Q. Kath. Have I lived thus long (let me speak

myself,

Since virtue finds no friends) a wife, a true one?

A woman (I dare say, without vain glory)
Never yet branded with suspicion ?

Have I with all my full affections

Still met the king? loved him next heaven? obey'd him?

Been, out of fondness, superstitious to him?1
Almost forgot my prayers to content him?
And am I thus rewarded? 'Tis not well, lords.
Bring me a constant woman to her husband,
One that ne'er dream'd a joy beyond his pleasure;
And to that woman, when she has done most,
Yet will I add an honor-a great patience.

Wol. Madam, you wander from the good we aim at.

Q. Kath. My lord, I dare not make myself so

guilty,

To give up willingly that noble title

Your master wed me to: nothing but death

Shall e'er divorce my dignities.

Q. Kath. Would I had never trod this English

earth,

Or felt the flatteries that grow upon it!

Ye have angels' faces, but Heaven knows your hearts.

1 Served him with superstitious attention.

What will become of me now, wretched lady?

I am the most unhappy woman living.—
Alas! poor wenches, where are now your fortunes ?
[to her Women.
Shipwreck'd upon a kingdom, where no pity,
No friends, no hope; no kindred weep for me,
Almost no grave allow'd me.
Like the lily,
That once was mistress of the field, and florish'd,
I'll hang my head, and perish.

Wol.

If your grace

Could but be brought to know our ends are honest, You'd feel more comfort. Why should we, good

lady,

Upon what cause, wrong you? alas! our places,
The way of our profession is against it:

We are to cure such sorrows, not to sow them.

For goodness' sake, consider what you do;
How you may hurt yourself, ay, utterly

Grow from the king's acquaintance, by this carriage.
The hearts of princes kiss obedience,

So much they love it; but, to stubborn spirits,

They swell, and grow as terrible as storms.

I know, you have a gentle, noble temper;

A soul as even as a calm: pray, think us

Those we profess, peace-makers, friends, and ser

Such doubts, as false coin, from it. The king loves

you;

Beware, you lose it not for us, if you please

To trust us in your business, we are ready

To use our utmost studies in your service.

Q. Kath. Do what ye will, my lords: and, pray, forgive me,

1

If I have used myself unmannerly.

You know, I am a woman, lacking wit

To make a seemly answer to such persons.

Pray, do my service to his majesty :

He has my heart yet; and shall have my prayers
While I shall have my life. Come, reverend fathers,
Bestow your counsels on me: she now begs,
That little thought, when she set footing here,
She should have bought her dignities so dear.

SCENE II.

Antechamber to the King's apartment.

[Exeunt.

Enter DUKE Of norfolk, duke of Suffolk, Earl of SURREY, and LORD CHAMBERLAIN.

Nor. If you will now unite in your complaints, And force 2 them with a constancy, the cardinal Cannot stand under them: if you omit

The offer of this time, I cannot promise,

1 Behaved.

2 Enforce, urge.

But that you shall sustain more new disgraces,
With these you bear already.

Sur.

I am joyful

To meet the least occasion, that may give me
Remembrance of my father-in-law, the duke,
To be revenged on him.

Suf.

Which of the peers

Have uncontemn'd gone by him, or at least
Strangely neglected? When did he regard
The stamp of nobleness in any person,
Out of himself?

Cham.

My lords, you speak your pleasures. What he deserves of you and me, I know; What we can do to him, (though now the time Gives way to us) I much fear. If you cannot Bar his access to the king, never attempt Any thing on him; for he hath a witchcraft Over the king in his tongue.

Nor.

O, fear him not;

His spell in that is out: the king hath found
Matter against him, that for ever mars
The honey of his language. No, he's settled,
Not to come off, in his displeasure.

Sur.

Sir,

I should be glad to hear such news as this
Once every hour.

Nor.

Believe it, this is true.

In the divorce, his contrary proceedings
Are all unfolded, wherein he appears,

As I could wish mine enemy.

Sur.

How came

His practices to light?

Suf.

Sur.

Most strangely.

O, how, how?

Suf. The cardinal's letter to the pope miscarried, And came to the eye o' the king; wherein was

read,

How that the cardinal did entreat his holiness
To stay the judgment o' the divorce; for if
It did take place, I do,' quoth he, perceive,
My king is tangled in affection to

A creature of the queen's, lady Anne Bullen.'
Sur. Has the king this?

Suf.

Sur.

Believe it.

Will this work?

Cham. The king in this perceives him, how he

ooasts

And hedges his own way: but in this point
All his tricks founder, and he brings his physic
After his patient's death: the king already
Hath married the fair lady.

Sur.

Would he had!

Suf. May you be happy in your wish, my lord; For, I profess, you have it.

Sur.

Trace 1 the conjunction !

Suf.

Nor.

Now all my joy

My Amen to 't!

All men's.

Suf. There's order given for her coronation.

1 Follow.