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[350]
Ta'en of your many virtues, the king's majesty 60
Commends his good opinion of you, and[351]
Does purpose honour to you no less flowing
Than Marchioness of Pembroke; to which title
A thousand pound a year, annual support,[352]
Out of his grace he adds.
Anne. I do not know 65
What kind of my obedience I should tender;[353]
More than my all is nothing: nor my prayers[354]
Are not words duly hallow'd, nor my wishes
More worth than empty vanities; yet prayers and wishes[355]
Are all I can return. Beseech your lordship, 70
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[356]
The king hath of you. [Aside] I have perused her well;[357] 75
Beauty and honour in her are so mingled[357]
That they have caught the king: and who knows yet[357]
But from this lady may proceed a gem[357]
To lighten all this isle?—I'll to the king,[357]
And say I spoke with you.[357]
Anne. My honour'd lord. 80
[Exit Lord Chamberlain.[358]
Old L. Why, this it is; see, see!
I have been begging sixteen years in court,
Am yet a courtier beggarly, nor could[359]
Come pat betwixt too early and too late
For any suit of pounds; and you, O fate! 85
A very fresh fish here—fie, fie, fie upon[360]
This compell'd fortune!—have your mouth fill'd up
Before you open it.
Anne. This is strange to me.
Old L. How tastes it? is it bitter? forty pence, no.[361]
There was a lady once, 'tis an old story,[362] 90
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
O'ermount the lark. The Marchioness of Pembroke!
A thousand pounds a year for pure respect! 95
No other obligation! By my life,[363]
That promises moe thousands: honour's train[364]
Is longer than his foreskirt. By this time
I know your back will bear a duchess: say,
Are you not stronger than you were?