K. Hen.
Have you perus'd the letters from the pope,
The emperor, and the earl of Armagnac?

Glo.
I have, my lord; and their intent is this:—

They humbly sue unto your excellence,
To have a godly peace concluded of
Between the realms of England and of France.

K. Hen.
How doth your grace affect their motion?

Glo.
Well, my good lord; and as the only means
To stop effusion of our Christian blood, 11Q0710
And 'stablish quietness on every side.

K. Hen.
Ay, marry, uncle; for I always thought,
It was both impious and unnatural,
That such immanity and bloody strife
Should reign among professors of one faith.

Glo.
Beside, my lord, the sooner to effect,
And surer bind, this knot of amity,
The earl of Armagnac, near knit to Charles,
A man of great authority in France,
Proffers his only daughter to your grace
In marriage, with a large and sumptuous dowry.

K. Hen.
Marriage, uncle? alas! my years are young,
And fitter is my study and my books,
Than wanton dalliance with a paramour.
Yet, call th' ambassadors; and, as you please,
So let them have their answers every one:
I shall be well content with any choice,
Tends to God's glory, and my country's weal. Enter a Legate, and two Ambassadors, with Winchester, as a Cardinal.

Exe.
What! is my lord of Winchester install'd,
And call'd unto a cardinal's degree?
Then, I perceive that will be verified,
Henry the fifth did sometime prophesy,—
“If once he come to be a cardinal,
He'll make his cap co-equal with the crown.”

K. Hen.
My lords ambassadors, your several suits
Have been consider'd and debated on.
Your purpose is both good and reasonable;
And, therefore, are we certainly resolv'd,

To draw conditions of a friendly peace;
Which, by my lord of Winchester, we mean
Shall be transported presently to France.

Glo.
And for the proffer of my lord, your master,
I have inform'd his highness so at large,
As—liking of the lady's virtuous gifts,
Her beauty, and the value of her dower,—
He doth intend she shall be England's queen.

K. Hen.
In argument and proof of which contract,
Bear her this jewel, pledge of my affection.—
And so, my lord protector, see them guarded,
And safely brought to Dover; where, inshipp'd,
Commit them to the fortune of the sea. [Exeunt King Henry and Train; Gloster, Exeter, and Ambassadors.

Win.
Stay, my lord legate: you shall first receive
The sum of money, which I promised
Should be deliver'd to his holiness
For clothing me in these grave ornaments.

Leg.
I will attend upon your lordship's leisure.

Win.
Now, Winchester will not submit, I trow,
Or be inferior to the proudest peer.
Humphrey of Gloster, thou shalt well perceive,
That, neither in birth, or for authority,
The bishop will be overborne by thee:
I'll either make thee stoop, and bend thy knee,
Or sack this country with a mutiny. [Exeunt.

Previous section

Next section