But if your title to the crown be weak,- Proud setter-up and puller-down of kings! Enter a Messenger. Mess. My lord ambassador, these letters are for you; Sent from your brother, Marquis Montague. not. [To MARGARET. They all read their Letters. Orf. I like it well, that our fair queen and mistress Smiles at her news, while Warwick frowns at his. Prince. Nay, mark, how Lewis stamps as he were nettled: I hope, all's for the best. K. Lew. Warwick, what are thy news? and yours, fair queen? Q. Mar. Mine, such as fill my heart with unhop'd joys. War. Mine, full of sorrow and heart's discontent. K. Lew. What! has your king married the Lady Grey? And now, to sooth your forgery and his, Sends me a paper to persuade me patience? Is this the alliance that he seeks with France? Dare he presume to scorn us in this manner? Q. Mar. I told your majesty as much before: This proveth Edward's love, and Warwick's honesty. War. King Lewis, I here protest,-in sight of beaven, And by the hope I have of heavenly bliss,- Q. Mar. Warwick, these words have turn'd my hate to love; And I forgive and quite forget old faults, That, if King Lewis vouchsafe to furnish us For matching more for wanton lust than honour, But by thy help to this distressed queen? Unless thou rescue him from foul despair? Bona. My quarrel, and this English queen's, are one. [yours. War. And mine, fair Lady Bona, joins with K. Lew. And mine with hers, and thine, and Margaret's. Therefore, at last, I firmly am resolv'd, Q. Mar. Let me give humble thanks for all at once. K. Lew. Then England's messenger, return in post; And tell false Edward, thy supposed king,That Lewis of France is sending over maskers, To revel it with him and his new bride : Thou seest what's past, go fear thy king withal. Bona. Tell him, In hope he'll prove a widower shortly, I'll wear the willow garland for his sake. Q. Mar. Tell him, My mourning weeds are laid aside, And I am ready to put armour on. War. Tell him from me, That he hath done me wrong; And therefore I'll uncrown him, ere't be long. There's thy reward; be gone. [Exit Mess. Shall cross the seas, and bid false Edward battle. War. This shall assure my constant loyalty:- Q. Mar. Yes, I agree, and thank you for your motion: Son Edward, she is fair and virtuous, Therefore delay not, give thy hand to Warwick; And, with thy hand, thy faith irrevocable, That only Warwick's daughter shall be thine. Prince. Yes, I accept her, for she well deserves it; And here, to pledge my vow, I give my hand. [He gives his hand to WARWICK. K. Lew. Why stay we now? These soldiers shall be levied, And thou, Lord Bourbon, our high admiral, War. I came from Edward as embassador, But seek revenge on Edward's mockery. [Exit. ACT IV. SCENE I. London. A Room in the Palace. Enter GLOSTER, CLARENCE, SOMERSET, MONTAGUE, and Others. Glo. Now tell me, brother Clarence, what think you Of this new marriage with the Lady Grey? Hath not our brother made a worthy choice? Clar. Alas, you know, 'tis far from hence to France; How could he stay till Warwick made return? Som. My lords, forbear this talk; here comes the king. Flourish. Enter KING EDWARD, attended; LADY GREY, as Queen; PEMBROKE, STAFFORD, HASTINGS, and Others. Glo. And his well chosen bride. Clar. I mind to tell him plainly what I think. K. Edw. Now, brother of Clarence, how like you our choice, That you stand pensive, as half malcontent? Clar. As well as Lewis of France, or the earl of Warwick; VOL. V. R Which are so weak of courage, and in judgment, That they'll take no offence at our abuse. 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? Glo. Not 1: No; God forbid, that I should wish them sever'd Whom God hath join'd together: ay, and 'twere pity, To sunder them that yoke so well together. 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 : And you too, Somerset, and Montague, Clar. Then this is my opinion, that King Becomes your enemy, for mocking him Glo. And Warwick, doing what you gave in 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 homebred 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 Hast. 'Tis better using France, than trusting |