Cham. Heaven keep me from such counsel! 'tis most true,
These news are every where; every tongue speaks them,
And every true heart weeps for't: All, that dare
Look into these affairs, see this main end,—
The French king's sister. Heaven will one
day open
The king's eyes, that so long have slept upon
This bold bad man.
Suf. And free us from his slavery.
Nor. We had need pray,
And heartily, for our deliverance;
Or this imperious man will work us all
From princes into pages: all men's honours
Lie in one lump before him, to be fashion'd
Into what pitch he please.
Suf. For me, my lords,
I love him not, nor fear him; there's my creed:
As I am made without him, so I'll stand,
If the king please; his curses and his bless-
ings
[in. Touch me alike, they are breath I not believe I knew him, and I know him; so I leave him To him, that made him proud, the pope.
And, with some other business, put the king
From these sad thoughts, that work too much
upon him:-
My lord, you'll bear us company?
Cham. Excuse me;
The king hath sent me other-where: besides,
You'll find a most unfit time to disturb him:
Health to your lordships.
Nor. Thanks, my good lord chamberlain.
[Exit Lord CHAMBERLAIN.
NORFOLK opens a folding-door. The KING is
discovered sitting, and reading pensively.
Suf. How sad he looks! sure, he is much afflicted.
K. Hen. Who is there? ha?
Nor. 'Pray God, he be not angry.
Nor. This priest has no pride in him?`
Suf. Not to speak of;
I would not be so sick though,† for
his place:
But this cannot continue.
Nor. If it do,
I'll venture one heave at him.
Suf. I another.
[Exeunt NORFOLK and SUFFOLK. Wol. Your grace has given a precedent of wisdom
Above all princes, in committing freely
Your scruple to the voice of Christendom:
Who can be angry now? what envy reach you?
The Spaniard, tied by blood and favour to her,
Must now confess, if they have any goodness,
The trial just and noble. All the clerks,
I mean, the learned ones, in Christian king-
doms,
[judgement,
Have their free voices; Rome, the nurse of
Invited by your noble self, hath sent
One general tongue unto us, this good man
This just and learned priest, cardinal Cam-
peius;
[ness.
Whom, once more, I present unto your high-
K. Hen. And, once more, in mine arms I bid
him welcome,
And thank the holy conclave for their loves;
They have sent me such a man I would have
wish'd for.
Cam. Your grace must needs deserve all
stranger's loves,
You are so noble: To your highness' hand
I tender my commission; by whose virtue,
(The court of Rome commanding,)—you, my
[vant, Cardinal of York, are join'd with me their serIn the unpartial judging of this business.
K. Hen. Two equal men. The queen shall be acquainted
Forthwith, for what you come :-Where's Gar-
diner?
Wol. I know, your majesty has always lov'd
[her
So dear in heart, not to deny her that
A woman of less place might ask by law,
K. Hen. Who's there, I say? How dare you Scholars, allow'd freely to argue for her.
thrust yourselves
Into my private meditations?
Who am I? ha?
Nor. A gracious king, that pardons all offen
Of private conference.
K. Hen, We are busy; go.
K. Hen. Ay, and the best, she shall have; and my favour
[nal, To him that does best; God forbid else. Cardi. Pr'ythee, call Gardiner to me, my new secreI find him a it fellow. tary;
Cam. They will not stick to say, you envied him;
[To NORFOLK and SUFFOLK. And, fearing he would rise, he was so virtuous,
* So sick as he is proud.
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Enter ANNE BULLEN, and an old LADY.
Anne. Not for that neither;-Here's the pang
[she
His highness having liv'd so long with her : and
So good a lady, that no tongue could ever
Pronounce dishonour of her,-by my life,
She never knew harm-doing:-O now, after
So many courses of the sun enthron'd,'
Still growing in a majesty and pomp,-the
which
To leave is a thousand-fold more bitter, than
'Tis sweet at first to acquire,-after this pro-
To give her the avaunt! it is a pity [cess,
Would move a monster.
Old L. Hearts of most hard temper
Melt and lament for her.
Anne. O, God's will! much better, [poral,
She ne'er had known pomp: though it be tem-
Yet, if that quarrelt, fortune, do divorce
It from the bearer, 'tis a sufferance, panging
As soul and body's severing.
Old L. Alas, poor lady!
She's a stranger now again.§
Anne. So much the more
Must pity drop upon her. Verily,
I swear, 'tis better to be lowly born,
And range with humble livers in content,
Than to be perk'd up in a glistering grief,
And wear a golden sorrow.
Old L. Our content
Is our best having. ||
Anne. By my troth, and maidenhead,
I would not be a queen.
Old L. Beshrew me, I would,
And venture maidenhead for't;' and so would
For all this spice of your hypocrisy :
You, that have so fair parts of woman on you,
Have too a woman's heart; which ever yet
Affected eminence, wealth, sovereignty; [gifts
Which, to say sooth,¶ are blessings: and which
(Saving your mincing) the capacity [ceive,
Of your soft cheveril ** conscience would re-
If you might please to stretch it.
Anne. Nay, good troth,
Anne. No, not for all the riches under heaven.
Old L. "Tis strange; a three-pence bow'd"
would hire me,
Old as I am, to queen it: But, I pray you,
What think you of a duchess? have you limbs
To bear that load of title?
Old L. Then you are weakly made: Pluck
off a little;
I would not be a young count in your way,
For more than blushing comes to: if your back
Cannot vouchsafe this burden, 'tis too weak
Ever to get a boy.
Anne. How you do talk!
I swear again, I would not be a queen
For all the world.
Old L. In faith, for little England
You'd venture an einballing: I myself
Would for Carnarvonshire, although there
'long'd
[here!
No more to the crown but that. Lo, who comes
Enter the Lord CHAMBERLAIN.
Cham. Good morrow, ladies.
The secret of your conference?
Not your demand; it values not your asking:
Anne. My good lord,
Our mistress' sorrows we were pitying.
Cham. It was a gentle business, and becom
The action of good women: there is hope,
All will be well.
Anne. Now I pray God, amen!
Cham. You bear a gentle mind, and hear.
(lady,
enly blessings
Follow such creatures. That you may, fair
Perceive I speak sincerely, and high note's
Ta'en of your many virtues, the king's majesty
Commends his good opinion to you, and
Does purpose honour to you no less flowing
A thousand pound a year, annual support,
Than marchioness of Pembroke; to which title
Out of his grace he adds.
What kind of my obedience I should tender;
More than my all is nothing: nor my prayers
Are not words duly hallow'd, nor my wishes
More worth than empty vanities; yet prayers,
Are all I can return. 'Beseech your lordship,
Vouchsafe to speak my thanks, and my obe-
dience,
As from a blushing handmaid, to his highness
Whose health, and royalty, I pray for.
Cham. Lady,
I shall not fail to approve the fair conceit,t
The king have of you.--I have perus'd her
well;
[Aside.
Beauty and honour in her are so mingled,
That they have caught the king: and who
knows yet,
But from this lady may proceed a gem,
To lighten all this isle?--I'll to the king,
And say, I spoke with you.
Anne. My honour'd lord.
[Exit Lord CHAMBERLAIN Old L. Why, this it is; see, see!
I have been begging sixteen years in court,
Old L. Yes, troth, and troth,-You would (Am yet a courtier beggarly,) nor could
Come pat betwixt too early and too late,
For any suit of pounds: and you, (O fate!)
A very fresh-fish here, (fie, fie upon
This compell'd fortune!) have your mouth fill'd up,
Before you open it.
Anne. This is strange to me.
Old L. How tastes it? is it bitter? forty
pence, no.
There was a lady once, ('tis an old story,)
That would not be a queen, that would she
not,
[it?
For all the mud in Egypt:-Have you heard
Anne. Come, you are pleasant.
Old L. With your theme, I could
O'ermount the lark. The marchioness of
Pembroke!
A thousand pounds a year! for pure respect;
No other obligation: By my life,
That promises more thousands: Honour's train
Is longer than his foreskirt. By this time,
I know, your back will bear a duchess;-Say,
Are you not stronger than you were?
Anne. Good lady,
[fancy,
Make yourself mirth with your particular
And leave me out on't. 'Would I had no
If this salute my blood a jot; it faints me, To think what follows.
The queen is comfortless, and we forgetful In our long absence: Pray, do not deliver What here you have heard, to her.
Old L. What do you think me?
SCENE IV.-A Hall in Black-friars. Trumpets, sennet, and cornets. Enter two VERGERS, with short silver wands; next them, two SCRIBES, in the habits of doctors; after them, the Archbishop of CANTERBURY alone; after him, the Bishops of LINCOLN, ELY, ROCHESTER, and SAINT ASAPH; next them, with some small distance, follows a Gentleman bearing the purse, with the great seal, und a cardinal's hat; then two Priests, bearing each a silver cross; then a Gentleman-Usher hareheaded, accompanied with a Sergeant at Arms, bearing a silver mace; then two Gentlemen, bearing two great silver pillars; after them, side by side, the two Cardinals WOLSEY and CAMPEIUS; two Noblemen with the sword and muce. Then enter the KING and QUEEN, and their Trains. The King takes place under the cloth of state; the two Cardinals sit under him as judges. The Queen takes place at some distance from the King. The Bishops place themselves on each side the court, in manner of a consistory; between them, the Scribes. The Lords sit next the Bishops. The Crier and the rest of the Attendants stand in convenient order about the stuge.
Wol. Whilst our commission from Rome is [read
Let silence be commanded.
K. Hen. What's the need?
It hath already publicly beer read,
And on all sides the authority allow'd;
You may then spare that time.
Q. Kath. Sir, I desire you, do me right and justice;
And to bestow your pity on me: for
I am a most poor woman, and a stranger,
Born out of your dominions; having here
No judge indifferent, nor no more assurance
Of equal friendship and proceeding. Alas,
Sir,
In what have I offended you? what tause
Hath my behaviour given to your displeasure,
That thus you should proceed to put me off,
And take your good grace from me? Heaven
witness,
I have been to you a true and humble wife,
At all times to your will conformable:
Ever in fear to kindle your dislike,
Yea, subject to your countenance; glad, or
sorry,
As I saw it inclin'd. When was the hour,
I ever contradicted your desire,
Or made it not mine too? Or which of your friends
Have I not strove to love, although I knew
He were mine enemy? what friend of mine
That had to him deriv'd your anger, did I
Continue in my liking? nay, gave notice
He was from thence discharg'd? Sir, call to
mind
That I have been your wife in this obedience,
Upward of twenty years, and have been bless'd
With many children by you: If, in the course
And process of this time, you can report,
And prove it too, against mine honour aught,
My bond to wedlock, or my love and duty,
Against your sacred person, in God's name,
Turn me away; and let the foul'st contempt
Shut door upon me, and so give me up [Sir,
To the sharpest kind of justice. Please you,
The king, your father, was reputed for
A prince most prudent, of an excellent
And unmatch'd wit and judgement: Fer-
dinand,
My father, king of Spain, was reckon'd one
The wisest prince, that there had reign'd by
many
A year before: It is not to be question'd
That they had gather'd a wise council to them
Of every realm, that did debate this business,
Who deem'd our marriage lawful: Wherefore
I humbly
Beseech you, Sir, to spare me, till I may
Be by my friends in Spain advis'd; whose
I will implore: if not; i'the name of God,
Your pleasure be fulfill'd!
Wol. You have here, lady, [inen (And of your choice,) these reverend fathers; Yea, the elect of the land, who are assembled Of singular integrity and learning, To plead your cause: It shall be therefore bootless,*
That longer you desire the court; as well
For your own quiet, as to rectify
What is unsettled in the king.
Scribe. Say, Henry king of England, come Hath spoken well and justly: Therefore, ma
It's fit this royal session do proceed;
And that, without delay, their arguments
Be now produc'd, and heard.
Q. Kath. Lord cardinal,
To you I speak.
Wol. Your pleasure, madam!
Q. Kath. Sir,
I am about to weep; but, thinking that
We are a queen, (or long have dream'd so,}
certain,
The daughter of a king, my drops of tears
'll turn to sparks of fire.
Wol. Be patient yet.
They vex me past my patience!-pray you,
I will not tarry: no, nor ever more,
Q. Kath. I will, when you are humble; nay, Upon this business, my appearance make
I have no spleen against you; nor injustice
For you, or any: how far I have proceeded,
Or how far further shall, is warranted
By a commission from the consistory,
Yea, the whole consistory of Rome. You
charge me,
That I have blown this coal: I do deny it:
The king is present: if it be known to him,
That I gainsay* my deed, how may he wound,
And worthily, my falsehood? yea, as much
As you have done my truth. But if he know
That I am free of your report, he knows,
I am not of your wrong. Therefore in him
It lies, to cure me: and the cure is, to
Remove these thoughts from you: The which
before
In any of their courts.
[Exeunt QUEEN, Griffith, and her other Attendants.
K. Hen. Go thy ways, Kate:
That man i'the world, who shall report he has
A better wife, let him in nought be trusted,
For speaking false in that: Thou art, alone,
(If thy rare qualities, sweet gentleness,
Thy meekness saint-like, wife-like govera-
ment,-
Obeying in commanding,-and thy parts
Sovereign and pious else, could speak thee
out,"
-[born;
The queen of earthly queens:-She is noble-
And, like her true nobility, she has
Carried herself towards me.
Wol. Most gracious Sir,
In humblest manner I require your highness,
That it shall please you to declare, in hearing
Of all these ears, (for where I am robb'd and
bound,
There must I be unloos'd; although not there
At once and fully satisfied,) whether ever I
Did broach this business to your highness; or
Laid any scruple in your way, which might
Induce you to the question on't? or ever
Have to you, but with thanks to God for such
A royal lady,-spake one the least word,
might
Be to the prejudice of her present state,
Or touch of her good person?
K. Hen. My lord cardinal,
I do excuse you; yea, upon mine honour,
I free you from't. You are not to be taught
That you have many enemies, that know not
Why they are so, but, like to village curs,
His highness shall speak in, I do beseech
You, gracious madam, to unthink your speak-Bark when their fellows do: by some of these
And to say so no more.
Q. Kath. My lord, my lord,
I am a simple woman, much too weak
To oppose your cunning. You are meek, and
humble-mouth'd;
[ing,
You sign your place and calling, in full seem-
With meekness and humility: but your heart
Is cramm'd with arrogancy, spleen, and pride.
You have, by fortune, and his highness' fa-
[mounted
Gone slightly o'er low steps; and now are
Where powers are your retainers: and your
words,
Domestics to you, serve your will, as't please
Yourself pronounce their office. I must tell
You tender more your person's honour, than
Your high profession spiritual: That again
I do refuse you for my judge; and here,
Before you all, appeal unto the pope,
To bring my whole cause 'fore his holiness,
And to be judg'd by him.
[She curt'sies to the KING, and offers to depart.
Cam. The queen is obstinate,
Stubborn to justice, apt to accuse it, and
Disdainful to be try'd by it; 'tis not well.
The queen is put in anger. You are excus'd:
But will you be more justified? you ever
Have wish'd the sleeping of this business;
[oft Desir'd it to be stirr'd; but oft have hinder'd; The passagest made toward it:-on my ho I speak my good lord cardinal to this point, Aud thus far clear him. Now, what mov'd me to't,
Who had been hither sent on the debating
A marriage, 'twixt the duke of Orleans and
Our daughter Mary: I'the progress of this
7 business,
Ere a determinate resolution, he
| (I mean, the bishop) did require a respite; Wherein he might the king his lord advertise Whether our daughter were legitimate, Respecting this our marriage with the dowager, Sometimes our brother's wife. This respite shook
Crier. Katharine queen of England, come The bosom of my conscience, enter'd me,
Grif. Madam, you are call'd back.
Q. Kath. What need you note it? pray you, keep your way: [help, When you are call'd, return.-Now the Lord † Appearance.
Yea, with a splitting power, and made to tremble
[way, The region of my breast; which forc'd such That many maz'd considerings did throng,
*Speak out thy merits. +Immediately satisfied. Closed or fastened.
And press'd in with this caution. First, me- | Sing, ad disperse them, if thou canst: leave
I stood not in the smile of heaven; who had
Commanded nature, that my lady's womb,
If not conceiv'd a male child by me, should
Do no more offices of life to't, than
The grave does to the dead: for her male issue
Or died where they were made, or shortly after
This world had air'd them: Hence I took a
[dom,
This was a judgement on me; that my king-
Well worthy the best heir o'the world, should
Be gladded in't by me: then follows, that [not
I weigh'd the danger which my realms stood in
By this my issue's fail; and that gave to me
"Many a groaning throe. Thus hulling* in
The wild sea of my conscience, I did steer
Toward this remedy, whereupon we are
Now present here together; that's to say,
I meant to rectify my conscience,-which
I then did feel full sick, and yet not well,—
By all the reverend fathers of the land,
And doctors learn'd,-First, I began in private
With you, my lord of Lincoln; you remember
How under my oppression I did reek,†
When I first mov'd you.
Lin. Very well, my liege.
Orpheus with his lute made trees,
And the mountain-tops, that freeze,
Bow themselves, when he did sing;
To his music, plants, and flowers,
Ever sprung; as sun, and showers,
There had been a lasting spring.
Every thing that heard him play,
Even the billows of the sea,
Hung their heads, and then lay by.
In sweet music is such art;
Killing care and grief of heart,
Fall asleep, or, hearing, die.
Enter a GENTLEMAN.
Q. Kath. How now?
Gent. An't please your grace, the two great
cardinals
Wait in the presence.*
Q. Kath. Would they speak with me?
Gent. They will'd me say so, madam.
Q. Kath. Pray their graces
To come near. [Exit GENT.] What can be
their business
K. Hen. I have spoke long; be pleas'd your-With me, a poor weak woman, fallen from fa
How far you satisfied me.
Lin. So please your highness,
The question did at first so stagger me,-
Bearing a state of mighty moment in't,
And consequence of dread, that I committed
The daring'st counsel which I had, to doubt;
And did entreat your highness to this course,
Which you are running here.
K. Hen. I then mov'd you,
My lord of Canterbury; and got your leave
To make this present summons:-Unsolicited
I left no reverend person in this court;
But by particular consent proceeded,
Under your hands and seals. Therefore, go
For no dislike i'the world against the person
Of the good queen, but the sharp thorny points
Of my alleged reasons, drive this forward:
Prove but our marriage lawful, by my life,
And kingly dignity, we are contented
To wear our mortal state to come, with her,
Katharine our queen, before the primest crea-
That's paragon'd o'the world.
Cam. So please your highness,
The queen being absent, 'tis a needful fitness
That we adjourn this court till further day:
Meanwhile must be an earnest motion
Made to the queen, to call back her appeal
She intends unto his holiness.
SCENE 1.-Palace at Bridewell.
A Room in the Queen's Apartment.
The QUEEN, and some of her Women, at work.
Q. Kath. Take thy lute, wench: my soul
grows sad with troubles;
I do not like their coming, now I think on't. They should be good men; their affairst as righteous:
But all hoods make not monks.
Enter WOLSEY and CAMPEIUS.
Wol. Peace to your highness!
Q. Kath. Your graces find me here part of
a housewife;
I would be all, against the worst may happen.
What are your pleasures with me, reverend
lords?
Wol. May it please you, noble madam, to
Into your private chamber, we shall give you
withdraw
The full cause of our coming.
Q. Kath. Speak it here;
[science,
There's nothing I have done yet, o' my con
Deserves a corner: 'Would, all other women
Could speak this with as free a soul as I do!
Above a number,) if my actions
My lords, I care not, (so much I am happy
[them,
Were tried by every tongue, every eye saw
Envy and base opinion set against them,
I know my life so even: If your business
Seek me out, and that way I am wife in,
Out with it boldly; Truth loves open dealing.
Wol. Tanta est ergà te mentis integritas, regina
serenissima,-
Q. Kath. O, good my lord, no Latin;
I am not such a truant since my coming,
As not to know the language I have liv'd in:
A strange tongue makes my cause more
Pray, speak in English: here are some will
strange, suspicious;
thank you,
[sake;
Believe me, she has had much wrong: Lord
If you speak truth, for their poor mistress'
cardinal,
The willing'st sin I ever yet committed,
May be absolv'd in English.
I am sorry, my integrity should breed, (And service to his majesty and you,) So deep suspicion, where all faith was meant. We come not by the way of accusation, To taint that honour every good tongue blesses; *Floating without guidance. + Waste, or wear away. Nor to betray you any way to sorrow;
An apostrophe to the absent bishop.
|