Prince. Nay, mark how Lewis stamps as he were nettled. I hope all's for the best. K. Lew. Warwick, what are thy news? and yours, fair queen? Q. Mar. Mine, such as fill my heart with unhoped joys. War. Mine full of sorrow and heart's discontent. And now, to sooth1 your forgery and his, 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 dishonors me; But most himself, if he could see his shame. And am I guerdoned at the last with shame ? * Shame on himself! for my desert is honor. * And, to repair my honor lost for him, * I here renounce him, and return to Henry. • My noble queen, let former grudges pass, And henceforth I am thy true servitor; 1 To sooth, in ancient language, was "to countenance a falsehood or forged tale, to uphold one in his talke, and affirme it to be true which he speaketh."-Baret. 2 "King Edward did attempt a thing once in the earle's house, which was much against the earle's honestie (whether he would have deflowered his daughter or his niece, the certaintie was not for both their honors revealed), for surely such a thing was attempted by king Edward."-Holinshed, p. 668. I will revenge his wrong to lady Bona, 6 Q. Mar. 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. War. So much his friend, ay, his unfeigned friend, That, if king Lewis 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 succor 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 honor, *Or than for strength and safety of our country. * Bona. Dear brother, how shall Bona be revenged, *But by the help to this distressed queen? * Q. Mar. Renowned prince, how shall poor Henry live, * Unless thou rescue him from foul despair? *Bona. My quarrel, and this English queen's, are one. * War. And mine, fair lady Bona, joins with yours. K. Lew. And mine with hers, and thine, and Margaret's. Therefore, at last, I firmly am resolved, * Q. Mar. Let me give humble thanks for all at once. K. Lew. Then, England's messenger, return in post; And tell false Edward, thy supposed king, That Lewis of France is sending over maskers, * Thou seest what's past; go fear1 thy king withal. Bona. Tell him, in hope he'll prove a widower shortly, I'll wear the willow garland for his sake. Q. Mar. Tell him, my mourning weeds are laid aside, And I am ready to put armor on. War. Tell him from me, that he hath done me wrong; And therefore I'll uncrown him, ere't be long. There's thy reward; be gone. K. Lew. [Exit Mess 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 6 * 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? War. This shall assure my constant loyalty;- 6 Q. Mar. Yes, I agree, and thank you for your motion. 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. Yes, I accept her, for she well deserves it ; *And here, to pledge my vow, I give my hand. [He gives his hand to WARWICK. K. Lew. Why stay we now? These soldiers shall be levied, ' And thou, lord Bourbon, our high admiral, [Exeunt all but WARWICK. War. I came from Edward as ambassador, 1 Edward prince of Wales was married to Anne, second daughter of the earl of Warwick. In fact, Isabella, his eldest daughter, was married to Clarence in 1468. There is, however, no inconsistency in the present proposal; for at the time represented, when Warwick was in France, neither of his daughters was married. Shakspeare has here again followed the old play. In King Richard III. he has properly represented lady Anne, the widow of Edward prince of Wales, as the youngest daughter of Warwick. Had he none else to make a stale,1 but me? But seek revenge on Edward's mockery. [Exit. ACT IV. SCENE I. London. A Room in the Palace. Enter GLOSTER, CLARENCE, SOMERSET, MONTAGUE, and others. • Glo. Now tell me, brother Clarence, what think you • Of this new marriage with the lady Grey? * Hath not our brother made a worthy choice? * Clar. Alas, you know, 'tis far from hence to France; * How could he stay till Warwick made return? *Som. My lords, forbear this talk; here comes the king. Flourish. Enter KING EDWARD, attended; LADY GREY, as Queen; PEMBROKE, STAFFORD, HASTINGS, and others. * Glo. And his well-chosen bride. * Clar. I mind to tell him plainly what I think. · K. Edw. Now, brother of Clarence, how like you our choice, • That you stand pensive, as half malcontent? • Clar. As well as Lewis of France, or the earl of Warwick ; 1 A stale here means a stalking-horse, a pretence. Which are so weak of courage, and in judgment, K. Edw. Suppose they take offence without a cause, They are but Lewis and Warwick; I am Edward, • Your king and Warwick's, and must have my will. Glo. And you shall have your will, because our king: Yet hasty marriage seldom proveth well. K. Edw. Yea, brother Richard, are you offended too? • Glo. 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. K. Edw. Setting your scorns and your mislike aside, • Tell me some reason why the lady Grey • Should not become my wife, and England's queen. 6 And you, too, Somerset, and Montague, Speak freely what you think. Clar. Then this is my opinion,-That king Lewis 'Becomes your enemy, for mocking him • About the marriage of the lady Bona. Glo. And Warwick, doing what you gave in charge, 'Is now dishonored by this new marriage. K. Edw. What if both Lewis and Warwick be appeased, By such invention as I can devise ? Mont. Yet to have joined with France in such alliance, Would more have strengthened this our commonwealth 'Gainst foreign storms, than any home-bred marriage. Hast. Why, knows not Montague, that of itself England is safe, if true within itself? * Mont. Yes; but the safer, when 'tis backed with France. *Hast. 'Tis better using France, than trusting France. |