Enter a Legate, and two Ambassadors, with WIN- Exe. What! is my lord of Winchester install'd, And call'd unto a cardinal's degree? He'll make his cap co-equal with the crown." K. Hen. My lords ambassadors, your several suits Glo. And for the proffer of my lord your master, K. Hen. In argument and proof of which contract, [tion. [Exeunt KING HENRY and train; GLOSTER, EXETER, and Ambassadors. Win. Stay, my lord legate; you shall first receive The sum of money, which I promised Should be deliver'd to his holiness For clothing me in these grave ornaments. Leg. I will attend upon your lordship's leisure. [Exit. Win. Now, Winchester will not submit, I trow. Or be inferior to the proudest peer. Humphrey of Gloster, thou shalt well perceive I'll either make thee stoop and bend thy knee, Or sack this country with a mutiny. SCENE II. FRANCE. Plains in ANJOU. [Exit Mess. Success unto our valiant general, And happiness to his accomplices! Alarums. Enter French and English, fighting. L PUCELLE and YORK fight hand to hand. La PeCELLE is taken. The French fly. York. Damsel of France, I think I have you fast: Unchain your spirits now with spelling charms, And try if they can gain your liberty.A goodly prize, fit for the devil's grace! See how the ugly witch doth bend her brows, As if, with Circe, she would change my shape. Puc. Changed to a worser shape thou canst not be. No shape but his can please your dainty eye. And may ye both be suddenly surprised By bloody hands, in sleeping on your beds! [tongue) York. Fell, banning hag! enchantress, hold thy Puc. I prythee, give me leave to curse a while. York. Curse, miscreant, when thou comest to the [Exount stake. Alarums. Enter SUFFOLK, leading in Lady MARGARET. Suff. Be what thou wilt, thou art my prisoner. [Gazes on her. O fairest beauty, do not fear, nor fly; Mar. Margaret my name, and daughter to a king, The king of Naples, -whosoe'er thou art. Suff. An earl I am, and Suffolk am I call'd. Be not offended, nature's miracle, So doth the swan her downy cygnets save, Go, and be free again, as Suffolk's friend. [She turns away as going O, stay! I have no power to let her pass; Char. What tidings send our scouts? I prythee, peak. My hand would free her, but my heart says no. Mess. The English army, that divided was Into two parts, is now conjoin'd in one, And means to give you battle presently. Char. Somewhat too sudden, Sirs, the warning is; But we will presently provide for them. Bur. I trust the ghost of Talbot is not there; Now he is gone, my lorti, you need not fear. Puc. Of all base passions, fear is most accursed:Command the conquest, Charles, it shall be thine; Let Henry fret and all the world repine. Char. Then on, my lords; and Francebe fortunate! [Exeunt. SCENE III. The same. Before ANGIERS. Alarums: Excursions. Enter LA PUCELLE. Puc. The regent conquers, and the Frenchmen dy.. Now help, ye charming spells and periapts; And ye choice spirits that admonish me, And give me signs of future accidents! You speedy helpers, that are substitutes Under the lordly monarch of the north, Appear, and aid me in this enterprise ! Enter Fiends. This speedy quick appearance argues proof [Thss nder Help me this once, that France may get the field. As plays the sun upon the glassy streams, Hast not a tongue? is she not here thy prisoner? Ay; beauty's princely majesty is such, What ransom must I pay before I pass? For I perceive I am thy prisoner, Suff. [Aside.] How canst thou tell, she will deny thy Before thou make a trial of her love? [suit, Mar. Why speak'st thou not? what ransom must Í pay? Suff. [Aside.] She's beautiful, and therefore to be She is a woman, therefore to be won. [woo'd: Mar. Wilt thou accept of ransom, yen or no? Suff. [Aside.] Fond man! remember that thou hast a Then how can Margaret be thy paramour? [wife; Mar. I were best leave him, for he will not hear. Suff. [Aside.] There all is marr'd; there lies a cool ing card. Mor. He talks at random; sure, the man is mad. Suff. [Aside.] And yet a dispensation may be had. Mar. And yet I would that you would answer me Suff. [Aside] I'll win this lady Margaret. For 1 [They walk about, and speak not. Why, for my king: tush! that's a wooden thing. [whom! O, hold me not with silence over-long! Where I was wont to feed you with my blood, I'll lop a member off, and give it you In earnest of a further benefit; Mar. He talks of wood: it is some carpenter. Suff. [Aside.] Yet so my fancy may be satisfied, And peace established between these realms. But there remains a scruple in that too: Shall Suffolk ever have of Margaret. [Going. [garet; Mar. Hear ye, captain? Are you not at leisure? Madam, I have a secret to reveal. [much: Mar. [Aside] What though I be enthrall'd? he And will not any way dishonour me. (seems a knight, Suff. Lady, vouchsafe to listen what I say. Mar. [Aside.] Perhaps I shall be rescued by the And then I need not crave his courtesy. [French; Suf. Sweet Madam, give me hearing in a causeMar. [Aside.] Tush! women have been captivate ere Suff. Lady, wherefore talk you so? Par. I cry you mercy, 'tis but quid for quo. [now. Suff. Say, gentle princess, would you not suppose Your bondage happy, to be made a queen? Mar. To be a queen in bondage is more vile Than is a slave in base servility; For princes should be free. Suff. And so shall you, If happy England's royal king be free. Mar. Why, what concerns his freedom unto me? Suff. I'll undertake to make thee Henry's queen. To put a golden sceptre in thy hand, And set a precious crown upon thy head, If thou wilt condescend to be my Mar. What? Suff. His love. Mar. I am unworthy to be Henry's wife. To woo so fair a dame to be his wife, And have no portion in the choice myself. Mar. An if my father please, I am content. Suff. Then call our captains and our colours forth: And, Madam, at your father's castle walls We'll crave a parley, to confer with him. [Troops come forward. A parley sounded. Enter REIGNIER, on the wolls. Suff. To me. Reig. Suffolk, what remedy? I am a soldier, and unapt to weep, Or to exclaim on fortune's fickleness. Suff. Yes, there is remedy enough, my lord: Suff. Fair Margaret knows That Suffolk doth not flatter, face, or feign. To give thee answer of thy just demand. [Exit from the walls. Suff. And here I will expect thy coming. Trumpets sounded. Enter REIGNIER, below. What answer makes your grace unto my suit? Enjoy mine own, the county Maine, and Anjou, Suff. Reignier of France, I give thee kingly thanks [Aside] And yet, methinks, I could be well content To be mine own attorney in this case. [TO REIG.] I'll over, then, to England with this news, And make this marriage to be solemnised; So farewell, Reignier! Set this diamond safe In golden palaces, as it becomes. Reig. I do embrace thee, as I would embrace The Christian prince, king Henry, were he here. Suff. Farewell, sweet Madam! But hark you, Mar No princely commendations to my king? Mar. Such commendations as become a maid, A virgin, and his servant, say to him. Suff. Words sweetly placed and modestly directed. Mar. Yes, my good lord; a pure unspotted heart, To send such peevish tokens to a king. [Kisses her. [Exeunt REIGNIER and MARGARET. Suff. O, wert thou for myself!-But, Suffolk, stay; SCENE IV. Camp of the DUKE OF YORK, in ANJOU. York. Bring forth that sorceress, condemn'd to burn. Have I sought every country far and near, Ah, Joan, sweet daughter Joan, I'll die with thee! Puc. Decrepit miser! base ignoble wretch! I am descended of a gentler blood; Thou art no father, nor no friend, of mine. Shep. Out, out!-My lords, an please you, 'tis net so; I did beget her, all the parish knows: Her mother liveth yet, can testify She was the first-fruit of my bachelorship. War. Graceless! wilt thou deny thy parentage? York. This argues what her kind of life hath been, Wicked and vile; and so her death concludes. Shep. Fie, Joan that thou wilt be so obstacle! God knows thou art a collop of my flesh; Puc. Peasant, avaunt! - You have suborn'd this man, Of purpose to obscure my noble birth. Shep. 'Tis true, I gave a noble to the priest Thy mother gave thee, when thou suck'dst her breast, Exit York. Take her away, for she hath lived too long, Puc. First, let me tell you whom you have condemn'd. York. Ay, ay;-away with her to execution! Spare for no faggots, let there be enough: Puc. Will nothing turn your unrelenting hearts?- Mar. Farewell, my lord! Good wishes, praise, and That warranteth by law to be thy privilege. prayers, I am with child, ye bloody homicides: And, now the matter grows to compromise, Murder not, then, the fruit within my womb, York. Now, heaven forfend! the holy maid with child | Either accept the title thou usurp'st, Is all your strict preciseness come to this? War. Well, go to; we will have no bastards live; 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; War. A married man! that's most intolerable. War. It's sign she hath been liberal and free. [curse: Puc. Then lead me hence; - with whom I leave my Drive you to break your necks, or hang yourselves! [Exit, guarded. York. Break thou in pieces, and consume to ashes, Enter CARDINAL BEAUFORT, attended. York. Is all our travail turn'd to this effect! War. Be patient, York: if we conclude a peace, 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:- To ease your country of distressful war, And suffer you to breathe in fruitful peace- Alen. Must he be, then, as shadow of himself? Char. 'Tis known already that I am possess'd York. Insulting Charles! hast thou by secret mesas Of benefit proceeding from our king, Or we will plague thee with incessant wars. Reig. [Aside to CHARLES.] My lord, you do not well To cavil in the course of this contract: If once it be neglected, ten to one, We shall not find like opportunity. [in obstinacy Alen. [Aside to CHARLES.] To say the truth, it is your To save your subjects from such massacre And ruthless slaughters, as are daily seen By our proceeding in hostility: [policy And therefore take this compact of a truce, War. How say'st thou, Charles? shall our condition Only reserved, you claim no interest In any of our towns of garrison. [stand? York. Then swear allegiance to his majesty; [CHARLES and the rest give tokens of fealty. [Exeunt SCENE V.-LONDON. A Room in the Palace. K. Hen. Your wondrous rare description, noble earl, Suff. Tush! my good lord! this superficial tale K. Hen. And otherwise will Henry ne'er presume. 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, Suff. Yes, my good lord, her father is a king, The king of Naples and Jerusalem; Glo. And so the earl of Armagnac may do, Exe. Beside, his wealth doth warrant liberal And not to seek a queen to make him rich: And therefore, lords, since he affects her most, It most of all these reasons bindeth us, In our opinions she should be preferr'd. For what is wedlock forced, but a hell, An age of discord and continual strife? Whereas the contrary bringeth oliss, And is a pattern of celestial peace. Whom should we match with Henry, being a king, But Margaret, that is daughter to a king? If with a lady of so high resolve As is fair Margaret he be link'd in love. Then yield, my lords; and here conclude with me That Margaret shall be queen, and none but she. 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 With any passion of inflaming love, Such fierce alarums both of hope and fear, Agree to any covenants, and procure That lady Margaret do vouchsafe to come And so conduct me where, from company, Glo. Ay, grief, I fear me, both at first and last. [Exit. [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 I will rule both her, the king, and realm. [Exit. ACT I. SCENE I.-LONDON. 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, SOMER SET, 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, I have perform'd my task, and was espoused: And humbly now upon my bended knee, Deliver up my title in the queen 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, Q. Mar. Great king of England, and my gracious lord, 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; 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 Reignier 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. Cousin of York, we here discharge your grace From being regent in the parts of France, [down; Till term of eighteen months be full expired.Thanks, uncle Winchester, Gloster, York, and BuckingSomerset, Salisbury, and Warwick; [ham, 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. [Exeunt KING, QUEEN, and SUFFOLK Glo. Brave peers of England, pillars of the state, In winter's cold, and summer's parching heat, How France and Frenchmen might be kept in wo? Been crown'd in Paris, in despite of foes? Car. Nephew, what means this passionate discourse? Glo. Ay, uncle, we will keep it if we can; Sal. Now, by the death of Him that died for all, War. For grief that they are past recovery: York. For Suffolk's duke, may he be suffocate, Glo. A proper jest, and never heard before, That Suffolk should demand a whole fifteenth, Car. My lord of Gloster, now you grow too hot; Glo. My lord of Winchester, I know your mind; 'Tis not my speeches that you do mislike, But 'tis my presence that doth trouble you. Rancour will out: proud prelate, in thy face I see thy fury: if I longer stay, We shall begin our ancient bickerings.Lordings, farewell; and say, when 1 am gone, I prophesied France will be lost ere long. [Ezil. Car. So, there goes our protector in a rage. 'Tis known to you he is mine enemy; Nay, more, an enemy unto you all;" And no great friend, I fear me, to the king. Consider, lords, he is the next of blood, And heir-apparent to the English crown; Had Henry got an empire by his marriage, And all the wealthy kingdoms of the west, There's reason he should be displeased at it. Look to it, lords; let not his smoothing words Bewitch your hearts; be wise and circumspect. What though the common people favour him, Calling him "Humphrey, the good duke of Gloster;" Clapping their hands, and crying with loud voice"Jesu maintain your royal excellence!" With-"God preserve the good duke Humphrey!" I fear me, lords, for all this flattering gloss, He will be found a dangerous protector. Buck. Why should he then protect our sovereign, He being of age to govern of himself?Cousin of Somerset, join you with me, And all together, with the duke of Suffolk, We'll quickly hoise duke Humphrey from his seat. Car. This weighty business will not brook delay; I'll to the duke of Suffolk presently. Ezit [pride Som. Cousin of Buckingham, though Humphrey's Than all the princes in the land beside; [Exeunt BUCKINGHAM and SOMERSET. Sal. Pride went before, ambition follows him. Thy late exploits, done in the heart of France, War. So God help Warwick, as he loves the land And common profit of his country! 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 York. Anjou and Maine are given to the French; Paris is lost; the state of Normandy Stands on a tickle point, now they are gone: Suffolk concluded on the articles; The peers agreed; and Henry was well pleased To change two dukedoms for a duke's fair daughter. I cannot blame them all; what is't to them? |