I have not long to trouble thee. Good Griffith, Cause the musicians play me that sad note I named my knell, whilst I sit meditating On that celestial harmony I go to.
Sad and solemn music GRIFFITH She is asleep: good wench, let's sit down quiet, For fear we wake her: softly, gentle Patience.
The vision. Enter, solemnly tripping one after another, six personages, clad in white robes, wearing on their heads garlands of bays, and golden vizards on their faces; branches of bays or palm in their hands. They first congee unto her, then dance; and, at certain changes, the first two hold a spare garland over her head; at which the other four make reverent curtsies;then the two that held the garland deliver the same to the other next two, who observe the same order in their changes, and holding the garland over her head: which done, they deliver the same garland to the last two, who likewise observe the same order: at which, as it were by inspiration, she makes in her sleep signs of rejoicing, and holdeth up her hands to heaven:
and so in their dancing vanish, carrying the garland with them. The music continues KATHARINE Spirits of peace, where are ye? are ye all gone, And leave me here in wretchedness behind ye? GRIFFITH Madam, we are here. KATHARINE It is not you I call for:
Saw ye none enter since I slept? GRIFFITH None, madam. KATHARINE 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 promised me eternal happiness;
And brought me garlands, Griffith, which I feel I am not worthy yet to wear: I shall, assuredly. GRIFFITH I am most joyful, madam, such good dreams Possess your fancy. KATHARINE Bid the music leave, They are harsh and heavy to me.
Music ceases PATIENCE Do you note How much her grace is alter'd on the sudden?
How long her face is drawn? how pale she looks, And of an earthy cold? Mark her eyes! GRIFFITH She is going, wench: pray, pray. PATIENCE Heaven comfort her!
Enter a Messenger Messenger An't like your grace,-- KATHARINE You are a saucy fellow:
Deserve we no more reverence? GRIFFITH You are to blame, Knowing she will not lose her wonted greatness, To use so rude behavior; go to, kneel. Messenger I humbly do entreat your highness' pardon;My haste made me unmannerly. There is staying A gentleman, sent from the king, to see you. KATHARINE Admit him entrance, Griffith: but this fellow Let me ne'er see again.
Exeunt GRIFFITH and Messenger Re-enter GRIFFITH, with CAPUCIUSIf my sight fail not, You should be lord ambassador from the emperor, My royal nephew, and your name Capucius. CAPUCIUS Madam, the same; your servant. KATHARINE 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? CAPUCIUS 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. KATHARINE O my good lord, that comfort comes too late;'Tis like a pardon after execution:
That gentle physic, given in time, had cured me;But now I am past an comforts here, but prayers.
How does his highness? CAPUCIUS Madam, in good health. KATHARINE So may he ever do! and ever flourish, When I shal l dwell with worms, and my poor name Banish'd the kingdom! Patience, is that letter, I caused you write, yet sent away? PATIENCE No, madam.
Giving it to KATHARINE KATHARINE Sir, I most humbly pray you to deliver This to my lord the king. CAPUCIUS Most willing, madam. KATHARINE 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--She is young, and of a noble modest nature, I hope she will deserve well,--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:
Of which there is not one, I dare avow, And now I should not lie, but will deserve For virtue and true beauty of the soul, For honesty and decent carriage, A right good husband, let him be a noble And, sure, those men are happy that shall have 'em.
The last is, for my men; they are the poorest, But poverty could never draw 'em from me;That they may have their wages duly paid 'em, And something over to remember me by:
If heaven had pleased to have given me longer life And able means, we had not parted thus.
These are the whole contents: 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. CAPUCIUS By heaven, I will, Or let me lose the fashion of a man! KATHARINE 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. Griffith, farewell. Nay, Patience, You must not leave me yet: I must to bed;Call in more women. When I am dead, good wench, Let me be used with honour: strew me over With maiden flowers, that all the world may know I was a chaste wife to my grave: embalm me, Then lay me forth: although unqueen'd, yet like A queen, and daughter to a king, inter me.
I can no more.