A CT IV. SCENE I. Changes to England. Enter Gloucefter, Clarence, Somerfet and Montague. N. GLOUCESTER. OW tell me, brother Clarence, what think you Of this new marriage with the lady Gray? Hath not our brother made a worthy choice? Clar. Alas, you know 'tis far from hence to France: How could he stay till Warwick made return? Elourish. Enter King Edward, Lady Gray as Queen, Pembroke, Stafford, and Haftings: Four ftand on. one fide, and four on the other. Glo. And his well-chofen bride... Clar. I mind to tell him plainly what I think. K. Edw. Now brother Clarence, how like you our choice, That you stand penfive as half malecontent? Clar. As well as Lewis of France, or th' Earl of War wick, Which are fo weak of courage, and in judgment, K. Edw. Suppofe they take offence without a cause:: K. Edw.. K. Edw. Yea, brother Richard, you offended too? Glo. Not I; no: God forbid that I fhould with Them fevered whom God hath join'd together. Pity to funder them, that yoak fo well. K. Edw. Setting your fcorns and your mislike afide, Tell me fome reason why the lady Gray Should not become my wife, and England's Queen ? Clar. Then this is my opinion; that King Lewis About the marriage of the lady Bona. Glo. And Warwick, doing what you gave in charge, Is now dishonoured by this new marriage. K. Edw. What if both Lewis and Warwick be appeas'd, By fuch invention as I can devise ? Mont. Yet to have join'd with France in fuch alliance, Would more have strengthen'd this our commonwealth 'Gainft foreign ftorms, than any home-bred marriage. Haft. Why, knows not Montague that of it felf England is fafe, if true within it felf? Mont. Yes, but the fafer when 'tis back'd with France, Haft. 'Tis better ufing France, than trufting France.~· Let us be back'd with God, and with the feas, Which he hath given for fence impregnable, And with their helps alone defend our felves: In them, and in our felves, our safety lyes. Clar. For this one fpeech, lord Haftings well deferves To have the heir of the lord Hungerford. K. Edw. Ay, what of that? it was my will and grant,.. And for this once my will shall stand for law. Glo. And yet methinks your grace hath not done well, To give the heir and daughter of lord Scales Unto the brother of your loving bride. Clar. Or elfe you would not have bestow'd the heir K. Edw. K. Edw. Alas, poor Clarence! is it for a wife That thou art malecontent? I will provide thee. Clar. In chufing for your felf, you fhew'd your judg ment; Which being fhallow, you fhall give me leave- you. K. Edw. Leave me, or tarry, Edward will be King; And not be ty'd unto his brother's will. L. Gray. My lords, before it pleas'd his Majesty And meaner than my self have had like fortune. So your diflikes, to whom I would be pleafing, So long as Edward is thy conftant friend,. And their true Sov'raign, whom they must obey? Which if they do, yet will I keep thee safe, Glo. I hear, yet fay not much, but think the more. SCENE I Enter a Poft. K. Edw. Now meffenger, what letters or what naws from France? Poft. My Soveraign Liege, no letters and few words, But fuch as (without your fpecial pardon).. Dare not relate. K. Edw. Go to, we pardon thee: So tell their words, as near as thou canft guess them. Poft Poft. At my depart, these were his very words; K. Edw. Is Lewis fo brave? belike he thinks me Henry. But what faid lady Bona to my marriage? Poft. These were her words, utter'd with mild difdain.: Tell him, in hope he'll prove a widower shortly, I'll wear the willow garland for his fake. K. Edw. I blame not her, fhe could fay little lefs ; She had the wrong. But what faid Henry's Queen? For fo I heard that he was there in place. Poft. Tell him (quoth fhe); my mourning weeds are done, And I am ready to put armour on. K. Edw. Belike the minds to play the Amazon. But what faid Warwick to these injuries? Poft. He, more incens'd against your Majefty Than all the reft, difcharg'd me with thefe words; Tell him from me that he hath done me wrong, And therefore I'll uncrown him.ere't be long, K. Edw. Ha! durft the traitor breath out fo proud words? Well, I will arm me, being thus fore-warn'd: Poft. Ay, gracious Sov'raign, they're fo link'd in friendship, The young Prince Edward marries Warwick's daugh ter. Clar. Belike the elder; Clarence will have the younger. Now brother King farewel, and fit you faft, For I will hence to Warwick's other daughter, You that love me and Warwick, follow me. [Exit Clarence, and Somerset follows. Gloo Glo. Not I: my thoughts aim at a further mat ter: I ftay not for love of Edward, but the crown. [Afide. K. Edw. Clarence and Somerfet both gone to War wick ? [Ex. Pembroke and Stafford. But ere I go, Haftings and Montague I rather with you foes than hollow friends. Mon. So God help Montague, as he proves true. us? Glo. Ay, in defpight of all that fhall withstand you. Now therefore let us hence, and lofe no hour SCENE |