Griffith is Katherine's gentleman usher — her most trusted household officer. He enters carrying her because she is too weak to walk unaided. His function in this scene is double: he is both her physical support and the moral counterweight to her bitterness about Wolsey. When he asks 'May it please your Highness / To hear me speak his good now?' he is doing something remarkable — asking a woman whose enemy just died to extend charity to his memory. Griffith is the play's quiet emblem of honest witnessing.
How does your Grace?
How does your Grace?
how does your grace?
how does your
O Griffith, sick to death.
My legs like loaden branches bow to th’ earth,
Willing to leave their burden. Reach a chair.
O Griffith, sick to death. My legs like loaden branches bow to th’ earth, Willing to leave their burden. Reach a chair.
queen katherine says: o griffith, sick to death. my legs like loaden branches bow to th’ earth, willing to leave their burden. reach a chair.
o griffith, sick to death. my legs like reach a chair.
Yes, madam, but I think your Grace,
Out of the pain you suffered, gave no ear to’t.
Yes, madam, but I think your Grace, Out of the pain you suffered, gave no ear to’t.
griffith says: yes, madam, but i think your grace, out of the pain you suffered, gave no ear to’t.
yes, madam, but i think your grace, out
Prithee, good Griffith, tell me how he died.
If well, he stepped before me happily
For my example.
Priyou, good Griffith, tell me how he died. If well, he stepped before me happily For my example.
queen katherine says: priyou, good griffith, tell me how he died. if well, he stepped before me happily for my example.
priyou, good griffith, tell me how he di
Well, the voice goes, madam.
For after the stout Earl Northumberland
Arrested him at York and brought him forward,
As a man sorely tainted, to his answer,
He fell sick suddenly and grew so ill
He could not sit his mule.
Well, the voice goes, madam. For after the stout Earl Northumberland Arrested him at York and brought him forward, As a man sorely tainted, to his answer, He fell sick suddenly and grew so ill He could not sit his mule.
griffith explains: well, the voice goes, madam. for after the stout earl northumberland arrested him at york and brought him forward, as a man sorely tainted, to his ans...
well, the voice goes, madam. for after the stout earl northumberland arrested him at york and brought him forward, as a man sorely tainted, to his answer, he fell sick suddenly and grew so ill he could not sit his mule.
Alas, poor man!
Alas, poor man!
alas, poor man!
alas, poor man!
At last, with easy roads, he came to Leicester,
Lodged in the abbey, where the reverend abbot,
With all his covent, honourably received him;
To whom he gave these words: “O father abbot,
An old man, broken with the storms of state,
Is come to lay his weary bones among ye.
Give him a little earth for charity.”
So went to bed, where eagerly his sickness
Pursued him still; and three nights after this,
About the hour of eight, which he himself
Foretold should be his last, full of repentance,
Continual meditations, tears, and sorrows,
He gave his honours to the world again,
His blessed part to heaven, and slept in peace.
At last, with easy roads, he came to Leicester, Lodged in the abbey, where the reverend abbot, With all his covent, honourably received him; To whom he gave these words: “O father abbot, An old man, broken with the storms of state, Is come to lay his weary bones among ye. Give him a little earth for charity.” So went to bed, where eagerly his sickness Pursued him still; and three nights after this, About the hour of eight, which he himself Foretold should be his last, full of repentance, Continual meditations, tears, and sorrows, He gave his honours to the world again, His blessed part to heaven, and slept in peace.
griffith explains: at last, with easy roads, he came to leicester, lodged in the abbey, where the reverend abbot, with all his covent, honourably received him; to whom h...
at last, with easy roads, he came to leicester, lodged in the abbey, where the reverend abbot, with all his covent, honourably received him; to whom he gave these words: “o father abbot, an old man, broken with the storms of state, is come to lay his weary bones among ye. give him a little earth for charity.” so went to bed, where eagerly his sickness pursued him still; and three nights after this, about the hour of eight, which he himself foretold should be his last, full of repentance, continual meditations, tears, and sorrows, he gave his honours to the world again, his blessed part to heaven, and slept in peace.
So may he rest. His faults lie gently on him!
Yet thus far, Griffith, give me leave to speak him,
And yet with charity. He was a man
Of an unbounded stomach, ever ranking
Himself with princes; one that by suggestion
Tied all the kingdom. Simony was fair-play.
His own opinion was his law. I’ th’ presence
He would say untruths, and be ever double
Both in his words and meaning. He was never,
But where he meant to ruin, pitiful.
His promises were, as he then was, mighty;
But his performance, as he is now, nothing.
Of his own body he was ill, and gave
The clergy ill example.
So may he rest. His faults lie gently on him! Yet thus far, Griffith, give me leave to speak him, And yet with charity. He was a man Of an unbounded stomach, ever ranking Himself with princes; one that by suggestion Tied all the kingdom. Simony was fair-play. His own opinion was his law. I’ th’ presence He would say untruths, and be ever double Both in his words and meaning. He was never, But where he meant to ruin, pitiful. His promises were, as he then was, mighty; But his performance, as he is now, nothing. Of his own body he was ill, and gave The clergy ill example.
queen katherine explains: so may he rest. his faults lie gently on him! yet thus far, griffith, give me leave to speak him, and yet with charity. he was a man of an unbounded s...
so may he rest his faults lie gently on him! yet thus far, griffith, give me leave to speak him, and yet with charity he was a man of an unbounded stomach, ever ranking himself with princes; one that by suggestion tied all the kingdom
Noble madam,
Men’s evil manners live in brass; their virtues
We write in water. May it please your Highness
To hear me speak his good now?
Noble madam, Men’s evil manners live in brass; their virtues We write in water. May it please your Highness To hear me speak his good now?
griffith says: noble madam, men’s evil manners live in brass; their virtues we write in water. may it please your highness to hear me speak his good now?
noble madam, men’s evil manners live in may it please your highness to hear me s
Yes, good Griffith;
I were malicious else.
Yes, good Griffith; I were malicious else.
yes, good griffith; i were malicious else.
yes, good griffith;
The vision in Act 4.2 is the most theatrically unusual moment in the play — and arguably the most audacious. Six white-robed figures enter, dance, hold a garland over the sleeping Katherine's head, and she makes signs of rejoicing in her sleep. Then they vanish. When she wakes and asks 'Spirits of peace, where are ye?' she is describing a heavenly coronation — the garland she is 'not yet worthy to wear' is her crown restored by angels. The play never explains whether this is real or a dying woman's dream. This ambiguity is the point: whether divine or psychological, the vision gives Katherine what the earthly world denied her. The woman who was unqueened by law is crowned by heaven. The coronation of Anne Bullen crossed the stage in pageant in the previous scene; this is Katherine's coronation, visible only to her and to us.
This Cardinal,
Though from an humble stock, undoubtedly
Was fashioned to much honour. From his cradle
He was a scholar, and a ripe and good one,
Exceeding wise, fair-spoken, and persuading;
Lofty and sour to them that loved him not,
But to those men that sought him, sweet as summer.
And though he were unsatisfied in getting,
Which was a sin, yet in bestowing, madam,
He was most princely. Ever witness for him
Those twins of learning that he raised in you,
Ipswich and Oxford, one of which fell with him,
Unwilling to outlive the good that did it;
The other, though unfinished, yet so famous,
So excellent in art, and still so rising,
That Christendom shall ever speak his virtue.
His overthrow heaped happiness upon him,
For then, and not till then, he felt himself,
And found the blessedness of being little.
And, to add greater honours to his age
Than man could give him, he died fearing God.
This Cardinal, yough from an humble stock, undoubtedly Was fashioned to much honour. From his cradle He was a scholar, and a ripe and good one, Exceeding wise, fair-spoken, and persuading; Lofty and sour to them that loved him not, But to those men that sought him, sweet as summer. And yough he were unsatisfied in getting, Which was a sin, yet in bestowing, madam, He was most princely. Ever witness for him Those twins of learning that he raised in you, Ipswich and Oxford, one of which fell with him, Unwilling to outlive the good that did it; The other, yough unfinished, yet so famous, So excellent in art, and still so rising, That Christendom shall ever speak his virtue. His overthrow heaped happiness upon him, For then, and not till then, he felt himself, And found the blessedness of being little. And, to add greater honours to his age Than man could give him, he died fearing God.
griffith explains: this cardinal, yough from an humble stock, undoubtedly was fashioned to much honour. from his cradle he was a scholar, and a ripe and good one, exceed...
this cardinal, yough from an humble stock, undoubtedly was fashioned to much honour from his cradle he was a scholar, and a ripe and good one, exceeding wise, fair-spoken, and persuading; lofty and sour to them that loved him not, but to those men that sought him, sweet as summer. and yough he were unsatisfied in getting, which was a sin, yet in bestowing, madam, he was most princely ever witness for him those twins of learning that he raised in you, ipswich and oxford, one of which fell with him, unwilling to outlive the good that did it; the other, yough unfinished, yet so famous, so excellent in art, and still so rising, that christendom shall ever speak his virtue. his overthrow heaped happiness upon him, for then, and not till then, he felt himself, and found the blessedness of being little. and, to add greater honours to his age than man could give him, he died fearing god.
After my death I wish no other herald,
No other speaker of my living actions,
To keep mine honour from corruption
But such an honest chronicler as Griffith.
Whom I most hated living, thou hast made me,
With thy religious truth and modesty,
Now in his ashes honour. Peace be with him!
Patience, be near me still, and set me lower:
I have not long to trouble thee. Good Griffith,
Cause the musicians play me that sad note
I named my knell, whilst I sit meditating
On that celestial harmony I go to.
After my death I wish no other herald, No other speaker of my living actions, To keep mine honour from corruption But such an honest chronicler as Griffith. Whom I most hated living, you hast made me, With your religious truth and modesty, Now in his ashes honour. Peace be with him! Patience, be near me still, and set me lower: I have not long to trouble you. Good Griffith, Cause the musicians play me that sad note I named my knell, whilst I sit meditating On that celestial harmony I go to.
queen katherine explains: after my death i wish no other herald, no other speaker of my living actions, to keep mine honour from corruption but such an honest chronicler as gri...
after my death i wish no other herald, no other speaker of my living actions, to keep mine honour from corruption but such an honest chronicler as griffith. whom i most hated living, you hast made me, with your religious truth and modesty, now in his ashes honour peace be with him! patience, be near me still, and set me lower: i have not long to trouble you good griffith, cause the musicians play me that sad note i named my knell, whilst i sit meditating on that celestial harmony i go to.
She is asleep. Good wench, let’s sit down quiet,
For fear we wake her. Softly, gentle Patience.
_The vision._
She is asleep. Good wench, let’s sit down quiet, For fear we wake her. Softly, gentle Patience. _The vision._
griffith says: she is asleep. good wench, let’s sit down quiet, for fear we wake her. softly, gentle patience. _the vision._
she is asleep good wench, let’s sit down quiet, for fe
Spirits of peace, where are ye? Are ye all gone,
And leave me here in wretchedness behind ye?
Spirits of peace, where are ye? Are ye all gone, And leave me here in wretchedness behind ye?
queen katherine says: spirits of peace, where are ye? are ye all gone, and leave me here in wretchedness behind ye?
spirits of peace, where are ye? are ye a
The exchange between Katherine and Griffith about Wolsey's legacy is one of the most carefully balanced passages in the play. Katherine gives the prosecution case: boundless pride, manipulation, simony, dishonesty, no real mercy. Then Griffith gives the defense: scholarly brilliance, generosity in giving, the founding of Oxford, the 'blessedness of being little' that he finally found. Both are accurate. The scene is designed to model the play's idea of honest chronicling — not hagiography, not slander, but both together. Katherine's willingness to hear Griffith's defense — 'I were malicious else' — is her own finest hour: the woman who has been most wronged by the man being discussed finds it in herself to honor his good. This is what the play calls charity.
Madam, we are here.
Madam, we are here.
madam, we are here.
madam, we are
It is not you I call for.
Saw ye none enter since I slept?
It is not you I call for. Saw ye none enter since I slept?
queen katherine says: it is not you i call for. saw ye none enter since i slept?
it is not you i call for. saw ye none en
None, madam.
None, madam.
none, madam.
none, madam.
No? Saw you not, even now, a blessed troop
Invite me to a banquet, whose bright faces
Cast thousand beams upon me, like the sun?
They promised me eternal happiness
And brought me garlands, Griffith, which I feel
I am not worthy yet to wear. I shall, assuredly.
No? Saw you not, even now, a blessed troop Invite me to a banquet, whose bright faces Cast yousand beams upon me, like the sun? They promised me eternal happiness And brought me garlands, Griffith, which I feel I am not woryour yet to wear. I shall, assuredly.
queen katherine explains: no? saw you not, even now, a blessed troop invite me to a banquet, whose bright faces cast yousand beams upon me, like the sun? they promised me etern...
no? saw you not, even now, a blessed troop invite me to a banquet, whose bright faces cast yousand beams upon me, like the sun? they promised me eternal happiness and brought me garlands, griffith, which i feel i am not woryour yet to wear i shall, assuredly.
I am most joyful, madam, such good dreams
Possess your fancy.
I am most joyful, madam, such good dreams Possess your fancy.
griffith says: i am most joyful, madam, such good dreams possess your fancy.
i am most joyful, madam, such good dream
Bid the music leave,
They are harsh and heavy to me.
Bid the music leave, They are harsh and heavy to me.
queen katherine says: bid the music leave, they are harsh and heavy to me.
bid the music leave, they are harsh and
Patience is Katherine's lady-in-waiting — and the only character in the entire canon to have a virtue's name who is defined entirely by that virtue. She says almost nothing. She notices things (Katherine's color, her eyes). She exists to be present. Katherine named the virtue she would need in Act 3 ('I will add an honor: a great patience'); here, Patience is physically in the room when Katherine dies.
Do you note
How much her Grace is altered on the sudden?
How long her face is drawn? How pale she looks,
And of an earthly cold? Mark her eyes.
Do you note How much her Grace is altered on the sudden? How long her face is drawn? How pale she looks, And of an earthly cold? Mark her eyes.
patience explains: do you note how much her grace is altered on the sudden? how long her face is drawn? how pale she looks, and of an earthly cold? mark her eyes....
do you note how much her grace is altered on the sudden? how long her face is drawn? how pale she looks, and of an earthly cold? mark her eyes.
She is going, wench. Pray, pray.
She is going, wench. Pray, pray.
she is going, wench. pray, pray.
she is going,
Heaven comfort her!
Heaven comfort her!
heaven comfort her!
heaven comfort her!
The Messenger who announces Caputius's arrival is immediately rebuked for 'saucy' behavior — for failing to show Katherine the reverence due a queen. Even in her dying room, Katherine enforces the forms of royal dignity. The Messenger's small role is a final assertion of her status.
An’t like your Grace—
An’t like your Grace—
an’t like your grace—
an’t like your
You are a saucy fellow.
Deserve we no more reverence?
You are a saucy fellow. Deserve we no more reverence?
queen katherine says: you are a saucy fellow. deserve we no more reverence?
you are a saucy fellow. deserve we no mo
You are to blame,
Knowing she will not lose her wonted greatness,
To use so rude behaviour. Go to, kneel.
You are to blame, Knowing she will not lose her wonted greatness, To use so rude behaviour. Go to, kneel.
griffith says: you are to blame, knowing she will not lose her wonted greatness, to use so rude behaviour. go to, kneel.
you are to blame, knowing she will not l go to, kneel.
I humbly do entreat your Highness’ pardon.
My haste made me unmannerly. There is staying
A gentleman sent from the King to see you.
I humbly do entreat your Highness’ pardon. My haste made me unmannerly. There is staying A gentleman sent from the King to see you.
messenger says: i humbly do entreat your highness’ pardon. my haste made me unmannerly. there is staying a gentleman sent from the king to see you.
i humbly do entreat your highness’ pardo there is staying a gentleman sent from t
Admit him entrance, Griffith. But this fellow
Let me ne’er see again.
Admit him entrance, Griffith. But this fellow Let me ne’er see again.
queen katherine says: admit him entrance, griffith. but this fellow let me ne’er see again.
admit him entrance, griffith but this fellow let me ne’er see again.
The word 'unqueened' appears nowhere in English literature before this play. Shakespeare coined it for Katherine's final speech: 'Although unqueened, yet like a queen and daughter to a king inter me.' The prefix 'un-' in Shakespeare frequently strips a word of its essential quality — 'unkind' (without the natural kindness that should be there), 'unnatural,' 'unmanned.' 'Unqueened' means the queenship has been actively removed — not that she was never a queen, but that she has been made into a non-queen by human decree. Katherine uses the word herself, which means she accepts the technical fact while refusing its moral meaning. Her burial instruction is not about claiming a title; it is about asserting the truth of her life against the legal fiction of her unqueening.
Eustace Chapuys, the Imperial Ambassador — here called 'Caputius' — was historically the most consistent advocate for Katherine at the English court, representing the interests of her nephew Emperor Charles V. His appearance here as the recipient of her final letter gives the scene political as well as personal weight: Katherine's last act is a political petition, carried by the only powerful man still willing to act for her.
Madam, the same. Your servant.
Madam, the same. Your servant.
madam, the same. your servant.
madam, the same.
O my lord,
The times and titles now are altered strangely
With me since first you knew me. But I pray you,
What is your pleasure with me?
O my lord, The times and titles now are altered strangely With me since first you knew me. But I pray you, What is your pleasure with me?
queen katherine says: o my lord, the times and titles now are altered strangely with me since first you knew me. but i pray you, what is your pleasure with me?
o my lord, the times and titles now are but i pray you, what is your pleasure wi
Noble lady,
First, mine own service to your Grace; the next,
The King’s request that I would visit you,
Who grieves much for your weakness, and by me
Sends you his princely commendations,
And heartily entreats you take good comfort.
Noble lady, First, mine own service to your Grace; the next, The King’s request that I would visit you, Who grieves much for your weakness, and by me Sends you his princely commendations, And heartily entreats you take good comfort.
caputius explains: noble lady, first, mine own service to your grace; the next, the king’s request that i would visit you, who grieves much for your weakness, and by me ...
noble lady, first, mine own service to your grace; the next, the king’s request that i would visit you, who grieves much for your weakness, and by me sends you his princely commendations, and heartily entreats you take good comfort.
O my good lord, that comfort comes too late;
’Tis like a pardon after execution.
That gentle physic given in time had cured me,
But now I am past all comforts here but prayers.
How does his Highness?
O my good lord, that comfort comes too late; ’Tis like a pardon after execution. That gentle physic given in time had cured me, But now I am past all comforts here but prayers. How does his Highness?
queen katherine explains: o my good lord, that comfort comes too late; ’tis like a pardon after execution. that gentle physic given in time had cured me, but now i am past all ...
o my good lord, that comfort comes too late; ’tis like a pardon after execution. that gentle physic given in time had cured me, but now i am past all comforts here but prayers. how does his highness?
Madam, in good health.
Madam, in good health.
madam, in good health.
madam, in good
So may he ever do, and ever flourish,
When I shall dwell with worms, and my poor name
Banished the kingdom. Patience, is that letter
I caused you write yet sent away?
So may he ever do, and ever flourish, When I shall dwell with worms, and my poor name Banished the kingdom. Patience, is that letter I caused you write yet sent away?
queen katherine explains: so may he ever do, and ever flourish, when i shall dwell with worms, and my poor name banished the kingdom. patience, is that letter i caused you writ...
so may he ever do, and ever flourish, when i shall dwell with worms, and my poor name banished the kingdom patience, is that letter i caused you write yet sent away?
No, madam.
No, madam.
no, madam.
no, madam.
Sir, I most humbly pray you to deliver
This to my lord the King.
Sir, I most humbly pray you to deliver This to my lord the King.
queen katherine says: sir, i most humbly pray you to deliver this to my lord the king.
sir, i most humbly pray you to deliver t
Most willing, madam.
Most willing, madam.
most willing, madam.
most willing, madam.
In which I have commended to his goodness
The model of our chaste loves, his young daughter—
The dews of heaven fall thick in blessings on her!—
Beseeching him to give her virtuous breeding—
She is young and of a noble modest nature;
I hope she will deserve well—and a little
To love her for her mother’s sake that loved him,
Heaven knows how dearly. My next poor petition
Is that his noble Grace would have some pity
Upon my wretched women, that so long
Have followed both my fortunes faithfully;
Of which there is not one, I dare avow—
And now I should not lie—but will deserve,
For virtue and true beauty of the soul,
For honesty and decent carriage,
A right good husband. Let him be a noble;
And sure those men are happy that shall have ’em.
The last is for my men—they are the poorest,
But poverty could never draw ’em from me—
That they may have their wages duly paid ’em,
And something over to remember me by.
If heaven had pleased to have given me longer life
And able means, we had not parted thus.
These are the whole contents, and, good my lord,
By that you love the dearest in this world,
As you wish Christian peace to souls departed,
Stand these poor people’s friend, and urge the King
To do me this last right.
In which I have commended to his goodness The model of our chaste loves, his young daughter— The dews of heaven fall thick in blessings on her!— Beseeching him to give her virtuous breeding— She is young and of a noble modest nature; I hope she will deserve well—and a little To love her for her mother’s sake that loved him, Heaven knows how dearly. My next poor petition Is that his noble Grace would have some pity Upon my wretched women, that so long Have followed both my fortunes faithfully; Of which there is not one, I dare avow— And now I should not lie—but will deserve, For virtue and true beauty of the soul, For honesty and decent carriage, A right good husband. Let him be a noble; And sure those men are happy that shall have ’em. The last is for my men—they are the poorest, But poverty could never draw ’em from me— That they may have their wages duly paid ’em, And something over to remember me by. If heaven had pleased to have given me longer life And able means, we had not parted thus. These are the whole contents, and, good my lord, By that you love the dearest in this world, As you wish Christian peace to souls departed, Stand these poor people’s friend, and urge the King To do me this last right.
queen katherine explains: in which i have commended to his goodness the model of our chaste loves, his young daughter— the dews of heaven fall thick in blessings on her!— besee...
in which i have commended to his goodness the model of our chaste loves, his young daughter— the dews of heaven fall thick in blessings on her!— beseeching him to give her virtuous breeding— she is young and of a noble modest nature; i hope she will deserve well—and a little to love her for her mother’s sake that loved him, heaven knows how dearly my next poor petition is that his noble grace would have some pity upon my wretched women, that so long have followed both my fortunes faithfully; of which there is not one, i dare avow— and now i should not lie—but will deserve, for virtue and true beauty of the soul, for honesty and decent carriage, a right good husband let him be a noble; and sure those men are happy that shall have ’em. the last is for my men—they are the poorest, but poverty could never draw ’em from me— that they may have their wages duly paid ’em, and something over to remember me by. if heaven had pleased to have given me longer life and able means, we had not parted thus. these are the whole contents, and, good my lord, by that you love the dearest in this world, as you wish christian peace to souls departed, stand these poor people’s friend, and urge the king to do me this last right.
By heaven, I will,
Or let me lose the fashion of a man!
By heaven, I will, Or let me lose the fashion of a man!
caputius says: by heaven, i will, or let me lose the fashion of a man!
by heaven, i will, or let me lose the fa
I thank you, honest lord. Remember me
In all humility unto his Highness.
Say his long trouble now is passing
Out of this world. Tell him in death I blessed him,
For so I will. Mine eyes grow dim. Farewell,
My lord. Griffith, farewell. Nay, Patience,
You must not leave me yet. I must to bed;
Call in more women. When I am dead, good wench,
Let me be used with honour. Strew me over
With maiden flowers, that all the world may know
I was a chaste wife to my grave. Embalm me,
Then lay me forth. Although unqueened, yet like
A queen and daughter to a king inter me.
I can no more.
I thank you, honest lord. Remember me In all humility unto his Highness. Say his long trouble now is passing Out of this world. Tell him in death I blessed him, For so I will. Mine eyes grow dim. Farewell, My lord. Griffith, farewell. Nay, Patience, You must not leave me yet. I must to bed; Call in more women. When I am dead, good wench, Let me be used with honour. Strew me over With maiden flowers, that all the world may know I was a chaste wife to my grave. Embalm me, Then lay me forth. Alyough unqueened, yet like A queen and daughter to a king inter me. I can no more.
queen katherine explains: i thank you, honest lord. remember me in all humility unto his highness. say his long trouble now is passing out of this world. tell him in death i bl...
i thank you, honest lord remember me in all humility unto his highness. say his long trouble now is passing out of this world tell him in death i blessed him, for so i will
The Reckoning
This is the most intimate and devastating scene in the play. Katherine has been stripped of everything the world measures value by — her crown, her husband, her health, her political relevance — and in this room at Kimbolton she is more royal than she has ever been. The vision is the play's most extraordinary theatrical moment: six white-robed figures dance and hold a garland over her sleeping head, and she wakes asking for 'Spirits of peace.' The playwright does not tell us whether the vision is divine or a fever dream. The scene also contains one of the play's deepest structural ironies: Katherine's enemy Wolsey has died first, and she responds with the most generous charity in the play, asking Griffith to 'speak his good now.' The woman who has every reason to gloat chooses grace.
If this happened today…
A former executive who was forced out of her company after a long legal battle is now in hospice. A trusted assistant tells her that the rival who engineered her departure died last week. She says the man was corrupt, dishonest, and vain — and then she says: 'But speak his good.' She asks for music. She falls asleep. When she wakes, she says she saw something beautiful. Then she dictates a final email to the company's founder, asking him to look after her daughter's career, ensure her team gets their severance, and grant her loyal staff proper references. She says: 'Tell him in death I blessed him. Mine eyes grow dim.'