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. Q. Kath. 'Would I had never trod this English
earth, Or felt the flatteries that grow upon it! Ye have angels' faces, but heaven knows your What will become of me now, wretched lady? I am the most unhappy woman living.Alas! poor wenches, where are now your fortunes?
Shipwreck'd upon a kingdom, where no pity, No friends, no hope; no kindred weep 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 bút be brought to know, our ends are honest, You'd feel more comfort: why should we, good lady, Upon what cause, wrong you? alas! our places, The way of our profession is against it; We are to cure such sorrows, not to sow them. For goodness' sake, consider what you do; How you may hurt yourself, ay, utterly Grow from the king's acquaintance, by this carriage The hearts of princes kiss obedience, So much they love it; but, to stubborn spirits,
They swell, and grow as terrible as storms. I know, you have a gentle, noble temper, A soul as even as a calm; Pray, think us Those we profess, peace-makers, friends, and servants. Cam. Madam, you'll find it so.
You wrong your virtues 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 To trust us in your business, we are ready To use our utmost studies in
your service. 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 To make a seemly answer to such persons. Pray, do my service to his majesty: He has my heart yet; and shall have my prayers, While I shall have my life. Come, reverend fathers, Bestow your counsels on me: she now begs, That little thought, when she set footing here, She should have bought her dignities so dear.
[Ereunt.
Antechamber to the King's Apartment. Enter the Duke of NORFOLK, the Duke of SUFFOLK,
the Earl of SURREY, and the Lord Chamberluin.
Nor. If you will now unite in your complaints, And force them with a constancy, the cardinal Cannot stand under them: If you omit The offer of this time, I cannot promise, But that you shall sustain more new disgraces, With these you bear already. Sur.
I am joyful To meet the least occasion, 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 Strangely neglected? when did he regard The stamp of nobleness in any person, Out of himself?
Cham. My lords, you speak your pleasures: What he deserves of you and me, I know; What we can do to him, (though now the time Gives 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 his tongue. Nor.
0, fear him not;
« ÎnapoiContinuați » |