William Shakespeare: The Complete Works 2nd Edition (66 page)
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Authors: William Shakespeare
Tags: #Drama, #Literary Criticism, #Shakespeare
BOOK: William Shakespeare: The Complete Works 2nd Edition
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But is he gracious in the people’s eye?
WARWICK
The more that Henry was unfortunate.
KING LOUIS
Then further, all dissembling set aside,
Tell me for truth the measure of his love
Unto our sister Bona.
Tell me for truth the measure of his love
Unto our sister Bona.
WARWICK Such it seems
As may beseem a monarch like himself.
Myself have often heard him say and swear
That this his love was an eternal plant,
Whereof the root was fixed in virtue’s ground,
The leaves and fruit maintained with beauty’s sun,
Exempt from envy, but not from disdain,
Unless the Lady Bona quit his pain.
Myself have often heard him say and swear
That this his love was an eternal plant,
Whereof the root was fixed in virtue’s ground,
The leaves and fruit maintained with beauty’s sun,
Exempt from envy, but not from disdain,
Unless the Lady Bona quit his pain.
KING LOUIS (
to Lady Boa
)
to Lady Boa
)
Now, sister, let us hear your firm resolve.
LADY BONA
Your grant, or your denial, shall be mine.
(To Warwick) Yet I confess that often ere this day,
When I have heard your king’s desert recounted,
Mine ear hath tempted judgement to desire.
(To Warwick) Yet I confess that often ere this day,
When I have heard your king’s desert recounted,
Mine ear hath tempted judgement to desire.
KING LOUIS (
to Warwick
)
to Warwick
)
Then, Warwick, thus—our sister shall be Edward’s.
And now, forthwith, shall articles be drawn
Touching the jointure that your king must make,
Which with her dowry shall be counterpoised.
(
To Queen Margaret
) Draw near, Queen Margaret, and
be a witness
That Bona shall be wife to the English king.
And now, forthwith, shall articles be drawn
Touching the jointure that your king must make,
Which with her dowry shall be counterpoised.
(
To Queen Margaret
) Draw near, Queen Margaret, and
be a witness
That Bona shall be wife to the English king.
Queen Margaret, Prince Edward,
⌈
and Oxford
⌉
come forward
PRINCE EDWARD
To Edward, but not to the English king.
QUEEN MARGARET
Deceitful Warwick—it was thy device
By this alliance to make void my suit!
Before thy coming Louis was Henry’s friend.
By this alliance to make void my suit!
Before thy coming Louis was Henry’s friend.
KING LOUIS
And still is friend to him and Margaret.
But if your title to the crown be weak,
As may appear by Edward’s good success,
Then ’tis but reason that I be released
From giving aid which late I promised.
Yet shall you have all kindness at my hand
That your estate requires and mine can yield.
But if your title to the crown be weak,
As may appear by Edward’s good success,
Then ’tis but reason that I be released
From giving aid which late I promised.
Yet shall you have all kindness at my hand
That your estate requires and mine can yield.
WARWICK (
to Queen Margaret
)
to Queen Margaret
)
Henry now lives in Scotland at his ease,
Where having nothing, nothing can he lose.
And as for you yourself, our quondam queen,
You have a father able to maintain you,
And better ’twere you troubled him than France.
Where having nothing, nothing can he lose.
And as for you yourself, our quondam queen,
You have a father able to maintain you,
And better ’twere you troubled him than France.
QUEEN MARGARET
Peace, impudent and shameless Warwick, peace!
Proud setter-up and puller-down of kings!
I will not hence till, with my talk and tears,
Both full of truth, I make King Louis behold
Thy sly conveyance and thy lord’s false love,
Post blowing a horn within
For both of you are birds of selfsame feather.
Proud setter-up and puller-down of kings!
I will not hence till, with my talk and tears,
Both full of truth, I make King Louis behold
Thy sly conveyance and thy lord’s false love,
Post blowing a horn within
For both of you are birds of selfsame feather.
KING LOUIS
Warwick, this is some post to us or thee.
Enter the Post
POST (
to Warwick
)
to Warwick
)
My lord ambassador, these letters are for you,
Sent from your brother Marquis Montague;
(
To Louis
) These from our King unto your majesty;
(
To Queen Margaret
)
And, madam, these for you, from whom I know not.
They all read their letters
Sent from your brother Marquis Montague;
(
To Louis
) These from our King unto your majesty;
(
To Queen Margaret
)
And, madam, these for you, from whom I know not.
They all read their letters
OXFORD (
to Prince Edward
)
to Prince Edward
)
I like it well that our fair Queen and mistress
Smiles at her news, while Warwick frowns at his.
Smiles at her news, while Warwick frowns at his.
PRINCE EDWARD
Nay, mark how Louis stamps as he were nettled.
I hope all’s for the best.
I hope all’s for the best.
KING LOUIS
Warwick, what are thy news ? And yours, fair Queen?
QUEEN MARGARET
Mine, such as fill my heart with unhoped joys.
WARWICK
Mine, full of sorrow and heart’s discontent.
KING LOUIS
What! Has your king married the Lady Gray?
And now to soothe your forgery and his,
Sends me a paper to persuade me patience?
Is this th’alliance that he seeks with France?
Dare he presume to scorn us in this manner?
And now to soothe your forgery and his,
Sends me a paper to persuade me patience?
Is this th’alliance that he seeks with France?
Dare he presume to scorn us in this manner?
QUEEN MARGARET
I told your majesty as much before—
This proveth Edward’s love and Warwick’s honesty.
This proveth Edward’s love and Warwick’s honesty.
WARWICK
King Louis, 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 th’abuse done to my niece?
Did I impale him with the regal crown?
Did I put Henry from his native right?
And am I guerdoned at the last with shame?
Shame on himself, for my desert is honour.
And to repair my honour, lost for him,
I here renounce him and return to Henry.
(
To Queen Margaret
) My noble Queen, let former
grudges pass,
And henceforth I am thy true servitor.
I will revenge his wrong to Lady Bona
And replant Henry in his former state.
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 th’abuse done to my niece?
Did I impale him with the regal crown?
Did I put Henry from his native right?
And am I guerdoned at the last with shame?
Shame on himself, for my desert is honour.
And to repair my honour, lost for him,
I here renounce him and return to Henry.
(
To Queen Margaret
) My noble Queen, let former
grudges pass,
And henceforth I am thy true servitor.
I will revenge his wrong to Lady Bona
And replant Henry in his former state.
QUEEN MARGARET
Warwick, these words have turned my hate to love,
And I forgive and quite forget old faults,
And joy that thou becom’st King Henry’s friend.
And I forgive and quite forget old faults,
And joy that thou becom’st King Henry’s friend.
WARWICK
So much his friend, ay, his unfeigned friend,
That if King Louis vouchsafe to furnish us
With some few bands of chosen soldiers,
I’ll undertake to land them on our coast
And force the tyrant from his seat by war.
’Tis not his new-made bride shall succour him.
And as for Clarence, as my letters tell me,
He’s very likely now to fall from him
For matching more for wanton lust than honour,
Or than for strength and safety of our country.
That if King Louis vouchsafe to furnish us
With some few bands of chosen soldiers,
I’ll undertake to land them on our coast
And force the tyrant from his seat by war.
’Tis not his new-made bride shall succour him.
And as for Clarence, as my letters tell me,
He’s very likely now to fall from him
For matching more for wanton lust than honour,
Or than for strength and safety of our country.
LADY BONA (
to King Louis
)
to King Louis
)
Dear brother, how shall Bona be revenged,
But by thy help to this distressed Queen?
But by thy help to this distressed Queen?
QUEEN MARGARET (to King Louis)
Renowned Prince, how shall poor Henry live
Unless thou rescue him from foul despair?
Unless thou rescue him from foul despair?
LADY BONA (
to King Louis
)
to King Louis
)
My quarrel and this English Queen’s are one.
WARWICK
And mine, fair Lady Bona, joins with yours.
KING LOUIS
And mine with hers, and thine, and Margaret’s.
Therefore at last I firmly am resolved:
You shall have aid.
Therefore at last I firmly am resolved:
You shall have aid.
QUEEN MARGARET
Let me give humble thanks for all at once.
KING LOUIS (
to the Post
)
to the Post
)
Then, England’s messenger, return in post
And tell false Edward, thy supposed king,
That Louis of France is sending over masquers
To revel it with him and his new bride.
Thou seest what’s passed, go fear thy king withal.
And tell false Edward, thy supposed king,
That Louis of France is sending over masquers
To revel it with him and his new bride.
Thou seest what’s passed, go fear thy king withal.
LADY BONA (
to the Post
)
to the Post
)
Tell him, in hope he’ll prove a widower shortly,
I’ll wear the willow garland for his sake.
I’ll wear the willow garland for his sake.
QUEEN MARGARET (to the Post)
Tell him my mourning weeds are laid aside,
And I am ready to put armour on.
And I am ready to put armour on.
WARWICK (
to the Post
)
to the Post
)
Tell him from me that he hath done me wrong,
And therefore I’ll uncrown him ere’t be long.
(
Giving money
) There’s thy reward—be gone.
And therefore I’ll uncrown him ere’t be long.
(
Giving money
) There’s thy reward—be gone.
Exit Post
KING LOUIS
But, Warwick, thou and Oxford, with five thousand
men,
Shall cross the seas and bid false Edward battle;
And, as occasion serves, this noble Queen
And Prince shall follow with a fresh supply.
Yet, ere thou go, but answer me one doubt:
What pledge have we of thy firm loyalty?
men,
Shall cross the seas and bid false Edward battle;
And, as occasion serves, this noble Queen
And Prince shall follow with a fresh supply.
Yet, ere thou go, but answer me one doubt:
What pledge have we of thy firm loyalty?
WARWICK
This shall assure my constant loyalty :
That if our Queen and this young Prince agree,
I’ll join mine eldest daughter and my joy
To him forthwith in holy wedlock bands.
That if our Queen and this young Prince agree,
I’ll join mine eldest daughter and my joy
To him forthwith in holy wedlock bands.
QUEEN MARGARET
Yes, I agree, and thank you for your motion.
(To Prince Edward) Son Edward, she is fair and virtuous,
Therefore delay not. Give thy hand to Warwick,
And with thy hand thy faith irrevocable
That only Warwick’s daughter shall be thine.
(To Prince Edward) Son Edward, she is fair and virtuous,
Therefore delay not. Give thy hand to Warwick,
And with thy hand thy faith irrevocable
That only Warwick’s daughter shall be thine.
PRINCE EDWARD
Yes, I accept her, for she well deserves it,
And here to pledge my vow I give my hand.
He and Warwick clasp hands
And here to pledge my vow I give my hand.
He and Warwick clasp hands
KING LOUIS
Why stay we now? These soldiers shall be levied,
And thou, Lord Bourbon, our high admiral,
Shall waft them over with our royal fleet.
I long till Edward fall by war’s mischance
For mocking marriage with a dame of France.
And thou, Lord Bourbon, our high admiral,
Shall waft them over with our royal fleet.
I long till Edward fall by war’s mischance
For mocking marriage with a dame of France.
Exeunt all but Warwick
WARWICK
I came from Edward as ambassador,
But I return his sworn and mortal foe.
Matter of marriage was the charge he gave me,
But dreadful war shall answer his demand.
Had he none else to make a stale but me?
Then none but I shall turn his jest to sorrow.
I was the chief that raised him to the crown,
And I’ll be chief to bring him down again.
Not that I pity Henry’s misery,
But seek revenge on Edward’s mockery. Exit
4.1But I return his sworn and mortal foe.
Matter of marriage was the charge he gave me,
But dreadful war shall answer his demand.
Had he none else to make a stale but me?
Then none but I shall turn his jest to sorrow.
I was the chief that raised him to the crown,
And I’ll be chief to bring him down again.
Not that I pity Henry’s misery,
But seek revenge on Edward’s mockery. Exit
Enter Richard Duke of Gloucester, George Duke of Clarence, the Duke of Somerset, and the Marquis of Montague
RICHARD OF GLOUCESTER
Now tell me, brother Clarence, what think you
Of this new marriage with the Lady Gray?
Hath not our brother made a worthy choice ?
Of this new marriage with the Lady Gray?
Hath not our brother made a worthy choice ?
GEORGE OF CLARENCE
Alas, you know ’tis far from hence to France;
How could he stay till Warwick made return?
How could he stay till Warwick made return?
SOMERSET
My lords, forbear this talk—here comes the King.
Flourish. Enter King Edward, the Lady Gray his
Queen, the Earl of Pembroke, and the Lords
Stafford and Hastings. Four stand on one side ⌈of
the King
⌉
, and four on the other
Flourish. Enter King Edward, the Lady Gray his
Queen, the Earl of Pembroke, and the Lords
Stafford and Hastings. Four stand on one side ⌈of
the King
⌉
, and four on the other
RICHARD OF GLOUCESTER And his well-chosen bride.
GEORGE OF CLARENCE
I mind to tell him plainly what I think.
KING EDWARD
Now, brother of Clarence, how like you our choice,
That you stand pensive, as half-malcontent?
That you stand pensive, as half-malcontent?
GEORGE OF CLARENCE
As well as Louis of France, or the Earl of Warwick,
Which are so weak of courage and in judgement
That they’ll take no offence at our abuse.
Which are so weak of courage and in judgement
That they’ll take no offence at our abuse.
KING EDWARD
Suppose they take offence without a cause—
They are but Louis and Warwick; I am Edward,
Your king and Warwick’s, and must have my will.
They are but Louis and Warwick; I am Edward,
Your king and Warwick’s, and must have my will.
RICHARD OF GLOUCESTER
And you shall have your will, because our king.
Yet hasty marriage seldom proveth well.
Yet hasty marriage seldom proveth well.
KING EDWARD
Yea, brother Richard, are you offended too ?
RICHARD OF GLOUCESTER
Not I, no—God forbid that I should wish them severed
Whom God hath joined together. Ay, and ’twere pity
To sunder them that yoke so well together.
Whom God hath joined together. Ay, and ’twere pity
To sunder them that yoke so well together.
KING EDWARD
Setting your scorns and your mislike aside,
Tell me some reason why the Lady Gray
Should not become my wife and England’s queen.
And you too, Somerset and Montague,
Speak freely what you think.
Tell me some reason why the Lady Gray
Should not become my wife and England’s queen.
And you too, Somerset and Montague,
Speak freely what you think.
GEORGE OF CLARENCE
Then this is my opinion: that King Louis
Becomes your enemy for mocking him
About the marriage of the Lady Bona.
Becomes your enemy for mocking him
About the marriage of the Lady Bona.
RICHARD OF GLOUCESTER
And Warwick, doing what you gave in charge,
Is now dishonoured by this new marriage.
Is now dishonoured by this new marriage.
KING EDWARD
What if both Louis and Warwick be appeased
By such invention as I can devise?
By such invention as I can devise?
MONTAGUE
Yet, to have joined with France in such alliance
Would more have strengthened this our
commonwealth
’Gainst foreign storms than any home-bred marriage.
Would more have strengthened this our
commonwealth
’Gainst foreign storms than any home-bred marriage.
HASTINGS
Why, knows not Montague that of itself
England is safe, if true within itself?
England is safe, if true within itself?
MONTAGUE
But the safer when ’tis backed with France.
HASTINGS
’Tis better using France than trusting France.
Let us be backed with God and with the seas
Which he hath giv’n for fence impregnable,
And with their helps only defend ourselves.
In them and in ourselves our safety lies.
Let us be backed with God and with the seas
Which he hath giv’n for fence impregnable,
And with their helps only defend ourselves.
In them and in ourselves our safety lies.
GEORGE OF CLARENCE
For this one speech Lord Hastings well deserves
To have the heir of the Lord Hungerford.
To have the heir of the Lord Hungerford.
KING EDWARD
Ay, what of that? It was my will and grant—
And for this once my will shall stand for law.
And for this once my will shall stand for law.
RICHARD OF GLOUCESTER
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