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,
And leave me out on 't. Would I had no being,
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.

100

SCENE IV — A HALL IN BLACK-FRIARS

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 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; two

duchess] you will be equal to bear the dignity of a

101 your particular fancy] your own imagination. 103 salute my blood] exhilarate me, raise my spirits. (stage direction) sennet] trumpet notes.

two great silver pillars] the insignia of a cardinal.

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 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.

KING.

What's the need?

It hath already publicly been read,
And on all sides the authority allow'd;
You may then spare that time.

Be't so.

Proceed.

WOL.
SCRIBE. Say, Henry King of England, come into the

court.

CRIER. Henry King of England, &c.

KING. 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, And to bestow your pity on me; for

I am a most poor woman, and a stranger,

Born out of your dominions; having here

12 (stage direction) goes about the court] walks through the court. 13–57 Sir, I desire you . be fulfill'd] The whole of Katharine's speech

is taken almost verbatim from Holinshed's Chronicle.

11

No judge indifferent, nor no more assurance
Of equal friendship and proceeding. Alas, sir,
In what have I offended you? what cause
Hath my behaviour given to your displeasure,
That thus you should proceed to put me off,
And take your good grace from me? Heaven witness,
I have been to you a true and humble wife,

At all times to your will conformable,

Ever in fear to kindle your dislike,

Yea, subject to your countenance, glad or sorry
As I saw it inclined: when was the hour

I ever contradicted your desire,

Or made it not mine too? Or 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 derived your anger, did I
Continue in my liking? nay, gave notice

He was from thence discharged? Sir, call to mind
That I have been your wife, in this obedience,
Upward 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 aught,
My bond to wedlock or my love and duty,
Against your sacred person, in God's name,

17 indifferent] impartial.

18 equal] fair, just. The word means much the same as "indifferent " in the previous line.

32 to him derived your anger] drawn on himself your anger.

41 Against your sacred person] A repetition of "aught" from the end of line 39 is implied before these words.

20

30

40

Turn me away, and let the foul'st contempt
Shut door upon me, and so give me up
To the sharp'st 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 judgement: 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 wise council to them
Of every realm, that did debate this business,

Who deem'd our marriage lawful: wherefore I humbly
Beseech you, sir, to spare me, till I may

Be by my friends in Spain advised, whose counsel
I will implore: if not, i' the name of God,

Your pleasure be fulfill'd!

WOL.

You have here, lady,

And of your choice, these reverend fathers; men
Of singular integrity and learning,

Yea, the elect o' 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,

48-49 one The wisest prince] Holinshed's phrase is "one of the wittiest princes."

60 the elect] the élite.

62 That longer... court] That you desire the court to sit longer, that you wish the proceedings prolonged.

50

60

It's fit this royal session do proceed,
And that without delay their arguments
Be now produced and heard.

Q. KATH.

To you I speak.

WOL.

Q. KATH.

Lord cardinal,

Sir,

Your pleasure, madam?

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.

Q. KATH. I will, when you are humble; nay, before, Or God will punish me. I do believe,

Induced 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 soul

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 yourself; who ever yet
Have stood to charity and display'd the effects
Of disposition gentle, and of wisdom

76 Induced by potent circumstances] Impelled by powerful reasons.

77 make my challenge] a law term for a defendant's formal protest

or challenge of a juryman's qualification.

81 abhor] a technical term in canon law for "protest."