LitCharts

Henry VIII Translation Act 4, Scene 1

Original

Translation

Enter two Gentlemen, meeting one another

Two GENTLEMEN enter, meeting.

FIRST GENTLEMAN

You're well met once again.

FIRST GENTLEMAN

Hello, again.

SECOND GENTLEMAN

So are you.

SECOND GENTLEMAN

Hello.

FIRST GENTLEMAN

You come to take your stand here, and beholdThe Lady Anne pass from her coronation?

FIRST GENTLEMAN

You've come to stand here and watch Lady Anne pass through on her way back from her coronation?

SECOND GENTLEMAN

'Tis all my business. At our last encounter,The Duke of Buckingham came from his trial.

SECOND GENTLEMAN

That's exactly it. When we last met, the Duke of Buckingham was coming from his trial.

FIRST GENTLEMAN

'Tis very true: but that time offer'd sorrow;This, general joy.

FIRST GENTLEMAN

That's true. That was a sad occasion, and this is one filled with joy.

SECOND GENTLEMAN

'Tis well: the citizens, I am sure, have shown at full their royal minds— As, let 'em have their rights, they are ever forward— In celebration of this day with shows, Pageants and sights of honour.

SECOND GENTLEMAN

It's a good occasion. The citizens have shown their royal feelings about it—to be fair, they're always quick to show their emotions—by celebrating this day with plays, parades, and other festivities.

FIRST GENTLEMAN

Never greater,Nor, I'll assure you, better taken, sir.

FIRST GENTLEMAN

There was never a greater celebration, nor, I'm sure, a better reason for one.

SECOND GENTLEMAN

May I be bold to ask at what that contains,That paper in your hand?

SECOND GENTLEMAN

Could I be so bold as to ask what that paper you're holding says?

FIRST GENTLEMAN

Yes; 'tis the list Of those that claim their offices this day By custom of the coronation. The Duke of Suffolk is the first, and claims To be high-steward; next, the Duke of Norfolk, He to be earl marshal: you may read the rest.

FIRST GENTLEMAN

Yes. It's the list of those who are getting titles today, as is usual on a coronation. The Duke of Suffolk is the first. He wants to be high-steward. Then is the Duke of Norfolk, who wants to be earl marshal. You can read the rest.

SECOND GENTLEMAN

I thank you, sir: had I not known those customs, I should have been beholding to your paper. But, I beseech you, what's become of Katharine, The princess dowager? how goes her business?

SECOND GENTLEMAN

Thank you, sir. If I hadn't known about these customs I would have been very grateful to see the paper. But tell me, what's become of Katharine, the princess dowager? How is she?

FIRST GENTLEMAN

That I can tell you too. The Archbishop Of Canterbury, accompanied with other Learned and reverend fathers of his order, Held a late court at Dunstable, six miles off From Ampthill where the princess lay; to which She was often cited by them, but appear'd not: And, to be short, for not appearance and The king's late scruple, by the main assent Of all these learned men she was divorced, And the late marriage made of none effect Since which she was removed to Kimbolton, Where she remains now sick.

FIRST GENTLEMAN

I can tell you that too. The Archbishop of Canterbury and other learned, wise fathers of that religion held a court at Dunstable, six miles away from Ampthill where the princess was staying. She was often called up by them but didn't appear. In short, because she didn't appear and because of the king's recent doubts, these learned men agreed that she should be divorced and the marriage was ended. Since then she moved to Kimbolton, where she still is, and is sick.

SECOND GENTLEMAN

Alas, good lady!

SECOND GENTLEMAN

Poor, good lady!

Trumpets

Trumpets sound.

SECOND GENTLEMAN

The trumpets sound: stand close, the queen is coming.

SECOND GENTLEMAN

The trumpets are sounding. Get closer, the queen is coming.

Hautboys

Oboes sound.

THE ORDER OF THE CORONATION

1. A lively flourish of Trumpets.
2. Then, two Judges.
3. Lord Chancellor, with the purse and mace before him.
4. Choristers, singing.
5. Mayor of London, bearing the mace. Then Garter, in his coat of arms, and on his head a gilt copper crown.
6. Marquess Dorset, bearing a sceptre of gold, on his head a demi-coronal of gold. With
7. SUFFOLK, in his robe of estate, his coronet on his head, bearing a long white wand, as high-steward. With him, NORFOLK, with the rod of marshalship, a coronet on his head. Collars of SS.
8. A canopy borne by four of the Cinque-ports; under it, QUEEN ANNE in her robe; in her hair richly adorned with pearl, crowned. On each side her, the Bishops of London and Winchester.
9. The old Duchess of Norfolk, in a coronal of gold, wrought with flowers, bearing QUEEN ANNE's train.
10. Certain Ladies or Countesses, with plain circlets of gold without flowers.

THE ORDER OF APPEARANCE IN THE CORONATION:

1. Trumpets are played.
2. Two judges enter.
3. The Lord Chancellor enters, carrying the ceremonial purse and staff in front of him.
4. A choir enters, singing.
5. The Mayor of London enters, carrying the ceremonial staff. Then Garter, wearing his coat of arms with a copper, gold-covered crown on his head.
6. Marquess Dorset enters carrying a golden scepter with a golden crown on his head. SURREY enters with him carrying a silver stick with a dove on it and wearing an earl's crown and a collar with S's on it.
7. SUFFOLK enters dressed as high-steward, wearing his official robe and a crown on his head and carrying a long white staff. NORFOLK enters with him carrying the marshal's staff with a crown on his head. They wear collars with S's on them.
8. A canopy is carried by four officers of the Cinque-ports. QUEEN ANNE is under it in her ceremonial robe. Her hair is decorated with pearls and she wears a crown. The Bishops of London and Winchester enter on either side of her.
9. The old Duchess of Norfolk wearing a golden crown shaped into flowers carries the train of QUEEN ANNE's dress.
10. Certain ladies or countesses enter wearing plain golden circlets without flowers.

Music. They pass over the stage in order and state.

Music plays. They pass over the stage in the order described.

SECOND GENTLEMAN

A royal train, believe me. These I know:Who's that that bears the sceptre?

SECOND GENTLEMAN

This is a royal-looking procession, believe me. I know these people, but who's that carrying the scepter?

FIRST GENTLEMAN

Marquess Dorset:And that the Earl of Surrey, with the rod.

FIRST GENTLEMAN

Marquess Dorset. And that's the Earl of Surrey with the staff.

SECOND GENTLEMAN

A bold brave gentleman. That should beThe Duke of Suffolk?

SECOND GENTLEMAN

He's a brave, daring man. So that'll be the Duke of Suffolk next?

FIRST GENTLEMAN

'Tis the same: high-steward.

FIRST GENTLEMAN

Exactly. He's high-steward.

SECOND GENTLEMAN

And that my Lord of Norfolk?

SECOND GENTLEMAN

And that's the Lord of Norfolk?

FIRST GENTLEMAN

Yes.

FIRST GENTLEMAN

Yes.

SECOND GENTLEMAN

[Looking on QUEEN ANNE] Heaven bless thee! Thou hast the sweetest face I ever look'd on. Sir, as I have a soul, she is an angel; Our king has all the Indies in his arms, And more and richer, when he strains that lady: I cannot blame his conscience.

SECOND GENTLEMAN

[Looking at QUEEN ANNE] God bless you! You have the sweetest face I've ever seen. Sir, I swear on my soul that she's an angel. When our king hugs that lady he's holding something more precious than all of India. I can't blame him for his doubts about his former marriage.

FIRST GENTLEMAN

They that bearThe cloth of honour over her, are four baronsOf the Cinque-ports.

FIRST GENTLEMAN

Those who carry the canopy over her are four barons, officers of the Cinque-ports.

SECOND GENTLEMAN

Those men are happy; and so are all are near her.I take it, she that carries up the trainIs that old noble lady, Duchess of Norfolk.

SECOND GENTLEMAN

Those men are lucky, and so is everyone near her. I assume the woman carrying her train is the old, noble Duchess of Norfolk.

FIRST GENTLEMAN

It is; and all the rest are countesses.

FIRST GENTLEMAN

She is, and the others are countesses.

SECOND GENTLEMAN

Their coronets say so. These are stars indeed;And sometimes falling ones.

SECOND GENTLEMAN

I can tell from their crowns. They look like stars—sometimes falling stars.

FIRST GENTLEMAN

No more of that.

FIRST GENTLEMAN

Shh, that's enough.

Exit procession, and then a great flourish of trumpets. Enter a third Gentleman.

The parade exits and trumpets sound loudly. A THIRD GENTLEMAN enters.

FIRST GENTLEMAN

God save you, sir! where have you been broiling?

FIRST GENTLEMAN

Hello, sir! What crowd have you been in?

THIRD GENTLEMAN

Among the crowd i' the Abbey; where a fingerCould not be wedged in more: I am stifledWith the mere rankness of their joy.

THIRD GENTLEMAN

The crowd in the Abbey. You couldn't have wedged in even one more finger. I feel suffocated by their disgusting happiness.

SECOND GENTLEMAN

You sawThe ceremony?

SECOND GENTLEMAN

You saw the coronation?

THIRD GENTLEMAN

That I did.

THIRD GENTLEMAN

I did.

FIRST GENTLEMAN

How was it?

FIRST GENTLEMAN

How was it?

THIRD GENTLEMAN

Well worth the seeing.

THIRD GENTLEMAN

Well worth seeing.

SECOND GENTLEMAN

Good sir, speak it to us.

SECOND GENTLEMAN

Tell us about it, good sir.

THIRD GENTLEMAN

As well as I am able. The rich stream Of lords and ladies, having brought the queen To a prepared place in the choir, fell off A distance from her; while her grace sat down To rest awhile, some half an hour or so, In a rich chair of state, opposing freely The beauty of her person to the people. Believe me, sir, she is the goodliest woman That ever lay by man: which when the people Had the full view of, such a noise arose As the shrouds make at sea in a stiff tempest, As loud, and to as many tunes: hats, cloaks— Doublets, I think,—flew up; and had their faces Been loose, this day they had been lost. Such joy I never saw before. Great-bellied women, That had not half a week to go, like rams In the old time of war, would shake the press, And make 'em reel before 'em. No man living Could say 'This is my wife' there; all were woven So strangely in one piece.

THIRD GENTLEMAN

I will tell you as well as I can. The expensively dressed procession of lords and ladies brought the queen to a place prepared in the choir of the cathedral and separated from her. She sat down to rest a while, a half an hour or so, in a beautiful throne, openly showing her beauty to the people. Believe me, sir, she's the most beautiful woman a man ever slept with. When the people saw her clearly, they made a noise as loud as the sails on a ship in a bad storm, and made up of as many different tunes. They threw up their hats, cloaks, and even shirts I think. If their faces had been loose, they would have thrown and lost them today. I never saw such happiness before. Hugely pregnant women who had less than a week before labor shook the crowd and knocked them over like those battering rams that used to be used in war. No man alive could have identified his wife there because all the people were so woven together.

SECOND GENTLEMAN

But, what follow'd?

SECOND GENTLEMAN

But what happened next?

THIRD GENTLEMAN

At length her grace rose, and with modest paces Came to the altar; where she kneel'd, and saint-like Cast her fair eyes to heaven and pray'd devoutly. Then rose again and bow'd her to the people: When by the Archbishop of Canterbury She had all the royal makings of a queen; As holy oil, Edward Confessor's crown, The rod, and bird of peace, and all such emblems Laid nobly on her: which perform'd, the choir, With all the choicest music of the kingdom, Together sung 'Te Deum.' So she parted, And with the same full state paced back again To York-place, where the feast is held.

THIRD GENTLEMAN

Finally the queen rose and walked modestly to the altar. She kneeled there and, like a saint, turned her eyes to heaven and prayed piously. Then she got up again and bowed to the people. Then the Archbishop of Canterbury put on her all the things that make you a queen, like holy oil, Edward the Confessor's crown, the staff and bird that symbolize peace, and all the other symbols. When this was done, the choir, which was made up of the best singers in the kingdom, sang "Te Deum." She left and walked back to York-place where the feast is with the same dignified walk.

FIRST GENTLEMAN

Sir, You must no more call it York-place, that's past; For, since the cardinal fell, that title's lost: 'Tis now the king's, and call'd Whitehall.

FIRST GENTLEMAN

Sir, you shouldn't call it York-place anymore. That's its old name. Since the cardinal fell from power, it hasn't been called that. Now it belongs to the king and is called Whitehall.

THIRD GENTLEMAN

I know it;But 'tis so lately alter'd, that the old nameIs fresh about me.

THIRD GENTLEMAN

I know. But the name was changed so recently that I still think of it by its old name.

SECOND GENTLEMAN

What two reverend bishopsWere those that went on each side of the queen?

SECOND GENTLEMAN

Who were the two respectable bishops walking on either side of the queen?

THIRD GENTLEMAN

Stokesly and Gardiner; the one of Winchester,Newly preferr'd from the king's secretary,The other, London.

THIRD GENTLEMAN

Stokesly and Gardiner. The first is bishop of Winchester, recently promoted from his job as the king's secretary. The other is bishop of London.

SECOND GENTLEMAN

He of WinchesterIs held no great good lover of the archbishop's,The virtuous Cranmer.

SECOND GENTLEMAN

The bishop of Winchester is believed to dislike the archbishop, virtuous Cranmer.

THIRD GENTLEMAN

All the land knows that:However, yet there is no great breach; when it comes,Cranmer will find a friend will not shrink from him.

THIRD GENTLEMAN

Everyone knows that. But there hasn't been a big fight yet. When it comes, Cranmer will find a friend who won't abandon him.

SECOND GENTLEMAN

Who may that be, I pray you?

SECOND GENTLEMAN

Really? Who's that?

THIRD GENTLEMAN

Thomas Cromwell; A man in much esteem with the king, and truly A worthy friend. The king has made him master O' the jewel house, And one, already, of the privy council.

THIRD GENTLEMAN

Thomas Cromwell, a man the king thinks very highly of and a very good friend. The king has put him in charge of the treasury and he's already one of his private advisers.

SECOND GENTLEMAN

He will deserve more.

SECOND GENTLEMAN

He will deserve further promotions.

THIRD GENTLEMAN

Yes, without all doubt. Come, gentlemen, ye shall go my way, which Is to the court, and there ye shall be my guests: Something I can command. As I walk thither, I'll tell ye more.

THIRD GENTLEMAN

Yes, definitely. Come on, gentleman, you'll go with me to the court and be my guests there. I have some authority there. As we walk there I'll tell you more.

BOTH

You may command us, sir.

BOTH

We'll do as you say, sir.

Exeunt

They exit.