If this salute my blood a jot; it faints me, The queen is comfortless, and we forgetful Old L. What do you think me? [Exeunt. SCENE IV. A Hall in Black-friars. 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 bare-headed, accompanied with a Serjeant at Arms, bearing a silver mace; then two Gentlemen, bearing two great silver pillars after them, side by side, the two Car dinals, 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? Flourish on cornets. + Ensigns of dignity carried before cardinals. It hath already publickly been read, Be't so:-Proceed. Scribe. Say, Henry king of England, come into Crier. Henry king of England, &c. Scribe. Say, Katharine queen of England, come 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; And to bestow your pity on me: for I am a most poor woman, and a stranger, ness, I have been to you a true and humble wife, Yea, subject to your countenance; glad, or sorry, Or made it not mine too? Or which of your friends He was from thence discharg'd? Sir, call to mind That I have been your wife, in this obedience, Upward of twenty years, and have been blest And prove it too, against mine honour aught, Beseech you, sir, to spare me, till I may Be by my friends in Spain advis'd; whose counsel Wol. Yea, the elect of the land, who are assembled To plead your cause: It shall be therefore bootless*, That longer you desire the court; as well For your own quiet, as to rectify What is unsettled in the king. Cam. His grace Hath spoken well, and justly: Therefore, madam, It's fit this royal session do proceed; And that, without delay, their arguments Be now produc'd, and heard. Q. Kath. To you I speak. Wol. Lord cardinal, Your pleasure, madam ? * Useless. I am about to weep; but, thinking that I'll turn to sparks of fire. Wol. Be patient yet. Q. Kath. I will, when you are humble; nay, before, Or God will punish me. I do believe, Induc'd by potent circumstances, that Refuse you for my judge; whom, yet once more, Wol. I do profess, You speak not like yourself; who ever yet O'ertopping woman's power. Madam, you do me wrong: I have no spleen against you; nor injustice By a commission from the consistory, Yea, the whole consistory of Rome. You charge me, That I have blown this coal: I do deny it : Remove these thoughts from you; The which before * Deny. His highness shall speak in, I do beseech You, gracious madam, to unthink your speaking, And to say so no more. Q. Kath. My lord, my lord, I am a simple woman, much too weak To oppose your cunning. You are meek, and humble-mouth'd; You sign your place and calling, in full seeming*, To bring my whole cause 'fore his holiness, [She curt'sies to the King, and offers to depart. Cam. She's going away. K. Hen. Call her again. Crier. Katharine queen of England, come into the court. Grif. Madam, you are call'd back. Q. Kath. What need you note it? pray you, keep your way: When you are call'd, return.--Now the Lord help, Upon this business, my appearance make [Exeunt Queen, Griffith, and her other attendants. K. Hen. Go thy ways, Kate: • Appearance. |