Henry VI, Part III, William Shakespeare [detective books to read txt] 📗

wretch, for grief can speak no more;
Whiles Warwick tells his title, smooths the wrong,
Inferreth arguments of mighty strength,
And in conclusion wins the king from her,
With promise of his sister, and what else,
To strengthen and support King Edward’s place.
O Margaret, thus ’twill be; and thou, poor soul,
Art then forsaken, as thou went’st forlorn! Second Keeper Say, what art thou that talk’st of kings and queens? King Henry

More than I seem, and less than I was born to:
A man at least, for less I should not be;
And men may talk of kings, and why not I?

Second Keeper Ay, but thou talk’st as if thou wert a king. King Henry Why, so I am, in mind; and that’s enough. Second Keeper But, if thou be a king, where is thy crown? King Henry

My crown is in my heart, not on my head;
Not deck’d with diamonds and Indian stones,
Nor to be seen: my crown is called content:
A crown it is that seldom kings enjoy.

Second Keeper

Well, if you be a king crown’d with content,
Your crown content and you must be contented
To go along with us; for, as we think,
You are the king King Edward hath deposed;
And we his subjects sworn in all allegiance
Will apprehend you as his enemy.

King Henry But did you never swear, and break an oath? Second Keeper No, never such an oath; nor will not now. King Henry Where did you dwell when I was King of England? Second Keeper Here in this country, where we now remain. King Henry

I was anointed king at nine months old;
My father and my grandfather were kings,
And you were sworn true subjects unto me:
And tell me, then, have you not broke your oaths?

First Keeper

No;
For we were subjects but while you were king.

King Henry

Why, am I dead? do I not breathe a man?
Ah, simple men, you know not what you swear!
Look, as I blow this feather from my face,
And as the air blows it to me again,
Obeying with my wind when I do blow,
And yielding to another when it blows,
Commanded always by the greater gust;
Such is the lightness of you common men.
But do not break your oaths; for of that sin
My mild entreaty shall not make you guilty.
Go where you will, the king shall be commanded;
And be you kings, command, and I’ll obey.

First Keeper We are true subjects to the king, King Edward. King Henry

So would you be again to Henry,
If he were seated as King Edward is.

First Keeper

We charge you, in God’s name, and the king’s,
To go with us unto the officers.

King Henry

In God’s name, lead; your king’s name be obey’d:
And what God will, that let your king perform;
And what he will, I humbly yield unto. Exeunt.

Scene II

London. The palace.

Enter King Edward, Gloucester, Clarence, and Lady Grey. King Edward

Brother of Gloucester, at Saint Alban’s field
This lady’s husband, Sir Richard Grey, was slain,
His lands then seized on by the conqueror:
Her suit is now to repossess those lands;
Which we in justice cannot well deny,
Because in quarrel of the house of York
The worthy gentleman did lose his life.

Gloucester

Your highness shall do well to grant her suit;
It were dishonour to deny it her.

King Edward It were no less; but yet I’ll make a pause. Gloucester

Aside to Clarence. Yea, is it so?
I see the lady hath a thing to grant,
Before the king will grant her humble suit.

Clarence Aside to Gloucester. He knows the game: how true he keeps the wind! Gloucester Aside to Clarence. Silence! King Edward

Widow, we will consider of your suit;
And come some other time to know our mind.

Lady Grey

Right gracious lord, I cannot brook delay:
May it please your highness to resolve me now;
And what your pleasure is, shall satisfy me.

Gloucester

Aside to Clarence. Ay, widow? then I’ll warrant you all your lands,
An if what pleases him shall pleasure you.
Fight closer, or, good faith, you’ll catch a blow.

Clarence Aside to Gloucester. I fear her not, unless she chance to fall. Gloucester Aside to Clarence. God forbid that! for he’ll take vantages. King Edward How many children hast thou, widow? tell me. Clarence Aside to Gloucester. I think he means to beg a child of her. Gloucester Aside to Clarence. Nay, whip me then: he’ll rather give her two. Lady Grey Three, my most gracious lord. Gloucester Aside to Clarence. You shall have four, if you’ll be ruled by him. King Edward ’Twere pity they should lose their father’s lands. Lady Grey Be pitiful, dread lord, and grant it then. King Edward Lords, give us leave: I’ll try this widow’s wit. Gloucester

Aside to Clarence. Ay, good leave have you; for you will have leave,
Till youth take leave and leave you to the crutch. Gloucester and Clarence retire.

King Edward Now tell me, madam, do you love your children? Lady Grey Ay, full as dearly as I love myself. King Edward And would you not do much to do them good? Lady Grey To do them good, I would sustain some harm. King Edward Then get your husband’s lands, to do them good. Lady Grey Therefore I came unto your majesty. King Edward I’ll tell you how these lands are to be got. Lady Grey So shall you bind me to your highness’ service. King Edward What service wilt thou do me, if I give them? Lady Grey What you command, that rests in me to do. King Edward But you will take exceptions to my boon. Lady Grey No, gracious lord, except I cannot do it. King Edward Ay, but thou canst do what I mean to ask. Lady Grey Why, then I will do what your grace commands. Gloucester Aside to Clarence. He plies her hard; and much rain wears the marble. Clarence Aside to Gloucester. As red as fire! nay, then her wax must melt. Lady Grey Why stops my lord, shall I not hear my task? King Edward An easy task; ’tis but to love a king. Lady Grey That’s soon perform’d,