For them we order thus; Oxford in chief, Orf. I humbly thank your majesty. K. Hen. The next division we assign to Dawbeney: These must be men of action, for on those The fortune of our fortunes must rely. The last and main, ourself commands in person; K. Hen. But, Surrey, We have employment of more toil for thee: vours. The Scot is young and forward, we must look for The frontiers against an invasion there. [Exeunt. SCENE III. Edinburgh.-An Apartment in the Palace. Enter CRAWFORD and DALyell. Craw. 'Tis more than strange; my reason cannot answer Such argument of fine imposture, couch'd Could cozen truth itself; this dukeling mushroom Dal. He courts the ladies, As if his strength of language chain'd attention Craw. It madded My very soul to hear our master's motion; Must of necessity ensue upon A match betwixt some noble of our nation, And this brave prince, forsooth! Dal. Twill prove too fatal; Wise Huntley fears the threat'ning. Bless the lady From such a ruin! Craw. How the counsel privy Of this young Phaeton do screw their faces Into a gravity, their trades, good people, Were never guilty of! the meanest of them Dreams of at least an office in the state. Dal. Sure not the hangman's, 'tis bespoke al ready For service to their rogueships,-silence! Enter King JAMES and HUNTLEY. K. Ja. Do not Argue against our will; we have descended Hunt. Break my heart, Do, do, king! Have my services, my loyalty, By marriage of this girl to a straggler !— In K. Ja. Kings are counterfeits your repute, grave oracle, not presently Set on their thrones, with sceptres in their fists! But use your own detraction; 'tis our pleasure By marriage of this girl.] See vol. i. p. 19. The circumstance is thus briefly noticed by Lord Bacon.-" To put it out of doubt that he took (Perkin) to be a great prince, and not a representation only, King James gave consent that this duke should take to wife the Lady Catherine Gordon, daughter of the Earl of Huntley, being a near kinswoman to the king himself, and a young virgin of excellent beauty and virtue." To give our cousin York for wife our kinswoman, The lady Katherine: Instinct of sovereignty Designs the honour, though her peevish father Usurps our resolution. Hunt. Oh, 'tis well, Exceeding well! I never was ambitious Dare speak one word of comfort? Dal. Cruel misery! Craw. The lady, gracious prince, may be hath settled Affection on some former choice. Dal. Enforcement Would prove but tyranny. Hunt. I thank thee heartily. Let any yeoman of our nation challenge A queen! perhaps, a quean!] I cannot reconcile myself to this reading, though I have adopted it. The noble Huntley would scarcely use such language of his daughter, however lightly he might be disposed to treat the young pretender to royalty. The passage stands thus in the old copy: "I never was ambitious Of using congeys to my Daughter Queene: If the last line be read A queen, perhaps! a queen! it may seem to express his affected surprize at her advancement ; but let the reader decide. K. Ja. Cease persuasions. I violate no pawns of faiths, intrude not On private loves; that I have play'd the orator For kingly York to virtuous Kate, her grant Can justify, referring her contents To our provision: the Welsh Harry, henceforth, Shall therefore know, and tremble to acknowledge, That not the painted idol of his policy Shall fright the lawful owner from a kingdom.— We are resolv'd. Hunt. Some of thy subjects' hearts, King James, will bleed for this! K. Ja. Then shall their bloods Be nobly spent: no more disputes; he is not Hunt. Farewell, daughter! My care by one is lessen'd, thank the king for't! I and my griefs will dance now. Enter WARBECK, complimenting with Lady KATHERINE; Countess of CRAWFORD, JANE DOUGLAS, FRION, JOHN A-WATER, ASTLEY, HERON, and SKETON. Look, lords, look; Here's hand in hand already! K. Ja. Peace, old frenzy.- How like a king he looks! Lords, but observe The confidence of his aspéct; dross cannot Cleave to so pure a metal-royal youth! Plantagenet undoubted! |