With Somerset's and Buckingham's ambition; War. So God help Warwick, as he loves the land, 200 And common profit of his country! York. [aside] And so says York, for he hath greatest cause. Sal. Then let's make haste away, and look unto the main. War. Unto the main! O father, Maine is lost,That Maine which by main force Warwick did win, And would have kept so long as breath did last ! Main chance, father, you meant; but I meant Maine,― Which I will win from France, or else be slain. [Exeunt WARWICK and SALISBURY. York. Anjou and Maine are given to the French; Paris is lost; the state of Normandy Stands on a tickle point, now they are gone: Suffolk concluded on the articles; The peers agreed; and Henry was well pleased To change two dukedoms for a duke's fair daughter. 'Tis thine they give away, and not their own. Weeps over them, and wrings his hapless hands, As did the fatal brand Althea burn'd Unto the prince's heart of Calydon. 210 220 230 Anjou and Maine, both given unto the French! A day will come when York shall claim his own; And make a show of love to proud Duke Humphrey, For that's the golden mark I seek to hit : Whose church-like humours fits not for a crown. Till Henry, surfeiting in joys of love, With his new bride and England's dear-bought queen, And Humphrey with the peers be faln at jars: Then will I raise aloft the milk-white rose, 240 With whose sweet smell the air shall be perfumed; 250 And in my standard bear the arms of York, To grapple with the house of Lancaster; And, force perforce, I'll make him yield the crown, SCENE II. The same. [Exit. The DUKE OF GLOSTER's house. Enter DUKE HUMPHREY and his Wife ELEANOR. Duch. Why droops my lord, like over-ripen'd corn Hanging the head at Ceres' plenteous load? Why doth the great Duke Humphrey knit his brows, If so, gaze on, and grovel on thy face, Until thy head be circled with the same. Put forth thy hand, reach at the glorious gold :- As to vouchsafe one glance unto the ground. Glo. O Nell, sweet Nell, if thou dost love thy lord, Banish the canker of ambitious thoughts! And may that thought, when I imagine ill With sweet rehearsal of my morning's dream. Glo. Methought this staff, mine office-badge in court, Were placed the heads of Edmund duke of Somerset, That he that breaks a stick of Gloster's grove But list to me, my Humphrey, my sweet duke: In the cathedral church of Westminster, And in that chair where kings and queens are crown'd; Where Henry and Dame Margaret kneel'd to me, And on my head did set the diadem. Glo. Nay, Eleanor, then must I chide outright: Presumptuous dame, ill-nurtured Eleanor! Art thou not second woman in the realm, And the Protector's wife, beloved of him? 10 20 30 40 Hast thou not worldly pleasure at command, Duch. What, what, my lord! are you so choleric Glo. Nay, be not angry, I am pleased again. Enter a Messenger. Mess. My lord Protector, 'tis his highness' pleasure You do prepare to ride unto Saint Alban's, Whereas the king and queen do mean to hawk. Glo. I go.-Come, Nell,-thou wilt ride with us, I'm sure. Duch. Yes, my good lord, I'll follow presently. I would remove these tedious stumbling-blocks, To play my part in Fortune's pageant.- Enter HUME. Hume. Jesus preserve your royal majesty! Duch. What say'st thou? majesty! I am but grace. Hume. But, by the grace of God, and Hume's advice, Your Grace's title shall be multiplied. Duch. What say'st thou, man? hast thou as yet conferr'd 50 60 70 With Margery Jourdain, the cunning witch, And will they undertake to do me good? Hume. This they have promised, to show your highness A spirit raised from depth of under-ground, As by your Grace shall be propounded him. Duch. It is enough; I'll think upon the questions: When from Saint Alban's we do make return, We'll see these things effected to the full. Here, Hume, take this reward; make merry, man, Marry, and shall. But, how now, Sir John Hume! Dame Eleanor gives gold to bring the witch: And from the great and new-made Duke of Suffolk; They, knowing Dame Eleanor's aspiring humour, [Exit. 80 90 100 |