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Henry VI, Part 1 (Folio 1, 1623)

Author: William Shakespeare
Not Peer Reviewed
116
The first Part of Henry the Sixt.
Keeping them prisoner vnderneath his wings:
2495Yet if this seruile vsage once offend,
Go, and be free againe, as Suffolkes friend.
She is going
Oh stay: I haue no power to let her passe,
My hand would free her, but my heart sayes no.
As playes the Sunne vpon the glassie streames,
2500Twinkling another counterfetted beame,
So seemes this gorgeous beauty to mine eyes.
Faine would I woe her, yet I dare not speake:
Ile call for Pen and Inke, and write my minde:
Fye De la Pole, disable not thy selfe:
2505Hast not a Tongue? Is she not heere?
Wilt thou be daunted at a Womans sight?
I: Beauties Princely Maiesty is such,
'Confounds the tongue, and makes the senses rough.
Mar. Say Earle of Suffolke, if thy name be so,
2510What ransome must I pay before I passe?
For I perceiue I am thy prisoner.
Suf. How canst thou tell she will deny thy suite,
Before thou make a triall of her loue?
M. Why speak'st thou not? What ransom must I pay?
2515 Suf. She's beautifull; and therefore to be Wooed:
She is a Woman; therefore to be Wonne.
Mar, Wilt thou accept of ransome, yea or no?
Suf. Fond man, remember that thou hast a wife,
Then how can Margaret be thy Paramour?
2520 Mar. I were best to leaue him, for he will not heare.
Suf. There all is marr'd: there lies a cooling card.
Mar. He talkes at randon: sure the man is mad.
Suf. And yet a dispensation may bee had.
Mar. And yet I would that you would answer me.
2525 Suf. Ile win this Lady Margaret. For whom?
Why for my King: Tush, that's a woodden thing.
Mar. He talkes of wood: It is some Carpenter.
Suf. Yet so my fancy may be satisfied,
And peace established betweene these Realmes.
2530But there remaines a scruple in that too:
For though her Father be the King of Naples,
Duke of Aniou and Mayne, yet is he poore,
And our Nobility will scorne the match.
Mar. Heare ye Captaine? Are you not at leysure?
2535 Suf. It shall be so, disdaine they ne're so much:
Henry is youthfull, and will quickly yeeld.
Madam, I haue a secret to reueale.
Mar. What though I be inthral'd, he seems a knight
And will not any way dishonor me.
2540 Suf. Lady, vouchsafe to listen what I say.
Mar. Perhaps I shall be rescu'd by the French,
And then I need not craue his curtesie.
Suf. Sweet Madam, giue me hearing in a cause.
Mar. Tush, women haue bene captiuate ere now.
2545 Suf. Lady, wherefore talke you so?
Mar. I cry you mercy, 'tis but Quid for Quo.
Suf. Say gentle Princesse, would you not suppose
Your bondage happy, to be made a Queene?
Mar. To be a Queene in bondage, is more vile,
2550Than is a slaue, in base seruility:
For Princes should be free.
Suf. And so shall you,
If happy Englands Royall King be free.
Mar. Why what concernes his freedome vnto mee?
2555 Suf. Ile vndertake to make thee Henries Queene,
To put a Golden Scepter in thy hand,
And set a precious Crowne vpon thy head,
If thou wilt condiscend to be my---
Mar. What?
2560 Suf. His loue.
Mar. I am vnworthy to be Henries wife.
Suf. No gentle Madam, I vnworthy am
To woe so faire a Dame to be his wife,
And haue no portion in the choice my selfe.
2565How say you Madam, are ye so content?
Mar. And if my Father please, I am content.
Suf. Then call our Captaines and our Colours forth,
And Madam, at your Fathers Castle walles,
Wee'l craue a parley, to conferre with him.
2570
Sound.Enter Reignier on the Walles.
See Reignier see, thy daughter prisoner.
Reig. To whom?
Suf. To me.
Reig. Suffolke, what remedy?
2575I am a Souldier, and vnapt to weepe,
Or to exclaime on Fortunes ficklenesse.
Suf. Yes, there is remedy enough my Lord,
Consent, and for thy Honor giue consent,
Thy daughter shall be wedded to my King,
2580Whom I with paine haue wooed and wonne thereto:
And this her easie held imprisonment,
Hath gain'd thy daughter Princely libertie.
Reig. Speakes Suffolke as he thinkes?
Suf. Faire Margaret knowes,
2585That Suffolke doth not flatter, face, or faine.
Reig. Vpon thy Princely warrant, I descend,
To giue thee answer of thy iust demand.
Suf. And heere I will expect thy comming.

Trumpets sound. Enter Reignier.

2590 Reig. Welcome braue Earle into our Territories,
Command in Aniou what your Honor pleases.
Suf. Thankes Reignier, happy for so sweet a Childe,
Fit to be made companion with a King:
What answer makes your Grace vnto my suite?
2595 Reig. Since thou dost daigne to woe her little worth,
To be the Princely Bride of such a Lord:
Vpon condition I may quietly
Enioy mine owne, the Country Maine and Aniou,
Free from oppression, or the stroke of Warre,
2600My daughter shall be Henries, if he please.
Suf. That is her ransome, I deliuer her,
And those two Counties I will vndertake
Your Grace shall well and quietly enioy.
Reig. And I againe in Henries Royall name,
2605As Deputy vnto that gracious King,
Giue thee her hand for signe of plighted faith.
Suf. Reignier of France, I giue thee Kingly thankes,
Because this is in Trafficke of a King.
And yet me thinkes I could be well content
2610To be mine owne Atturney in this case.
Ile ouer then to England with this newes.
And make this marriage to be solemniz'd:
So farewell Reignier, set this Diamond safe
In Golden Pallaces as it becomes.
2615 Reig. I do embrace thee, as I would embrace
The Christian Prince King Henrie were he heere.
Mar. Farewell my Lord, good wishes, praise, & praiers,
Shall Suffolke euer haue of Margaret.
Shee is going.
Suf. Farwell sweet Madam: but hearke you Margaret,
2620No Princely commendations to my King?
Mar. Such commendations as becomes a Maide,
A Virgin, and his Seruant, say to him.
Suf. Words sweetly plac'd, and modestie directed,
But