That virtuous lady Bona, thy fair sister, 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, Before you answer Warwick. His demand Yet here prince Edward stands, king Henry's son. Look therefore, Lewis, that by this league and marriage Thou draw not on thy danger and dishonour; And why not queen? Which did subdue the greatest part of Spain; War. Oxford, how haps it, in this smooth dis course, You told not, how Henry the sixth hath lost But for the rest,-you tell a pedigree Whom thou obeyedst thirty and six years, War. Can Oxford, that did ever fence the right, Was done to death? and more than so, my father, K. Lew. Queen Margaret, prince Edward, and Vouchsafe at our request to stand aside, K. Lew. Now, Warwick, tell me, even upon thy conscience, Is Edward your true king? for I were loath, 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. War. Such it seems, As may beseem a monarch like himself. K. Lew. Now, sister, let us hear your firm resolve. Bona. Your grant, or your denial, shall be mine. Yet I confess,-[To WARWICK.]—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, Proud setter-up and puller-down of kings; K. Lew. Warwick, what are thy news? and yours, fair queen? Q. Mar. Mine, such as fill my heart with un- War. Mine, full of sorrow and heart's discontent. And now, to sooth your forgery and his, 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 ; I here renounce him, and return to Henry. Q. Mar. Warwick, these words have turn'd my And I forgive and quite forget old faults, That if king Lewis vouchsafe to furnish us 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. K. Lew. And mine, with hers, and thine, and Margaret's. 34 wrong, And therefore I'll uncrown him ere't be long. [Exit Post. War. This shall assure my constant loyalty:That if our queen and this young prince agree, I'll join mine eldest daughter, and my joy, To him forthwith in holy wedlock bands. Q. Mar. Yes, I agree, and thank you for your Son Edward, she is fair and virtuous, And here, to pledge my vow, I give my hand. And thou, lord Bourbon, our high admiral, [ Exit. SCENE I.-London. A Room in the Palace. Enter GLOSTER, CLARENCE, SOMERSET, and MONTAGUE. Glo. Now tell me, brother Clarence, what think you Of this new marriage with the lady Grey? How could he stay till Warwick made return? Som. My lords, forbear this talk: here comes the king. Flourish. Enter King EDWARD, attended; Lady GREY, as Queen; PEMBROKE, STAFFORD, and HASTINGS. Glo. And his well-chosen bride. Clar. I mind to tell him plainly what I think. K. Edw. Now, brother of Clarence, how like you our choice, That you stand pensive as half malcontent? Clar. As well as Lewis of France, or the earl of Warwick; Which are so weak of courage, and in judgment, That they'll take no offence at our abuse. K. Edw. Suppose they take offence without a cause, They are but Lewis and Warwick: I am Edward, Your king and Warwick's, and must have my will. Glo. And you shall have your will, because our king; Yet hasty marriage seldom proveth well. K. Edw. Yea, brother Richard, are you offended too? Glo. Not I. No; God forbid, that I should wish them sever'd Whom God hath join'd together: ay, and 'twere pity, To sunder them that yoke so well together. K. Edw. Setting your scorns, and your mislike, aside, Tell me some reason why the lady Grey queen.- And you too, Somerset, and Montague, Speak freely what you think. Clar. Then this is mine opinion-that king Lewis Becomes your enemy, for mocking him About the marriage of the lady Bona. Hast. 'Tis better using France, than trusting Let us be back'd with God, and with the seas, Clar. For this one speech lord Hastings well deserves To have the heir of the lord Hungerford. K. Edw. Ay, what of that? it was my will, and grant; And for this once my will shall stand for law. Glo. And yet, methinks, your grace hath not done well, To give the heir and daughter of lord Scales Clar. Or else you would not have bestow'd the heir Of the lord Bonville on your new wife's son, Which being shallow you shall give me leave K. Edw. Leave me, or tarry, Edward will be king, And not be tied unto his brother's will. Q. Eliz. My lords, before it pleas'd his majesty To raise my state to title of a queen, Do me but right, and you must all confess And meaner than myself have had like fortune. So your dislikes, to whom I would be pleasing, What danger, or what sorrow can befal thee, But such as I, without your special pardon, K. Edw. Go to, we pardon thee: therefore, in brief, Tell me their words as near as thou canst guess them. What answer makes king Lewis unto our letters? Mess. At my depart these were his very words:"Go tell false Edward, thy supposed king, That Lewis of France is sending over maskers, To revel it with him and his new bride." K. Edw. Is Lewis so brave? belike, he thinks me Henry. But what said lady Bona to my marriage? Mess. These were her words, utter'd with mild disdain : "Tell him, in hope he'll prove a widower shortly, I'll wear the willow garland for his sake." K. Edw. I blame not her, she could say little less; She had the wrong but what said Henry's queen? For I have heard, that she was there in place. Mess. "Tell him," quoth she, "my mourning weeds are done, And I am ready to put armour on." My thoughts aim at a further matter: I [Aside. K. Edw. Clarence and Somerset both gone to Yet am I arm'd against the worst can happen, [Exeunt PEMBROKE, and STAFFORD. I rather wish you foes, than hollow friends; Mont. So God help Montague as he proves true! Glo. Ay, in despite of all that shall withstand War. Trust me, my lord, all hitherto goes well: The common people by numbers swarm to us. Enter CLARENCE, and SOMERSET. But, see, where Somerset and Clarence come! War. Then, gentle Clarence, welcome unto And welcome, Somerset.-I hold it cowardice, And now what rests, but in night's coverture, And but attended by a simple guard, We may surprise and take him at our pleasure? With sleight and manhood stole to Rhesus' tents, That his chief followers lodge in towns about him, While he himself keeps in the cold field? 2 Watch. 'Tis the more honour, because more dangerous. 3 Watch. Ay, but give me worship and quietness; I like it better than a dangerous honour. If Warwick knew in what estate he stands, 'Tis to be doubted, he would waken him. 1 Watch. Unless our halberds did shut up his passage. 2 Watch. Ay; wherefore else guard we his royal tent, But to defend his person from night-foes? Enter silently WARWICK, CLARENCE, OXFORD, SOMERSET, and Forces. War. This is his tent; and see, where stand his guard. Courage, my masters! honour now, or never! 2 Watch. Stay, or thou diest. Drums beating, and trumpets sounding, re-enter WARWICK, and the rest, bringing the King out in his gown, sitting in a chair: GLOSTER, and HASTINGS, fly over the stage. Thou call'dst me king! War. Ay, but the case is alter'd: When you disgrac'd me in my embassade, Then I degraded you from being king, And come now to create you duke of York. Alas! how should you govern any kingdom, That know not how to use ambassadors, Nor how to be contented with one wife, Nor how to use your brothers brotherly, Nor how to study for the people's welfare, Nor how to shroud yourself from enemies? K. Edw. Yea, brother of Clarence, art thou here too? Nay then, I see that Edward needs must down.-Yet, Warwick, in despite of all mischance, |