Henry VIII

to me. Old Lady

How tastes it? is it bitter? 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 Lady

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 moe 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’ve heard to her.

Old Lady What do you think me? Exeunt.

Scene IV

A hall in Black-Friars.

	Trumpets, sennet, and cornets. Enter two Vergers, with short silver wands; next them, two Scribes, in the habit of doctors; after them, Archbishop of Canterbury alone; after him, 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; after them, side by side, the two Cardinals; two Noblemen with the sword and mace. The King takes place under the cloth of state; the two Cardinals sit under him as judges. The Queen takes place 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 rest of the Attendants stand in convenient order about the stage.
Wolsey	Whilst our commission from Rome is read, Let silence be commanded.
King	What’s the need? It hath already publicly been read, And on all sides the authority allow’d; You may, then, spare that time.
Wolsey	Be’t so. Proceed.
Scribe	Say, Henry King of England, come into the court.
Crier	Henry King of England, etc.
King	Here.
Scribe	Say, Katharine Queen of England, come into the court.
Crier	Katharine Queen of England, etc. 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.
Queen Katherine	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? Sir, call to mind 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 sharp’st 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!
Wolsey	You have here, lady, And of your choice, these reverend fathers; men Of singular integrity and learning, Yea, the elect o’ 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.
Campeius	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.
Queen Katherine	Lord cardinal, To you I speak.
Wolsey	Your pleasure, madam?
Queen Katherine	Sir, I am about to weep; but, thinking that 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.
Wolsey	Be patient yet.
Queen Katherine	I will, when you are humble; nay, before, Or God will punish me. I do believe, Induced by 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.
Wolsey	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. Madam, you do me wrong: I have no spleen against you; nor injustice For you or any: how far I have proceeded, Or how far further