Anna Dickinson Speeches & Writings File Plays "A Crown of Thorns" Act IAct 1Oct 1 Anne Boleyn or A Crown of Thorns, a Tragedy by Anna E Dickinson Persons Represented Anne Boleyn (afterwards Queen of England) Lady Jane Seymour Madge Shelton King Henry VIII Cardinal Wolsey Duke of Norfolk Lord Henry Percy (afterwards Earl of Northumberland) Lord Henry Norreys Thomas Cromwell, (Sec'y to Cardinal Wolsey,) (afterwards Earl of Essex) Sir Thomas Boleyn Sir William Kingston, (Governor of the Tower) Patch, (Cardinal Wolsey's fool) Mark Smeaton Magistrate of London George Boleyn Page to the Queen Page to Lord Henry Percy Chamberlain Servant Courtiers, Ladies, Guards, Pages, &c.1 Act 1. Anne Boleyn Summer room in palace with wide archway and steps Gardens. - Some flowers growing within the room. Enter Wolsey and Cromwell from archway; [R.L.E. L2] Cromwell holding open letter. Wolsey. R Let be! Let be! Eight years have I waited on the Emperor's pledge to make me supreme at Rome. Twice in those years has opportunity offered to weld his words to deeds. Twice, have they been blown into empty air. It shall be seen if I answer not his mock "priests should be patient men." Cromwell. L But, my lord, if you send away the Spanish ambassador with this rude message (touches letter) it will make him your avowed foe. He doth promise fair.--would it not do well to trust him once again ere you come to open warfare? 2 And from this (again touches letter) there is no retreat. You throw the helve after the hatchet. Wolsey (smiles, puts hand affectionately on Cromwell's shoulder) ?Tom?, he who on fair showing trusts once, does so in good faith. Being betrayed, and trusting the second time, does so with his eyes cast forward, not back - from hope, not experience. But he who, after such lessening, trusts the third time, deserves not only defeat, but death, - and transition to that paradise - or purgatory, that is reserved for fools. Cromwell. But, in a matter of such high and dangerous concernment, methinks your grace should wade no farther in than as you see others going hand in hand with you. Wolsey. Thou unbelieving Thomas! What wouldst thou have? Have I not told thee that I have concluded all in France, and that, so soon as his Majesty is freed from this Aunt of the Empire, his# Ready Percy 3 marriage with the gracious Duchess of Alencon is assured by all reasonable plights. England wedded to France will change the face of Europe in a single campaign. Henry and Francis are my friends. Both are pledged to my support. They shall be allies. They shall defeat Spain, triumph over the Emperor, and make an open pathway for me to the Papal Crown. [*XR*] Cromwell I see a lion in the pathway. # Wolsey. The Queen? (shakes his head.) Cromwell. So long as she lives she will be a link to bind fast her husband (the King of England,) and her nephew--the Emperor of Germany and Spain. Wolsey. That link will soon be broken. Cromwell. Ill as she seems you cannot depend upon that. People, whose death is to benefit any one, never die. Wolsey. Death? Who spoke of death?Cromwell. Not--not divorce? Wolsey. Aye, divorce. Cromwell. I did hear whisperings of this, abroad. Wolsey. Whisperings? Thou has but just returned to England, or would know that here it is cried aloud. Even now, the King is with the Commons, and the Primate with the Clergy, setting forth the royal doubts and questionings. Here is one of my household will tell us how they fared. (Cromwell goes ...down R) (Enter Percy--bows low...) How went the appeal to the Bishops? (Wolsey site R) Did they consent to Wareham's proposition that Katherine could not legally be the King's wife, since she was dowager Princess of Wales? Percy. L Yes, my lord, with both speech and silence. Wolsey. How say you?--Silence? Percy. Aye, my lord. When he did put it (new page) to vote they all consented, save a few. At which the Archbishop mused a moment, and said, "it is not necessary to call the names for response--silence will give consent." "Then", said the Bishop of Rochester, "then are we all silent.." Wolsey. Good.--and how went his Majesty's appeal? You heard it? Percy. Aye, my lord. Most eloquently he spoke, not after the fashion of a pedant, a preacher, or a pleader, but in soldier-like style, right on, to the delight of all who listened. Wolsey. Doubtless--doubtless. The world is chiefly babble. 'Tis a pleasure the greater for its rarity to hear words that hold meaning as well as sound. What was the substance of these? (Percy has taken out parchment roll.) Nay I want not thy notes, not now. Split the bone at once and reveal the marrow. Percy. In brief, then, my lord, he did tell Ready Patch to sing. 6 how the marriage with his sister was contracted while he was yet a boy. How the petition for the papal dispensation, setting aside the law, was signed by him before he did fairly know right from wrong in so grave a matter. How, as child after child of theirs sickened and died, he saw that though the alliance was sanctioned on earth, it was marked with the curse of Heaven. How doubts of the legitimacy of their only surviving child would plunge the realm into the same misery it knew at the death of Edward the fourth, and the slowly dying fires of the Great Civil War would flame forth afresh, if even a question could be raised of her rightful title. Therefore, for the quieting of his conscience and the peace of the realm alike, he must be loosed of this unlawful and unrighteous tie, and be free to find a contract and succession elsewhere. Wolsey And how took they it? well? or ill? or indifferently? #Patch sings without. (next page) Percy. A few, ill;--many, well;--none indifferently. Some lamented to hear that his Majesty was so afflicted in his mind, # (pauses, and smiles at Patch's voice outside.) Patch (sings without) Strim, strong, pummerilla, rallabilla, raltum! Wolsey, (who has turned to Cromwell with nod and smiles at close up of Percy's speech, looks again at Percy) What art smiling at, sirrah? Are King's scruples matters for mirth? Percy. Nay, your grace, I did but smile at the remembrance of what you(r) imp of mischief spake from the crowd. Wolsey. (smiles) And what said he? If there is food for mirth in the speech we have stomach for it. Percy When his Majesty said that his conscience struck home, Patch cried --"Alack, sirs and gentlemen, for the sake of pity save his Majesty from such cruel punishment.page 8 Since his conscience hath been asleep for seventeen years--while the Queen was young and handsome--it must have arisen from such long rest --so fresh and lusty as to kill him with its blows, if it strike home often. Wolsey. (looks at Cromwell with a smile) Whereat, doubtless, his Majesty smoked? Percy Nay. When they would have dragged the varlet away, his Majesty laughed right heartily, and said, "Let him stay,--Kings be not Kings of tongues.--If any man give occasion by his actions, (that be not understood,) to be spoken of, he will be spoken of";--at which all smiled, and seeing his Majesty without anger, so pleasant, yet withal so determined, none doubted that the affair must now go on. (rushes eagerly to window.) Wolsey. (to Cromwell) It will go on. Percy. (clasping hands (?) Ah, 'tis she! (Cromwell, with look, draws Wolsey's attention.) page 9 Wolsey. (aside) Aha! Mistress Boleyn is abroad! (to Percy) 'Tis well. (points to parchment) See that that cipher is transcribed at once into good, legible manuscript. I have need of it. Percy. (eagerly, and looking from window to Cardinal) (Your grace, I am somewhat cramped from the morning's use of unfamiliar weapons; (smiles) I can more deftly handle this (touches sword) than a quill. Will you first permit me some moments of recreation in the gardens? Wolsey So! My needs can stand cap in hand to thy pleasure!--You can seek your recreation yonder, when my work is done there (points to door.) Go. (Percy looks defiantly,--then bows and exits.) So, none doubted that the affair must now go on! (rising and walking) They may well be sure of it since it is his Majesty's purpose, --for you can easier draw out the wedge from the unriven oak than alter that. Yes, it will go on, and there, (halting, and indicating one without,) page 10 is one who will further it. Cromwell (looking off) Anne Boleyn? Wolsey She. (walks) His Majesty has still left some foolish habit of affection for the Queen, that may stand in the way of a fresh alliance. He will lose all that in this new, mad infatuation for Mistress Boleyn,--and, that holiday overpassed, will be ready for more serious matters, when the time is ripe for them. Cromwell. But, my lord, will Mistress Anne be moved on this chess board of yours, as it may serve your purposes? She hath a right royal will of her own. Brief time as I have been at court, I have seen how she doth affect that gallant sprig of Northumberland's, Wolsey. (laughs and looks toward door) Percy? Cromwell He. It may hap there is a woman who would rather be the wife of an honest poor man, than the idol of a King.page 10 #Patch sings a single note. #Patch sings song without page 11 Wolsey. In Sir Thomas More's Utopia,--the Kingdom of Nowhere. Not in the Kingdoms of this world. However! this mote shall be brushed from the royal sunshine. I will talk with thee concerning the method as we walk (rising). I must speak with his Majesty, and we go seek him in the gardens. # (Wolsey and Cromwell go towards gardens.--Patch sings note without.--Wolsey pauses) Eh?--that madcap?# Patch (sings without) Kings are but men. Well, what then? Wives they love dear. So I hear. Maids they love well, I can tell. Yo, ho! Heigh, oh! (Wolsey laughs silently.) Cromwell. Thinkest thou, my lord, that Patch was known when he bandied jests with his Majesty's conscience? Pray heaven, not.page 12 Wolsey. (turning back towards seat) Thou fearest it might be ill for me? (laughs.) Nay. Nay. Patch is licensed in Jolly. He may say what he pleases. L2 (enter Patch singing Yo ho! Heigh, oh!) But I will ask him (Patch bows) How, knave, art not afraid to show thyself after thy monstrous impudence to his Majesty? Hast thou not earned a beating? Patch (who has been looking round, chewing flower stalk, Lc) Nay, brother, Nay, but a bating, (rubbing his stomach). And sure I am hungered. Wolsey. (sits) How? A bating? That would be a reward. And for what, pray, art thou to be rewarded? Patch. (business) For e'en following in thy footsteps, brother. I have oft heard thee say, thou wouldst lose thy friend rather than thy jest--when thy jest has been the better of the two. Wolsey The better of the two? (laughs( I like page 13 thy assurance, fool. Best draw the stay-laces on thy vanity, or it may chance to burst thee.------And thinkest thou it was known whose wit so illumed the dull court proceedings, when thy tongue was sharpened upon his Majesty? Patch. Yea, without peradventure. (Wolsey nods Lc, but shows strong feeling, quickly recovered at Norfolk's speech.) For my lord of Norfolk did cry, "' 'Tis the tail of the butcher's dog that wags so lustily. Kick him out!" (laughs) Cromwell. How, sirrah! Dost thou dare repeat such blasphemy to thy master, and laugh in his very face! Wolsey. Nay, Tom, fret not thyself. Did I not tell thee Patch may say what he pleases? (rising and walking). And thinkest thou I am shamed for my father's trade? or that it galls me to be called "butcher"? Not though it be done by fools in motley, (Patch) or fools in purple! I had rather be a sun than a whole firmament of page 14 planets. I had rather cast the glory of my name backwards than shine by reflected lustre--though it be that of a thousand years! Patch. "Tis a good, wise saying, brother. Cromwell (laughs) Dost pretend, knave, to understand my lord Cardinal? Patch. (business) Truly. He doth mean he had rather to the father of his ancestors than of his posterity, (business) in which he showeth his great wisdom--since, whatever those were, they can disgrace him with no more folly--but he knows not what these may be. Wolsey. Come fool,--enough of thy folly. Stand aside. I must go speak with one wiser than thou. Patch. x R (business) Then will I precede thee. Wolsey. (business) Follow me, thou meanest. Patch. Nay, brother. "Tis proper for the greater to precede the less? Norreys, and Percy, ready. page 15 Woolsey. Assuredly. (smiling). By which showing, thou shouldst be the bob to my kite. Patch. Nay, brother, may--for thou are but servant to Harry of England, while I am servant to my lord Cardinal Wolsey. Judge, thou, which is the greater of us twain. Wolsey. (laughs) Go thy ways, fool. Go they ways. We will follow after. R..E.. (Patch struts out, followed by Wolsey and Cromwell to gardens.) (Norreys at door L2 looks in and around cautiously, then enters, pulling gayly at Percy.) Norreys I tell thee there is no one here. They are gone.--(going to Percy) Come in! Come in! (Enter Percy who has roll in his hands, and who, through speech, goes to ....looks into gardens..., comes down and throws himself dejectedly into seat.) R I would fain talk with thee, but not in that gloomy closet, (looking back.) Why are you caged in it on such a day when there page 16 is all outdoor with its bloom and shine to tempt you? Percy. (in seat R) And what to me is more than flower bloom or sunshine. Norreys. (mischievously) Eeh? Eeh? To what strange taste are you confessing? What can be abroad better than these? (at --- and indicating people by a gesture). Not his august Majesty, surely? Nor your benign master, the great Cardinal? Nor your master's hopeful servant, that Protestant Jesuit, Thomas Cromwell? Perhaps, it is sweet mistress Madge Shelton, whom I see, yonder? or, perhaps--perhaps--for the one is never far distant from the other, it may be that my cousin Anne tales (Percy rushed to him eagerly) Hold, hard, madcap! Breaking my neck will not sharpen your eyesight to find what is not there. I said, perhaps. Why are you not abroad to verify the perhapses? Percy. I am here at the bidding of the Cardinal--or I would surely know in what region, without or within, my sunshines. (again throws himself in seat) page 17 Norreys. (----------) You are badly burned! Percy. To my heart's core. Norreys. (------------) Would wed her? Percy. If I had to die for it on the morrow. (--------------) Norreys In which case you would escape long misery with short shrift. "Tis well known that wedlock rides in the saddle, repentance on the croup.--You are not afraid? Percy. Yes.---As a starving man would be of food, or a freezing man of fire. Norreys. Nay, nay. Thous hast the fire within thee, man. What manner of feeling is this that so set prudence at naught, and judgment at defiance? Come!- Dissect!--Define! Reveal it! Percy. If thou hadst it within thee, thou wouldst not ask; but, as thou hast it not, no word can tell thee. Until thou hast, wilt never know what it means. page 18 Norreys. Sure, I have no wish to know it as thou. Hard of heart! Who can see and care for but one woman in the world! As for me, I say naught to one that I may not upon occasion say to another, with, perhaps, a little alteration of accent. Percy. Methinks the repetition must grow wearisom to thee. Art not tempted to try a little genuine sentiment--for the sake of change? Norreys Not I.--Would thou wert as wise; for, in sober earnest ( --------------) it is a bad thing, my friend, that you love my cousin Anne so well. Is it not true the Cardinal hath warned you from this pursuit? (Percy assents.) Since your father is in disfavor with his Majesty, and you yourself are held as a sort of hostage, do you well to incur the enmity of the Cardinal, who is master of his master--who can make or break you? Percy. I love her.--All is said in that. Norreys. But you have heard the whispers page 19 of the court. Nay you have eyes, and so must see whose eyes rest upon her with favor. Cross him, you will destroy yourself. Percy. (-----------------) I will cross any man who would bring dishonor on the woman I love, though that cross bring me to the scaffold. (X to L) Norreys. Even if it should so hap she herself you give you no thanks for the sacrifice? You love my lady Anne. Conceded. How is it with her? Percy. Ah, that I know not. I have written her, since of late I cannot get speech with her, and in that letter have laid bare my heart. Norreys. Hast any word of reply? Percy. None. Norreys. 'Tis the silence of coquetry. Percy. You believe it? Norreys. (teasingly) Assuredly. page 20 Percy That is to say you accuse her of being selfish and vain. She is neither. Norreys You think her an angel. Percy I know her a proud and generous woman--No, some ill fortune has prevented even sight of her. It must be the shadow of the Cardinal that makes the wall between us. (Norreys smiles with dissenting gesture, and goes on to window.) I shall believe so, till her own lips tell me otherwise. Norreys (indicating) His Majesty! Hark! He is asking for Mistress Boleyn! No shadow. Is that not, rather, the substance, there? They say that, proud as Mistress Anne seems to all her suitors, she has been seen to smile upon the King. Percy They say!--Who says? Fie, Henry! You--a gentleman and Knight--join forces with such ruffians as Rumour and Slander, to strike page 20 Nosegay for King Ready King page 21 at a fair and noble woman who never wished you and all the world aught but good, and who lives her life where all may see that it is without fear or shame. Norreys Pardon, pardon, my friend. I am justly struck home. I did but say it to try to draw you from a dangerous following. Forgive me, and come away from this place, --X L 1 (Percy starts eagerly toward gardens) Not to the gardens! (turning him about) No. In the face of straight orders? You are a madman! You shall not e'en look towards them;--but, at least, where we can get a better taste in our mouths, with air that is clearer than this, so often breathed by the Cardinal. Percy X L 1 (hesitates a moment, puts out his hand) With all my heart. O (Norreys grasps it, and they exit. Music.--enter Anne) Anne ----pretty tale, truly! L C Nosegay for King. Ready King. Music: (Enter Anne) 21 at a fair and noble woman who never wished you and all the world ought but good, and who lives her life where all may see that it is without fear or shame. Norreys Pardon, pardon, my friend. I am justly struck home. I did but say it to try to draw you from a dangerous following. Forgive me, and come away from this place, (Percy starts eagerly towards gardens) Not to the gardens! (turning him about) No. In the face of straight orders? You are a madman! You shall not e'en look towards them; but, at least, where we can get a better taste in our mouths, with air that is clearer than this, as often breathed by the Cardinal. Percy (hesitates a moment, puts out his hand) With all my heart. (Norrey grasps it, & they exit. Music - Enter Anne) Anne pretty tale, truly! (Enter King from C far R going with impatient manner to -----------, not seeing Anne. Nosegay in hand.) Anne (continues) King R (seeing Anne starts joyfully) Ah! (comes down, and in speaking pushes toward her with his foot on ottoman) Good morrow, sweet mistress. Sure, you must have been in hiding. I have searched for you through all the gardens, and have gathered this (the nosegay) by the way. (Sits, offers flowers) Wilt accept a nosegay of my picking? Anne. -------gladly, Sire! (takes it) ---------and yet----- King. "Yet"?--------What is at fault? Anne -------------for morning time. King. Its language?-----Its language?--- Let me see. (studies flowers), Ah, mistress, you are wrong--for here is pimpernel, which promoteth laughter, and laughter is rather for the day then for the night. page 23 Anne. -------dreams are done. King. (starts and looks at it intently) Rosemary! I saw it not. (makes motion to pull it out) Let me pluck it out. Anne. ------------and, therefore, to friendship. King. But it speaks of funeral wakes and burial grounds. Nay, I will have it out! (pulls it out, goes up and picks another, or takes one from about him,) And put this in its stead.---would that you would give it me again. Anne. --------its meaning, Sire? King. Both, sweet mistress. Anne. ----------------heart's ease (King takes it) --------------heart's pain. King. (puts it back) Nay, nay, keep it then. I want it not. I have enough of that, already. Anne. -------------place with the others. Ready Woolsey and Cromwell U.E. page 24 King. You fence too sharply with me, mistress. And yet you say true, unwittingly. I would I could bestow it, for then might I hope to be eased of my pain. (touching heart.)----What have you there, (points to horoscope) that you were studying, e'en now? Anne. --------cast my horoscope. King. Canst interpret the signs? Anne. --------after a fashion. King. Dost believe in them? Anne. ---------No, Sire. King. You are above superstition! Anne. -----------for them to control me. ..R King. You deny, then, the omnipotence of Fate? Anne. ----------are our doomsmen.page 25 King. Give me the book. (she does so.) Let me see what I can make of it. (he studies it,) (...L.) Anne. Well, sire? King. (looking from book to Anne, significantly) Though I have not meddled with the black art, I can see that thou art reserved for a lofty destiny. Anne. ---------------desire it not. King. (looks again) Fortune smiles on thee. Anne. ------------------frowns at night. (?) King. But she would enrich thee. Anne. -------------------subject of her spoil. King. She would exalt thee. Anne. ----------------with my ruin (?) L King. Nay, sweet mistress, turn not away from her; listen to what she promises. page 26 I speak as thy friend. I urge her upon thee. Anne. -----------------some dismal fall. King. What more secure shelter than thy King's favor? I will not use this bauble as a mask! (flinging book away, and afterwards coming to Anne) I will speak straightly. But heed my prayer, and in return I swear that, in all England, no light but shall fade beside the splendor with which I will compass thee. No lady in all my realms that shall have such faithful servitor (business) Anne. -----------spoken the like. RVE (Enter Wolsey and Cromwell Xing to archway . Cromwell draws Wolsey's attention to King and Anne, then exits L (?) Wolsey come down. --------------------Try me no more. King. (C) And dost thou--------- Wolsey. (L) Pardon, my dear liege, if I mar pleasure or mirth, (King goes.page 27 angrily up stage,) since I make none--but the affair of which you spoke brings me. Anne. ----permitted to retire? (business. Anne exits) R2 King. (up stage, ardently watching ..) She hath the talent of an angel! (business for Wolsey.) And is worthy of a crown. (business, Wolsey.) Wolsey. It is sufficient if your Majesty finds her worthy of your love. King. (Still intent) I fear me, she will never condescend to crooked pathways. Wolsey. Sire, you do yourself injustice--great princes, if they choose to play the lover, have that in their power that would mollify a heart of steel. King. Thinkest thou so--in this case? Wolsey. In all cases, my King. A King is a King. A woman is--a woman! page 2 King. (smiles, and coming down) Nay, but this woman is not to be confounded with the herd, that scarce know a man's doublet from his shirt. She hath candor, high spirit, fearless courage, generous honor, keen intellect--above all, I mistrust she is cased in the chain armor of an ardent love. I fear a rival. (sits R) Wolsey Hu--sh! Sire, I entreat your Majesty to speak lower, that I may not hear you. King. (smiling, turns) And why wouldst thou not hear me? Wolsey. Because, my gracious master, you should always be believed. Dost indeed think that any woman would care for the love of another man if she knew--the heart of Harry Tudor inclined toward her?-- Nay, nay, my liege, --her coyness hath philosophic reason. She hath lived in the world long enough to learn that the price gives value to the diamonds. King. May be so. None the less, I am more than willing to build a bridge for a page 29 retiring enemy--and break it down behind him! I would have Percy gone from the Court at once--not to return till he brings back a bride,--or, better still, not to return at all. (gets up.) Wolsey. Sire--there is battle service on the Border--in which he had found place before. King. Being married, let him find place there again. (X------------------- .) Wolsey. I will see that he has it, my King. I am not opposed to letting that lively fellow go and get shot where he pleases. (takes stage------------) King. Hast written to his father? Wolsey. All, and more than all, your Majesty suggested--commanding him to see that the contract made for Percy while he was a child, with the Lady Mary Talbot, is fulfilled, if he would not lose lands, castles, honor, life itself.Ready Anne and Madge. page 30 King. The old attainder of treason still hangs over him. Let him look to it! His own head will pay the forfeit else. --There is an old saying--if you would have a thing attended to, go;--if not-- (going---) Wolsey. By which your Majesty would signify?-- King. An intent to interfere in person. Ourself will attend to this insolent young upstart. Wolsey. Nay, Sir, you would not do wisely-- (if you will permit your faithful servant to say so)--to show any interest in this affair. Leave it to me. It shall be done both speedily and effectually. (King and Wolsey go off in earnest conversation. L Enter Anne and Madge. RUE Anne. L --------but he? (shakes her head.) Madge. R Sure, there is no one his grace doth more civilly affect than thous> Art # Ready Percy page 31 not whimsical, coz? Anne. ----says to me--beware! Madge. Of what? And why should he be thy enemy? And how hurt thee? Anne. ---by even a sign. Madge. If it be so, then has he Norreys and Percy both in durance. # Anne. --------------Not have been sorry? Madge. Sorry, quotha! No, indeed, not I--for then would I have found a post to have delivered thy reply, (taking out letter,) that burns in my keeping. (looks off). Ah! What do I see! Yonder is (checks herself) Norreys at last. Now, (smiling) it shall reach its destination. (Exits L) # Anne (may rise(?) ----------a flower in bloom? (Enter Percy, listens,--strong feeling in dumb show etc.(?) ---------I love you. Percy. My darling! # Ring when Percy embraces Anne. page 32 Anne. I love you. # Percy (business) My darling! (Wolsey enters over steps at back, and pauses, unseen by them, with threatening gesture.) Picture. Quick curtain. End of First Act.