the other next two, who observe the same order in their changes, and holding the garland over her head: which done, they deliver the same garland to the last two, who likewise observe the same order: at which, (as it were by inspiration,) she makes in her sleep signs of rejoicing, and holdeth up her hands to heaven: and so in their dancing they vanish, carrying the garland with them. The musick continues.

Kath. Spirits of peace, where are ye? Are ye all gone? And leave me here in wretchedness behind Grif. Madam, we are here.

Kath.

Saw

ye?

It is not you I call for :

ye none enter, since I slept?

Grif.

None, madam.

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 musick leave,

They are harsh and heavy to me.

Pat.

[Musick ceases.

Do you note,

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

Pat.

Heaven comfort her!

Enter a Messenger.

Mess. An't like your grace,

Kath.

Deserve we no more reverence?

You are a saucy fellow:

Grif.

You are to blame,

Knowing, she will not lose her wonted greatness,
To use so rude behaviour: 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 and Messenger.

Re-enter GRIFFITH, with CAPUCIUS.

If my sight fail not,

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 alter'd strangely

With me, since first you knew me.
What is your pleasure with me?

But, I pray you,

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

Cap.

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.

Cap. Most willing, 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.

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

▲ The model of our chaste loves,] Model is image, or representative.

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 honour; 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,

ACT V.

SCENE I. A Gallery in the Palace.

Enter GARDINER, Bishop of Winchester, a Page with a Torch before him, met by Sir THOMAS LOVELL.

Gard. It's one o'clock, boy, is't not?

Boy.

It hath struck.

Gar. These should be hours for necessities, Not for delights; times to repair our nature With comforting repose, and not for us

To waste these times. - Good hour of night, sir Thomas! Whither so late?

Lov.

5

Came you from the king, my lord? Gar. I did, sir Thomas; and left him at primero With the duke of Suffolk.

Lov.

I must to him too,

Before he go to bed. I'll take my leave.

5

at primero-] Primero and Primavista, two games at cards, H. I. Primera, Primavista. La Primiere, G. prime, f. Prime veue. Primum, et primum visum, that is, first, and first seen: because he that can show such an order of cards first, wins the game. Minsheu's Guide into Tongues, col. 575.

Gar. Not yet, sir Thomas Lovell. What's the matter? It seems, you are in haste; an if there be

No great offence belongs to't, give your friend
Some touch of your late business: Affairs, that walk
(As, they say, spirits do,) at midnight, have

In them a wilder nature, than the business

That seeks despatch by day.

Lov.

My lord, I love you;

The queen's in labour,

And durst commend a secret to your ear
Much weightier than this work.
They say, in great extremity; and fear'd,
She'll with the labour end.

Gar.

The fruit, she goes with,

I pray for heartily; that it may find

Good time, and live: but for the stock, sir Thomas,

I wish it grubb'd up now.

Lov.

Methinks, I could

Cry the amen; and yet my conscience says

She's a good creature, and, sweet lady, does
Deserve our better wishes.

Gar.

But, sir, sir,

Hear me, sir Thomas: You are a gentleman
Of mine own way'; I know you wise, religious:
And, let me tell you, it will ne'er be well,
"Twill not, sir Thomas Lovell, take't of me,
Till Cranmer, Cromwell, her two hands, and she,
Sleep in their graves.

Lov.
Now, sir, you speak of two
The most remark'd i'the kingdom. As for Cromwell, ——
Beside that of the jewel-house, he's made master
O'the rolls, and the king's secretary; further, sir,
Stands in the gap and trade of more preferments, s
With which the time will load him: The archbishop

8

6 Some touch of your late business:] Some hint of the business that keeps you awake so late.

7

mine own way;] Mine own opinion in religion.

8 Stands in the gap and trade of more preferments,] Trade is the practised method, the general course.