Internet Shakespeare Editions

About this text

  • Title: Henry VI, Part 3 (Folio 1, 1623)

  • Copyright Internet Shakespeare Editions. This text may be freely used for educational, non-proift purposes; for all other uses contact the Coordinating Editor.
    Author: William Shakespeare
    Not Peer Reviewed

    Henry VI, Part 3 (Folio 1, 1623)

    162The third Part of Henry the Sixt.

    Where hauing nothing, nothing can he lose.
    And as for you your selfe (our quondam Queene)
    You haue a Father able to maintaine you,
    1895And better 'twere, you troubled him, then France.
    Mar. Peace impudent, and shamelesse Warwicke,
    Proud setter vp, and puller downe of Kings,
    I will not hence, till with my Talke and Teares
    (Both full of Truth) I make King Lewis behold
    1900Thy slye conueyance, and thy Lords false loue,
    Post blowing a horne Within.
    For both of you are Birds of selfe-same Feather.
    Lewes. Warwicke, this is some poste to vs, or thee.
    Enter the Poste.
    1905Post. My Lord Ambassador,
    These Letters are for you. Speakes to Warwick,
    Sent from your Brother Marquesse Montague.
    These from our King, vnto your Maiesty. To Lewis.
    And Madam, these for you: To Margaret
    1910From whom, I know not.
    They all reade their Letters.
    Oxf. I like it well, that our faire Queene and Mistris
    Smiles at her newes, while Warwicke frownes at his.
    Prince Ed. Nay marke how Lewis stampes as he were
    1915netled. I hope, all's for the best.
    Lew. Warwicke, what are thy Newes?
    And yours, faire Queene.
    Mar. Mine such, as fill my heart with vnhop'd ioyes.
    War. Mine full of sorrow, and hearts discontent.
    1920Lew. What? has your King married the Lady Grey?
    And now to sooth your Forgery, and his,
    Sends me a Paper to perswade me Patience?
    Is this th' Alliance that he seekes with France?
    Dare he presume to scorne vs in this manner?
    1925Mar. I told your Maiesty as much before:
    This proueth Edwards Loue, and Warwickes honesty.
    War. King Lewis, I heere protest in sight of heauen,
    And by the hope I haue of heauenly blisse,
    That I am cleere from this misdeed of Edwards;
    1930No more my King, for he dishonors me,
    But most himselfe, if he could see his shame.
    Did I forget, that by the House of Yorke
    My Father came vntimely to his death?
    Did I let passe th' abuse done to my Neece?
    1935Did I impale him with the Regall Crowne?
    Did I put Henry from his Natiue Right?
    And am I guerdon'd at the last, with Shame?
    Shame on himselfe, for my Desert is Honor.
    And to repaire my Honor lost for him,
    1940I heere renounce him, and returne to Henry.
    My Noble Queene, let former grudges passe,
    And henceforth, I am thy true Seruitour:
    I will reuenge his wrong to Lady Bona,
    And replant Henry in his former state.
    1945Mar. Warwicke,
    These words haue turn'd my Hate, to Loue,
    And I forgiue, and quite forget old faults,
    And ioy that thou becom'st King Henries Friend.
    War. So much his Friend, I, his vnfained Friend,
    1950That if King Lewis vouchsafe to furnish vs
    With some few Bands of chosen Soldiours,
    Ile vndertake to Land them on our Coast,
    And force the Tyrant from his seat by Warre.
    'Tis not his new-made Bride shall succour him.
    1955And as for Clarence, as my Letters tell me,
    Hee's very likely now to fall from him,
    For matching more for wanton Lust, then Honor,
    Or then for strength and safety of our Country.
    Bona. Deere Brother, how shall Bona be reueng'd,
    1960But by thy helpe to this distressed Queene?
    Mar. Renowned Prince, how shall Poore Henry liue,
    Vnlesse thou rescue him from foule dispaire?
    Bona. My quarrel, and this English Queens, are one.
    War. And mine faire Lady Bona, ioynes with yours.
    1965Lew. And mine, with hers, and thine, and Margarets.
    Therefore, at last, I firmely am resolu'd
    You shall haue ayde.
    Mar. Let me giue humble thankes for all, at once.
    Lew. Then Englands Messenger, returne in Poste,
    1970And tell false Edward, thy supposed King,
    That Lewis of France, is sending ouer Maskers
    To reuell it with him, and his new Bride.
    Thou seest what's past, go feare thy King withall.
    Bona. Tell him, in hope hee'l proue a widower shortly,
    1975I weare the Willow Garland for his sake.
    Mar. Tell him, my mourning weeds are layde aside,
    And I am ready to put Armor on.
    War. Tell him from me, that he hath done me wrong,
    And therefore Ile vn-Crowne him, er't be long.
    1980There's thy reward, be gone. Exit Post.
    Lew. But Warwicke,
    Thou and Oxford, with fiue thousand men
    Shall crosse the Seas, and bid false Edward battaile:
    And as occasion serues, this Noble Queen
    1985And Prince, shall follow with a fresh Supply.
    Yet ere thou go, but answer me one doubt:
    What Pledge haue we of thy firme Loyalty?
    War. This shall assure my constant Loyalty,
    That if our Queene, and this young Prince agree,
    1990Ile ioyne mine eldest daughter, and my Ioy,
    To him forthwith, in holy Wedlocke bands.
    Mar. Yes, I agree, and thanke you for your Motion.
    Sonne Edward, she is Faire and Vertuous,
    Therefore delay not, giue thy hand to Warwicke,
    1995And with thy hand, thy faith irreuocable,
    That onely Warwickes daughter shall be thine.
    Prin.Ed. Yes, I accept her, for she well deserues it,
    And heere to pledge my Vow, I giue my hand.
    He giues his hand to Warw.
    2000 Lew. Why stay we now? These soldiers shalbe leuied,
    And thou Lord Bourbon, our High Admirall
    Shall waft them ouer with our Royall Fleete.
    I long till Edward fall by Warres mischance,
    For mocking Marriage with a Dame of France.
    2005Exeunt. Manet Warwicke.
    War. I came from Edward as Ambassador,
    But I returne his sworne and mortall Foe:
    Matter of Marriage was the charge he gaue me,
    But dreadfull Warre shall answer his demand.
    2010Had he none else to make a stale but me?
    Then none but I, shall turne his Iest to Sorrow.
    I was the Cheefe that rais'd him to the Crowne,
    And Ile be Cheefe to bring him downe againe:
    Not that I pitty Henries misery,
    2015But seeke Reuenge on Edwards mockery. Exit.

    Enter Richard, Clarence, Somerset, and
    Mountague.

    Rich. Now tell me Brother Clarence, what thinke you
    Of this new Marriage with the Lady Gray?
    2020Hath not our Brother made a worthy choice?
    Cla. Alas, you know, tis farre from hence to France,
    How