Why, then I do but dream on sovereignty; Saying, he'll lade it dry to have his way: So do I wish the crown, being so far off; And cry, content, to that which grieves my And wet my cheeks with artificial tears, I'll drown more sailors than the mermaid shall; And so I chide the means that keep me from it; And, like a Sinon, take another Troy: Flattering me with impossibilities. My eye's too quick, my heart o'erweens too much, I can add colours to the cameleon; Change shapes with Proteus, for advantages, And set the murtherous Machiavel to school. Can I do this, and cannot get a crown? Unless my hand and strength could equal Tut! were it further off I'll pluck it down. them. Well, say there is no kingdom then for Richard; O miserable thought! and more unlikely O, monstrous fault, to harbour such a thought! 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, That rents the thorns, and is rent with the thorns, Seeking a way, and straying from the way; [Exit. SCENE III.-France. A Room in the Palace. Flourish. Enter LEWIS the French King, and Lady BoNs, 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 Q. Mar. No, mighty king of France; now Must strike her sail, and learn awhile to serve, 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 thy self, And sit thee by our side: yield not thy neck To fortune's yoke, but let thy dauntless mind 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, Of England's true-anointed lawful king. Am come to crave thy just and lawful aid; 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. Mar. Our earl of Warwick, Edward's greatest friend. K. Lew. Welcome, brave Warwick! What brings thee to France? [Descending from his state. QUEEN MAR GARET rises. Q. Mar. Ay, now begins a second storm to rise; For this is he that moves both wind and tide. 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 sovereign's heart; Where fame, late entering at his heedful ears, Hath plac'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; son. Look therefore, Lewis, that by this league and marriage Thou draw not on thy danger and dishonour : 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; And, 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 But for the rest, you tell a pedigree Whom thou obey'dst thirty and six years, War. Can Oxford, that did ever fence the No, Warwick, no; while life upholds this arm, K. Lew. Queen Margaret, prince Edward, Vouchsafe at our request to stand aside, [Retiring with the PRINCE and OXFORD. K. Lew. Now, Warwick, tell me, even upon thy conscience, Is Edward your true king? for I were loth, War. Thereon I pawn my credit and mine eye? War. The more, that Henry was unfortu nate. K. Lew. And still is friend to him and Mar- But if your title to the crown be weak, ease; Where, having nothing, nothing he can lose. And better 't were you troubled him than France. a K. Lew. But is he gracious in the people's Proud setter-up and puller-down of kings! K. Lew. Then further, all dissembling set Tell me for truth the measure of his love Yet I confess, [to WAR.] that often ere this When I have heard your king's desert recounted, And now forthwith shall articles be drawn Which with her dowry shall be counterpois'd: Q. Mar. Deceitful Warwick! it was thy de- By this alliance to make void my suit; Enter a Messenger. Mess. My lord ambassador, these letters are Sent from your brother, marquis Montague ;- [TO MARGARET. They all read their 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 yours, fair queen? Q. Mar. Mine such as fill my heart with unhop'd joys. War. Mine, full of sorrow and heart's dis content. K. Lew. What! has your king married the And now, to sooth your forgery and his, Conveyance-juggling-artifice. 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, No more my king, for he dishonours me; I here renounce him, and return to Henry: 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 him : And as for Clarence, as my letters tell me, nour, 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. K. Lew. And mine with hers, and thine, and Margaret's. Therefore, at last, I firmly am resolv'd, You shall have aid. Q. Mar. Let me give humble thanks for all at once. K. Lew. Then England's messenger, return in post; And tell false Edward, thy supposed king, Bona. Tell him, in hope he 'll prove a widower shortly, I'll wear the willow garland for his sake. Q. Mar. Tell him, my mourning weeds are laid aside, And I am ready to put armour on. War. Tell him from me, that he hath done me wrong; And therefore I'll uncrown him, ere 't be long. There's thy reward; be gone. K. Lew. [Exit Mess. But, Warwick, thou, And Oxford, with five thousand men, Shall cross the seas, and bid false Edward battle: And, as occasion serves, this noble queen 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, Q. Mar. Yes, I agree, and thank you for your Son Edward, she is fair and virtuous, And, with thy hand, thy faith irrevocable, serves it; And here, to pledge my vow, I give my hand. [He gives his hand to WARWICK. K. Lew. Why stay we now? These soldiers shall be levied, And thou, lord Bourbon, our high admiral, • Fear-affright. |