For all this spice of your hypocrisy.

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,1 are blessings; and which gifts

(Saving your mincing) the capacity

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 threepence bow'd would

hire me,

Old as I am, to queen it: but, I pray you,

What think you of a duchess? have you
To bear that load of title?

Anne.

No, in truth.

limbs

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

little.3

I would not be a young count in your way,

For more than blushing comes to: if your back
Cannot vouchsafe this burden, 'tis too weak

Ever to get a boy.

I swear again, I would not be a queen

3 Let us descend yet lower, and more on a level with your

own quality.

For all the world.

Old L.

In faith, for little England

You'd venture an emballing: I myself

Would for Carnarvonshire, although there 'long'd No more to the crown but that. Lo, who comes here?

Enter 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,
All will be well.

Anne.

Now I pray God, amen!

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
Ta'en of your many virtues, the king's majesty
Commends his good opinion to you, and

Does purpose

honor to you no less flowing
Than marchioness of Pembroke; to which title,
A thousand pound a year, annual support,
Out of his grace he adds.

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

Cham.

Lady,

I shall not fail to approve the fair conceit1

The king hath of you.-I have perused her well:

Beauty and honor in her are so mingled,

[aside.

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 honor'd lord.

[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 upon

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

Anne.

This is strange to me.

1 Opinion.

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.

A thousand pounds a
No other obligation.

With your theme, I could
The marchioness of Pembroke!
year! for pure respect;
By my life,

That promises more thousands: Honor's train
Is longer than his foreskirt. By this time,
I know back will bear a duchess;—say,

your

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 have heard, to her.
Old L.

What do you think me?

[Exeunt.

SCENE IV.

A Hall in Black-Friars.

Trumpets, sennet,1 and cornets. Enter two Vergers, with short silver wands; next them, two Scribes, in ·

SHAK.

1 Florish on instruments.

IX.

P

1

the habits 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 WOLSEY and CAMPEIUS; two Noblemen with the sword and mace. Then enter the KING and QUEEN, and their trains. The King takes place under the cloth of state; the two Cardinals sit under him, as judges. The Queen takes place at some distance from the King. The Bishops place themselves on each side the court, in manner of a consistory; between them, the Scribes. The Lords sit next the Bishops. The Crier and the rest of the Attendants stand in convenient order about the stage.

Wol. Whilst our commission from Rome is read, Let silence be commanded.

K. Hen.

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.

1 Ensigns of dignity carried before cardinals.