"King Henry said: 'Anne Boleyn's daughter is not worthy to accept the hand of a royal prince.'" "Well, then, Elizabeth, that the reparation made to you may be complete, the king, while he grants you your lawful title and honor, has decreed that you are permitted to marry only a husband of equal birth; to give your hand only to a royal prince, if you would preserve your right of succeeding to the throne, Oh, certainly, there could be no more complete recantation of the affront once put upon you.

And that he consented to do this, you owe to the eloquent intercession of a true and trusty friend; you have John Hey wood to thank for it." "John Heywood!" cried Elizabeth, in a bitter tone.
"Oh, I thank you, queen, that it was not you who determined my father to this decision.

John Heywood did it, and you call him my friend?
You say that he is a true and devoted servant to us both?
Beware of his fidelity, queen, and build not on his devotedness; for I tell you his soul is full of falsehood; and while he appears to bow before you in humbleness, his eyes are only searching for the place on your heel where he can strike you most surely and most mortally.

Oh, he is a serpent, a venomous serpent; and he has just wounded me mortally and incurably.

But no," continued she, energetically, "I will not submit to this fraud; I will not be the slave of this injurious law! I will be free to love and to hate as my heart demands; I will not be shackled, nor be compelled to renounce this man, whom I perhaps love, and to marry that one, whom I perhaps abhor." With an expression of firm, energetic resolve, she took the roll of parchment and handed it back to Catharine.