Those twins of learning, that he rais'd in you,
Ipswich and Oxford! one of which fell with him,
Unwilling to outlive the good he did it;

The other, though unfinish'd, yet so famous,
So excellent in art, and still so rising,
That Christendom shall ever speak his virtue.
His overthrow heap'd happiness upon him;
For then, and not till then, he felt himself,
And found the blessedness of being little:
And, to add greater honours to his age
Than man could give him, he died, fearing Heaven.
Kath. After my death, I wish no other herald,
No other speaker of my living actions,

To keep mine honour from corruption,
But such an honest chronicler as Cromwell:
Whom I most hated living, thou hast made me,
With thy religious truth and modesty,

Now in his ashes honour:-Peace be with him!-
Patience, be near me still.-Good Cromwell,
Cause the musicians play me that said note
I nam'd my knell, whilst I sit meditating
On that celestial harmony I go to.

PATIENCE sings.-KATHARINE falls asleep.

Angels ever bright and fair,

Take, 0, take me to your care;
Speed to your bless'd courts my flight,

Clad in robes of virgin white!

Kath. [Wakes.] Spirits of peace, where are ye?

Are ye all gone?

And leave me here in wretchedness behind ye?

Crom. Madam, we're here.

Kath. It is not you I call for :

Saw ye none enter, since I slept ?

Crom. None, madam.

Kath. No? saw you not, even now, a blessed troop Invite me to a banquet; whose bright faces

Cast thousand beams upon me, like the sun?
They promis'd me eternal happiness;

And brought me garlands, Cromwell, which I feel
1 am not worthy yet to wear; I shall,

Assuredly.

Crom. I am most joyful, madam, such good dreams Possess your fancy.

Enter GUILDFORD.

Guil. An't like your grace,-
Kath. You are a saucy fellow;
Deserve we no more reverence?
Crom. You are to blame.

Knowing she will not lose her wonted greatness,
To use so rude behaviour: go to, kneel.

Guil. I humbly do entreat your highness' pardon;
My haste made me unmannerly: There is staying
A gentleman, sent from the king, to see you.

Kath. Admit him entrance, Cromwell:-But this fellow

Let me ne'er see again.

[Exeunt GUILDFORD and CROMWELL.

Enter CROMWELL and CAPUCIUS.

If my sight fail not,

You should be lord embassador from the emperor,
My royal nephew, and, your name, Capucius.
Cap. Madam, the same, your servant.

Kath. O my lord,

The times and titles, now are alter'd strangely
With
me, since first you knew me. But, I pray you,
What is your pleasure with me?

Cap. Noble lady,

First, mine own service to your grace; the next,
The king's request, that I would visit you;

Who grieves much for your weakness, and by me

Sends you his princely commendations,

And heartily entreats you take good comfort. Kath. O my good lord, that comfort comes too late;

'Tis like a pardon after execution;

That gentle physic, given in time, had cur'd me;
But now I'm past all comforts here, but prayers-
How does his highness?

Cap. Madam, in good health.

Kath. So may he ever do! and ever flourish, When I shall dwell with worms, and my poor name Banish'd the kingdom!-Patience, is that letter,

I caus'd you write, yet sent away?

Pat. No, madam.

[Presents the Letter. Kath. Sir, I most humbly pray you to deliver This to my lord the king.

Cap. Most willing, madam.

Kath. In which I have commended to his goodness
The model of our chaste loves, his young daughter;-
The dews of heaven fall thick in blessings on her!-
Beseeching him, to give her virtuous breeding;
And a little

To love her for her mother's sake, that loved him,
Heaven knows how dearly. My next poor petition
Is, that his noble grace would have some pity
Upon my wretched women, that so long
Have follow'd both my fortunes faithfully;
The last is, for my men ;-they are the poorest,
But poverty could never draw them from me:-
And, good my lord,

By that you love the dearest in this world,

As you wish christian peace to souls departed, Stand these poor people's friend, and urge the king To do me this last right.

Cap. By Heaven, I will.

Kath. I thank you, honest lord.--Remember me In all humility unto his highness;

Say, his long trouble now is passing

Out of this world: tell him, in death I bless'd him,
For so I will.-Mine eyes grow dim.-Farewell,
My lord.
[CAPUCIUS kneels, and kisses her Hand.

When I am dead,

Let me be us'd with honour; strew me over

With maiden flowers, that all the world may know I was a chaste wife to my grave:

:

Although unqueen'd, inter me like a queen,
And pay respect to that which I have been.

[Exeunt, leading KATHARINE.

ACT THE FIFTH.

SCENE I.

A Gallery in the Palace.

Enter the KING and SUFFolk.

King. Charles, I will play no more to-night;
My mind's not on't, you are too hard for me.
Suf. Sir, I did never win of
you before.

King. But little, Charles;

Nor shall not, when my fancy's on my play.

Enter LOVEL.

Now, Lovel, from the queen, what is the news?
Lov. I could not personally deliver to her

What you commanded me, but by her woman
I sent your message, who return'd her thanks
In the greatest humbleness, and desir'd your highness
Most heartily to pray for her.

King. What say'st thou ? ha!

To pray for her? what, is she crying out?
Lov. So said her woman.

King. Alas, good lady!

Suf. Heaven safely quit her of her burden, and
With gentle travel, to the gladding of
Your highness with an heir!

King. "Tis midnight, Charles;

'Pr'ythee to bed; and in thy prayers remember
The estate of my poor queen. Leave me alone;
For I must think of that, which company
Would not be friendly to.

Suf. I wish your highness

A quiet night; and my good mistress will

Remember in my prayers.

King. Charles, good night.

[Exit SUFFOLK.

Lov. Sir, I have brought my lord the archbishop,

As you commanded me.

King. Ha! Canterbury?

Lov. Ay, my good lord.

King. 'Tis true: Where is he, Lovel?

Lov. He attends your highness' pleasure.

King. Bring him to us.

[Exit LOVEL.

Enter LovEL and ARCHBISHOP CRANMER.

King. Avoid the gallery.

[LOVEL seeming to stay.

[Exit LovEL.

Ha! I have said.-Begone.
What!-

Cran. I am fearful:-Wherefore frowns he thus?

'Tis his aspect of terror. All's not well.

King, How now, my lord? You do desire to

know

Wherefore I sent for you.