Page 1683 - Shakespeare - Vol. 4

KATHERINE

My lord, I dare not make myself so guilty
To give up willingly that noble title
Your master wed me to. Nothing but death [140]

Shall e’er divorce my dignities.

WOLSEY

Pray hear me.

KATHERINE
Would I had never trod this English earth,
Or felt the flatteries that grow upon it!
Ye have angels’ faces, but heaven knows your hearts.
What will become of me now, wretched lady? [145]

I am the most unhappy woman living.
Alas, poor wenches, where are now your fortunes?
Shipwrecked upon a kingdom where no pity,

No friends, no hope, no kindred weep for me;
Almost no grave allowed me. Like the lily [150]
That once was mistress of the field and flourished,
I’ll hang my head, and perish.

WOLSEY
If your grace

Could but be brought to know our ends are honest,
You’d feel more comfort. Why should we, good lady,
Upon what cause, wrong you? Alas, our places, [155]
The way of our profession is against it:

We are to cure such sorrows, not to sow ’em.
For goodness’ sake, consider what you do,
How you may hurt yourself, ay, utterly
Grow from the King’s acquaintance, by this carriage. [160]

The hearts of princes kiss obedience,
So much they love it; but to stubborn spirits
They swell, and grow as terrible as storms.
I know you have a gentle, noble temper,

A soul as even as a calm. Pray think us [165]
Those we profess, peace-makers, friends, and servants.