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marshal's staff; DUKE OF SUFFOLK; two Noblemen bearing great
standing…bowls for the christening gifts; then four Noblemen bearing a
canopy; under which the DUCHESS OF NORFOLK; godmother; bearing
the CHILD richly habited in a mantle; etc。; train borne by a LADY; then
follows the MARCHIONESS DORSET; the other godmother; and
LADIES。 The troop pass once about the stage; and GARTER speaks
GARTER。 Heaven; from thy endless goodness; send prosperous life;
long and ever…happy; to the high and mighty Princess of England;
Elizabeth!
Flourish。 Enter KING and guard CRANMER。 'Kneeling' And to
your royal Grace and the good Queen! My noble partners and myself thus
pray: All comfort; joy; in this most gracious lady; Heaven ever laid up to
make parents happy; May hourly fall upon ye! KING。 Thank you; good
Lord Archbishop。 What is her name? CRANMER。 Elizabeth。 KING。 Stand
up; lord。 'The KING kisses the child' With this kiss take my blessing: God
protect thee! Into whose hand I give thy life。 CRANMER。 Amen。 KING。
My noble gossips; y'have been too prodigal; I thank ye heartily。 So shall
this lady; When she has so much English。 CRANMER。 Let me speak; sir;
For heaven now bids me; and the words I utter Let none think flattery; for
they'll find 'em truth。 This royal infantheaven still move about her!
Though in her cradle; yet now promises Upon this land a thousand
blessings; Which time shall bring to ripeness。 She shall be But few now
living can behold that goodness A pattern to all princes living with her;
And all that shall succeed。 Saba was never More covetous of wisdom and
fair virtue Than this pure soul shall be。 All princely graces That mould up
such a mighty piece as this is; With all the virtues that attend the good;
Shall still be doubled on her。 Truth shall nurse her; Holy and heavenly
thoughts still counsel her; She shall be lov'd and fear'd。 Her own shall
bless her: Her foes shake like a field of beaten corn; And hang their heads
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with sorrow。 Good grows with her; In her days every man shall eat in
safety Under his own vine what he plants; and sing The merry songs of
peace to all his neighbours。 God shall be truly known; and those about her
From her shall read the perfect ways of honour; And by those claim their
greatness; not by blood。 Nor shall this peace sleep with her; but as when
The bird of wonder dies; the maiden phoenix Her ashes new create another
heir As great in admiration as herself; So shall she leave her blessedness to
one When heaven shall call her from this cloud of darkness Who from
the sacred ashes of her honour Shall star…like rise; as great in fame as she
was; And so stand fix'd。 Peace; plenty; love; truth; terror; That were the
servants to this chosen infant; Shall then be his; and like a vine grow to
him; Wherever the bright sun of heaven shall shine; His honour and the
greatness of his name Shall be; and make new nations; he shall flourish;
And like a mountain cedar reach his branches To all the plains about him;
our children's children Shall see this and bless heaven。 KING。 Thou
speakest wonders。 CRANMER。 She shall be; to the happiness of England;
An aged princess; many days shall see her; And yet no day without a deed
to crown it。 Would I had known no more! But she must die She must; the
saints must have heryet a virgin; A most unspotted lily shall she pass To
th' ground; and all the world shall mourn her。 KING。 O Lord Archbishop;
Thou hast made me now a man; never before This happy child did I get
anything。 This oracle of comfort has so pleas'd me That when I am in
heaven I shall desire To see what this child does; and praise my Maker。 I
thank ye all。 To you; my good Lord Mayor; And you; good brethren; I am
much beholding; I have receiv'd much honour by your presence; And ye
shall find me thankful。 Lead the way; lords; Ye must all see the Queen; and
she must thank ye; She will be sick else。 This day; no man think Has
business at his house; for all shall stay。 This little one shall make it holiday。
Exeunt
KING_HENRY_VIII|EPILOGUE THE EPILOGUE。
'Tis ten to one this play can never please All that are here。 Some
come to take their ease And sleep an act or two; but those; we fear; W'have
frighted with our trumpets; so; 'tis clear; They'll say 'tis nought; others to
hear the city Abus'd extremely; and to cry 'That's witty!' Which we have
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not done neither; that; I fear; All the expected good w'are like to hear For
this play at this time is only in The merciful construction of good women;
For such a one we show'd 'em。 If they smile And say 'twill do; I know
within a while All the best men are ours; for 'tis ill hap If they hold when
their ladies bid 'em clap。
THE END
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