of enthusiasm. "Reflect what a glorious name you have assumed to
yourself in this land. You call yourself the head of the Church, and
you want to rule and govern upon earth in God's stead. Exercise
mercy, then, for you entitle yourself king by the grace of God."

"No, I do not call myself king by God's grace; I call myself king by
God's wrath!" exclaimed Henry, as he raised his arm menacingly. "It
is my duty to send sinners to God; may He have mercy on them there
above, if He will! I am the punishing judge, and I judge
mercilessly, according to the law, without compassion. Let those
whom I have condemned appeal to God, and may He have mercy upon
them. I cannot do it, nor will I. Kings are here to punish, and they
are like to God, not in His love, but in His avenging wrath."

"Woe, then, woe to you and to all of us!" exclaimed Anne Askew. "Woe
to you, King Henry, if what you now say is the truth! Then are they
right, those men who are bound to yonder stakes, when they brand you
with the name of tyrant; then is the Bishop of Rome right when he
upbraids you as an apostate and degenerate son, and hurls his
anathemas against you! Then you know not God, who is love and mercy;
then you are no disciple of the Saviour, who has said, 'Love your
enemies, bless them that curse you.' Woe to you, King Henry, if
matters are really so bad with you; if--"

"Silence, unhappy woman, silence!" exclaimed Catharine; and as she
vehemently pushed away the furious girl she grasped the king's hand,
and pressed it to her lips. "Sire," whispered she, with intense
earnestness, "Sire, you told me just now that you loved me. Prove it
by pardoning this maiden, and having consideration for her
impassioned excitement. Prove it by allowing me to lead Anne Askew