Suf.

To me.

A Parley sounded. Enter REIGNIER, on the walls.

There Minotaurs, and ugly treasons, lurk.'

Solicit Henry with her wond'rous praise : Suf. See, Reignier, see, thy daughter prisoner. Bethink thee on her virtues that surmount; Reig. To whom ?

Mad, natural graces that extinguish art;

Repeat their semblance often on the seas, Reig

Suffolk, what remedy? That, when thou com'st to kneel at Henry's feet, I am a soldier : and unapt to weep,

Thou may'st bereave him of his wits with wonder

. Or to exclaim on fortune's fickleness.

(Erik.
Suf. Yes, there is remedy enough, my lord :
Consent, (and, for thy honour, give consent,) SCENE IV. - Camp of the Duke of York, in
Thy daughter shall be wedded to my king ;

Anjou.
Whom I with pain have woo'd and won thereto;
And this her easy-held imprisonment

Enter YORK, WARWICK, and others.
Hath gain'd thy daughter princely liberty.

York. Bring forth that sorceress, condemn'd to Reig. Speaks Suffolk as he thinks ?

burn. Suf.

Fair Margaret knows That Suffolk doth not flatter, face, or feign.

Enter LA PUCELLE, guarded, and a Shepherd Reig. Upon thy princely warrant, I descend, Shep. Ah, Joan ! this kills thy father's heart outTo give thee answer of thy just demand.

right! (Exit, from the walls. Have I sought every country far and near, Suf. And here I will expect thy coming. And, now it is my chance to find thee out,

Must I behold thy timeless cruel death? Trumpets sounded. Enter REIGNIER, below.

Ah, Joan, sweet daughter Joan, I'll die with thee! Reig. Welcome, brave earl, into our territories ; Puc. Decrepit miser! base ignoble wretch ! Command in Anjou what your honour pleases.

I am descended of a gentler blood;
Suf. Thanks, Reignier, happy for so sweet a child, Thou art no father, nor no friend, of mine.
Fit to be made companion with a king :

Shep. Out, out! - My lords, an please you, What answer makes your grace unto my suit?

not so ; Reig. Since thou 'dost deign to woo her little I did beget her, all tne parish knows : worth,

Her mother liveth yet, can testify, To be the princely bride of such a lord;

She was the first fruit of my bachelorship. Upon condition I may quietly

War. Graceless! wilt thou deny thy parentage? Enjoy mine own, the county Maine, and Anjou, York. This argues what her kind of life hath been; Free from oppression, or the stroke of war,

Wicked and vile; and so her death concludes My daughter shall be Henry's, if he please.

Shep. Fye, Joan ! that thou wilt be so obstacle! Suf. That is her ransome, I deliver her ; God knows, thou art a collop of my fesh; And those two counties, I will undertake,

And for thy sake have I shed many a tear : Your grace shall well and quietly enjoy.

Deny me not, I pr'ythee, gentle Joan. Reig. And I again, — in Henry's royal name, Puc. Peasant, avaunt ! - You have suborn'd this As deputy unto that gracious king,

man, Give thee her hand, for sign of plighted faith. Of purpose to obscure my noble birth.

Suf. Reignier of France, I give thee kingly thanks, Shep. 'Tis true, I gave a noble to the priest, Because this is in traffick of a king:

The morn that I was wedded to her mother

. – And yet, methinks, I could be well content Kneel down and take my blessing, good my girl To be mine own attorney in this case. (Aside. Wilt thou not stoop ? Now cursed be the time I'll over then to England with this news,

Of thy nativity! I would, the milk And make this marriage to be solemniz'd ;

Thy mother gave thee, when thou suck'd So, farewell, Reignier! Set this diamond safe

breast, In golden palaces, as it becomes.

Had been a little ratsbane for thy sake! Reig. I do embrace thee, as I would embrace Or else, when thou didst keep my lambs a-field

, The Christian prince, king Henry, were he here. I wish some ravenous wolf had eaten thee! Mar. Farewell, my lord! Good wishes, praise, Dost thou deny thy father, cursed drab ? and prayers,

O, burn her, burn her; hanging is too good. (EN Shall Suffolk ever have of Margaret. [Going. York. Take her away; for she hath liv'd too long Suf. Farewell, sweet madam! But hark you, To fill the world with vicious qualities. Margaret ;

Puc. First, let me tell you whom you have car No princely commendations to my king ?

demn'd: Mar. Such commendations as become a maid, Not me begotten of a shepherd swain, A virgin, and his servant, say to him.

But issu'd from the progeny of kings; Suf. Words sweetly plac'd, and modestly directed. Virtuous, and holy; chosen from above, But, madam, I must trouble you again,

By inspiration of celestial grace, No loving token to his majesty ?

To work exceeding miracles on earth. Mar. Yes, my good lord ; a pure unspotted heart. I never had to do with wicked spirits : Never yet taint with love, I send the king. But you, – that are polluted with your lusts, Suf. And this withal. [Kisses her. Stain’d with the guiltless blood of innocents

, Mar. That for thyself; I will not so presume, Corrupt and tainted with a thousand vices, – To send such peevish tokens to a king.

Because you want the grace that others have, [Ereunt Reignier and MARGARET. You judge it straight a thing impossible. Suf. O, wert thou for myself!--But, Suffolk, stay; To compass wonders, but by help of devils Thou may'st not wander in that labyrinth ; No, misconceiy'd! Joan of Arc hath been

a

a

A virgin from her tender infancy,

It shall be with such strict and severe covenants Chaste and immaculate in very thought;

As little shall the Frenchmen gain thereby. Whose maiden blood, thus rigorously effus'd

Enter Charles, attended ; ALENÇON, Bastard, Wil cry for vengeance at the gates of heaven.

REIGNIER, and others. York. Ay, ay ; - away with her to execution.

War. And hark ye, sirs; because she is a maid, Char. Since, lords of England, it is thus agreed, Spare for no fagots, let there be enough ;

That peaceful truce shall be proclaim'd in France, Place barrels of pitch upon the fatal stake,

We come to be informed by yourselves That so her torture may be shortened.

What the conditions of that league inust be. Puc. Will nothing turn your unrelenting hearts ? York. Speak, Winchester ; for boiling choler Then, Joan, discover thine infirmity ;

chokes That warranteth by law to be thy privilege. - The hollow passage of my poison'd voice, I am with child, ye bloody homicides :

By sight of these our baleful enemies. Murder not then the fruit within my womb,

Win. Charles, and the rest, it is enacted thus : Although ye bale me to a violent death.

That in regard king Henry gives consent,
York. Now heaven forefend ! the holy maid with Of mere compassion, and of lenity,
child ?

To ease your country of distressful war,
War. The greatest miracle that e'er ye wrought : And suffer you to breathe in fruitful peace,
Is all your strict preciseness come to this ?

You shall become true liegemen to his crown : York. She and the Dauphin have been juggling: And, Charles, upon condition thou wilt swear I did imagine what would be her refuge.

To pay him tribute, and submit thyself,
Wer. Well, go to : we will have no bastards live; Thou shalt be plac'd as viceroy under him,
Especially, since Charles must father it.

And still enjoy thy regal dignity.
Puc. You are deceiv'd; my child is none of his ; Alen. Must he be then as shadow of himself ?
It was Alençon that enjoyed my love.

Adorn his temples with a coronet ; York. Alençon! that notorious Machiavel ! And yet, in substance and authority, It dies, an if it had a thousand lives.

Retain but privilege of a private man? Puc. O, give me leave, I have deluded you ; This proffer is absurd and reasonless. 'Twas neither Charles, nor yet the duke I nam'd, Char. 'Tis known, already that I am possess'd But Reignier, king of Naples, that prevailid. With more than half the Gallian territories,

Var. A married man ! that's most intolerable. And therein reverenc'd for their lawful king : York. Why, here's a girl! I think, she knows Shall I, for lucre of the rest unvanquishid, not well,

Detract so much from that prerogative, There were so many, whom she may accuse. As to be call'd but viceroy of the whole ?

Par. It's sign, she hath been liberal and free. No, lord ambassador ; I'll rather keep

York. And, yet, forsooth, she is a virgin pure. That which I have, than, coveting for more,
Strumpet, thy words condemn thy brat, and thee : Be cast from possibility of all.
Use no entreaty, for it is in vain.

York. Insulting Charles ! hast thou by secret Puc. Tlwen lead me hence; - with whom I leave my curse :

Used intercession to obtain a league ;
May never glorious sun reflex his beams

And, now the matter grows to compromise,
Upon the country where you make abode ! Stand'st thou aloof upon comparison ?
But darkness and the gloomy shade of death Either accept the title thou usurp'st,
Environ you ; till mischief, and despair,

Of benefit proceeding from our king,
Drive you to break your necks, or hang yourselves! And not of any challenge of desert,

[Erit, guarded. Or we will plague thee with incessant wars. York. Break thou in pieces, and consume to ashes, Reig. My lord, you do not well in obstinacy Thou foul accursed minister of hell!

To cavil in the course of this contract :

If once it be neglected, ten to one,
Enter CARDINAL Beaufort, attended.

We shall not find like opportunity.
Car. Lord regent, I do greet your excellence Alen. To say the truth, it is your policy,
With letters of commission from the king.

To save your subjects from such massacre,
For know, my lords, the states of Christendom, And ruthless slaughters, as are daily seen
Mor'd with remorse of these outrageous broils, By our proceeding in hostility:
Have earnestly implor'd a general peace

And therefore take this compact of a truce,
Betwixt our nation and the aspiring French; Although you break it when your pleasure serves.
And bere at hand the Dauphin, and his train,

(Aside, to CHARLES. Approacheth to confer about some matter.

War. How say'st thou, Charles ? shall our conYork. Is all our travail turn'd to this effect ?

dition stand ? After the slaughter of so many peers,

Char. It shall :
So many captains, gentlemen, and soldiers, Only reserv’d, you claim no interest
That in this quarrel have been overthrown,

In

any of our towns of garrison. And sold their bodies for their country's benefit, York. Then swear allegiance to his majesty ; Shall we at last conclude efferninate peace ? As thou art knight, never to disobey, Have we not lost most part of all the towns, Nor be rebellious to the crown of England, By treason, falsehood, and by treachery,

Thou, nor thy nobles, to the crown of England. Our great progenitors had conquered ?

(Charles, and the rest, give tokens of fealty. 0, Warwick, Warwick! I foresee with grief So, now dismiss your army when ye please; The utter loss of all the realm of France.

Hang up your ensigns, let your drums be still, War, Be patient, York : if we conclude a peace, For here we entertain a solemn peace. [Exeunt,

Kk

means

:

sume.

And not to seek a queen to make him rich : SCENE V. - London. A Room in the Palace.

So worthless peasants bargain for their wives,
Enter King Henry, in conference will SurFOLK; Marriage is a matter of more worth,

As market-men for oxen, sheep, or horse.
Gloster and Exeter following.

Than to be dealt in by attorneyship;
K. Hen. Your wond'rous rare description, noble Not whom we will, but whom his grace affects,
earl,

Must be companion of his nuptial bed :
Of beauteous Margaret hath astonish'd me: And therefore, lords, since he affects her most,
Her virtues, graced with external gifts,

It most of all these reasons bindeth us,
Do breed love's settled passions in my heart : In our opinions she should be preferr'd.
And like as rigour in tempestuous gusts

For what is wedlock forced, but a hell, Provokes the mightiest hulk against the tide ; An age of discord and continual strife? So am I driven, by breath of her renown,

Whereas the contrary bringeth forth bliss, Either to suffer shipwreck, or arrive

And is a pattern of celestial peace. Where I may lave fruition of her love.

Whom should we match, with Henry, being a king, Suf. Tush! my good lord ! this superficial tale But Margaret, that is daughter to a king? Is but a preface of her worthy praise :

Her peerless feature, joined with her birth, The chief perfections of that lovely dame,

Approves her fit for none, but for a king : (Had I sufficient skill to utter them,)

Her valiant courage, and undaunted spirit, Would make a volume of enticing lines,

(More than in women commonly is seen,) Able to ravish any dull conceit.

Will answer our hope in issue of a king ;; And, which is more, she is not so divine,

For Henry, son unto a conqueror, So full replete with choice of all delights,

Is likely to beget more conquerors, But, with as humble lowliness of mind,

If with a lady of so high resolve, She is content to be at your command ;

As is fair Margaret, he be link'd in love. Command, I mean, of virtuous chaste intents, Then yield, my lords; and here conclude with me, To love and honour Henry as her lord.

That Margaret shall be queen, and none but she. X. Hen. And otherwise will Henry ne'er pre- K. Hen. Whether it be through force of your

report, Therefore, my lord protector, give consent,

My noble lord of Suffolk, or for that That Margaret may be England's royal queen. My tender youth was never yet attaint

Glo. So should I give consent to flatter sin. With any passion of inflaming love, You know, my lord, your highness is betroth'd I cannot tell ; but this I am assurd, Unto another lady of esteem;

I feel such sharp dissention in my breast, How shall we then dispense with that contráct, Such fierce alarums both of hope and fear, And not deface your honour with reproach ? As I am sick with working of my thoughts.

Suf. As doth a ruler with unlawful oaths ; Take, therefore, shipping ; post, my lord, to France; Or one, that, at a triumph having vow'd

Agree to any covenants; and procure To try his strength, forsaketh yet the lists

That lady Margaret do vouchsafe to come By reason of his adversary's odds :

To cross the seas to England, and be crown'd A poor earl's daughter is unequal odds,

King Henry's faithful and anointed queen ::
And therefore may be broke without offence. For your expences and sufficient charge,
Glo. Why, what, I pray, is Margaret more than Among the people gather up a tenth.
that ?

Be gone, I say ; for, till you do return,
Her father is no better than an earl,

I rest perplexed with a thousand cares. Although in glorious titles he excel.

And you, good uncle, banish all offence : Suf. Yes, my good lord, her father is a king, If you do censure me by what you were, The king of Naples, and Jerusalem ;

Not what you are, I know it will excuse And of such great authority in France,

This sudden execution of my will. As his alliance will confirm our peace,

And so conduct me, where from company, And keep the Frenchmen in allegiance.

I may revolve and ruminate my grief. (En. Glo. And so the earl of Armagnac may do, Glo. Ay, grief, I fear me, both at first and last. Because he is near kinsman unto Charles.

[Ereunt GLOSTER and EXTIL. Ere. Beside his wealth doth warrant liberal Suf. Thus Suffolk hath prevail'd: and thus be dower;

goes, While Regnier sooner will receive, than give. As did the youthful Paris once to Greece ; Suf. A dower, my lords ! disgrace not so your | With hope to find the like event in love, king,

But prosper better than the Trojan did. should be so abject, base, and poor, Margaret shall now be queen, and rule the king: To choose for wealth, and not for perfect love. But I will rule both her, the king, and reaim. Henry is able to enrich his queen,

a

SECOND PART OF

KING HENRY VI.

PERSONS REPRESENTED.

King HENRY THE SIXTA.

BOLINGBROKE, a conjurer. HUMPHREY, Duke of Gloster, his uncle.

A Spirit raised by him. Cardinal BEAUFORT, Bishop of Winchester, great THOMAS HORNER, an armourer. uncle to the King.

PETER, his man. RICHARD PLANTAGENET, Duke of York :

Clerk of Chatham. Edward and RICHARD, his sons.

Mayor of Saint Alban's. DIE OF SOMERSET,

Simpcox, an impostor. DUKE OF SUFFOLK,

Two Murderers. DEKE OF BUCKINGHAM, of the King's party. Jack Cabe, a rebel. LOED CLIFFORD,

GEORGE, Jonx, Dick; SMITH, the weaver; MICHAEL Young CLIFFORD, his son,

&c. his followers. EAL OF SALISBURY,

ALEXANDER Idex, a Kentish gentleman.
EARL OF WARWICK,
LORD SCALES, governor of the Tower.

MARGARET, Queen to King Henry.
Lord Sar.

ELEANOR, Duchess of Gloster. Sir HUMPHREY STAFFORD, and his Brother.

MARGERY JOURDAIN, a witch.
Sir Joux STANLEY.

Wife to Simpcox.
A Sza-captain, Master, and Master's Mate, and
VALTER WHITMORE.

Lords, Ladies, and Attendants ; Petitioners, AlderTwo Gentlemen, prisoners with Suffolk.

a Beadle, Sheriff, ant Officers ; Citizens, 4 Herald.

Prentices, Falconers, Guards, Soldiers, Mesa

sengers, fc. Houe and SOUTHWELly two priests.

SCENE, - dispersedly in various parts of EnglaND.

} of the York faction.

min,

VAUI.

ACT І.

SCENE I. - London. A Room of State in the The dukes of Orleans, Calaber, Bretaigne, and Palace.

Alençon,

Seven earls, twelve barons, twenty reverend biFlourish of trumpets : then hautboys. Enter, on one

shops, side, King Henry, Duke of Gloster, Salis- I have perform's my task, and was espous'd : BURT, WARWICK, and CARDINAL BEAUFORT; on

And humbly now upon my bended knee, the other, QUEEN MARGARET, led in by SUFFOLK; In sight of England and her lordly peers, York, SOMERSET, BUCKINGHAM, and others fol- Deliver up my title in the queen loving.

To your most gracious hands, that are the subSuff. As by your high imperial majesty

stance I had in charge at my depart for France,

Of that great shadow I did represent; Ac procurator to your excellence,

The happiest gift that ever marquess gave, To marry princess Margaret for your grace; The fairest queen that ever king receiv’d. So, in the famous ancient city, Tours;

K. Hen. Suffolk, arise. - Welcome, queen Marla presence of the kings of France and Sicil,

I can express no kinder sign of love,

To conquer France, his true inheritance ? Than this kind kiss. - O Lord, that lends me life, And did my brother Bedford toil his wits, Lend me a heart replete with thankfulness ! To keep by policy what Henry got? For thou hast given me, in this beauteous lace, Have you yourselves, Somerset, Buckingham, A world of earthly blessings to my soul,

Brave York, Salisbury, and victorious Warwick, If sympathy of love unite our thoughts.

Receiv'd deep scars in France and Normandy ? Q. Mar. Great king of England, and my gra- Or hath mine uncle Beaufort, and myself, cious lord ;

With all the learned council of the realm,
The mutual conference that my mind hath had Studied so long, sat in the council-house,
By day, by night; waking, and in my dreams; Early and late, debating to and fro
In courtly company, or at my beads,

How France and Frenchmen might be kept in awe? With you mine alder-liefest sovereign,

And hath his highness in his infancy Makes me the bolder to salute my king

Been crown'd in Paris, in despite of foes? With ruder terms; such as my wit affords,

And shall these labours, and these honours, die ? And over-joy of heart doth minister.

Shall Henry's conquest, Bedford's vigilance, K. Hen. Her sight did ravish : but her grace Your deeds of war, and all our counsel, die ? in speech,

O peers of England, shameful is this league !
Her words y-clad with wisdom's majesty,

Fatal this marriage ! cancelling your fame :
Makes me, from wondering, fall to weeping joys; Blotting your names from books of memory :
Such is the fulness of my heart's content. — Razing the characters of your renown;
Lords, with one cheerful voice welcome my love. Defacing monuments of conquer'd France;
Al. Long live queen Margaret, England's hap- Undoing all, as all had never been !
piness!

Car. Nephew, what means this passionate disQ. Mar. We thank you all.

Flourish.

course? Suf. My lord protector, so it please your grace, This peroration with such circumstance? Here are the articles of contracted peace,

For France, 'tis ours; and we will keep it still. Between our sovereign, and the French king Charles, Glo. Ay, uncle, we will keep it, if we can; For eighteen months concluded by consent. But now it is impossible we should :

Glo. [Reads.) Imprimis, It is agreed between the Suffolk, the new-made duke that rules the roast, French king, Charles, and William de la Poole, Hath given the dutchies of Anjou and Maine marquess of Suffolk, ambassador for Henry king of Unto the poor king Reignier, whose large style England, - that the said Henry shall espouse the Agrees not with the leanness of his purse. lady Margaret, daughter unto Reignier king of Na- Sal. Now, by the death of him that died for all, ples, Sicilia, and Jerusalem ; and crown her queen These counties were the keys of Normandy : of England, ere the thirtieth of May next ensuing. But wherefore weeps Warwick, my valiant son ?

Item, That the dutchy of Anjou and the War. For grief, that they are past recovery: county of Maine, shall be released and delivered to the For were there hope to conquer them again, king her father

My sword should shed hot blood, mine eyes no tears K. Hen. Uncle, how now?

Anjou and Maine ! myself did win them both; Glo.

Pardon me, gracious lord ; Those provinces these arms of mine did conquer : Some sudden qualm hath struck me at the heart, And are the cities, that I got with wounds, And dimm'd mine eyes, that I can read no further. Deliver'd up again with peaceful words?

K. Hen. Uncle of Winchester, I pray, read on. Mort Dieu !

Win. Item, - It is further agreed between them, – York. For Suffolk's duke - may he be suffocate, that the dutchies of Anjou and Maine shall be released That dims the honour of this warlike isle! and delivered over to the king her father; and she France should have torn and rent my very heart, sent over of the king of England's own proper cost Before I would have yielded to this league. and charges, without having dowry.

I never read but England's kings have had K. Hen. They please us well. - Lord marquess, Large sums of gold, and dowries, with their wives kneel down;

And our king IIenry gives away his own, We here create thee the first duke of Suffolk, To match with her that brings no vantages. And girt thee with the sword.

Glo. A proper jest, and never heard before, Cousin of York, we here discharge your grace

That Suffolk should demand a whole fifteenth, From being regent in the parts of France,

For costs and charges in transporting her!
Till term of eighteen months be full expir’d. She should have staid in France, and starv'd in
Thanks, uncle Winchester, Gloster, York, and

France,
Buckingham,

Before
Somerset, Salisbury, and Warwick;

Car. My lord of Gloster, now you grow too bot: We thank you all for this great favour done, It was the pleasure of my lord the king. In entertainment to my princely queen.

Glo. My lord of Winchester, I know your mind : Come, let us in ; and with all speed provide 'Tis not my speeches that you do mislike, To see her coronation be perform').

But 'tis my presence that doth trouble you. [Exeunt King, Queen, and Suffolk. Rancour will out: Proud prelate, in thy face Glo. Brave peers of England, pillars of the state, I see thy fury : If I longer stay, To you duke Humphrey must unload his grief, We shall begin our ancient bickerings. Your grief, the common grief of all the land. Lordings, farewell ; and say, when I am gone, What! did my brother llenry spend his youth, I prophesied - France will be lost ere long. (En His valour, coin, and people, in the wars?

Car. So, there goes our protector in a rage. Did he so often lodge in open field,

'Tis known to you, he is mine enemy : In winter's cold, and summer's parching heat, Nay, more, an enemy unto you all;

- MO