Queen.
Say, Buckingham,—

Buckin.
All is prepar'd.

Queen.
'Tis well.—
Gloucester, thy idle Speeches pass my Ear,
As does the wafting Wind.

Beauf.
Madam, you see,
My Nephew can declaim.

Queen.
By Gloucester's Actions,
Will I interpret his fair-seeming Words.
  Was it not He, my Lords, oppos'd my Marriage;
Which my Good Lord of Winchester approv'd?
Was it not He, who scorn'd my Father's Titles?
Of Naples, Sicily, Jerusalem, King!—
Was it not Gloucester, did uphold his Wife
To bear her Port above me, in the Palace?
And who, beside this Duke, in every Thing,
Has check'd my Power, and thwarted my Desires!—

All which Indignities, when I forgive;
May I be hooted through the Streets, like Eleanor!

Gloucest.
Were You unfortunate, She would not triumph.

Queen.
I see through thy Submission; mistaken Man!—
Thou doest resign an Office, thou hast not Power,
Longer, to hold:—Nay, darest not hold it, longer.

Gloucest.
Not dare to hold our Office?—Yes; We dare!—
Nor, will we give it up to Reiner's Daughter,
Whose whole Inheritance is empty Titles;
Whom Eleanor surmounts, in every Vertue!—
See my Submission?—No; Mistaken Woman!—
Not dare; proud Margaret?—Every Thing We dare,
That our Allegiance warrants!—We, even, dare
To disabuse the King;—which Suffolk dares not do:
Suffolk, who brought the Curse—

Queen.
Arrest the Traitour!

Gloucest.
Arrest the Lord Protectour;—

Queen.
Him;—this Instant!—

Gloucest.
Who holds his Power, by Parliament?—

Queen.
Yes: Seize him!—
That Duke of Gloucester, there!—

Gloucest.
Who offers
Such Violence (though, in the Presence-Chamber)
Tempts my Sword.

Queen.
Suffolk, forbear!—We come not, here, to combat.—
Lord Buckingham; produce your Orders.

Buckin.
Your Highness may peruse them.

Queen.
My Lord of Winchester, do You remain;
And, bring us an Account of his Behaviour.

Previous section

Next section