The Complete Works of William Shakespeare - Israel Gollancz William Shakespeare [1230]
The Princess Dowager? How goes her business?
FIRST GENTLEMAN.
That I can tell you too. The Archbishop
Of Canterbury, accompanied with other
Learned and reverend fathers of his order,
Held a late court at Dunstable, six miles of
From Ampthill, where the Princess lay; to which
She was often cited by them, but appear'd not.
And, to be short, for not appearance and
The King's late scruple, by the main assent
Of all these learned men, she was divorc'd,
And the late marriage made of none effect;
Since which she was removed to Kimbolton,
Where she remains now sick.
SECOND GENTLEMAN.
Alas, good lady!
[Trumpets]
The trumpets sound. Stand close, the Queen is coming.
[Hautboys]
THE ORDER OF THE CORONATION.
1. A lively flourish of trumpets.
2. Then two JUDGES.
3. LORD CHANCELLOR, with purse and mace before him.
4. CHORISTERS singing.
[Music]
5. MAYOR OF LONDON, bearing the mace. Then GARTER, in
his coat of arms, and on his head he wore a gilt copper crown.
6. MARQUIS DORSET, bearing a sceptre of gold, on his head a
demi-coronal of gold. With him, the EARL OF SURREY,
bearing the rod of silver with the dove, crowned with an
earl's coronet. Collars of Esses.
7. DUKE OF SUFFOLK, in his robe of estate, his coronet on
his head, bearing a long white wand, as High Steward.
With him, the DUKE OF NORFOLK, with the rod of
marshalship, a coronet on his head. Collars of Esses.
8. A canopy borne by four of the CINQUE-PORTS; under it
the QUEEN in her robe; in her hair richly adorned with
pearl, crowned. On each side her, the BISHOPS OF LONDON
and WINCHESTER.
9. The old DUCHESS OF NORFOLK, in a coronal of gold
wrought with flowers, bearing the QUEEN'S train.
10. Certain LADIES or COUNTESSES, with plain circlets of gold without flowers.
Exeunt, first passing over the stage in order and state,
and then a great flourish of trumpets
SECOND GENTLEMAN.
A royal train, believe me. These know.
Who's that that bears the sceptre?
FIRST GENTLEMAN.
Marquis Dorset;
And that the Earl of Surrey, with the rod.
SECOND GENTLEMAN.
A bold brave gentleman. That should be
The Duke of Suffolk?
FIRST GENTLEMAN.
'Tis the same-High Steward.
SECOND GENTLEMAN.
And that my Lord of Norfolk?
FIRST GENTLEMAN.
Yes.
SECOND GENTLEMAN.
[Looking on the QUEEN] Heaven bless thee!
Thou hast the sweetest face I ever look'd on.
Sir, as I have a soul, she is an angel;
Our king has all the Indies in his arms,
And more and richer, when he strains that lady;
I cannot blame his conscience.
FIRST GENTLEMAN.
They that bear
The cloth of honour over her are four barons
Of the Cinque-ports.
SECOND GENTLEMAN.
Those men are happy; and so are all are near her.
I take it she that carries up the train
Is that old noble lady, Duchess of Norfolk.
FIRST GENTLEMAN.
It is; and all the rest are countesses.
SECOND GENTLEMAN.
Their coronets say so. These are stars indeed,
And sometimes falling ones.
FIRST GENTLEMAN.
No more of that.
Exit Procession, with a great flourish of trumpets
Enter a third GENTLEMAN
God save you, sir! Where have you been broiling?
THIRD GENTLEMAN.
Among the crowds i' th' Abbey, where a finger
Could not be wedg'd in more; I am stifled
With the mere rankness of their joy.
SECOND GENTLEMAN.
You saw
The ceremony?
THIRD GENTLEMAN.
That I did.
FIRST GENTLEMAN.
How was it?
THIRD GENTLEMAN.
Well worth the seeing.
SECOND GENTLEMAN.
Good sir, speak it to us.
THIRD GENTLEMAN.
As well as I am able. The rich stream
Of lords and ladies, having brought the Queen
To a prepar'd place in the choir, fell of
A distance from her, while her Grace sat down
To rest awhile, some half an hour or so,
In a rich chair of state, opposing freely
The beauty of her person to the people.
Believe me, sir, she is the goodliest woman
That ever lay by man; which when the people
Had the full view of, such a noise arose
As the shrouds make at sea in a stiff tempest,
As loud, and to as many tunes; hats, cloaks-
Doublets, I think-flew up, and had