By the Bishop of Bayonne, then French ambas sador; Whether our daughter were legitimate, Respecting this our marriage with the dowager, For no dislike o' the world against the person 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. King. [Aside.] I may perceive These cardinals trifle with me: I abhor This dilatory sloth and tricks of Rome. My learn'd and well-beloved servant, Cranmer, My comfort comes along. Break up the court: Flourish. Exeunt. ACT III. SCENE 1.-The Palace at Bridewell-The QUEEN'S Apartments. The QUEEN and her Women as at work. Queen Katharine. AKE thy lute, wench: my soul grows sad with troubles; Sing and disperse 'em, if thou canst : leave working. SONG. Orpheus with his lute made trees, Everything that heard him play, 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 GRIFFIth. Q. Kath. How now! Grif. An't please your grace, the two great cardinals Wait in the presence. Q. Kath. Would they speak with me? Pray their graces Grif. They will'd me say so, madam. Q. Kath. To come near. [Exit GRIFFITH.] What can be their business With me, a poor weak woman, fall'n from favour. Wol. Enter WOLSEY and CAMPEIUS. Peace to your highness! 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. Speak it here: There's nothing I have done yet, o' my conscience, Deserves a corner: truth loves open dealing. Wol. Tanta est erga 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: Pray, speak in English: here are some will thank you, If you speak truth, for their poor mistress' sake ;— Believe me, she has much wrong: lord Cardinal, The willing'st sin I ever yet committed May be absolv'd in English. Wol. Noble lady, I am sorry my integrity should breed— So deep suspicion, where all faith was meant. 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. [Aside.] To betray me. 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. 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. In England Q. Kath. That any Englishman dare give me counsel ? Or be a known friend, 'gainst his highness' pleasure,- They that my trust must grow to, live not here: Cam. I would your grace Would leave your griefs and take my counsel. Q. Kath. How, sir? Cam. Put your main cause into the king's protection; He's loving and most gracious: 'twill be much Both for your honour better and your cause; 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! That no king can corrupt. Cam. Your rage mistakes us. Q. Kath. The more shame for ye: holy men I thought ye, Upon my soul, two reverend cardinal virtues; Mend 'em, for shame, my lords. comfort? Is this your The cordial that ye bring a wretched lady, I have more charity: but say, I warn'd ye: Take heed, for heaven's sake, take heed, lest at once The burthen of my sorrows fall upon 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! 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. |