Pat. No, madam.
[Giving it to Katharine.[714]
Kath. Sir, I most humbly pray you to deliver[715]
This to my lord the king.
Cap. Most willing, madam.[716] 130
Kath. In which I have commended to his goodness
The model of our chaste loves, his young daughter,—
The dews of heaven fall thick in blessings on her!—
Beseeching him to give her virtuous breeding—
She is young and of a noble modest nature: 135
I hope she will deserve well—and a little
To love her for her mother's sake, that loved him,
Heaven knows how dearly. My next poor petition[717]
Is that his noble grace would have some pity
Upon my wretched women, that so long 140
Have follow'd both my fortunes faithfully:
Of which there is not one, I dare avow,—
And now I should not lie—but will deserve,[718]
For virtue and true beauty of the soul,
For honesty and decent carriage, 145
A right good husband, let him be a noble:[719]
And, sure, those men are happy that shall have 'em.
The last is, for my men; they are the poorest,[720]
But poverty could never draw 'em from me;
That they may have their wages duly paid 'em, 150
And something over to remember me by:[721]
If heaven had pleased to have given me longer life[722]
And able means, we had not parted thus.[723]
These are the whole contents: and, good my lord,
By that you love the dearest in this world, 155
As you wish Christian peace to souls departed,
Stand these poor people's friend, and urge the king
To do me this last right.
Cap. By heaven, I will,
Or let me lose the fashion of a man!
Kath. I thank you, honest lord. Remember me 160
In all humility unto his highness:
Say his long trouble now is passing[724]
Out of this world; tell him, in death I bless'd him,
For so I will. Mine eyes grow dim. Farewell,
My lord. Griffith, farewell. Nay, Patience,[725] 165
You must not leave me yet: I must to bed;
Call in more women. When I am dead, good wench,[726]
Let me be used with honour: strew me over
With maiden flowers, that all the world may know
I was a chaste wife to my grave: embalm me, 170
Then lay me forth: although unqueen'd, yet like
A queen and daughter to a king, inter me.
I can no more. [Exeunt, leading Katharine.
FOOTNOTES:
[639] You're] Rowe. Y'are Ff. You are Capell.
again] again, sir Keightley.