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- William Shakespeare: Henry VIII, Act II, Scene III
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Scene IIIAn ante-chamber of the Queen’s apartmentsEnter Anne and an Old LadyAnneNot 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 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 Would move a monster.Old LadyHearts of most hard temper Melt and lament for her.AnneO, God’s will! much better She ne’er had known pomp: though’t be temporal, Yet, if that quarrel, fortune, do divorce It from the bearer, ’tis a sufferance panging As soul and body’s severing.Old LadyAlas, poor lady! She’s a stranger now again.AnneSo 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, And wear a golden sorrow.Old LadyOur content Is our best having.AnneBy my troth and maidenhead, I would not be a queen.Old LadyBeshrew 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 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.AnneNay, good troth.Old LadyYes, troth, and troth; you would not be a queen?AnneNo, not for all the riches under heaven.Old Lady:‘Tis strange: a three-pence bow’d would hire me, Old as I am, to queen it: but, I pray you, What think you of a duchess? have you limbs To bear that load of title?AnneNo, in truth.Old LadyThen you are weakly made: pluck off a little; I would not be a young count in your way, For more than blushing comes to: if your back Cannot vouchsafe this burthen,’tis too weak Ever to get a boy.AnneHow you do talk! I swear again, I would not be a queen For all the world.Old LadyIn 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?Enter ChamberlainChamberlainGood morrow, ladies. What were’t worth to know The secret of your conference?AnneMy good lord, Not your demand; it values not your asking: Our mistress’ sorrows we were pitying.ChamberlainIt was a gentle business, and becoming The action of good women: there is hope All will be well.AnneNow, I pray God, amen!ChamberlainYou 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 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.AnneI do not know 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, Vouchsafe to speak my thanks and my obedience, As from a blushing handmaid, to his highness; Whose health and royalty I pray for.ChamberlainLady, I shall not fail to approve the fair conceit The king hath of you.AsideI have perused her well; Beauty and honour in her are so mingled That they have caught the king: and who knows yet 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 ChamberlainAnneMy honour’d lord.Old LadyWhy, 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! A very fresh-fish here—fie, fie, fie upon This compell’d fortune!—have your mouth fill’d up Before you open it.AnneThis is strange to me.Old LadyHow tastes it? is it bitter? forty pence, no. 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?AnneCome, you are pleasant.Old LadyWith your theme, I could 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 I know your back will bear a duchess: say, Are you not stronger than you were?AnneGood lady, Make yourself mirth with your particular fancy, And leave me out on’t. Would I had no being, 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.Old LadyWhat do you think me?Exeunt
William Shakespeare: Henry VIII, Act II
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William Shakespeare: Winter’s Tale, Act II
- William Shakespeare: Winter’s Tale, Act II
TrendingHere are the facts and trivia that people are buzzing about.
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TrendingHere are the facts and trivia that people are buzzing about.
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Current Events This Week: January 2023
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The Celtic Twilight: A Teller of Tales
- Did Birds Evolve from Dinosaurs?
- The Twelve Dancing Princesses
- Current Events This Week: January 2023
- African Americans by the Numbers
- Andersen’s Fairy Tales: Contents
- The Celtic Twilight: A Teller of Tales
