(Which was a sin,) yet in bestowing, madam, The other, though unfinish'd, yet so famous, Now in his ashes honour: Peace be with him!- I nam'd my knell, whilst I sit meditating Sad and solemn music. Grif. She is asleep: Good wench, let's sit down quiet, For fear we wake her ;-Softly, gentle Patience. The vision. Enter, solemnly tripping one after another, six personages, clad in white robes, wearing on their heads garlands of bays, and golden vizards on their faces; branches of bays, or palm, in their hands. They first congee unto her, then dance; and, at certain changes, the first two hold a spare garland over her head; at which, the other four make reverend court sies; then the two, that held the garland, deliver the same to the other next two, who observe the same order in their changes, and holding the garland over her head: which done, they deliver the same garland to the last two, who likewise observe the same order: at which, (as it were by inspiration,) she makes in her sleep signs of rejoicing, and holdeth up her hands to heaven and so in their dancing they vanish, carrying the garland with them. The music continues. Kath. Spirits of peace, where are ye? are ye all gone? And leave me here in wretchedness behind ye? Grif. Madam, we are here. Kath. It is not you I call for : Saw ye none enter, since I slept ? Grif. None, madam. Kath. No? Saw you not, even now, a blessed troop Invite me to a banquet; whose bright faces Cast thousand beams upon me, like the sun . And brought me garlands, Griffith, which I feel Assuredly. Grif. I am most joyful, madam, such good dreams Possess your fancy. Kath. Bid the music leave, They are harsh and heavy to me. Pat. Do you note, [Music ceases. How much her grace is alter'd on the sudden? How long her face is drawn? How pale she looks, Pat. Heaven comfort her! Enter a Messenger. Mes. An't like your grace,— Knowing, she will not lose her wonted greatness, Mes. I humbly do entreat your highness' pardon; Kath. Admit him entrance, Griffith: but this fellow Let me ne'er see again. [Exe. GRIFF. and Mes. Re-enter GRIFFITH, with CAPUCIUS. If my sight fail not, You should be lord ambassador from the emperor, Cap. Madam, the same, your servant. Kath. O my lord, The times, and titles, now are alter'd strangely With me, since first you knew me. What is your pleasure with me? Cap. Noble lady, But, I pray you, First mine own service to your grace; the next, The king's request that I would visit you; Who grieves much for your weakness, and by me Sends you his princely commendations, And heartily entreats you take good comfort. Kath. O my good lord, that comfort comes too late ; 'Tis like a pardon after execution: That gentle physic, given in time, had cur'd me; Cap. Madam, in good health. Kath. So may he ever do! and ever flourish, When I shall dwell with worms, and my poor name Banish'd the kingdom!-Patience, is that letter, I caus'd you write, yet sent away ? Pat. No, madam. [Giving it to Katharine Kath. Sir, I most humbly pray you to deliver This to my lord the king. Cap. Most willing, madam. Kath. In which I have commended to his goodness A right good husband, let him be a noble ; If heaven had pleas'd to have given me longer life, These are the whole contents:-And, good my lord, Cap. By heaven, I will; Or let me lose the fashion of a man! Kath. I thank you, honest lord. Remember me In all humility unto his highness: Say, his long trouble now is passing Out of this world; tell him, in death I bless'd him, [Exeunt, leading KATHARINE. ACT V. SCENE I.—A Gallery in the Palace. Enter GARDINER Bishop of Winchester, a Page with a torch before him, met by Sir THOMAS LOVELL. Gar. It's one o'clock, boy, is't not? Boy. It hath struck. Gar. These should be hours for necessities, Not for delights ;7 times to repair our nature With comforting repose, and not for us To waste these times.-Good hour of night, sir Thomas! Whither so late? Lov. Came you from the king, my lord? Gar. I did, sir Thomas; and left him at primeroR With the duke of Suffolk. Lov. I must to him too, Before he go to bed. I'll take my leave. Gar. Not yet, sir Thomas Lovell. What's the matter? It seems, your are in haste: an if there be No great offence belongs to't, give your friend Some touch of your late business :9 Affairs, that walk (As, they say, spirits do) at midnight, have [7] Gardiner himself is not much delighted. The delight at which he hints, seems to be the king's diversion, which keeps him in attendance. JOHNSON. [8] Primero and Primavista, two games at cards, H. I. Primera, Primavista. La Primiere, G. Prime, f. Prime veue. Primum, et primum visum, that is, first, and first seen: because he that can show such an order of cards first, wins the game. GREY. [9] Some hint of the business that keeps you awake so late. JOHNSON. In them a wilder nature, than the business Lov. My lord, I love you; And durst commend a secret to your ear Much weightier than this work. The queen's in labour, They say, in great extremity; and fear'd, She'll with the labour end. I Gar. The fruit she goes with, pray for heartily; that it may find Good time, and live: but for the stock, sir Thomas, I wish it grubb'd up now. Lov. Methinks, I could Cry the amen; and yet my conscience says Gar. But, sir, sir, Hear me, sir Thomas : -You are a gentleman Of mine own way; I know you wise, religious; And, let me tell you, it will ne'er be well,— Till Cranmer, Cromwell, her two hands, and she, Lov. Now, sir, you speak of two The most remark'd i'th' kingdom. As for Cromwell,— Gar. Yes, yes, sir Thomas, There are that dare; and I myself have ventur'd Sir, (I may tell it you,) I think, I have Incens'd the lords o'the council, that he is, That does infect the land with which they moved, [1] Mine own opinion in religion. JOHNSON. JOHNSON. JOHNSON. |