The self-defence which Shakespeare puts into the mouth of Queen Katherine describes a different type:—
'Heaven witness
I have been to you a true and humble wife,
At all times to your will conformable;
Ever in fear to kindle your dislike,
Yea, subject to your countenance; glad or sorry,
As I saw it incline. When was the hour
I ever contradicted your desire,
Or made it not mine too? or which of your friends
Have I not strove to love, although I knew
He were mine enemy? what friend of mine
That had to him derived your anger, did I
Continue in my liking? nay, gave notice
He was from thence discharged?'
This picture of trembling devotion, of 'distrust qualified by fear,' appears in a selection called 'Beautiful Poetry,' under the heading 'A True Wife.' But this kind of wife would be positively disliked by some husbands. It has been said that
