Beaufort.
Indeed, my Lord, it is a Disappointment.—
I did not think, my Nephew Gloucester could have been
So Meek!—Perhaps,—his Love is in the Wane.

Suff.
Rather suspect, He Stifles his Resentment;
Deferring Vengeance, to make Vengeance Sure.

Beauf.
It is not in his Nature.—A froward Infant,
As soon, may be instructed to dissemble.
And yet,—He thinks himself exceeding Wise!
And, the poor Commons praise him, for a Statesman.

Suff.
I know not, What to hope; nor, What to fear.—
But, I repent, we did, so rashly, shew
Our Enmity:—A fruitless Provocation;
Since, it impairs not his establish'd Power.

Beauf.
Why This to Me?—Can I bespeak Events?—
It was the Queen's Desire:—You know, it was.

Suff.
You turn too quick upon my Thought!—I grant,
It was the Queen's Desire.—But, mostly She demands,
That the Protectour's Power be overthrown.

Beauf.
Not, in an Instant; sure!—My good Lord Suffolk.—
A little Patience;—and it may be done.

Suff.
But; let us still be mindful,—that, to Morrow,—

Beauf.
First, let to Morrow come!—Or,—come This Night!—
In That short Interval, may lie, conceal'd,
An Hour, that shall determine Humfrey's Rule.

Suff.
I grow impatient!—That, the Glass of Time
Had, Now, begun to measure out That Hour!

Beauf.
Suppose him, then exasperated:—Whether,
For Eleanor's Disgrace;—Or, being refus'd
To see the King:—Or, Both.—Ere Night, he may,
With Indignation stung, give up his Office.—
Not, that I build Thereon.—He may, to Morrow,
Be absent from a Parliament, thus summon'd,
Without consulting Him. Or,—at the Worst;—
Let us suppose,—he shou'd appear,—prepar'd;—
With all his Friends, to Noise it on his Side!—

Suff.
Ay, my Lord Cardinal:—That Supposition!—

Beauf.
Yet,—even then, we undertake to triumph!

Suff:
Therein, I do confess, My Foresight fails.
  Consider,—He is eloquent of Speech;
In Utterance, bold: And, has obtain'd such Credit,
That All assent to What His Lips averr.
Then,—there is Warwick; of a Wit, engageing;
Keen, in Debate; and ready, to reply:
And,—York; who pours a Torrent of Discourse:
And,—Salisbury; of a dangerous Discernment.
  How can We stem this Tide of Enmity?

Beauf.
By superiour Skill.—Since, we are embark'd,
We must not faint: But, steady, steer our Course.

  Two Tempests, rais'd by Gloucester and his Faction,
Allready have I weather'd!—

Suff.
My Doubts arise,
Not out of Fear; but, Caution.—Propose
Some Speedy Counsel, for our common Safety.

Beauf.
First,—let his Majesty prepare a Speech;—
A Speech, wherein He thanks the Duke, his Uncle,
For his long, faithful Services:—Then, adds;
That, Now, in Manhood ripe, his Sovereign Dignity
Demands, the Lord Protectour's Office should expire.

Suff.
This will not be displeasing to the King.

Beauf.
Or, if it should;—the Queen must, then, employ
Her powerful Influence.—That Point secur'd;
We must be diligent: Try every Art
To canvass Voices:—Win over some, with Hopes;
And some, with Fears,—And, buy our spendthrift Lords,
And needy Commons.

Suff.
It seems a happy Thought!
  But here comes Gloucester:—And,—in his Countenance,
Displeasure lowrs.

Beauf.
As I could wish!—Let us
Abide his Frowns;—and, sound his Discontents.

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