Continual meditations, tears, and sorrows, Kath. So may he rest; his faults lie gently on him! Yet thus far, Griffith, give me leave to speak him, And yet with charity,--He was a man Of an unbounded stomach, ever ranking His promises were, as he then was, mighty; The clergy ill example. Grif. Noble madam, Men's evil manners live in brass; their virtues Kath. I were malicious else. Grif Yes, good Griffith; This cardinal, Though from an humble stock, undoubtedly For then, and not till then, he felt himself, Than man could give him, he died, fearing God. Now in his ashes honour: Peace be with him!- [Sad and solemn Music. Grif. She is asleep: Good wench, let's sit down quiet, For fear we wake her;-Softly, gentle Patience. The Vision. Enter, solemnly tripping one after another, six Personages, clad in white Robes, wearing on their Heads Garlands of Bays, and golden Vizards on their Faces; branches of Bays, or Palm, in their Hands. They first Congee unto her, then Dance; and, at certain changes, the first two hold a spare Garland over her Head; at which, the other four make reverent court'sies; then the two that held the Garland, deliver the same to the other next two, who observe the same order in their changes, and holding the Garland over her Head: which done, they deliver the same Garland to the last two, who likewise observe the same order: at which (as it were by inspiration), she makes in her Sleep signs of rejoicing, and holdeth up her Hands to Heaven: and so in their Dancing they vanish, carrying the Garland with them. The Music continues. Kath. Spirits of peace, where are ye? Are ye all gone? And leave me here in wretchedness behind ye? Grif. Madam, we are here. Kath. It is not you I call for: Saw ye none enter, since I slept? Grif None, madam. Kath. No! Saw you not, even now, a blessed troop Invite me to a banquet; whose bright faces Cast thousand beams upon me, like the sun? And brought me garlands, Griffith, which I feel Assuredly. Grif. I am most joyful, madam, such good dreams Possess your fancy. Kath. Bid the music leave, [Music ceases. They are harsh and heavy to me. Pat. Pat. Heaven comfort her! Enter a Messenger. You are a saucy fellow : Mess. An't like your grace,— Kath. Deserve we no more reverence? Mess. I humbly do entreat your highness' pardon; Kath. Admit him entrance, Griffith: But this fellow Let me ne'er see again. [Exeunt Grif. and Mess. Re-enter GRIFFITH, with CAPUCIUS. If my sight fail not, Kath. O my lord, The times, and titles, now are alter'd strangely Cap. Noble lady, Who grieves much for your weakness, and by me And heartily entreats you take good comfort. Kath. O my good lord, that comfort comes too late; "Tis like a pardon after execution: That gentle physic, given in time, had cur'd me; Cap. Madam, in good health. Pat. No, madam. [Giving it to Katharine. Kath. Sir, I most humbly pray you to deliver This to my lord the king. Cap. Most willing, madam. Kath. In which I have commended to his goodness The model of our chaste loves, his young daughter :The dews of heaven fall thick in blessings on her!Beseeching him, to give her virtuous breeding; (She is young, and of a noble modest nature; I hope, she will deserve well;) and a little To love her for her mother's sake, that lov'd him, Heaven knows how dearly. My next poor petition Is, that his noble grace would have some pity Upon my wretched women, that so long, Have follow'd both my fortunes faithfully: Of which there is not one, I dare avow (And now I should not lie), but will deserve, For virtue, and true beauty of the soul, For honesty, and decent carriage, A right good husband, let him be a noble; And, sure, those men are happy that shall have them. These are the whole contents:-And, good my lord, As you wish Christian peace to souls departed, Cap. In all humility unto his highness: Say, his long trouble now is passing Remember me Out of this world: tell him, in death I bless'd him, [Exeunt, leading Katharine. |