Hear you, fair lords, I have a word to you; There is one thing I would fain understand-- If I be queen or no; for by my life Methinks I am growing unqueenly. No man speak? Pray you take note, sweet lord ambassador, I am no queen: I never was born queen; Alack, that one should fool us in this wise! Take up my crown, sir, I will none of it Till it hath bells on as a fool's cap hath. Nay, who will have it? no man take it up? Was there none worthy to be shamed but I? Here are enow good faces, good to crown; Will you be king, fair brother? or you, my lord? Give me a spinner's curch, a wisp of reed, Any mean thing; but, God's love, no more gold, And no more shame: let boys throw dice for it, Or cast it to the grooms for tennis-play, For I will none. MURRAY. What would your highness have? QUEEN. Yea, yea, I said I was no majesty; I shall be shortly fallen out of grace. What would I have? I would have leave to live; Perchance I shall not shortly: nay, for me That have no leave to respite other lives To keep mine own life were small praise enow. MURRAY. Your majesty hath power to respite men, As we well wot; no man saith otherwise. QUEEN. What, is this true? 't is a thing wonderful-- So great I cannot be well sure of it. Strange that a queen should find such grace as this At such lords' hands as ye be, such great lords: I pray you let me get assured again, Lest I take jest for truth and shame myself And make you mirth: to make your mirth of me, God wot it were small pains to you, my lords, But much less honor. I may send reprieve-- With your sweet leaves I may? MURRAY. Assuredly. QUEEN. Lo, now, what grace is this I have of you! I had a will to respite Chastelard, And would not do it for very fear of you: Look you, I wist not ye were merciful. MORTON. Madam-- QUEEN. My lord, you have a word to me? Doth it displease you such a man should live? MORTON. 'T were a mad mercy in your majesty To lay no hand upon his second fault And let him thrice offend you. QUEEN. Ay, my lord? MORTON. It were well done to muffle lewd men's mouths By casting of his head into their laps: It were much best.