Scribe. Say, Katharine, queen of England, come into court. Crier. Katharine, queen of England, &c. [The Queen makes no answer, rises out of her chair, goes about the court, comes to the King, and kneels at his feet; then speaks.] Q. Kath. Sir, I desire you, do me right and justice; And to bestow your pity on me: for I am a most poor woman, and a stranger, Yea, subject to your countenance; glad, or sorry, I ever contradicted your desire, Or made it not mine too? Or which of your friends He was from thence discharg'd? Sir, call to mind To the sharpest kind of justice. Please you, sir, The king, your father, was reputed for And unmatch'd wit and judgment: Ferdinand, That they had gather'd a wise council to them Beseech you, sir, to spare me, till I may Be by my friends in Spain advis'd; whose counsel Wol. Yea, the elect of the land, who are assembled For your own quiet, as to rectify What is unsettled in the king. Cam. His grace Hath spoken well, and justly: Therefore, madam, It's fit this royal session do proceed; And that, without delay, their arguments Be now produc'd, and heard. Q. Kath. Lord cardinal, Your pleasure, madam? Q. Kath. Sir, I am about to weep; but thinking that We are a queen, (or long have dream'd so,) certain, The daughter of a king, my drops of tears I'll turn to sparks of fire. Wol. Be patient yet. Q. Kath. I will, when you are humble; nay, before, (1) Useless. Or God will punish me. I do believe, You are mine enemy; and make my challenge, You shall not be my judge: for it is you Have blown this coal betwixt my lord and me,- Refuse you for my judge; whom, yet once more, Wol. I do profess O'er-topping woman's power. Madam, you do me wrong: I have no spleen against you; nor injustice Yea, the whole consistory of Rome. You charge me, Remove these thoughts from you: The which before You, gracious madam, to unthink your speaking, And to say so no more. Q. Kath. My lord, my lord, I am a simple woman, much too weak To oppose your cunning. You are meek, and humble-mouth'd; You sign your place and calling, in full seeming,2 (1) Deny. (2) Appearance. With meekness and humility: but your heart [She court'sies to the King, and offers to depart. The queen is obstinate, Stubborn to justice, apt to accuse it, and K. Hen. Call her again. Crier. Katharine, queen of England, come into the court. Grif Madam, you are call'd back. Q. Kath. What need you note it? pray you, keep your way: When you are call'd, return.-Now the Lord help, Upon this business, my appearance make [Exe. Queen, Grif. and her other attendants. VOL. VI. (1) Speak out thy merits. The queen of earthly queens :-She is noble born; And, like her true nobility, she has Carried herself towards me. Wol. Most gracious sir, In humblest manner I require your highness, That it shall please you to declare, in hearing Of all these ears (for where I am robb'd and bound, There must I be unloos'd; although not there At once1 and fully satisfied,) whether ever I Did broach this business to your highness; or Laid any scruple in your way, which might Induce you to the question on't? or ever Have to you, but with thanks to God for such A royal lady, spake one the least word, might Be to the prejudice of her present state, Or touch of her good person? K. Hen. My lord cardinal, I do excuse you; yea, upon mine honour, I free you from't. You are not to be taught That you have many enemies, that know not Why they are so, but, like to village curs, Bark when their fellows do: by some of these The queen is put in anger. You are excus'd: But will you be more justified? you ever Have wish'd the sleeping of this business; never Desir'd it to be stirr'd; but oft have hinder'd; oft The passages made? toward it:-on my honour, I speak my good lord cardinal to this point, And thus far clear him. Now, what mov'd me to't,I will be bold with time, and your attention :Then mark the inducement. Thus it came ;-give heed to't: My conscience first received a tenderness, (1) Immediately satisfied. 2) Closed or fastened. |