If once it be neglected, ten to one,
We fhall not find like opportunity.

Alan. To fay the truth, it is your policy,
To fave your fubjects from fuch maffacre,
And ruthless slaughters, as are daily feen* ****
By our proceeding in hoftility.

And therefore take this compact of a truce,

Although you break it, when your pleasure ferves.

[Afide, to the Dauphin..

War. How fay't thou, Charles? fhall our cond.tion ftand?

Char. It fhall:

Only referv'd, you claim no interest

In

any of our towns of garrifon.

York. Then fwear allegiance to his Majefty.
As thou art Knight, never to difobey,

Nor be rebellious to the crown of England:
Thou, nor thy Nobles, to the Crown of England.
So now difmifs your army, when you please:
Hang up your enfigns, let your drums be still,
For here we entertain a folemn peace.

SCENE changes to England.

[Exeunt.

Enter Suffolk, in conference with King Henry; Gloucefter, and Exeter.

Our wond'rous rare defcription, noble Earl,
Of beauteous Margaret hath astonish'd me &

་

K. Henry.
Her virtues, graced with external gifts,
Do breed love's fettled paffions in my heart.
And, like as rigour of tempeftuous gufts
Provokes the mightiest hulk against the tide,
So am I driv'n by breath of her renown,
Either to fuffer fhipwrack, or arrive
Where I may have fruition of her love.

T

Suf. Tufh, my good Lord, this fuperficial tale
Is but a preface to her worthy praife:
The chief perfections of that lovely dame,
(Had I fufficient fkill to utter them,)

Would make a volume of inticing lines,
Able to ravish any dull conceit,

And, which is more, he is not fo divine,
So full replete 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.

W

K. Henry. And otherwife will Henry ne'er 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 difpenfe with that 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 reafon of his adverfary's odds.

A poor Earl's daughter is unequal odds;

And therefore may be broke without offence."

Glou. Why, what, I pray, is Margret more than that?

Her father is no better than an Earl,

Although in glorious titles he excel.

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 da,

Because he is near kinfman 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 feek a Queen, to make him rich.

So worthless pea'fants bargain for their wives,
As market-men for oxen, fheep 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 molt,
It most of all thefe reafons bindeth us,
In our opinions the should 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 peerlefs feature, joined with her birth,
Approves her fit for none, but for a King.
her valiant courage, and undaunted fpirit,
(More than in woman commonly is feen,)
Answer our hope in iffue 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 the.

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 fharp diffention in my breast,
Such fierce alarms 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 Margret do vouchsafe to come
To cross the feas to England; and be crown'd
King Henry's faithful and anointed Queen..

For

For your expences and fufficient charge,
Among the people gather up a tenth.
Be gone, I fay; for till you do return,
I am perplexed with a thoufand 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 last.
[Exit Gloucefter.
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.

[Exit

[Exit.

The End of the FOURTH Volume.

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