Shakespeare's First Folio Part 399

For both of you are Birds of selfe-same Feather

Lewes. Warwicke, this is some poste to vs, or thee.

Enter the Poste.

Post. My Lord Amba.s.sador, These Letters are for you.

Speakes to Warwick,

Sent from your Brother Marquesse Montague.

These from our King, vnto your Maiesty.

To Lewis.

And Madam, these for you:

To Margaret

From whom, I know not.

They all reade their Letters.

Oxf. I like it well, that our faire Queene and Mistris Smiles at her newes, while Warwicke frownes at his

Prince Ed. Nay marke how Lewis stampes as he were netled. I hope, all's for the best

Lew. Warwicke, what are thy Newes?

And yours, faire Queene

Mar. Mine such, as fill my heart with vnhop'd ioyes

War. Mine full of sorrow, and hearts discontent

Lew. What? has your King married the Lady Grey?

And now to sooth your Forgery, and his, Sends me a Paper to perswade me Patience?

Is this th' Alliance that he seekes with France?

Dare he presume to scorne vs in this manner?

Mar. I told your Maiesty as much before: This proueth Edwards Loue, and Warwickes honesty

War. King Lewis, I heere protest in sight of heauen, And by the hope I haue of heauenly blisse, That I am cleere from this misdeed of Edwards; No more my King, for he dishonors me, But most himselfe, if he could see his shame.

Did I forget, that by the House of Yorke My Father came vntimely to his death?

Did I let pa.s.se th' abuse done to my Neece?

Did I impale him with the Regall Crowne?

Did I put Henry from his Natiue Right?

And am I guerdon'd at the last, with Shame?

Shame on himselfe, for my Desert is Honor.

And to repaire my Honor lost for him, I heere renounce him, and returne to Henry.

My n.o.ble Queene, let former grudges pa.s.se, And henceforth, I am thy true Seruitour: I will reuenge his wrong to Lady Bona, And replant Henry in his former state

Mar. Warwicke, These words haue turn'd my Hate, to Loue, And I forgiue, and quite forget old faults, And ioy that thou becom'st King Henries Friend

War. So much his Friend, I, his Vnfained Friend, That if King Lewis vouchsafe to furnish vs With some few Bands of chosen Soldiours, Ile vndertake to Land them on our Coast, And force the Tyrant from his seat by Warre.

'Tis not his new-made Bride shall succour him.

And as for Clarence, as my Letters tell me, Hee's very likely now to fall from him, For matching more for wanton l.u.s.t, then Honor, Or then for strength and safety of our Country

Bona. Deere Brother, how shall Bona be reueng'd, But by thy helpe to this distressed Queene?

Mar. Renowned Prince, how shall Poore Henry liue, Vnlesse thou rescue him from foule dispaire?

Bona. My quarrel, and this English Queens, are one

War. And mine faire Lady Bona, ioynes with yours

Lew. And mine, with hers, and thine, and Margarets.

Therefore, at last, I firmely am resolu'd You shall haue ayde

Mar. Let me giue humble thankes for all, at once

Lew. Then Englands Messenger, returne in Poste, And tell false Edward, thy supposed King, That Lewis of France, is sending ouer Maskers To reuell it with him, and his new Bride.

Thou seest what's past, go feare thy King withall

Bona. Tell him, in hope hee'l proue a widower shortly, I weare the Willow Garland for his sake

Mar. Tell him, my mourning weeds are layde aside, And I am ready to put Armor on

War. Tell him from me, that he hath done me wrong, And therefore Ile vn-Crowne him, er't be long.

There's thy reward, be gone.

Exit Post.

Lew. But Warwicke, Thou and Oxford, with fiue thousand men Shall crosse the Seas, and bid false Edward battaile: And as occasion serues, this n.o.ble Queen And Prince, shall follow with a fresh Supply.

Yet ere thou go, but answer me one doubt: What Pledge haue we of thy firme Loyalty?

War. This shall a.s.sure my constant Loyalty, That if our Queene, and this young Prince agree, Ile ioyne mine eldest daughter, and my Ioy, To him forthwith, in holy Wedlocke bands

Mar. Yes, I agree, and thanke you for your Motion.

Sonne Edward, she is Faire and Vertuous, Therefore delay not, giue thy hand to Warwicke, And with thy hand, thy faith irreuocable, That onely Warwickes daughter shall be thine

Prin.Ed. Yes, I accept her, for she well deserues it, And heere to pledge my Vow, I giue my hand.

He giues his hand to Warw[icke].

Lew. Why stay we now? These soldiers shalbe leuied, And thou Lord Bourbon, our High Admirall Shall waft them ouer with our Royall Fleete.

I long till Edward fall by Warres mischance, For mocking Marriage with a Dame of France.

Exeunt. Manet Warwicke.

War. I came from Edward as Amba.s.sador, But I returne his sworne and mortall Foe: Matter of Marriage was the charge he gaue me, But dreadfull Warre shall answer his demand.

Had he none else to make a stale but me?

Then none but I, shall turne his Iest to Sorrow.

I was the Cheefe that rais'd him to the Crowne, And Ile be Cheefe to bring him downe againe: Not that I pitty Henries misery, But seeke Reuenge on Edwards mockery.

Enter.