York. Now heaven forefend! the holy maid with child? War. The greatest miracle that ere ye wrought: Is all your strict preciseness come to this? York. She and the Dauphin have been juggling: I did imagine what would be her refuge. War. Well, go to; we will have no bastards live: Especially since Charles must father it. Puc. You are deceived; my child is none of his: It was Alençon that enjoyed my love. York. Alençon; that notorious Machiavel! It dies an if it had a thousand lives. Puc. O give me leave; I have deluded you: 'T was neither Charles nor yet the duke I named, But Reignier, King of Naples, that prevailed. War. A married man! that's most intolerable. York. Why, here's a girl! I think she knows not well, There were so many, whom she may accuse. War. It's sign she hath been liberal and free. York. And yet, forsooth, she is a virgin pure!Strumpet, thy words condemn thy brat and thee: Use no entreaty, for it is in vain. Puc. Then lead me hence :-with whom I leave my curse. May never glorious sun reflex his beams [Exit guarded. York. Break thou in pieces and consume to ashes, Thou foul accurséd minister of hell! Enter CARDINAL BEAUFORT, attended. Car. Lord regent, I do greet your excellence With letters of commission from the King. For know, my lords, the states of Christendom, Moved with remorse of these outrageous broils, Have earnestly implored a general peace Betwixt our nation and the aspiring French: And here at hand the Dauphin and his train Approacheth, to confer about some matter. York. Is all our travail turned to this effect? After the slaughter of so many peers, So many captains, gentlemen, and soldiers, That in this quarrel have been overthrown, And sold their bodies for their country's benefit, Shall we at last conclude effeminate peace? Have we not lost most part of all the towns, By treason, falsehood, and by treachery, Our great progenitors had conqueréd?— War. Be patient, York: if we conclude a peace, It shall be with such strict and severe covenants, As little shall the Frenchmen gain thereby. Enter CHARLES, attended; ALENcon, Bastard, REIGNIER, and others. Char. Since, lords of England, it is thus agreed That peaceful truce shall be proclaimed in France, We come to be informed by yourselves York. Speak, Winchester; for boiling choler chokes The hollow passage of my poisoned voice, Win. Charles and the rest, it is enacted thus: Alen. Must he be, then, as shadow of himself? Adorn his temples with a coronet; And yet, in substance and authority, Retain but privilege of a private man? This proffer is absurd and reasonless. Char. "Tis known already that I am possessed With more than half the Gallian territories, And therein reverenced for their lawful king: Shall I, for lucre of the rest unvanquished, Detract so much from that prerogative As to be called but viceroy of the whole? No, lord ambassador: I'll rather keep That which I have, than, coveting for more, Be cast from possibility of all. York. Insulting Charles! hast thou by secret means Used intercession to obtain a league; Is but a preface of her worthy praise: And, which is more, she is not so divine, K. Hen. And otherwise will Henry ne'er pre sume. Therefore, my lord protector, give consent That Margaret may be England's royal queen. Glo. So should I give consent to flatter sin. You know, my lord, your highness is betrothed Unto another lady of esteem: How shall we then dispense with that contract, Suf. As doth a ruler with unlawful oaths: A poor earl's daughter is unequal odds; Her father is no better than an earl, Glo. And so the Earl of Armagnac may do, While Reignier sooner will receive than give. Suf. A dower, my lords! disgrace not so your King, That he should be so abject, base, and poor, And not to seek a queen to make him rich: king, But Margaret, that is daughter to a king? report, My noble lord of Suffolk, or for that Agree to any covenants; and procure |