_King._ Fairly answer'd; A loyal and obedient subject is 180 Therein illustrated: the honour of it Does pay the act of it; as, i' the contrary,[559] The foulness is the punishment. I presume That, as my hand has open'd bounty to you, My heart dropp'd love, my power rain'd honour, more 185 On you than any; so your hand and heart, Your brain and every function of your power, Should, notwithstanding that your bond of duty, As 'twere in love's particular, be more To me, your friend, than any. _Wol._ I do profess[560] 190 That for your highness' good I ever labour'd More than mine own; that am, have, and will be--[561] Though all the world should crack their duty to you,[562] And throw it from their soul; though perils did Abound, as thick as thought could make 'em, and[563] 195 Appear in forms more horrid--yet my duty, As doth a rock against the chiding flood, Should the approach of this wild river break, And stand unshaken yours. _King._ 'Tis nobly spoken. Take notice, lords, he has a loyal breast, 200 For you have seen him open't. [_Giving him papers._] Read o'er this;[564] And after, this: and then to breakfast with What appetite you have.[565] [_Exit King, frowning upon the Cardinal: the nobles throng after him, smiling and whispering._ _Wol._ What should this mean? What sudden anger's this? how have I reap'd it?[566] He parted frowning from me, as if ruin 205 Leap'd from his eyes. So looks the chafed lion Upon the daring huntsman that has gall'd him; Then makes him nothing. I must read this paper; I fear, the story of his anger. 'Tis so;[567] This paper has undone me: 'tis the account 210 Of all that world of wealth I have drawn together[568] For mine own ends; indeed, to gain the popedom, And fee my friends in Rome. O negligence![569] Fit for a fool to fall by: what cross devil[569] Made me put this main secret in the packet 215 I sent the king? Is there no way to cure this? No new device to beat this from his brains? I know 'twill stir him strongly; yet I know A way, if it take right, in spite of fortune Will bring me off again. What's this? 'To the Pope!' 220 The letter, as I live, with all the business I writ to's holiness. Nay then, farewell![570] I have touch'd the highest point of all my greatness;[570] And, from that full meridian of my glory, I haste now to my setting: I shall fall 225 Like a bright exhalation in the evening. And no man see me more.[571]