72 LITERATURE AND DRAMA 



ACT I. SCENE 2. 



Enter the QUEEN, ushered by GUILDFORD, who places a cushion on 

 which she kneels. The KING rises, takes her up, and places her 

 by him. 



King. Rise. 



Qtieen. Nay, we must longer kneel ; I am a suitor. 



King. Arise, and take place by us : half your suit 

 Never name to us ; you have half our power ; 

 The other moiety, ere you ask, is given ; 

 Repeat your will, and take it. 2 



Queen. Thank your Majesty. 



That you would love yourself, and, in that love, 

 Not unconsider'd leave your honour, nor 

 The dignity of your office, is the point 

 Of my petition. 



King. Lady mine, proceed. 



Queen. I am solicited, not by a few, 

 And those of true condition, that your subjects 

 Are in great grievance : there have been commissions 

 Sent down among them, which have flaw'd the heart 

 Of all their loyalties : wherein, although, 

 My good lord cardinal, they vent reproaches 

 Most bitterly v on you/ as putter-on 

 Of these exactions, yet the king our master 

 ( Whose honour heaven shield from soil / 3 ) even he escapes not 

 Language unmannerly, yea, such which breaks 

 The sides of loyalty, and almost appears 

 In loud rebellion. 



Nor. Not almost appears 



It doth appear : for, upon these taxations, 

 The clothiers all, not able to maintain 

 The many to them longing, have put off 

 The spinsters, carders, fullers, weavers, who, 

 Unfit for other life, compell'd by hunger, 

 And lack of other means, in desperate manner 

 Daring the event to the teeth, are all in uproar, 

 And danger serves among them. 



King. Taxation ! 



2 Rises and sits by him. Then, in a composed and dignified tone, addresses 

 him, very articulate and very earnest. 



3 Tenderly and religiously. 



