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? No; God forbid, that I should wish them sever'd 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 :-- you think. Clar. Then this is my opinion, that king Lewis Glo. And Warwick, doing what you gave in charge, Is now dishonoured by this new marriage. K.Edw.What, if both Lewis and Warwick be appeas'd, By such invention as I can devise? Mont. Yet to have join'd with France in such alliance, Would more have strengthen'd 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 back'd with France. Hast. "Tis better using France, than trusting France: Let us be back'd with God, and with the seas, Which he hath given for fence impregnable, And with their helps only defend ourselves; In them, and in ourselves, our safety lies. Clar. For this one speech, lord Hastings well deserves To have the heir of the lord Hungerford. K. Edw. Ay, what of that? it was my will, and grant; And, for this once, my will shall stand for law. She better would have fitted me, or Clarence: Clar. Or else you would not have bestow'd the heir, Of the lord Bonville on your new wife's son, And leave your brothers to go speed elsewhere. K. Edw. Alas, poor Clarence! is it for a wife, That thou art malcontent? I will provide thee. [ment; Clar. In choosing for yourself, you show'd your judgWhich being shallow, you shall give me leave To play the broker in mine own behalf; And, to that end, I shortly mind to leave you. K. Edw. Leave me, or tarry, Edward will be king, And not be tied unto his brother's will. Q. Eliz. My lords, before it pleas'd his majesty Do me but right, and you must all confess And meaner than myself have had like fortune. So your dislikes, to whom I would be pleasing, K. Edw. My love, forbear to fawn upon their frowns: And their true sovereign, whom they must obey? Enter a Messenger. [Aside. K. Edw. Now, messenger, what letters, or what news, From France? Mess. My sovereign liege, no letters; and few words, But such as I, without your special pardon, Dare not relate. K. Edw. Go to, we pardon thee: therefore, in brief, Tell me their words as near as thou canst guess them. What answer makes king Lewis unto our letters? Mess. At my depart, these were his very words; K.Edw. Is Lewis so brave? belike,he thinks me Henry. But what said lady Bona to my marriage? Mess. These were her words, utter'd with mild disdain; Tell him, in hope he'll prove a widower shortly, I'll wear the willow garland for his sake. K. Edw. I blame not her, she could say little less; She had the wrong. But what said Henry's queen? For I have heard, that she was there in place. Mess. Tell him, quoth she, my mourning weeds are done, And I am ready to put armour on. K. Edw. Belike, she minds to play the Amazon. But what said Warwick to these injuries? Mess. He, more incens'd against your majesty Than all the rest, discharg'd me with these words; Tell him, from me, that he hath done me wrong, And therefore I'll uncrown him, ere't be long. K. Edw. Ha! durst the traitor breathe out so proud Well, I will arm me, being thus forewarn'd: [words? They shall have wars, and pay for their presumption. But say, is Warwick friends with Margaret? Mess. Ay, gracious sovereign; they are so link'd in That young prince Edward marries Warwick's daughter. You, that love me, and Warwick, follow me. [Exit Clarence, and Somerset follows. Glo. Not I: Stay not for love of Edward, but the crown. [Aside. Pembroke, and Stafford, you in our behalf [Exeunt Pembroke and Stafford. But, ere I go, Hastings, and Montague,Resolve my doubt. You twain, of all the rest, Are near to Warwick, by blood, and by alliance: Tell me, if you love Warwick more than me? If it be so, then both depart to him; I rather wish you foes, than hollow friends; Mont. So God help Montague, as he proves true! SCENE II. A Plain in WARWICKSHIRE. Enter WARWICK and OXFORD, with FRENCH and other Forces. War. Trust me, my lord, all hitherto goes well; The common people by numbers swarm to us. Enter CLARENCE and SOMERSET. But, see, where Somerset and Clarence come;- War. Then, gentle Clarence, welcome unto Warwick; Hath pawn'd an open hand in sign of love; Else might I think, that Clarence, Edward's brother, And now what rests, but, in night's coverture, We may surprise and take him at our pleasure? With sleight and manhood stole to Rhesus' tents, SCENE III. EDWARD'S Camp, near WARWICK. 2 Watch. What, will he not to-bed? 1 Watch. Why, no: for he hath made a solemn vow Never to lie and take his natural rest, Till Warwick, or himself, be quite suppress'd. 2 Watch. To-morrow then, belike, shall be the day, If Warwick be so near as men report. 3 Watch. But say, I pray, what nobleman is that, That with the king here resteth in his tent? [friend. 1 Watch. "Tis the lord Hastings, the king's chiefest 3 Watch. O, is it so? But why commands the king, That his chief followers lodge in towns about him, While he himself keepeth in the cold field? [ous. 2 Watch. "Tis the more honour, because more danger3 Watch. Ay; but give me worship and quietness, I like it better than a dangerous honour. |