to say 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. Under your hands and seals: therefore, go on; 171 Of the good queen, but the sharp thorny points To wear our mortal state to come with her, 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. K. Hen. I may perceive, [Aside. These cardinals trifle with me: I abhor This dilatory sloth, and tricks of Rome. My learn'd and well-beloved servant, Cranmer! Pr'ythee, return: with thy approach, I know, My comfort comes along.-Break up the court: say, set on. [Exeunt, in manner as they entered. I 29 SCENE I.-The Palace at Bridewell. A Room in the Queen's Apartment. The QUEEN, and her Women, as at work. Q. Kath. Take thy lute, wench: my soul grows sad with troubles; Sing, and disperse them, if thou canst. Leave working. SONG. 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 made 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, Enter a Gentleman. To come near.-[Exit Gentleman.]-What can be their business With me, a poor weak woman, fallen from favour? Enter WOLSEY, and CAMPEIUS. Peace to your highness. Wol. Q. Kath. Your graces find me here part of a housewife; I would be all, against the worst may happen. Into your private chamber, we shall give you Q. Kath. Above a number,) if my actions Q. Kath. O, good my lord, no Latin: I am not such a truant since my coming, Pray, speak in English. Here are some will thank Wol. Noble lady, I am sorry, my integrity should breed, To taint that honour every good tongue blesses, Cam. Most honour'd madam, My lord of York,-out of his noble nature, His service and his counsel. Q. Kath. To betray me. [Aside. My lords, I thank you both for your good wills, Ye speak like honest men, (pray God, ye prove so!) But how to make ye suddenly an answer, In such a point of weight, so near mine honour, (More near my life. I fear,) with my weak wit, And to such men of gravity and learning, In truth, I know not. I was set at work Among my maids; full little, God knows, looking Either for such men, or such business. For her sake that I have been, for I feel The last fit of my greatness, good your graces, Let me have time and counsel for my cause. Alas! I am a woman, friendless, hopeless. 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. Cam. I would, your grace Would leave your griefs, and take my counsel. Q. Kath. How, sir? 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? 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? Wol. Upon what cause, wrong you? alas! our places, We are to cure such sorrows, not to sow them. 32 With these weak women's fears: a noble spirit, As yours was put into you, ever casts Such doubts, as false coin, from it. The king loves you; Beware, you lose it not for us, if you please Q. Kath. Do what ye will, my lords: and, pray, forgive me, If I have us'd myself unmannerly. You know I am a woman, lacking wit He has my heart yet, and shall have my prayers, [Exeunt. SCENE. II.-Ante-Chamber to the King's Apart- In mind and feature: I persuade me, from her Suf. Which of the peers Have uncontemn'd gone by him, or at least Cham. My lords, you speak your pleasures. Nor. Will fall some blessing to this land, which shall In it be memoriz'd. Believe it, this is true. The cardinal In the divorce his contrary proceedings Are all unfolded; wherein he appears, As I could wish mine enemy. How came Most strangely. O! how? how? Suf. The cardinal's letter to the pope miscarried, And came to the eye o' the king; wherein was Nor. He has; and we shall see him So I hear. 'Tis so. Enter WOLSEY, and CROMWELL. Observe, observe; he's moody. Wol. The packet, Cromwell, gave it you the king! Presently |