'Gainst me, that I can't take peace with: no black

envy

Shall make my grave 1.-Commend me to his grace;
And, if he fpeak of Buckingham, pray, tell him,
You met him half in heaven: my vows and
prayers

Yet are the king's; and, 'till my foul forfake me,
Shall cry for bleffings on him: May he live
Longer than I have time to tell his years!
Ever belov'd, and loving, may his rule be!
And, when old time fhall lead him to his end,
Goodness and he fill up one monument ! [grace;

Lov. To the water-fide I must conduct your Then give my charge up to Sir Nicholas Vaux, Who undertakes you to your end.

Vaux. Prepare there,

The duke is coming: fee, the barge be ready;
And fit it with fuch furniture, as fuits
The greatness of his perfon.

Buck. Nay, Sir Nicholas,

Let it alone; my ftate now but will mock me. When I came hither, I was lord high conftable, And duke of Buckingham; now, poor Edward Bohun:

Yet I am richer than my bafe accufers,

That never knew what truth meant: I now feal it; And with that blood, will make 'em one day groan for't.

My noble father, Henry of Buckingham,
Who first rais'd head against ufurping Richard,
Fiying for fuccour to his fervant Banister,
Being diftrefs'd, was by that wretch betray'd,
And without trial fell; God's peace be with him!
Henry the feventh fucceeding, truly pitying
My father's lofs, like a moft royal prince,
Reftor'd me to my honours, and, out of ruins,
Made my name once more noble. Now his fon,
Henry the eighth, life, honour, name, and all
That made me happy, at one ftroke has taken
For ever from the world. I had my trial,
And, muft needs fay, a noble one; which makes me
A little happier than my wretched father:
Yet thus far we are one in fortunes,-Both
Fell by our fervants, by thofe men we lov'd
moft;

A most unnatural and faithless service!
Heaven has an end in all: Yet, you that hear me,
This from a dying man receive as certain :-
Where you are liberal of your loves and counfels,
Be fure, you be not loofe; for thofe you make
friends,

And give your hearts to, when they once perceive
The leaft rub in your fortunes, fall away
Like water from ye, never found again
But where they mean to fink ye. All good people,
Pray for me! I muft now forfake you; the

hour

Of my long weary life is come upon me. Farewel :

aft

And when you would fay fomething that is fad, Speak how I fell.--I have done; and God forgive me! [Exeunt Buckingham, and Train.

1 Gen. Let me have it;

I do not talk much.

2 Gen. I am confident;

You fhall, fir: Did you not of late days hear
A buzzing, of a separation

Between the king and Katharine?

1 Gen. Yes, but it held not:

For when the king once heard it, out of anger
He fent command to the lord mayor, ftraight
To ftop the rumour, and allay thofe tongues
That durft difperfe it.

2 Gen. But that flander, fir,
Is found a truth now: for it grows again
Fresher than e'er it was; and held for certam,
The king will venture at it. Either the cardinal,
Or fome about him near, have, out of malice
To the good queen, poffefs'd him with a fcruple
That will undo her: To confirm this too,
Cardinal Campeius is arriv'd, and lately;
As all think, for this bufinefs.

I Gen. 'Tis the cardinal; And meerly to revenge him on the emperor, For not beftowing on him, at his asking, The archbishoprick of Toledo, this is purpos'd. 2 Gen. I think, you have hit the mark: But is't not cruel,

That the fhould feel the fmart of this? The cardinal

Will have his will, and the muft fall.
1 Gen. 'Tis woeful.

We are too open here to argue this;
Let's think in private more.

SCENE

II.

Ain Antichamber in the Palace. Enter the Lord Chamberlain, reading a Letter. My Lord, the horses your lardikap fent for, with all the care I had, i far well erojën, ridden, and furnished. They were young, and handsome; and of the best breed in the north. When they were ready to jet out for London, a man of my lord cardinal's, by commiffion, and main power, took 'em from me; with this region,His mafter would be fova'd before a fubject, if not before the king; which flopp'd our mouths, fir.

I fear, he will, indeed: Well, let him have them ; He will have all, I think.

Enter the Dukes of Norfolk, and Suffolk. Nor. Well met, my lord chamberlain. Cham. Good day to both your graces.

the league

King. Who's there, I fay? How dare you thrust yourselves

Into my private meditations?
Who am I? ha?

Nor. A gracious king, that pardons all offences,
Malice ne'er meant: our breach of duty, this way,
Is bufinefs of eftate; in which, we come
To know your royal pleasure.
King. You are too bold :

nephew,

He dives into the king's foul; and there scatters
Doubts, dangers, wringing of the conscience,
Fears, and defpairs, and all these for his marriage :
And, out of all these to reftore the king,
He counfels a divorce: a lofs of her,
That, like a jewel, has hung twenty years
About his neck, yet never loft her luftre ;
Of her, that loves him with that excellence
That angels love good men with; even of her,
That, when the greatest stroke of fortune falls,
Will blefs the king: And is not this courfe pious?
Cham. Heaven keep me from fuch counfel! 'Tis
moft true,

['em,
Thefe news are every where; every tongue fpeaks
And every true heart weeps for't: All, that dare
Look into thefe affairs, fee his main end, [open
The French king's fifter. Heaven will one day
The king's eyes, that fo long have flept upon
This bold bad man.

Suf. And free us from his flavery.
Nor. We had need pray,

And heartily, for our deliverance;
Or this imperious man will work us all
From princes into pages: all men's honours
Lie like one lump before him, to be fashion'd
Into what pitch 2 he pleafe.

I The duch fs of Alencon. Pitch here implies height.

Is this an hour for temporal affairs? ha ?
Enter Wolfey, and Campeius with a Commiffim.
Who's there my good lord cardinal ?-

Wolfey,

- my

The quiet of my wounded confcience,
Thou art a cure fit for a king.-You're welcome,
[To Campeius.

Most learned reverend fir, into our kingdom;
Ufe us, and it :-My good lord, have great care
I be not found a talker.
[To Wolley.

Wol. Sir, you cannot.

I would, your grace would give us but an hour Of private conference.

[To Norf. and Suf.

King. We are busy; go.
Nor. This prieft has no pride in him?
Suf. Not to speak of;

I would not be fo fick though 3, for his place:

But this cannot continue.

Nor. If it do,

I'll venture one heave at him.

Afide

Saf. I another. [Exeunt Norf. and Suf.J
Wol. Your grace has given a precedent of

wifdom

Above all princes, in committing freely
Your fcruple to the voice of Chriftendom :
Who can be angry now? what envy reach you?
The Spaniard, ty'd by blood and favour to her,
Muit now confefs, if he have any goodness,
The trial juft and noble. All the clerks,

I mean, the learned ones, in chriftian kingdoms, Have their free voices: Rome, the nurfe of judgment,

Invited by your noble felf, hath fent
One general tongue unto us, this good man,
This juft and learned priest, cardinal Campeius;
Whom, once more, I prefent unto your highness.
King. And, once more, in mine arms I bid him
welcome,

And thank the holy conclave for their loves;
They have fent me fuch a man I would have
with'd for.
[loves,
Gam. Your grace muft needs deferve all strangers'

You

You are fo noble: To your highness' hand
I tender my commiffion; by whofe virtue,
(The court of Rome commanding)-you, my lord
Cardinal of York, are join'd with me their fervant,
In the unpartial judging of this bufinets.

King. Two equal men. The queen fhall be
acquainted

Forthwith, for what you come :--Where's Gardiner
Wel. I know, your majefty has always lov'd her
So dear in heart, not to deny her that
A woman of lefs place might afk by law,
Scholars, allow'd freely to argue for her.
King. Ay, and the beft, the fhall have ;
favour
To him that does beft, God forbid elfe. Cardinal,
Pi'ythee, call Gardiner to me, my new fecretary;
I find him a fit fellow.

and my

Cardinal goes out, and re-enters with Gardiner, Wol. Give me your hand; much joy and favour You are the king's now.

Gard. But to be commanded

[to you;

For ever by your grace, whofe hand has raifed me.
[ifide.
King. Come hither,Gardiner. [Walks and whijpers.
Cam. My lord of York, was not one doctor Pace
In this man's place before him?
Wol. Yes, he was.

Cam. Was he not held a learned man?
Wol. Yes, furely.

[then

Cam. Believe me, there's an ill opinion ipread Even of yourself, lord cardinal.

Wol. How! of me?

[him;

Cam. They will not ftick to fay, you envy'd And, fearing he would rife, he was fo virtuous, Kept him a foreign man ftill: which fo griev'd That he ran mad, and dy'd.

Lhim,

Wol. Heaven's peace be with him! That's chriftian care enough: for living murmurers, There's places of rebuke. He was a fool; For he would needs be virtuous: that good fellow, If I command him, follows my appointment; I will have none fo near elfe. Learn this, brother, We live not to be grip'd by meaner perfons. King. Deliver this with modefty to the queen. [Exit Gardiner. The most convenient place that I can think of, For fuch receipt of learning, is Black-friars; There ye shall meet about this weighty bufinefs:My Wolfey, fee it furnish'd.-O my lord, Would it not grieve an able man, to leave So fweet a bedfellow? but, confcience, confcience,O, 'tis a tender place, and I must leave her. [Exeunt.

Would move a moniter.

Old L. Hearts of moft hard temper Melt and lament for her.

Anne. O, God's will! much better, She ne'er had known pomp: though it be temporal, Yet, if that quarrel 3, fortune, do divorce It from the bearer, 'tis a fufferance, panging As foul and body's fevering.

Old L. Alas, poor lady!
She's ftranger now again 4.

Anne. So much the more
Muft pity drop upon her. Verily,
I fwear, 'tis better to be lowly born,
And range with humble livers in content,
Than to be perk'd up in a glittering grief,
And wear a golden forrow.

Old L. Our content,

Is our best having 5.

Anne. By my troth, and maidenhead, I would not be a queen.

Old L. Befhrew me, I would,

And venture maidenhead for't; and fo would you,
For all this fpice of your hypocrify :

You, that have fo fair parts of woman on you,
Have too a woman's heart; which ever yet
Affected eminence, wealth, fovereignty;
Which, to fay footh, are blettings; and which gifts
(Saving your mincing) the capacity

Of your foft cheveril confcience would receive,
If you might please to stretch it.

Anne. Nay, good troth.- [be a queen? Old L. Yes, troth and troth,-You would not Anne. No, not for all the riches under heaven. Old L. 'Tis ftrange; a three-pence bow'd would hire me,

Old as I am, to queen it: but, I pray you, What think you of a dutchefs? have you limbs To bear that load of title?

The rift of the Attendants fland in convenient order about the Stage.

Wol. Whilst our commiffion from Rome is read,

Let filence be commanded.

King. What's the need?

It hath already publickly been read,

And on all fides the authority allow'd;

You may then fpare that time.

Wol. Bet fo:---Proceed.

Befeech you, fir, to spare me, 'till I may

Be by my friends in Spain advis'd; whofe counfel will implore: If not; i'the name of God, Your pleature be fulfill'd!

Crier. Katharine, queen of England, &c. [The Queen makes no answer, rifes out of her chair, goes about the Court, comes to the King, and kneels at bis fect; then fspeaks.]

Queen. Sir, I defire you, do me right and justice; And to beftow 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 aífurance Of equal friendship and proceeding. Alas, fir, In what have I offended you? what caufe Hath my behaviour given to your difpleasure, That thus you should proceed to put me off, And take your good grace from me? Heaven witnefs, I have been to you a true and humble wife, At all times to your will conformable : Ever in fear to kindle your diflike,

For your own quiet, as to rectify

What is unfettled in the king.

Cam. His grace

Hath ipoken well, and juftly: Therefore, madam,
It's fit this royal feffion do proceed;

And that, without delay, their arguments
Be now produc'd, and licard.
Queen. Lord cardinal,-

Queen. I will, when you are humble; nay, before,
Or God will punish me. I do believe,
Induc'd by potent circumstances, that

You are mine enemy; and make my challenge 1,
You shall not be my judge: for it is you
Have blown this coal betwixt my lord and me,-

As I faw it inclin'd. When was the hour,

I ever contradicted your defire,

Or made it not mine too? Or which of your friends
Have I not ftrove to love, although I knew
He were mine enemy? what friend of mine,
That had to him deriv'd your anger, did I
Continue in my liking? nay, gave not notice
He was from thence difcharg'd? Sir, call to mind,
That I have been your wife, in this obedience,
Upward of twenty years, and have been bleft
With many children by you: If, in the course
And procefs of this time, you can report,
And prove it too, againít mine honour aught,
My bond to wedlock, or my love and duty
Againft your facred perfon, in God's name,
Turn me away; and let the foul'ft contempt
Shut door upon me, and fo give me up

To the fharpeft kind of juftice. Please you, fir,
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 wifeft prince, that there had reign'd by many
A year before: It is not to be queftion'd
That they had gather'd a wife council to them
Of every ream, that did debate this bufinefs,
Who deem'd our marriage lawful; Wherefore I
humbly

Challenge is he e a verbum juris, a law term. 1 challenge him. 2 ie, deny.

I utterly abhor, yea, from my foul

Refule you for my judge; whom, yet once more, hold my moft malicious foe, and think not

At all a friend to truth.

Wol. 1 do profefs,"

You fpeak not like yourfelf; who ever yet
Have ftood to charity, and difplay'd the effects
Of difpofition gentle, and of wisdom [wrong:
O'er-topping woman's power. Madam, you do me
I have no ipleen against you; nor injustice
For you, or any: how far I have proceeded,
Or how far further thail, is warranted
By a commiffion from the confiftory,
Yea, the whole confiftory of Rome. You charge me,
That I have blown this coal: I do deny it:
The king is prefent; If it be known to him,
That I gainfay 2 my deed, how may he wound,
And worthily, my falfhood? 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 [fore
Remove thefe thoughts from you: The which be-
His highnefs fhall fpeak in, I do befeech
You, gracious madam, to unthink your speaking,
And to fay fo no more.

Queen. My lord, my lord,

I am a fimple woman, much too weak

To