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Henry The Eighth (Folio 1, 1623)
226
The Life of King Henry the Eight.
2638On that Coelestiall Harmony I go too.
2639 Sad and solemne Musicke.
2641For feare we wake her. Softly, gentle Patience.
2642The Vision.
2643Enter solemnely tripping one after another, sixe Personages,
2644clad in white Robes, wearing on their heades Garlands of
2645Bayes, and golden Vizards on their faces, Branches of Bayes
2646or Palme in their hands. They first Conge vnto her, then
2647Dance: and at certaine Changes, the first two hold a spare
2648Garland ouer her Head, at which the other foure make re-
2649uerend Curtsies. Then the two that held the Garland, deli-
2650uerthe same to the other next two, who obserue the same or-
2651derin their Changes, and holding the Garland ouer her
2652head. Which done, they deliuer the same Garland to the
2653last two: who likewise obserue the same Order. At which
2654(as it were by inspiration) she makes (in her sleepe) signes of
2655reioycing, and holdeth vp her hands to heauen. And so, in
2656their Dancing vanish, carrying the Garland with them.
2657The Musicke continues.
2658Kath. Spirits of peace, where are ye? Are ye all gone?
2659And leaue me heere in wretchednesse, behinde ye?
2660Grif. Madam, we are heere.
2661Kath. It is not you I call for,
2663Grif. None Madam.
2665Inuite me to a Banquet, whose bright faces
2667They promis'd me eternall Happinesse,
2668And brought me Garlands (Griffith) which I feele
2674Pati. Do you note
2675How much her Grace is alter'd on the sodaine?
2676How long her face is drawne? How pale she lookes,
2677And of an earthy cold? Marke her eyes?
2678Grif. She is going Wench. Pray, pray.
2679Pati. Heauen comfort her.
2680Enter a Messenger.
2681Mes. And't like your Grace ------
2683Deserue we no more Reuerence?
2684Grif. You are too blame,
2692Enter Lord Capuchius.
2693If my sight faile not,
2695My Royall Nephew, and your name Capuchius.
2697Kath. O my Lord,
2698The Times and Titles now are alter'd strangely
2700But I pray you,
2701What is your pleasure with me?
2702Cap. Noble Lady,
2705Who greeues much for your weaknesse, and by me
2706Sends you his Princely Commendations,
2707And heartily entreats you take good comfort.
2708Kath. O my good Lord, that comfort comes too late,
2709'Tis like a Pardon after Execution;
2710That gentle Physicke giuen in time, had cur'd me:
2711But now I am past all Comforts heere, but Prayers.
2712How does his Highnesse?
2713Cap. Madam, in good health.
2715When I shall dwell with Wormes, and my poore name
2716Banish'd the Kingdome. Patience, is that Letter
2717I caus'd you write, yet sent away?
2718Pat. No Madam.
2720This to my Lord the King.
2723The Modell of our chaste loues: his yong daughter,
2724The dewes of Heauen fall thicke in Blessings on her,
2725Beseeching him to giue her vertuous breeding.
2726She is yong, and of a Noble modest Nature,
2728To loue her for her Mothers sake, that lou'd him,
2729Heauen knowes how deerely.
2730My next poore Petition,
2731Is, that his Noble Grace would haue some pittie
2732Vpon my wretched women, that so long
2733Haue follow'd both my Fortunes, faithfully,
2734Of which there is not one, I dare auow
2736For Vertue, and true Beautie of the Soule,
2737For honestie, and decent Carriage
2738A right good Husband (let him be a Noble)
2741(But pouerty could neuer draw 'em from me)
2742That they may haue their wages, duly paid 'em,
2743And something ouer to remember me by.
2744If Heauen had pleas'd to haue giuen me longer life
2745And able meanes, we had not parted thus.
2746These are the whole Contents, and good my Lord,
2747By that you loue the deerest in this world,
2749Stand these poore peoples Friend, and vrge the King
2750To do me this last right.
2751Cap. By Heauen I will,
2754In all humilitie vnto his Highnesse:
2755Say his long trouble now is passing
2756Out of this world. Tell him in death I blest him
2757(For so I will) mine eyes grow dimme. Farewell
2758My Lord. Griffith farewell. Nay Patience,
2760Call in more women. When I am dead, good Wench,
2761Let me be vs'd with Honor; strew me ouer
2762With Maiden Flowers, that all the world may know
2763I was a chaste Wife, to my Graue: Embalme me,
2764Then lay me forth (although vnqueen'd) yet like
2765A Queene, and Daughter to a King enterre me.
2766I can no more.
2767Exeunt leading Katherine.
Scena