SCENE III.--_An Audience Room in the Castle. Enter_ Attendant. _Enter

HENRY _in haste, with_ GILBERT _a_ Lord.

_Hen._ Now by my crown, I’ll harry those villains out. (_To the Page._) Quick, wine! (_To Gilbert.]_) You say this news be true. This Saxon Rodulph, would pluck Henry down, And wear his Empery. Ha, this likes me well!

_Gil._ ’Tis said, Your Majesty, the Saxon towns Have all revolted.

_Hen._ And Rudolph leads them!

_Enter_ BAMBURG.

Well, Bamburg, have you heard the latest news? The North’s revolted. Rodulph heads the Saxons To conquer Germany and take my crown, And on it all, this bold, insulting letter, Reads me a lesson from His Holiness, Yon arrogant priest, the scheming Pope of Rome.

_Bam._ Henry, as your father’s oldest friend, As your most faithful subject I would plead, Be not o’er hasty in this sudden business.

_Hen._ Bamburg, I am sick of being a child, You drive me mad by your pacific measures. While you are dallying, they will ride me down With squadrons and with curses. Nay, no more! I’ll ride me north and show mine enemies I’ll bring yon Rodulph’s head upon a pike-pole.

_Bam._ What of this Roman message?

_Hen._ Call in the messengers. (_Enter a_ Cardinal _and a_ Roman bishop.) (_To Ambs._) Go you to Rome?

_Card._ Yea, Your Majesty.

_Hen._ Go, tell your master, if he be the Pope That I am Emperor, who can lift him down. Tell him, in spiritual matters, Henry bows To his opinion, in matters temporal, never! This is my answer, safe speed you Romewards.

[_Exit_ Ambassadors.

_Bam._ Your Majesty, before you go will see But one more suppliant.

_Hen._ Nay, Bamburg, nay not now, I’m hurried.

_Bam._ By my love, I beseech you!

_Hen._ Is it so urgent? Well, be hasty Bamburg. My troops await me, and my sword-arm aches To hack yon Rodulph. (_Enter_ Queen _veiled_.) Who be this?

_Bam._ One who deserves your patience and your love, If you love aught on earth, proud Henry. Go you not forth to battle with your foes Till you have made your spirit’s peace with her, Your realm’s Queen, the mother of your child.

_Hen._ Bamburg, Bamburg, you trifle with my kindness. This goes too far, know you that I am King! One word and I will hale you to a dungeon For this insult.

_Queen._ Henry, my Lord, one word before you go. What have I done to gather all this hate?

_Bam._ Your Majesty may sever my poor body, Mend you your love. Kill me, Henry, but Murder not by scorn, the noblest love That soul hath nourished. By these wintry hairs, Though thou dost slay me, I will tell thee true By this one act thou dost unking thyself.

_Hen._ No more, by heaven, no more, I know her not. When will my subjects treat me less the child? I am no ward now, and I ever hated This foolish, enforced marriage. Let her Majesty Get to some retirement. She demeans Herself by these forced meetings. [_Exit._

_Queen._ O Bamburg, I have lowered my queenliness And cheapened my womanhood. I will no more. Take me away.

[_Curtain._