Page 1728 - Shakespeare - Vol. 4

Would come against you.

CRANMER
[kneeling]
I humbly thank your highness,
And am right glad to catch this good occasion
Most throughly to be winnowed, where my chaff [110]

And corn shall fly asunder, for I know
There’s none stands under more calumnious tongues
Than I myself, poor man.

KING
Stand up, good Canterbury;

Thy truth and thy integrity is rooted
In us, thy friend. Give me thy hand, stand up; [115]
Prithee let’s walk. Now, by my holidame,
What manner of man are you? My lord, I looked

You would have given me your petition that
I should have ta’en some pains to bring together
Yourself and your accusers, and to have heard you [120]
Without indurance further.

CRANMER

Most dread liege,
The good I stand on is my truth and honesty.
If they shall fail, I with mine enemies
Will triumph o’er my person, which I weigh not,
Being of those virtues vacant. I fear nothing [125]

What can be said against me.

KING
Know you not
How your state stands i’th’world, with the whole world?
Your enemies are many, and not small; their practices

Must bear the same proportion, and not ever
The justice and the truth o’th’question carries [130]
The due o’th’verdict with it. At what ease
Might corrupt minds procure knaves as corrupt