Q. Kath. Have I lived thus long—let me speak myself, 125
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? loved him next heaven? obey'd him? 130
Been, out of fondness, superstitious to him?
Almost forgot my prayers to content him?
And am I thus rewarded? 'tis not well, lords.
Bring me a constant woman to her husband,
One that ne'er dream'd a joy beyond his pleasure, 135
And to that woman, when she has done most,
Yet will I add an honour, a great patience.
Wol. Madam, you wander from the good we aim at.[476][482]
Q. Kath. My lord, I dare not make myself so guilty,[483]
To give up willingly that noble title 140
Your master wed me to: nothing but death
Shall e'er divorce my dignities.
Wol. Pray, hear me.[484]
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.[485] 145
What will become of me now, wretched lady![486]
I am the most unhappy woman living.
Alas, poor wenches, where are now your fortunes![487]
Shipwreck'd upon a kingdom, where no pity,
No friends, no hope; no kindred weep for me; 150
Almost no grave allow'd me: like the lily,
That once was mistress of the field and flourish'd,
I'll hang my head and perish.
Wol. If your grace[476]
Could but be brought to know our ends are honest,
You'ld feel more comfort: why should we, good lady,[488] 155
Upon what cause, wrong you? alas, our places,
The way of our profession is against it:
We are to cure such sorrows, not to sow 'em.[489]
For goodness' sake, consider what you do;
How you may hurt yourself, ay, utterly[490] 160
Grow from the king's acquaintance, by this carriage.
The hearts of princes kiss obedience,
So much they love it; but to stubborn spirits
They swell, and grow as terrible as storms.[491]
I know you have a gentle, noble temper,[492] 165
A soul as even as a calm: pray think us
Those we profess, peace-makers, friends and servants.
Cam. Madam, you'll find it so. You wrong your virtues[493]
With these weak women's fears: a noble spirit,
As yours was put into you, ever casts 170
Such doubts, as false coin, from it. The king loves you;[494]
Beware you lose it not: for us, if you please[495]
To trust us in your business, we are ready
To use our utmost studies in your service.
Q. Kath. Do what ye will, my lords: and pray forgive me,[496][497] 175
If I have used myself unmannerly;[497]
You know I am a woman, lacking wit
To make a seemly answer to such persons.
Pray do my service to his majesty:
He has my heart yet, and shall have my prayers 180
While I shall have my life. Come, reverend fathers.
Bestow your counsels on me: she now begs
That little thought, when she set footing here,
She should have bought her dignities so dear. [Exeunt.
Scene II. Ante-chamber to the King's apartment.
Enter the Duke of Norfolk, the Duke of Suffolk, the Earl of Surrey, and the Lord Chamberlain.[498]