KING HENRY THE EIGHTH

JACOBEAN PLAY DOUBTFULLY ASCRIBED TO SHAKESPEARE AND FLETCHER

HENRY'S first queen was Katharine of Aragon, the widow of his elder brother Arthur. The ecclesiastical law forbade marrying with so near a relative, but for reasons of state the match was thought desirable, and a special dispensation was secured from the Pope. The legality of the arrangement was not called in question until 1527, when, after twenty years of wedded life, there being but one child living and that a daughter, the king became convinced that the marriage with Katharine had been a mistake, perhaps a sin. Henry's close friend and adviser was Thomas Wolsey, a man of great ability, on whom had been conferred the highest honors in church and state. Cardinal, Archbishop of York, and Chancellor of the Realm, he enjoyed enormous wealth and well-nigh royal powers. To him was entrusted the task of accomplishing a divorce. Wolsey's appeal to the Pope was unsuccessful, and the king in anger deposed him from the chancellorship (1529), confiscated his estates, and threw him into the Tower on a charge of high treason.

ACT II

SCENE IV. A Hall in Black-friars.

(Pomp of Court and Clergy. Enter the King with his Train, followed by the Queen with hers.)

Wolsey. Whilst our commission from Rome is read,

Let silence be commanded.

King Henry.

What's the need?

It hath already publicly been read,

And on all sides th' authority allow'd;

You may, then, spare that time.

Wolsey.

Be't so. Proceed.

Scribe. Say, Henry King of England, come into

the court.

Crier. Henry King of England, come into the

court.

King Henry. Here.

Scribe. Say, Katharine Queen of England, come

into the court.

Crier. Katharine Queen of England, come into the court.

(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.)

Queen Katharine. 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,
Born out of your dominions; having here
No judge indifferent, nor no more assurance
Of equal friendship and proceeding. Alas, sir,
In what have I offended you? what cause
Hath my behaviour given to your displeasure,
That thus you should proceed to put me off,

And take your good grace from me? Heaven witness
I have been to you a true and humble wife,

At all times to your will conformable:

Ever in fear to kindle your dislike,

Yea, subject to your

As I saw it inclin'd.

countenance, glad or sorry,

When was the hour

I ever contradicted your desire, Or made it not mine too? friends

Or which of your

Have I not strove to love, although I knew
He were mine enemy? what friend of mine,
That had to him deriv'd your anger, did I
Continue in my liking? nay, gave notice

He was from thence discharg'd. Sir, call to mind
That I have been your wife, in this obedience,
Upward of twenty years, and have been blest
With many children by you: if in the course
And process of this time you can report,
And prove it too, against mine honour aught,
My bond to wedlock or my love and duty,
Against your sacred person, in God's name,
Turn me away; and let the foul'st contempt
Shut door upon me, and so give me up

To the sharp'st kind of justice. Please you, sir,
The king, your father, was reputed for
A prince most prudent, of an excellent
And unmatch'd wit and judgment: Ferdinand,
My father, King of Spain, was reckon'd one
The wisest prince, that there had reign'd by many
A year before it is not to be question'd

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

Beseech you, sir, to spare me, till I may

Be by my friends in Spain advis'd, whose counsel

I will implore: if not, i' th' name of God,

Your pleasure be fulfill'd!

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.

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 produc'd and heard.

Queen Katharine.

To you I speak.

Wolsey.

Queen Katharine.

Lord cardinal,

Your pleasure, madam?

I am about to weep; but, thinking that

Sir,

We are a queen (or long have dream'd so), certain

The daughter of a king, my drops of tears

I'll turn to sparks of fire.

Wolsey.

Be patient yet.

Queen Katharine. I will, when you are humble;

nay, before,

Or God will punish me. I do believe,

Induc'd 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.

Wolsey.

I do profess

You speak not like yourself; who ever yet
Have stood to charity and display'd th' effects
Of disposition gentle, and of wisdom

O'ertopping woman's power.

wrong:

Madam, you do me

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,1

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.

1 College of cardinals.