Page 1741 - Shakespeare - Vol. 4

Well, well, my lords, respect him,
Take him and use him well; he’s worthy of it.
I will say thus much for him: if a prince
May be beholding to a subject, I [190]

Am, for his love and service, so to him.
Make me no more ado, but all embrace him;
Be friends, for shame, my lords: my lord of Canterbury,
I have a suit which you must not deny me:

That is, a fair young maid that yet wants baptism; [195]
You must be godfather, and answer for her.

CRANMER
The greatest monarch now alive my glory
In such an honour. How may I deserve it,
That am a poor and humble subject to you?

KING
Come, come, my lord, you’d spare your spoons. [200] You shall have two
noble partners with you, the old Duchess of Norfolk and Lady Marquis Dorset;
will these please you?
Once more, my lord of Winchester, I charge you

Embrace and love this man.

GARDINER
With a true heart [205]
And brother-love I do it.

CRANMER
And let heaven
Witness how dear I hold this confirmation.

KING
Good man, those joyful tears show thy true heart.

The common voice, I see, is verified
Of thee, which says thus: “Do my lord of Canterbury [210]
A shrewd turn and he’s your friend for ever”.

Come, lords, we trifle time away; I long