Cranmer

I hope I am not too late; and yet the gentleman,

That was sent to me from the council, prayed me

To make great haste. All fast? what means this? Ho!

Who waits there? Sure, you know me? Enter Keeper.

Door-Keeper

Yes, my lord;

But yet I cannot help you.

Cranmer

Why? Enter DOCTOR BUTTS.

Door-Keeper

Your grace must wait till you be called for.

Cranmer

So.

DrButts

Aside

This is a piece of malice. I am glad

I came this way so happily: the king

Shall understand it presently. Exit.

Cranmer

Aside

'Tis Butts,

The king's physician: as he passed along,

How earnestly he cast his eyes upon me!

Pray heaven, he sound not my disgrace! For certain,

This is of purpose laid by some that hate me —

God turn their hearts! I never sought their malice —

To quench mine honour: they would shame to make me

Wait else at door, a fellow counsellor,

'Mong boys, grooms, and lackeys. But their pleasures

Must be fulfilled, and I attend with patience. Enter the KING and BUTTS at a window above.

DrButts

I'll show your grace the strangest sight —

King Henry

What's that, Butts?

DrButts

I think your highness saw this many a day.

King Henry

Body a' me, where is it?

DrButts

There, my lord:

The high promotion of his grace of Canterbury;

Who holds his state at door, 'mongst pursuivants,

Pages, and footboys.

King Henry

Ha! 'tis he, indeed:

Is this the honour they do one another?

'Tis well there's one above 'em yet. I had thought

They had parted so much honesty among 'em,

At least, good manners, as not thus to suffer

A man of his place, and so near our favour,

To dance attendance on their lordships' pleasures,

And at the door too, like a post with packets.

By holy Mary, Butts, there's knavery:

Let 'em alone, and draw the curtain close:

We shall hear more anon. Exeunt.