yet not with
weeping, but with laughter. To the right noble Earl of Surrey belongs
the proud honor of having presented to our happy England her first
sonnets. Well, now, I also will give her something new. I present her
the first comedy; and as he sings the beauty of his Geraldine, so I
celebrate the fame of Gammer Gurton's sewing-needle--Gammer Gurton's
needle--so my piece is called; and you, King Henry, shall listen to it
as a punishment for your sins!"

"I will do so," cried the king, cheerfully, "provided you permit it,
Kate! But before I do so, I make also one more condition--a condition
for you, queen! Kate, you have disdained to impose a penance on me, but
grant me at least the pleasure of being allowed to fulfil some wish of
yours! Make me a request, that I may grant it you!"

"Well, then, my lord and king," said Catharine with a charming smile,
"I beg you to think no more of the incidents of this day, and to forgive
those whom I accused, only because their accusation was my vindication.
They who brought charges against me have in this hour felt contrition
for their own fault. Let that suffice, king, and forgive them, as I do!"

"You are a noble and great woman, Kate!" cried the king; and, as
his glance swept over toward Gardiner with an almost contemptuous
expression, he continued: "Your request is granted. But woe to them who
shall dare accuse you again! And have you nothing further to demand,
Kate?"

"Nay, one thing more, my lord and husband!" She leaned nearer to the
king's ear, and whispered: "They have also accused your noblest and
most faithful servant; they have accused Cranmer. Condemn him not, king,
without having heard him; and if I may beg a favor of you, it is this:
talk with Cranmer yourself. Tell him of what they have charged him, and
hear his vindication."

"It shall be so, Kate," said the king, "and you shall be present! But
let this be a secret between us, Kate, and we will carry it out
in perfect silence. And now, then, John Heywood, let us hear your
composition; and woe to you, if it does not accomplish what you
promised--if it does not make us laugh! For you well know that you are
then inevitably exposed to the rods of our injured ladies."

"They shall have leave to whip me to death, if I do not make you laugh!"
cried John Heywood, gayly, as he drew out his manuscript.

Soon the hall rang again with loud laughter; and in the universal
merriment no one observed that Bishop Gardiner an