Respecting this our marriage with the dowager,

Sometimes our brother's wife. This respite shook

The bosom of my conscience, enter'd me, Yea, with a splitting power, and made to tremble

The region of my breast; which forced such way

That many mazed considerings did throng And press'd in with this caution. First, methought

I stood not in the smile of heaven, who had
Commanded nature that my lady's womb,
If it conceived a male-child by me, should
Do no more offices of life to 't than
The grave does to the dead; for her male
issue

Or died where they were made, or shortly

after

This world had air'd them: hence I took a

thought,

This was a judgement on me, that my king

dom,

Well worthy the best heir o' the world, should not

Be gladded in 't by me: then follows that
I weigh'd the danger which my realms
stood in

By this my issue's fail; and that gave to me
Many a groaning throe. Thus hulling in
The wild sea of my conscience, I did steer
Toward this remedy whereupon we are
Now present here together; that's to say,
I meant to rectify my conscience, which
I then did feel full sick and yet not well,
By all the reverend fathers of the land
And doctors learn'd.

private

First I began in

With you, my Lord of Lincoln; you remem

ber

How under my oppression I did reek,

When I first moved you.

Lin.

Very well, my liege.

King. I have spoke long: be pleased

yourself to say

How far you satisfied me.

Lin. So please your highness, The question did at first so stagger me, Bearing a state of mighty moment in 't And consequence of dread, that I committed The daring'st counsel which I had to doubt,

And did entreat your highness to this course Which you are running here.

I then moved you,

King. My Lord of Canterbury, and got your leave To make this present summons: unsolicited I left no reverend person in this court; But by particular consent proceeded Under your hands and seals: therefore, go

on;

For no dislike i' the world against the person Of the good queen, but the sharp thorny points

Of my alleged reasons, drive this forward : Prove but our marriage lawful, by my life And kingly dignity, we are contented

To wear our mortal state to come with her, Katharine our queen, before the primest creature

That 's paragon'd o' the world.

Cam. So please your highness, The queen being absent, 'tis a needful fitness That we adjourn this court till further day: Meanwhile must be an earnest motion Made to the queen, to call back her appeal She intends unto his holiness.

King.

[aside] I may perceive

These cardinals trifle with me: I abhor
This dilatory sloth and tricks of Rome.
My learn'd and well-beloved servant, Cran-
mer,

Prithee, return; with thy approach, I know, My comfort comes along.-Break up the court:

I say, set on.

[exeunt in manner as they entered.

ACT III.

SCENE I. London. The Queen's apart

ments.

The QUEEN and her Women, as at work.

Q. Kath. Take thy lute, wench: my soul grows sad with troubles;

Sing, and disperse 'em, if thou canst leave working.

SONG.

Orpheus with his lute made trees,
And the mountain tops that freeze,
Bow themselves when he did sing :
To his music plants and flowers
Ever sprung, as sun and showers
There had made a lasting spring.

Every thing that heard him play,
Even the billows of the sea,

Hung their heads, and then lay by.
In sweet music is such art,
Killing care and grief of heart
Fall asleep, or hearing die.