Page:The Higher Education of Women.djvu/37

 The self-defence which Shakespeare puts into the mouth of Queen Katherine describes a different type:—

'Heaven witness I have been to you a true and humble wife, At all times to your will conformable; Ever in fear to kindle your dislike, Yea, subject to your countenance; glad or sorry, As I saw it incline. When was the hour I ever contradicted your desire, Or made it not mine too? or which of your friends Have I not strove to love, although I knew He were mine enemy? what friend of mine That had to him derived your anger, did I Continue in my liking? nay, gave notice He was from thence discharged?'

This picture of trembling devotion, of 'distrust qualified by fear,' appears in a selection called 'Beautiful Poetry,' under the heading 'A True Wife.' But this kind of wife would be positively disliked by some husbands. It has been said that