Henry VI, Part 1 (Folio 1, 1623)
Not Peer Reviewed
¶
Scena secunda.
¶
SENNET.
¶
Enter King, Glocester, and Exeter.
2335 King. Haue you perus'd the Letters from the Pope,
¶The Emperor, and the Earle of Arminack?
¶ Glo. I haue my Lord, and their intent is this,
¶They humbly sue vnto your Excellence,
¶To haue a godly peace concluded of,
2340Betweene the Realmes of England, and of France.
¶ King. How doth your Grace affect their motion?
¶ Glo. Well (my good Lord) and as the only meanes
2345 King. I marry Vnckle, for I alwayes thought
¶It was both impious and vnnaturall,
2350And surer binde this knot of amitie,
¶The Earle of Arminacke neere knit to Charles,
¶A man of great Authoritie in France,
¶Proffers his onely daughter to your Grace,
¶In marriage, with a large and sumptuous Dowrie.
2355 King. Marriage Vnckle? Alas my yeares are yong:
¶And fitter is my studie, and my Bookes,
¶Than wanton dalliance with a Paramour.
¶So let them haue their answeres euery one:
2360I shall be well content with any choyce
¶Tends to Gods glory, and my Countries weale.
¶
Enter Winchester, and three Ambassadors.
¶And call'd vnto a Cardinalls degree?
2365Then I perceiue, that will be verified
¶If once he come to be a Cardinall,
¶Hee'l make his cap coequall with the Crowne.
2370Haue bin consider'd and debated on,
¶And therefore are we certainly resolu'd,
¶To draw conditions of a friendly peace,
¶Which by my Lord of Winchester we meane
¶As liking of the Ladies vertuous gifts,
¶Her Beauty, and the valew of her Dower,
¶ King. In argument and proofe of which contract,
¶Beare her this Iewell, pledge of my affection.
2385Commit them to the fortune of the sea.
Exeunt.
¶For cloathing me in these graue Ornaments.
¶Or be inferiour to the proudest Peere;
¶That neither in birth, or for authoritie,
2395The Bishop will be ouer-borne by thee:
¶Ile either make thee stoope, and bend thy knee,
¶Or sacke this Country with a mutiny.
Exeunt
