The force of this commission: Pray, look to't; I put it to your care. A word with you. Let there be letters writ to every shire, [To the Secretary Of the king's grace and pardon. The griev'd commons Hardly conceive of me; let it be nois'd, That, through our intercession, this revokement And pardon comes: I shall anon advise you ACT II. King Henry VIII. having determined to divorce Katharine, obtains a commission from Rome, to try the causes which have induced him to dissolve his marriage. The Pope sends Cardinal Campeius, who in conjunction with Wolsey are appointed to act as judges at the Queen's trial. SCENE IV.—A Hall in Black-Friars. Court assembled for the Trial. Wol. Whilst our commission from Rome is read, Let silence be commanded. K. Hen. What's the need? It hath already publicly been read, Wol. Be't so:-Proceed. Scribe. Say, Henry king of England, come into the court. K. Hen. Here. Scribe. Say, Katharine queen of England, come into court. [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; And to bestow your pity on me: for I am a most poor woman, and a stranger, And take your good grace from me? Heaven witness, Yea, subject to your countenance; glad, or sorry, I ever contradicted your desire, Or made it not mine too? Or which of your friends To the sharpest kind of justice. Please you, sir A prince most prudent, of an excellent And unmatch'd wit and judgment: Ferdinand, That they had gather'd a wise council to them Who deem'd our marriage lawful: Wherefore I humbly Beseech you, sir, to spare me, till I may Be by my friends in Spain advis'd; whose counsel 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, 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 produc'd, and heard. Q. Kath. Lord cardinal,-- To you I speak. Wol. Your pleasure, madam? Q. Kath. Sir, I am about to weep; but, thinking that We are a queen, (or long have dream'd so,) certain, I'll turn to sparks of fire. Wol. Be patient yet. Q. Kath. I will, when you are humble; nay, before, Or Heaven will punish me. I do believe, Induc'd by potent circumstances, that You are mine enemy; and make my challenge; Have blown this coal betwixt my lord and me.— I utterly abhor, yea, from my soul, Refuse you for my judge: whom, yet once more, Wol. I do profess, You speak not like yourself; who ever yet O'ertopping woman's power. Madam, you do me wrong; 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. You charge me, 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. Q. 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 hear Is cramm'd with arrogancy, spleen, and pride. Your high profession spiritual: That again I do refuse you for my judge; and here, To bring my whole cause 'fore his holiness, Cam. [She curt'sies to the KING, and offers to depart. The queen is obstinate, Stubborn to justice, apt to accuse it, and Disdainful to be try'd by it; 'tis not well. She's going away. K. Hen. Call her again. Crier. Katharine queen of England, come into the court. Q. Kath. What need you note it? pray you, keep your way They vex me past my patience!-pray you, pass on: I will not tarry: no, nor ever more, Upon this business, my appearance make K. Hen. [Exeunt QUEEN, GRIFFITH, and her other Attendants. Go thy ways, Kate: Carried herself towards me. ACT III. Queen Katharine is divorced, and Henry marries Anne Bullen. The power of Wolsey over the King gradually declines, and the nobles of the Court plot against him. The lords of Suffolk and Norfolk are particularly his enemies; and learning that Wolsey has by accident given several documents to the King, containing private memorandums of his intrigues, and statements of his vast wealth, they are waiting to learn the effect of this disclosure. WOLSEY and CROMWELL, SUFFOLK and NORFOLK. Nor. Observe, observe, he's moody. Wol. The packet, Cromwell, gave it you the king? He did unseal them: and the first he view'd, Presently I think, by this he is. Wol. Leave me a while,— It shall be to the duchess of Alençon, The French king's sister: he shall marry her.- No, we'll no Bullens.-Speedily I wish To hear from Rome.-The marchioness of Pembroke: Wol. The late queen's gentlewoman: a knight's daughter, To be her mistress' mistress! the queen's queen!— This candle burns not clear; 'tis I must snuff it; Then, out it goes.-What though I know her virtuous, A spleeny Lutheran, and not wholesome to Suf. I would, 'twere something that would fret the string The master-cord of his heart! Enter the KING, reading a schedule; and Lî ¡ELL. Nor. His eye against the racon: in most strange postures It may well be; There is a mutiny in bis mind. This morning |