That which I have than, coveting for more, Be cast from possibility of all. York. Insulting Charles! hast thou by secret means And now the matter grows to compromise Alen. To say the truth, it is your policy And therefore take this compact of a truce, Although you break it when your pleasure serves. [Aside to CHARLES. War. How say'st thou, Charles? shall our condition stand? Char. It shall; Only reserv'd, you claim no interest In any of our towns of garrison. York. Then swear allegiance to his majesty, As thou art knight, never to disobey Nor be rebellious to the crown of England,- [CHARLES and the rest give tokens of fealty. [Exeunt. SCENE V.-LONDON. A Room in the Palace. Enter KING HENRY, in conference with SUFFOLK; GLOSTER and EXETER following. K. Hen, Your wondrous rare description, noble earl, Her virtues, graced with external gifts, So am I driven, by breath of her renown, Suf. Tush, my good lord,-this superficial tale The chief perfections of that lovely dame,— K. Hen. And otherwise will Henry ne'er presume. How shall we, then, dispense with that contract, Suf. As doth a ruler with unlawful oaths; Or one that, at a triumph having vow'd To try his strength, forsaketh yet the lists A poor earl's daughter is unequal odds, And therefore may be broke without offence. Glo. Why, what, I pray, is Margaret more than that? Her father is no better than an earl, Although in glorious titles he excel. Suf. Yes, my lord, her father is a king, Glo. And so the Earl of Armagnac may do, Because he is near kinsman unto Charles. Exe. Beside, his wealth doth warrant a liberal dower; While Reignier sooner will receive than give. Suf. A dower, my lords! disgrace not so your king, That he should be so abject, base, and poor, To choose 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 peasants bargain for their wives, Whom should we match with Henry, being a king, As is fair Margaret he be link'd in love. Then yield, my lords; and here conclude with me K. Hen. Whether it be through force of your report, Take therefore shipping; post, my lord, to France; This sudden execution of my will. And so, conduct me where, from company, I may revolve and ruminate my grief. [Exit. [Exeunt GLOSTER 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 prosper better than the Trojan did. Margaret shall now be queen, and rule the king; But I will rule both her, the king, and realm. [Exit. |