Than to be perk'd up in a glistering grief

And wear a golden sorrow.

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

25

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 gifts—
Saving your mincing—the capacity

30

Of your soft cheveril conscience would receive,

If you might please to stretch it.

Anne.

Nay, good troth.

Old L. Yes, troth, and troth; you would not be a

queen?

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

Old L.

'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?

Old L. Then you are weakly made: pluck off a little;

I would not be a young count in your way,

For more than blushing comes to: if your back

Cannot vouchsafe this burthen, 'tis too weak

35

40

45

You'ld venture an emballing: I myself

Would for Carnarvonshire, although there 'long'd

No more to the crown but that. Lo, who comes here?

Enter the LORD CHAMBERLAIN.

Cham. Good morrow, ladies. What were't worth to

know

The secret of your conference?

Anne.

My good lord,

Not your demand; it values not your asking:

Our mistress' sorrows we were pitying.

Cham. It was a gentle business, and becoming

The action of good women: there is hope

Cham. You bear a gentle mind, and heavenly blessings Follow such creatures. That you may, fair lady,

Perceive I speak sincerely, and high note's

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55

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

бо

Than Marchioness of Pembroke; to which title

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

65

Anne.
I do not know
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,

70

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

I shall not fail to approve the fair conceit

The king hath of you. [Aside] I have perused 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?—I'll to the king,
And say I spoke with you.

Anne.

My honour'd lord.

75

80

[Exit Lord Chamberlain.

Old L. 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, fie upon

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

Old L. 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 L.

O'ermount the lark. The Marchioness of Pembroke!

85

90

With your theme, I could

95

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 foreskirt.

74. approve] improve Collier MS. 75-79. [Aside] Pope.

So. [Exit...] Exit... Ff (after you.). 83. nor] ne'er Anon. conj.

86. fie, fie, fie] fie, fie Pope. 89. bitter?... pence] not bitter for thy sense Jackson conj.

By this time.

forty pence] for two pence Ro derick conj. for fi pence Anon. conj. 90. a lady] FF2 no lady F3F4 an old lady Rowe.

96. By] But Rowe (ed. 2).

97. moe] F3F4. mo FF2 more Rowe.

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

Anne.

Good lady,
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.

Old L.

What do you think me?

[Exeunt.

SCENE IV. A hall in Black-Friars.

Trumpets, sennet and cornets. Enter two Vergers, with short silver wands; next them, two Scribes, in the habit of doctors; after them, the ARCHBISHOP 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.

100

105

King.

What's the need?

It hath already publicly been read,
And on all sides the authority allow'd;
You may then spare that time.

Wol.

Be't so. Proceed.

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

Scribe. Say, Katharine Queen of England, come into the 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,
Born out of your dominions; having here
No judge indifferent, nor no more assurance
Of equal friendship and proceeding. Alas, sir,
In what have I offended you? what cause
Hath my behaviour given to your displeasure,
That thus you should proceed to put me off

And take your good grace from me? Heaven witness,

I have been to you a true and humble wife,
At all times to your will conformable,

Ever in fear to kindle your dislike,

25

Yea, subject to your countenance, glad or sorry
As I saw it inclined: when was the hour

I ever contradicted your desire,

Or made it not mine too? Or which of your friends
Have I not strove to love, although I knew

He were mine enemy? what friend of mine

10, 11. Say...court] As two lines in Ff. As prose first by Capell.

13. Q. Kath.] Queen. Warburton. om. Ff.

17. nor] and Pope.

23. I have] I've Pope.

27. inclined:] inclin'd: Rowe (ed.
2). inclin'd? Ff.

29. Or which] which Pope.
31. were] was Seymour conj.

30

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