SCENE V. Enter Warwick. thee to France ? K. LEW. What's he, approacheth boldly to our presence? With nuptial knot, if thou vouchsafe to grant To England's king in lawful marriage. QUEEN. If that go forward, Henry's hope is dore! I am commanded, with your leave and favour, QUEEN. King Lewis, and lady Bona, hear me speak, Before you answer Warwick. His demand Springs not from Edward's well-meant honeft love, But from deceit bred by neceffity; For how can tyrants fafely govern home, Unless abroad they purchase great alliance? Το prove him tyrant, this reafon may fuffice, That Henry liveth ftill; but were he dead, Yet here prince Edward ftands, king Henry's fon. Look therefore, Lewis, that by this league and marriage Thou draw not on thee danger and dishonour, For tho' ufurpers fway the rule a while, Yet heav'ns are juft, and time fuppreffeth wrongs. WAR. Injurious Margaret! PRINCE. And why not queen? WAR. Because thy father Henry did ufurp, And thou no more art prince, than the is queen. OXF. Then Warwick difannuls great John of Gaunt, WAR. Oxford, how haps it in this fmooth difcourfe, Of threescore and two years, a filly time To make prescription for a kingdom's worth. OXF. Why, Warwick, canft thou fpeak against thy liege, Whom thou obeyedst thirty and fix years, And not bewray thy treafon with a blufh? WAR. Can Oxford, that did ever fence the right, Now buckler falfhood with a pedigree? For fhame, leave Henry, and call Edward king. Was done to death; and more than fo, my father; Even in the downfall of his mellow'd years, K. LEW. Queen Margaret, prince Edward, and Oxford, Vouchsafe at our request to stand aside, While I ufe farther conference with Warwick. him not! QUEEN. Heav'ns grant, that Warwick's words bewitch [They ftand aloof. K. Lew. Now, Warwick, tell me ev'n upon thy conIs Edward your true king for I were loth [fcience, To link with him, that were not lawful chofen. WAR. Thereon I pawn my credit and mine honour. WAR. Such it seems, As may beseem a monarch like himself; Unless the lady Bona quit his pain. K. Law. Now, fifter, let us hear your firm refolve. BONA. Your grant, or your denial, fhall be mine. Yet I confefs, that often ere this day, [Speaking to War. When I have heard your king's defert recounted, Mine ear hath tempted judgment to defire. K. LEW. Then Warwick, this. Our fifter fhall be EdAnd now forthwith fhall articles be drawn [ward's, Touching the jointure that your king must make, K. LEW. And ftill is friend to him and Margaret; But if your title to the crown be weak, I will not hence, till with my talk and tears, [Poft, blowing a horn within. For both of you are birds of felf-fame feather. SCENE VI. Enter a poft. POST. My lord ambassador, these letters are for you; Sent from your brother, marquis Montague. [To king Lewis. -And, madam, these for you; from whom I know not. 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 ftamps as he were netI hope, all's for the best. K. LEW. Warwick, what are thy news? and queen? [tled. yours, fair QUEEN. Mine fuch, as fills my heart with unhop'd joys. WAR. Mine full of forrow and heart's difcontent. K. LEW. What! has your king marry'd the lady Gray? Is this th' alliance, that he seeks with France? QUEEN. I told your majesty as much before; That I am clear from this misdeed of Edward's, No more my king, for he dishonours me, But most himself, if he could fee his shame. |