* With promise of his sister, and what else, * To strengthen and support king Edward's place. * O Margaret, thus 'twill be; and thou, poor soul, * Art then forsaken, as thou went'st forlorn. 2 Keep. Say, what art thou, that talk'st of kings and queens? 'K. Hen. More than I seem, and less than I was born to: A man at least, for less I should not be ; And men may talk of kings, and why not I? 2 Keep. Ay, but thou talk'st as if thou wert a king. 'K. Hen. Why, so I am, in mind; and that's enough. 2 Keep. But, if thou be a king, where is thy crown? K. Hen. My crown is in my heart, not on my head; *Not deck'd with diamonds, and Indian stones, * Nor to be seen: my crown is call'd, content; "A crown it is, that seldom kings enjoy. 2 Keep. Well, if you be a king crown'd with content, Your crown content, and you, must be contented 'To go along with us: for, as we think, 'You are the king, king Edward hath depos'd; And we his subjects, sworn in all allegiance, Will apprehend you as his enemy. *K. Hen. But did you never swear, and break an oath? * 2 Keep. No, never such an oath, nor will not now. * K. Hen. Where did you dwell, when I was king of England? 60 Margaret, &c.] The piety of Henry scarce interests us more for his misfortunes, than this his constant solicitude for the welfare of his deceitful Queen. STEEVENS. * 2 Keep. Here in this country, where we now remain. *K. Hen. I was anointed king at nine months old; * My father, and my grandfather, were kings; *And you were sworn true subjects unto me: * And, tell me then, have you not broke your oaths? * 1 Keep. No; For we were subjects, but while you were king. * K. Hen. Why, am I dead? do I not breathe a man? * Ah, simple men, you know not what you swear. * Look, as I blow this feather from my face, *And as the air blows it to me again, * Obeying with my wind when I do blow, * And yielding to another when it blows, * Commanded always by the greater gust; * Such is the lightness of you common men. * But do not break your oaths; for, of that sin * My mild entreaty shall not make you guilty. * Go where you will, the king shall be commanded; * And be you kings; command, and I'll obey. * 1 Keep. We are true subjects to the king, king Edward. * K. Hen. So would you be again to Henry, * If he were seated as king Edward is. 1 Keep. We charge you, in God's name, the king's, To go with us unto the officers. and in "K. Hen. In God's name, lead; your king's name be obey'd: *And what God will, then let your king perform; *And what he will, I humbly yield unto. [Exeunt. SCENE II. London. A Room in the Palace. Enter King EDWARD, GLOSTER, CLARENCE, and Lady GREY. 'K. Edw. Brother of Gloster, at Saint Albans❜ "This lady's husband, sir John Grey, was slain, Glo. Your highness shall do well, to grant her suit; * It were dishonour, to deny it her. K. Edw. It were no less; but yet I'll make a pause. 'Glo. Yea! is it so? I see, the lady hath a thing to grant, Before the king will grant her humble suit. Clar. He knows the game; How true he keeps the wind! Glo. Silence! [Aside. Aside. 'K. Edw. Widow, we will consider" of your suit; 'And come some other time, to know our mind. L. Grey. Right gracious lord, I cannot brook delay: May it please your highness to resolve me now; An if what pleases him, shall pleasure you. 7 Widow, we will consider -] This is a very lively and spritely dialogue; the reciprocation is quicker than is common in Shakspeare. JOHNSON. Fight closer, or, good faith, you'll catch a blow. * Clar. I fear her not, unless she chance to fall. [Aside. * Glo. God forbid that! for he'll take vantages. [Aside. K. Edw. How many children hast thou, widow? tell me. Clar. I think, he means to beg a child of her. [Aside. Glo. Nay, whip me then; he'll rather give her two. [Aside. L. Grey. Three, my most gracious lord. Glo. You shall have four, if you'll be rul'd by him. [Aside. K. Edw. "Twere pity, they should lose their fa ther's land. L. Grey. Be pitiful, dread lord, and grant it then. K. Edw. Lords, give us leave; I'll try this widow's wit. Glo. Ay, good leave have you; for you will have leave, Till youth take leave, and leave you to the crutch. [GLOSTER and CLARENCE retire to the other side. *K. Edw. Now tell me, madam, do you love your children? * L. Grey. Ay, full as dearly as I love myself. * K. Edw. And would you not do much, to do them good? * L. Grey. To do them good, I would sustain some harm. * K. Edw. Then get your husband's lands, to do them good. *L. Grey. Therefore I came unto your majesty. K. Edw. I'll tell you how these lands are to be got. 3- good leave have you ;] Good leave, are words implying readiness of assent. * L. Grey. So shall you bind me to your highness' service. *K. Edw. What service wilt thou do me, if I give them? * L. Grey. What you command, that rests in me to do. * K. Edw. But you will take exceptions to my boon. *L. Grey. No, gracious lord, except I cannot do it. *K. Edw. Ay, but thou canst do what I mean to ask. *L. Grey. Why, then I will do what your grace commands. * Glo. He plies her hard; and much rain wears the marble. [Aside. * Clar. As red as fire! nay, then her wax must [Aside. melt. L. Grey. Why stops my lord? shall I not hear my task? K. Edw. An easy task; 'tis but to love a king. L. Grey. That's soon perform'd, because I am a subject. K. Edw. Why then, thy husband's lands I freely give thee. L. Grey. I take my leave with many thousand thanks. Glo. The match is made; she seals it with a curt'sy. 'K. Edw. But stay thee, 'tis the fruits of love I mean. L. Grey. The fruits of love I mean, my loving liege. * K. Edw. Ay, but, I fear me, in another sense. What love, think'st thou, I sue so much to get? "L. Grey. My love till death, my humble thanks, my prayers; 10 |