And, to add greater honors to his age

Than man could give him, he died fearing God.
Kath. After my death I wish no other herald,
No other speaker of my living actions,
To keep mine honor from corruption,
But such an honest chronicler as Griffith.
Whom I most hated living, thou hast made me,
With thy religious truth, and modesty,

Now in his ashes honor: Peace be with him!—
Patience, be near me still; and set me lower:
I have not long to trouble thee.-Good Griffith,
Cause the musicians play me that sad note
I nam'd my knell, whilst I sit meditating
On that celestial harmony I go to.

Sad and solemn music.

Grif. She is asleep: Good wench, let's sit down quiet,

For fear we wake her-Softly, gentle Patience.

Kath. (Wakes.) Spirits of peace, where are ye? Are ye al gone?

And leave me here in wretchedness behind ye?

Grif. Madam, we are here.

Kath.

It is not you I call for:

None, madam.

Saw ye none enter, since I slept?

Grif.

Kath. No? Saw you not, even now, a blessed troop Invite me to a banquet; whose bright faces

Cast thousand beams upon me, like the sun?

They promis'd me eternal happiness;

And brought me garlands, Griffith, which I feel
I am not worthy yet to wear: I shall,

Assuredly.

Grif. I am most joyful, madam, such good dreams Possess your fancy.

Kath.

Bid the music leave,

[Music ceases.

Do you note,

They are harsh and heavy to me.
Pat.

How much her grace is alter'd on a sudden,
How long her face is drawn? How pale she looks,
And of an earthly cold? Mark you her eyes?
Grif. She is going; pray, pray.
Pat.

Heaven comfort her!

Knowing, she will not lose her wonted greatness
To use so rude behavior: go to, kneel.

Mess. I humbly do entreat your highness' pardon;
My haste made me unmannerly: There is staying
A gentleman, sent from the king, to see you.

Kath. Admit him entrance, Griffith: But this fellow
Let me ne'er see again.

[Exeunt GRIFFITH & Messenger.

Re-enter GRIFFITH, with CAPUCIUS.

You should be lord ambassador from the emperor,
My royal nephew, and your name Capucius.

Cap. Madam, the same, your servant.

Kath.

O, my lord,
The times, and titles, now are altered strangely
With me, since first you knew me. But, I pray you,
What is your pleasure with me?

Noble lady,

Cap.
First mine own service to your grace; the next,
The king's request that I would visit you;

Who grieves much for your weakness, and by me
Sends you his princely commendations,

And heartily entreats you take good comfort.

Kath. O my good lord, that comfort comes too late;

'Tis like a pardon after execution:

That gentle physic, given in time, had cur'd me;
But now I am past all comforts here, but
How does his highness?

Cap.

prayers.

Madam, in good health.

Kath. So may he ever do! and ever flourish, When I shall dwell with worms, and my poor name Banish'd the kingdom!-Patience, is that letter,

I caus'd you write, yet sent away

Pat. No, madam.

?

[Giving it to Katharine,

Kath. Sir, I most humbly pray you to deliver
This to my lord the king.
Сар.
Most willingly, madam.
Kath. In which I have commended to his goodness
The model of our chaste loves, his young daughter :-
The dews of heaven fall thick in blessings on her!-
Beseeching him, to give her virtuous breeding;
(She is young, and of a noble modest nature;
I hope, she will deserve well;) and a little
To love her for her mother's sake, that lov'd him,
Heaven knows how dearly. My next poor petition
Is, that his noble grace would have some pity
Upon my wretched women, that so long,
Have follow'd both my fortunes faithfully :
Of which there is not one, I dare avow,
(And now I should not lie,) but will deserve,

For virtue, and true beauty of the soul,

For honesty, and decent carriage,

A right good husband, let him be a noble;

And, sure, those men are happy that shall have them.
The last is, for my men ;-they are the poorest,
But poverty could never draw them from me ;-
That they may have their wages duly paid them,
And something over to remember me by;

If heaven had pleas'd to have given me longer life,
And able means, we had not parted thus.

These are the whole contents: And, good my lord,
By that you love the dearest in this world,

As you wish Christian peace to souls departed,
Stand these poor people's friend, and urge the king
To do me this last right.

Cap.

T

By heaven, I will; Or let me lose the fashion of a man!

Kath. I thank you, honest lord. Remember me In all humility unto his highness:

Say, his long trouble now is passing

Out of this world: tell him, in death I bless'd him,
For so I will.-Mine eyes grow dim.—Farewell,
My lord.-Griffith, farewell.-Nay, Patience,
You must not leave me yet. I must to bed;
Call in more women.- -When I am dead, good wench,
Let me be us'd with honor; strew me over
With maiden flowers, that all the world may know
I was a chaste wife to my grave: embalm me,
Then lay me forth: although unqueen'd, yet like
A queen, and daughter to a king, inter me.
I can no more.-

[Exeunt, leading Katharine

THE END.

N