To be the father unto many sons. Clar. When he was made a shriver, 'twas for shift. [Aside. K. Edw. Brothers, you muse what chat we two have had. Glo. The widow likes it not, for she looks sad. K. Edw. You'd think it strange if I should marry her. Clar. To whom, my lord? K. Edw. Why, Clarence, to myself. Glo. That would be ten days' wonder, at the least. Clar. That's a day longer than a wonder lasts. Glo. By so much is the wonder in extremes. K. Edw. Well, jest on, brothers: I can tell you both, Her suit is granted for her husband's lands. Enter a Nobleman. Nob. My gracious lord, Henry your foe is taken, And brought your prisoner to your palace gate. K. Edw. See, that he be convey'd unto the Tower:- 'Widow, go you along;-Lords, use her honourable. [Exeunt King EDWARD, Lady GREY, CLARENCE, and Lord. Glo. Ay, Edward will use women honourably. 'Would he were wasted, marrow, bones, and all, That from his loins no hopeful branch may spring, To cross me from the golden time I look for! And yet, between my soul's desire, and me, *(The lustful Edward's title buried,) 'Is Clarence, Henry, and his son young Edward, And all the unlook'd-for issue of their bodies, To take their rooms, ere I can place myself: A cold premeditation for my purpose! * Why, then I do but dream on sovereignty; * Like one that stands upon a promontory, * And spies a far-off shore where he would tread, * Wishing his foot were equal with his eye; * And chides the sea that sunders him from thence, * Saying-he'll lade it dry to have his way: * So do I wish the crown, being so far off; * And so I chide the means that keep me from it; * And so I say—I'll cut the causes off, * Flattering me with impossibilities. * My eye's too quick, my heart o'erweens too much, * Unless my hand and strength could equal them. * Well, say there is no kingdom then for Richard; * What other pleasure can the world afford? 'I'll make my heaven in a lady's lap, And deck my body in gay ornaments, And witch sweet ladies with my words and looks. 'O miserable thought! and more unlikely, 'Than to accomplish twenty golden crowns! Why, love forswore me in my mother's womb: • And, for I should not deal in her soft laws 'She did corrupt frail nature with some bribe To shrink mine arm up like a wither'd shrub To make an envious mountain on my back, Where sits deformity to mock my body; To shape my legs of an unequal size; *To disproportion me in every part, * Like to a chaos, or an unlick'd bear-whelp, * That carries no impression like the dam. And am I then a man to be belov'd? 'O, monstrous fault, to harbour such a thought! * I'll make my heaven-to dream upon the crown; * And, whiles I live, to account this world but hell, * Until my misshap'd trunk that bears this head, * Be round impaled with a glorious crown. * And yet I know not how to get the crown, * That rents the thorns, and is rent with the thorns; * And frame my face to all occasions. * I'll drown more sailors than the mermaid shall; < Tut! were it further off, I'll pluck it down. [Exit. SCENE III.-France. A room in the palace. Flourish. Enter Lewis the French King, and Lady BONA, attended; the King takes his state. Then enter Queen MARGARET, Prince EDWARD her son, and the Earl of OXFORD. K. Lew. Fair queen of England, worthy Margaret, [Rising. And birth, that thou should'st stand, while Lewis Sit down with us; it ill befits thy state, doth sit. * Q. Mar. No, mighty king of France; now Margaret * Must strike her sail, and learn a while to serve, * Where kings command. I was, I must confess, * Great Albion's queen in former golden days: * But now mischance hath trod my title down, * And with dishonour laid me on the ground; * Where I must take like seat unto my fortune, * And to my humble seat conform myself. * K. Lew. Why, say, fair queen, whence springs this deep despair? * Q. Mar. From such a cause as fills mine eyes with tears, * And stops my tongue, while heart is drown'd in cares. * K. Lew. Whate'er it be, be thou still like thyself, * And sit thee by our side: yield not thy neck [Seats her by him. * To fortune's yoke, but let thy dauntless mind * Still ride in triumph over all mischance. * Be plain, queen Margaret, and tell thy grief; * It shall be eas'd, if France can yield relief. * Q. Mar Those gracious words revive my drooping thoughts, * And give my tongue-tied sorrows leave to speak. * Is, of a king, become a banish'd man, * And forc'd to live in Scotland a forlorn; * Of England's true-anointed lawful king. * While we bethink a means to break it off. * Q. Mar. The more we stay, the stronger grows our foe. * K. Lew. The more I stay, the more I'll succour thee. * Q. Mar. O, but impatience waiteth on true sorrow: And see, where comes the breeder of my sorrow. Enter WARWICK, attended. K. Lew. What's he, approacheth boldly to our pre sence? Q. Mar. Our earl of Warwick, Edward's greatest friend K. Lew. Welcome, brave Warwick! What brings thee to France? [Descending from his state. Queen MAKGARÉT risa |