"You give me no kiss, Kate?" said Henry, with a smile. "Are you then
yet angry with me that I did not comply with your first request? But
what would you have me do, child? How, indeed, shall I keep the
crimson of my royal mantle always fresh and bright, unless I
continually dye it anew in the blood of criminals? Only he who
punishes and destroys is truly a king, and trembling mankind will
acknowledge him as such. The tender-hearted and gracious king it
despises, and his pitiful weakness it laughs to scorn. Bah! Humanity
is such a wretched, miserable thing, that it only respects and
acknowledges him who makes it tremble. And people are such
contemptible, foolish children, that they have respect only for him
who makes them feel the lash daily, and every now and then whips a
few of them to death. Look at me, Kate: where is there a king who
has reigned longer and more happily than I? whom the people love
more and obey better than me? This arises from the fact that I have
already signed more than two hundred death-warrants, [Footnote:
Tytler, p. 428. Leti, vol. i, p. 187.] and because every one
believes that, if he does not obey me, I will without delay send his
head after the others!"

"Oh, you say you love me," murmured Catharine, "and you speak only
of blood and death while you are with me."

The king laughed. "You are right, Kate," said he, "and yet, believe
me, there are other thoughts slumbering in the depths of my heart,
and could you look down into it, you would not accuse me of coldness
and unkindness. I love you truly, my dear, virgin bride, and, to
prove it, you shall now ask a favor of me. Yes, Kate, make me a
request, and, whatever it may be, I pledge you my royal word, it
shall be granted you. Now, Kate, think, what will please you? Will