Ife were mine enemy? what friend of mine, That had to him deriv'd your anger, did I Continue in my liking? nay, gave notice
He was from thence discharg'd? Sir, call to mind That I have been your wife, in this obedience, Upward of twenty years, and have been blest With many children by you: If, in the course And process of this time, you can report, And prove it too, against mine honour aught, My bond to wedlock, or my love and duty, Against your sacred person, in God's name, Turn me away; and let the foul'st contempt Shut door upon me and so give me up
To the sharpest kind of justice. Please you, Sir, The King, your father, was reputed for
A Prince most prudent, of an excellent
And unmatch'd wit and judgement: Ferdinand,' My father, King of Spain, was reckon'd one The wisest Prince, that there had reign'd by many A year before: It is not to be question'd That they had gather'd a wise council to them Of every realm, that did debate this business, Who deem'd our marriage lawful: Wherefore I humbly
Beseech you, Sir, to spare me, till I may Be by my friends in Spain advis'd; whose counsel I will implore: if not; i'the name of God, Your pleasure be fullfill'd!
Wol. You have here, Lady,
(And of your choice,) these reverend fathers; men Of singular integrity and learning,
Yea, the elect of the land, who are assembled To plead your cause: It shall be therefore boot-
That longer you desire the court; as well For your own quiet, as to rectify
What is unsettled in the King. Cam. 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 produc'd, and heard.
Q. Kath. Lord Cardinal,
To you I speak.
Wol, Your pleasure, Madam Q. Kath. Sir,
I am about to weep; but, thinking that
We are a Queen, (or long have dream'd so,) cer
The daughter of a King, my drops of tears I'll turn to sparks of fire.
Q. Kath. I will, when you are humble; nay, before,
Or God will punish me. I do believe, Induc'd by potent circumstances, that You are mine enemy; and make my challenge, You shall not be my judge; for it is you Have blown this coal betwixt my lord and me, Which God's dew quench! Therefore, I say again,
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.
You speak not like yourself: who ever yet Have stood to charity, and display'd the effects Of disposition gentle, and of wisdom
O'ertopping woman's power. Madam, you do me
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,
Yea, the whole consistory! of Rome. You charge
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. But 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 Remove these thoughts from you: The which be- fore
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 are meek, and humble-mouth'd;
You sign your place and calling, in full seeming, With meekness and humility: but your heart Is cramm'd with arrogancy, spleen, and pride. 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, Domesticks 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 judg'd by him.
[She curt'sies to the King, and offers to depart.
Cam. The Queen is obstinate,
Stubborn to justice, apt to accuse it, and Disdainful to be try'd by it; 'tis not well,
She's going away.
K. Hen, Call her again,
Crier. Katharine Queen of England, come into. the court.
Grif. Madam, you are call'd back.
Q. Kath. What need you note it? pray you keep your way:
When you are call'd, return.
They vex me past my patience!
I will not tarry; no, nor ever more, Upon this business, my appearance make In any of their courts.
[Exeunt Queen, GRIFFITH, and her other Attendants.
K. Hen. Go thy ways, Kate:
That man i' the world, who shall report he has A better wife, let him in nought be trusted, For speaking false in that: Thou art, alone, If thy rare qualities, sweet gentleness,
Thy meekness saint-like, wife-like government, Obeying in commanding, and thy parts
Sovereign and pious else, could speak thee out, The Queen of earthly Queens: She is noble
And, like her true nobility, she has Carried herself toward me,
Wol, Most gracious Sir,
In humblest manner I require your Highness That it shall please you to declare, in hearing Of all these ears, (for where I am rabb'd and bound,
There must I be unloos'd; although not there At once and fully satisfied,) whether ever I Did broach this business to your Highness, or Laid any scruple in your way, which might Induce you to the question on't? or ever
Have to you, A royal lady,
but with thanks to God for such spake one the least word, might
Be to the prejudice of her present state, Or touch of her good person?
K. Hen. My Lord Cardinal,
I do excuse you; yea, upon mine honour, I free you from't, You are not to be taught That you have many enemies, that know not Why they are so, but, like to village curs, Bark when their fellows da: by some of these The Queen is put in anger. You are excus'd; But will you be more justify'd? you ever
Ilave wish'd the sleeping of this business; never Desir'd it to be stirr'd; but oft have hinder'd; oft The passages made toward it: on my honour, I speak my good Lord Cardinal to his point, And thus far clear him. Now, what mov'd me to't,
I will be bold with time, and your attention: Then mark the inducement, Thus it came; → give heed to't;
My conscience first receiv'd a tenderness,
Scruple, and prick, on certain speeches utter'd By the Bishop of Bayonne, then French Ambas◄ sador;
Who had been hither sent on the debating A marriage, 'twixt the Duke of Orleans and
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