And bloody steel grasp'd in their ireful hands,
Are at our backs; and therefore hence amain!
Exe. Away! for vengeance comes along with them:
Nay, stay not to expostulate, make speed!
Or else come after, I'll away before.
K. Hen. Nay, take me with thee, good sweet Exeter!
Not that I fear to stay, but love to go
Whither the queen intends. Forward! away! [Exeunt.
Edw. Bring forth that fatal screech-owl to our house,
That nothing sung but death to us and ours!
Now death shall stop his dismal threatening sound,
And his ill-boding tongue no more shall speak.
[Attendants bring the body forward.
War. I think his understanding is bereft:
Speak, Clifford, dost thou know, who speaks to thee?-
Dark cloudy death o'ershades his beams of life,
And he nor sees, nor hears us, what we say.
Rich. O, 'would he did! and so, perhaps, he doth;
'Tis but his policy to counterfeit,
Because he would avoid such bitter taunts,
Which in the time of death he gave our father.
Geo. If so thou think'st, vex him with eager words!
Rich. Clifford, ask mercy, and obtain no grace!
Edw. Clifford, repent in bootless penitence!
War. Clifford, devise excuses for thy faults!
Geo. While we devise fell tortures for thy faults.
Rich. Thou didst love York, and I am son to York.
Edw. Thou pitied'st Rutland, I will pity thee.
Geo. Where's captain Margaret, to fence you now?
War. They mock thee, Clinord! swear as thou wast
A loud alarum. Enter CLIFFORD, wounded.
Clif. Here burns my candle out, ay, here it dies,
Which, while it lasted, gave king Henry light.
O, Lancaster! I fear thy overthrow,
More than my body's parting with my soul.
My love, and fear, glew'd many friends to thee;
And now I fall, thy tough commixtures melt.
Impairing Henry, strength'ning mis-proud York,
The common people swarm like summer flies:
And whither fly the gnats, but to the sun?
And who shines now but Henry's enemies?
O Phoebus! hadst thou never given consent,
That Phaeton should check thy fiery steeds,
Thy burning car never had scorch'd the earth;
And Henry, hadst thou sway'd, as kings should do,
Or as thy father, and his father, did,
Given no ground unto the house of York,
They never then had sprung, like summer flies;
I, and ten thousand in this luckless realm,
Had left no mourning widows for our death,
And thou this day hadst kept thy chair in peace.
For what doth cherish weeds, but gentle air?
And what makes robbers bold, but too much lenity?
Bootless are plaints, and cureless are my wounds ;
No way to fly, nor strength to hold out flight:
The foe is merciless, and will not pity;
For, at their hands, I have deserv'd no pity.
The air hath got into my deadly wounds,
And much effuse of blood doth make me faint;-
Come, York, and Richard, Warwick and the rest!
I stabb'd your father's bosoms, split my breast!
[He faints.
Alarum and retreat. Enter EDWARD, GEORGE, RICHARD,
MONTAGUE, WARWICK, and Soldiers.
Edw. Now breathe we, lords! good fortune bids us pause,
Rich. What, not an oath? nay, then the world goes
hard,
When Clifford cannot spare his friends an oath:-
I know by that, he's dead; and, by my soul,
If this right hand would buy two hours' life,
That I in all despite might rail at him,
This hand should chop it off; and with the issuing
blood
And smooth the frowns of war with peaceful looks,
Some troops pursue the bloody-minded queen;
That led calm Henry, though he were a king,
As doth a sail, fill'd with a fretting gust,
Command an argosy to stem the waves.
But think you, lords, that Clifford fled with them?
War. No, 'tis impossible, he should escape:
For, though before his face I speak the words,
Your brother Richard mark'd him for the grave:
And, wheresoe'er he is, he's surely dead.
Stifle the villain, whose unstaunched thirst
York and young Rutland could not satisfy.
War. Ay, but he's dead. Off with the traitor's head,
And rear it in the place your father's stands!-
And now to London with triumphant march,
There to be crowned England's royal king!
From whence shall Warwick cut the sea to France,
Aud ask the lady Bona for thy queen:
So shalt thou sinew both these lands together;
And, having France thy friend, thou shalt not dread
The scatter'd foe, that hopes to rise again;
For though they cannot greatly sting to hurt,
Yet look to have them buz, to offend thine ears.
First, will I see the coronation;
[Clifford groans, and dies. Edw. Whose soul is that which takes her heavy leave?
Rich. A deadly groan, like life and death's departing.
Edw. See, who it is: and, now the battle's ended,
If friend, or foe, let him be gently us'd!
Rich. Revoke that doom of mercy! for 'tis Clifford,
Who not contented, that he lopp'd the branch
In hewing Rutland, when his leaves put forth,
But set his murdering knife unto the root,
From whence that tender spray did sweetly spring,
I mean, our princely father, duke of York.
War. From off the gates of York fetch down the
head,
Your father's head, which Clifford placed there!
Instead whereof, let this supply the room!
Measure for measure must be answered!
And then to Britany I'll cross the sea,
To effect this marriage, so it please my lord.
Edw. Even as thou wilt, sweet Warwick, let it be:
For on thy shoulder do I build
my seat;
And never will I undertake the thing,
Wherein thy counsel and consent is wanting.-
Richard, I will create thee duke of Gloster;
And George, of Clarence; - Warwick, as ourself,
Shall do, and undo, as him pleaseth best.
Rich. Let me be duke of Clarence; George, of
Gloster;
For Gloster's dukedom is too ominous.
War. Tut, that's a foolish observation;
Richard, be duke of Gloster! Now to London,
To see these honours in possession!
[Exeunt.
Here stand we both, and aim we at the best;
And, for the time shall not seem tedious,
I'll tell thee, what befell me on a day
In this self-place, where now we mean to stand.
2 Keep. Here comes a man, let's stay till he be past.
Enter King HENRY, disguised, with a prayer-book.
K. Hen. From Scotland am I stol'n, even of pure love,
To greet mine own land with my wishful sight.
No, Harry, Harry, 'tis no land of thine;
Thy place is fill'd, thy sceptre wrung. from thee,
Thy balm wash'd off, wherewith thou wast anointed:
No bending knee will call thee Caesar now,
No humble suitors press to speak for right,
No, not a man comes for redress of thee;
For how can I help them, and not myself?
1 Keep. Ay, here's a deer whose skin's a keeper's fee:
This is the quondam king; let's seize upon him.
K. Hen. Let me embrace these sour adversities!
For wise men say, it is the wisest course.
2 Keep. Why linger we? let us lay hands upon him! 1 Keep. Forbear a while! we'll hear a little more. K. Hen. My queen, and son, are gone to France for aid;
And, as I hear, the great commanding Warwick
Is thither gone, to crave the French king's sister
To wife for Edward. If this news be true,
Poor queen, and son, your labour is but lost;
For Warwick is a subtle orator,
And Lewis a prince soon won with moving words.
By this account, then, Margaret may win him;
For she's a woman to be pitied much :
Her sighs will make a battery in his breast;
Her tears will pierce into a marble heart;
The tiger will be mild, while she doth mourn;
And Nero will be tainted with remorse,
To hear, and see, her plaints, her brinish tears.
Ay, but she's come to beg; Warwick, to give:
She, on his left side, craving aid for Henry;
He, on his right, asking a wife for Edward.
She weeps, and says her Henry is depos'd;
He smiles, and says-his Edward is install'd;
That she, poor wretch, for grief can speak no more:
Whiles Warwick tells his title, smooths the wrong,
Inferreth arguments of mighty strength;
And, in conclusion, wins the king from her,
With promise of his sister, and what else,
To strengthen and support king Edward's place.
O Margaret, thus 'twill be; and thou, poor soul,
Art then forsaken, as thou went'st forlorn.
2 Keep. Say, what art thou, that talk'st of kings and queens?
K.Hen.More, than I seem,and less, than I was born to: A man at least, for less I should not be; And men may talk of kings, and why not I?
2 Keep. Ay, but thou talk'st, as if thou wert a king. K. Hen. Why, so I am, in mind; and that's enough. 2 Keep. But, if thou be a king, where is thy crown? K. Hen. My crown is in my heart, not on my head, Not deck'd with diamonds, and Indian stones, Nor to be seen: my crown is call'd, content; A crown it is, that seldom kings enjoy. 2 Keep. Well, if you be a king, crown'd with content, Your crown content, and you, must be contented To go along with us: for, as we think, You are the king, king Edward hath depos'd; And we his subjects, sworn in all allegiance, Will apprehend you as his enemy.
K. Hen. But did you never swear, and break an oath? 2 Keep. No, never such an oath, nor will not now. K. Hen. Where did you dwell, when I was king of England?
2. Keep. Here in this country, where we now remain. K. Hen. I was anointed king at nine months old;
My father, and my grandfather, were kings;
And you were sworn true subjects unto me;
And tell me then, have you not broke your oaths?
1 Keep. No;
For we were subjects, but while you were king.
K. Hen. Why, am I dead? do I not breathe a man?
Ah, simple men, you know not, what you swear.
Look, as I blow this feather from my face,
And as the air blows it to me again,
Obeying with my wind, when I do blow,
And yielding to another, when it blows,
Commanded always by the greater gust,
Such is the lightness of you common men.
But do not break your oaths! for, of that sin
My mild entreaty shall not make you guilty.
Go where you will, the king shall be commanded;
And be you kings; command, and I'll obey.
1 Keep. We are true subjects to the king, king Edward.
K. Hen. So would you be again to Henry, If he were seated, as king Edward is.
1 Keep. We charge you, in God's name, and in the king's,
To go with us unto the officers.
K. Hen. In God's name, lead! your king's name be obey'd:
And what God will, then let your king perform! And what he will, I humbly yield unto. [Exeunt. SCENE II.-London. A room in the palace. Enter King Edward, Gloster, CLARENCE, and Lady GREY.
K. Edw. Brother of Gloster, at Saint Alban's field This lady's husband, sir John Grey, was slain, His lands then seiz'd on by the conqueror: Her suit is now, to repossess those lands, Which we in justice cannot well deny, Because in quarrel of the house of York The worthy gentleman did lose his life. Glo. Your highness shall do well to grant her suit; It were dishonour, to deny it her.
K. Edw. It were no less; but yet I'll make a pause. Glo. Yea! is it so? [Aside to Clarence. I see the lady hath a thing to grant, Before the king will grant her humble suit. Clar. He knows the game. How true he keeps the wind?
K. Edw. Widow, we will consider of your suit;
And come some other time, to know our mind!
L. Grey. Right gracious lord, I cannot brook delay:
May it please your highness to resolve me now;
And what your pleasure is, shall satisfy me.
Glo. [Aside.] Ay, widow? then I'll warrant you
all your lands,
An if what pleases him, shall pleasure you.
Fight closer, or, good faith, you'll catch a blow.
Clar. I fear her not, unless she chance to fall.[Aside.
Glo. God forbid that! for he'll take vantages. [Aside.
K. Edw. How many children hast thou, widow?
tell me!
Clar. I think, he means to beg a child of her.[Aside. Glo. Nay, whip me then; he'll rather give her two. [Aside.
L. Grey. Three, my most gracious lord. Glo. You shall have four, if you'll be rul'd by him. [Aside.
K. Edw. 'Twere pity, they should lose their father's land.
L. Grey. Be pitiful, dread lord, and grant it then! K.Edw. Lords, give us leave! I'll try this widow's wit. Glo.Ay, good leave have you; for you will have leave, Till youth take leave, and leave you to the crutch. [Gloster and Clarence retire to the other side.
K. Edw. Now tell me, madam, do you love your children?
L. Grey. Ay, full as dearly, as I love myself. K. Edw. And would you not do much, to do them good?
L. Grey. To do them good, I would sustain some harm.
K. Edw. Then get your husband's lands, to do them good!
L. Grey. Therefore I came unto your majesty.
K. Edw. I'll tell you now these lands are to be got.
L. Grey. So shall you bind me to your highness'
service.
K.Edw.What service wilt thou do me, if I give them?
L. Grey. What you command, that rests in me to do.
K. Edw. But you will take exceptions to my boon.
L. Grey. No, gracious lord, except I cannot do it.
K. Edw. Ay, but thou canst do, what I mean to ask.
L. Grey. Why, then I will do what your grace com-
mands.
K. Edw. Sweet widow, by my state I swear to thee,
I speak no more, than what my soul intends;
And that is, to enjoy thee for my love.
Glo. He plies her hard; and much rain wears the marble. [Aside. Clar. As red as fire! nay, then her wax must melt. [Aside. L.Grey.Why stops my lord? shall I not hear my task? K. Edw. An easy task! 'tis but to love a king. K. Grey. That's soon perform'd, because I am a subject,
K. Edw. Why then, thy husband's lands I freely give thee.
L. Grey. And that is more, than I will yield unto;
I know, I am too mean to be your queen;
And yet too good to be your concubine.
K. Edw. You cavil, widow; I did mean, my queen.
L. Grey. "Twill grieve your grace, my sons should
call you-father.
K. Edw. No more, than when my daughters call thee
mother.
Thou art a widow, and thou hast some children;
And, by God's mother, I, being but a bachelor,
Have other some: why, 'tis a happy thing
To be the father unto many sons.
Answer no more, for thou shalt be my queen.
Glo. The ghostly father now hath done his 'shrift.
[Aside.
Clar. When he was made a shriver, 'twas for shift.
[Aside.
K. Edw. Brothers, you muse, what chat we two
have had.
L. Grey. I take my leave with many thousand thanks.
Glo. The match is made; she seals it with a curt'sy.
K. Edw. But stay thee, 'tis the fruits of love I mean.
L. Grey. The fruits of love I mean, my loving liege.
K. Edw. Ay, but, I fear me, in another sense.
What love, think'st thou, I sue so much to get?
L. Grey. My love till death, my humble thanks, my
That love, which virtue begs, and virtue grants.
K. Edw. No, by my troth, I did not mean such love.
L. Grey. Why, then you mean not as I thought
you did.
K. Edw. But now you partly may perceive my mind.
L. Grey. My mind will never grant, what I perceive
Your highness aims at, ifI aim aright.
K. Edw. To tell thee plain, I am to lie with thee.
L. Grey. To tell you plain, I had rather lie in prison.
K. Edw. Why, then thou shalt not, have thy hus-
band's lands.
L. Grey. Why, then mine honesty shall be my dower;
For by that loss I will not purchase them.
K.Edw.Therein thou wrong'st thy children mightily.
L. Grey. Herein your highness wrongs both them
But, mighty lord, this merry inclination
Accords not with the sadness of my suit.
Please you dismiss me, either with ay, or no!
K. Edw. Ay, if thou wilt say ay, to my request; No, if thou dost say no, to my demand.
Glo. The widow likes it not, for she looks sad.
K.Edw.You'd think it strange, if I should marry her.
Clar. To whom, my lord?
K. Edw. Why, Clarence, to myself.
Glo. That would be ten day's wonder, at the least.
Clar. That's a day longer, than a wonder lasts.
Glo. By so much is the wonder in extremes.
K. Edw. Well, jest on, brothers: I can tell you both,
Her suit is granted for her husband's lands.
Enter a Nobleman.
Nob. My gracious lord, Henry your foe is taken,
And brought your prisoner to your palace gate.
K. Edw. See, that he be convey'd unto the Tower:-
And go we, brothers, to the man that took him,
To question of his apprehension.
Widow, go you along!-Lords, use her honourable!
[Exeunt King Edward, Lady Grey, Cla
Glo. Ay, Edward will use women honourably. 'Would he were wasted, marrow, bones, and all, That from his loins no hopeful branch may spring, To cross me from the golden time, I look for! And yet, between my soul's desire, and me, (The lustful Edward's title buried,) Is Clarence, Henry, and his son young Edward, And all the unlook'd-for issue of their bodies, To take their rooms, ere I can piace myself: A cold premeditation for my purpose! Why, then do but dream on sovereignty; Like one, that stands upon a promontory, And spies a far-off shore, where he would tread, Wishing, his foot were equal with his eye, And chides the sea, that sunders him from thence, Saying-he'll lade it dry to have his way: So do I wish the crown, being so far off; And so I chide the means, that keep me from it; And so I say I'll cut the causes off, Flattering me with impossibilities.
L. Grey. Then, no, my lord! My suit is at an end.
Glo. The widow likes him not, she knits her brows. My eye's too quick, my heart o'erweens to much,
Aside. Unless my hand and strength could equal them.
Aside. Well, say there is no kingdom then for Richard;
replete What other pleasure ean the world afford?
Clar. He is the bluntest wooer in Christendom.
K. Edw. [Aside.] Her looks do argue her
with modesty;
Her words do show her wit incomparable;
All her perfections challenge sovereignty:
One way, or other, she is for a king;
And she shall be my love, or else my queen.-
Say, that king Edward take thee for his queen?
L.Grey.'Tis better said than done, my gracious lord:
I am a subject fit to jest withal,
But far unfit to be a sovereign.
I'll make my heaven in a lady's lap,
And deck my body in gay ornaments,
And witch sweet ladies with my words and looks.
O miserable thought! and more unlikely,
Than to accomplish twenty golden crowns!
Why, love forswore me in my mother's womb:
And, for I should not deal in her soft laws,
She did corrupt frail nature with some bribe
To shrink mine arm up like a wither'd shrub;
To make an envious mountain on my back,
Where sits deformity to mock my body,
To shape my legs of an unequal size,
To disproportion me in every part,
Like to a chaos, or an unlick'd bear-whelp,
That carries no impression, like the dam.
And am I then a man to be belov'd?
O monstrous fault, to harbour such a thought!
Then, since this earth affords no joy to me,
But to command, to check, to o'erbear such
As are of better person than myself,
I'll make my heaven-to dream upon the crown;
And, whiles I live, to account this world but hell,
Until my mis-shap'd trunk, that bears this head,
Be round impaled with a glorious crown.
And yet I know not, how to get the crown;
For many lives stand between me and home,
And I, like one lost in a thorny wood,
That rents the thorus, and is rent with the thorns,
Seeing a way, aud straying from the way,
Not knowing, how to find the open air,
But toiling desperately to find it out,
Torment myself to catch the English crown:
And from that torment I will free myself,
Or hew my way out with a bloody axe.
Why, I can smile, and murder, while I smile,
And cry content, to that which grieves my heart;
And wet my cheeks with artificial tears,
And frame my face to all occasions.
I'll drown more sailors, than the mermaid shall;
I'll slay more gazers than the basilisk;
I'll play the orator as well, as Nestor,
Deceive more slily, than Ulysses could,
And, like a Sinon, take another Troy:
I can add colours to the cameleon,
Change shapes, with Proteus, for advantages,
Aud set the murd'rous Machiavel to school.
Can I do this, and cannot get a crown?
Tut! were it further off, I'll pluck it down.
SCENE III.—France. A room in the palace. Flourish. Enter LEWIS the French king, and Lady BONA, attended; the king takes his state. Then enter Queen MARGARET, Prince EDWARD, her son, and the Earl of OXFORD.
K. Lew. Fair queen of England, worthy Margaret, [Rising.
Sit down with us; it ill befits thy state And birth, that thou should'st stand, while Lewis doth sit.
Q. Mar. No, mighty king of France! now Margaret Must strike her sail, and learn a while to serve, Where kings command. I was, I must confess, Great Albion's queen in former golden days: But now mischance hath trod my title down, And with dishonour laid me on the ground, Where I must take like seat unto my fortune, And to my humble seat conform myself.
K. Lew. Why, say, fair queen, whence springs this deep despair?
Q. Mar. From such a cause, as fills mine eyes with tears,
And stops my tongue, while heart is drown'd in cares. K. Lew. Whate'er it be, be thou still like thyself, And sit thee by our side! Yield not thy neck
[Seats her by him. To fortune's yoke, but let thy dauntless mind Still ride in triumph over all mischance! Be plain, queen Margaret, and tell thy grief! It shall be eas'd, if France can yield relief. Q. Mar. Those gracious words revive my drooping thoughts,
And give my tongue-tied sorrows leave to speak.
Now, therefore, be it known to noble Lewis,
That Henry, sole possessor of my love,
Is, of a king, become a banish'd man,
And forc'd to live in Scotland a forlorn ;
While proud ambitious Edward, duke of York,
Usurps the regal title, and the seat
Of England's true-anointed lawful king.
This is the cause, that I, poor Margaret,
With this my son, prince Edward, Henry's heir,
Am come to crave thy just and lawful aid;
And, if thou fail us, all our hope is done.
Scotland hath will to help, but cannot help;
Our people and our peers are both misled,
Our treasure seiz'd, our soldiers put to flight,
And, as thou see'st, ourselves in heavy plight.
K. Lew. Renowned queen, with patience calm the
storm,
While we bethink a means to break it off!
Q.Mar.The more we stay, the stronger grows our foe. K. Lew. The more I stay, the more I'll succour thee. Q. Mar. O, but impatience waiteth on true sorrow: And see, where comes the breeder of my sorrow. Enter WARWICK, attended.
K. Lew. What's he, approacheth boldly to our presence?
Q. Mur. Our earl of Warwick, Edward's greatest
K. Lew. Welcome, brave Warwick! What brings thee to France?
[Descending from his state. Queen Mar
Q. Mar. Ay, now begins a second storm to rise;
For this is he, that moves both wind and tide.
War. From worthy Edward, king of Albion,
My lord and sovereign, and thy vowed friend,
I come,-in kindness, and unfeigned love,--
First, to do greetings to thy royal person,
And, then, to crave a league of amity,
And, lastly, to confirm that amity
With nuptial knot, if thou vouchsafe to grant
That virtuous lady Bona, thy fair sister,
To England's king in lawful marriage.
Q. Mar. If that go forward, Henry's hope is done.
War. And, gracious madam, [To Bona.] in our
king's behalf
I am commanded, with your leave and favour,
Humbly to kiss your hand, and with my tongue
To tell the passion of my sov'reign's heart,
Where fame, late entering at his heedful ears,
Hath play'd thy beauty's image, and thy virtue.
Q. Mar. King Lewis, -and lady Bona, —hear me
speak,
Before you answer Warwick! His demand
Springs not from Edward's well-meant honest love,
But from deceit, bred by necessity:
For how can tyrants safely govern home,
Unless abroad they purchase great alliance?
To prove him tyrant, this reason may suffice,
That Henry liveth still: but were he dead,
Yet here prince Edward stands, king Henry's son.
Look, therefore, Lewis, that by this league and mar-
riage
Thou draw not on thy danger and dishonour!
For though usurpers sway the rule awhile,
Yet heavens are just, and time suppresseth wrongs.
War. Injurious Margaret!
Prince. And why not queen?
War. Because thy father Henry did usurp;
And thou no more art prince, than she is queen.
Oxf. Then Warwick disannuls great John of Gaunt,
Which did subdue the greatest part of Spain;
Aud, after John of Gaunt, Henry the fourth,
Whose wisdom was a mirror to the wisest;
And, after that wise prince, Henry the fifth,
Who by his prowess conquered all France:
From these our Henry lineally descends.
War. Oxford, how haps it, in this smooth discourse,
You told not, how Henry the sixth hath lost
All that which Henry the fifth had gotten?
Methinks, these peers of France should smile at that.
But for the rest,-You tell a pedigree
Of threescore and two years; a silly time
To make prescription for a kingdom's worth!
Where, having nothing, nothing be can lose.
And as for you yourself, our quondam queen,—
You have a father able to maintain you;
And better 'twere, you troubled him, than France.
Q. Mar. Peace, impudent and shameless Warwick,
peace,
Proud setter-up and puller-down of kings!
I will not hence, till with my talk and tears,
Both full of truth, I make king Lewis behold
Thy sly conveyance, and thy lord's false love;
Oxf. Why, Warwick, canst thou speak against thy For both of you are birds of self-same feather. liege,
Whom thou obey'dst thirty and six years,
And not bewray thy reason with a blush?
War. Can Oxford, that did ever fence the right,
Now buckler falsehood with a pedigree?
For shame, leave Henry, and call Edward king!
Oxf. Call him my king, by whose injurious doom
My elder brother, the lord Aubrey Vere,
Was done to death? and more than so, my father,
Even in the downfall of his mellow'd years,
When nature brought him to the door of death?
No, Warwick, no; while life upholds this arm,
This arm upholds the house of Lancaster.
War. And I the house of York.
K.Lew.Queen Margaret, prince Edward, and Oxford,
Vouchsafe, at our request, to stand aside,
While I use further conference with Warwick.
Q. Mar. Heaven grant, that Warwick's words be-
[Retiring with the Prince and Oxford. K. Lew. Now, Warwick, tell me, even upon thy conscience,
Is Edward your true king? for I were loath
To link with him, that were not lawful chosen.
War. Thereon I pawn my credit and mine honour.
K. Lew. But is he gracious in the people's eye?
War. The more, that Henry was unfortunate.
K. Lew. Then further, all dissembling set aside,
Tell me for truth the measure of his love
Unto our sister Bona.
As may beseem a monarch like himself.
Myself have often heard him say, and swear,
That this his love was an eternal plant,
Whereof the root was fix'd in virtue's ground,
The leaves and fruit maintain'd with beauty's sun;
Exempt from envy, but not from disdain,
Unless the lady Bona quit his pain.
K. Lew. Now, sister, let us hear your firm resolve!
Bona. Your grant, or your denial, shall be mine:-
Yet I confess, [To War.] that often ere this day,
When I have heard your king's desert recounted,
Mine ear hath tempted judgment to desire.
K. Lew. Then, Warwick, thus, - Our sister shall
be Edward's,
And now forthwith shall articles be drawn
Touching the jointure that your king must make,
Which with her dowry shall be counterpois'd.
Draw near, queen Margaret, and be a witness,
That Bona shall be wife to the English king.
Prince. To Edward, but not to the English king.
Q. Mar. Deceitful Warwick! it was thy device,
By this alliance to make void my suit;
Before thy coming, Lewis was Henry's friend.
K. Lew. And still is friend to him and Margaret:
But if your title to the crown be weak,-
As may appear by Edward's good success,
Then 'tis but reason, that I be releas'd
From giving aid, which late I promised.
Yet shall you have all kindness at my hand,
That your estate requires, and mine can yield.
War. Henry now lives in Scotland, at his ease;
[Ahorn sounded within.
K. Lew. Warwick, this is some post to us, or thee.
Enter a Messenger.
Mess. My lord ambassador, these letters are for you,
Sent from your brother, marquis Montague,-
These from our king unto your majesty.—
And, madam, these for you ;from whom I know not.
[To Margaret. They all read their letters. Oxf. I like it well, that our fair queen and mistress Smiles at her news, while Warwick frowns at his. Prince. Nay, mark, how Lewis stamps, as he were nettled:
I hope, all's for the best.
K. Lew. Warwick, what are thy news? and your's,
fair queen?
Q.Mar.Mine, such as fill my heart with unhop'd joys.
War. Mine, full of sorrow and heart's discontent.
K. Lew. What! has your king married the lady Grey?
And now, to sooth your forgery and his,
Sends me a paper to persuade me patience?
Is this the alliance that he seeks with France?
Dare he presume to scorn us in this manner?
Q. Mar. I told your majesty as much before;
This proveth Edward's love, and Warwick's honesty.
War.King Lewis, I here protest,-in sight of heaven,
And by the hope, I have of heavenly bliss,-,
That I am clear from this misdeed of Edward's:
No more my king, for he dishonours me;
But most himself, if he could see his shame.
Did I forget, that by the house of York
My father came untimely to his death?
Did I let pass the abuse done to my niece?
Did I impale him with the regal crown?
Did I put Henry from his native right,
And am I guerdon'd at the last with shame?
Shame on himself! for my desert is honour.
And, to repair my honour lost for him,
I here renounce him, and return to Henry.
My noble queen, let former grudges pass,
And henceforth I am thy true servitor;
I will revenge his wrong to lady Bona,
And replant Henry in his former state.
Q. Mar. Warwick, these words have turn'd my hate
to love,
And I forgive and quite forget old faults,
And joy, that thou becom'st king Henry's friend.
War. So much his friend, ay, his unfeigned friend,
That, if king Lewis vouchsafe to furnish us
With some few bands of chosen soldiers,
I'll undertake to land them on our coast,
And force the tyrant from his seat by war.
'Tis not his new-made bride shall succour him;
And as for Clarence, -
-as my letters tell me,
He's very likely now to fall from him;
For matching more for wanton lust, than honour,
Or than for strength and safety of our country,
Bona. Dear brother, how shall Bona be reveng'd,
But by thy help to this distressed queen?
Q. Mar. Renowned prince, how shall poor Henry live,
Unless thou rescue him from foul despair?
Bona. My quarrel, and this English queen's are one.
War. And mine, fair lady Bona, joins with yours.
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