Car.
Lord Regent, I do greet your excellence
With letters of commission from the King.
For know, my lords, the states of Christendom,
Mov'd with remorse of these outrageous broils,
Have earnestly implor'd a gen'ral peace
Betwixt our nation and th' aspiring French;
And see at hand the Dauphin and his train
Approaching, to confer about some matters.

York.
Is all our travel turn'd to this effect?
After the slaughter of so many peers,
So many captains, gentlemen and soldiers,
That in this quarrel have been overthrown,
And sold their bodies for their country's benefit,
Shall we at last conclude effeminate peace?
Have we not lost most part of all the towns,
By treason, falshood, and by treachery,
Our great progenitors had conquered?
Oh Warwick, Warwick, I foresee with grief
The utter loss of all the realm of France.

War.
Be patient, York; if we conclude a peace,
It shall be with such strict and severe covenants,
As little shall the Frenchmen gain thereby.

Enter Charles, Alanson, Bastard and Reignier.

Char.
Since, lords of England, it is thus agreed,
That peaceful truce shall be proclaim'd in France;
We come to be informed by your selves,
What the conditions of that league must be.

York.
Speak, Winchester; for boiling choler chokes
The hollow passage of my poison'd voice,
By sight of these our baleful enemies.

Win.
Charles and the rest, it is enacted thus:
That in regard King Henry gives consent,
Of meer compassion and of lenity
To ease your country of distressful war,
And suffer you to breathe in fruitful peace;
You shall become true liegemen to his crown.
And Charles, upon condition thou wilt swear
To pay him tribute and submit thy self,
Thou shalt be plac'd as Viceroy under him,
And still enjoy thy regal dignity.

Alan.
Must he be then a shadow of himself?
Adorn his temples with a coronet,
And yet in substance and authority
Retain but privilege of a private man?
This proffer is absurd and reasonless.

Char.
'Tis known already that I am possest
Of more than half the Gallian territories,
And therein rev'renc'd for their lawful King.
Shall I for lucre of the rest un-vanquish'd,
Detract so much from that prerogative,
As to be call'd but Viceroy of the whole?
No, lord ambassador, I'll rather keep
That which I have, than coveting for more
Be cast from possibility of all.

York.
Insulting Charles, hast thou by secret means
Us'd intercession to obtain a league,
And now the matter grows to compromise,
Stand'st thou aloof upon comparison?
Either accept the title thou usurp'st,
Of benefit proceeding from our King,
And not of any challenge of desert,
Or we will plague thee with incessant wars.

Reig.
My lord, you do not well in obstinacy
To cavil in the course of this contract:
If once it be neglected, ten to one
We shall not find like opportunity.

Alan.
To say the truth, it is your policy
To save your subjects from such massacre
And ruthless slaughters, as are daily seen
By our proceeding in hostility.
And therefore take this compact of a truce,
Although you break it when your pleasure serves. [Aside to the Dauphin.

War.
How say'st thou, Charles? shall our condition stand?

Char.
It shall:
Only reserv'd you claim no interest
In any of our towns of garrison.

York.
Then swear allegiance to his Majesty,
As thou art Knight, never to disobey
Nor be rebellious to the crown of England:
Thou, nor thy nobles, to the crown of England.
So now dismiss your army when you please:
Hang up your ensigns, let your drums be still,
For here we entertain a solemn peace. [Exeunt.

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