"And Nero will be tainted with remorse, "To hear and see her plaints, her brinish tears. Ay, but she's come to beg, Warwick to give : He smiles, and says--his Edward is install'd; That she, poor wretch, for grief can speak no more: Whiles Warwick tells his title, smoothes the wrong, "Inferreth arguments of mighty strength; And, in conclusion, wins the king from her, With promise of his sister, and what else, "To strengthen and support king Edward's place. O Margaret, thus 'twill be; and thou, poor soul, Art then forsaken, as thou went'st forlorn. 2 Keep. Say, what art thou, that talk'st of kings and queens? K. Hen. More than I seem, and less than I was born to: A man at least, for less I should not be; And men may talk of kings, and why not I? 2 Keep. Ay, but thou talk'st as if thou wert a king. 'K. Hen. Why, so I am, in mind; and that's enough. 2 Keep. But, if thou be a king, where is thy crown? K. Hen. My crown is in my heart, not on my head; Not deck'd with diamonds and Indian stones, "6 Nor to be seen: my crown is call'd Content; A crown it is, that seldom kings enjoy. 2 Keep. Well, if you be a king crown'd with content, Your crown content, and you, must be contented 'You are the king king Edward hath deposed; K. Hen. But did you never swear, and break an oath? "2 Keep. No, never such an oath, nor will not now. "K. Hen. Where did you dwell, when I was king of England? "2 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? "1 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. 66 66 Go where you will, the king shall be commanded; And be you kings: command, and I'll obey. "1 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. 1 Keep. We charge you, in God's name, and in 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, then let your king perform; And what he will, I humbly yield unto. [Exeunt. SCENE II. London. A room in the palace. Enter KING EDward, gloster, CLARENCE, and LADY GREY. · K. Ed. Brother of Gloster, at Saint Albans' field, 'This lady's husband, sir John Grey, was slain, His lands then seised on by the conqueror. Her suit is now, to repossess those lands; 6 Which we in justice cannot well deny, Because in quarrel of the house of York The worthy gentleman did lose his life. Glos. Your highness shall do well to grant her suit: "It were dishonor to deny it her. K. Ed. It were no less; but yet I'll make a I see, the lady hath a thing to grant, Before the king will grant her humble suit. Cla. He knows the game: how true he keeps the wind! Glos. Silence! [aside. [aside. K. Ed. 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. Glos. [aside.] 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. Cla. I fear her not, unless she chance to fall. [aside. Glos. God forbid that! for he 'll take vantages. [aside. 'K. Ed. How many children hast thou, widow? tell me. |