Cam. Put your main cause into the king's pro tection; He's loving, and most gracious: 'twill be much 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! Cam. Your rage mistakes us. Q. Kath. The more shame for ye; holy men I thought ye, Upon my soul, two reverend cardinal virtues; Mend them for shame, my lords. comfort? The cordial that ye bring a wretched lady? I have more charity: But say, I warn'd ye; Take heed, for heaven's sake, take heed, lest at once The burden of my sorrows fall upon ye. Wol. Madam, this is a mere distraction; You turn the good we offer into envy. have me Q. Kath. Ye turn me into nothing: Woe upon ye, And all such false professors! Would ye (If you have any justice, any pity; If ye be any thing but churchmen's habits,) Put my sick cause into his hands that hates me? Alas! he has banish'd me his bed already; 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? Have I with all my full affections Still met the king? lov'd him next heaven? obey'd him? Been, out of fondness, superstitious to him? 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 Shall e'er divorce my dignities. Wol. 'Pray, hear me. Q. Kath. 'Would I had never trod this English earth, F Or felt the flatteries that grow upon it! Ye have angels' faces, but heaven knows your hearts. What will become of me now, wretched lady? I am the most unhappy woman living.— Alas! poor wenches, where are now your fortunes? [To her women. Shipwreck'd upon a kingdom, where no pity, No friends, no hope; no kindred weep for me, Almost, no grave allow'd me:-Like the lily, That once was mistress of the field, and flourish'd, I'll hang my head, and perish. Wol. If your grace Could but be brought to know, our ends are honest, You'd feel more comfort: why should we, good lady, Upon what cause, wrong you? alas! our places, We are to cure such sorrows, not to sow them. The hearts of princes kiss obedience, So much they love it; but, to stubborn spirits, A soul as even as a calm; Pray, think us vants. Cam. Madam, you'll find it so. your virtues You wrong With these weak women's fears. A noble spirit, As yours was put into you, ever casts Such doubts, as false coin, from it. The king loves you; Beware, you lose it not: For us, if you please To trust us in your business, we are ready To use our utmost studies in your service. Q. Kath. Do what ye will, my lords: And, pray, forgive me, If I have us'd myself unmannerly; You know, I am a woman, lacking wit To make a seemly answer to such persons. He has my heart yet; and shall have my prayers, [Exeunt. SCENE II. ANTECHAMBER TO THE KING'S APARTMENT. Enter the Duke of Norfolk, the Duke of Suffolk, the Earl of Surrey, and the Lord Chamberlain. Nor. If you will now unite in your complaints, And force them with a constancy, the cardinal Cannot stand under them: If you omit The offer of this time, I cannot promise, you But that shall sustain more new disgraces, you Sur. I am joyful To meet the least occasion, that may give me To be reveng'd on him. Suf. Which of the peers Have uncontemn'd gone by him, or at least Cham. My lords, you speak your pleasures: What he deserves of you and me, I know; What we can do to him, (though now the time Gives way to us,) I much fear. If you cannot Bar his access to the king, never attempt Any thing on him; for he hath a witchcraft Over the king in his tongue. Nor O, fear him not; His spell in that is out: the king hath found The honey of his language. No, he's settled, Sur. Sir, I should be glad to hear such news as this Once every hour. Nor. Believe it, this is true. In the divorce, his contrary proceedings As I could wish mine enemy. |