Shakespeare Portal

Act 2, Scene 4

A hall in Black-Friars.

  1. [Trumpets, sennet, and cornets. Enter two Vergers, with short silver wands; next them, two Scribes, in the habit of doctors; after them, the Archbishop of Canterbury alone; after him, the Bishops of Lincoln, Ely, Rochester, and Saint Asaph; next them, with some small distance, follows a Gentleman bearing the purse, with the great seal, and a cardinal's hat; then two Priests, bearing each silver cross; then a Gentleman Usher bareheaded, accompanied with a Sergeant-at-arms bearing a silver mace; then two Gentlemen bearing two great silver pillars; after them, side by side, the two Cardinals; two Noblemen with the sword and mace. The King takes place under the cloth of state; the two Cardinals sit under him as judges. The Queen takes place some distance from the King. The Bishops place themselves on each side the court, in manner of consistory; below them, the Scribes. The Lords sit next the Bishops. The rest of the Attendants stand in convenient order about the stage.]
  2. Cardinal Wolsey
  3. 1253 Whilst our commission from Rome is read,
  4. 1254 Let silence be commanded.
  5. King Henry VIII
  6. 1255 What's the need?
  7. 1256 It hath already publicly been read,
  8. 1257 And on all sides the authority allow'd;
  9. 1258 You may, then, spare that time.
  10. Cardinal Wolsey
  11. 1259 Be't so. Proceed.
  12. Scribe
  13. 1260 Say, Henry King of England, come into the court.
  14. Crier
  15. 1261 Henry King of England, etc.
  16. King Henry VIII
  17. 1262 Here.
  18. Scribe
  19. 1263 Say, Katherine Queen of England, come into the court.
  20. Crier
  21. 1264 Katherine Queen of England, etc.
  22. [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.]
  23. Queen Katherine
  24. 1265 Sir, I desire you do me right and justice,
  25. 1266 And to bestow your pity on me; for
  26. 1267 I am a most poor woman, and a stranger,
  27. 1268 Born out of your dominions, having here
  28. 1269 No judge indifferent, nor no more assurance
  29. 1270 Of equal friendship and proceeding. Alas, sir,
  30. 1271 In what have I offended you? What cause
  31. 1272 Hath my behaviour given to your displeasure,
  32. 1273 That thus you should proceed to put me off
  33. 1274 And take your good grace from me? Heaven witness,
  34. 1275 I have been to you a true and humble wife,
  35. 1276 At all times to your will conformable;
  36. 1277 Ever in fear to kindle your dislike,
  37. 1278 Yea, subject to your countenance, glad or sorry
  38. 1279 As I saw it inclin'd. When was the hour
  39. 1280 I ever contradicted your desire,
  40. 1281 Or made it not mine too? Or which of your friends
  41. 1282 Have I not strove to love, although I knew
  42. 1283 He were mine enemy? What friend of mine
  43. 1284 That had to him deriv'd your anger, did I
  44. 1285 Continue in my liking? nay, gave notice
  45. 1286 He was from thence discharg'd? Sir, call to mind
  46. 1287 That I have been your wife in this obedience
  47. 1288 Upward of twenty years, and have been blest
  48. 1289 With many children by you. If, in the course
  49. 1290 And process of this time, you can report,
  50. 1291 And prove it too, against mine honour aught,
  51. 1292 My bond to wedlock, or my love and duty,
  52. 1293 Against your sacred person, in God's name,
  53. 1294 Turn me away; and let the foul'st contempt
  54. 1295 Shut door upon me, and so give me up
  55. 1296 To the sharp'st kind of justice. Please you, sir,
  56. 1297 The King, your father, was reputed for
  57. 1298 A prince most prudent, of an excellent
  58. 1299 And unmatch'd wit and judgment; Ferdinand,
  59. 1300 My father, King of Spain, was reckon'd one
  60. 1301 The wisest prince that there had reign'd by many
  61. 1302 A year before; it is not to be question'd
  62. 1303 That they had gather'd a wise council to them
  63. 1304 Of every realm, that did debate this business,
  64. 1305 Who deem'd our marriage lawful; wherefore I humbly
  65. 1306 Beseech you, sir, to spare me till I may
  66. 1307 Be by my friends in Spain advis'd, whose counsel
  67. 1308 I will implore. If not, i' the name of God,
  68. 1309 Your pleasure be fulfill'd!
  69. Cardinal Wolsey
  70. 1310 You have here, lady,
  71. 1311 And of your choice, these reverend fathers; men
  72. 1312 Of singular integrity and learning,
  73. 1313 Yea, the elect o' the land, who are assembled
  74. 1314 To plead your cause. It shall be therefore bootless
  75. 1315 That longer you desire the court; as well
  76. 1316 For your own quiet, as to rectify
  77. 1317 What is unsettled in the King.
  78. Cardinal Campeius
  79. 1318 His Grace
  80. 1319 Hath spoken well and justly; therefore, madam,
  81. 1320 It's fit this royal session do proceed,
  82. 1321 And that, without delay, their arguments
  83. 1322 Be now produc'd and heard.
  84. Queen Katherine
  85. 1323 Lord Cardinal,
  86. 1324 To you I speak.
  87. Cardinal Wolsey
  88. 1325 Your pleasure, madam?
  89. Queen Katherine
  90. 1326 Sir,
  91. 1327 I am about to weep; but, thinking that
  92. 1328 We are a queen, or long have dream'd so, certain
  93. 1329 The daughter of a king, my drops of tears
  94. 1330 I'll turn to sparks of fire.
  95. Cardinal Wolsey
  96. 1331 Be patient yet.
  97. Queen Katherine
  98. 1332 I will, when you are humble; nay, before,
  99. 1333 Or God will punish me. I do believe,
  100. 1334 Induced by potent circumstances, that
  101. 1335 You are mine enemy, and make my challenge
  102. 1336 You shall not be my judge; for it is you
  103. 1337 Have blown this coal betwixt my lord and me,
  104. 1338 Which God's dew quench! Therefore I say again,
  105. 1339 I utterly abhor, yea, from my soul
  106. 1340 Refuse you for my judge; whom, yet once more,
  107. 1341 I hold my most malicious foe, and think not
  108. 1342 At all a friend to truth.
  109. Cardinal Wolsey
  110. 1343 I do profess
  111. 1344 You speak not like yourself, who ever yet
  112. 1345 Have stood to charity and display'd the effects
  113. 1346 Of disposition gentle, and of wisdom
  114. 1347 O'ertopping woman's pow'r. Madam, you do me wrong.
  115. 1348 I have no spleen against you, nor injustice
  116. 1349 For you or any. How far I have proceeded,
  117. 1350 Or how far further shall, is warranted
  118. 1351 By a commission from the consistory,
  119. 1352 Yea, the whole consistory of Rome. You charge me
  120. 1353 That I have blown this coal. I do deny it.
  121. 1354 The King is present: if it be known to him
  122. 1355 That I gainsay my deed, how may he wound,
  123. 1356 And worthily, my falsehood! yea, as much
  124. 1357 As you have done my truth. If he know
  125. 1358 That I am free of your report, he knows
  126. 1359 I am not of your wrong. Therefore in him
  127. 1360 It lies to cure me; and the cure is, to
  128. 1361 Remove these thoughts from you; the which before
  129. 1362 His Highness shall speak in, I do beseech
  130. 1363 You, gracious madam, to unthink your speaking
  131. 1364 And to say so no more.
  132. Queen Katherine
  133. 1365 My lord, my lord,
  134. 1366 I am a simple woman, much too weak
  135. 1367 To oppose your cunning. You're meek and humble-mouth'd;
  136. 1368 You sign your place and calling, in full seeming,
  137. 1369 With meekness and humility; but your heart
  138. 1370 Is cramm'd with arrogancy, spleen, and pride.
  139. 1371 You have, by fortune and his Highness' favours,
  140. 1372 Gone slightly o'er low steps and now are mounted
  141. 1373 Where powers are your retainers, and your words,
  142. 1374 Domestics to you, serve your will as 't please
  143. 1375 Yourself pronounce their office. I must tell you,
  144. 1376 You tender more your person's honour than
  145. 1377 Your high profession spiritual; that again
  146. 1378 I do refuse you for my judge; and here,
  147. 1379 Before you all, appeal unto the Pope,
  148. 1380 To bring my whole cause 'fore his Holiness,
  149. 1381 And to be judg'd by him.
  150. [She curtsies to the King, and offers to depart.]
  151. Cardinal Campeius
  152. 1382 The Queen is obstinate,
  153. 1383 Stubborn to justice, apt to accuse it, and
  154. 1384 Disdainful to be tried by't; 'tis not well.
  155. 1385 She's going away.
  156. King Henry VIII
  157. 1386 Call her again.
  158. Crier
  159. 1387 Katherine Queen of England, come into the court.
  160. A Gentleman
  161. 1388 Madam, you are call'd back.
  162. Queen Katherine
  163. 1389 What need you note it? Pray you keep your way;
  164. 1390 When you are call'd, return. Now, the Lord help!
  165. 1391 They vex me past my patience. Pray you, pass on.
  166. 1392 I will not tarry; no, nor ever more
  167. 1393 Upon this business my appearance make
  168. 1394 In any of their courts.
  169. [Exeunt Queen, and her Attendants.]
  170. King Henry VIII
  171. 1395 Go thy ways, Kate.
  172. 1396 That man i' the world who shall report he has
  173. 1397 A better wife, let him in nought be trusted,
  174. 1398 For speaking false in that. Thou art, alone,
  175. 1399 If thy rare qualities, sweet gentleness,
  176. 1400 Thy meekness saint-like, wife-like government,
  177. 1401 Obeying in commanding, and thy parts
  178. 1402 Sovereign and pious else, could speak thee out,
  179. 1403 The queen of earthly queens. She's noble born;
  180. 1404 And, like her true nobility, she has
  181. 1405 Carried herself towards me.
  182. Cardinal Wolsey
  183. 1406 Most gracious sir,
  184. 1407 In humblest manner I require your Highness,
  185. 1408 That it shall please you to declare, in hearing
  186. 1409 Of all these ears,—for, where I am robb'd and bound,
  187. 1410 There must I be unloos'd, although not there
  188. 1411 At once and fully satisfied,—whether ever I
  189. 1412 Did broach this business to your Highness, or
  190. 1413 Laid any scruple in your way, which might
  191. 1414 Induce you to the question on't? or ever
  192. 1415 Have to you, but with thanks to God for such
  193. 1416 A royal lady, spake one the least word that might
  194. 1417 Be to the prejudice of her present state,
  195. 1418 Or touch of her good person?
  196. King Henry VIII
  197. 1419 My Lord Cardinal,
  198. 1420 I do excuse you; yea, upon mine honour,
  199. 1421 I free you from't. You are not to be taught
  200. 1422 That you have many enemies, that know not
  201. 1423 Why they are so, but, like to village-curs,
  202. 1424 Bark when their fellows do: by some of these
  203. 1425 The Queen is put in anger. You're excus'd;
  204. 1426 But will you be more justifi'd? You ever
  205. 1427 Have wish'd the sleeping of this business; never desir'd
  206. 1428 It to be stirr'd; but oft have hind'red, oft,
  207. 1429 The passages made toward it. On my honour,
  208. 1430 I speak my good Lord Cardinal to this point,
  209. 1431 And thus far clear him. Now, what mov'd me to't,
  210. 1432 I will be bold with time and your attention:
  211. 1433 Then mark the inducement. Thus it came; give heed to't:
  212. 1434 My conscience first receiv'd a tenderness,
  213. 1435 Scruple, and prick, on certain speeches utter'd
  214. 1436 By the Bishop of Bayonne, then French ambassador;
  215. 1437 Who had been hither sent on the debating
  216. 1438 A marriage 'twixt the Duke of Orleans and
  217. 1439 Our daughter Mary. I' the progress of this business,
  218. 1440 Ere a determinate resolution, he,
  219. 1441 I mean the Bishop, did require a respite;
  220. 1442 Wherein he might the King his lord advertise
  221. 1443 Whether our daughter were legitimate,
  222. 1444 Respecting this our marriage with the dowager,
  223. 1445 Sometimes our brother's wife. This respite shook
  224. 1446 The bosom of my conscience, enter'd me,
  225. 1447 Yea, with a splitting power, and made to tremble
  226. 1448 The region of my breast; which forc'd such way,
  227. 1449 That many maz'd considerings did throng
  228. 1450 And press'd in with this caution. First, methought
  229. 1451 I stood not in the smile of Heaven; who had
  230. 1452 Commanded nature, that my lady's womb,
  231. 1453 If it conceiv'd a male child by me, should
  232. 1454 Do no more offices of life to't than
  233. 1455 The grave does to the dead; for her male issue
  234. 1456 Or died where they were made, or shortly after
  235. 1457 This world had air'd them. Hence I took a thought
  236. 1458 This was a judgement on me; that my kingdom,
  237. 1459 Well worthy the best heir o' the world, should not
  238. 1460 Be gladded in't by me. Then follows, that
  239. 1461 I weigh'd the danger which my realms stood in
  240. 1462 By this my issue's fail; and that gave to me
  241. 1463 Many a groaning throe. Thus hulling in
  242. 1464 The wild sea of my conscience, I did steer
  243. 1465 Toward this remedy, whereupon we are
  244. 1466 Now present here together; that's to say,
  245. 1467 I meant to rectify my conscience,—which
  246. 1468 I then did feel full sick, and yet not well,—
  247. 1469 By all the reverend fathers of the land
  248. 1470 And doctors learn'd. First I began in private
  249. 1471 With you, my Lord of Lincoln. You remember
  250. 1472 How under my oppression I did reek,
  251. 1473 When I first mov'd you.
  252. Bishop of Lincoln
  253. 1474 Very well, my liege.
  254. King Henry VIII
  255. 1475 I have spoke long; be pleas'd yourself to say
  256. 1476 How far you satisfi'd me.
  257. Bishop of Lincoln
  258. 1477 So please your Highness,
  259. 1478 The question did at first so stagger me,
  260. 1479 Bearing a state of mighty moment in't
  261. 1480 And consequence of dread, that I committed
  262. 1481 The daring'st counsel which I had to doubt;
  263. 1482 And did entreat your Highness to this course
  264. 1483 Which you are running here.
  265. King Henry VIII
  266. 1484 I then mov'd you,
  267. 1485 My Lord of Canterbury; and got your leave
  268. 1486 To make this present summons. Unsolicited
  269. 1487 I left no reverend person in this court;
  270. 1488 But by particular consent proceeded
  271. 1489 Under your hands and seals. Therefore, go on;
  272. 1490 For no dislike i' the world against the person
  273. 1491 Of the good queen, but the sharp thorny points
  274. 1492 Of my alleged reasons, drives this forward.
  275. 1493 Prove but our marriage lawful, by my life
  276. 1494 And kingly dignity, we are contented
  277. 1495 To wear our mortal state to come with her,
  278. 1496 Katherine our queen, before the primest creature
  279. 1497 That's paragon'd o' the world.
  280. Cardinal Campeius
  281. 1498 So please your Highness,
  282. 1499 The Queen being absent, 'tis a needful fitness
  283. 1500 That we adjourn this court till further day.
  284. 1501 Meanwhile must be an earnest motion
  285. 1502 Made to the Queen, to call back her appeal
  286. 1503 She intends unto his Holiness.
  287. [Aside.]
  288. King Henry VIII
  289. 1504 I may perceive
  290. 1505 These Cardinals trifle with me; I abhor
  291. 1506 This dilatory sloth and tricks of Rome.
  292. 1507 My learn'd and well-beloved servant, Cranmer,
  293. 1508 Prithee, return. With thy approach, I know,
  294. 1509 My comfort comes along.—Break up the court!
  295. 1510 I say, set on.
  296. [Exuent in manner as they enter'd.]