* From giving aid, which late I promised. War. Henry now lives in Scotland, at his ease; Q. Mar. Peace, impudent and shameless Warwick, peace; *Proud setter-up and puller-down of kings! [A Horn sounded within. K. Lew. Warwick, this is some post to us, or thee. Enter a Messenger. Mess. My lord ambassador, these letters are for you; Sent from your brother, marquis Montague. These from our king unto your majesty.— And, madam, these for you; from whom, I know not. [To MARGARET. They all read their letters. 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 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 unhop'd joys. 5 You have a father able] This seems ironical. The poverty of Margaret's father is a very frequent topick of reproach. Thy sly conveyance,] Conveyance is juggling, and thence is taken for artifice and fraud. 6 War. Mine, full of sorrow and heart's discontent. K. Lew. What! has your king married the lady Grey? 'And now, to sooth 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? * Q. Mar. I told your majesty as much before: This proveth Edward's love, and Warwick's honesty. War. 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; 8 'And am I guerdon'd at the last with shame? Q. Mar. Warwick, these words have turn'd my hate to love; 'And I forgive and quite forget old faults, 'And joy that thou becom'st king Henry's friend. War. So much his friend, ay, his unfeigned friend, That, if king Lewis vouchsafe to furnish us With some few bands of chosen soldiers, 7 to sooth your forgery and his,] To soften it, to make it more endurable: or perhaps, to sooth us, and to prevent our being exasperated by your forgery and his. MALONE. 8 · guerdon'd —] i. e. rewarded. I'll undertake to land them on our coast, And force the tyrant from his seat by war. * For matching more for wanton lust than honour, Q. Mar. Renowned prince, how shall poor Henry * 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. *K. Lew. And mine, with hers, and thine, and Margaret's. Therefore, at last, I firmly am resolv'd, You shall have aid. Q. Mar. Let me give humble thanks for all at once. K. Lew. Then England's messenger, return in post; And tell false Edward, thy supposed king,That Lewis of France is sending over maskers, To revel it with him and his new bride: 9 *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: 9 go fear thy king-] 1 That is, fright thy king. to put armour on.] It was once no unusual thing for queens themselves to appear in armour at the head of their forces. The suit which Elizabeth wore, when she rode through the lines at Tilbury to encourage the troops, on the approach of the armada, may be still seen in the Tower. 狮 And therefore I'll uncrown him, ere't be long. There's thy reward'; be gone. K. Lew. [Exit Mess. But, Warwick, thou, * And prince shall follow with a fresh supply. War. This shall assure my constant loyalty:- To him forthwith in holy wedlock bands. Q. Mar. Yes, I agree, and thank you for your motion : 'Son Edward, she is fair and virtuous, 'Therefore delay not, give thy hand to Warwick; 'That only Warwick's daughter shall be thine. * Prince. 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. 'K. Lew. Why stay we now? These soldiers shall be levied, And thou, lord Bourbon, our high admiral, [Exeunt all but WARWICK. War. I came from Edward as ambassador, But dreadful war shall answer his demand. Had he none else to make a stale, but me? 2 thy reward;] Here we are to suppose that, according to ancient custom, Warwick makes a present to the herald or messenger, whom the original copies call-a post. 8 to make a stale,] i. e. stalking-horse, pretence. Then none but I shall turn his jest to sorrow. But seek revenge on Edward's mockery. [Exit. ACT IV. SCENE I-London. A Room in the Palace. Enter GLOSTER, CLARENCE, SOMERSET, MONTAGUE, and Others. Glo. Now tell me, brother Clarence, what think you Of this new marriage with the lady Grey? *Hath not our brother made a worthy choice? *Clar. Alas, you know, 'tis far from hence to France; * How could he stay till Warwick made return? *Som. My lords, forbear this talk; here comes the king. Flourish. Enter King EDWARD, attended; Lady GREY, as Queen; PEMBROKE, STAFFORD, HASTINGS, and Others. *Glo. And his well-chosen bride. 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? Clar. As well as Lewis of France, or the earl of 'Which are so weak of courage, and in judgment, '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. |