Page:A Biographical Dictionary of the Celebrated Women of Every Age and Country (1804).djvu/681

Rh with his attendants, began of his own accord to confer with her about matters of religion; seeming, as it were, desirous to be resolved by the queen, of certain doubts which he then offered to her. The queen instantly perceiving the drift of his discourse, answered with great humility and submission:

That as a simple woman, much inferior to his majesty, she always referred herself to his wisdom, as her only anchor, supreme head, and governor hereon earth, next under God, to lean unto.

'Not so, by St. Mary, replied the king; you are become a doctor, Kate, to instruct us (as we take it) and not to be instructed or directed by us.'

'If your majesty take it so (says the queen) then hath your majesty very much mistaken me. And where I have with your leave presumed heretofore to discourse with your majesty, in which I have sometimes seemed to dissent from you; I did it not so much to maintain my opinion, as to minister discourse, not only to the end that your majesty might with less grief pass over this painful time of your infirmity, but also, that I hearing your majesty's learned arguments might from thence gain to myself great advantage.'

'And is it even so, sweet-heart (said the king) and tended your arguments to no worse end? Then are we now perfect friends again, as ever we were before.' And as he sat in his chair, embracing her in his arms, and saluting her, he said, 'that it did him more good at that time to hear those words from her own mouth, than if he had heard present news of an hundred thousand pounds fallen to him.' Upon which, it being then late at night, he gave her leave to depart; and in her absence spoke highly in her commendation.

The day, and almost the hour, appointed for sending the