Queen. Our Earl of Warwick, Edward's greatest K. Lew. Welcome, brave Warwick, what brings thee to France? [He defcends. She arifeth. With Nuptial Knot, if thou vouchsafe to grant To England's King in lawful Marriage. Queen. If that go forward, Henry's hope is done. In our King's behalf, [Speaking to Bona. I am commanded, with your leave and favour, Queen. King Lewis, and Lady Bona, hear me speak, Springs not from. Edward's well-meant honest Love, For how can Tyrants fafely govern home, Yet here Prince Edward stands, King Henry's Son. Look therefore Lewis, that by this League and Marriage Thou draw not on thy Danger and Dishonour: For tho' Ufurpers fway the Rule a while, Yet Heavens are juft, and Time fuppreffeth Wrongs. Prince. And why not Queen. War. Because thy Father Henry did usurp, And And thou no more art Prince than she is Queen. War. Oxford, how haps it in this smooth Difcourfe, Of threescore and two Years, a filly time To make prescription for a Kingdom's worth. Oxf. Why Warwick, canft thou fpeak against thy Liege Whom thou obey'dft thirty and fix Years, And not bewray thy Treafon with a blush? War. Can Oxford, that did ever fence the right, Oxf. Call him my King, by whofe injurious doom Was done to Death? and more than so, my Father, War. And I the House of York. K. Lew. Queen Margaret, Prince Edward, and OxfordVouchsafe at our request, to ftand afide, While I ufe farther Conference with Warwick. [They stand aloof. Queen. Heavens grant that Warwick's Words, bewitch him not. K.Lew. Now Warwick, tell me even upon thy Confcience. Is Edward your true King? for I were loth To link with him that were not lawful chofen. War. Thereon I pawn my Credit, and mine Honour. R 5 K. Lew. K. Law. But is he gracious in the People's Eyes? War. Such it feems, As may befeem a Monarch like himself: K. Lew. Now Sifter, let us hear your firm refolve. A [Speaks to Warwick, When I have heard your King's defert recounted, Mine Ear hath tempted Judgment to defire. K. Lew. Then Warwick, this: Our Sifter fhall be Edward's. བ་ And now forthwith fhall Articles be drawn, As may appear by Edward's good Succefs; you From giving Aid, which late I promised. And And as for you your felf, our quondam Queen, And better it were you troubled him, than France. [Poft blowing a Horn within. For both of you are Birds of felf-fame Feather. Enter a Poft. Poft. My Lord Ambaffador, Thefe Letters are for you; [To Warwick. [To K. Lew Sent from your Brother, Marquefs Montague. From whom I know not. [To the Queen, [They all read their Letters. Oxf. I like it well, that our fair Queen and Mistress Smiles at her News, while Warwick frowns at his. Prince. Nay, mark how Lewis ftamps as he were nettled. I hope all's for the best. K. Lew. Warwick, what are thy News? And yours, fair Queen? Queen Mine fuch as fills my Heart with unhop'd Joys. War. Mine full of Sorrow, and Heart's Difcontent. Sends me a Paper to perfwade me Patience? Dare he prefume to fcorn us in this manner? Queen. I told your Majefty as much before; This proveth Edward's Love, and Warwick's Honefty. That That I am clear from this Mifdeed of Edward's; Thele Words have turn'd my Hate to Love, And Joy that thou becom'ft King Henry's Friend. War. So much his Friend, ay, his unfeigned Friend, That if King Lewis vouchfafe to furnish us With fome few Bands of chofen Soldiers, I'll undertake to Land them on our Coast, And force the Tyrant from his Seat by War. 'Tis not his new-made Bride fhall fuccour him: And as for Clarence, as my Letters tell me, He's very likely now to fall from him, For matching more for wanton Luft than Honour, Or than for ftrength and safety of our Country. Bona Dear Brother, how fhall Bona be reveng'd, But by thy help to this diftreffed Queen? Queen. Renowned Prince, how fhall poor Henry live, Unless thou rescue him from foul despair? Bona. My quarrel, and this English Queen's are one. War. And mine, fair Lady Bona, joins with yours. K Lew. And mine, with hers, and thine, and Margaret's. Therefore at last, I firmly am refolv'd .. You fhall have Aid. Queen' |