Page 1695 - Shakespeare - Vol. 4

And after, this; and then to breakfast with
What appetite you have.
Exit King, frowning upon the Cardinal; the Nobles throng after him, smiling
and whispering

WOLSEY
What should this mean?

What sudden anger’s this? How have I reaped it?
He parted frowning from me, as if ruin [205]
Leaped from his eyes. So looks the chafèd lion

Upon the daring huntsman that has galled him,
Then makes him nothing. I must read this paper:
I fear, the story of his anger. ’Tis so;
This paper has undone me. ’Tis th’account [210]
Of all that world of wealth I have drawn together

For mine own ends − indeed, to gain the popedom,
And fee my friends in Rome. O negligence,
Fit for a fool to fall by! What cross devil

Made me put this main secret in the packet [215]
I sent the King? Is there no way to cure this?
No new device to beat this from his brains?
I know ’twill stir him strongly; yet I know
A way, if it take right, in spite of fortune

Will bring me off again. What’s this? “To the Pope”? [220]
The letter, as I live, with all the business
I writ to’s holiness. Nay then, farewell!

I have touched the highest point of all my greatness,
And from that full meridian of my glory
I haste now to my setting. I shall fall [225]
Like a bright exhalation in the evening,
And no man see me more.

Enter to Wolsey the Dukes of Norfolk and Suffolk, the Earl of Surrey, and
the Lord Chamberlain

NORFOLK
Hear the King’s pleasure, Cardinal, who commands you
To render up the great seal presently