Anne. How you do talk! I swear again, I would not be a queen In faith, for little England Would for Carnarvonshire, although there 'long'd No more to the crown but that. Lo, who comes here? 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: 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 bear a gentle mind, and heavenly blessings Follow such creatures. That you may, fair lady, Anne. my 3 More than all is nothing, &c.] More than my all is nothing, for my prayers and wishes are of no value, and yet prayers and wishes are all I have to return. More worth than empty vanities; yet prayers, and wishes, Are all I can return. 'Beseech your lordship, Vouchsafe to speak my thanks, and my obedience, As from a blushing handmaid, to his highness; Whose health, and royalty, I pray for, Cham. Lady, I shall not fail to approve the fair conceit,* [Aside, Beauty and honour in her are so mingled, To lighten all this isle?—I'll to the king, And say, I spoke with you. 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 Anne, This is strange to me. up, Old L. How tastes it? is it bitter? forty pence, no,3 There was a lady once, ('tis an old story,) • I shall not fail, &c.] I shall not omit to strengthen, by my commendation, the opinion which the King has formed. 5 is it bitter? forty pence, no.] Forty pence was, in those days, the proverbial expression of a small wager, or a small sum. Money was then reckoned by pounds, marks, and nobles, For all the mud in Egypt] The fertility of Egypt is deriv ed from the mud and slime of the Nile. 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, The queen is comfortless, and we forgetful Old L. What do you think me? SCENE IV. A Hall in Black-fryars. [Exeunt 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 7 Sennet, Dr. Burney (whose General History of Musick has been so highly and deservedly applauded) undertook to trace the etymology, and discover the certain meaning of this term, but without success. Mr. Malone thinks it was no more than a flourish, or sounding. 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; between 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 publickly been read, Wol. Be't so:-Proceed. Scribe. Say, Henry king of England, come into the court. Crier. Henry king of England, &c. Scribe. Say, Katharine queen of England, come into 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; 8-pillars ;] Pillars were some of the ensigns of dignity carried before cardinals. And to bestow your pity on me: for Yea, subject to your countenance; glad, or sorry, I ever contradicted your desire, Or made it not mine too? Or which of your friends |