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You are the king King Edward hath deposed;
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?

SEC. KEEP. No, never such an oath; nor will not

now.

K. HEN. Where did you dwell when I was King of England?

SEC. 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?
FIRST 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.

FIRST 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.

FIRST KEEP. We charge you, in God's name, and 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, that let your king perform; And what he will, I humbly yield unto.

SCENE II.
London. The palace.

[Exeunt.

Enter KING EDWARD, GLOUCESTER, CLARENCE,
and LADY GREY.

K. EDW. Brother of Gloucester, at Saint Alban's field

This lady's husband, Sir Richard Grey, was slain,
His lands then seized 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.

GLOU. Your highness shall do well to grant her

It were dishonour to deny it her.

[suit;

K. EDW. It were no less; but yet I'll make a pause. GLOU. [Aside to CLAR.] Yea, is it so?

I see the lady hath a thing to grant,

Before the king will grant her humble suit.

CLAR. [Aside to GLOU.] He knows the game: how

true he keeps the wind!

GLOU. [Aside to CLAR.] Silence!

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.
GLOU. [Aside to CLAR.] 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. [Aside to GLOU.] I fear her not, unless she
chance to fall.

GLOU. [Aside to CLAR.] God forbid that! for he'll take vantages.

K. Edw. How many children hast thou, widow?

tell me.

CLAR. [Aside to GLOU.] I think he means to beg a child of her.

GLOU. [Aside to CLAR.] Nay, whip me then: he'll rather give her two.

L. GREY. Three, my most gracious lord.

GLOU. [Aside to CLAR.] You shall have four, if you'll be ruled by him.

K. EDW. 'Twere pity they should lose their father's lands.

L. GREY. Be pitiful, dread lord, and grant it then. K. Edw. Lords, give us leave: I'll try this widow's wit.

GLOU. [Aside to CLAR.] Ay, good leave have you; for you will have leave,

Till youth take leave and leave you to the crutch. [GLOU. and CLAR, retire.

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 how 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 commands.

GLOU. [Aside to CLAR.] He plies her hard; and much rain wears the marble.

CLAR. [Aside to GLOU.] As red as fire! nay, then her wax must melt.

L. GREY. Why stops my lord? shall I not hear my task?

E

K. Edw. An easy task; 'tis but to love a king. L. 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. I take my leave with many thousand thanks.

GLOU. [Aside to CLAR.] The match is made; she seals it with a curtsy.

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 prayers;

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 nevergrant what I perceive Your highness aims at, if I aim aright.

K. Edw. To tell thee plain, I aim 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 husband's lands.

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