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Library / Literature & Fiction

Thomas Lord Cromwell

by William, 1564-1616 [Dubious author] Shakespeare

Pages
about 54
Category
Literature & Fiction
Language
English
Reading time
60 min at 250 wpm
Start readingThe whole book, as cards or one word at a time. 33 min at 450 wpm in Read mode.

From the opening

HODGE. Come, masters, I think it be past five a clock; is it not time we were at work: my old Master he’ll be stirring anon.

FIRST SMITH. I cannot tell whether my old master will be stirring or no: but I am sure I can hardly take my afternoon’s nap, for my young Master Thomas, he keeps such a quile in his study, with the Sun, and the Moon, and the seven stars, that I do verily think he’ll read out his wife.

HODGE. He skill of the stars! there’s good-man Car of Fulhum, he that carried us to the strong Ale, where goody Trundell had her maid got with child: O he knows the stars. He’ll tickle you Charles Waine in nine degrees. That same man will tell you goody Trundell when her Ale shall miscarry, only by the stars.

SECOND SMITH. Aye, that’s a great virtue; indeed I think Thomas be no body in comparison to him.

HODGE. Aye, content; first let’s take our morning’s draught, and then to work roundly.

CROMWELL. Good morrow, morn, I do salute thy brightness. The night seems tedious to my troubled soul, Whose black obscurity binds in my mind A thousand sundry cogitations: And now Aurora, with a lively dye, Adds comfort to my spirit that mounts on high— Too high indeed, my state being so mean. My study, like a mineral of gold, Makes my heart proud, wherein my hopes enrolled; My books is all the wealth I do possess.

And unto them I have engaged my heart. O learning, how divine thou seems to me: Within whose arms is all felicity. Peace with your hammers! leave your knocking there: You do disturb my study and my rest. Leave off, I say, you mad me with the noise.

HODGE. Why, how now, Master Thomas, how now? Will you not let us work for you?

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