Murder not, then, the fruit within my womb, York. Now, heaven forfend! the holy maid with child! 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 enjoy'd 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; 'Twas neither Charles nor yet the duke I named, But Reignier, king of Naples, that prevail'd. 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. [curse: Puc. Then lead me hence; -with whom I leave my Enter CARDINAL BEAUFORT, attended. York. Is all our travail turn'd to this effect? War. Be patient, York: if we conclude a peace, Char. Since, lords of England, it is thus agreed, That peaceful truce shall be proclaim'd in France, We come to be informed by yourselves What the conditions of that league must be. York. Speak, Winchester; for boiling choler chokes The hollow passage of my prison'd voice, By sight of these our baleful enemies. Win. Charles, and the rest, it is enacted thus:- Alen. Must he be, then, as shadow of himself? Char. 'Tis known already that I am possess'd Be cast from possibility of all. York. Insulting Charles! hast thou by secret means Used intercession to obtain a league; SCENE V.-LONDON. A Room in the Palace. Enter KING HENRY, in conference with SUFFOLK; GLOSTER and EXETER following. K. Hen. Your wondrous rare description, noble earl, Of beauteous Margaret hath astonish'd me: Her virtues, graced with external gifts, Do breed love's settled passions in my heart: And like as rigour in tempestuous gusts Provokes the mightiest hulk against the tide, So am I driven, by breath of her renown, Either to suffer shipwreck, or arrive Where I may have fruition of her love. Suff. Tush! my good lord! this superficial tale Is but a preface of her worthy praise: The chief perfections of that lovely dame (Had I sufficient skill to utter them) Would make a volume of enticing lines, Able to ravish any dull conceit. And, which is more, she is not so divine, So full replete with choice of all delights, But, with as humble lowliness of mind, She is content to be at your command; Command, I mean, of virtuous chaste intents, To love and honour Henry as her lord. K. Hen. And otherwise will Henry ne'er presume. Therefore, my lord protector, give consent, That Margaret may be England's royal queen. Glo. So should I give consent to flatter sin. How shall we, then, dispense with that contract, Suff. As doth a ruler with unlawful oaths; A poor earl's daughter is unequal odds, And therefore may be broke without offence. Glo. Why, what, I pray, is Margaret more than that! Her father is no better than an earl, Although in glorious titles he excel. Suff. Yes, my good lord, her father is a king, Glo. And so the earl of Armagnac may do, Ere. Beside, his wealth doth warrant liberal dower *. While Reignier sooner will receive than give. Suff. A dower, my lords! disgrace not so your king, And not to seek a queen to make him rich: Not whom we will, but whom his grace affects, And therefore, lords, since he affects her most, Whom should we match with Henry, being a king, As is fair Margaret he be link'd in love. Then yield, my lords; and here conclude with me K. Hen. Whether it be through force of your report, My noble lord of Suffolk, or for that My tender youth was never yet attaint I cannot tell; but this I am assured, I feel such sharp dissension in my breast, Such fierce alarums both of hope and fear, That lady Margaret do vouchsafe to come I may revolve and ruminate my grief. [Exit. Glo. Ay, grief, I fear me, both at first and last. [Exeunt GLOSTER and EXETER. Suff. Thus Suffolk hath prevail'd; and thus he goes, As did the youthful Paris once to Greece, With hope to find the like event in love, But prosper better than the Trojan did. Margaret shall now be queen, and rule the king; But I will rule both her, the king, and realm. [Exit. SCENE I.-LONDON. BOLINGBROKE, a Conjurer. A Spirit raised by BOLINGBROKE, Clerk of Chatham. SIMPCOX, an Impostor. JACK CADE, a Rebel. GEORGE, JOHN, DICK, SMITH, the Weaver, MICHAEL, dc., his Followers. ALEXANDER IDEN, a Kentish Gentleman, MARGARET, Queen to KING HENRY. ELEANOR, DUCHESS OF GLOSTER. MARGERY JOURDAIN, a Witch. Wife to SIMPCOX. Lords, Ladies, and Attendants; Petitioners, Aldermen, a Beadle, Sheriff, and Officers; Citizens, Prentices, Falconers, Guards, Soldiers, Messengers, &c. SCENE,-Dispersedly in various Parts of ENGLAND, ACT I. A Room of State in the Palace. Flourish of Trumpets: then Hautboys. Enter, on one side, KING HENRY, DUKE OF GLOSTER, SALISBURY, WARWICK, and CARDINAL BEAUFORT; on the other, QUEEN MARGARET, led in by SUFFOLK; YORK, SOMERSET, BUCKINGHAM, and others, following. Suff. As by your high imperial majesty I had in charge at my depart for France, As procurator to your excellence, To marry princess Margaret for your grace; So, in the famous ancient city, Tours, In presence of the kings of France and Sicil, The dukes of Orleans, Calaber, Bretaigne, and Alençon, I have perform'd my task, and was espoused: To your most gracious hands, that are the substance Of that great shadow I did represent; The happiest gift that ever marquis gave, The fairest queen that ever king received. K. Hen. Suffolk, arise.-Welcome, queen Margaret: I can express no kinder sign of love Than this kind kiss.--O Lord, that lends me life, Lend me a heart replete with thankfulness! For thou hast given me, in this beauteous face, A world of earthly blessings to my soul, If sympathy of love unite our thoughts. Q. Mar. Great king of England, and my gracious lord, The mutual conference that my mind hath had, By day, by night; waking, and in my dreams;" In courtly company, or at my beads, With you, mine alder-liefest sovereign, And over-joy of heart doth minister. K. Hen. Her sight did ravish; but her grace in speech, Her words y-clad with wisdom's majesty, Makes me, from wondering, fall to weeping joys; Such is the fulness of my heart's content.Lords, with one cheerful voice welcome my love. All. Long live queen Margaret, England's happiness! Q. Mar. We thank you all. [Flourish Suf. My lord protector, so it please your grace, Here are the articles of contracted peace, Between our sovereign and the French king Charles, For eighteen months concluded by consent. Glo. [Reads.] "Imprimis, It is agreed between the French king, Charles, and William de la Poole, marquis of Suffolk, ambassador for Henry king of England, that the said Henry shall espouse the lady Margaret, daughter unto Reiguier king of Naples, Sicilia, and Jerusalem; and crown her queen of England ere the thirtieth of May next ensuing.-Item, That the duchy of Anjou and the county of Maine shall be released and delivered to the king her father"-K. Hen. Uncle, how now? Glo. Pardon me, gracious lord; Some sudden qualm hath struck me at the heart, And dimm'd mine eyes, that I can read no further. K. Hen. Uncle of Winchester, I pray, read on. Win. [Reads.] "Item, It is further agreed between them, that the duchies of Anjou and Maine shall be released and delivered over to the king her father; and she sent over of the king of England's own proper cost and charges, without having dowry." K. Hen. They please us well.-Lord marquis, kneel We here create thee the first duke of Suffolk, And girt thee with the sword. [down; Cousin of York, we here discharge your grace From being regent in the parts of France, Till term of eighteen months be full expired. Thanks, uncle Winchester, Gloster, York, and BuckingSomerset, Salisbury, and Warwick; We thank you all for this great favour done, In entertainment to my princely queen. Come, let us in; and with all speed provide To see her coronation be perform'd. [ham, [Exeunt KING, QUEEN, and SUFFOLK. In winter's cold, and summer's parching heat, Early and late, debating to and fro How France and Frenchmen might be kept in awe? Car. Nephew, what means this passionate discourse? This peroration with such circumstance? For France, 'tis ours; and we will keep it still. Glo. Ay, uncle, we will keep it if we can; Suffolk, the new-made duke that rules the roast, Sal. Now, by the death of Him that died for all, York. For Suffolk's duke, may he be suffocate, That Suffolk should demand a whole fifteenth, Car. My lord of Gloster, now you grow too hot; [Exit. Glo. My lord of Winchester, I know your mind; With "God preserve the good duke Humphrey!" Buck. Why should he then protect our sovereign, Car. This weighty business will not brook delay; I'll to the duke of Suffolk presently. Exit. Som. Cousin of Buckingham, though Humphrey's And greatness of his place be grief to us, Yet let us watch the haughty cardinal; His insolence is more intolerable [pride Than all the princes in the land beside; [Exeunt BUCKINGHAM and SOMERSET. I never saw but Humphrey duke of Gloster In bringing them to civil discipline; Thy late exploits, done in the heart of France, Have made thee fear'd and honour'd of the people:- War. So God help Warwick, as he loves the land York. And so says York, for he hath greatest cause. Sal. Then let's make haste away, and look unto the main. War. Unto the main! O father, Maine is lost; That Maine, which by main force Warwick did win, And would have kept so long as breath did last : Main chance, father, you meant; but I meant Maine; Which I will win from France, or else be slain. [Exeunt WARWICK and SALISBURY. The peers agreed; and Henry was well pleased 'Tis thine they give away, and not their own. Unto the prince's heart of Calydon. Anjou and Maine, both given unto the French! A day will come when York shall claim his own; And make a show of love to proud duke Humphrey, And, when I spy advantage, claim the crown, For that's the golden mark I seek to hit: Whose church-like humours fit not for a crown. Till Henry, surfeiting in joys of love With his new bride and England's dear-bought queen, [Exit. SCENE II-The same. A Room in the DUKE OF GLOSTER'S House. Enter GLOSTER and the DUCHESS. Glo. O Nell, sweet Nell, if thou dost love thy lord, My troublous dream this night doth make me sad. Duch. What dream'd my lord? tell me, and I'll requite it With sweet rehearsal of my morning's dream. Glo. Methought this staff, mine office-badge in court, Were placed the heads of Edmund duke of Somerset, In the cathedral church of Westminster, And in that chair where kings and queens are crown'd; Glo. Nay, Eleanor, then must I chide outright: Above the reach or compass of thy thought? Duch. What, what, my lord! are you so cholerie Glo. Nay, be not angry, I am pleased again. Mess. My lord protector, 'tis his highness' pleasure, Follow I must; I cannot go before, I would remove these tedious stumbling-blocks, To play my part in Fortune's pageant.- [Exit DUCHESS. Hume. Hume must make merry with the duchess' gold; Marry, and shall. But how now, Sir John Hume? Seal up your lips, and give no words but mum: The business asketh silent secrecy. Dame Eleanor gives gold to bring the witch: Gold cannot come amiss, were she a devil. Yet have I gold flies from another coast: I dare not say, from the rich cardinal, And from the great and new-made duke of Suffolk; [Exit. SCENE III.-The same. A Room in the Palace. 1 Pet. My masters, let's stand close; my lord protector will come this way by and by, and then we may deliver our supplications in the quill. 2 Pet. Marry, the Lord protect him, for he's a good man! Jesu bless him! Enter SUFFOLK and QUEEN MARGARET. 1 Pet. Here 'a comes, methinks, and the queen with him. I'll be the first, sure. 2 Pet. Come back, fool! this is the duke of Suffolk, and not my lord protector. Suff. How now, fellow? wouldst anything with me? 1 Pet. I pray, my lord, pardon me! I took ye for my lord protector. Q. Mar. [Reading the superscription.] "To my lord protector!" are your supplications to his lordship? Let me see them: what is thine? 1 Pet. Mine is, an't please your grace, against John Goodman, my lord cardinal's man, for keeping my house and lands, and wife and all, from me. Suff. Thy wife too! that is some wrong indeed. What's yours?-What's here? [Reads.] "Against the duke of Suffolk, for enclosing the commons of Melford."--How now, sir knave? 2 Pet. Alas, Sir, I am but a poor petitioner of our whole township. Peter. [Presenting his petition.] Against my master, Thomas Horner, for saying that the duke of York was rightful heir to the crown. Q. Mar. What say'st thou? Did the duke of York say he was rightful heir to the crown? Peter. That my master was? No, forsooth: my master said that he was, and that the king was a usurper. king. Suff. Who is there? [Enter Servants.]-Take this fellow in, and send for his master with a pursuivant presently-we'll hear more of your matter before the [Exeunt Servants with PETER. Q. Mar. And as for you, that love to be protected Under the wings of our protector's grace, Begin your suits anew, and sue to him. [Tears the Petitions. Away, base cullions -Suffolk, let them go. All. Come, let's be gone. [Exeunt Petitioners. Q. Mar. My lord of Suffolk, say, is this the guise, I thought King Henry had resembled thee His champions are the prophets and apostles; I would the college of cardinals Would choose him pope, and carry him to Rome, Suff Madam, be patient: as I was cause Som. If Somerset be unworthy of the place, Car. Ambitious Warwick, let thy betters speak. Q. Mar. Because the king, forsooth, will have it so. Glo. Madam, I am protector of the realm; Car. The commons hast thou rack'd; the clergy's bags Are lank and lean with thy extortions. Som. Thy sumptuous buildings, and thy wife's attire, Have cost a mass of public treasury. Buck. Thy cruelty in execution Upon offenders, hath exceeded law, And left thee to the mercy of the law. Q. Mar. Thy sale of offices and towns in France--If they were known, as the suspect is greatWould make thee quickly hop without thy head. [Exit GLOSTER. The QUEEN drops her fan. Give me my fan: what, minion! can you not? [Gives the DucCHESS a box on the ear. I cry you mercy, Madam; was it you? I'd set my ten commandments in your face. K. Hen. Sweet aunt, be quiet; 'twas against her will. Duch. Against her will! Good king, look to't in time; She'll hamper thee, and dandle thee like a baby: Though in this place most master wear no breeches, She shall not strike dame Eleanor unrevenged. [Exit DUCHESS. Buck. Lord cardinal, I will follow Eleanor, And listen after Humphrey, how he proceeds: She's tickled now; her fume can need no spurs, Beau-She'll gallop fast enough to her destruction. [Exit BUCKINGHAM. [fort, Q. Mar. Beside the haught protector, have we The imperious churchman; Somerset, Buckingham, And grumbling York: and not the least of these, But can do more in England than the king. Suff. And he of these that can do most of all, Cannot do more in England than the Nevils: Salisbury and Warwick are no simple peers. Q. Mar. Not all these lords do vex me half so much As that proud dame, the lord protector's wife. She sweeps it through the court with troops of ladies, More like an empress than duke Humphrey's wife; Strangers in court do take her for the queen: She bears a duke's revénues on her back, And in her heart she scorns our poverty: Shall I not live to be avenged on her? Contemptuous base-born callat as she is, She vaunted 'mongst her minions t' other day, The very train of her worst wearing-gown Was better worth than all my father's lands, Till Suffolk gave two dukedoms for his daughter. Suff. Madam, myself hath limed a bush for her, And placed a quire of such enticing birds, That she will light to listen to the lays, And never mount to trouble you again. So, let her rest: and, Madam, list to me; For I am bold to counsel you in this. Although we fancy not the cardinal, Yet must we join with him and with the lords, Will make but little for his benefit. Enter KING HENRY, YORK, and SOMERSET, conversing K. Hen. For my part, noble lords, I care not which; Or Somerset, or York, all's one to me. York. If York have ill demean'd himself in France, Then let him be denay'd the regentship. Re-enter GLOSTER. Glo. Now, lords, my choler being over-blown With walking once about the quadrangle, I come to talk of commonwealth affairs. As for your spiteful false objections, Suff. Peace, headstrong Warwick! War. Image of pride, why should I hold my peace? Enter Servants of SUFFOLK, bringing in HORNER and PETER Suff. Because here is a man accused of treason: Pray God the duke of York excuse himself! York. Doth any one accuse York for a traitor? K. Hen. What mean'st thou, Suffolk? tell me what are these? Suff. Please it your majesty, this is the man That doth accuse his master of high treason: His words were these,-that Richard, duke of York, Was rightful heir unto the English crown, And that your majesty was a usurper. K. Hen. Say, man, were these thy words? |