As not to know the language I have liv'd in: A strange tongue makes my cause more strange, suspi cious; Pray, speak in English: here are some will thank you, If you speak truth, for their poor mistress' sake; Believe me, she has had much wrong: Lord cardinal, The willing'st sin I ever yet committed, May be absolv'd in English. Wol. Noble lady, I am sorry, my integrity should breed, So deep suspicion, where all faith was meant. To taint that honour every good tongue blesses; Cam. Most honour'd madam, My lord of York, -out of his noble nature, His service and his counsel. Q. Kath. To betray me. [Aside. My lords, I thank you both for your good wills, In such a point of weight, so near mine honour, For her sake that I have been, (for I feel Wol. Madam, you wrong the king's love with these fears; Your hopes and friends are infinite. Q. Kath. Cam. I would, your grace Would leave your griefs, and take my counsel. Q. Kath. How, sir? Cam. Put your main cause into the king's protection; He's loving, and most gracious; 'twill be much Both for your honour better, and your cause; For, if the trial of the law o'ertake you, You'll part away disgrac❜d. Wol. He tells you rightly. Q, Kath. Ye tell me what ye wish for both, my ruin: Is this your christian counsel? out upon ye! Heaven is above all yet; there sits a judge, That no king can corrupt. Cam. Your rage mistakes us. Q. Kath. The more shame for ye; holy men I thought ye, Upon my soul, two reverend cardinal virtues; 9 For her sake that I have been, &c.] For the sake of that royalty which I have heretofore possessed. But cardinal sins, and hollow hearts, I fear ye: Mend them for shame, my lords. Is this your comfort? The cordial that ye bring a wretched lady? A woman lost among ye, laugh'd at, scorn'd? I will not wish ye half my miseries, I have more charity: But say, I warn'd ye; Take heed, for heaven's sake, take heed, lest at once Wol. Madam, this is a mere distraction; Q. Kath. Ye turn me into nothing: Woe upon ye, And all such false professors! Would ye have me (If you have any justice, any pity; If ye be any thing but churchmen's habits,) Cam. Your fears are worse. Q. Kath. Have I liv'd thus long-(let me speak myself, Since virtue finds no friends,)-a wife, a true one? A woman (I dare say, without vain-glory,) Never yet branded with suspicion? Have I with all my full affections Still met the king? lov'd him next heaven? obey'd him? Almost forgot my prayers to content him? - superstitious to him?] That is, served him with superstitious attention; done more than was required. Wol. Madam, you wander from the good we aim at. Q. Kath. My lord, I dare not make myself so guilty, To give up willingly that noble title Your master wed me to: nothing but death Wol. 'Pray, hear me. Q. Kath. 'Would I had never trod this English earth, Or felt the flatteries that grow upon it! Ye have angels' faces, but heaven knows your hearts. Alas! poor wenches, where are now your fortunes?. Wol. The way of our profession is against it; We are to cure such sorrows, not to sow them. How you may hurt yourself, ay, utterly Grow from the king's acquaintance, by this carriage. So much they love it; but, to stubborn spirits, Those we profess, peace-makers, friends, and servants. virtues With these weak women's fears. A noble spirit, As yours was put into you, ever casts Such doubts, as false coin, from it. The king loves you; Beware, you lose it not: For us, if you please To use our utmost studies in your service. Q. Kath. Do what ye will, my lords: And, pray, forgive me, If I have us❜d myself' unmannerly; You know, I am a woman, lacking wit Pray, do my service to his majesty : He has my heart yet; and shall have my prayers, [Exeunt. SCENE II. Ante-chamber to the King's Apartment. Enter the Duke of NORFOLK, the Duke of SUFFOLK, the Nor. If you will now unite in your complaints Sur. Suf. Which of the peers 2 If I have us'd myself—] i. e. behaved myself. |