1    Now tell me, brother Clarence, what think you
2    Of this new marriage with the Lady Grey?
3    Hath not our brother made a worthy choice?

4    Alas, you know, 'tis far from hence to France;
5    How could he stay till Warwick made return?

6    My lords, forbear this talk; here comes the king.

7    And his well-chosen bride.

8    I mind to tell him plainly what I think.

9    Now, brother of Clarence, how like you our choice,
10   That you stand pensive, as half malcontent?

11   As well as Lewis of France, or the Earl of Warwick,
12   Which are so weak of courage and in judgment
13   That they'll take no offence at our abuse.

14   Suppose they take offence without a cause,
15   They are but Lewis and Warwick: I am Edward,
16   Your king and Warwick's, and must have my will.

17   And shall have your will, because our king:
18   Yet hasty marriage seldom proveth well.

19   Yea, brother Richard, are you offended too?

20   Not I:
21   No, God forbid that I should wish them sever'd
22   Whom God hath join'd together; ay, and 'twere pity
23   To sunder them that yoke so well together.

24   Setting your scorns and your mislike aside,
25   Tell me some reason why the Lady Grey
26   Should not become my wife and England's queen.
27   And you too, Somerset and Montague,
28   Speak freely what you think.

29   Then this is mine opinion: that King Lewis
30   Becomes your enemy, for mocking him
31   About the marriage of the Lady Bona.

32   And Warwick, doing what you gave in charge,
33   Is now dishonoured by this new marriage.

34   What if both Lewis and Warwick be appeased
35   By such invention as I can devise?

36   Yet, to have join'd with France in such alliance
37   Would more have strengthen'd this our commonwealth
38   'Gainst foreign storms than any home-bred marriage.

39   Why, knows not Montague that of itself
40   England is safe, if true within itself?

41   But the safer when 'tis back'd with France.

42   'Tis better using France than trusting France:
43   Let us be back'd with God and with the seas
44   Which He hath given for fence impregnable,
45   And with their helps only defend ourselves;
46   In them and in ourselves our safety lies.

47   For this one speech Lord Hastings well deserves
48   To have the heir of the Lord Hungerford.

49   Ay, what of that? it was my will and grant;
50   And for this once my will shall stand for law.

51   And yet methinks your grace hath not done well,
52   To give the heir and daughter of Lord Scales
53   Unto the brother of your loving bride;
54   She better would have fitted me or Clarence:
55   But in your bride you bury brotherhood.

56   Or else you would not have bestow'd the heir
57   Of the Lord Bonville on your new wife's son,
58   And leave your brothers to go speed elsewhere.

59   Alas, poor Clarence! is it for a wife
60   That thou art malcontent? I will provide thee.

61   In choosing for yourself, you show'd your judgment,
62   Which being shallow, you give me leave
63   To play the broker in mine own behalf;
64   And to that end I shortly mind to leave you.

65   Leave me, or tarry, Edward will be king,
66   And not be tied unto his brother's will.

67   My lords, before it pleased his majesty
68   To raise my state to title of a queen,
69   Do me but right, and you must all confess
70   That I was not ignoble of descent;
71   And meaner than myself have had like fortune.
72   But as this title honours me and mine,
73   So your dislike, to whom I would be pleasing,
74   Doth cloud my joys with danger and with sorrow.

75   My love, forbear to fawn upon their frowns:
76   What danger or what sorrow can befall thee,
77   So long as Edward is thy constant friend,
78   And their true sovereign, whom they must obey?
79   Nay, whom they shall obey, and love thee too,
80   Unless they seek for hatred at my hands;
81   Which if they do, yet will I keep thee safe,
82   And they shall feel the vengeance of my wrath.

Aside
83    I hear, yet say not much, but think the more.

84   Now, messenger, what letters or what news
85   From France?

86   My sovereign liege, no letters; and few words,
87   But such as I, without your special pardon,
88   Dare not relate.

89   Go to, we pardon thee: therefore, in brief,
90   Tell me their words as near as thou canst guess them.
91   What answer makes King Lewis unto our letters?

92   At my depart, these were his very words:
93   'Go tell false Edward, thy supposed king,
94   That Lewis of France is sending over masquers
95   To revel it with him and his new bride.'

96   Is Lewis so brave? belike he thinks me Henry.
97   But what said Lady Bona to my marriage?

98   These were her words, utter'd with mad disdain:
99   'Tell him, in hope he'll prove a widower shortly,
100  I'll wear the willow garland for his sake.'

101  I blame not her, she could say little less;
102  She had the wrong. But what said Henry's queen?
103  For I have heard that she was there in place.

104  'Tell him,' quoth she, 'my mourning weeds are done,
105  And I am ready to put armour on.'

106  Belike she minds to play the Amazon.
107  But what said Warwick to these injuries?

108  He, more incensed against your majesty
109  Than all the rest, discharged me with these words:
110  'Tell him from me that he hath done me wrong,
111  And therefore I'll uncrown him ere't be long.'

112  Ha! durst the traitor breathe out so proud words?
113  Well I will arm me, being thus forewarn'd:
114  They shall have wars and pay for their presumption.
115  But say, is Warwick friends with Margaret?

116  Ay, gracious sovereign; they are so link'd in
117  friendship
118  That young Prince Edward marries Warwick's daughter.

119  Belike the elder; Clarence will have the younger.
120  Now, brother king, farewell, and sit you fast,
121  For I will hence to Warwick's other daughter;
122  That, though I want a kingdom, yet in marriage
123  I may not prove inferior to yourself.
124  You that love me and Warwick, follow me.

Aside
125   Not I:
126  My thoughts aim at a further matter; I
127  Stay not for the love of Edward, but the crown.

128  Clarence and Somerset both gone to Warwick!
129  Yet am I arm'd against the worst can happen;
130  And haste is needful in this desperate case.
131  Pembroke and Stafford, you in our behalf
132  Go levy men, and make prepare for war;
133  They are already, or quickly will be landed:
134  Myself in person will straight follow you.
Exeunt PEMBROKE and STAFFORD
135  But, ere I go, Hastings and Montague,
136  Resolve my doubt. You twain, of all the rest,
137  Are near to Warwick by blood and by alliance:
138  Tell me if you love Warwick more than me?
139  If it be so, then both depart to him;
140  I rather wish you foes than hollow friends:
141  But if you mind to hold your true obedience,
142  Give me assurance with some friendly vow,
143  That I may never have you in suspect.

144  So God help Montague as he proves true!

145  And Hastings as he favours Edward's cause!

146  Now, brother Richard, will you stand by us?

147  Ay, in despite of all that shall withstand you.

148  Why, so! then am I sure of victory.
149  Now therefore let us hence; and lose no hour,
150  Till we meet Warwick with his foreign power.
Exeunt
151  3 KING HENRY VI