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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 they vanish, carrying the garland with them. The musick continues.

KATH. Spirits of peace, where are ye? Are ye all gone?

And leave me here in wretchedness behind ye?" GRIF. Madam, we are here.

KATH.

Saw ye none enter, since I slept?

GRIF.

It is not you I call for :

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, Griffith, which I feel
I am not worthy yet to wear: I shall,
Assuredly.

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

9 And leave me here in wretchedness behind ye?] Perhaps Mr. Gray had this passage in his thoughts, when he made his Bard exclaim, on a similar occasion, (the evanescence of visionary forms):

"Stay, O stay! nor thus forlorn
"Leave me unbless'd, unpitied, here to mourn!"

STEEVENS.

Bid the musick leave,

KATH.

They are harsh and heavy to me. [Musick ceases.
PAT.
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 earthly cold? Mark you her eyes?1
GRIF. She is going, wench; pray, pray.

PAT.

Heaven comfort her!

Enter a Messenger.

MESS. An't like your grace,—

KATH.

You are a saucy fellow :

Deserve we no more reverence?

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

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

Mark you her eyes?] The modern editors readMark her eyes. But in the old copy, there being a stop of interrogation after this passage, as after the foregoing clauses of the speech, I have ventured to insert the pronoun-you, which at once supports the ancient pointing, and completes the meaSTEEVENS.

sure.

2

-go to, kneel.] Queen Katharine's servants, after the divorce at Dunstable, and the Pope's curse stuck up at Dunkirk, were directed to be sworn to serve her not as a Queen, but as Princess Dowager. Some refused to take the oath, and so were forced to leave her service; and as for those who took it and stayed, she would not be served by them, by which means she was almost destitute of attendants. See Hall, fol. 219. Bishop Burnet says, all the women about her still called her Queen. Burnet, p. 162. REED.

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 they vanish, carrying the garland with them. The musick continues.

KATH. Spirits of peace, where are ye? Are ye all gone?

And leave me here in wretchedness behind ye?" GRIF. Madam, we are here.

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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, Griffith, which I feel
I am not worthy yet to wear: I shall,
Assuredly.

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

9 And leave me here in wretchedness behind ye?] Perhaps Mr. Gray had this passage in his thoughts, when he made his Bard exclaim, on a similar occasion, (the evanescence of visionary forms):

"Stay, O stay! nor thus forlorn

"Leave me unbless'd, unpitied, here to mourn!"

STEEVENS.

Bid the musick leave,

KATH.:

They are harsh and heavy to me. [Musick ceases.
PAT.
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 earthly cold? Mark you her eyes?1
GRIF. She is going, wench; pray, pray.

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Deserve we no more reverence?

GRIF. You are to blame, Knowing, she will not lose her wonted greatness, To use so rude behaviour: go to, kneel.2

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

Mark you her eyes?] The modern editors readMark her eyes. But in the old copy, there being a stop of interrogation after this passage, as after the foregoing clauses of the speech, I have ventured to insert the pronoun-you, which at once supports the ancient pointing, and completes the meaSTEEVENS.

sure.

2

-go to, kneel.] Queen Katharine's servants, after the divorce at Dunstable, and the Pope's curse stuck up at Dunkirk, were directed to be sworn to serve her not as a Queen, but as Princess Dowager. Some refused to take the oath, and so were forced to leave her service; and as for those who took it and stayed, she would not be served by them, by which means she was almost destitute of attendants. See Hall, fol. 219. Bishop Burnet says, all the women about her still called her Queen. Burnet, p. 162. REED.

KATH. Admit him entrance, Griffith: But this

fellow

Let me ne'er see again.

[Exeunt GRIFFITH and Messenger.

Re-enter GRIFFITH, with CAPUCIUS,

If my sight fail not,

You should be lord ambassador 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 physick, given in time, had cur'd me; But now I am 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 ṣent away?

PAT.

No, madam.

[Giving it to KATHARINE,

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