[Anne Boleyn.] My good lord, Not your demand; it values not your asking: [blessings ever [Chamberlain.] You ha've gentle minds, and heavenly : [a pause.] [tender :[Anne Boleyn.] My lord, I know not what to say, or More than my all is nothing: prayers and wishes Are all I can return. 'Beseech your lordship, Vouchsafe to speak my thanks, and my obedience, As from a blushing handmaid, to his highness. [Chamberlain.] Lady, I shall not fail. And say I've spoken with you. I'll to the king Adieu! fair ladies. [Old Lady.] Why only see now: here have I been begging [Anne Boleyn.] 'Tis very strange to me, I must confess. [Old Lady.] But is it bitter ?—I 'll lay sixpence, no. That wouldn't be a queen,-no, that she would not,— [Anne Boleyn.] Come, you are pleasant. [Old Lady.] The marchioness of Pembroke! only think: A thousand pounds a year! for pure respect; No other obligation. By my life, That promises more thousands; honour's train [Anne Boleyn.] Good lady, Make yourself mirth with your particular fancy, THE CEREMONY OF HOLDING A COURT UNDER A COMMISSION FROM ROME, TO TRY THE VALIDITY OF KING HENRY'S MARRIAGE WITH KATHERINE; AND THE SUBSEQUENT VISIT OF THE CARDINALS TO KATHERINE; REPRESENTED BY SCENES IN A HALL AT BLACKFRIARS; AND IN THE QUEEN'S APARTMENTS OF THE PALACE AT BRIDEWELL. HISTORICAL MEMORANDA. At king Henry's instances, pope Clement VII., in 1528, having already granted one commission, sent over a second, the object of which was, to effect a divorce from Catherine, so that he might be at liberty for a new wife. Different motives of different persons were at work to prevent, and to promote this object. The queen was naturally opposed to it. Charles V., her nephew, viewed it as an affront to his family, and was opposed to it. The king desired it on the pretence of an uneasy conscience, but much more from his passion for Anne Boleyn. Wolsey had desired it out of revenge to Charles, and that he might ingratiate the French king, Francis, by marrying Henry to his sister. Clement, who was in the power of Charles, and wished to keep up the friendship of Henry as a check to Charles, and yet not to offend the latter, temporised with both these parties: he sent cardinal Campeggio, or, as the name is Latinised, Campeius, as his legate to London: but with directions not to allow the matter to come to any speedy issue. The delays exhausted the patience of Henry, who took the matter into his own hands by privately marrying Anne,—by disgracing Wolsey, and by raising Cranmer in a few years afterwards to the see of Canterbury. The poet himself thus describes the procession as it moves into the hall at Blackfriars, in order to holding the court for the trial of the king's marriage with Catherine : Flourish of trumpets and cornets: enter two vergers with short silver wands; next them, two scribes in the habits of doctors; after them the archbishop (Warham) of Canterbury, alone; after him the bishops of Ely, Lincoln, Rochester, and St. 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 a silver cross; then a gentleman usher bareheaded, accompanied with a serjeant-at-arms, bearing a silver mace; then two gentlemen bearing two great silver pillars;—after them, side by side, the two cardinals Wolsey and Campeius; two noblemen with the sword and mace. Then enter the king and queen, and their trains. The king takes place under the cloth of state: the two cardinals sit under him as judges. The queen takes place at some distance from the king. The bishops place themselves on each side the court in manner of a consistory; below them, the scribes. The lords sit next the bishops;-the crier and the rest of the attendants take stations convenient for their duties. The business properly opens by reading the commission. The poet, to save his audience the tediousness of a formal document, contrives to dispense with it. A scribe, reading from a paper in which the ceremonial is written down, desires the crier to say " Henry king of England come into the court:" the king answers "Here:" the crier is then desired to call Catherine in a similar manner: she makes no answer, but moves from her chair, comes to the king, and kneels at his feet; then speaks: [Q. Catherine.] Sir, I desire you do me right and justice; And to bestow your pity on me; for I am a most poor woman, and a stranger, She rises, and continues, Alas, sir, In what have I offended you? what cause I ha've been to you a true and humble wife, Sir, call to mind That I have been your wife in this obedience And unmatch'd wit and judgement: Ferdinand, The wisest prince that there had reign'd, by many A 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 Be by my friends in Spain advis'd; whose counsel Your pleasure be fulfill'd. Wolsey rises, and when he has spoken what ensues, is followed by the other cardinal: [Wolsey.] You have here, lady, And, of your choice, these reverend fathers; men Yea, the elect of the land, who are assembled To plead your cause: it shall be therefore bootless That longer you defer the court; as well What is unsettled in the king. [Campeius.] His grace Has spoken well and justly: therefore, madam, And that without delay, their arguments [Q. Catherine.] Lord Cardinal Campeius again rises: To you I speak Wolsey rises, and asks her pleasure: Sir I am about to weep; but thinking that We are a queen, -or long have dream'd so,―certain I'll turn to sparks of fire,— [Wolsey.] Be patient yet. [Q. Catherine.] I will when you are humble; nay, before, Or heaven will punish me. I do believe, Induc'd by potent circumstances, that You are mine enemy; and make my challenge Have blown this coal betwixt my lord and me,— Refuse you for my judge; whom, yet once more, [Wolsey.] Madam, you do me wrong: I have no spleen against you; nor injustice By a commission from the consistory, Yea, the whole consisto'ry of Rome. You charge me |