Rich. Not I: no:

God forbid, that I should wish them sever'd,
Whom God hath joyn'd together:

I, and 'twere pittie, to sunder them,

That yoake so well together.

30

King. Setting your skornes, and your mislike aside, Tell me some reason, why the Lady Grey

Should not become my Wife, and Englands Queene? And you too, Somerset, and Mountague,

Speake freely what you thinke.

Clarence. Then this is mine opinion:

That King Lewis becomes your Enemie,
For mocking him about the Marriage
Of the Lady Bona.

40

Rich. And Warwicke, doing what you gave in charge, Is now dis-honored by this new Marriage.

King. What, if both Lewis and Warwick be appeas'd, By such invention as I can devise?

Mount. Yet, to have joyn'd with France in such alliance, Would more have strength'ned this our Commonwealth 'Gainst forraine stormes, then any home-bred Marriage.

Hast. Why, knowes not Mountague, that of it selfe, England is safe, if true within it selfe?

51 Mount. But the safer, when 'tis back'd with France. Hast. 'Tis better using France, then trusting France: Let us be back'd with God, and with the Seas, Which he hath giv'n for fence impregnable, And with their helpes, onely defend our selves: In them, and in our selves, our safetie lyes.

Clar. For this one speech, Lord Hastings well deserves To have the Heire of the Lord Hungerford.

29-33. Not I: separate 1., and 3 11. ending sever'd, pity, together -CAPELL.

39-42. 3 ll. ending Lewis, him, Bona-POPE.

61

King. I, what of that? it was my will, and graunt,
And for this once, my Will shall stand for Law.
Rich. And yet me thinks, your Grace hath not done well,
To give the Heire and Daughter of Lord Scales
Unto the Brother of your loving Bride;

Shee better would have fitted me, or Clarence:
But in your Bride you burie Brotherhood.

Clar. Or else you would not have bestow'd the Heire
Of the Lord Bonvill on your new Wives Sonne,
And leave your Brothers to goe speede elsewhere.
King. Alas, poore Clarence: is it for a Wife
That thou art malecontent? I will provide thee.
Clarence. In chusing for your selfe,
You shew'd your judgement:

Which being shallow, you shall give me leave
To play the Broker in mine owne behalfe;
And to that end, I shortly minde to leave you.

King. Leave me, or tarry, Edward will be King, And not be ty'd unto his Brothers will.

70

Lady Grey. [Queen Eliz.] My Lords, before it pleas'd his Majestie |

Το

rayse my State to Title of a Queene,
Doe me but right, and you must all confesse,
That I was not ignoble of Descent,

And meaner then my selfe have had like fortune.
But as this Title honors me and mine,

80

So your dislikes, to whom I would be pleasing,
Doth cloud my joyes with danger, and with sorrow.
King. My Love, forbeare to fawne upon their frownes:
What danger, or what sorrow can befall thee,

So long as Edward is thy constant friend,

And their true Soveraigne, whom they must obey? 90

72-3. I 1.-POPE.

78. Brothers: brother's-Rows.

Nay, whom they shall obey, and love thee too,
Unlesse they seeke for hatred at my hands:
Which if they doe, yet will I keepe thee safe,
And they shall feele the vengeance of my wrath.
Rich. I heare, yet say not much, but thinke the more.
[Aside.]

Enter a Poste.

King. Now Messenger, what Letters, or what Newes from France?

Post. My Soveraigne Liege, no Letters, & few words, But such, as I (without your speciall pardon) Dare not relate.

King. Goe too, wee pardon thee: Therefore, in briefe, tell me their words,

As neere as thou canst guesse them.

What answer makes King Lewis unto our Letters?
Post. At my depart, these were his very words:
Goe tell false Edward, the supposed King,
That Lewis of France is sending over Maskers,
To revell it with him, and his new Bride.

100

King. Is Lewis so brave? belike he thinkes me Henry. But what said Lady Bona to my Marriage?

III

Post. These were her words, utt' red with mild disdaine: Tell him, in hope hee'le prove a Widower shortly, Ile weare the Willow Garland for his sake.

King. I blame not her; she could say little lesse: She had the wrong. But what said Henries Queene? For I have heard, that she was there in place.

Post. Tell him (quoth she)
My mourning Weedes are done,

98. verse; new 1. at From-CAPell.
102-4. 2 ll. ending brief, them-CAPELL.
107. the: thy-Qe.

118-19. 1 1.-POPE.

And I am readie to put Armour on.

King. Belike she minds to play the Amazon. But what said Warwicke to these injuries?

Post. He, more incens'd against your Majestie, Then all the rest, discharg'd me with these words: Tell him from me, that he hath done me wrong, And therefore Ile uncrowne him, er't be long.

120

King. Ha? durst the Traytor breath out so prowd words? Well, I will arme me, being thus fore-warn'd: They shall have Warres, and pay for their presumption. But say, is Warwicke friends with Margaret?

Post. I, gracious Soveraigne,

They are so link'd in friendship,

130

That yong Prince Edward marryes Warwicks Daughter.

Clarence. Belike, the elder;

Clarence will have the younger.

Now Brother King farewell, and sit you fast,
For I will hence to Warwickes other Daughter,
That though I want a Kingdome, yet in Marriage
I may not prove inferior to your selfe.
You that love me, and Warwicke, follow me.
Exit Clarence, and Somerset followes.

Rich. Not I:

My thoughts ayme at a further matter:

140

I stay not for the love of Edward, but the Crowne.
King. Clarence and Somerset both gone to Warwicke?
Yet am I arm'd against the worst can happen:
And haste is needfull in this desp❜rate case.
Pembrooke and Stafford, you in our behalfe
Goe levie men, and make prepare for Warre;
They are alreadie, or quickly will be landed:
131-2. I 1.-POPE.

143-4. 2 ll. ending I, crown-Capell.

150

134-5. I 1.-POPE.

My selfe in person will straight follow you.

Exeunt Pembrooke and Stafford.

But ere I goe, Hastings and Mountague

Resolve my doubt: you twaine, of all the rest,
Are neere to Warwicke, by bloud, and by allyance:
Tell me, if you love Warwicke more then me;
If it be so, then both depart to him:

160

I rather wish you foes, then hollow friends.
But if you minde to hold your true obedience,
Give me assurance with some friendly Vow,
That I may never have you in suspect.1 1 suspicion
Mount. So God helpe Mountague, as hee proves

true.

Hast. And Hastings, as hee favours Edwards cause. King. Now, Brother Richard, will you stand by us? Rich. I, in despight of all that shall withstand you. King. Why so: then am I sure of Victorie. Now therefore let us hence, and lose no howre, Till wee meet Warwicke, with his forreine powre. Exeunt.

[Scene ii. A plain in Warwickshire.]

Enter Warwicke and Oxford in England,
with French Souldiors.

170

Warw. Trust me, my Lord, all hitherto goes well, The common people by numbers swarme to us.

Enter Clarence and Somerset.

But see where Somerset and Clarence comes:
Speake suddenly, my Lords, are wee all friends?
Clar. Feare not that, my Lord.

Warw. Then gentle Clarence, welcome unto Warwicke, And welcome Somerset: I hold it cowardize,

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