ACT II. The Duke of Buckingham's Prayer for the King. May he live Longer than I have time to tell his years! Ever belov'd, and loving, may his rule be, And, when old time shall lead him to his end, A loss of her, A Good Wife. That, like a jewel, has hung twenty years The Blessings of a Low Station. 'Tis better to be lowly born, And range with humble livers in content, Than to be perk'd up in glistering grief, And wear a golden sorrow. Queen Katharine's Speech to the King, her Husband. Alas, sir, In what have I offended you? what cause 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, When was the hour As I saw it inclined. Or made it not mine too? I ever contradicted your desire, Or which of your Have I not strove to love, although I knew friends He was from thence discharg'd? Sir, call to mind That I have been your wife, in this obedience, Upward of twenty years. Queen Katharine's Speech to Cardinal Wolsey. You are meek and humble-mouth'd; You sign your place and calling, in full seeming,* With meekness and humility: but your heart Is cramm'd with arrogancy, spleen, and pride. You have, by fortune and his highness' favours, Gone slightly o'er low steps; and now are mounted 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, You tender more your person's honour than Your high profession spiritual. King Henry's Character of Queen Katharine. That man i' the world who shall report he has Thy meekness saint-like, wife-like government,— Sovereign and pious else, could speak thee out), † * Appearance. † Speak out thy merits. ACT III. Queen Katharine on her own Merit. Have I liv'd thus long,―(let me speak myself, 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?* Almost forgot my prayers to content him? Obedience to Princes. The hearts of princes kiss obedience, Outward Effects of a Disturbed Mind. Some strange commotion Is in his brain; he bites his lip, and starts; His eye against the moon in most strange postures *Served him with superstitious attention. + Steps. Firm Allegiance. Though perils did Abound as thick as thought could make them, and External Effects of Anger. What sudden anger's this? how have I reap'd it? He parted frowning from me, as if ruin Leap'd from his eyes: so looks the chafed lion Falling Greatness. Nay, then, farewell! I have touch'd the highest point of all my greatness! I haste now to my setting: I shall fall The Vicissitudes of Life. him; So farewell to the little good you bear me. upon Like little wanton boys that swim on bladders, But far beyond my depth; my high-blown pride Cardinal Wolsey's Speech to Cromwell. Cromwell, I did not think to shed a tear In all my miseries; but thou hast forc'd me Out of thy honest truth to play the woman. Let's dry our eyes; and thus far hear me, Cromwell; And,—when I am forgotten, as I shall be, And sleep in dull cold marble, where no mention Of me more must be heard of,—say I taught thee ; Say, Wolsey, that once trod the ways of glory, And sounded all the depths and shoals of honour,— Found thee a way, out of his wreck, to rise in ; A sure and safe one, though thy master miss'd it. Mark but my fall, and that that ruin'd me. Cromwell, I charge thee, fling away ambition; By that sin fell the angels; how can man then, The image of his Maker, hope to win by't? Love thyself last: cherish those hearts that hate thee. Corruption wins not more than honesty. Still in thy right hand carry gentle peace, |