I swear, 'tis better to be lowly born,
And range with humble livers in content,
Than to be perk'd up in a glist'ring grief
And wear a golden sorrow.

And venture maidenhead for 't; and so would you,
For all this spice of your hypocrisy.

You, that have so fair parts of woman on you,
Have too a woman's heart; which ever yet
Affected eminence, wealth, sovereignty:

Which, to say sooth, are blessings, and which giftsSaving your mincing-the capacity

Of your

soft cheveril conscience would receive, 32 If you might please to stretch it.

Anne.

Nay, good troth.

Old La. Yes, troth, and troth; you would not be a queen?

Anne. No, not for all the riches under heaven.

Old La. 'Tis strange: a three-pence bow'd would

hire me,

Old as I am, to queen it. But, I pray you,
What think you of a duchess? have you limbs
To bear that load of title?

Anne.

No, in truth.

36

Old La. Then you are weakly made. Pluck off a little:

I would not be a young count in your way,

21 perk'd up: trimmed out

32 cheveril: kid-leather, a type of flexibility 36 bow'd: made crooked, worthless; cf. n.

40 Pluck off a little: come down to a lower rank

40

23 having: possession

For more than blushing comes to: if your back
Cannot vouchsafe this burthen, 'tis too weak
Ever to get a boy.

Anne.

How you do talk!

I swear again, I would not be a queen

For all the world.

Old La.

In faith, for little England

You'd venture an emballing: I myself

44

Would for Carnarvonshire, although there 'long'd 48 No more to the crown but that. Lo! who comes here?

Enter Lord Chamberlain.

L. Ch. Good morrow, ladies. What were 't worth

to know

The secret of your conference?

Anne.

My good lord,

52

Not your demand; it values not your asking:

Our mistress' sorrows we were pitying.

L. Ch. It was a gentle business, and becoming The action of good women: there is hope

All will be well.

Anne.

Now, I pray God, amen!

56

L. Ch. You bear a gentle mind, and heavenly blessings

Follow such creatures. That you may, fair lady,
Perceive I speak sincerely, and high note's
Ta'en of your many virtues, the king's majesty
Commends his good opinion of you, and
Does purpose honour to you no less flowing
Than Marchioness of Pembroke; to which title

43 vouchsafe: be willing to accept

46 little England; cf. n.

48 Carnarvonshire; cf. n.

52 Not your demand: not worth your question

61 Commends: sends to you; cf. n.

63 Marchioness of Pembroke; cf. n.

60

44 Ever to get a boy; cf. n. 47 emballing; cf. n.

A thousand pound a year, annual support,
Out of his grace he adds.

I do not know

64

Anne. What kind of my obedience I should tender. More than my all is nothing, nor my prayers Are not words duly hallow'd, nor my wishes More worth than empty vanities; yet prayers and

wishes

Are all I can return. Beseech your lordship,

Vouchsafe to speak my thanks and my obedience,
As from a blushing handmaid, to his highness,
Whose health and royalty I pray for.

L. Ch.

Lady,

I shall not fail t' approve the fair conceit

68

72

The king hath of you. [Aside.] I have perus'd her

well;

Beauty and honour in her are so mingled

That they have caught the king; and who knows yet
But from this lady may proceed a gem

To lighten all this isle? [To her.] I'll to the king,
And say I spoke with you.

Anne.

My honour'd lord.

76

80

Exit Lord Chamberlain.

Old La. Why, this it is; see, see!
I have been begging sixteen years in court,
Am yet a courtier beggarly, nor could

Come pat betwixt too early and too late
For any suit of pounds; and you, O fate!
A very fresh-fish here-fie, fie, upon

This compell'd fortune!—have your mouth fill'd up
Before you open it.

67, 68 nor. . not: the usual double negative

70 Beseech: I beseech

78 a gem; cf. n.

86 Cf. n.

84

74 conceit: opinion

85 suit of pounds: petition for money

87 compell'd: unsought, violent

88

Anne.

This is strange to me.

Old La. How tastes it? is it bitter? forty pence, no. There was a lady once,-'tis an old story,That would not be a queen, that would she not For all the mud in Egypt: have you heard it? Anne. Come, you are pleasant.

Old La.

92

With your theme I could
O'ermount the lark. The Marchioness of Pembroke!
A thousand pounds a year, for pure respect!
No other obligation! By my life,

That promises moe thousands: honour's train
Is longer than his fore-skirt. By this time

I know your back will bear a duchess. Say,
Are you not stronger than you were?

Anne.

96

Good lady, 100

Make yourself mirth with your particular fancy,
And leave me out on 't. Would I had no being,
If this salute my blood a jot: it faints me,
To think what follows.

The queen is comfortless, and we forgetful
In our long absence. Pray, do not deliver
What here you've heard to her.

104

Old La.

89 forty pence: a customary amount for a wager 92 mud in Egypt; cf. n.

98 fore-skirt: front of gown

103 salute: affect it faints me: I am depressed

97 moe: other, more

Scene Four

[A Hall in Blackfriars]

Trumpets, sennet, and cornets. Enter two Vergers, with short silver wands; next them, two Scribes, in the habit of doctors; after them, the Bishop of Canterbury, alone; after him, the Bishops of Lincoln, Ely, Rochester, and Saint Asaph; next them, with some small distance, follows a Gentleman bearing the purse, with the great seal, and a cardinal's hat; then two Priests, bearing each a silver cross; then a Gentleman-Usher bare-headed, accompanied with a Sergeant-at-Arms, bearing a silver mace; then two Gentlemen, bearing two great silver pillars; after them, side by side, the two Cardinals; two Noblemen with the sword and mace. The King takes place under the cloth of state; the two Cardinals sit under him as judges. The Queen takes place some distance from the King. The Bishops place themselves on each side the court, in manner of a consistory; below them, the Scribes. The Lords sit next the Bishops. The rest of the Attendants stand in convenient order about the stage. Wol. Whilst our commission from Rome is read, Let silence be commanded.

King.

What's the need?

It hath already publicly been read,
And on all sides th' authority allow'd;

You may then spare that time.

Wol.

Be 't so. Proceed.

Scribe. Say, Henry King of England, come into the

court.

Scene Four S. d.; cf. n.