Henry VIII, Act II, Scene 3 :|: Open Source Shakespeare

History of Henry VIII

Act II, Scene 3

An ante-chamber of the QUEEN’S apartments.

[Enter ANNE and an Old Lady]

Anne Bullen. Not for that neither: here's the pang that pinches:
His highness having lived so long with her, and she
So good a lady that no tongue could ever
Pronounce dishonour of her; by my life,
She never knew harm-doing: O, now, after 1205
So many courses of the sun enthroned,
Still growing in a majesty and pomp, the which
To leave a thousand-fold more bitter than
'Tis sweet at first to acquire,—after this process,
To give her the avaunt! it is a pity 1210
Would move a monster.

Anne Bullen. O, God's will! much better
She ne'er had known pomp: though't be temporal, 1215
Yet, if that quarrel, fortune, do divorce
It from the bearer, 'tis a sufferance panging
As soul and body's severing.

Anne Bullen. So much the more
Must pity drop upon her. Verily,
I swear, 'tis better to be lowly born,
And range with humble livers in content,
Than to be perk'd up in a glistering grief, 1225
And wear a golden sorrow.

Old Lady. Beshrew me, I would,
And venture maidenhead for't; and so would you,
For all this spice of your hypocrisy:
You, that have so fair parts of woman on you,
Have too a woman's heart; which ever yet 1235
Affected eminence, wealth, sovereignty;
Which, to say sooth, are blessings; and which gifts,
Saving your mincing, the capacity
Of your soft cheveril conscience would receive,
If you might please to stretch it. 1240

Anne Bullen. No, not for all the riches under heaven.
Old as I am, to queen it: but, I pray you,
What think you of a duchess? have you limbs 1245
To bear that load of title?

Old Lady. Then you are weakly made: pluck off a little;
I would not be a young count in your way, 1250
For more than blushing comes to: if your back
Cannot vouchsafe this burthen,'tis too weak
Ever to get a boy.

Anne Bullen. How you do talk!
I swear again, I would not be a queen 1255
For all the world.

Old Lady. In faith, for little England
You'ld venture an emballing: I myself
Would for Carnarvonshire, although there long'd
No more to the crown but that. Lo, who comes here? 1260

[Enter Chamberlain]

Lord Chamberlain. Good morrow, ladies. What were't worth to know
The secret of your conference?

Anne Bullen. My good lord,
Not your demand; it values not your asking: 1265
Our mistress' sorrows we were pitying.

Lord Chamberlain. It was a gentle business, and becoming
The action of good women: there is hope
All will be well.

Lord Chamberlain. You bear a gentle mind, and heavenly blessings
Follow such creatures. That you may, fair lady,
Perceive I speak sincerely, and high note's
Ta'en of your many virtues, the king's majesty
Commends his good opinion of you, and 1275
Does purpose honour to you no less flowing
Than Marchioness of Pembroke: to which title
A thousand pound a year, annual support,
Out of his grace he adds.

Anne Bullen. I do not know 1280
What kind of my obedience I should tender;
More than my all is nothing: nor my prayers
Are not words duly hallow'd, nor my wishes
More worth than empty vanities; yet prayers and wishes
Are all I can return. Beseech your lordship, 1285
Vouchsafe to speak my thanks and my obedience,
As from a blushing handmaid, to his highness;
Whose health and royalty I pray for.

Lord Chamberlain. Lady,
I shall not fail to approve the fair conceit 1290
The king hath of you.
[Aside]
I have perused her well;
Beauty and honour in her are so mingled
That they have caught the king: and who knows yet 1295
But from this lady may proceed a gem
To lighten all this isle? I'll to the king,
And say I spoke with you.

[Exit Chamberlain]

Old Lady. Why, this it is; see, see!
I have been begging sixteen years in court,
Am yet a courtier beggarly, nor could
Come pat betwixt too early and too late
For any suit of pounds; and you, O fate! 1305
A very fresh-fish here—fie, fie, fie upon
This compell'd fortune!—have your mouth fill'd up
Before you open it.

Old Lady. How tastes it? is it bitter? forty pence, no. 1310
There was a lady once, 'tis an old story,
That would not be a queen, that would she not,
For all the mud in Egypt: have you heard it?

Old Lady. With your theme, I could 1315
O'ermount the lark. The Marchioness of Pembroke!
A thousand pounds a year for pure respect!
No other obligation! By my life,
That promises moe thousands: honour's train
Is longer than his foreskirt. By this time 1320
I know your back will bear a duchess: say,
Are you not stronger than you were?

Anne Bullen. Good lady,
Make yourself mirth with your particular fancy,
And leave me out on't. Would I had no being, 1325
If this salute my blood a jot: it faints me,
To think what follows.
The queen is comfortless, and we forgetful
In our long absence: pray, do not deliver
What here you've heard to her. 1330

[Exeunt]