Open Source Shakespeare

Speeches (Lines) for King Lewis XI
in "Henry VI, Part III"

Total: 21

# Act, Scene, Line
(Click to see in context)
Speech text

1

III,3,1690

(stage directions). [Flourish. Enter KING LEWIS XI, his sister BONA,]
his Admiral, called BOURBON, PRINCE EDWARD, QUEEN
MARGARET, and OXFORD. KING LEWIS XI sits, and
riseth up again]

King Lewis XI. Fair Queen of England, worthy Margaret,
Sit down with us: it ill befits thy state
And birth, that thou shouldst stand while Lewis doth sit.


2

III,3,1701

Queen Margaret. No, mighty King of France: now Margaret
Must strike her sail and learn awhile to serve
Where kings command. I was, I must confess,
Great Albion's queen in former golden days:
But now mischance hath trod my title down,
And with dishonour laid me on the ground;
Where I must take like seat unto my fortune,
And to my humble seat conform myself.

King Lewis XI. Why, say, fair queen, whence springs this deep despair?


3

III,3,1704

Queen Margaret. From such a cause as fills mine eyes with tears
And stops my tongue, while heart is drown'd in cares.

King Lewis XI. Whate'er it be, be thou still like thyself,
And sit thee by our side:
[Seats her by him]
Yield not thy neck
To fortune's yoke, but let thy dauntless mind
Still ride in triumph over all mischance.
Be plain, Queen Margaret, and tell thy grief;
It shall be eased, if France can yield relief.


4

III,3,1729

Queen Margaret. Those gracious words revive my drooping thoughts
And give my tongue-tied sorrows leave to speak.
Now, therefore, be it known to noble Lewis,
That Henry, sole possessor of my love,
Is of a king become a banish'd man,
And forced to live in Scotland a forlorn;
While proud ambitious Edward Duke of York
Usurps the regal title and the seat
Of England's true-anointed lawful king.
This is the cause that I, poor Margaret,
With this my son, Prince Edward, Henry's heir,
Am come to crave thy just and lawful aid;
And if thou fail us, all our hope is done:
Scotland hath will to help, but cannot help;
Our people and our peers are both misled,
Our treasures seized, our soldiers put to flight,
And, as thou seest, ourselves in heavy plight.

King Lewis XI. Renowned queen, with patience calm the storm,
While we bethink a means to break it off.


5

III,3,1732

Queen Margaret. The more we stay, the stronger grows our foe.

King Lewis XI. The more I stay, the more I'll succor thee.


6

III,3,1736

(stage directions). [Enter WARWICK]

King Lewis XI. What's he approacheth boldly to our presence?


7

III,3,1738

Queen Margaret. Our Earl of Warwick, Edward's greatest friend.

King Lewis XI. Welcome, brave Warwick! What brings thee to France?


8

III,3,1803

Earl of Warwick. And I the house of York.

King Lewis XI. Queen Margaret, Prince Edward, and Oxford,
Vouchsafe, at our request, to stand aside,
While I use further conference with Warwick.


9

III,3,1808

Queen Margaret. Heavens grant that Warwick's words bewitch him not!

King Lewis XI. Now Warwick, tell me, even upon thy conscience,
Is Edward your true king? for I were loath
To link with him that were not lawful chosen.


10

III,3,1812

Earl of Warwick. Thereon I pawn my credit and mine honour.

King Lewis XI. But is he gracious in the people's eye?


11

III,3,1814

Earl of Warwick. The more that Henry was unfortunate.

King Lewis XI. Then further, all dissembling set aside,
Tell me for truth the measure of his love
Unto our sister Bona.


12

III,3,1825

Earl of 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 fix'd in virtue's ground,
The leaves and fruit maintain'd with beauty's sun,
Exempt from envy, but not from disdain,
Unless the Lady Bona quit his pain.

King Lewis XI. Now, sister, let us hear your firm resolve.


13

III,3,1831

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 judgment to desire.

King Lewis XI. 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.
Draw near, Queen Margaret, and be a witness
That Bona shall be wife to the English king.


14

III,3,1841

Queen Margaret. Deceitful Warwick! it was thy device
By this alliance to make void my suit:
Before thy coming Lewis was Henry's friend.

King Lewis XI. 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.


15

III,3,1860

(stage directions). [Post blows a horn within]

King Lewis XI. Warwick, this is some post to us or thee.


16

III,3,1873

Prince Edward. Nay, mark how Lewis stamps, as he were nettled:
I hope all's for the best.

King Lewis XI. Warwick, what are thy news? and yours, fair queen?


17

III,3,1876

Earl of Warwick. Mine, full of sorrow and heart's discontent.

King Lewis XI. What! has your king married the Lady Grey!
And now, to soothe 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?


18

III,3,1920

Earl of Warwick. And mine, fair lady Bona, joins with yours.

King Lewis XI. And mine with hers, and thine, and Margaret's.
Therefore at last I firmly am resolved
You shall have aid.


19

III,3,1924

Queen Margaret. Let me give humble thanks for all at once.

King Lewis XI. Then, England's messenger, return in post,
And tell false Edward, thy supposed king,
That Lewis of France is sending over masquers
To revel it with him and his new bride:
Thou seest what's past, go fear thy king withal.


20

III,3,1937

(stage directions). [Exit Post]

King Lewis XI. 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?


21

III,3,1956

(stage directions). [He gives his hand to WARWICK]

King Lewis XI. Why stay we now? These soldiers shall be levied,
And thou, Lord Bourbon, our high admiral,
Shalt waft them over with our royal fleet.
I long till Edward fall by war's mischance,
For mocking marriage with a dame of France.