Act V, Scene 5

The palace.

[Enter trumpets, sounding; then two Aldermen, Lord] [p]Mayor, Garter, CRANMER, NORFOLK with his marshal's [p]staff, SUFFOLK, two Noblemen bearing great [p]standing-bowls for the christening-gifts; then [p]four Noblemen bearing a canopy, under which the [p]Duchess of Norfolk, godmother, bearing the child [p]richly habited in a mantle, &c., train borne by a [p]Lady; then follows the Marchioness Dorset, the [p]other godmother, and Ladies. The troop pass once [p]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! 3380

[Flourish. Enter KING HENRY VIII and Guard]

• Archbishop 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, 3385
  May hourly fall upon ye!

• Henry VIII. Thank you, good lord archbishop:
  What is her name?

• Archbishop Cranmer. Elizabeth.

• Henry VIII. Stand up, lord. 3390
  [KING HENRY VIII kisses the child]
  With this kiss take my blessing: God protect thee!
  Into whose hand I give thy life.

• Archbishop Cranmer. Amen.

• Henry VIII. My noble gossips, ye have been too prodigal: 3395
  I thank ye heartily; so shall this lady,
  When she has so much English.

• Archbishop 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. 3400
  This royal infant—heaven still move about her!—
  Though in her cradle, yet now promises
  Upon this land a thousand thousand blessings,
  Which time shall bring to ripeness: she shall be—
  But few now living can behold that goodness— 3405
  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, 3410
  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 loved and fear'd: her own shall bless her;
  Her foes shake like a field of beaten corn, 3415
  And hang their heads 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 3420
  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, 3425
  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, 3430
  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 3435
  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.

• Henry VIII. Thou speakest wonders. 3440

• Archbishop 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 her; yet a virgin, 3445
  A most unspotted lily shall she pass
  To the ground, and all the world shall mourn her.

• Henry VIII. O lord archbishop,
  Thou hast made me now a man! never, before
  This happy child, did I get any thing: 3450
  This oracle of comfort has so pleased 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 your good brethren, I am much beholding; 3455
  I have received 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: 3460
  This little one shall make it holiday.
  [Exeunt]
  EPILOGUE

• Chorus. 'Tis ten to one this play can never please
  All that are here: some come to take their ease, 3465
  And sleep an act or two; but those, we fear,
  We have frighted with our trumpets; so, 'tis clear,
  They'll say 'tis naught: others, to hear the city
  Abused extremely, and to cry 'That's witty!'
  Which we have not done neither: that, I fear, 3470
  All the expected good we're 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 3475
  All the best men are ours; for 'tis ill hap,
  If they hold when their ladies bid 'em clap.