The queen being absent, 'tis a needful fitness 740 These cardinals trifle with me: I abhor [Exeunt, in manner as they enter'd. ACT III. SCENE I. The Queen's Apartments. The Queen, and her Women, as at Work. Queen. TAKE thy lute, wench: my soul grows sad with troubles; Sing, and disperse them, if thou canst: leave working. SONG. Orpheus with his lute made trees, F Bow Bow themselves, when he did sing : There had made a lasting spring. Every thing that heard him play, Hung their heads, and then lay by. Enter a Gentleman. Queen. How now? 10 Gent. An't please your grace, the two great cardinals Wait in the presence. Queen. Would they speak with me? 20 To come near. [Exit Gent.] What can be their business With me, a poor weak woman, fallen from favour? I do not like their coming, now I think on't. They should be good men; their affairs are righte ous: But, all hoods make not monks. Enter WOLSEY, and CAMPEIUS. Wol. Peace to your highness! Queen. Your graces find me here part of a house-wife; I would I would be all, against the worst may happen. Into your private chamber, we shall give you Queen. Speak it here; 30 There's nothing I have done yet, o' my conscience, Were try'd by every tongue, every eye saw 'em, 40 I know my life so even: If your business Queen. O, good my lord, no Latin ; Pray, speak in English: here are some will thank you, If you speak truth, for their poor mistress' sake; Believe me, she has had much wrong: Lord car dinal, The willing'st sin I ever yet committed, May be absolv'd in English. Wol. Noble lady, I am sorry my integrity should breed F ji 51 (And (And service to his majesty and you) To taint that honour every good tongue blesses; Cum. Most honour'd madam, My lord of York-out of his noble nature, His service, and his counsel. Queen. To betray me. 60 71 [Aside. 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. I was set at work Among my maids: full little, God knows, look. ing Either for such men, or such business. For her sake that I have been (for I feel The last fit of my greatness), good your graces, Let me have time, and counsel, for my cause ; Alas! I am a woman, friendless, hopeless. 80 Wol. Wol. Madam, you wrong the king's love with these fears; Your hopes and friends are infinite. Queen. In England, But little for my profit: Can you think, lords, 90 sure (Though he be grown so desperate to be honest), And live a subject? Nay, forsooth, my friends, They that must weigh out my afflictions, They that my trust must grow to, live not here ; They are, as all my other comforts, far hence, In mine own country, lords. Cam. I would, your grace Would leave your griefs, and take my counsel. 100 Queen. How, sir? Cam. Put your main cause into the king's protection; He's loving and most gracious: 'twill be much Wol. He tells you rightly. Queen. Ye tell me what ye wish for both, my ruin : Is this your christian counsel? out upon ye! Heaven is above all yet: there sits a Judge, 110 That no king can corrupt. Cam. Your rage mistakes us. Queen. The more shame for ye; holy men I thought ye, Upon my soul, two reverend cardinal virtues ; F jii But |