King. Here.
Scribe. Say, Katharine Queen of England, come into[368] 10
the court.[368]
Crier. Katharine Queen of England, &c.
[The Queen makes no answer, rises out of her chair, goes about the court, comes to the King, and kneels at his feet; then speaks.
Q. Kath. Sir, I desire you do me right and justice,[369]
And to bestow your pity on me; for
I am a most poor woman and a stranger, 15
Born out of your dominions; having here
No judge indifferent, nor no more assurance[370]
Of equal friendship and proceeding. Alas, sir,
In what have I offended you? what cause
Hath my behaviour given to your displeasure, 20
That thus you should proceed to put me off
And take your good grace from me? Heaven witness,
I have been to you a true and humble wife,[371]
At all times to your will conformable,
Ever in fear to kindle your dislike, 25
Yea, subject to your countenance, glad or sorry
As I saw it inclined: when was the hour[372]
I ever contradicted your desire,
Or made it not mine too? Or which of your friends[373]
Have I not strove to love, although I knew 30
He were mine enemy? what friend of mine[374]
That had to him derived your anger, did I
Continue in my liking? nay, gave notice[375]
He was from thence discharged? Sir, call to mind[376]
That I have been your wife, in this obedience, 35
Upward of twenty years, and have been blest
With many children by you: if in the course
And process of this time you can report,
And prove it too, against mine honour aught,
My bond to wedlock or my love and duty,[377][378] 40
Against your sacred person, in God's name,[378]
Turn me away, and let the foul'st contempt[379]
Shut door upon me, and so give me up
To the sharp'st kind of justice. Please you, sir,[380]
The king, your father, was reputed for 45
A prince most prudent, of an excellent[381]
And unmatch'd wit and judgement: Ferdinand,
My father, king of Spain, was reckon'd one
The wisest prince that there had reign'd by many
A year before: it is not to be question'd 50
That they had gather'd a wise council to them
Of every realm, that did debate this business,
Who deem'd our marriage lawful: wherefore I humbly[382][383]
Beseech you, sir, to spare me, till I may[383]
Be by my friends in Spain advised, whose counsel 55
I will implore: if not, i' the name of God,
Your pleasure be fulfill'd!
Wol. You have here, lady,
And of your choice, these reverend fathers; men
Of singular integrity and learning,
Yea, the elect o' the land, who are assembled 60
To plead your cause: it shall be therefore bootless
That longer you desire the court, as well[384]
For your own quiet, as to rectify
What is unsettled in the king.
Cam. His grace
Hath spoken well and justly: therefore, madam, 65
It's fit this royal session do proceed,
And that without delay their arguments
Be now produced and heard.
Q. Kath. Lord cardinal,[385]
To you I speak.[385]
Wol. Your pleasure, madam?
Q. Kath. Sir,[386][387]
I am about to weep; but, thinking that[386] 70
We are a queen, or long have dream'd so, certain
The daughter of a king, my drops of tears
I'll turn to sparks of fire.