Would it not grieve an able man, to leave So sweet a bedfellow? But, conscience, conscience, O, 'tis a tender place, and I must leave her. [Exe. SCENE III-An ante-chamber in the Queen's apartments. Enter Anne Bullen, and an old Lady. Anne. Not for that neither;-Here's the pang that pinches : His highness having liv'd so long with her: and she Still growing in a majesty and pomp,-the which Would move a monster. Old L. Hearts of most hard temper Melt and lament for her. Anne. O, God's will! much better, She ne'er had known pomp: though it be temporal, It from the bearer, 'tis a sufferance, panging Old L. Alas, poor lady! So much the more She's a stranger now again.3 And range with humble livers in content, And wear a golden sorrow. Old L. Is our best having.4 Our content (1) A sentence of ejection. (2) Quarreller. (3) No longer an Englishwoman. (4) Possession. you, For all this spice of your hypocrisy : You, that have so fair parts of woman on you, Which, to say sooth, are blessings: and which gifts (Saving your mincing) the capacity Of your soft cheveril2 conscience would receive, Anne. a queen? Anne. No, not for all the riches under heaven. Old L. 'Tis strange; a three-pence bow'da would hire me, Old as I am, to queen it: But, I pray you, What think you of a duchess? have you limbs To bear that load of title? Anne. No, in truth. Old L. Then you are weakly made: Pluck off a little; I would not be a young count in your way, Anne. How you do talk! I swear again, I would not be a queen For all the world. Old L. In faith for little England You'd venture an emballing: I myself Would for Carnarvonshire, although there 'long'd No more to the crown but that. Lo, who comes here? (1) Truth. (2) Kid-skin. (3) Crook'd. Enter the Lord Chamberlain. Cham. Good-morrow, ladies. What were't worth to know The secret of your conference? Anne. My good lord, demand; it values not your asking: Our mistress' sorrows we were pitying. Not your Cham. It was a gentle business, and becoming The action of good women: there is hope, All will be well. Anne. Now I pray God, amen! Cham. You bear a gentle mind, and heavenly blessings Follow such creatures. That you may, fair lady, Perceive I speak sincerely, and high note's Anne. Are all I can return. 'Beseech your lordship, Vouchsafe to speak my thanks, and my obedience, As from a blushing handmaid, to his highness; Whose health, and royalty, I pray for. Cham. Lady, I shall not fail to approve the fair conceit,1 The king hath of you.-I have perus'd her well; Beauty and honour in her are so mingled, [Aside. (1) Opinion. That they have caught the king: and who knows yet, But from this lady may proceed a gem, Anne. My honour'd lord. [Exit Lord Chamberlain. Old L. Why, this it is; see, see! I have been begging sixteen years in court, This compell'd fortune!) have your mouth fill'd up, Anne. This is strange to me. Old L. 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 L. With your theme, I could That promises more thousands: Honour's train I know, your back will bear a duchess ;-Say, Anne. The queen is comfortless, and we forgetful Old L. 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 habits 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 Serjeant at Arms, bearing a silver mace; then two Gentlemen, bearing two great silver pillars; after them, side by side, the two Cardinals, Wolsey and Campeius; two Noblemen with the sword and mace. Then enter the King and Queen, and their trains. The King 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; between them, the Scribes. 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: may then You Wol. spare that time. Be't so:-Proceed. Scribe. Say, Henry, king of England, come into the court. Crier. Henry, king of England, &c. K. Hen. Here. (1) Flourish on cornets. (2) Ensigns of dignity carried before cardinals. |