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I have been begging fixteen years in court
(Am yet a courtier beggarly) nor could
Come pat betwixt too early and too late,
For any fuit of pounds: And you, oh fate!
(A very fresh fish here; fie, fie upon
This compell'd fortune) have your mouth fill'd up
Before you open it.

Anne. This is strange to me.

Old. L. How tastes it? is it bitter? forty pence, no There was a lady once ('tis an old story) That would not be a Queen, that would the 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 Pembrook!
A thousand pounds a year, for pure respect!
No other obligation? By my life

That promises more thousands: honour's train
Is longer than his fore-skirt. By this time
I know your back will bear a Dutchess, Say,
Are you not stronger than you were ?

Anne. Good lady,

Make your self mirth with your particular fancy,
And leave me out on't. Would I had no being,
If this falute my blood a jot; it faints me
To think what follows.

The Queen is comfortless, and we forgetful
In our long absence; pray do not deliver
What here y'ave heard, to her.

Old L. What do you think me?

[Exeunt

SCENE VI.

Trumpets, Sonnet, and Cornets. Enter two Vergers) with short filver wands; next them two Scribes in the habits of Doctors; after them, the Bishop of Canterbury alone; after him, the Bishops of Lincoln, Ely, Rochester, and St. Afaph; next them, with Some

;

Some small distance, follows a gentleman bearing the purse, with the great seal, and the Cardinal's hat then two Priests, bearing each a silver cross; then a gentleman-usher bare-headed, accompanied with a ferjeant at arms, bearing a mace; then two gentlemen, bearing two filver pillars; after them, side by side, the two Cardinals, two noblemen with the sword and mace. The King takes place under the cloth of state the two Cardinals fit under him as judges. The Queen takes place 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 fit next the bishops. The rest of the attendants stand in convenient order about the stage.

Wol. W Hilft our commiffion from Rome is read,

Let filence be commanded.

King. What's the need?

It hath already publickly been read,

And on all fides th' authority allow'd,

You may then spare that time.

Wol. Be't so, proceed.

Scribe. Say, Henry King of England, come into the

court.

Cryer. Henry King of England, &c.

King. Here.

Scribe. Say, Katherine Queen of England,

Come into the court.

Cryer. Katherine 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 ;]

Sir, I defire you do me right and justice,
And to bestow your pity on me; for
I am a most poor woman, and a stranger,
Born out of your dominions; having here
No judge indiff'rent, and no more afsurance
Of equal friendship and proceeding. Alas, Sir,
In what have I offended you? what cause
Hath my behaviour giv'n to your displeasure,

1

That

That thus you should proceed to put me off,
And take your good grace from me? Heaven witness,
I've been to you a true and humble wife,
At all times to your will conformable:

Ever in fear to kindle your dislike,

Yea, fubject to your count'nance; glad or forry,
As I saw it inclin'd: when was the hour

I ever contradicted your defire ?

Or made it not mine too? which of your friends
Have I not strove to love, although I knew
He 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,
Upwards 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 ought,
My bond of wedlock, or my love and duty
Against your sacred perfon; in God's name
Turn me away; and let the foul'st contempt
Shut door upon me, and fo 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 judgment. 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 wife council to them
Of ev'ry realm, that did debate this business,
Who deem'd our marriage lawful. Wherefore humbly,
Sir, I beseech you, spare me, 'till I may
Be by my friends in Spain advis'd; whose council
I will implore. If not, i' th' name of God

Your pleasure be fulfill'd.

Wol. You have here, lady,

(And of your choice) these rev'rend fathers, men Of fingular integrity and learning:

Yea,

Yea, the elect o'th 'land, who are assembled
To plead your cause. It shall be therefore bootlefs
That longer you defer the court, as well

For our own quiet, as to rectifie

What is unfettled in the King.

Cam. His Grace

Hath spoken well and justly; therefore, madam,

It's fit this royal fession do proceed,

And that without delay their arguments

Be now produc'd, and heard.

Queen. Lord Cardinal,

To you I speak.

Wol. Your pleasure, madam.

Queen. Sir,

I am about to weep; but thinking that

We are a Queen, or long have dream'd so, certain
The daughter of a King, my drops of tears

I'll turn to sparks of fire.

Wol. Be patient yet

Queen. 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 foul

Refuse you for my judge, whom yet once more
I hold my most malicious foe, and think not
At all a friend to truth.

Wol. I do profess

You speak not like your self, who ever yet
Have ftood to charity, and display'd th' effects
Of disposition gentle, and of Wisdom

O'er-topping woman's power. Madam, you wrong me.
I have no fpleen against you, nor injustice
For you, or any; how far I've proceeded,

Or how far further shall, is warranted

By a commission from the consistory,

Yea, the whole consist'ry of Rome. You charge me,

That

That I have blown this coal; I do deny it.
Toe King is present; if't be known to him
That I gainsay my deed, how may he wound,
And worthily, my falfhood? 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.
His Highness shall speak in, I do beseech
You, gracious madam, to unthink your speaking,
And say no more.

The which before

Queen. My lord, my lord, I am A simple woman, much too weak t' 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 arrogance, with spleen and pride. You have by fortune and his Highness favours Gone flightly o'er low steps, and now are mounted Where pow'rs are your retainers; and your words, Domesticks to you, serve your will, as't please Your felf 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 courtesies to the King, and offers to departa

Cam. The Queen is obstinate,

Stubborn to justice, apt t'accuse it, and
Disdainful to be try'd by't; 'tis not well.
She's going away.

King. Call her again.

Cryer. Katherine, Queen of England, come into the

court.

Usher. Madam, you are call'd back.

Queen. What need you note it? pray you keep your

way.

When

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