For her sake that I have been9, (for I feel The last fit of my greatness,) good your graces, Wol. Madam, you wrong the king's love with these fears; Your hopes and friends are infinite. Q. Kath. They that my trust must grow to, live not here; Cam. I would, your grace Would leave your griefs, and take my counsel. Q. Kath. How, sir? Cam. Put your main cause into the king's protection; He's loving, and most gracious; 'twill be much Both for your honour better, and your cause; For, if the trial of the law o'ertake you, You'll part away disgrac❜d. Wol. He tells you rightly. Q. Kath. 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, That no king can corrupt. Cam. Your rage mistakes us. Q. Kath. Th more shame for ye; holy men I thought ye, Upon my soul, two reverend cardinal virtues; 9 For her sake that I have been, &c.] For the sake of that royalty which I have heretofore possessed. But cardinal sins, and hollow hearts, I fear ye: Mend them for shame, my lords. Is this your comfort? The cordial that ye bring a wretched lady? A woman lost among ye, laugh'd at, scorn'd? I will not wish ye half my miseries, I have more charity: But say, I warn'd ye; Take heed, for heaven's sake, take heed, lest at once Q. Kath. Ye turn me into nothing: Woe upon ye, And all such false professors! Would ye have me (If you have any justice, any pity; If ye be any thing but churchmen's habits,) Cam. Your fears are worse. Q. Kath. Have I liv'd thus long —(let me speak myself, Since virtue finds no friends,) – a wife, a true one ? A woman (I dare say, without vain-glory,) Never yet branded with suspicion ? Have I with all my full affections Still met the king? lov'd him next heaven? obey'd him? 1 -- superstitious to him?] That is, served him with superstitious attention; done more than was required. Wol. Madam, you wander from the good we aim at. 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 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 hearts. I am the most unhappy woman living. Alas! poor wenches, where are now your fortunes? If your grace Wol. The way of our profession is against it; We are to cure such sorrows, not to sow them. How you may hurt yourself, ay, utterly Grow from the king's acquaintance, by this carriage. So much they love it; but, to stubborn spirits, 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. As was put yours A noble spirit, into you, ever casts Such doubts, as false coin, from it. The king loves you; Q.KATH. ALAS! POOR WENCHES. WHERE ARE NOW YOUR FORTUNES NO FRIENDS. NO HOPE: NO KINDRED WEEP FOR ME: Act M.Sc.1. London. Published by FC&J Rivington, and Partners. Feb 1823. |