behold that goodness--	25
	A pattern to all princes living with her,
	And all that shall succeed: Saba was never
	More covetous of wisdom and fair virtue
	Than this pure soul shall be: all princely graces,
	That mould up such a mighty piece as this is,	30
	With all the virtues that attend the good,
	Shall still be doubled on her: truth shall nurse her,
	Holy and heavenly thoughts still counsel her:
	She shall be loved and fear'd: her own shall bless her;
	Her foes shake like a field of beaten corn,	35
	And hang their heads with sorrow: good grows with her:
	In her days every man shall eat in safety,
	Under his own vine, what he plants; and sing
	The merry songs of peace to all his neighbours:
	God shall be truly known; and those about her	40
	From her shall read the perfect ways of honour,
	And by those claim their greatness, not by blood.
	Nor shall this peace sleep with her: but as when
	The bird of wonder dies, the maiden phoenix,
	Her ashes new create another heir,	45
	As great in admiration as herself;
	So shall she leave her blessedness to one,
	When heaven shall call her from this cloud of darkness,
	Who from the sacred ashes of her honour
	Shall star-like rise, as great in fame as she was,	50
	And so stand fix'd: peace, plenty, love, truth, terror,
	That were the servants to this chosen infant,
	Shall then be his, and like a vine grow to him:
	Wherever the bright sun of heaven shall shine,
	His honour and the greatness of his name	55
	Shall be, and make new nations: he shall flourish,
	And, like a mountain cedar, reach his branches
	To all the plains about him: our children's children
	Shall see this, and bless heaven.

CRANMER	She shall be, to the happiness of England,
	An aged princess; many days shall see her,
	And yet no day without a deed to crown it.
	Would I had known no more! but she must die,
	She must, the saints must have her; yet a virgin,	65
	A most unspotted lily shall she pass
	To the ground, and all the world shall mourn her.

KING HENRY VIII	O lord archbishop,
	Thou hast made me now a man! never, before
	This happy child, did I get any thing:	70
	This oracle of comfort has so pleased me,
	That when I am in heaven I shall desire
	To see what this child does, and praise my Maker.
	I thank ye all. To you, my good lord mayor,
	And your good brethren, I am much beholding;	75
	I have received much honour by your presence,
	And ye shall find me thankful. Lead the way, lords:
	Ye must all see the queen, and she must thank ye,
	She will be sick else. This day, no man think
	Has business at his house; for all shall stay:	80
	This little one shall make it holiday.
	[Exeunt]

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