Wol.

Cam.

Be my friends in Spain advised, whose counsel
I will implore: if not, i'the name of God,
Your pleasure be fulfill'd!

You have here, lady,

And of your choice, these reverend fathers; men
Of singular integrity and learning,

Yea, the elect o' the land, who are assembled

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To plead your cause: it shall be therefore bootless
That longer you desire the court, as well

For your own quiet, as to rectify

What is unsettled in the king.

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 produced and heard.

Q. Kath.

To you I speak.

Wol.

Q. Kath.

Wol.

Lord cardinal,

Your pleasure, madam?

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.

Be patient yet.

Q. Kath. I will, when you are humble; nay, before,
Or God will punish me. I do believe,

Induced by potent circumstances, that

You are mine enemy, and make my challenge
You shall not be my judge: for it is you

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Have blown this coal betwixt my lord and me;
Which God's dew quench! Therefore I say again,

Wol.

I utterly abhor, yea, from my soul

Refuse you for my judge; whom, yet once more,
I hold my most malicious foe, and think not
At all a friend to truth.

I do profess

You speak not like yourself; who ever yet
Have stood to charity and display'd the effects
Of disposition gentle, and of wisdom

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O'ertopping woman's power. Madam, you do me

wrong:

I have no spleen against you, nor injustice
For you or any: how far I have proceeded,
Or how far further shall, is warranted
By a commission from the consistory,

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Yea, the whole consistory of Rome. You charge me
That I have blown this coal: I do deny it:
The king is present: if it be known to him.
That I gainsay my deed, how may he wound,
And worthily, my falsehood! yea, as much
As you have done my truth. If he know
That I am free of your report, he knows

I am not of your wrong. Therefore in him

It lies to cure me; and the cure is to

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Remove these thoughts from you: the which before
His highness shall speak in, I do beseech

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're meek and humblemouth'd;

You sign your place and calling, in full seeming,

Cam.

With meekness and humility; but your heart

Is cramm'd with arrogancy, spleen, and pride. 110
You have, by fortune and his highness' favours,
Gone slightly o'er low steps, and now are mounted
Where powers are your retainers, and your words,
Domestics to you, serve your will as 't please
Yourself pronounce their office. I must tell you,
You tender more your person's honour than
Your high profession spiritual; that again

I do refuse you for my judge, and here,
Before you all, appeal unto the pope,

To bring my whole cause 'fore his holiness,
And to be judged by him.

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[She curtsies to the King, and offers to depart. The queen is obstinate, Stubborn to justice, apt to accuse it, and

Disdainful to be tried by 't: 'tis not well.
She's going away.

King. Call her again.

Crier. Katharine Queen of England, come into the court. Gent. Ush. Madam, you are call'd back.

Q. Kath. What need you note it? pray you, keep your way:

King.

When you are call'd, return. Now the Lord help!
They vex me past my patience. Pray you, pass on:
I will not tarry, no, nor ever more
Upon this business my appearance make
In any of their courts.

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[Exeunt Queen, and her Attendants.
Go thy ways, Kate:

That man i' the world who shall report he has
A better wife, lot him in nought be trusted,
For speaking false in that: thou art, alone,