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Modern English
’My lord, the horses your lordship sent for, with all the care I had, I saw well chosen, ridden, and furnished. They were young and handsome, and of the best breed in the north. When they were ready to set out for London, a man of my lord cardinal’s, by commission and main power, took ’em from me; with this reason: His master would be served before a subject, if not before the king; which stopped our mouths, sir.’ I fear he will indeed: well, let him have them: He will have all, I think.
’My lord, the horses you asked for, with all the care I could give, I saw were well chosen, ridden, and prepared. They were young and handsome, and of the best breed from the north. When they were ready to set out for London, a man from my lord cardinal’s, by order and power, took them from me; with this reason: His master would be served before a subject, if not before the king; which shut us up, sir.’ I fear he will indeed: well, let him have them: He will take everything, I think.
Well met, my lord chamberlain.
Well met, my lord chamberlain.
Good day to both your graces.
Good day to both your graces.
How is the king employ’d?
How is the king occupied?
I left him private, Full of sad thoughts and troubles.
I left him alone, Full of sad thoughts and troubles.
What’s the cause?
What’s the matter?
It seems the marriage with his brother’s wife Has crept too near his conscience.
It seems the marriage with his brother’s wife Has weighed too heavily on his conscience.
No, his conscience Has crept too near another lady.
No, his conscience Has been troubled by another lady.
’Tis so: This is the cardinal’s doing, the king-cardinal: That blind priest, like the eldest son of fortune, Turns what he list. The king will know him one day.
That’s true: This is the cardinal’s doing, the king-cardinal: That blind priest, like the firstborn of fortune, Does whatever he wants. The king will realize this one day.
Pray God he do! he’ll never know himself else.
God willing he does! He’ll never understand himself otherwise.
How holily he works in all his business! And with what zeal! for, now he has crack’d the league Between us and the emperor, the queen’s great nephew, He dives into the king’s soul, and there scatters Dangers, doubts, wringing of the conscience, Fears, and despairs; and all these for his marriage: And out of all these to restore the king, He counsels a divorce; a loss of her That, like a jewel, has hung twenty years About his neck, yet never lost her lustre; Of her that loves him with that excellence That angels love good men with; even of her That, when the greatest stroke of fortune falls, Will bless the king: and is not this course pious?
How piously he handles all his business! And with what enthusiasm! For, now he has broken the alliance Between us and the emperor, the queen’s great nephew, He digs into the king’s soul, and there plants Dangers, doubts, guilt on the conscience, Fears, and despairs; and all of this for his marriage: And out of all this, to restore the king, He advises a divorce; a loss of her Who, like a jewel, has hung around his neck for twenty years, Yet never lost her shine; Of her who loves him with the same devotion That angels love good men with; even of her Who, when the worst of fortune strikes, Will bless the king: and isn’t this plan pious?
Heaven keep me from such counsel! ’Tis most true These news are every where; every tongue speaks ’em, And every true heart weeps for’t: all that dare Look into these affairs see this main end, The French king’s sister. Heaven will one day open The king’s eyes, that so long have slept upon This bold bad man.
God keep me from such advice! It’s most true These rumors are everywhere; everyone is talking about it, And every true heart weeps for it: all who dare Look into these matters see the main goal, The French king’s sister. God will one day open The king’s eyes, which have long been closed to This bold, wicked man.
And free us from his slavery.
And free us from his control.
We had need pray, And heartily, for our deliverance; Or this imperious man will work us all From princes into pages: all men’s honours Lie like one lump before him, to be fashion’d Into what pitch he please.
We should pray, And do it sincerely, for our rescue; Or this bossy man will push us all From being rulers to being servants: all people’s respect Will lie like a lump at his feet, to be shaped Into whatever he wants.
For me, my lords, I love him not, nor fear him; there’s my creed: As I am made without him, so I’ll stand, If the king please; his curses and his blessings Touch me alike, they’re breath I not believe in. I knew him, and I know him; so I leave him To him that made him proud, the pope.
As for me, my lords, I don’t like him, nor do I fear him; that’s my belief: Just as I was made without him, I’ll stand firm, If the king allows it; his curses and his blessings Mean nothing to me, they’re just words I don’t take seriously. I’ve known him, and I still know him; so I’ll leave him To the one who made him arrogant, the pope.
Let’s in; And with some other business put the king From these sad thoughts, that work too much upon him: My lord, you’ll bear us company?
Let’s go inside; And with some other matter distract the king From these troubling thoughts, which affect him too much: My lord, will you join us?
Excuse me; The king has sent me otherwhere: besides, You’ll find a most unfit time to disturb him: Health to your lordships.
Excuse me; The king has sent me elsewhere: also, It’s not the right time to disturb him: Good health to your lordships.
Thanks, my good lord chamberlain.
Thank you, my good lord chamberlain.
How sad he looks! sure, he is much afflicted.
He looks so troubled! Surely, he is deeply distressed.
Who’s there, ha?
Who’s there, huh?
Pray God he be not angry.
I pray God he’s not angry.
Who’s there, I say? How dare you thrust yourselves Into my private meditations? Who am I? ha?
Who’s there, I say? How dare you interrupt My private thoughts? Who am I? Huh?
A gracious king that pardons all offences Malice ne’er meant: our breach of duty this way Is business of estate; in which we come To know your royal pleasure.
A gracious king who pardons all offenses That were never meant with malice: our breach of duty here Is a matter of state; we come To know your royal wishes.
Ye are too bold: Go to; I’ll make ye know your times of business: Is this an hour for temporal affairs, ha?
You’re too bold: Go on; I’ll make you understand when it’s the right time for business: Is this the time for matters of state, huh?
Who’s there? my good lord cardinal? O my Wolsey, The quiet of my wounded conscience; Thou art a cure fit for a king.
Who’s there? My good lord cardinal? Oh, my Wolsey, The peace for my troubled conscience; You are the remedy fit for a king.
You’re welcome, Most learned reverend sir, into our kingdom: Use us and it.
You’re welcome, Most learned, respected sir, into our kingdom: Use us and it.
My good lord, have great care I be not found a talker.
My lord, please be careful That I’m not seen as just a talker.
Sir, you cannot. I would your grace would give us but an hour Of private conference.
Sir, you can’t. I wish your grace would give us just an hour For a private discussion.
[To NORFOLK and SUFFOLK] We are busy; go.
[To NORFOLK and SUFFOLK] We’re busy; go.
[Aside to SUFFOLK] This priest has no pride in him?
[Aside to SUFFOLK] Does this priest have no pride?
[Aside to NORFOLK] Not to speak of: I would not be so sick though for his place: But this cannot continue.
[Aside to NORFOLK] Not that I’ve seen: I wouldn’t want to be as sick as he is, though, for his position: But this can’t go on.
[Aside to SUFFOLK] If it do, I’ll venture one have-at-him.
[Aside to SUFFOLK] If it does, I’ll take a swing at him.
[Aside to NORFOLK] I another.
[Aside to NORFOLK] I’ll take my turn.
Your grace has given a precedent of wisdom Above all princes, in committing freely Your scruple to the voice of Christendom: Who can be angry now? what envy reach you? The Spaniard, tied blood and favour to her, Must now confess, if they have any goodness, The trial just and noble. All the clerks, I mean the learned ones, in Christian kingdoms Have their free voices: Rome, the nurse of judgment, Invited by your noble self, hath sent One general tongue unto us, this good man, This just and learned priest, Cardinal Campeius; Whom once more I present unto your highness.
Your grace has set an example of wisdom Beyond all kings, by openly Submitting your doubts to the judgment of Christendom: Who could be angry now? who would envy you? The Spanish, tied by blood and loyalty to her, Must now admit, if they have any decency, That the trial was just and noble. All the scholars, I mean the educated ones, in Christian lands Have their say: Rome, the source of judgment, Invited by your noble self, has sent One unified voice to us, this good man, This just and learned priest, Cardinal Campeius; Whom once again I present to your highness.
And once more in mine arms I bid him welcome, And thank the holy conclave for their loves: They have sent me such a man I would have wish’d for.
And once again, I welcome him with open arms, And thank the holy council for their kindness: They have sent me a man I would have wished for.
Your grace must needs deserve all strangers’ loves, You are so noble. To your highness’ hand I tender my commission; by whose virtue, The court of Rome commanding, you, my lord Cardinal of York, are join’d with me their servant In the unpartial judging of this business.
Your grace must surely deserve all the love of strangers, You are so noble. To your highness’ hand I offer my commission; by whose authority, The court of Rome commands that you, my lord Cardinal of York, are joined with me as their servant In the impartial judgment of this matter.
Two equal men. The queen shall be acquainted Forthwith for what you come. Where’s Gardiner?
Two equal men. The queen must be informed Immediately of your purpose. Where’s Gardiner?
I know your majesty has always loved her So dear in heart, not to deny her that A woman of less place might ask by law: Scholars allow’d freely to argue for her.
I know your majesty has always held her So dear in heart, that you wouldn’t deny her anything A woman of lower status might request by law: Scholars are allowed to argue for her freely.
Ay, and the best she shall have; and my favour To him that does best: God forbid else. Cardinal, Prithee, call Gardiner to me, my new secretary: I find him a fit fellow.
Yes, and the best she will have; and my favor To whoever does the best: God forbid anything else. Cardinal, Please call Gardiner to me, my new secretary: I find him a suitable fellow.
[Aside to GARDINER] Give me your hand much joy and favour to you; You are the king’s now.
[Aside to GARDINER] Congratulations, I’m so happy for you, You are the king’s man now.
[Aside to CARDINAL WOLSEY] But to be commanded For ever by your grace, whose hand has raised me.
[Aside to CARDINAL WOLSEY] I will always be at your service, Forever grateful for your help in raising me.
Come hither, Gardiner.
Come here, Gardiner.
My Lord of York, was not one Doctor Pace In this man’s place before him?
My Lord of York, wasn’t there a Doctor Pace In this man’s position before him?
Yes, he was.
Yes, there was.
Was he not held a learned man?
Wasn’t he considered a learned man?
Yes, surely.
Yes, definitely.
Believe me, there’s an ill opinion spread then Even of yourself, lord cardinal.
Believe me, there’s a bad rumor about you, Even among yourself, Lord Cardinal.
How! of me?
What! About me?
They will not stick to say you envied him, And fearing he would rise, he was so virtuous, Kept him a foreign man still; which so grieved him, That he ran mad and died.
People say you were jealous of him, And worried that he would become too powerful, He was so virtuous, you kept him away from the court, Which upset him so much that he went mad and died.
Heaven’s peace be with him! That’s Christian care enough: for living murmurers There’s places of rebuke. He was a fool; For he would needs be virtuous: that good fellow, If I command him, follows my appointment: I will have none so near else. Learn this, brother, We live not to be grip’d by meaner persons.
May he rest in peace! That’s enough Christian charity: as for living critics, There are places to deal with them. He was a fool; He insisted on being virtuous: that good man, If I tell him, will follow my orders: I won’t have anyone so close to me otherwise. Learn this, brother, We don’t live to be controlled by lesser people.
Deliver this with modesty to the queen.
Deliver this message to the queen with respect.
The most convenient place that I can think of For such receipt of learning is Black-Friars; There ye shall meet about this weighty business. My Wolsey, see it furnish’d. O, my lord, Would it not grieve an able man to leave So sweet a bedfellow? But, conscience, conscience! O, ’tis a tender place; and I must leave her.
The best place I can think of For such a meeting to discuss this is Black-Friars; There you will meet about this important matter. My Wolsey, make sure it’s ready. Oh, my lord, Wouldn’t it sadden a capable man to leave Such a sweet companion? But, conscience, conscience! Oh, it’s a delicate matter; and I must leave her.