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 ASAPI; 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-U: her bareheaded,accompanied with aSergeant-at-arms, bearing a silver mace; then two Gentlemen, bearing two great silver pillars; after them, side by side, the two C rdinals, WOLSEY and CAMPEIUS; two Nobleme with the sword and mace. Then ', enter the KING and QUEEN, and their Trains. The KI G 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 Scri es. 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;
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 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.

2. 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,
As I saw it inclined. When was the hour,
I ever contradicted your desire,

Or made it not mine too? Or which of your

friends

Have I not strove to love, although I knew
He were mine enemy? What friend of mine
That had to him derived your anger, did I

Continue in my liking? nay, gave notice
He was from thence discharged?

mind

Sir, call to

That I have been your wife, in this obedience,
Upward of twenty years, and have been blest
With many children by you: if, in the course
And process of this time, you can report,
And prove it too, against mine honour aught,
My bond to wedlock, or my love and duty,

Against your sacred person, in God's name,
Turn me away; and let the foul'st contempt
Shut door upon me, and so give me up
To the sharpest kind of justice.

Please you, sir, The king, your father, was reputed for

A prince most prudent, of an excellent
And unmatch'd wit and judgment: Ferdinand,
My father, king of Spain, was reckon❜d one
The wisest prince, that there had reign'd by
many

A year before it is not to be question'd

That they had gather'd a wise council to them Of every realm, that did debate this business, Who deem'd our marriage lawful wherefore I humbly

Beseech you, sir, to spare me, till I may

Be by my friends in Spain advised; whose counsel

I will implore; if not, i' the name of God,
Your pleasure be fulfill'd.

Wol.

You have here, lady,

(And of your choice,) these reverend fathers; men Of singular integrity and learning,

Yea, the elect of the land, who are assembled To plead your cause it shall be therefore bootless,

That longer you desire the court; as well

For your own quiet, as to rectify

What is unsettled in the king.

Cam.

His grace

Hath spoken well, and justly: therefore, madam, It's fit this royal session do proceed;

And that, without delay, their arguments

Be now produced, and heard.

2. Kath.

To you I speak.

Lord cardinal,

Wol.

2. Kath.

Your pleasure, madam?

I am about to weep; but, thinking that

Sir,

We are a queen, (or long have dream'd so,)

certain

The daughter of a king, my drops of tears

I'll turn to sparks of fire.

Wol.

2. Kath. I will, when before,

Or God will punish me. I do believe,
Induced my potent circumstances, that

You are mine enemy; and make my challenge
You shall not be my judge: for it is you
Have blown this coal betwixt my lord and me,
Which God's dew quench!-Therefore, I say
again,

I utterly abhor, yea, from my soul

Refuse you for my judge: whom, yet once more,
I hold my most malicious foe, and think not
At all a friend to truth.

Wol.

I do profess

You speak not like yourself; who ever yet
Have stood to charity, and display'd the effects
Of disposition gentle, and of wisdom

O'ertopping woman's power.

wrong:

Madam, you do me

I have no spleen against you; nor injustice
For you, or any: how far I have proceeded,
Or how far further shall, is warranted
By a commission from the consistory,
Yea, the whole consistory of Rome.

me

You charge

That I have blown this coal: I do deny it :
The king is present: if it be known to him
That I gainsay my deed, how may he wound,

And worthily, my falsehood! yea, as much
As you have done my truth. If he know
That I am free of your report, he knows
I am not of your wrong Therefore in him
It lies to cure me: and the cure is, to

Remove these thoughts from you: the which, before

His highness shall speak in, I do beseech

You, gracious madam, to unthink your speaking, And to say no more.

2. Kath.

My lord, my lord, I am a simple woman, much too weak

To oppose your cunning. You are meek, and humble-mouth'd;

You sign your place and calling, in full seeming
With meekness and humility: but your heart
Is cramm'd with arrogancy, spleen, and pride.
You have, by fortune, and his highness' favours,
Gone slightly o'er low steps; and now are

mounted

Where powers are your retainers: and your

words,

Domestics to you, serve your will, as't please
Yourself pronounce their office. I must tell you,
You tender more your person's honour than
Your high profession spiritual: that again
I do refuse you for my judge; and here,
Before you all, appeal unto the pope,
To bring my whole cause 'fore his holiness,
And to be judged by him.

[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; 'tis not well.

She's going away.

K. Hen.

VOL. VIII.

Call her again.

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