Act 4. Scene I - Page 2

him, NORFOLK, with the
rod of marshalship, a coronet on his head.
Collars of SS.
8. A canopy borne by four of the Cinque-ports;
under it, QUEEN ANNE 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 QUEEN
ANNE's train.
10. Certain Ladies or Countesses, with plain
circlets of gold without flowers.

They pass over the stage in order and state

Second Gentleman
A royal train, believe me. These I know:
Who's that that bears the sceptre?

First Gentleman
Marquess 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
Heaven bless thee!

Looking on QUEEN ANNE

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, and then a great flourish of trumpets

Enter a third Gentleman

First Gentleman
God save you, sir! where have you been broiling?

Third Gentleman
Among the crowd i' the Abbey; where a finger
Could not be wedged 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 prepared place in the choir, fell off
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