1    Have you perused the letters from the pope,
2    The emperor and the Earl of Armagnac?

3    I have, my lord: and their intent is this:
4    They humbly sue unto your excellence
5    To have a godly peace concluded of
6    Between the realms of England and of France.

7    How doth your grace affect their motion?

8    Well, my good lord; and as the only means
9    To stop effusion of our Christian blood
10   And 'stablish quietness on every side.

11   Ay, marry, uncle; for I always thought
12   It was both impious and unnatural
13   That such immanity and bloody strife
14   Should reign among professors of one faith.

15   Beside, my lord, the sooner to effect
16   And surer bind this knot of amity,
17   The Earl of Armagnac, near knit to Charles,
18   A man of great authority in France,
19   Proffers his only daughter to your grace
20   In marriage, with a large and sumptuous dowry.

21   Marriage, uncle! alas, my years are young!
22   And fitter is my study and my books
23   Than wanton dalliance with a paramour.
24   Yet call the ambassador; and, as you please,
25   So let them have their answers every one:
26   I shall be well content with any choice
27   Tends to God's glory and my country's weal.

28   What! is my Lord of Winchester install'd,
29   And call'd unto a cardinal's degree?
30   Then I perceive that will be verified
31   Henry the Fifth did sometime prophesy,
32   'If once he come to be a cardinal,
33   He'll make his cap co-equal with the crown.'

34   My lords ambassadors, your several suits
35   Have been consider'd and debated on.
36   And therefore are we certainly resolved
37   To draw conditions of a friendly peace;
38   Which by my Lord of Winchester we mean
39   Shall be transported presently to France.

40   And for the proffer of my lord your master,
41   I have inform'd his highness so at large
42   As liking of the lady's virtuous gifts,
43   Her beauty and the value of her dower,
44   He doth intend she shall be England's queen.

45   In argument and proof of which contract,
46   Bear her this jewel, pledge of my affection.
47   And so, my lord protector, see them guarded
48   And safely brought to Dover; where inshipp'd
49   Commit them to the fortune of the sea.

50   Stay, my lord legate: you shall first receive
51   The sum of money which I promised
52   Should be deliver'd to his holiness
53   For clothing me in these grave ornaments.

54   I will attend upon your lordship's leisure.

Aside
55    Now Winchester will not submit, I trow,
56   Or be inferior to the proudest peer.
57   Humphrey of Gloucester, thou shalt well perceive
58   That, neither in birth or for authority,
59   The bishop will be overborne by thee:
60   I'll either make thee stoop and bend thy knee,
61   Or sack this country with a mutiny.