Old L.

In faith, for little England

You'd venture an emballing: I myself

Would for Carnarvonshire, although there 'longed No more to the Crown but that. Lo, who comes here?

Enter the Lord Chamberlain

Cham. Good morrow, ladies; what were it 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 bear a gentle mind, and heavenly

blessings

Follow such creatures. That you may, fair lady,
Perceive I speak sincerely, and high note 's
Ta'en of your many virtues, the King's Majesty
Commends his good opinion of you to you, and
Does purpose honour to you no less flowing
Than Marchioness of Pembroke; to which title
A thousand pound a year, annual support,

Out of his grace he adds.

Anne.

I do not know,

What kind of my obedience I should tender;
More than my all, is nothing; nor my prayers
Are not words duly hallowed; nor my
More worth than empty vanities: yet prayers, and

wishes

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

The King hath of you.-[Aside.] I have perused her well:

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 -[To her.] I'll to the

King,

And say, I spoke with you.

Anne.

My honoured lord.

[Exit Lord Chamberlain.

Old L. Why, this it is; see, see!

I have been begging sixteen years in court,

Am yet a courtier beggarly, nor could
Come pat betwixt too early and too late
For any suit of pounds; and you, O fate!
A very fresh-fish here, fie, fie, upon

This compelled fortune! have your mouth filled 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, '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 Pem

broke !

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 foreskirt. By this time,
I know, your back will bear a Duchess :— —say,
Are you not stronger than you were?

Anne.

Good lady, Make yourself mirth with your particular fancy,

If this salute 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 you've heard, to her.

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 habit 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 bareheaded, 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. Two Noblemen with the Sword and Mace. 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 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,

And on all sides the authority allowed;
You may then spare that time.

Wol.

Be 't so.-Proceed.

Scribe. Say, Henry King of England, come into

the Court.

Crier. Henry King of England, &c.

K. Hen. Here.

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,