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About this text

  • Title: Edward III (Quarto 1, 1596)
  • Editor: Sonia Massai

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    Not Peer Reviewed

    Edward III (Quarto 1, 1596)

    The Raigne of King
    Enter Countes.
    540But soft here comes the treasurer of my spirit,
    Lodwick thou knowst not how to drawe a battell,
    These wings, these flankars, and these squadrons,
    Argue in thee defectiue discipline,
    Thou shouldest haue placed this here, this other here,
    545Co. Pardon my boldnes my thrice gracious Lords,
    Let my intrusion here be cald my duetie,
    That comes to see my soueraigne how he fares,
    Kin: Go draw the same I tell thee in what forme.
    Lor: I go.
    550Con: Sorry I am to see my liege so sad,
    What may thy subiect do to driue from thee.
    Thy gloomy consort, sullome melancholie,
    King: Ah Lady I am blunt and cannot strawe,
    The flowers of solace in a ground of shame,
    555Since I came hither Countes I am wronged.
    Cont: Now God forbid that anie in my howse
    Should thinck my soueraigne wrong, thrice gentle King:
    King: Acquant me with theyr cause of discontent.
    How neere then shall I be to remedie.
    560Cont: As nere my Liege as all my womans power,
    Can pawne it selfe to buy thy remedy.
    King: Yf thou speakst true then haue I my redresse,
    Ingage thy power to redeeme my Ioyes,
    And I am ioyfull Countes els I die.
    565Coun: I will my Liege.
    King: Sweare Counties that thou wilt.
    Coun: By heauen I will,
    King: Then take thy selfe a litel waie a side,
    And tell thy self a King doth dote on thee,
    570Say that within thy power doth lie.
    To make him happy, and that thou hast sworne,
    To giue him all the Ioy within thy power,
    Do this and tell me when I shall be happie.
    All