Could speak this with as free a soul as I do! Were try'd by every tongue, every eye saw 'em, Seek me out, and that way I am wife in, 40 Out with it boldly; Truth loves open dealing. Wol. Tanta est ergà te mentis integritas, regina serenissima Queen. O, good my lord, no Latin; I am not such a truant since my coming, As not to know the language I have liv'd in: A strange tongue makes my cause more strange, sus picious; Pray, speak in English: here are some will thank you, If you speak truth, for their poor mistress' sake; 50 Believe me, she has had much wrong: Lord cardinal, The willing'st sin I ever yet committed, May be absolv'd in English. Wol. Noble lady, I am sorry my integrity should breed So deep suspicion, where all faith was meant. To taint that honour every good tongue blesses; Gij 60 Between Between the king and you; and to deliver, Cam. Most honour'd madam, My lord of York—out of his noble nature, His service, and his counsel. Queen. To betray me. 71 [Aside. My lords, I thank you both for your good wills, In such a point of weight, so near mine honour 80 In truth, I know not. I was set at work For her sake that I have been (for I feel The last fit of my greatness), good your graces, Alas! I am a woman, friendless, hopeless. Wol. Madam, you wrong the king's love with these fears; Your hopes and friends are infinite. Queen. In England, But little for my profit: Can you think, lords, Or be a known friend, 'gainst his highness' pleasure (Though (Though he be grown so desperate to be honest), Cam. I would, your grace Would leave your griefs, and take my counsel. 100 Queen. How, sir? Cam. Put your main cause into the king's protection; He's loving, and most gracious: 'twill be much Queen. Ye tell me what ye wish for both, my Cam. Your rage mistakes us. ruin : 110 Queen. The more shame for ye; holy men I thought ye, Upon my soul, two reverend cardinal virtues ; But cardinal sins, and hollow hearts, I fear ye. Mend 'em for shame, my lords. Is this your comfort? The cordial that ye bring a wretched lady? A woman lost among ye, laugh'd at, scorn'd? I have more charity: But say, I warn'd ye; Giij 120 Take Take heed, for heaven's sake, take heed, lest at once Queen. Ye turn me into nothing: Woe upon ye, And all such false professors! Would ye have me (If you have any justice, any pity; If you be any thing but churchmen's habits) To me, above this wretchedness? all your studies Cam. Your fears are worse. 130 Queen. Have I liv'd 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 140 Still met the king? lov'd him next heaven? obey'd him? Been, out of fondness, superstitious to him Wal. Wol. Madam, you wander from the good we aim at. 150 Queen. 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. Wol. Pray, hear me. Queen. '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. What will become of me now, wretched lady? I am the most unhappy woman living.— 160. Alas! poor wenches, where are now your fortunes? No friends, no hope; no kindred weep for me, Wol. If your grace Could but be brought to know our ends are honest, We are to cure such sorrows, not to sow 'em. 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, |