The more I weigh the matter, the more
convinced am I of its unlawfulness; and were it possible to blind myself
to my sinful condition, the preachers, who openly rebuke me from the
pulpit, would take care to remind me of it. Misunderstand me not, my
lords. I have no ground of complaint against the queen. Far otherwise.
She is a lady of most excellent character--full of devotion, loyalty,
nobility, and gentleness. And if I could divest myself of my misgivings,
so far from seeking to put her from me, I should cherish her with the
greatest tenderness. Ye may marvel that I have delayed the divorce
thus long. But it is only of late that my eyes have been opened; and the
step was hard to take. Old affections clung to me--old chains
restrained me--nor could I, without compunction, separate myself from
one who has ever been to me a virtuous and devoted consort."
"Thou hast undergone a martyrdom, gossip," observed Will Sommers,
who had posted himself at the foot of the canopy, near the king, " and
shalt henceforth be denominated Saint Henry"
The gravity of the hearers might have been discomposed by this
remark, but for the stern looks of the king.
"Ye may make a jest of my scruples, my lords," he continued, "and think
I hold them lightly; but my treatise on the subject, which has cost me
much labour and meditation, will avouch to the contrary.
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