Both of his truth and him, (which was too far),
Offers, as I do, in a fign of peace,

His fervice and his counsel.

Queen. To betray me.

My Lords, I thank you both for your good wills
Ye fpeak like honeft men; pray God ye prove fo!
But how to make you suddenly an answer

In fuch a point of weight, fo near mine honour,
(More near my life, I fear), with my weak wit,
And to fuch men of gravity and learning,
In truth I know not. I was fet at work
Among my maids; full little, God knows, looking
Either for fuch men, or fuch business.

For her fake that I have been, (for I feel
The laft fit of my greatnefs), 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 those Your hopes and friends are infinite.

Queen. In England,

[fears.

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 fo defp'rate to be honett),
And live a fubjec? They, forfooth, my friends
They that mult weigh out my afflictions,

They that my trust must grow to, live not here ;
They are, as all my comforts are, far hence,
In my own country, Lords.

Cam. I would your Grace

Would leave your griefs, and take my counsel.
Queen. 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 caufe:

For if the trial of the law o'ertake ye,

You'll part away difgracid.

Wol. He tells you rightly.

Queen. Ye tell me what ye wifh for both, my ruin,

Is this your Christian counfel? out upon ye!

Heav'n is above all yet; there fits a judge,

That no King can corrupt.

Cam. Your rage mistakes us.

Queen. The more thame for ye: holy men I thought Upon my foul, two Rev'rend Cardinal virtues ;

But Cardinal fins, and hollow hearts, I fear ye:

[ye,

Mend 'em for fhaine, my Lords. Is this your comfort? The cordial that ye bring a wretched lady?

A woman loft among ye, laugh d at, fcorn'd?

I will not with you half my miferies,

I have more charity. But fay, I warn'd ye;

Take heed, take heed, for Heaven's fake, left at once The burthen of my forrows fall upon ye.

Wol. Madam, this is a mere distraction;

You turn the good we offer into envy *.

Queen. Ye turn me into nothing. Wo upon ye, And all fuch false profeffors! Would you have me (If you have any justice, any pity,

"If ye be any thing but churchmens' habits),
Put my fick caufe into his hands that hates me?
Alas! h'as banifh'd me his bed already;

His love too, long ago. I'm old, my Lords;
And all the fellowship I hold now with him,
Is only by obedience. What can happen
To me, above this wretchedness? all your ftudies
Make me a curfe, like this!

Cam. Your fears are worfe

Queen. Have I liv'd thus long (let me fpeak myself, Since virtue finds no friends) a wife, a true one? A woman (I dare fay, without vain-glory)

Never yet branded with fufpicion ?

Have I, with all my full affections,

Still met the King? lov'd him next heav'n, obey'd him? Been, out of fondness, fuperftitious to him?

Almoft forgot my prayers to content him?

And am I thus rewarded? 'Tis not well, Lords.
Bring me a constant woman to her husband,
One that ne er dream'd a joy beyond his pleasure ;
And to that woman, when she has done moft,
Yet will I add an honour; a great patience.

Wol. Madam, you wander from the good we aim at. Queen. My Lord, I dare not make myfelf fo 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

Queen. 'Would I had never trod this English earth, Or felt the flatteries that grow upon it!

Ye've angels' faces, but heav'n knows your hearts.
What shall become of me now! wretched lady !
I am the most unhappy woman living.

Alas! poor wenches, where are now your fortunes?
[To her women.
Shipwreck'd upon a kingdom, where no pity,

No friends, no hope! no kindred weep for me!
Almost no grave allow'd me! like the lily,
That once was mistress of the field, and flourish'd,
I'll hang my head, and perish.

Wol. If your Grace

Could but be brought to know our ends are honeft,
You'd feel more comfort. Why fhould we, good Lady,
Upon what caufe, wrong you? Alas! our places,
The way of our profession is against it :

We are to cure fuch forrows, not to fow 'em.
For goodness' fake, confider what you do ;
How you may hurt yourself, nay, utterly

Grow from the King's acquaintance, by this carriage.
The hearts of princes kifs obedience,

So much they love it: but to stubborn spirits,
They fwell, and grow as terrible as ftorms.
I know you have a gentle, noble temper,
A foul as even as a calm; pray think us

Those we profess, peace-makers, friends, and fervants.
Cam. Madam, you'll find it fo: you wrong your

virtues

With thefe weak women's fears.

The King loves

A noble spirit,
As your's was put into you, ever casts
Such doubts, as false coin, from it.
Beware you lofe't not; for us (if you please
To trust us in your business) we are ready
To use our utmost studies in your service.

[you;

Queen. Do what you will, my Lords; and pray for

If I have us'd myfelf unmannerly.

You know I am a woman, lacking wit

To make a feemly anfwer to fuch perfons.

[give me,

Pray do my fervice to his Majesty.

He has my heart yet; and shall have my prayers,
While fhall have my life. Come, Rev'rend fathers,
Beltow your counteis on me. She now begs,.

That little thought, when the fet footing here,
She thould have bought her dignities fo dear. [Exeunt.

S CEN E II.

An antichamber to the King's apartment.

Enter Duke of Norfolk, Duke of Suffolk, Lord Surrey, and Lord Chamberlain.

Nor. If you will now unite in your complaints,
And force them with a conftancy, the Cardinal
Cannot stand under them. If you omit
The offer of this time, I cannot promise,
But that you fhall fuftain more new difgraces,
With those you bear already.

Sur. I am joyful

To meet the least occafion that may give me
Remembrance of my father-in-law, the Duke,
To be reveng'd on him.

Suf. Which of the peers

Have uncontemn'd gone by him, or at least
Stood not neglected? when did he regard
The stamp of nobleness in any person;
Out of't himfelt?

Cham. My Lords, you speak your pleasures.
What he deferves of you and me, I know:
What we can do to him, (though now the time
Give way to us), I much fear. If you cannot
Bar his access to the King, never attempt
Any thing on him; for he hath a witchcraft
Over the King in's tongue.

Nor. O, fear him not,

His fpell in that is out; the King hath found
Matter against him, that for ever mars
The honey of his language. No, he's fettled,
Not to come off, in his most high displeasure.
Sur. I thould be glad to hear fuch news as this
Once every hour.

Nor. Believe it, this is true.

In the divorce, his contrary proceedings.
Are all unfolded; wherein he appears,
As I would with mine enemy.

Sur. How came
His practices to light?
Suf. Moft ftrangely.

Sur. How?

Suf. The Cardinal's letters to the Pope mifcarried,
And came to th' eye o' th' King; wherein was read,
How that the Cardinal did intreat his Holiness
To ftay the judgement o' th' divorce; for if
It did take place, I do, quoth he, perceive
My King is tangled in affection to

A creature of the Queen's, Lady Anne Bullen.
Sur. Has the King this?

Suf. Believe it.

Sur. Will this work?

Cham. The King in this perceives him, how he coafts

And edges his own way.

But in this point

All his tricks founder; and he brings his phyfic

After his patient's death; the King already

Hath married the fair lady.

Sur. 'Would he had!

Suf. May you be happy in your wifh, my Lord; For I profefs you have it.

Sur. Now all joy

Trace the conjunction ?

Suf. My Amen to't!
Nor. All mens'!

Suf. There's order given for her coronation:
Marry, this is yet but young, and may be left
'To fome ears unrecounted. But, my Lords,
She is a gallant creature, and compleat

In mind and feature. I perfuade me, from her
Will fall fome bleffing to this land, which shall
In it be memoriz'd

Sur. But will the King

Digeft this letter of the Cardinal's ?

The Lord forbid !

Nor. Marry, Amen!

Suf. No, no: