Act V, Scene 1

London. The palace.

[Sennet. Enter KING HENRY VI, GLOUCESTER, and EXETER]

• Henry VI. Have you perused the letters from the pope,
  The emperor and the Earl of Armagnac?

• Duke of Gloucester. I have, my lord: and their intent is this:
  They humbly sue unto your excellence
  To have a godly peace concluded of 2360
  Between the realms of England and of France.

• Henry VI. How doth your grace affect their motion?

• Duke of Gloucester. Well, my good lord; and as the only means
  To stop effusion of our Christian blood
  And 'stablish quietness on every side. 2365

• Henry VI. Ay, marry, uncle; for I always thought
  It was both impious and unnatural
  That such immanity and bloody strife
  Should reign among professors of one faith.

• Duke of Gloucester. Beside, my lord, the sooner to effect 2370
  And surer bind this knot of amity,
  The Earl of Armagnac, near knit to Charles,
  A man of great authority in France,
  Proffers his only daughter to your grace
  In marriage, with a large and sumptuous dowry. 2375

• Henry VI. Marriage, uncle! alas, my years are young!
  And fitter is my study and my books
  Than wanton dalliance with a paramour.
  Yet call the ambassador; and, as you please,
  So let them have their answers every one: 2380
  I shall be well content with any choice
  Tends to God's glory and my country's weal.
  [Enter CARDINAL OF WINCHESTER in Cardinal's habit,]
  a Legate and two Ambassadors]

• Duke of Exeter. What! is my Lord of Winchester install'd, 2385
  And call'd unto a cardinal's degree?
  Then I perceive that will be verified
  Henry the Fifth did sometime prophesy,
  'If once he come to be a cardinal,
  He'll make his cap co-equal with the crown.' 2390

• Henry VI. My lords ambassadors, your several suits
  Have been consider'd and debated on.
  And therefore are we certainly resolved
  To draw conditions of a friendly peace;
  Which by my Lord of Winchester we mean 2395
  Shall be transported presently to France.

• Duke of Gloucester. And for the proffer of my lord your master,
  I have inform'd his highness so at large
  As liking of the lady's virtuous gifts,
  Her beauty and the value of her dower, 2400
  He doth intend she shall be England's queen.

• Henry VI. In argument and proof of which contract,
  Bear her this jewel, pledge of my affection.
  And so, my lord protector, see them guarded
  And safely brought to Dover; where inshipp'd 2405
  Commit them to the fortune of the sea.

[Exeunt all but CARDINAL OF WINCHESTER and Legate]

• Winchester. Stay, my lord legate: you shall first receive
  The sum of money which I promised
  Should be deliver'd to his holiness 2410
  For clothing me in these grave ornaments.

• Legate. I will attend upon your lordship's leisure.

• Winchester. [Aside] Now Winchester will not submit, I trow,
  Or be inferior to the proudest peer.
  Humphrey of Gloucester, thou shalt well perceive 2415
  That, neither in birth or for authority,
  The bishop will be overborne by thee:
  I'll either make thee stoop and bend thy knee,
  Or sack this country with a mutiny.

[Exeunt]