Sivut kuvina
PDF
ePub

For know, my Lords, the states of Christendom,
Mov'd with remorse of these outrageous broils,
Have earnestly implor'd 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 turn'd 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 conquered?
O, Warwick, Warwick! I foresee with grief
The utter loss of all the realm of France.

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; ALENÇON, Bastard, REIGNIER, and Others.

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:
That in regard King Henry gives consent,
Of mere compassion, and of lenity,
To ease your country of distressful war,

Teẻ. Sie and the Dauphin have been jugelag:

XLi marne what would be her refuge.

Fa. Ja, ga ta; we will have no bastards
Live:

[ocr errors]

, since Charles must father it.

i am are jeceiv'd; my child is none of his ;

2 ka Venue, Damjad my love,

Lemon not aerious Machiavel!

(and a Consand lives.

gre relève, I have deluded you; Trade Carles, maryet the Duke I nam'd, Bu dauzer, ang af dagles, that prevail'd. Fr. 1 marry a man that's most intolerable, Lực Way, here's a girl. I think, she knows not well,

e were so many, whom she may accuse. Di ha sig, she hath been liberaì and free. 1.6. Aniver. tersouth, she is a virgin pure.— runget, my words condemn tay brat, and thee: westreny, for it is in vain.

[ocr errors]

Toen lead me hence;

- with whom I leave my curse,

a never glorious sen reflex his beams tea de canary where you make abode! a Parkzess and the gloomy shade of death ca yea, all mischief, and despair, drive you to break your necks, or hang yourselves! [Exit, guarded. For Break thou in pieces, and consume to ashes,

Thou foul accursed minister of hell!

Enter Cardinal BEAUFORT, attended.

Cer. Lord Regent, I do greet your Excellence 1812 letters of commission from the King.

For know, my Lords, the states of Christendom,
Mov'd with remorse of these outrageous broils,
Have earnestly implor'd 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 turn'd 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 efferninate peace?
Have we not lost most part of all the towns,
By treason, falsehood, and by treachery,
Our great progenitors had conquered?
O, Warwick, Warwick! I foresee with grief
The utter loss of all the realm of France.

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; ALENÇON, Bastard,
REIGNIER, and Others.

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:
That in regard King Henry gives consent,
Of mere compassion, and of lenity,
To ease your country of distressful war,

[ocr errors]

And suffer you to breathe in fruitful peace,
You shall become true liegemen to his crown:
And, Charles, upon condition thou wilt swear
To pay him tribute, and submit thyself,
Thou shalt be plac'd as viceroy under him,
And still enjoy thy regal dignity.

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 possess'd With more than half the Gallian territories, And therein reverenc'd for their lawful King: Shall I, for lucre of the rest unvanquish'd, Detract so much from that prerogative, As to be call'd 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

Us'd intercession to obtain a league;
And, now the matter grows to compromise,
Stand'st thou aloof upon comparison?
Either accept the title thou usurp'st,
Of benefit proceeding from our King,
And not of any challenge of desert,

Or
Or we will plague thee with incessant wars,
Reig. My Lord, you do not well in obstinacy
To cavil in the course of this contract:

If once it be neglected, ten to one,
We shall not find like opportunity.

Alen. To say the truth, it is your policy,
To save your subjects from such massacre,
And ruthless slaughters, as are daily seen

By

By our proceeding in hostility:

And therefore take this compact of a truce, Although you break it when your pleasure serves.

Aside, to Charles.

War. How say'st thou, Charles? shall our condition stand?

Char. It shall:

Only reserv'd, you claim no interest

In any of our towns of garrison.

York. Then swear allegiance to his Majesty ; As thou art knight, never to disobey, Nor be rebellious to the crown of England, Thou, nor thy nobles, to the crown of England. [Charles, and the rest, give tokens of fealty. So, now dismiss your army when ye please; Hang up your ensigns, let your drums be still, For here we entertain a solemn peace. [Exeunt.

SCENE V.

London. A Room in the Palace.

Enter King HENRY, in conference with SUFFOLK; GLOSTER and EXETER following.

K. Hen. Your wond'rous 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 of 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.

Suf. Tush, my good Lord! this superficial tale Is but a preface of her worthy praise:

VOL. X.

15

« EdellinenJatka »