Oxf. I like it well,

that our fair queen and mistress Smiles at her news, while Warwick frowns at his. Prince. Nay, mark, how Lewis stamps as he were

nettled :

* I hope, all's for the best.

‹ K. Lew. Warwick, what are thy news? and yours, fair queen?

'Q. Mar. Mine, such as fill my heart with unhop'd joys.

War. Mine, full of sorrow and heart's discontent.
K. Lew. What! has your king married the Lady
Grey?

And now, to sooth 10 your forgery and his,
• Sends me a paper to persuade me patience?
Is this the alliance that he seeks with France?
Dare he presume to scorn us in this manner?

* Q. Mar. I told your majesty as much before: This proveth Edward's love, and Warwick's honesty. War. King Lewis, I here protest,-in sight of heaven,

And by the hope I have of heavenly bliss,—
That I am clear from this misdeed of Edward's;
No more my king, for he dishonours me;
But most himself, if he could see his shame,—
Did I forget, that by the house of York
My father came untimely to his death?
Did I let pass the abuse done to my niece 11?
Did I impale him with the regal crown?
Did I put Henry from his native right;

10 To sooth, in ancient language, was 'to countenance a falsehood or forged tale, to uphold one in his talke, and affirme it to be true which he speaketh.' BARET. Malone blunders strangely, taking to sooth in its modern acceptation of to soften.

11 6 King Edward did attempt a thing once in the earle's house, which was much against the earle's honestie (whether he would have deflowred his daughter or his niece, the certaintie was not for both their honours revealed), for surely such a thing was attempted by King Edward.' Holinshed, p. 668.

'And am I guerdon'd 12 at the last with shame?
* Shame on himself! for my desert is honour.
* And, to repair my honour lost for him,

* I here renounce him, and return to Henry':
My noble queen, let former grudges pass,
And henceforth I am thy true servitor;

I will revenge his wrong to Lady Bona,
And replant Henry in his former state.
'Q. Mar. Warwick, these words have turn'd
hate to love;

And I forgive and quite forget old faults,

my

And joy that thou becom'st King Henry's friend. War. So much his friend, ay, his unfeigned friend, That, if King Lewis vouchsafe to furnish us With some few bands of chosen soldiers, I'll undertake to land them on our coast, And force the tyrant from his seat by war. "Tis not his new-made bride shall succour him: * And as for Clarence,-as my letters tell me, * He's very likely now to fall from him;

* For matching more for wanton lust than honour, * Or than for strength and safety of our country. *Bona. Dear brother, how shall Bona be reveng❜d, * But by thy help to this distressed queen?

* Q. Mar. Renowned prince, how shall poor Henry live,

* Unless thou rescue him from foul despair?

* Bona. My quarrel, and this English queen's,

are one.

* War. And mine, fair Lady Bona, joins with yours. *K. Lew. And mine with hers, and thine, and Margaret's.

Therefore, at last, I firmly am resolv'd,

You shall have aid.

* Q. Mar. Let me give humble thanks for all at

once.

12 Rewarded.

K. Lew. Then England's messenger, return in post; And tell false Edward, thy supposed king,— That Lewis of France is sending over maskers, To revel it with him and his new bride:

* Thou seest what's past, go fear 13 thy king withal. Bona. Tell him, In hope he'll prove a widower shortly,

I'll wear the willow garland for his sake.

Q. Mar. Tell him, My mourning weeds are laid aside,

And I am ready to put armour on.

War. Tell him from me, That he hath done me

wrong;

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

There's thy reward; be gone 14.

K. Lew.

[Exit Mess.

But, Warwick, thou,

And Oxford, with five thousand men,

Shall cross the seas, and bid false Edward battle: * And, as occasion serves, this noble queen * And prince shall follow with a fresh supply. 'Yet, ere thou go, but answer me one doubt;• What pledge have we of thy firm loyalty?

War. This shall assure my constant loyalty:That if our queen and this young prince agree, I'll join mine eldest daughter 15, and my joy, To him forthwith in holy wedlock bands.

Q. Mar. Yes, I agree, and thank you for your

motion:

13 Fright.

14 Here we are to suppose that, according to ancient custom, Warwick makes a present to the herald or messenger, who in the old play is called a Post. See note on King Henry V. Act iii. Sc. vit.

15 This is a departure from the truth of history, for Edward prince of Wales was married to Anne, second daughter of the earl of Warwick. In fact Isabella, his eldest daughter, was inarried to Clarence in 1468. There is however no inconsistence in the present proposal, for at the time represented, when War

Son Edward, she is fair and virtuous,

Therefore delay not, give thy hand to Warwick; And, with thy hand, thy faith irrevocable,

That only Warwick's daughter shall be thine.

* Prince. Yes, I accept her, for she well deserves it;

* And here, to pledge my vow, I give my hand. [He gives his hand to WARWICK. 'K. Lew. Why stay we now? These soldiers shall be levied,

And thou, Lord Bourbon, our high admiral,
Shall waft them over with our royal fleet.—

I long, till Edward fall by war's mischance,
For mocking marriage with a dame of France.
[Exeunt all but WARWICK.

War. I came from Edward as embassador,
But I return his sworn and mortal foe:

Matter of marriage was the charge he gave me,
But dreadful war shall answer his demand.
Had he none else to make a stale 16, but me?
Then none but I shall turn his jest to sorrow.
I was the chief that rais'd him to the crown,
And I'll be chief to bring him down again:
Not that I pity Henry's misery,
But seek revenge on Edward's mockery.

[Exit.

wick was in France, neither of his daughters were married. Shakspeare has here again followed the old play. In King Richard III. he has properly represented Lady Anne, the widow of Edward prince of Wales, as the youngest daughter of Warwick.

16 A stale here means a stalking horse, a pretence.

ACT IV.

SCENE I. London. A Room in the Palace.

Enter GLOSTER, CLARENCE, SOMERSET, MONTAGUE, and Others.

'Glo. Now tell me, brother Clarence, what think you

• Of this new marriage with the Lady Grey? * Hath not our brother made a worthy choice? * Clar. Alas, you know, 'tis far from hence to France;

* How could he stay till Warwick made return? * Som. My lords, forbear this talk; here comes the king.

Flourish. Enter KING EDWARD, attended; LADY GREY, as Queen; PEMBROKE, STAFFORD, HASTINGS, and Others.

* Glo. And his well chosen bride.

* Clar. I mind to tell him plainly what I think.

K. Edw. Now, brother of Clarence, how like

you our choice,

That you stand pensive, as half malcontent? 'Clar. As well as Lewis of France, or the earl of Warwick;

Which are so weak of courage, and in judgment, That they'll take no offence at our abuse.

'K. Edw. Suppose, they take offence without a

cause,

They are but Lewis and Warwick; I am Edward, Your king and Warwick's, and must have my will.