The Third Part Of King Henry The Sixth

1 Flourish. Enter Lewis, the French King, his sister the Lady Bona, his
2 Admiral called Bourbon, Prince Edward, Queen Margaret, and the Earl of
3 Oxford. Lewis sits, and riseth up again.
4 KING LEWIS.
5 Fair Queen of England, worthy Margaret,
6 Sit down with us. It ill befits thy state
7 And birth that thou shouldst stand while Lewis doth sit.
8 QUEEN MARGARET.
9 No, mighty King of France. Now Margaret
10 Must strike her sail and learn awhile to serve
11 Where kings command. I was, I must confess,
12 Great Albion’s queen in former golden days;
13 But now mischance hath trod my title down
14 And with dishonour laid me on the ground,
15 Where I must take like seat unto my fortune
16 And to my humble seat conform myself.
17 KING LEWIS.
18 Why, say, fair queen, whence springs this deep despair?
19 QUEEN MARGARET.
20 From such a cause as fills mine eyes with tears
21 And stops my tongue, while heart is drowned in cares.
22 KING LEWIS.
23 Whate’er it be, be thou still like thyself,
24 And sit thee by our side. Yield not thy neck
25 [_Seats her by him._]
26 To Fortune’s yoke, but let thy dauntless mind
27 Still ride in triumph over all mischance.
28 Be plain, Queen Margaret, and tell thy grief;
29 It shall be eased if France can yield relief.
30 QUEEN MARGARET.
31 Those gracious words revive my drooping thoughts
32 And give my tongue-tied sorrows leave to speak.
33 Now, therefore, be it known to noble Lewis
34 That Henry, sole possessor of my love,
35 Is, of a king, become a banished man
36 And forced to live in Scotland a forlorn;
37 While proud ambitious Edward, Duke of York,
38 Usurps the regal title and the seat
39 Of England’s true-anointed lawful king.
40 This is the cause that I, poor Margaret,
41 With this my son, Prince Edward, Henry’s heir,
42 Am come to crave thy just and lawful aid;
43 And if thou fail us, all our hope is done.
44 Scotland hath will to help, but cannot help;
45 Our people and our peers are both misled,
46 Our treasure seized, our soldiers put to flight,
47 And, as thou seest, ourselves in heavy plight.
48 KING LEWIS.
49 Renowned queen, with patience calm the storm
50 While we bethink a means to break it off.
51 QUEEN MARGARET.
52 The more we stay, the stronger grows our foe.
53 KING LEWIS.
54 The more I stay, the more I’ll succour thee.
55 QUEEN MARGARET.
56 O, but impatience waiteth on true sorrow.
57 And see where comes the breeder of my sorrow.
58 Enter Warwick.
59 KING LEWIS.
60 What’s he approacheth boldly to our presence?
61 QUEEN MARGARET.
62 Our Earl of Warwick, Edward’s greatest friend.
63 KING LEWIS.
64 Welcome, brave Warwick. What brings thee to France?
65 [_He descends. Queen Margaret rises._]
66 QUEEN MARGARET.
67 Ay, now begins a second storm to rise,
68 For this is he that moves both wind and tide.
69 WARWICK.
70 From worthy Edward, king of Albion,
71 My lord and sovereign, and thy vowed friend,
72 I come, in kindness and unfeigned love,
73 First, to do greetings to thy royal person,
74 And then to crave a league of amity,
75 And lastly, to confirm that amity
76 With nuptial knot, if thou vouchsafe to grant
77 That virtuous Lady Bona, thy fair sister,
78 To England’s king in lawful marriage.
79 QUEEN MARGARET.
80 [_Aside_.] If that go forward, Henry’s hope is done.
81 WARWICK.
82 [_To Bona_.] And, gracious madam, in our king’s behalf,
83 I am commanded, with your leave and favour,
84 Humbly to kiss your hand, and with my tongue
85 To tell the passion of my sovereign’s heart,
86 Where fame, late entering at his heedful ears,
87 Hath placed thy beauty’s image and thy virtue.
88 QUEEN MARGARET.
89 King Lewis and Lady Bona, hear me speak
90 Before you answer Warwick. His demand
91 Springs not from Edward’s well-meant honest love,
92 But from deceit, bred by necessity;
93 For how can tyrants safely govern home
94 Unless abroad they purchase great alliance?
95 To prove him tyrant this reason may suffice,
96 That Henry liveth still; but were he dead,
97 Yet here Prince Edward stands, King Henry’s son.
98 Look therefore, Lewis, that by this league and marriage
99 Thou draw not on thy danger and dishonour;
100 For though usurpers sway the rule awhile,
101 Yet heavens are just, and time suppresseth wrongs.
102 WARWICK.
103 Injurious Margaret!
104 PRINCE EDWARD.
105 And why not Queen?
106 WARWICK.
107 Because thy father Henry did usurp,
108 And thou no more art prince than she is queen.
109 OXFORD.
110 Then Warwick disannuls great John of Gaunt,
111 Which did subdue the greatest part of Spain;
112 And after John of Gaunt, Henry the Fourth,
113 Whose wisdom was a mirror to the wisest;
114 And after that wise prince, Henry the Fifth,
115 Who by his prowess conquered all France.
116 From these our Henry lineally descends.
117 WARWICK.
118 Oxford, how haps it in this smooth discourse
119 You told not how Henry the Sixth hath lost
120 All that which Henry the Fifth had gotten?
121 Methinks these peers of France should smile at that.
122 But for the rest: you tell a pedigree
123 Of threescore and two years, a silly time
124 To make prescription for a kingdom’s worth.
125 OXFORD.
126 Why, Warwick, canst thou speak against thy liege,
127 Whom thou obeyed’st thirty and six years,
128 And not bewray thy treason with a blush?
129 WARWICK.
130 Can Oxford, that did ever fence the right,
131 Now buckler falsehood with a pedigree?
132 For shame! Leave Henry, and call Edward king.
133 OXFORD.
134 Call him my king by whose injurious doom
135 My elder brother, the Lord Aubrey Vere,
136 Was done to death? And more than so, my father,
137 Even in the downfall of his mellowed years,
138 When nature brought him to the door of death?
139 No, Warwick, no; while life upholds this arm,
140 This arm upholds the house of Lancaster.
141 WARWICK.
142 And I the house of York.
143 KING LEWIS.
144 Queen Margaret, Prince Edward, and Oxford,
145 Vouchsafe at our request to stand aside
146 While I use further conference with Warwick.
147 [_They stand aloof._]
148 QUEEN MARGARET.
149 Heavens grant that Warwick’s words bewitch him not!
150 KING LEWIS.
151 Now, Warwick, tell me, even upon thy conscience,
152 Is Edward your true king? For I were loath
153 To link with him that were not lawful chosen.
154 WARWICK.
155 Thereon I pawn my credit and mine honour.
156 KING LEWIS.
157 But is he gracious in the people’s eye?
158 WARWICK.
159 The more that Henry was unfortunate.
160 KING LEWIS.
161 Then further, all dissembling set aside,
162 Tell me for truth the measure of his love
163 Unto our sister Bona.
164 WARWICK.
165 Such it seems
166 As may beseem a monarch like himself.
167 Myself have often heard him say and swear
168 That this his love was an eternal plant,
169 Whereof the root was fixed in virtue’s ground,
170 The leaves and fruit maintained with beauty’s sun,
171 Exempt from envy, but not from disdain,
172 Unless the Lady Bona quit his pain.
173 KING LEWIS.
174 Now, sister, let us hear your firm resolve.
175 BONA.
176 Your grant or your denial shall be mine.
177 [_To Warwick_] Yet I confess that often ere this day,
178 When I have heard your king’s desert recounted,
179 Mine ear hath tempted judgment to desire.
180 KING LEWIS.
181 Then, Warwick, thus: our sister shall be Edward’s.
182 And now forthwith shall articles be drawn
183 Touching the jointure that your king must make,
184 Which with her dowry shall be counterpoised.
185 Draw near, Queen Margaret, and be a witness
186 That Bona shall be wife to the English king.
187 PRINCE EDWARD.
188 To Edward, but not to the English king.
189 QUEEN MARGARET.
190 Deceitful Warwick, it was thy device
191 By this alliance to make void my suit.
192 Before thy coming Lewis was Henry’s friend.
193 KING LEWIS.
194 And still is friend to him and Margaret.
195 But if your title to the crown be weak,
196 As may appear by Edward’s good success,
197 Then ’tis but reason that I be released
198 From giving aid which late I promised.
199 Yet shall you have all kindness at my hand
200 That your estate requires and mine can yield.
201 WARWICK.
202 Henry now lives in Scotland, at his ease,
203 Where, having nothing, nothing can he lose.
204 And as for you yourself, our quondam queen,
205 You have a father able to maintain you,
206 And better ’twere you troubled him than France.
207 QUEEN MARGARET.
208 Peace, impudent and shameless Warwick,
209 Proud setter up and puller down of kings!
210 I will not hence till with my talk and tears,
211 Both full of truth, I make King Lewis behold
212 Thy sly conveyance and thy lord’s false love;
213 For both of you are birds of selfsame feather.
214 [_Post blowing a horn within._]
215 KING LEWIS.
216 Warwick, this is some post to us or thee.
217 Enter the Post.
218 POST.
219 My lord ambassador, these letters are for you.
220 Sent from your brother, Marquess Montague.
221 These from our king unto your Majesty.
222 And, madam, these for you, from whom I know not.
223 [_They all read their letters._]
224 OXFORD.
225 I like it well that our fair Queen and mistress
226 Smiles at her news while Warwick frowns at his.
227 PRINCE EDWARD.
228 Nay, mark how Lewis stamps as he were nettled.
229 I hope all’s for the best.
230 KING LEWIS.
231 Warwick, what are thy news? And yours, fair Queen?
232 QUEEN MARGARET.
233 Mine, such as fill my heart with unhoped joys.
234 WARWICK.
235 Mine, full of sorrow and heart’s discontent.
236 KING LEWIS.
237 What, has your king married the Lady Grey,
238 And now, to soothe your forgery and his,
239 Sends me a paper to persuade me patience?
240 Is this th’ alliance that he seeks with France?
241 Dare he presume to scorn us in this manner?
242 QUEEN MARGARET.
243 I told your majesty as much before;
244 This proveth Edward’s love and Warwick’s honesty.
245 WARWICK.
246 King Lewis, I here protest in sight of heaven,
247 And by the hope I have of heavenly bliss,
248 That I am clear from this misdeed of Edward’s—
249 No more my king, for he dishonours me,
250 But most himself, if he could see his shame.
251 Did I forget that by the house of York
252 My father came untimely to his death?
253 Did I let pass th’ abuse done to my niece?
254 Did I impale him with the regal crown?
255 Did I put Henry from his native right?
256 And am I guerdoned at the last with shame?
257 Shame on himself, for my desert is honour;
258 And to repair my honour lost for him,
259 I here renounce him and return to Henry.
260 My noble Queen, let former grudges pass,
261 And henceforth I am thy true servitor.
262 I will revenge his wrong to Lady Bona,
263 And replant Henry in his former state.
264 QUEEN MARGARET.
265 Warwick, these words have turned my hate to love;
266 And I forgive and quite forget old faults,
267 And joy that thou becom’st King Henry’s friend.
268 WARWICK.
269 So much his friend, ay, his unfeigned friend,
270 That if King Lewis vouchsafe to furnish us
271 With some few bands of chosen soldiers,
272 I’ll undertake to land them on our coast
273 And force the tyrant from his seat by war.
274 ’Tis not his new-made bride shall succour him;
275 And as for Clarence, as my letters tell me,
276 He’s very likely now to fall from him
277 For matching more for wanton lust than honour,
278 Or than for strength and safety of our country.
279 BONA.
280 Dear brother, how shall Bona be revenged
281 But by thy help to this distressed queen?
282 QUEEN MARGARET.
283 Renowned prince, how shall poor Henry live
284 Unless thou rescue him from foul despair?
285 BONA.
286 My quarrel and this English queen’s are one.
287 WARWICK.
288 And mine, fair Lady Bona, joins with yours.
289 KING LEWIS.
290 And mine with hers, and thine, and Margaret’s.
291 Therefore, at last I firmly am resolved
292 You shall have aid.
293 QUEEN MARGARET.
294 Let me give humble thanks for all at once.
295 KING LEWIS.
296 Then, England’s messenger, return in post
297 And tell false Edward, thy supposed king,
298 That Lewis of France is sending over maskers
299 To revel it with him and his new bride.
300 Thou seest what’s past; go fear thy king withal.
301 BONA.
302 Tell him, in hope he’ll prove a widower shortly,
303 I’ll wear the willow garland for his sake.
304 QUEEN MARGARET.
305 Tell him my mourning weeds are laid aside,
306 And I am ready to put armour on.
307 WARWICK.
308 Tell him from me that he hath done me wrong,
309 And therefore I’ll uncrown him ere ’t be long.
310 There’s thy reward; be gone.
311 [_Exit Post._]
312 KING LEWIS.
313 But, Warwick,
314 Thou and Oxford, with five thousand men,
315 Shall cross the seas and bid false Edward battle;
316 And, as occasion serves, this noble Queen
317 And prince shall follow with a fresh supply.
318 Yet, ere thou go, but answer me one doubt:
319 What pledge have we of thy firm loyalty?
320 WARWICK.
321 This shall assure my constant loyalty:
322 That if our Queen and this young prince agree,
323 I’ll join mine eldest daughter and my joy
324 To him forthwith in holy wedlock bands.
325 QUEEN MARGARET.
326 Yes, I agree, and thank you for your motion.
327 Son Edward, she is fair and virtuous,
328 Therefore delay not, give thy hand to Warwick,
329 And with thy hand thy faith irrevocable
330 That only Warwick’s daughter shall be thine.
331 PRINCE EDWARD.
332 Yes, I accept her, for she well deserves it;
333 And here, to pledge my vow, I give my hand.
334 [_He gives his hand to Warwick._]
335 KING LEWIS.
336 Why stay we now? These soldiers shall be levied,
337 And thou, Lord Bourbon, our High Admiral,
338 Shall waft them over with our royal fleet.
339 I long till Edward fall by war’s mischance
340 For mocking marriage with a dame of France.
341 [_Exeunt all but Warwick._]
342 WARWICK.
343 I came from Edward as ambassador,
344 But I return his sworn and mortal foe.
345 Matter of marriage was the charge he gave me,
346 But dreadful war shall answer his demand.
347 Had he none else to make a stale but me?
348 Then none but I shall turn his jest to sorrow.
349 I was the chief that raised him to the crown,
350 And I’ll be chief to bring him down again:
351 Not that I pity Henry’s misery,
352 But seek revenge on Edward’s mockery.
353 [_Exit._]