K. Lew.
Fair Queen of England, worthy Margaret,
Sit down with us; it ill befits thy state,

And birth, that thou should'st stand while Lewis sits.

Queen.
No, mighty King of France; now Margaret
Must strike her sail, and learn a while to serve,
Where Kings command. I was, I must confess,
Great Albion's Queen in former golden days:
But now mischance hath trod my title down,
And with dishonour laid me on the ground,
Where I must take like seat unto my fortune,
And to my humble seat conform my self.

K. Lew.
Why say, fair Queen, whence springs this deep despair?

Queen.
From such a cause as fills mine eyes with tears
And stops my tongue, while my heart's drown'd in cares.

K. Lew.
Whate'er it be, be thou still like thy self,
And sit thee by our side. [Seats her by him.
Yield not thy neck
To fortune's yoak, but let thy dauntless mind
Still ride in triumph over all mischance.
Be plain, Queen Margaret, and tell thy grief;
It shall be eas'd, if France can yield relief.

Queen.
Those gracious words revive my drooping thoughts,
And give my tongue-ty'd sorrows leave to speak.
Now therefore be it known to noble Lewis,
That Henry, sole possessor of my love,
Is of a King become a banish'd man,
And forc'd to live in Scotland a forlorn;
While proud ambitious Edward Duke of York
Usurps the regal title, and the seat
Of England's true anointed lawful King.
This is the cause that I poor Margaret,
With this my son Prince Edward, Henry's heir,
Am come to crave thy just and lawful aid:
And if thou fail us, all our hope is done.
Scotland hath will to help, but cannot help:

Our people and our Peers are both mis-led,
Our treasure seiz'd, our soldiers put to flight,
And as thou seest, our selves in heavy plight.

K. Lew.
Renowned Queen, with patience calm the storm,
While we bethink a means to break it off.

Queen.
The more we stay, the stronger grows our foe.

K. Lew.
The more I stay, the more I'll succour thee.

Queen.
O but impatience waiteth on true sorrow:
And see where comes the breeder of my sorrow.

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