Line-by-Line Paraphrase

Original: The view of earthly glory: men might say,
Modern: The sight of worldly splendor: people might say,

Original: Till this time pomp was single, but now married
Modern: Until now, magnificence stood alone, but now it’s joined

Original: To one above itself. Each following day
Modern: To something even greater than itself. Each day that followed

Original: Became the next day’s master, till the last
Modern: Was outdone by the next day, until the final day

Original: Made former wonders its. To-day the French,
Modern: Made all previous marvels seem like nothing. One day the French,

Original: All clinquant, all in gold, like heathen gods,
Modern: All glittering, all dressed in gold, like pagan gods,

Original: Shone down the English; and, to-morrow, they
Modern: Outshined the English; and the next day, the English

Original: Made Britain India: every man that stood
Modern: Made Britain look like a land of riches: every man standing there

Original: Show’d like a mine. Their dwarfish pages were
Modern: Looked like a gold mine. Their small servant boys were

Original: As cherubins, all guilt: the madams too,
Modern: Like golden angels, covered in gold: the ladies too,

Original: Not used to toil, did almost sweat to bear
Modern: Not accustomed to hard work, almost sweated from carrying

Original: The pride upon them, that their very labour
Modern: The magnificent clothes on them, so that their very effort

Original: Was to them as a painting: now this masque
Modern: Made them glow as if painted with rouge: one night this spectacle

Original: Was cried incomparable; and the ensuing night
Modern: Was declared beyond compare; and the following night’s event

Original: Made it a fool and beggar. The two kings,
Modern: Made it look foolish and poor by comparison. The two kings,

Original: Equal in lustre, were now best, now worst,
Modern: Equal in brilliance, were at one moment the best, then the worst,

Original: As presence did present them; him in eye,
Modern: Depending on how they appeared at the moment; whoever was in view,

Original: Still him in praise: and, being present both
Modern: Was the one being praised: and when both were present

Original: ‘Twas said they saw but one; and no discerner
Modern: People said they saw only one king; and no judge

Original: Durst wag his tongue in censure. When these suns—
Modern: Dared to speak a word of criticism. When these suns—

Original: For so they phrase ‘em—by their heralds challenged
Modern: For that’s what they called them—through their heralds invited

Original: The noble spirits to arms, they did perform
Modern: The noblemen to compete in combat, they performed

Original: Beyond thought’s compass; that former fabulous story,
Modern: Beyond what anyone could imagine; so that old legendary tales,

Original: Being now seen possible enough, got credit,
Modern: Now seeming believable enough, gained credibility,

Original: That Bevis was believed.
Modern: So that even the story of Bevis was believed.

In Act 1, Scene 1 of “Henry VIII,” the Duke of Norfolk and the Duke of Buckingham meet and discuss the recent lavish summit between King Henry VIII of England and King Francis I of France at the Field of the Cloth of Gold. Norfolk provides an enthusiastic account of the spectacular pageantry and ceremonies he witnessed, describing the magnificent displays of wealth and the harmonious meeting between the two monarchs. Buckingham, who was unable to attend due to illness, expresses regret at missing the event. Norfolk credits Cardinal Wolsey as the chief architect of this peace treaty, though Buckingham responds with barely concealed contempt for the Cardinal, suggesting that Wolsey’s ambitions and machinations pose a danger to the kingdom.

The conversation shifts to more immediate concerns when Lord Abergavenny joins them, and Buckingham intensifies his criticisms of Wolsey, accusing him of corrupting the King’s judgment and enriching himself at the expense of the nobility and the state. Buckingham reveals his intention to expose Wolsey’s treachery to the King. However, their meeting is interrupted when Brandon, a sergeant-at-arms, arrives with a guard to arrest Buckingham on charges of high treason by order of the King. Abergavenny is also taken into custody. Despite his shock and protestations, Buckingham submits to the arrest while declaring his innocence and suggesting that this action is the work of Wolsey’s vengeful scheming.

Henry VIII: Plot Summary

The play opens in the court of King Henry VIII of England, where the powerful Cardinal Wolsey has orchestrated the downfall of the Duke of Buckingham, who is arrested for treason based on the testimony of his own surveyor. Despite pleas for mercy, Buckingham is condemned and executed. Meanwhile, King Henry meets Anne Bullen (Anne Boleyn) at a masque hosted by Cardinal Wolsey and becomes captivated by her. Henry also begins to express doubts about the validity of his marriage to Queen Katherine of Aragon, claiming his conscience troubles him over the legality of the union, as Katherine was previously married to his brother Prince Arthur.

Cardinal Wolsey works to manage the political situation, but his influence begins to unravel when Henry discovers that Wolsey has been secretly corresponding with the Pope to delay the annulment of Henry’s marriage to Katherine, and that Wolsey has been accumulating enormous personal wealth. Henry strips Wolsey of his offices and powers. Wolsey, broken by his fall from grace, dies before he can be brought to formal ruin. Queen Katherine, meanwhile, is put on trial regarding the annulment of her marriage. She passionately defends herself before the court but is ultimately cast aside. She later receives a vision of blessed spirits before dying, having been given the reduced title of Princess Dowager.

With Katherine removed, Henry marries Anne Bullen, and she is crowned Queen in a grand coronation celebrated by the common people. Archbishop Cranmer, a Protestant reformer and ally of the King, comes under threat from a council of nobles who attempt to bring charges against him. Henry, however, intervenes to protect Cranmer. The play concludes with the christening of Henry and Anne’s newborn daughter, the future Queen Elizabeth I, where Cranmer delivers a joyful prophecy foretelling the greatness of Elizabeth’s reign and the prosperity that will follow under her successor, King James I.