SCENE IV.-A Hall in Blackfriars. 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 Sergeant at Arms, bearing a silver mace; then Two Gentlemen, bearing two great silver pillars; after them, side by side, the Two CARDINALS 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; below 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? It hath already publicly been read, And on all sides the authority allow'd; then spare that time. You may 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; And to bestow your pity on me: for I am a most poor woman, and a stranger, And take your good grace from me? Heaven witness, Ever in fear to kindle your dislike, Yea, subject to your countenance; glad, or sorry, I ever contradicted your desire, Or made it not mine too? Or which of your friends Please you, sir, To the sharpest kind of justice. A prince most prudent, of an excellent And unmatch'd wit and judgment: Ferdinand, That they had gather'd a wise council to them Who deem'd our marriage lawful: Wherefore I humbly Be by my friends in Spain advis'd; whose counsel Your pleasure be fulfill'd! You have here, lady, Wol. Yea, the elect of the land, who are assembled For your own quiet, as to rectify What is unsettled in the king. Cam. His grace Hath spoken well, and justly: Therefore, madam, And that, without delay, their arguments Be now produc'd, and heard. Q. Kath. To you I speak. Wol. Q. Kath. Lord cardinal, Your pleasure, madam? I am about to weep; but, thinking that Sir, We are a queen, (or long have dream'd so,) certain 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, You are mine enemy; and make my challenge Have blown this coal betwixt my lord and me, a 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: By a commission from the consistory, Yea, the whole consistory of Rome. You charge me Remove these thoughts from you: The which before You, gracious madam, to unthink your speaking, Sir W. Blackstone, who contributed a few notes to Shakspere, says that abhor and refuse are, in such a case, technical terms of the canon-law-Detestor and Recuso. The very words occur in Holinshed. Challenge has been previously used by the queen technically. Q. Kath. My lord, my lord, I am a simple woman, much too weak To oppose your cunning. You are meek, and humblemouth'd; You sign your place and calling, in full seeming To bring my whole cause 'fore his holiness, [She curtsies to the KING, and offers to depart. Cam. The queen is obstinate, Stubborn to justice, apt to accuse it, and Disdainful to be tried by it; 't is not well. 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, They vex me past my patience!-pray you, pass on : I will not tarry: no, nor ever more, Upon this business, my appearance make In any of their courts. K. Hen. [Exeunt QUEEN, GRIFFITH, and her other Attendants. Go thy ways, Kate: |