Enter the Lord Chamberlain. Cham. Good morrow, ladies. What wer'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 hear a gentle mind, and heavenly bless ings Follow such creatures. That you may, I do not know Anne. Are all I can return. 'Beseech your lordship, Cham. Lady, I shall not fail to improve the fair conceit The king hath of you. I have perus'd her well; [Aside. Beauty and honour in her are so mingled, 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, Anne. My honour'd lord. [Exit Lord Chamberlain. Old L. Why, this it is; see, see! I have been begging sixteen years in court, This compell'd fortune!) have your mouth fill'd up Anne. This is strange to me. Old L. How tastes it? is it bitter? forty pence, no. There was a lady once, ('t is 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. With your theme, I could O'ermount the lark. The marchioness of Pembroke ! A thousand pounds a-year! for pure respect; That promises more thousands: Honour's train 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 Old L. What do you think me? [Exeunt. SCENE IV.-A Hall in Blackfriars. Trumpets, sennet, and cornets. Enter two Vergers, with short silver wands; next them, Two Scribes, in 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; below 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, Wol. Be 't so:-Proceed. Scribe. Say, Henry king of England, come into the Scribe. Say, Katharine queen of England, come into the court. Crier. Katharine queen of England, &c. [The QUEEN makes no answer, rises out of her chair, goes about the court, comes to the KING, and kneels at his feet; then speaks. Q. Kath. Sir, I desire you, do me right and justice; And to bestow your pity on me: for I am a most poor woman, and a stranger, And take your good grace from me? Heaven witness, Ever in fear to kindle your dislike, Yea, subject to your countenance; glad, or sorry, I ever contradicted your desire, Or made it not mine too? Or which of your friends To the sharpest kind of justice. Please you, sir, ¡ A prince most prudent, of an excellent And unmatch'd wit and judgment: Ferdinand, That they had gather'd a wise council to them Who deem'd our marriage lawful: Wherefore I humbly Be by my friends in Spain advis'd; whose counsel Your pleasure be fulfill'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 bootless, For your own quiet, as to rectify What is unsettled in the king. Cam. His grace Hath spoken well, and justly: Therefore, madam, And that, without delay, their arguments Be now produc'd, and heard. Q. Kath. To you I speak. Wol. Q. Kath. 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 I'll turn to sparks of fire. Wol. Be patient yet. Q. Kath. I will, when you are humble; nay, before, |