Deserves a corner: 'Would, all other women 8 Were tried by every tongue, every eye saw them, open dealing. Wol. Tanta est ergò te mentis integritas, regina serenissima, Q. Kath. O, good my lord, no Latin; Fray, speak in English: here are some will thank you, Wol. Noble lady, I am sorry, my integrity should breed, You have too much, good lady: but to know Envy and base opinion set against them,] I would be glad that my conduct were in some publick trial confronted with mine enemies, that envy and corrupt judgment might try their utmost power against me. JOHNSON. Cam. Most honour'd madam, My lord of York,-out of his noble nature, His service and his counsel. Q. Kath. In such a point of weight, so near mine honour, For her sake that I have been," (for I feel Wol. Madam, you wrong the king's love with these fears; Your hopes and friends are infinite. Q. Kath. In England, But little for my profit: Can you think, lords, That any Englishman dare give me counsel? Or be a known friend, 'gainst his highness' pleasure, (Though he be grown so desperate to be honest,) And live a subject? Nay, forsooth, my friends, They that must weigh out my afflictions, They that my trust must grow to, live not here; They are, as all my other comforts, far hence, In mine own country, lords. For her sake that I have been, &c.] For the sake of that royalty which I have heretofore possessed. .. Cam. I would, your grace Would leave your griefs, and take my counsel. How, sir? Cam. Put your main cause into the king's pro tection; He's loving, and most gracious; 'twill be much You'll part away disgrac'd. Wol. He tells you rightly. Q. Kath. Ye tell me what ye wish for both, my ruin: Is this your christian counsel? out upon ye! Cam. Your rage mistakes us. Q. Kath. The more shame for ye; holy men I thought ye, Upon my soul, two reverend cardinal virtues; comfort? Is this your The cordial that ye bring a wretched lady? I have more charity: But say, I warn'd ye; Wol. Madam, this is a mere distraction; You turn the good we offer into envy. Q. Kath. Ye turn me into nothing: Woe upon ye, And all such false professors! Would ye have me (If you have any justice, any pity; ye be If any thing but churchmen's habits,) And all the fellowship I hold now with him Cam. your studies Your fears are worse. Q. Kath. Have I liv'd thus long-(let me speak myself, Since virtue finds no friends,)—a wife, a true one? Have I with all my full affections Still met the king? lov'd him next heaven? obey'd him? Been, out of fondness, superstitious to him?1 Wol. Madam, you wander from the good we aim at. Q. Kath. My lord, I dare not make myself so guilty, To give up willingly that noble title Your master wed me to: nothing but death Shall e'er divorce my dignities. Wol. 'Pray, hear me. Q. Kath. 'Would I had never trod this English earth, Or felt the flatteries that grow upon it! Ye have angels' faces, but heaven knows your hearts. What will become of me now, wretched lady? I am the most unhappy woman living. 1 superstitious to him?] That is, served him with super stitious attention; done more than was required. Alas! poor wenches, where are now your fortunes? Wol. We are to cure such sorrows, not to sow them. Grow from the king's acquaintance, by this carriage. So much they love it; but, to stubborn spirits, Those we profess, peace-makers, friends, and ser vants. Cam. Madam, you'll find it so. virtues You wrong your With these weak women's fears. A noble spirit, Such doubts, as false coin, from it. The king loves you; Beware, you lose it not: For us, if you please To trust us in your business, we are ready To use our utmost studies in your service. Q. Kath. Do what ye will, my lords: And, pray, forgive me, If I have us'd myself" unmannerly; 2 If I have us'd myself-] i. e. behaved myself. |