The wisest prince that there had reigned by many

A year before. It is not to be questioned

That they had gathered a wise council to them

Of every realm, that did debate this business,

Who deemed our marriage lawful. Wherefore I humbly

Beseech you, sir, to spare me till I may

Be by my friends in Spain advised, whose counsel

I will implore. If not, i’th’ name of God,

Your pleasure be fulfilled.

CARDINAL WOLSEY

You have here, lady,

And of your choice, these reverend fathers, men

Of singular integrity and learning,

Yea, the elect o’th’ land, who are assembled

To plead your cause. It shall be therefore bootless

That longer you desire the court, as well

For your own quiet, as to rectify

What is unsettled in the King.

CARDINAL CAMPEIUS

His grace

Hath spoken well and justly. Therefore, madam,

It’s fit this royal session do proceed,

And that without delay their arguments

Be now produced and heard.

QUEEN KATHERINE (to Wolsey) Lord Cardinal,

To you I speak.

CARDINAL WOLSEY Your pleasure, madam.

QUEEN KATHERINE

Sir,

I am about to weep, but thinking that

We are a queen, or long have dreamed so, certain

The daughter of a king, my drops of tears

I’ll turn to sparks of fire.

CARDINAL WOLSEY

Be patient yet.

QUEEN KATHERINE

I will when you are humble! Nay, before,

Or God will punish me. I do believe,

Induced by potent circumstances, that

You are mine enemy, and make my challenge

You shall not be my judge. For it is you

Have blown this coal betwixt my lord and me,

Which God’s dew quench. Therefore I say again,

I utterly abhor, yea, from my soul,

Refuse you for my judge, whom yet once more

I hold my most malicious foe, and think not

At all a friend to truth.

CARDINAL WOISEY

I do profess

You speak not like yourself, who ever yet

Have stood to charity, and displayed th‘effects

Of disposition gentle and of wisdom

O’er-topping woman’s power. Madam, you do me wrong.

I have no spleen against you, nor injustice

For you or any. How far I have proceeded,

Or how far further shall, is warranted

By a commission from the consistory,

Yea, the whole consistory of Rome. You charge me

That I ‘have blown this coal’. I do deny it.

The King is present. If it be known to him

That I gainsay my deed, how may he wound,

And worthily, my falsehood—yea, as much

As you have done my truth. If he know

That I am free of your report, he knows

I am not of your wrong. Therefore in him

It lies to cure me, and the cure is to

Remove these thoughts from you. The which before

His highness shall speak in, I do beseech

You, gracious madam, to unthink your speaking,

And to say so no more.

QUEEN KATHERINE

My lord, my lord—

I am a simple woman, much too weak

T‘oppose your cunning. You’re meek and humblemouthed;

You sign your place and calling, in full seeming,

With meekness and humility—but your heart

Is crammed with arrogancy, spleen, and pride.

You have by fortune and his highness’ favours

Gone slightly o’er low steps, and now are mounted

Where powers are your retainers, and your words,

Domestics to you, serve your will as’t please

Yourself pronounce their office. I must tell you,

You tender more your person’s honour than

Your high profession spiritual, that again

I do refuse you for my judge, and here,

Before you all, appeal unto the Pope,

To bring my whole cause ’fore his holiness,

And to be judged by him.

She curtsies to the King and begins to depart

CARDINAL CAMPEIUS

The Queen is obstinate,

Stubborn to justice, apt to accuse it, and

Disdainful to be tried by’t. ’Tis not well.

She’s going away.

KING HENRY (to the Crier) Call her again.

CRIER

Katherine, Queen of England, come into the court.

GRIFFITH (to the Queen) Madam, you are called back.

QUEEN KATHERINE

What need you note it? Pray you keep your way.

When you are called, return. Now the Lord help.

They vex me past my patience. Pray you, pass on.

I will not tarry; no, nor ever more

Upon this business my appearance make

In any of their courts.

Exeunt Queen Katherine and her attendants

KING HENRY

Go thy ways, Kate.

That man i’th’ world who shall report he has

A better wife, let him in naught be trusted

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—

The queen of earthly queens. She’s noble born,

And like her true nobility she has

Carried herself towards me.

CARDINAL WOLSEY

Most gracious sir,

In humblest manner I require your highness