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Modern English
Whilst our commission from Rome is read, Let silence be commanded.
While our commission from Rome is read, Let there be silence.
What’s the need? It hath already publicly been read, And on all sides the authority allow’d; You may, then, spare that time.
What’s the need? It’s already been publicly read, And accepted by everyone; You can skip that step.
Be’t so. Proceed.
Fine. Proceed.
Say, Henry King of England, come into the court.
Say, Henry King of England, enter the court.
Henry King of England, & c.
Henry King of England, etc.
Here.
Here.
Say, Katharine Queen of England, come into the court.
Say, Katharine Queen of England, enter the court.
Katharine Queen of England, & c.
Katharine Queen of England, etc.
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 behavior 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 countenance, glad or sorry As I saw it inclined: when was the hour I ever contradicted your desire, Or made it not mine too? Or which of your friends Have I not strove to love, although I knew He were mine enemy? what friend of mine That had to him derived your anger, did I Continue in my liking? nay, gave notice He was from thence discharged. 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 advised; whose counsel I will implore: if not, i’ the name of God, Your pleasure be fulfill’d!
Sir, I ask you to do what is right and just for me; And to show me some mercy: because I am a very poor woman, and a foreigner, Born outside your kingdom; having here No impartial judge, and no certainty Of equal support or fair treatment. Oh, sir, How have I offended you? What reason Has my behavior given you to dislike me, That you would treat me this way, And take your kindness away from me? God is my witness, I have been a faithful and humble wife to you, Always obedient to your will; Always afraid of upsetting you, Always responding to your mood, happy or sad As I saw you feel: when was there ever a time I contradicted your wishes, Or didn’t make them mine as well? Or which of your friends Have I not tried to love, even though I knew They were my enemies? What friend of mine Who caused you to be angry, did I Continue to like? No, I made sure He was dismissed. Sir, think back That I have been your wife, obediently, For over twenty years, and have been blessed With many children by you: if, in all this time, You can prove, And show it to be true, that I have done anything against my honor, Or my marriage vows, or my love and duty to you, Or against your sacred person, in God’s name, Then turn me away; and let the worst contempt Lock the door on me, and throw me to the harshest justice. Please, sir, Your father, the king, was known for being A wise and prudent ruler, with an excellent And unmatched mind and judgment: Ferdinand, My father, the king of Spain, was considered one Of the wisest kings who had reigned for many Years before: it’s unquestionable That they both gathered wise advisors from every kingdom, Who all agreed our marriage was lawful: so I humbly Ask you, sir, to spare me until I can Seek advice from my friends in Spain; whose counsel I will ask for: if not, in God’s name, Then let your will be done!
You have here, lady, And of your choice, these reverend fathers; men Of singular integrity and learning, Yea, the elect o’ the 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.
You have here, lady, And by your choice, these respected fathers; men Of great integrity and knowledge, Yes, the best in the land, who are gathered To plead your case: so it will be pointless For you to keep asking for the court to delay; both For your own peace of mind, and to settle What is unresolved in the king.
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 produced and heard.
His grace Has spoken fairly and justly: so, madam, It is right that this royal session proceeds; And that, without delay, your arguments Be presented and heard.
Lord cardinal, To you I speak.
Lord cardinal, I speak to you.
Your pleasure, madam?
What is it, madam?
Sir, I am about to weep; but, thinking that 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.
Sir, I am about to cry; but, remembering that We are queens, or have long dreamed we were, surely The daughter of a king, I’ll turn my tears Into sparks of fire.
Be patient yet.
Be patient, please.
I will, when you are humble; nay, before, Or God will punish me. I do believe, Induced 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.
I will, when you are humble; no, before then, Or God will punish me. I truly believe, Given the strong circumstances, that You are my enemy, and I challenge That you should not be my judge: for it is you Who have stirred up this conflict between my lord and me; Which God’s mercy end it! Therefore I say again, I utterly refuse you as my judge; and here, In front of all of you, I appeal to the pope, To bring my entire case before his holiness, And have him judge me.
I do profess You speak not like yourself; who ever yet Have stood to charity, and display’d the effects Of disposition gentle, and of wisdom O’ertopping woman’s power. Madam, you do me wrong: 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, 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.
I swear You do not speak like yourself; who has always Acted with charity, and shown the kindness Of a gentle disposition, with wisdom Surpassing that of women. Madam, you are wronging me: I hold no ill will against you; nor injustice Toward you or anyone: how far I have gone, Or how much further I will go, is authorized By a commission from the church, Yes, from the entire church of Rome. You accuse me Of starting this conflict: I deny it: The king is here: if it becomes known to him That I am lying about my actions, how can he harm me, And rightfully so, for my falsehood! Yes, just as much As you have harmed my honesty. If he knows That I am free from your accusations, he knows I am not at fault. Therefore, it is up to him To correct me: and the correction is, To remove these thoughts from you: before His highness speaks on it, I ask you, madam, To reconsider your words And stop saying them.
My lord, my lord, I am a simple woman, much too weak To oppose your cunning. You’re meek and humble-mouth’d; You sign your place and calling, in full seeming, With meekness and humility; but your heart Is cramm’d with arrogancy, spleen, and pride. You have, by fortune and his highness’ favours, Gone slightly o’er low steps and now are mounted Where powers are your retainers, and your words, Domestics to you, serve your will as’t please Yourself pronounce their office. I must tell you, You tender more your person’s honour than Your high profession spiritual: that again I do refuse you for my judge; and here, Before you all, appeal unto the pope, To bring my whole cause ’fore his holiness, And to be judged by him.
My lord, my lord, I am just a simple woman, far too weak To oppose your cleverness. You are humble and Soft-spoken; You show your place and role, seeming humble, With meekness and humility; but inside Your heart is full of arrogance, bitterness, and pride. You have, by chance and your high status’ favors, Climbed up to power, and now your words, Your servants, do your bidding as you please And carry out your orders. I must tell you, You care more about your personal honor than Your high spiritual calling: once again I refuse you as my judge; and here, Before you all, I appeal to the pope, To bring my case before his holiness, And be judged by him.
The queen is obstinate, Stubborn to justice, apt to accuse it, and Disdainful to be tried by’t: ’tis not well. She’s going away.
The queen is stubborn, Refusing justice, quick to accuse it, and Disdainful of being judged by it: this is not good. She’s leaving.
Call her again.
Call her back.
Katharine Queen of England, come into the court.
Katharine Queen of England, come into the court.
Madam, you are call’d back.
Madam, they are calling you back.
What need you note it? pray you, keep your way: When you are call’d, return. Now, the Lord help, They vex me past my patience! Pray you, pass on: I will not tarry; no, nor ever more Upon this business my appearance make In any of their courts.
Why do you point it out? Please, just go on your way: When you’re called, return. Now, God help me, They trouble me beyond my patience! Please, go on: I won’t stay; no, never again Will I show myself in any of their courts.
Go thy ways, Kate: That man i’ the world who shall report he has A better wife, let him in nought be trusted, For speaking false in that: thou art, alone, If thy rare qualities, sweet gentleness, Thy meekness saint-like, wife-like government, Obeying in commanding, and thy parts Sovereign and pious else, could speak thee out, The queen of earthly queens: she’s noble born; And, like her true nobility, she has Carried herself towards me.
Go on, Kate: The man in the world who says he has A better wife, don’t trust him at all, For lying about that: you alone, If your rare qualities, sweet gentleness, Your saintly meekness, wife-like authority, Obeying while commanding, and your virtues That are sovereign and devout, could speak for you, You’d be the queen of all earthly queens: she’s nobly born; And like her true nobility, she has Conducted herself toward me.
Most gracious sir, In humblest manner I require your highness, That it shall please you to declare, in hearing Of all these ears,--for where I am robb’d and bound, There must I be unloosed, although not there At once and fully satisfied,--whether ever I Did broach this business to your highness; or Laid any scruple in your way, which might Induce you to the question on’t? or ever Have to you, but with thanks to God for such A royal lady, spake one the least word that might Be to the prejudice of her present state, Or touch of her good person?
Most gracious sir, In the humblest way, I ask your highness, That you would please declare, for all to hear, -- for where I’m robbed and bound, I must be set free, even if not fully, -- whether I ever Brought this matter up with your highness; or Raised any doubts that might Have led you to question it? or ever Said anything, even with thanks to God for such A royal lady, that could Harm her current situation, Or her good reputation?
My lord cardinal, I do excuse you; yea, upon mine honour, I free you from’t. You are not to be taught That you have many enemies, that know not Why they are so, but, like to village-curs, Bark when their fellows do: by some of these The queen is put in anger. You’re excused: But will you be more justified? You ever Have wish’d the sleeping of this business; never desired It to be stirr’d; but oft have hinder’d, oft, The passages made toward it: on my honour, I speak my good lord cardinal to this point, And thus far clear him. Now, what moved me to’t, I will be bold with time and your attention: Then mark the inducement. Thus it came; give heed to’t: My conscience first received a tenderness, Scruple, and prick, on certain speeches utter’d By the Bishop of Bayonne, then French ambassador; Who had been hither sent on the debating A marriage ’twixt the Duke of Orleans and Our daughter Mary: i’ the progress of this business, Ere a determinate resolution, he, I mean the bishop, did require a respite; Wherein he might the king his lord advertise Whether our daughter were legitimate, Respecting this our marriage with the dowager, Sometimes our brother’s wife. This respite shook The bosom of my conscience, enter’d me, Yea, with a splitting power, and made to tremble The region of my breast; which forced such way, That many mazed considerings did throng And press’d in with this caution. First, methought I stood not in the smile of heaven; who had Commanded nature, that my lady’s womb, If it conceived a male child by me, should Do no more offices of life to’t than The grave does to the dead; for her male issue Or died where they were made, or shortly after This world had air’d them: hence I took a thought, This was a judgment on me; that my kingdom, Well worthy the best heir o’ the world, should not Be gladded in’t by me: then follows, that I weigh’d the danger which my realms stood in By this my issue’s fail; and that gave to me Many a groaning throe. Thus hulling in The wild sea of my conscience, I did steer Toward this remedy, whereupon we are Now present here together: that’s to say, I meant to rectify my conscience,--which I then did feel full sick, and yet not well,-- By all the reverend fathers of the land And doctors learn’d: first I began in private With you, my Lord of Lincoln; you remember How under my oppression I did reek, When I first moved you.
My lord cardinal, I forgive you; yes, by my honor, I absolve you of it. You don’t need to be reminded That you have many enemies, who don’t know Why they are, but bark like village dogs When their friends do: the queen has been angered by some of these. You’re forgiven: But would you like to be further justified? You’ve always Wanted this matter to be forgotten; never wanting It to be brought up; but often you’ve blocked, often, The efforts to address it: I speak frankly, my lord cardinal, And here I clear you. Now, let me explain what led me to this, I will be open with you and take your attention: Then listen carefully. Here’s what happened: My conscience first felt uneasy, Hesitant, and troubled, by certain things said By the Bishop of Bayonne, the French ambassador; Who had been sent here to discuss A marriage between the Duke of Orleans and Our daughter Mary: during this business, Before a final decision, he, I mean the bishop, asked for a delay; So he could inform his king, Whether our daughter was legitimate, Considering our marriage with the widow, Once my brother’s wife. This delay shook The heart of my conscience, entered my mind, Yes, with such force, that it made me tremble In my chest; and forced me to think deeply, And many doubts crowded in with this warning. First, I thought I wasn’t in God’s favor; who had Commanded nature, that my lady’s womb, If it conceived a son by me, should Do no more for him than The grave does for the dead; for her male children Either died in her womb, or shortly after The world had seen them: so I thought, This must be a judgment on me; that my kingdom, So deserving of the best heir in the world, should not Be made happy by me: then I realized, I considered the danger my realm was in If my child failed to live; and that caused me Many painful thoughts. So, caught in The storm of my conscience, I steered Toward this solution, and now we’re here, That is, I meant to settle my conscience,--which I felt very troubled by, though not entirely lost,-- By the counsel of the learned fathers of the land And doctors of theology: first, I confided in you, My Lord of Lincoln; you remember How under my burden I confessed, When I first asked you.
Very well, my liege.
Very well, my liege.
I have spoke long: be pleased yourself to say How far you satisfied me.
I’ve spoken for a long time: please, you now tell me How far I’ve satisfied you.
So please your highness, The question did at first so stagger me, Bearing a state of mighty moment in’t And consequence of dread, that I committed The daring’st counsel which I had to doubt; And did entreat your highness to this course Which you are running here.
Your highness, The question initially confused me, Because it carried so much weight And a matter of such consequence, that I took The boldest advice I had doubts about; And urged your highness to take the course That you are now following.
I then moved you, My Lord of Canterbury; and got your leave To make this present summons: unsolicited I left no reverend person in this court; But by particular consent proceeded Under your hands and seals: therefore, go on: For no dislike i’ the world against the person Of the good queen, but the sharp thorny points Of my alleged reasons, drive this forward: Prove but our marriage lawful, by my life And kingly dignity, we are contented To wear our mortal state to come with her, Katharine our queen, before the primest creature That’s paragon’d o’ the world.
I then spoke to you, My Lord of Canterbury; and got your permission To make this present summons: without any prompting I left no learned person in this court; But with their consent, proceeded Under your hands and seals: so go ahead: There is no opposition in the world to the person Of the good queen, but only the sharp, troubling reasons Of my alleged doubts, pushing this forward: If we prove our marriage lawful, by my life And royal dignity, we’re content To live out our mortal lives with her, Katharine our queen, as the highest example Of all that’s noble in the world.
So please your highness, The queen being absent, ’tis a needful fitness That we adjourn this court till further day: Meanwhile must be an earnest motion Made to the queen, to call back her appeal She intends unto his holiness.
Your highness, The queen being absent, it’s necessary To adjourn this court until another day: Meanwhile, we must urgently request The queen to withdraw her appeal From the Pope.
[Aside] I may perceive These cardinals trifle with me: I abhor This dilatory sloth and tricks of Rome. My learn’d and well-beloved servant, Cranmer, Prithee, return: with thy approach, I know, My comfort comes along. Break up the court: I say, set on.
[Aside] I can tell These cardinals are wasting my time: I despise This delay and the tricks of Rome. My learned and trusted servant, Cranmer, Please return: with your arrival, I know, My comfort will come. Let’s end the court: I say, move forward.