Oxf. I like it well, that our fair queen and mis tress 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 unhoped joys. War. Mine, full of sorrow and heart's discontent. And now, to soothe your forgery and his, Q. Mar. I told your majesty as much before : This proveth Edward's love, and Warwick's ho nesty. War. King Lewis, I here protest,-in sight of heaven, And by the hope I have of heavenly bliss,- Q. Mar. Warwick, these words have turn'd my hate to love; And I forgive and quite forget old faults, That, if king Lewis vouchsafe to furnish us 'Tis not his new-made bride shall succour 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 then for strength and safety of our country. Bona. Dear brother, how shall Bona he revenged, 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. Therefore, at last, I firmly am resolved, Q. Mar. Let me give huinble thanks for all at once. K. Lew. Then England's messenger, return in post; And telf false Edward, thy supposed king,- 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. 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. K. Lew. But, Warwick, thou, And Oxford, with five thousand men, [Exit Mess Shall cross the seas, and bid false Edward battle: War. This shall assure my constant loyalty ;- ⚫ Fright. Q. Mar. Yes, I agree, and thank you for your motion : Son Edward, she is fair and virtuous, Prince. Yes, I accept her, for she well deserves it; And thou, lord Bourbon, our high admiral, ACT IV. SCENE I.-London.-A Room in the Palace. Enter GLOSTER, CLARENCE, SOMERSET, MONTAGUE, and others. [Exit. Glo. Now tell me, brother Clarence, what think Of this new marriage with the lady Grey? How could he stay till Warwick made return? Flourish.-Enter King EDWARD, attended; Lady Glo. And his well-chosen bride. * A stalking-horse, a pretence. 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? 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. too? Glo. Not I: No; God forbid, that I should wish them severed 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 And you too, Somerset, and Montague, Clar. Then this is my opinion,-that king Lewis Glo. And Warwick, doing what you gave in charge, Is now dishonoured by this new marriage. K. Edw. What, if both Lewis and Warwick be appeased, By such invention as I can devise? Mont. Yet to have join'd with France in such al liance, Would more have strengthen'd this our common wealth 'Gainst foreign storms, than any home-bred marriage. Hast. Why, knows not Montague, that of itself England is safe, if true within itself? Mont. Yes; but the safer, when 'tis back'd with France. Hast. 'Tis better using France, than trusting France: Let us be back'd with God, and with the seas, serves 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. 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, K. Edw. Alas, poor Clarence! Is it for a wife, That thou art malcontent? I will provide thee. Clar. In choosing for yourself, you shew'd your judgment: 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 pleased 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, Do cloud my joys with danger and with sorrow. K. Edw. My love, forbear to fawn upon their frowns: What danger, or what sorrow, can befall thee, This has been the advice of every man who in any age understood and favoured the interest of England. + The heiresses of great estates were in the wardships of the king, who matched them to his favourites. |