Buckingham on the other.
Suffolk.
As by your high imperial Majesty2 note
I had in charge at my depart for France,
As procurator for your Excellence,
-- 4 --
To marry Princess Marg'ret for your Grace;
So in the famous ancient city, Tours,
In presence of the Kings of France and Sicil,
The dukes of Orleans, Calaber, Bretaigne, Alanson,
Seven Earls, twelve Barons, twenty reverend Bishops,
I have perform'd my task, and was espous'd:
And humbly now upon my bended knee,
In sight of England and her lordly peers
Deliver up my title in the Queen
[Presenting the Queen to the King.
To your most gracious hand; that are the substance
Of that great shadow I did represent;
The happiest gift that ever Marquess gave,
The fairest Queen that ever King receiv'd.
K. Henry.
Suffolk, arise. Welcome, Queen Margaret;
I can express no kinder sign of love,
Than this kind kiss. O Lord, that lend'st me life,
Lend me a heart replete with thankfulness!
For thou hast giv'n me, in this beauteous face,
A world of earthly blessings to my soul;
If sympathy of love unite our thoughts.
Q. Mar.
Great King of England, and my gracious Lord,
The mutual conf'rence that my mind hath had,3 note
By day, by night, waking and in my dreams,
In courtly company, or at my beads,
With you, mine alder-liefest Sovereign,4 note
Makes me the bolder to salute my King
With ruder terms, such as my wit affords,
-- 5 --
And over-joy of heart doth minister.
K. Henry.
Her sight did ravish, but her grace in speech,
Her words y-clad with wisdom's majesty,
Make me from wondring fall to weeping joys,
Such is the fulness of my heart's content.
Lords, with one cheerful voice welcome my Love.
All kneel.
Long live Queen Marg'ret, 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 Pole Marquess 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 Dutchy of Anjou, and the County of
Maine, shall be released and delivered to the King her
father.
[Lets fall the Paper.
K. Henry.
Uncle, how now?
Glo.
Pardon me, gracious Lord;
Some sudden qualm hath struck me to the heart,
And dimm'd mine eyes, that I can read no further.
K. Henry.
Uncle of Winchester, I pray, read on.
Win.
Item, That the Dutchies of Anjou and Maine
shall be released and delivered to the King her father, and
she sent over of the King of England's own proper cost
and charges, without having any dowry.
K. Henry.
They please us well. Lord Marquess, kneel you down;
We here create thee the first duke of Suffolk,
And gird thee with the sword. Cousin of York,
We here discharge your Grace from being Regent
-- 6 --
I'th' parts of France, till term of eighteen months
Be full expir'd. Thanks, uncle Winchester,
Glo'ster, York, Buckingham, and Somerset,
Salisbury and Warwick;
We thank you for all 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.
Samuel Johnson [1765], The plays of William Shakespeare, in eight volumes, with the corrections and illustrations of Various Commentators; To which are added notes by Sam. Johnson (Printed for J. and R. Tonson [and] C. Corbet [etc.], London) [word count] [S11001].
