Henry VI, Part One (1623 First Folio Edition)

Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616. Henry VI, Part One (1623 First Folio Edition)
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Scene iii

2398: Scoena Tertia.
2399: [ Enter Charles, Burgundy, Alanson, Bastard,
Reignier, and Ione.]

2401:
Char.
These newes (my Lords) may cheere our droo-ping
2402: spirits:
2403: 'Tis said, the stout Parisians do reuolt,
2404: And turne againe vnto the warlike French.
2405:
Alan.
Then march to Paris Royall Charles of France,
2406: And keepe not backe your powers in dalliance.
2407:
Pucel.
Peace be amongst them if they turne to vs,
2408: Else ruine combate with their Pallaces.
2409: [ Enter Scout.]

2410:
Scout.
Successe vnto our valiant Generall,
2411: And happinesse to his accomplices.
2412:
Char.
What tidings send our Scouts? I prethee speak.
2413:
Scout.
The English Army that diuided was
2414: Into two parties, is now conioyn'd in one,
2415: And meanes to giue you battell presently.
2416:
Char.
Somewhat too sodaine Sirs, the warning is,
2417: But we will presently prouide for them.
2418:
Bur.
I trust the Ghost of Talbot is not there:
2419: Now he is gone my Lord, you neede not feare.
2420:
Pucel.
Of all base passions, Feare is most accurst.
2421: Command the Conquest Charles, it shall be thine:
2422: Let Henry fret, and all the world repine.
2423:
Char.
Then on my Lords, and France be fortunate.
2424: [ Exeunt. Alarum. Excursions.]

2425: [ Enter Ione de Pucell.]

2426:
Puc.
The Regent conquers, and the Frenchmen flye.
2427: Now helpe ye charming Spelles and Periapts,
2428: And ye choise spirits that admonish me,
2429: And giue me signes of future accidents. [ Thunder.]

2430: You speedy helpers, that are substitutes
2431: Vnder the Lordly Monarch of the North,
2432: Appeare, and ayde me in this enterprize.
2433: [ Enter Fiends.]

2434: This speedy and quicke appearance argues proofe
2435: Of your accustom'd diligence to me.
2436: Now ye Familiar Spirits, that are cull'd
2437: Out of the powerfull Regions vnder earth,
2438: Helpe me this once, that France may get the field.
2439: [ They walke, and speake not.]

2440: Oh hold me not with silence ouer-long:
2441: Where I was wont to feed you with my blood,
2442: Ile lop a member off, and giue it you,
2443: In earnest of a further benefit:
2444: So you do condiscend to helpe me now.
2445: [ They hang their heads.]

2446: No hope to haue redresse? My body shall
2447: Pay recompence, if you will graunt my suite.
2448: [ They shake their heads.]

2449: Cannot my body, nor blood-sacrifice,
2450: Intreate you to your wonted furtherance?
2451: Then take my soule; my body, soule, and all,
2452: Before that England giue the French the foyle.
2453: [ They depart.]

2454: See, they forsake me. Now the time is come,
2455: That France must vale her lofty plumed Crest,
2456: And let her head fall into Englands lappe.
2457: My ancient Incantations are too weake,
2458: And hell too strong for me to buckle with:
2459: Now France, thy glory droopeth to the dust. [ Exit.]

2460: [ Excursions. Burgundie and Yorke fight hand to
hand. French flye.]

2462:
Yorke.
Damsell of France, I thinke I haue you fast,
2463: Vnchaine your spirits now with spelling Charmes,
2464: And try if they can gaine your liberty.
2465: A goodly prize, fit for the diuels grace.
2466: See how the vgly Witch doth bend her browes,
2467: As if with Circe, she would change my shape.
2468:
Puc.
Chang'd to a worser shape thou canst not be:
2469:
Yor.
Oh, Charles the Dolphin is a proper man,
2470: No shape but his can please your dainty eye.
2471:
Puc.
A plaguing mischeefe light on Charles, and thee,
2472: And may ye both be sodainly surpriz'd
2473: By bloudy hands, in sleeping on your beds.
2474:
Yorke.
Fell banning Hagge, Inchantresse hold thy
2475: tongue.
2476:
Puc.
I prethee giue me leaue to curse awhile.
2477:
Yorke.
Curse Miscreant, when thou comst to the stake
2478: [ Exeunt.]

2479: [ Alarum. Enter Suffolke with Margaret
in his hand.]

2481:
Suff.
Be what thou wilt, thou art my prisoner.
2482: [ Gazes on her.]

2483: Oh Fairest Beautie, do not feare, nor flye:
2484: For I will touch thee but with reuerend hands,
2485: I kisse these fingers for eternall peace,
2486: And lay them gently on thy tender side.
2487: Who art thou, say? that I may honor thee.
2488:
Mar.
Margaret my name, and daughter to a King,
2489: The King of Naples, who so ere thou art.
2490:
Suff.
An Earle I am, and Suffolke am I call'd.
2491: Be not offended Natures myracle,
2492: Thou art alotted to be tane by me:
2493: So doth the Swan her downie Signets saue,
2494: Keeping them prisoner vnderneath his wings:
2495: Yet if this seruile vsage once offend,
2496: Go, and be free againe, as Suffolkes friend. [ She is going]

2497: Oh stay: I haue no power to let her passe,
2498: My hand would free her, but my heart sayes no.
2499: As playes the Sunne vpon the glassie streames,
2500: Twinkling another counterfetted beame,
2501: So seemes this gorgeous beauty to mine eyes.
2502: Faine would I woe her, yet I dare not speake:
2503: Ile call for Pen and Inke, and write my minde:
2504: Fye De la Pole, disable not thy selfe:
2505: Hast not a Tongue? Is she not heere?
2506: Wilt thou be daunted at a Womans sight?
2507: I: Beauties Princely Maiesty is such,
2508: 'Confounds the tongue, and makes the senses rough.
2509:
Mar.
Say Earle of Suffolke, if thy name be so,
2510: What ransome must I pay before I passe?
2511: For I perceiue I am thy prisoner.
2512:
Suf.
How canst thou tell she will deny thy suite,
2513: Before thou make a triall of her loue?
2514:
M.
Why speak'st thou not? What ransom must I pay?
2515:
Suf.
She's beautifull; and therefore to be Wooed:
2516: She is a Woman; therefore to be Wonne.
2517:
Mar,
Wilt thou accept of ransome, yea or no?
2518:
Suf.
Fond man, remember that thou hast a wife,
2519: Then how can Margaret be thy Paramour?
2520:
Mar.
I were best to leaue him, for he will not heare.
2521:
Suf.
There all is marr'd: there lies a cooling card.
2522:
Mar.
He talkes at randon: sure the man is mad.
2523:
Suf.
And yet a dispensation may bee had.
2524:
Mar.
And yet I would that you would answer me.
2525:
Suf.
Ile win this Lady Margaret. For whom?
2526: Why for my King: Tush, that's a woodden thing.
2527:
Mar.
He talkes of wood: It is some Carpenter.
2528:
Suf.
Yet so my fancy may be satisfied,
2529: And peace established betweene these Realmes.
2530: But there remaines a scruple in that too:
2531: For though her Father be the King of Naples,
2532: Duke of Aniou and Mayne, yet is he poore,
2533: And our Nobility will scorne the match.
2534:
Mar.
Heare ye Captaine? Are you not at leysure?
2535:
Suf.
It shall be so, disdaine they ne're so much:
2536:
Henry
is youthfull, and will quickly yeeld.
2537: Madam, I haue a secret to reueale.
2538:
Mar.
What though I be inthral'd, he seems a knight
2539: And will not any way dishonor me.
2540:
Suf.
Lady, vouchsafe to listen what I say.
2541:
Mar.
Perhaps I shall be rescu'd by the French,
2542: And then I need not craue his curtesie.
2543:
Suf.
Sweet Madam, giue me hearing in a cause.
2544:
Mar.
Tush, women haue bene captiuate ere now.
2545:
Suf.
Lady, wherefore talke you so?
2546:
Mar.
I cry you mercy, 'tis but Quid for Quo.
2547:
Suf.
Say gentle Princesse, would you not suppose
2548: Your bondage happy, to be made a Queene?
2549:
Mar.
To be a Queene in bondage, is more vile,
2550: Than is a slaue, in base seruility:
2551: For Princes should be free.
2552:
Suf.
And so shall you,
2553: If happy Englands Royall King be free.
2554:
Mar.
Why what concernes his freedome vnto mee?
2555:
Suf.
Ile vndertake to make thee Henries Queene,
2556: To put a Golden Scepter in thy hand,
2557: And set a precious Crowne vpon thy head,
2558: If thou wilt condiscend to be my===
2559:
Mar.
What?
2560:
Suf.
His loue.
2561:
Mar.
I am vnworthy to be Henries wife.
2562:
Suf.
No gentle Madam, I vnworthy am
2563: To woe so faire a Dame to be his wife,
2564: And haue no portion in the choice my selfe.
2565: How say you Madam, are ye so content?
2566:
Mar.
And if my Father please, I am content.
2567:
Suf.
Then call our Captaines and our Colours forth,
2568: And Madam, at your Fathers Castle walles,
2569: Wee'l craue a parley, to conferre with him.
2570: [ Sound. Enter Reignier on the Walles.]

2571: See Reignier see, thy daughter prisoner.
2572:
Reig.
To whom?
2573:
Suf.
To me.
2574:
Reig.
Suffolke, what remedy?
2575: I am a Souldier, and vnapt to weepe,
2576: Or to exclaime on Fortunes ficklenesse.
2577:
Suf.
Yes, there is remedy enough my Lord,
2578: Consent, and for thy Honor giue consent,
2579: Thy daughter shall be wedded to my King,
2580: Whom I with paine haue wooed and wonne thereto:
2581: And this her easie held imprisonment,
2582: Hath gain'd thy daughter Princely libertie.
2583:
Reig.
Speakes Suffolke as he thinkes?
2584:
Suf.
Faire Margaret knowes,
2585: That Suffolke doth not flatter, face, or faine.
2586:
Reig.
Vpon thy Princely warrant, I descend,
2587: To giue thee answer of thy iust demand.
2588:
Suf.
And heere I will expect thy comming.
2589: [ Trumpets sound. Enter Reignier.]

2590:
Reig.
Welcome braue Earle into our Territories,
2591: Command in Aniou what your Honor pleases.
2592:
Suf.
Thankes Reignier, happy for so sweet a Childe,
2593: Fit to be made companion with a King:
2594: What answer makes your Grace vnto my suite?
2595:
Reig.
Since thou dost daigne to woe her little worth,
2596: To be the Princely Bride of such a Lord:
2597: Vpon condition I may quietly
2598: Enioy mine owne, the Country Maine and Aniou,
2599: Free from oppression, or the stroke of Warre,
2600: My daughter shall be Henries, if he please.
2601:
Suf.
That is her ransome, I deliuer her,
2602: And those two Counties I will vndertake
2603: Your Grace shall well and quietly enioy.
2604:
Reig.
And I againe in Henries Royall name,
2605: As Deputy vnto that gracious King,
2606: Giue thee her hand for signe of plighted faith.
2607:
Suf.
Reignier of France, I giue thee Kingly thankes,
2608: Because this is in Trafficke of a King.
2609: And yet me thinkes I could be well content
2610: To be mine owne Atturney in this case.
2611: Ile ouer then to England with this newes.
2612: And make this marriage to be solemniz'd:
2613: So farewell Reignier, set this Diamond safe
2614: In Golden Pallaces as it becomes.
2615:
Reig.
I do embrace thee, as I would embrace
2616: The Christian Prince King Henrie were he heere.
2617:
Mar.
Farewell my Lord, good wishes, praise, & praiers,
2618: Shall Suffolke euer haue of Margaret. [ Shee is going.]

2619:
Suf.
Farwell sweet Madam: but hearke you Margaret,
2620: No Princely commendations to my King?
2621:
Mar.
Such commendations as becomes a Maide,
2622: A Virgin, and his Seruant, say to him.
2623:
Suf.
Words sweetly plac'd, and modestie directed,
2624: But Madame, I must trouble you againe,
2625: No louing Token to his Maiestie?
2626:
Mar.
Yes, my good Lord, a pure vnspotted heart,
2627: Neuer yet taint with loue, I send the King.
2628:
Suf.
And this withall.
[Kisse her.]

2629:
Mar.
That for thy selfe, I will not so presume,
2630: To send such peeuish tokens to a King.
2631:
Suf.
Oh wert thou for my selfe: but Suffolke stay,
2632: Thou mayest not wander in that Labyrinth,
2633: There Minotaurs and vgly Treasons lurke,
2634: Solicite Henry with her wonderous praise.
2635: Bethinke thee on her Vertues that surmount,
2636: Mad naturall Graces that extinguish Art,
2637: Repeate their semblance often on the Seas,
2638: That when thou com'st to kneele at Henries feete,
2639: Thou mayest bereaue him of his wits with wonder. [ Exit]

2640: [ Enter Yorke, Warwicke, Shepheard, Pucell.]

2641:
Yor.
Bring forth that Sorceresse condemn'd to burne.
2642:
Shep.
Ah Ione, this kils thy Fathers heart out-right,
2643: Haue I sought euery Country farre and neere,
2644: And now it is my chance to finde thee out,
2645: Must I behold thy timelesse cruell death:
2646: Ah Ione, sweet daughter Ione, Ile die with thee.
2647:
Pucel.
Decrepit Miser, base ignoble Wretch,
2648: I am am descended of a gentler blood.
2649: Thou art no Father, nor no Friend of mine.
2650:
Shep.
Out, out: My Lords, and please you, 'tis not so
2651: I did beget her, all the Parish knowes:
2652: Her Mother liueth yet, can testifie
2653: She was the first fruite of my Bach'ler-ship.
2654:
War.
Gracelesse, wilt thou deny thy Parentage?
2655:
Yorke.
This argues what her kinde of life hath beene,
2656: Wicked and vile, and so her death concludes.
2657:
Shep.
Fye Ione, that thou wilt be so obstacle:
2658: God knowes, thou art a collop of my flesh,
2659: And for thy sake haue I shed many a teare:
2660: Deny me not, I prythee, gentle Ione.
2661:
Pucell.
Pezant auant. You haue suborn'd this man
2662: Of purpose, to obscure my Noble birth.
2663:
Shep.
'Tis true, I gaue a Noble to the Priest,
2664: The morne that I was wedded to her mother.
2665: Kneele downe and take my blessing, good my Gyrle.
2666: Wilt thou not stoope? Now cursed be the time
2667: Of thy natiuitie: I would the Milke
2668: Thy mother gaue thee when thou suck'st her brest,
2669: Had bin a little Rats-bane for thy sake.
2670: Or else, when thou didst keepe my Lambes a-field,
2671: I wish some rauenous Wolfe had eaten thee.
2672: Doest thou deny thy Father, cursed Drab?
2673: O burne her, burne her, hanging is too good. [ Exit.]

2674:
Yorke.
Take her away, for she hath liu'd too long,
2675: To fill the world with vicious qualities.
2676:
Puc.
First let me tell you whom you haue condemn'd;
2677: Not me, begotten of a Shepheard Swaine,
2678: But issued from the Progeny of Kings.
2679: Vertuous and Holy, chosen from aboue,
2680: By inspiration of Celestiall Grace,
2681: To worke exceeding myracles on earth.
2682: I neuer had to do with wicked Spirits.
2683: But you that are polluted with your lustes,
2684: Stain'd with the guiltlesse blood of Innocents,
2685: Corrupt and tainted with a thousand Vices:
2686: Because you want the grace that others haue,
2687: You iudge it straight a thing impossible
2688: To compasse Wonders, but by helpe of diuels.
2689: No misconceyued, Ione of Aire hath beene
2690: A Virgin from her tender infancie,
2691: Chaste, and immaculate in very thought,
2692: Whose Maiden-blood thus rigorously effus'd,
2693: Will cry for Vengeance, at the Gates of Heauen.
2694:
Yorke.
I, I: away with her to execution.
2695:
War.
And hearke ye sirs: because she is a Maide,
2696: Spare for no Faggots, let there be enow:
2697: Place barrelles of pitch vpon the fatall stake,
2698: That so her torture may be shortned.
2699:
Puc.
Will nothing turne your vnrelenting hearts?
2700: Then Ione discouer thine infirmity,
2701: That warranteth by Law, to be thy priuiledge.
2702: I am with childe ye bloody Homicides:
2703: Murther not then the Fruite within my Wombe,
2704: Although ye hale me to a violent death.
2705:
Yor.
Now heauen forfend, the holy Maid with child?
2706:
War.
The greatest miracle that ere ye wrought.
2707: Is all your strict precisenesse come to this?
2708:
Yorke.
She and the Dolphin haue bin iugling,
2709: I did imagine what would be her refuge.
2710:
War.
Well go too, we'll haue no Bastards liue,
2711: Especially since Charles must Father it.
2712:
Puc.
You are deceyu'd, my childe is none of his,
2713: It was Alanson that inioy'd my loue.
2714:
Yorke.
Alanson that notorious Macheuile?
2715: It dyes, and if it had a thousand liues.
2716:
Puc.
Oh giue me leaue, I haue deluded you,
2717: 'Twas neyther Charles, nor yet the Duke I nam'd,
2718: But Reignier King of Naples that preuayl'd.
2719:
War.
A married man, that's most intollerable.
2720:
Yor.
Why here's a Gyrle: I think she knowes not wel
2721: (There were so many) whom she may accuse.
2722:
War.
It's signe she hath beene liberall and free.
2723:
Yor.
And yet forsooth she is a Virgin pure.
2724: Strumpet, thy words condemne thy Brat, and thee.
2725: Vse no intreaty, for it is in vaine.
2726:
Pu.
Then lead me hence: with whom I leaue my curse.
2727: May neuer glorious Sunne reflex his beames
2728: Vpon the Countrey where you make abode:
2729: But darknesse, and the gloomy shade of death
2730: Inuiron you, till Mischeefe and Dispaire,
2731: Driue you to break your necks, or hang your selues. [ Exit]

2732: [ Enter Cardinall.]

2733:
Yorke.
Breake thou in peeces, and consume to ashes,
2734: Thou fowle accursed minister of Hell.
2735:
Car.
Lord Regent, I do greete your Excellence
2736: With Letters of Commission from the King.
2737: For know my Lords, the States of Christendome,
2738: Mou'd with remorse of these out-ragious broyles,
2739: Haue earnestly implor'd a generall peace,
2740: Betwixt our Nation, and the aspyring French;
2741: And heere at hand, the Dolphin and his Traine
2742: Approacheth, to conferre about some matter.
2743:
Yorke.
Is all our trauell turn'd to this effect,
2744: After the slaughter of so many Peeres,
2745: So many Captaines, Gentlemen, and Soldiers,
2746: That in this quarrell haue beene ouerthrowne,
2747: And sold their bodyes for their Countryes benefit,
2748: Shall we at last conclude effeminate peace?
2749: Haue we not lost most part of all the Townes,
2750: By Treason, Falshood, and by Treacherie,
2751: Our great Progenitors had conquered:
2752: Oh Warwicke, Warwicke, I foresee with greefe
2753: The vtter losse of all the Realme of France.
2754:
War.
Be patient Yorke, if we conclude a Peace
2755: It shall be with such strict and seuere Couenants,
2756: As little shall the Frenchmen gaine thereby.
2757: [ Enter Charles, Alanson, Bastard, Reignier.]

2758:
Char.
Since Lords of England, it is thus agreed,
2759: That peacefull truce shall be proclaim'd in France,
2760: We come to be informed by your selues,
2761: What the conditions of that league must be.
2762:
Yorke.
Speake Winchester, for boyling choller chokes
2763: The hollow passage of my poyson'd voyce,
2764: By sight of these our balefull enemies.
2765:
Win.
Charles, and the rest, it is enacted thus:
2766: That in regard King Henry giues consent,
2767: Of meere compassion, and of lenity,
2768: To ease your Countrie of distressefull Warre,
2769: And suffer you to breath in fruitfull peace,
2770: You shall become true Liegemen to his Crowne.
2771: And Charles, vpon condition thou wilt sweare
2772: To pay him tribute, and submit thy selfe,
2773: Thou shalt be plac'd as Viceroy vnder him,
2774: And still enioy thy Regall dignity.
2775:
Alan.
Must he be then as shadow of himselfe?
2776: Adorne his Temples with a Coronet,
2777: And yet in substance and authority,
2778: Retaine but priuiledge of a priuate man?
2779: This proffer is absurd, and reasonlesse.
2780:
Char.
'Tis knowne already that I am possest
2781: With more then halfe the Gallian Territories,
2782: And therein reuerenc'd for their lawfull King.
2783: Shall I for lucre of the rest vn-vanquisht,
2784: Detract so much from that prerogatiue,
2785: As to be call'd but Viceroy of the whole?
2786: No Lord Ambassador, Ile rather keepe
2787: That which I haue, than coueting for more
2788: Be cast from possibility of all.
2789:
Yorke.
Insulting Charles, hast thou by secret meanes
2790: Vs'd intercession to obtaine a league,
2791: And now the matter growes to compremize,
2792: Stand'st thou aloofe vpon Comparison.
2793: Either accept the Title thou vsurp'st,
2794: Of benefit proceeding from our King,
2795: And not of any challenge of Desert,
2796: Or we will plague thee with incessant Warres.
2797:
Reig.
My Lord, you do not well in obstinacy,
2798: To cauill in the course of this Contract:
2799: If once it be neglected, ten to one
2800: We shall not finde like opportunity.
2801:
Alan.
To say the truth, it is your policie,
2802: To saue your Subiects from such massacre
2803: And ruthlesse slaughters as are dayly seene
2804: By our proceeding in Hostility,
2805: And therefore take this compact of a Truce,
2806: Although you breake it, when your pleasure serues.
2807:
War.
How sayst thou Charles?
2808: Shall our Condition stand?
2809:
Char.
It Shall:
2810: Onely reseru'd, you claime no interest
2811: In any of our Townes of Garrison.
2812:
Yor.
Then sweare Allegeance to his Maiesty,
2813: As thou art Knight, neuer to disobey,
2814: Nor be Rebellious to the Crowne of England,
2815: Thou nor thy Nobles, to the Crowne of England.
2816: So, now dismisse your Army when ye please:
2817: Hang vp your Ensignes, let your Drummes be still,
2818: For heere we entertaine a solemne peace. [ Exeunt]

Act V

2819: Actus Quintus.
2820: [ Enter Suffolke in conference with the King,
Glocester, and Exeter.]

King.
Your wondrous rare description (noble Earle)
2823: Of beauteous Margaret hath astonish'd me:
2824: Her vertues graced with externall gifts,
2825: Do breed Loues setled passions in my heart,
2826: And like as rigour of tempestuous gustes
2827: Prouokes the mightiest Hulke against the tide,
2828: So am I driuen by breath of her Renowne,
2829: Either to suffer Shipwracke, or arriue
2830: Where I may haue fruition of her Loue.
2831:
Suf.
Tush my good Lord, this superficiall tale,
2832: Is but a preface of her worthy praise:
2833: The cheefe perfections of that louely Dame,
2834: (Had I sufficient skill to vtter them)
2835: Would make a volume of inticing lines,
2836: Able to rauish any dull conceit.
2837: And which is more, she is not so Diuine,
2838: So full repleate with choice of all delights,
2839: But with as humble lowlinesse of minde,
2840: She is content to be at your command:
2841: Command I meane, of Vertuous chaste intents,
2842: To Loue, and Honor Henry as her Lord.
2843:
King.
And otherwise, will Henry ne're presume:
2844: Therefore my Lord Protector, giue consent,
2845: That Marg'ret may be Englands Royall Queene.
2846:
Glo.
So should I giue consent to flatter sinne,
2847: You know (my Lord) your Highnesse is betroath'd
2848: Vnto another Lady of esteeme,
2849: How shall we then dispense with that contract,
2850: And not deface your Honor with reproach?
2851:
Suf.
As doth a Ruler with vnlawfull Oathes,
2852: Or one that at a Triumph, hauing vow'd
2853: To try his strength, forsaketh yet the Listes
2854: By reason of his Aduersaries oddes.
2855: A poore Earles daughter is vnequall oddes,
2856: And therefore may be broke without offence.
2857:
Gloucester.
Why what (I pray) is Margaret more
2858: then that?
2859: Her Father is no better than an Earle,
2860: Although in glorious Titles he excell.
2861:
Suf.
Yes my Lord, her Father is a King,
2862: The King of Naples, and Ierusalem,
2863: And of such great Authoritie in France,
2864: As his alliance will confirme our peace,
2865: And keepe the Frenchmen in Allegeance.
2866:
Glo.
And so the Earle of Arminacke may doe,
2867: Because he is neere Kinsman vnto Charles.
2868:
Exet.
Beside, his wealth doth warrant a liberal dower,
2869: Where Reignier sooner will receyue, than giue.
2870:
Suf.
A Dowre my Lords? Disgrace not so your King,
2871: That he should be so abiect, base, and poore,
2872: To choose for wealth, and not for perfect Loue.
2873: Henry is able to enrich his Queene,
2874: And not to seeke a Queene to make him rich,
2875: So worthlesse Pezants bargaine for their Wiues,
2876: As Market men for Oxen, Sheepe, or Horse.
2877: Marriage is a matter of more worth,
2878: Then to be dealt in by Atturney-ship:
2879: Not whom we will, but whom his Grace affects,
2880: Must be companion of his Nuptiall bed.
2881: And therefore Lords, since he affects her most,
2882: Most of all these reasons bindeth vs,
2883: In our opinions she should be preferr'd.
2884: For what is wedlocke forced? but a Hell,
2885: An Age of discord and continuall strife,
2886: Whereas the contrarie bringeth blisse,
2887: And is a patterne of Celestiall peace.
2888: Whom should we match with Henry being a King,
2889: But Margaret, that is daughter to a King:
2890: Her peerelesse feature, ioyned with her birth,
2891: Approues her fit for none, but for a King.
2892: Her valiant courage, and vndaunted spirit,
2893: (More then in women commonly is seene)
2894: Will answer our hope in issue of a King.
2895: For Henry, sonne vnto a Conqueror,
2896: Is likely to beget more Conquerors,
2897: If with a Lady of so high resolue,
2898: (As is faire Margaret) he be link'd in loue.
2899: Then yeeld my Lords, and heere conclude with mee,
2900: That Margaret shall be Queene, and none but shee.
2901:
King.
Whether it be through force of your report,
2902: My Noble Lord of Suffolke: Or for that
2903: My tender youth was neuer yet attaint
2904: With any passion of inflaming Loue,
2905: I cannot tell: but this I am assur'd,
2906: I feele such sharpe dissention in my breast,
2907: Such fierce alarums both of Hope and Feare,
2908: As I am sicke with working of my thoughts.
2909: Take therefore shipping, poste my Lord to France,
2910: Agree to any couenants, and procure
2911: That Lady Margaret do vouchsafe to come
2912: To crosse the Seas to England, and be crown'd
2913: King Henries faithfull and annointed Queene.
2914: For your expences and sufficient charge,
2915: Among the people gather vp a tenth.
2916: Be gone I say, for till you do returne,
2917: I rest perplexed with a thousand Cares.
2918: And you (good Vnckle) banish all offence:
2919: If you do censure me, by what you were,
2920: Not what you are, I know it will excuse
2921: This sodaine execution of my will.
2922: And so conduct me, where from company,
2923: I may reuolue and ruminate my greefe. [ Exit.]

2924:
Glo.
I greefe I feare me, both at first and last.
2925: [ Exit Glocester.]

2926:
Suf.
Thus Suffolke hath preuail'd, and thus he goes
2927: As did the youthfull Paris once to Greece,
2928: With hope to finde the like euent in loue,
2929: But prosper better than the Troian did:
2930: Margaret shall now be Queene, and rule the King:
2931: But I will rule both her, the King, and Realme. [ Exit]

2932: FINIS.
2933: The first Part of Henry the Sixt.