SCENE I. A Chase in the North of ENGLAND. Enter two Keepers, with Cross-bows in their Hands. 1 Keep. Under this thick-grown brake we'll shroud ourselves; For through this laund anon the deer will come ; 2 Keep. I'll stay above the hill, so both may shoot. 1 Keep. That cannot be; the noise of thy cross-bow Will scare the herd, and so my shoot is lost. Here stand we both, and aim we at the best: And, for the time shall not seem tedious, I'll tell thee what befell me on a day, In this self-place where now we mean to stand. No bending knee will call thee Cæsar now, [fee: 1 Keep. Ay, here's a deer whose skin's a keeper's This is the quondam king; let's seize upon him. K. Hen. Let me embrace these sour adversities; For wise men say, it is the wisest course. 2 Keep. Why linger we? let us lay hands upon him. 1 Keep. Forbear awhile; we'll hear a little more. K. Hen. My queen, and son, are gone to France for And, as I hear, the great commanding Warwick [aid; Is thither gone, to crave the French king's sister To wife for Edward: If this news be true, Poor queen, and son, your labour is but lost; And Lewis a prince soon won with moving words. A man at least, for less I should not be; [to: 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, 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 To go along with us: for, as we think, You are the king, king Edward hath depos'd; [oath? K. Hen. But did you never swear, and break an 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. you swear. K. Hen. Why, am I dead? do I not breathe a man? Ah, simple men, you know not what 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. 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 EdK. Hen. So would you be again to Henry, If he were seated as king Edward is. [ward. 1 Keep. We charge you, in God's name, and in the go with us unto the officers. [king's, K. Hen. In God's name, lead; your king's name be obey'd: And what God will, then let your king perform; [Exeunt. SCENE II. LONDON. A Room in the Palace. Enter KING EDWARD, GLOSTER, CLARENCE, and LADY GREY. K. Edw. Brother of Gloster, at St. Albans' field Glo. Your highness shall do well, to grant her suit; It were dishonour, to deny it her. K. Edw. It were no less; but yet I'll make a pause. Glo. Yea! is it so? see, the lady hath a thing to grant, [Aside to Clar. Before the king will grant her humble suit. Clar. He knows the game; How true he keeps the wind! Glo. Silence! [Aside. Aside. K. Edw. 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. Glo. [Aside] Ay, widow? then I'll warrant you all An if what pleases him, shall pleasure you. [your lands, Fight closer, or, good faith, you'll catch a blow. Clar. I fear her not, unless she chance to fall. [Aside. Glo. God forbid that! for he'll take vantages. [Aside. K. Edw. How many children hast thou, widow? tell me. Clar. I think he means to beg a child of her. [Aside. Glo. Nay, whip me then; he'll rather give her two. L. Grey. Three, my most gracious lord. [Aside Glo. You shall have four, if you'll be rul'd by him. [Aside. K. Edw. "Twere pity, they should lose their father's land. wit. L. Grey. Be pitiful, dread lord, and grant it then. K. Edw. Lords, give us leave; I'll try this widow's [leave. Glo. Ay, good leave have you; for you will have Till youth take leave, and leave you to the crutch. [Gloster and Clarence retire to the other Side. K. Edw. Now tell me, madam, do you love your children. L. Grey. Ay, full as dearly as I love myself. good? good. L. Grey. Therefore I came unto your majesty. service. [them? K. Edw. What service wilt thou do me, if I give L. Grey. What you command, that rests in me to do. K. Edw. But you will take exceptions to my boon. L. Grey. No, gracious lord, except I cannot do it. K. Edw. Ay, but thou canst do what I mean to ask. L. Grey. Why, then I will do what your grace commands. Glo. He plies her hard; and much rain wears the marble. [Aside. Clar. As red as fire! nay then her wax must melt. [Aside. L. Grey. Why stops my lord? shall I not hear my task? subject. K. Edw. An easy task; 'tis but to love a king. |