Act 2 — Scene IV. A hall in Black-Friars.
Reading edition
Trumpets, sennet and cornets. Enter two Vergers, with short silver wands; next them, two Scribes, in the habit of doctors; after them, the Archbishop of Canterbury alone; after him, the 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.[367]
Wol. 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. Wol. Be't so. Proceed. 5 Scribe. Say, Henry King of England, come into the court. Crier. Henry King of England, &c. King. Here. Scribe. Say, Katharine Queen of England, come into[368] 10 the court.[368] 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.
Q. Kath. Sir, I desire you do me right and justice,[369] And to bestow your pity on me; for I am a most poor woman and a stranger, 15 Born out of your dominions; having here No judge indifferent, nor no more assurance[370] Of equal friendship and proceeding. Alas, sir, In what have I offended you? what cause Hath my behaviour given to your displeasure, 20 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,[371] At all times to your will conformable, Ever in fear to kindle your dislike, 25 Yea, subject to your countenance, glad or sorry As I saw it inclined: when was the hour[372] I ever contradicted your desire, Or made it not mine too? Or which of your friends[373] Have I not strove to love, although I knew 30 He were mine enemy? what friend of mine[374] That had to him derived your anger, did I Continue in my liking? nay, gave notice[375] He was from thence discharged? Sir, call to mind[376] That I have been your wife, in this obedience, 35 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,[377][378] 40 Against your sacred person, in God's name,[378] Turn me away, and let the foul'st contempt[379] Shut door upon me, and so give me up To the sharp'st kind of justice. Please you, sir,[380] The king, your father, was reputed for 45 A prince most prudent, of an excellent[381] And unmatch'd wit and judgement: 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 50 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[382][383] Beseech you, sir, to spare me, till I may[383] Be by my friends in Spain advised, whose counsel 55 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 o' the land, who are assembled 60 To plead your cause: it shall be therefore bootless That longer you desire the court, as well[384] For your own quiet, as to rectify What is unsettled in the king. Cam. His grace Hath spoken well and justly: therefore, madam, 65 It's fit this royal session do proceed, And that without delay their arguments Be now produced and heard. Q. Kath. Lord cardinal,[385] To you I speak.[385] Wol. Your pleasure, madam? Q. Kath. Sir,[386][387] I am about to weep; but, thinking that[386] 70 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. Be patient yet.[388] Q. Kath. I will, when you are humble; nay, before, Or God will punish me. I do believe,[389] 75 Induced by potent circumstances, that You are mine enemy, and make my challenge[390] 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, 80 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 85 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:[391] I have no spleen against you, nor injustice For you or any: how far I have proceeded,[392] 90 Or how far further shall, is warranted[393] By a commission from the consistory, Yea, the whole consistory of Rome. You charge me That I have blown this coal: I do deny it: The king is present: if it be known to him[394] 95 That I gainsay my deed, how may he wound,[395] And worthily, my falsehood! yea, as much As you have done my truth. If he know[396] That I am free of your report, he knows I am not of your wrong. Therefore in him 100 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 so no more.[397] Q. Kath. My lord, my lord, 105 I am a simple woman, much too weak To oppose your cunning. You're meek and humble-mouth'd;[398] You sign your place and calling, in full seeming, With meekness and humility; but your heart Is cramm'd with arrogancy, spleen, and pride.[399] 110 You have, by fortune and his highness' favours,[400] Gone slightly o'er low steps and now are mounted[401] Where powers are your retainers, and your words,[402] Domestics to you, serve your will as't please Yourself pronounce their office. I must tell you, 115 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, 120 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't: 'tis not well. She's going away. King. Call her again. 125 Crier. Katharine Queen of England, come into the court. Gent. Ush. Madam, you are call'd back.[403] Q. Kath. What need you note it? pray you, keep your way: When you are call'd, return. Now the Lord help![404] They vex me past my patience. Pray you, pass on: 130 I will not tarry, no, nor ever more Upon this business my appearance make In any of their courts. [Exeunt Queen, and her Attendants.[405] King. Go thy ways, Kate: That man i' the world who shall report he has A better wife, let him in nought be trusted,[406] 135 For speaking false in that: thou art, alone, If thy rare qualities, sweet gentleness, Thy meekness saint-like, wife-like government, Obeying in commanding, and thy parts Sovereign and pious else, could speak thee out,[407] 140 The queen of earthly queens. She's noble born, And like her true nobility she has Carried herself towards me. Wol. Most gracious sir, In humblest manner I require your highness, That it shall please you to declare in hearing 145 Of all these ears—for where I am robb'd and bound, There must I be unloosed, although not there[408] At once and fully satisfied—whether ever I[409] Did broach this business to your highness, or Laid any scruple in your way which might 150 Induce you to the question on't? or ever Have to you, but with thanks to God for such A royal lady, spake one the least word that might[410] Be to the prejudice of her present state[411] Or touch of her good person? King. My lord cardinal, 155 I do excuse you; yea, upon mine honour, I free you from't. You are not to be taught That you have many enemies that know not Why they are so, but, like to village-curs,[412] Bark when their fellows do: by some of these 160 The queen is put in anger. You're excused:[413] But will you be more justified? you ever Have wish'd the sleeping of this business, never desired[414] It to be stirr'd, but oft have hinder'd, oft,[414] The passages made toward it: on my honour,[415] 165 I speak my good lord cardinal to this point,[416] And thus far clear him. Now, what moved me to't,[417] I will be bold with time and your attention: Then mark the inducement. Thus it came; give heed to't: My conscience first received a tenderness, 170 Scruple, and prick, on certain speeches utter'd By the Bishop of Bayonne, then French ambassador;[418] Who had been hither sent on the debating A marriage 'twixt the Duke of Orleans and[419] Our daughter Mary: i' the progress of this business, 175 Ere a determinate resolution, he, I mean the bishop, did require a respite,[420] Wherein he might the king his lord advertise Whether our daughter were legitimate, Respecting this our marriage with the dowager, 180 Sometimes our brother's wife. This respite shook[421] The bosom of my conscience, enter'd me,[422] Yea, with a splitting power, and made to tremble[423] The region of my breast; which forced such way That many mazed considerings did throng 185 And press'd in with this caution. First, methought I stood not in the smile of heaven, who had[424] Commanded nature that my lady's womb, If it conceived a male-child by me, should Do no more offices of life to't than 190 The grave does to the dead; for her male issue Or died where they were made, or shortly after This world had air'd them: hence I took a thought, This was a judgement on me, that my kingdom, Well worthy the best heir o' the world, should not 195 Be gladded in't by me: then follows that[425] I weigh'd the danger which my realms stood in[426] By this my issue's fail; and that gave to me Many a groaning throe. Thus hulling in[427] The wild sea of my conscience, I did steer 200 Toward this remedy whereupon we are[428] Now present here together; that's to say, I meant to rectify my conscience, which I then did feel full sick and yet not well, By all the reverend fathers of the land 205 And doctors learn'd. First I began in private With you, my Lord of Lincoln; you remember How under my oppression I did reek,[429] When I first moved you. Lin. Very well, my liege. King. I have spoke long: be pleased yourself to say 210 How far you satisfied me. Lin. So please your highness, The question did at first so stagger me, Bearing a state of mighty moment in't And consequence of dread, that I committed The daring'st counsel which I had to doubt, 215 And did entreat your highness to this course[430] Which you are running here. King. I then moved you, My Lord of Canterbury, and got your leave To make this present summons: unsolicited[431] I left no reverend person in this court; 220 But by particular consent proceeded Under your hands and seals: therefore, go on; For no dislike i' the world against the person Of the good queen, but the sharp thorny points[432] Of my alleged reasons, drive this forward:[433] 225 Prove but our marriage lawful, by my life And kingly dignity, we are contented To wear our mortal state to come with her, Katharine our queen, before the primest creature That's paragon'd o' the world.[434] Cam. So please your highness, 230 The queen being absent, 'tis a needful fitness That we adjourn this court till further day:[435] Meanwhile must be an earnest motion Made to the queen, to call back her appeal She intends unto his holiness. King. [Aside] I may perceive[436][437] 235 These cardinals trifle with me: I abhor[437] This dilatory sloth and tricks of Rome.[437][438] My learn'd and well-beloved servant, Cranmer,[437][439] Prithee, return; with thy approach, I know,[437][440] My comfort comes along.—Break up the court:[437] 240 I say, set on.
[Exeunt in manner as they entered.