_Anne._ O, God's will! much better[339] She ne'er had known pomp: though 't be temporal, Yet, if that quarrel, fortune, do divorce[340] It from the bearer, 'tis a sufferance panging 15 As soul and body's severing. _Old L._ Alas, poor lady![341] She's a stranger now again.[342] _Anne._ So much the more Must pity drop upon her. Verily, I swear, 'tis better to be lowly born And range with humble livers in content 20 Than to be perk'd up in a glistering grief And wear a golden sorrow. _Old L._ Our content Is our best having. _Anne._ By my troth and maidenhead, I would not be a queen. _Old L._ Beshrew me, I would, And venture maidenhead for't; and so would you, 25 For all this spice of your hypocrisy: You, that have so fair parts of woman on you, Have too a woman's heart; which ever yet Affected eminence, wealth, sovereignty; Which, to say sooth, are blessings; and which gifts-- 30 Saving your mincing--the capacity Of your soft cheveril conscience would receive,[343] If you might please to stretch it. _Anne._ Nay, good troth.[344] _Old L._ Yes, troth, and troth; you would not be a queen? _Anne._ No, not for all the riches under heaven. 35 _Old L._ 'Tis strange: a three-pence bow'd would hire me,[345] Old as I am, to queen it: but, I pray you, What think you of a duchess? have you limbs To bear that load of title? _Anne._ No, in truth. _Old L._ Then you are weakly made: pluck off a little;[346] 40 I would not be a young count in your way, For more than blushing comes to: if your back Cannot vouchsafe this burthen, 'tis too weak Ever to get a boy. _Anne._ How you do talk![347] I swear again, I would not be a queen 45 For all the world. _Old L._ In faith, for little England You'ld venture an emballing: I myself[348] Would for Carnarvonshire, although there 'long'd[349] No more to the crown but that. Lo, who comes here? _Enter the_ LORD CHAMBERLAIN. _Cham._ Good morrow, ladies. What were't worth to know 50 The secret of your conference? _Anne._ My good lord, Not your demand; it values not your asking: Our mistress' sorrows we were pitying. _Cham._ It was a gentle business, and becoming The action of good women: there is hope 55 All will be well. _Anne._ Now, I pray God, amen!