Cla. I think, he means to beg a child of her. [aside. Glos. Nay, whip me then: he'll rather give her two. L. Grey. Three, my most gracious lord. [aside. Glos. You shall have four, if you'll be ruled by him. [aside. K. Ed. 'Twere pity, they should lose their fa ther's land. L. Grey. Be pitiful, dread lord, and grant it then. K. Ed. Lords, give us leave: I'll try this widow's wit. Glos. Ay, good leave have you; for you will have leave, 'Till youth take leave, and leave you to the crutch. [Gloster and Clarence retire to the other side. "K. Ed. Now tell me, madam, do you love your children? "L. Grey. Ay, full as dearly as I love myself. "K. Ed. And would you not do much to do them good? L. Grey. To do them good I would sustain some harm. "K. Ed. Then get your husband's lands to do them good. "L. Grey. Therefore I came unto your majesty. K. Ed. I'll tell you how these lands are to be got. L. Grey. So shall you bind me to your highness' service. "K. Ed. What service wilt thou do me, if I give them? "L. Grey. What you command, that rests in me to do. "K. Ed. But you will take exceptions to my boon. "L. Grey. No, gracious lord, except I cannot do it. "K. Ed. Ay, but thou canst do what I mean to ask. L. Grey. Why, then I will do what your grace commands. "Glos. He plies her hard; and much rain wears the marble. [aside. "Cla. As red as fire! nay, then her wax must melt. [aside. L. Grey. Why stops my lord? shall I not hear my task? K. Ed. An easy task; 'tis but to love a king. L. Grey. That's soon perform'd, because I am a subject. K. Ed. Why then, thy husband's lands I freely give thee. L. Grey. I take my leave with many thousand thanks. Glos. The match is made; she seals it with a courtesy. K. Ed. But stay thee; 'tis the fruits of love I mean. "L. Grey. The fruits of love I mean, my loving liege. |