Complete Plays, The

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Complete Plays, The Page 222

by William Shakespeare


  Oxford

  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.

  Warwick

  Oxford, how haps it, in this smooth discourse,

  You told not how Henry the Sixth hath lost

  All that which Henry 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.

  Oxford

  Why, Warwick, canst thou speak against thy liege,

  Whom thou obeyed’st thirty and six years,

  And not bewray thy treason with a blush?

  Warwick

  Can Oxford, that did ever fence the right,

  Now buckler falsehood with a pedigree?

  For shame! leave Henry, and call Edward king.

  Oxford

  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.

  Warwick

  And I the house of York.

  King Lewis XI

  Queen Margaret, Prince Edward, and Oxford,

  Vouchsafe, at our request, to stand aside,

  While I use further conference with Warwick.

  They stand aloof

  Queen Margaret

  Heavens grant that Warwick’s words bewitch him not!

  King Lewis XI

  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.

  Warwick

  Thereon I pawn my credit and mine honour.

  King Lewis XI

  But is he gracious in the people’s eye?

  Warwick

  The more that Henry was unfortunate.

  King Lewis XI

  Then further, all dissembling set aside,

  Tell me for truth the measure of his love

  Unto our sister Bona.

  Warwick

  Such it seems

  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.

  King Lewis XI

  Now, sister, let us hear your firm resolve.

  Bona

  Your grant, or your denial, shall be mine:

  To Warwick

  Yet I confess that often ere this day,

  When I have heard your king’s desert recounted,

  Mine ear hath tempted judgment to desire.

  King Lewis XI

  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 counterpoised.

  Draw near, Queen Margaret, and be a witness

  That Bona shall be wife to the English king.

  Prince Edward

  To Edward, but not to the English king.

  Queen Margaret

  Deceitful Warwick! it was thy device

  By this alliance to make void my suit:

  Before thy coming Lewis was Henry’s friend.

  King Lewis XI

  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 released

  From giving aid which late I promised.

  Yet shall you have all kindness at my hand

  That your estate requires and mine can yield.

  Warwick

  Henry now lives in Scotland at his ease,

  Where having nothing, nothing can he 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.

  Queen Margaret

  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;

  For both of you are birds of selfsame feather.

  Post blows a horn within

  King Lewis XI

  Warwick, this is some post to us or thee.

  Enter a Post

  Post

  [To Warwick] My lord ambassador, these letters are for you,

  Sent from your brother, Marquess Montague:

  To King Lewis XI

  These from our king unto your majesty:

  To Queen Margaret

  And, madam, these for you; from whom I know not.

  They all read their letters

  Oxford

  I like it well that our fair queen and mistress

  Smiles at her news, while Warwick frowns at his.

  Prince Edward

  Nay, mark how Lewis stamps, as he were nettled:

  I hope all’s for the best.

  King Lewis XI

  Warwick, what are thy news? and yours, fair queen?

  Queen Margaret

  Mine, such as fill my heart with unhoped joys.

  Warwick

  Mine, full of sorrow and heart’s discontent.

  King Lewis XI

  What! has your king married the Lady Grey!

  And now, to soothe 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?

  Queen Margaret

  I told your majesty as much before:

  This proveth Edward’s love and Warwick’s honesty.

  Warwick

  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.

  Queen Margaret

  Warwick, these words have turn’d my hate to love;

  And I forgive and quite forget old faults,

  And joy that thou becomest King Henry’s friend.

  Warwick

  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 succor 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 revenged

  But by thy help to this distressed queen?

  Queen Margaret

  Renowned prince, how shall poor Henry live,

  Unless thou rescue him from foul despair?

  Bona

  My quarrel and this English queen’s are one.

  Warwick

  And mine, fair lady Bona, joins with yours.

  King Lewis XI

  And mine with hers, and thine, and Margaret’s.

  Therefore at last I firmly am resolved

  You shall have aid.

  Queen Margaret

  Let me give humble thanks for all at once.

  King Lewis XI

  Then, England’s messenger, return in post,

  And tell false Edward, thy supposed king,

  That Lewis of France is sending over masquers

  To revel it with him and his new bride:

  Thou seest what’s past, go fear thy king withal.

  Bona

  Tell him, in hope he’ll prove a widower shortly,

  I’ll wear the willow garland for his sake.

  Queen Margaret

  Tell him, my mourning weeds are laid aside,

  And I am ready to put armour on.

  Warwick

  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.

  Exit Post

  King Lewis XI

  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

  And prince shall follow with a fresh supply.

  Yet, ere thou go, but answer me one doubt,

  What pledge have we of thy firm loyalty?

  Warwick

  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.

  Queen Margaret

  Yes, I agree, and thank you for your motion.

  Son Edward, she is fair and virtuous,

  Therefore delay not, give thy hand to Warwick;

  And, with thy hand, thy faith irrevocable,

  That only Warwick’s daughter shall be thine.

  Prince Edward

  Yes, I accept her, for she well deserves it;

  And here, to pledge my vow, I give my hand.

  He gives his hand to Warwick

  King Lewis XI

  Why stay we now? These soldiers shall be levied,

  And thou, Lord Bourbon, our high admiral,

  Shalt waft them over with our royal fleet.

  I long till Edward fall by war’s mischance,

  For mocking marriage with a dame of France.

  Exeunt all but Warwick

  Warwick

  I came from Edward as ambassador,

  But I return his sworn and mortal foe:

  Matter of marriage was the charge he gave me,

  But dreadful war shall answer his demand.

  Had he none else to make a stale but me?

  Then none but I shall turn his jest to sorrow.

  I was the chief that raised him to the crown,

  And I’ll be chief to bring him down again:

  Not that I pity Henry’s misery,

  But seek revenge on Edward’s mockery.

  Exit

  ACT IV

  SCENE I. LONDON. THE PALACE.

  Enter Gloucester, Clarence, Somerset, and Montague

  Gloucester

  Now tell me, brother Clarence, what think you

  Of this new marriage with the Lady Grey?

  Hath not our brother made a worthy choice?

  Clarence

  Alas, you know, ’tis far from hence to France;

  How could he stay till Warwick made return?

  Somerset

  My lords, forbear this talk; here comes the king.

  Gloucester

  And his well-chosen bride.

  Clarence

  I mind to tell him plainly what I think.

  Flourish. Enter King Edward IV, attended; Queen Elizabeth, Pembroke, Stafford, Hastings, and others

  King Edward IV

  Now, brother of Clarence, how like you our choice,

  That you stand pensive, as half malcontent?

  Clarence

  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.

  King Edward IV

  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.

  Gloucester

  And shall have your will, because our king:

  Yet hasty marriage seldom proveth well.

  King Edward IV

  Yea, brother Richard, are you offended too?

  Gloucester

  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.

  King Edward IV

  Setting your scorns and your mislike aside,

  Tell me some reason why the Lady Grey

  Should not become my wife and England’s queen.

  And you too, Somerset and Montague,

  Speak freely what you think.

  Clarence

  Then this is mine opinion: that King Lewis

  Becomes your enemy, for mocking him

  About the marriage of the Lady Bona.

  Gloucester

  And Warwick, doing what you gave in charge,

  Is now dishonoured by this new marriage.

  King Edward IV

  What if both Lewis and Warwick be appeased

  By such invention as I can devise?

  Montague

  Yet, to have join’d with France in such alliance

  Would more have strengthen’d this our commonwealth

  ’Gainst foreign storms than any home-bred marriage.

  Hastings

  Why, knows not Montague that of itself

  England is safe, if true within itself?

  Montague

  But the safer when ’tis back’d with France.

  Hastings

  ’Tis better using France than trusting France:

  Let us be back’d with God and with the seas

  Which He hath given for fence impregnable,

  And with their helps only defend ourselves;

  In them and in ourselves our safety lies.

  Clarence

  For this one speech Lord Hastings well deserves

  To have the heir of the Lord Hungerford.

  King Edward IV

  Ay, what of that? it was my will and grant;

  And for this once my will shall stand for law.

  Gloucester

  And yet methinks your grace hath not done well,

  To give the heir and daughter of Lord Scales

  Unto the brother of your loving bride;

  She better would have fitted me or Clarence:

  But in your bride you bury brotherhood.

  Clarence

  Or else you would not have bestow’d the heir

  Of the Lord Bonville on your new wife
’s son,

  And leave your brothers to go speed elsewhere.

  King Edward IV

  Alas, poor Clarence! is it for a wife

  That thou art malcontent? I will provide thee.

  Clarence

  In choosing for yourself, you show’d your judgment,

  Which being shallow, you give me leave

  To play the broker in mine own behalf;

  And to that end I shortly mind to leave you.

  King Edward IV

  Leave me, or tarry, Edward will be king,

  And not be tied unto his brother’s will.

  Queen Elizabeth

  My lords, before it pleased his majesty

  To raise my state to title of a queen,

  Do me but right, and you must all confess

  That I was not ignoble of descent;

  And meaner than myself have had like fortune.

  But as this title honours me and mine,

  So your dislike, to whom I would be pleasing,

  Doth cloud my joys with danger and with sorrow.

  King Edward IV

  My love, forbear to fawn upon their frowns:

  What danger or what sorrow can befall thee,

  So long as Edward is thy constant friend,

  And their true sovereign, whom they must obey?

  Nay, whom they shall obey, and love thee too,

  Unless they seek for hatred at my hands;

  Which if they do, yet will I keep thee safe,

  And they shall feel the vengeance of my wrath.

  Gloucester

  [Aside] I hear, yet say not much, but think the more.

  Enter a Post

  King Edward IV

  Now, messenger, what letters or what news

  From France?

  Post

  My sovereign liege, no letters; and few words,

  But such as I, without your special pardon,

  Dare not relate.

  King Edward IV

  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?

  Post

  At my depart, these were his very words:

  ‘Go tell false Edward, thy supposed king,

  That Lewis of France is sending over masquers

  To revel it with him and his new bride.’

  King Edward IV

  Is Lewis so brave? belike he thinks me Henry.

  But what said Lady Bona to my marriage?

  Post

  These were her words, utter’d with mad disdain:

  ‘Tell him, in hope he’ll prove a widower shortly,

  I’ll wear the willow garland for his sake.’

  King Edward IV

  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.

  Post

  ‘Tell him,’ quoth she, ‘my mourning weeds are done,

  And I am ready to put armour on.’

  King Edward IV

 

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