Should not become my wife, and England's queen ?—
And you too, Somerset, and Montague,
Speak freely what you think.

Clar. Then this is my opinion-that king Lewis
Becomes your enemy, for mocking him
About the marriage of the lady Bona.

30

Glo. And Warwick, doing what you gave in

Is now dishonoured by this new marriage.

K. Edw. What, if both Lewis and Warwick be

appeas'd,

By such invention as I can devise ?

Mont. Yet to have join'd with France in such al

liance,

Would more have strengthen'd this our common

wealth

'Gainst foreign storms, than any home-bred marriage. Hast. Why, knows not Montague, that of itself England is safe, if true within itself?

49

Mont. Yes; but the safer, when 'tis back'd with

France.

Hast. 'Tis better using France, than trusting France; Let us be back'd with God, and with the seas, Which he hath given for fence impregnable, And with their helps alone defend ourselves; In them, and in ourselves, our safety lies.

Clar. For this one speech, lord Hastings well de

serves

To have the heir of the lord Hungerford,

Hiij

K. Edw.

K. Edw. Ay, what of that? it was my will, and

grant;

And, for this once, my will shall stand for law. 50 Glo. And yet, methinks, you grace hath not done well,

To give the heir and daughter of lord Scales
Unto the brother of your loving bride;

She better would have fitted me, or Clarence:
But in your bride you bury brotherhood.

Clar. Or else you would not have bestow'd the heir
Of the lord Bonville on your new wife's son,
And leave your brothers to go speed elsewhere.
K. Edw. Alas, poor Clarence! is it for a wife,
That thou art malecontent? I will provide thee. 60
Clar. In choosing for yourself, you shew'd your
judgment:

Which being shallow, you shall give me leave

To play the broker in mine own behalf;

And, to that end, I shortly mind to leave you.

K. Edw. Leave me, or tarry, Edward will be king,

And not be ty'd unto his brother's will.

Queen. My lords, before it pleas'd his majesty
To raise my state to title of a queen,

Do me but right, and you must all confess
That I was not ignoble of descent,

And meaner than myself have had like fortune.
But as this title honours me and mine,
So your dislikes, to whom I would be pleasing,
Do cloud my joys with danger and with sorrow.

70

K. Edw.

K. Edw. My love, forbear to fawn upon their

frowns:

What danger, or what sorrow can befall thee,

So long as Edward is thy constant friend,

And their true sovereign, whom they must obey?
Nay, whom they shall obey, and love thee too,
Unless they seek for hatred at my hands:
Which if they do, yet will I keep thee safe,
And they shall feel the vengeance of my wrath.
Glo. [Aside.] I hear, yet say not much, but think
the more.

Enter a Post.

K. Edw. Now, messenger, what letters, or what

news,

From France?

Post. My sovereign liege, no letters: and few words,

But such as I, without your special pardon,

Dare not relate.

K. Edw. Go to, we pardon thee: therefore, in

brief,

Tell me their words as near as thou canst guess

them.

What answer makes king Lewis unto our letters ?

Post. At my depart, these were his very words; Go tell false Edward, thy supposed king

That Lewis of France is sending over maskers,

To repel it with him and his new bride,

90

K. Edw.

K. Edw. Is Lewis so brave? belike he thinks me

Henry.

But what said lady Bona to my marriage?

Post. These were her words, utter'd with mild dis

dain:

Tell him, in hope he'll prove a widower shortly,

I'll wear the willow garland for his sake.

100

K. Edw. I blame not her, she could say little less; She had the wrong. But what said Henry's queen ? For I have heard, that she was there in place.

Post. Tell him, quoth she, my mourning weeds are done,

And I am ready to put armour on.

: K. Edw. Belike, she minds to play the Amazon. But what said Warwick to these injuries?

Post. He, more incens'd against your majesty Than all the rest, discharg'd me with these words; Tell him from me, that he hath done me wrong,

And therefore I'll uncrown him, ere't be long.

110

K. Edw. Ha! durst the traitor breathe out so proud
words?

Well, I will arm me, being thus forewarn`d :
They shall have wars, and pay for their presumption.
But say, is Warwick friends with Margaret?

Post. Ay gracious sovereign; they are so link'd in
friendship,

That young prince Edward marries Warwick's daugh ›

ter.

Clar. Belike, the younger; Clarence will have the

elder.

Now,

Now, brother king, farewel, and sit you fast,
For I will hence to Warwick's other daughter;
That, though I want a kingdom, yet in marriage
I may not prove inferior to yourself.—
You, that love me and Warwick, follow me.

120

[Exit CLARENCE, and SOMERSET follows.

Glo. Not I:

My thoughts aim at a further matter; I

Stay not for love of Edward, but the crown. [Aside. K. Edw. Clarence and Somerset both gone to War

wick!

Yet am I arm'd against the worst can happen ;
And haste is needful in this desperate case.-
Pembroke, and Stafford, you in our behalf
Go levy men, and make prepare for war;
They are already, or quickly will be landed;
Myself in person will straight follow you.

130

[Exeunt PEMBROKE and STAFFORD.

But, ere I go, Hastings-and Montague
Resolve my doubt. You twain, of all the rest,
Are near to Warwick, by blood, and by alliance:
Tell me, if you love Warwick more than me?
If it be so, then both depart to him;

I rather wish you foes, than hollow friends:
But if you mind to hold your true obedience,
Give me assurance with some friendly vow,
That I may never have you in suspect.

140

Mont. So God help Montague, as he proves true! Hast. And Hastings, as he favours Edward's

cause I

K. Edw.