K. Henry.
Your wond'rous rare description, noble Earl,
Of beauteous Margaret hath astonish'd me:
Her virtues graced with external gifts,
Do breed love's settled passions in my heart.
And like as rigour of tempestuous gusts
Provokes the mightiest hulk against the tide,
So am I driv'n by breath of her renown,
Either to suffer shipwrack, or arrive
Where I may have fruition of her love.

Suf.
Tush, my good lord, this superficial tale
Is but a preface to her worthy praise:
The chief perfections of that lovely dame
(Had I sufficient skill to utter them)
Would make a volume of inticing lines,
Able to ravish any dull conceit.
And which is more, she is not so divine,
So full repleat with choice of all delights,
But with as humble lowliness of mind
She is content to be at your command:
Command, I mean, of virtuous chaste intents,
To love and honour Henry as her lord.

K. Henry.
And otherwise will Henry ne'er presume:
Therefore, my lord protector, give consent
That Marg'ret may be England's Royal Queen.

Glou.
So should I give consent to flatter sin.
You know, my lord, your highness is betroth'd
Unto another lady of esteem.

How shall we then dispense with the contract,
And not deface your honour with reproach?

Suf.
As doth a ruler with unlawful oaths;
Or one that at a triumph having vow'd
To try his strength, forsaketh yet the lists
By reason of his adversary's odds.
A poor Earl's daughter is unequal odds,
And therefore may be broke without offence.

Glou.
Why what I pray is Marg'ret more than that?
Her father is no better than an Earl,
Although in glorious titles he excell.

Suf.
Yes, my good lord, her father is a King,
The King of Naples and Jerusalem,
And of such great authority in France
That his alliance will confirm our peace,
And keep the Frenchmen in allegiance.

Glou.
And so the Earl of Armagnac may do,
Because he is near kinsman unto Charles.

Exe.
Beside his wealth doth warrant lib'ral dow'r,
While Reignier sooner will receive than give.

Suf.
A dow'r, my lords! disgrace not so your King,
That he should be so abject, base and poor,
To chuse for wealth, and not for perfect love.
Henry is able to enrich his Queen,
And not to seek a Queen to make him rich.
So worthless peasants bargain for their wives,
As market-men for Oxen, Sheep or Horse.
But marriage is a matter of more worth,
Than to be dealt in by attorneyship:
Not whom we will, but whom his grace affects,
Must be companion of his nuptial bed.
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 forth bliss,
And is a pattern of celestial peace.
Whom should we match with Henry, being a King,
But Marg'ret, that is daughter to a King?
Her peerless feature, joined with her birth,
Approves her fit for none, but for a King.
Her valiant courage, and undaunted spirit,
More than in woman commonly is seen,
Answer our hope in issue of a King:
For Henry, son unto a conqueror,
Is likely to beget more conquerors,
If with a lady of so high resolve
As is fair Marg'ret, he be link'd in love.
Then yield my lords, and here conclude with me,
That Marg'ret shall be Queen, and none but she.

K. Henry.
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,
I cannot tell; but this I am assur'd,
I feel such sharp dissention in my breast,
Such fierce alarums both of hope and fear,
As I am sick with working of my thoughts.
Take therefore shipping; post, my lord, to France,
Agree to any covenants, and procure
That lady Marg'ret do vouchsafe to come
To cross the seas to England, and be crown'd
King Henry's faithful and anointed Queen.
For your expences and sufficient charge,
Among the people gather up a tenth.

Be gone, I say; for 'till you do return,
I am perplexed with a thousand cares.
And you, good uncle, banish all offence:
If you do censure me, by what you were,
Not what you are, I know it will excuse
This sudden execution of my will.
And so conduct me, where from company
I may revolve and ruminate my grief. [Exit.

Glo.
Ay, grief I fear me, both at first and last. [Exit Gloucester.

Suf.
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 prosper better than the Trojan did:
Marg'ret shall now be Queen, and rule the King:
But I will rule both her, the King, and realm. [Exit.

The

Previous section