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History of Henry VI, Part III

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Act IV, Scene 1

London. The palace.

       
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[Enter GLOUCESTER, CLARENCE, SOMERSET, and MONTAGUE]

  • Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Now tell me, brother Clarence, what think you
    Of this new marriage with the Lady Grey? 1975
    Hath not our brother made a worthy choice?
  • King Edward IV (Plantagenet). Suppose they take offence without a cause,
    They are but Lewis and Warwick: I am Edward, 1990
    Your king and Warwick's, and must have my will.
  • Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Not I: 1995
    No, God forbid that I should wish them sever'd
    Whom God hath join'd together; ay, and 'twere pity
    To sunder them that yoke so well together.
  • King Edward IV (Plantagenet). Setting your scorns and your mislike aside,
    Tell me some reason why the Lady Grey 2000
    Should not become my wife and England's queen.
    And you too, Somerset and Montague,
    Speak freely what you think.
  • Marquess of Montague. Yet, to have join'd with France in such alliance
    Would more have strengthen'd this our commonwealth
    'Gainst foreign storms than any home-bred marriage.
  • Lord Hastings. Why, knows not Montague that of itself
    England is safe, if true within itself? 2015
  • Lord Hastings. 'Tis better using France than trusting France:
    Let us be back'd with God and with the seas
    Which He hath given for fence impregnable,
    And with their helps only defend ourselves; 2020
    In them and in ourselves our safety lies.
  • Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). And yet methinks your grace hath not done well,
    To give the heir and daughter of Lord Scales
    Unto the brother of your loving bride;
    She better would have fitted me or Clarence:
    But in your bride you bury brotherhood. 2030
  • George Plantagenet (Duke of Clarence). In choosing for yourself, you show'd your judgment,
    Which being shallow, you give me leave
    To play the broker in mine own behalf;
    And to that end I shortly mind to leave you.
  • Queen Elizabeth. My lords, before it pleased his majesty
    To raise my state to title of a queen,
    Do me but right, and you must all confess
    That I was not ignoble of descent; 2045
    And meaner than myself have had like fortune.
    But as this title honours me and mine,
    So your dislike, to whom I would be pleasing,
    Doth cloud my joys with danger and with sorrow.
  • King Edward IV (Plantagenet). My love, forbear to fawn upon their frowns: 2050
    What danger or what sorrow can befall thee,
    So long as Edward is thy constant friend,
    And their true sovereign, whom they must obey?
    Nay, whom they shall obey, and love thee too,
    Unless they seek for hatred at my hands; 2055
    Which if they do, yet will I keep thee safe,
    And they shall feel the vengeance of my wrath.

[Enter a Post]

  • Post. My sovereign liege, no letters; and few words,
    But such as I, without your special pardon,
    Dare not relate.
  • King Edward IV (Plantagenet). Go to, we pardon thee: therefore, in brief, 2065
    Tell me their words as near as thou canst guess them.
    What answer makes King Lewis unto our letters?
  • Post. At my depart, these were his very words:
    'Go tell false Edward, thy supposed king,
    That Lewis of France is sending over masquers 2070
    To revel it with him and his new bride.'
  • Post. These were her words, utter'd with mad disdain:
    'Tell him, in hope he'll prove a widower shortly, 2075
    I'll wear the willow garland for his sake.'
  • King Edward IV (Plantagenet). I blame not her, she could say little less;
    She had the wrong. But what said Henry's queen?
    For I have heard that she was there in place.
  • Post. 'Tell him,' quoth she, 'my mourning weeds are done, 2080
    And I am ready to put armour on.'
  • Post. He, more incensed against your majesty
    Than all the rest, discharged me with these words: 2085
    'Tell him from me that he hath done me wrong,
    And therefore I'll uncrown him ere't be long.'
  • King Edward IV (Plantagenet). Ha! durst the traitor breathe out so proud words?
    Well I will arm me, being thus forewarn'd:
    They shall have wars and pay for their presumption. 2090
    But say, is Warwick friends with Margaret?
  • Post. Ay, gracious sovereign; they are so link'd in
    friendship
    That young Prince Edward marries Warwick's daughter.
  • George Plantagenet (Duke of Clarence). Belike the elder; Clarence will have the younger. 2095
    Now, brother king, farewell, and sit you fast,
    For I will hence to Warwick's other daughter;
    That, though I want a kingdom, yet in marriage
    I may not prove inferior to yourself.
    You that love me and Warwick, follow me. 2100

[Exit CLARENCE, and SOMERSET follows]

  • King Edward IV (Plantagenet). Clarence and Somerset both gone to Warwick! 2105
    Yet am I arm'd against the worst can happen;
    And haste is needful in this desperate case.
    Pembroke and Stafford, you in our behalf
    Go levy men, and make prepare for war;
    They are already, or quickly will be landed: 2110
    Myself in person will straight follow you.
    [Exeunt PEMBROKE and STAFFORD]
    But, ere I go, Hastings and Montague,
    Resolve my doubt. You twain, of all the rest,
    Are near to Warwick by blood and by alliance: 2115
    Tell me if you love Warwick more than me?
    If it be so, then both depart to him;
    I rather wish you foes than hollow friends:
    But if you mind to hold your true obedience,
    Give me assurance with some friendly vow, 2120
    That I may never have you in suspect.
  • King Edward IV (Plantagenet). Why, so! then am I sure of victory.
    Now therefore let us hence; and lose no hour,
    Till we meet Warwick with his foreign power.

[Exeunt]