I then did feel full sick, and yet not well,— And doctors learn'd.-First, I began in private When I first mov'd you. Lin. Very well, my liege. K. Hen. I have spoke long; be pleas'd yourself to say How far you satisfied me. Lin. So please your highness, The question did at first so stagger me,- And consequence of dread,-that I committed K. Hen. I then mov'd you, My lord of Canterbury; and got your leave Therefore, go on : To wear our mortal state to come, with her, Cam. So please your highness, The queen being absent, 'tis a needful fitness That we adjourn this court till further day; Made to the queen, to call back her appeal K. Hen. I may perceive, [They rise to depart. These cardinals trifle with me: I abhor [Aside. [Exeunt, in manner as they enter'd. ACT III. SCENE I.-Palace at Bridewell. A Room in the Queen's Apartment. The Queen, and some of her women, at work. Q. Katharine. TAKE thy lute, wench: my soul grows sad with troubles; Orpheus with his lute made trees, There had been a lasting spring. Hung their heads, and then lay by. Killing care, and grief of heart, Enter a Gentleman. Q. Kath. How now ? Gen. An't please your grace, the two great cardinals Wait in the presence. Q. Kath. Would they speak with me? Gen. They will'd me say so, madam. Q. Kath. Pray their graces To come near. [Exit Gen.] What can be their business With me, a poor weak woman, fallen from favour? I do not like their coming, now I think on't. They should be good men; their affairs are righteous : But all hoods make not monks. Enter WOLSEY and CAMPEIUS. Wol. Peace to your highness! Q. Kath. Your graces find me here part of a housewife : I would be all, against the worst may happen. What are your pleasures with me, reverend lords? [3] Affairs means not their present errand, but the business of their calling. JOHNSON. Q. Kath. Speak it here; There's nothing I have done yet, o' my conscience, Could speak this with as free a soul as I do! Were tried by every tongue, every eye saw them, I know my life so even : If your business Seek me out, and that way I am wife in," Out with it boldly; Truth loves open dealing. Wol. Tanta est ergà te mentis integritas, regina serenissima, Q. Kath O, good my lord, no Latin ; I am not such a truant since my coming, As not to know the language I have liv'd in: A strange tongue makes my cause more strange, suspicious; Pray, speak in English: here are some will thank you, If you speak truth, for their poor mistress' sake; Believe me, she has had much wrong: Lord cardinal, The willing'st sin I ever yet committed, May be absolv'd in English. Wol. Noble lady, I am sorry, my integrity should breed, (And service to his majesty and you,) So deep suspicion, where all faith was meant. We come not by the way of accusation, To taint that honour every good tongue blesses; You have too much, good lady: but to know Cam. Most honour'd madam, My lord of York, out of his noble nature, [5] I would be glad that my conduct were in some public trial confronted with mine enemies, that envy and corrupt judgment might try their utmost power against me. JOHNSON. [6] That is, if you come to examine the title by which I am the king's wife; or if you come to know how I have behaved as a wife. JOHNSON. His service and his counsel. Q. Kath. To betray me. [Aside. My lords, I thank you both for your good wills, In such a point of weight, so near mine honour, Alas! I am a woman, friendless, hopeless. Wol. Madam, you wrong the king's love with these fears: Your hopes and friends are infinite. Q. Kath. In England, But little for my profit: Can you think, lords, That any Englishman dare give me counsel? Or be a known friend, 'gainst his highness' pleasure, They that my trust must grow to, live not here; Cam. I would, your grace Would leave your griefs, and take my counsel. Q. Kath. How, sir? Cam. Put your main cause into the king's protection; He's loving, and most gracious; 'twill be much Both for your honour better, and your cause; For, if the trial of the law o'ertake you, You'll part away disgrac'd. Wol. He tells you rightly. Q. Kath. Ye tell me what ye wish for both, my ruin: Is this your christian counsel ? out upon ye! Heaven is above all yet; there sits a Judge, That no king can corrupt. Cam. Your rage mistakes us. [3] Do you think that any Englishman dare advise me; or, if any man should venture to advise with honesty, that he could live? JOHNSON. [4] To weigh out is the same as to outweigh. In Macbeth, Shakespeare has over. come for come over. STEEVENS. Q. Kath. The more shame for ye; holy men I thought ye, Upon my soul, two reverend cardinal virtues ; But cardinal sins, and hollow hearts, I fear ye : A woman lost among ye, laugh'd at, scorn'd? I will not wish ye half my miseries, I have more charity: But say, I warn'd ye; Take heed, for heaven's sake, take heed, lest at once Wol. Madam, this is a mere distraction; Q. Kath. Ye turn me into nothing: Woe upon ye, And all such false professors! Would ye have me (If you have any justice, any pity; If ye be any thing but churchmen's habits,) Put my sick cause into his hands that hates me? To me, above this wretchedness? all your studies Cam. Your fears are worse. Q. Kath. Have I liv'd thus long-(let me speak myself, Since virtue finds no friends)—a wife, a true one? A woman (I dare say, without vain-glory,) Never yet branded with suspicion? Have I with all my full affections Still met the king? lov'd him next heaven? obey'd him? Almost forgot my prayers to content him? One that ne'er dream'd a joy beyond his pleasure ; Yet will I add an honour,—a great patience. Wol. Madam, you wander from the good we aim at. Q. Kath. My lord, I dare not make myself so guilty, To give up willingly that noble title [5] If I mistake you, it is by your fault, not mine; for I thought you good. The distress of Katharine might have kept her from the quibble to which she is irresistibly tempted by the word cardinal. JOHNSON. [6] That is, served him with superstitious attention; done more than was required. JOHNSON. |