In all my miseries; but thou hast forc'd me, And sleep in dull cold marble, where no mention To silence envious tongues. Be just, and fear not : Thou fall'st a blessed martyr.-Lead me in :- To the last penny; 'tis the king's: my robe, I dare now call mine own.-O Cromwell, Cromwell, Crom. Good sir, have patience. Wol. So I have. Farewell The hopes of court! my hopes in heaven do dwell. END OF ACT III. [Exeunt ACT IV. SCENE. An Apartment at Kimbolton. Enter KATHARINE, Dowager, sick, attended by CROMWELL, PATIENCE, AGATHA, and CICELY, who lead her to her chair. Crom. How does your grace? Kath. O, Cromwell, sick to death: My legs, like loaded branches, bow to the earth, Didst thou not tell me, Cromwell, as thou led'st me, Crom. Yes, madam; but I think, your grace, If well, he stepp'd before me, happily, Crom. Well, the voice goes, madam: For after the stout earl Northumberland Arrested him at York, and brought him forward He could not sit his mule. Kath. Alas, poor man! Crom. At last, with easy roads, he came to Leicester; Lodg'd in the abbey; where the reverend abbot, With all his convent, honourably receiv'd him; To whom he gave these words,-O father abbot, An old man, broken with the storms of state, Is come to lay his weary bones among ye; Give him a little earth for charity! So went to bed: where eagerly his sickness. Pursu'd him still; and, three nights after this, Kath. So may he rest; his faults lie gently on him! Of an unbounded stomach, ever ranking His promises were, as he then was, mighty; Crom. Noble madam, Men's evil manners live in brass; their virtues . Kath. Yes, good Cromwell; I were malicious else. Crom. This cardinal, Though from an humble stock, undoubtedly D And, to add greater honours to his age Than man could give him, he died, fearing heaven. To keep mine honour from corruption, Now in his ashes honour: Peace be with him!- [PATIENCE sings.-KATHARINE falls asleep.] Take, O, take me to your care; Speed to your bless'd courts my flight, Kath. (Wakes.) Spirits of peace, where are ye? Are ye all gone? And leave me here in wretchedness behind Crom. Madam, we're here. Kath. It is not you I call for : Saw ye none enter, since I slept? Crom. None, madam. ye? Kath. No? saw you not, even now, a blessed troop Invite me to a banquet; whose bright faces Cast thousand beams upon me, like the sun? They promis'd me eternal happiness; And brought me garlands, Cromwell, which I feel Assuredly. Crom. I am most joyful, madam, such good dreams Possess your fancy. Enter GUILDFORD. Guil. An't like your grace,— Kath. You are a sawcy fellow; Deserve we no more reverence? f Crom. You are to blame, Knowing, she will not lose her wonted greatness, Guil. I humbly do entreat your highness' pardon; My haste made me unmannerly: There is staying A gentleman, sent from the king, to see you. Kath. Admit him entrance, Cromwell:-But this fellow Let me ne'er see again. [Exeunt GUILDFORD, and CROMWELL. Enter CROMWELL, and CAPUCIUS. If my sight fail not, You should be lord embassador from the emperor, Kath. O my lord, The times, and titles, now are alter'd strangely Cap. Noble lady, First, mine own service to your grace; the next, The king's request that I would visit you; Who grieves much for your weakness, and by me And heartily entreats you take good comfort. Kath. O my good lord, that comfort comes too late; 'Tis like a pardon after execution : That gentle physick, given in time, had cur'd me; How does his highness? Cap. Madam, in good health. prayers. Kath. So may he ever do! and ever flourish, When I shall dwell with worms, and my poor name Banish'd the kingdom !-Patience, is that letter, I caus'd you write, yet sent away? Pat. No, madam. [Presents the letter. Kath. Sir, I most humbly pray you to deliver Cap. Most willing, madam. D 2 |