King. Arise, and take place by us: half your suit[98] 10
Never name to us; you have half our power:
The other moiety ere you ask is given;
Repeat your will and take it.
Q. Kath. Thank your majesty.
That you would love yourself, and in that love
Not unconsider'd leave your honour nor[99] 15
The dignity of your office, is the point
Of my petition.
King. Lady mine, proceed.
Q. Kath. I am solicited, not by a few,[100]
And those of true condition, that your subjects
Are in great grievance: there have been commissions 20
Sent down among 'em, which hath flaw'd the heart[101]
Of all their loyalties: wherein although,
My good lord cardinal, they vent reproaches
Most bitterly on you as putter on
Of these exactions, yet the king our master— 25
Whose honour heaven shield from soil!—even he escapes not
Language unmannerly, yea, such which breaks
The sides of loyalty and almost appears[102]
In loud rebellion.
Nor. Not almost appears;
It doth appear; for, upon these taxations, 30
The clothiers all, not able to maintain
The many to them 'longing, have put off[103]
The spinsters, carders, fullers, weavers, who,
Unfit for other life, compell'd by hunger
And lack of other means, in desperate manner 35
Daring the event to the teeth, are all in uproar,
And danger serves among them.
King. Taxation!
Wherein? and what taxation? My lord cardinal,
You that are blamed for it alike with us,
Know you of this taxation?
Wol. Please you, sir, 40
I know but of a single part in aught
Pertains to the state, and front but in that file
Where others tell steps with me.
Q. Kath. No, my lord,[104]
You know no more than others: but you frame[104]
Things that are known alike, which are not wholesome[105] 45
To those which would not know them and yet must
Perforce be their acquaintance. These exactions,
Whereof my sovereign would have note, they are
Most pestilent to the hearing; and, to bear 'em,[106]
The back is sacrifice to the load. They say 50
They are devised by you; or else you suffer[107]
Too hard an exclamation.
King. Still exaction!
The nature of it? in what kind, let's know,
Is this exaction?
Q. Kath. I am much too venturous[108]
In tempting of your patience, but am bolden'd 55
Under your promised pardon. The subjects' grief
Comes through commissions, which compel from each[109]
The sixth part of his substance, to be levied
Without delay; and the pretence for this
Is named your wars in France: this makes bold mouths: 60
Tongues spit their duties out, and cold hearts freeze
Allegiance in them; their curses now[110]
Live where their prayers did; and it's come to pass,
This tractable obedience is a slave[111]
To each incensed will. I would your highness 65
Would give it quick consideration, for
There is no primer business.[112]