Thou, nor thy Nobles, to the crown of England.
So now difmifs your army when you pleafe:
Hang up your enfigns, let your drums be ftill,
For here we entertain a folemn peace.
SCENE VIII, Changes to England. Enter Suffolk in conference with King Henry, Gloucester and Exeter.
K. Henry. Your wond'rous rare description, noble Earl,
Of beauteous Margaret hath aftonish'd me:
Her virtues graced with external gifts,
Do breed love's fettled paffions in my heart.
And like as rigour of tempeftuous gufts
Provokes the mightieft hulk against the tide,
So am I driv'n by breath of her renown,
Either to fuffer fhipwreck, or arrive
Where I may have fruition of her love.
Suf. Tufh, my good Lord, this fuperficial tale
Is but a preface to her worthy praise :
The chief perfections of that lovely dame
(Had I fufficient skill to utter them)
Would make a volume of enticing lines,
Able to ravish any dull conceit.
And which is more, fhe is not fo divine,
So full repleat with choice of all delights,
But with as humble lowlinefs of mind
She is content to be at your command:
Command, I mean, of virtuous chafte intents,
To love and honour Henry as her Lord.
K. Henry. And otherwife will Henry neʼer prefume :
Therefore, my Lord Protector, give confent
That Margret may be England's Royal Queen.
Glou. So fhould I give confent to flatter fin.
You know, my Lord, your Highness is betroth'd
Unto another Lady of efteem.
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 ftrength, forfaketh yet the lifts
By reason of his adverfary's odds.
A poor Earl's daughter is unequal odds,
And therefore may be broke without offence.
Glou. Why, what, I is Margret 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 Jerufalem,
And of fuch great authority in France
That his alliance will confirm our peace,
And keep the Frenchmen in allegiance.
Glou. And fo the Earl of Armagnac may do,
Because he is near kinsman unto Charles.
Exe. Befide, his wealth doth warrant lib'ral dow'r, While Reignier fooner will receive than give.
Suf. A dow'r, my Lords! difgrace not fo your King, That he should be fo abject, bafe and poor,
To chufe 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 peafants bargain for their wives,
As market-men for Oxen, Sheep or Horfe.
But marriage is a matter of more worth,
Than to be dealt in by attorneyfhip:
Not whom we will, but whom his Grace affects,
Must be companion of his nuptial bed.
And therefore, Lords, fince he affects her moft,
It moft of all thefe reafons bindeth us,
In our opinions the fhould be preferr'd;
For what is wedlock forced, but a hell,
An age of difcord and continual ftrife?
Whereas the contrary bringeth forth blifs,
And is a pattern of celeftial peace.
Whom should we match with Henry, being a King,
But Margret, 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 feen,
Anfwer our hope in issue of a King:
For Henry, fon unto a conqueror,
Is likely to beget more conquerors,
If with a Lady of fo high refolve
As is fair Margret, he be link'd in love.'
Then yield, my Lords, and here conclude with me,
That Margret fhall 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 paffion of inflaming love,
I cannot tell; but this I am affur'd,
I feel fuch sharp diffention in my breast,
Such fierce alarums both of hope and fear,
As I am fick with working of my thoughts.
Take therefore fhipping; poft, my Lord, to France,
Agree to any covenants, and procure
That Lady Marg ret do vouchfafe to come
To crofs the feas 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 fay; for 'till you do return,`
I am perplexed with a thousand cares.
And you, good uncle, banish all offence:
If you do cenfure me by what you were,
Not what you are, I know it will excufe
This fudden execution of my will.
And fo conduct me where from company
I may revolve and ruminate my grief.
Glou. Ay, grief I fear me, both at first and laft.
[Exeunt Gloucester and Exeter. 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 profper better than the Trojan did :
Margret fhall now be Queen, and rule the King:
But I will rule both her, the King, and realm.
The End of the FIFTH VOLUME.
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