Old L. Then you are weakly made: Pluck off a little;

I would not be a young count in your way,

For more than blushing comes to: if your back
Cannot vouchsafe this burden, 'tis too weak

Ever to get a boy.

Anne.

How you do talk!

I swear again, I would not be a queen

For all the world.

Old L.

In faith, for little England

You'd venture an emballing: I myself

Would for Carnarvonshire, although there 'long'd

No more to the crown but that. Lo, who comes here?

Enter the Lord Chamberlain.

Chum. Good morrow, ladies. What were't 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 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 hallow'd, nor my wishes
More worth than empty vanities; yet prayers, and
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. I have perus'd her well;

Beauty and honour in her are so mingled,

[Aside.

That they have caught the king: and who knows yet,
But from this lady may proceed a gem,

To lighten all this isle?—I'll to the king,
And say, I spoke with you.

Anne.

My honour'd 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, (fye, fye 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? 20 forty pence, no. There was a lady once, ('tis 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 Pembroke!

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,
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 have heard, to her.

Old L.

What do you think me? [Exeunt,

SCENE IV.

A Hall in Black-Fryars.

Trumpets, 21 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 22; 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 publickly been read,
And on all sides the authority allow'd;

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

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
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,