King. Go thy ways, Kate:
That man i' the world who shall report he has
A better wife, let him in nought be trusted,[406] 135
For speaking false in that: thou art, alone,
If thy rare qualities, sweet gentleness,
Thy meekness saint-like, wife-like government,
Obeying in commanding, and thy parts
Sovereign and pious else, could speak thee out,[407] 140
The queen of earthly queens. She's noble born,
And like her true nobility she has
Carried herself towards me.
Wol. Most gracious sir,
In humblest manner I require your highness,
That it shall please you to declare in hearing 145
Of all these ears—for where I am robb'd and bound,
There must I be unloosed, although not there[408]
At once and fully satisfied—whether ever I[409]
Did broach this business to your highness, or
Laid any scruple in your way which might 150
Induce you to the question on't? or ever
Have to you, but with thanks to God for such
A royal lady, spake one the least word that might[410]
Be to the prejudice of her present state[411]
Or touch of her good person?
King. My lord cardinal, 155
I do excuse you; yea, upon mine honour,
I free you from't. You are not to be taught
That you have many enemies that know not
Why they are so, but, like to village-curs,[412]
Bark when their fellows do: by some of these 160
The queen is put in anger. You're excused:[413]
But will you be more justified? you ever
Have wish'd the sleeping of this business, never desired[414]
It to be stirr'd, but oft have hinder'd, oft,[414]
The passages made toward it: on my honour,[415] 165
I speak my good lord cardinal to this point,[416]
And thus far clear him. Now, what moved me to't,[417]
I will be bold with time and your attention:
Then mark the inducement. Thus it came; give heed to't:
My conscience first received a tenderness, 170
Scruple, and prick, on certain speeches utter'd
By the Bishop of Bayonne, then French ambassador;[418]
Who had been hither sent on the debating
A marriage 'twixt the Duke of Orleans and[419]
Our daughter Mary: i' the progress of this business, 175
Ere a determinate resolution, he,
I mean the bishop, did require a respite,[420]
Wherein he might the king his lord advertise
Whether our daughter were legitimate,
Respecting this our marriage with the dowager, 180
Sometimes our brother's wife. This respite shook[421]
The bosom of my conscience, enter'd me,[422]
Yea, with a splitting power, and made to tremble[423]
The region of my breast; which forced such way
That many mazed considerings did throng 185
And press'd in with this caution. First, methought
I stood not in the smile of heaven, who had[424]
Commanded nature that my lady's womb,
If it conceived a male-child by me, should
Do no more offices of life to't than 190
The grave does to the dead; for her male issue
Or died where they were made, or shortly after
This world had air'd them: hence I took a thought,
This was a judgement on me, that my kingdom,
Well worthy the best heir o' the world, should not 195
Be gladded in't by me: then follows that[425]
I weigh'd the danger which my realms stood in[426]
By this my issue's fail; and that gave to me
Many a groaning throe. Thus hulling in[427]
The wild sea of my conscience, I did steer 200
Toward this remedy whereupon we are[428]
Now present here together; that's to say,
I meant to rectify my conscience, which
I then did feel full sick and yet not well,
By all the reverend fathers of the land 205
And doctors learn'd. First I began in private
With you, my Lord of Lincoln; you remember
How under my oppression I did reek,[429]
When I first moved you.
Lin. Very well, my liege.
King. I have spoke long: be pleased yourself to say 210
How far you satisfied me.
Lin. So please your highness,
The question did at first so stagger me,
Bearing a state of mighty moment in't
And consequence of dread, that I committed
The daring'st counsel which I had to doubt, 215
And did entreat your highness to this course[430]
Which you are running here.
King. I then moved you,
My Lord of Canterbury, and got your leave
To make this present summons: unsolicited[431]
I left no reverend person in this court; 220
But by particular consent proceeded
Under your hands and seals: therefore, go on;
For no dislike i' the world against the person
Of the good queen, but the sharp thorny points[432]
Of my alleged reasons, drive this forward:[433] 225
Prove but our marriage lawful, by my life
And kingly dignity, we are contented
To wear our mortal state to come with her,
Katharine our queen, before the primest creature
That's paragon'd o' the world.[434]
Cam. So please your highness, 230
The queen being absent, 'tis a needful fitness
That we adjourn this court till further day:[435]
Meanwhile must be an earnest motion
Made to the queen, to call back her appeal
She intends unto his holiness.
King. [Aside] I may perceive[436][437] 235
These cardinals trifle with me: I abhor[437]
This dilatory sloth and tricks of Rome.[437][438]
My learn'd and well-beloved servant, Cranmer,[437][439]
Prithee, return; with thy approach, I know,[437][440]
My comfort comes along.—Break up the court:[437] 240
I say, set on.
[Exeunt in manner as they entered.