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SECOND PART OF

KING HENRY VI.

ACT I SCENE I.

LONDON. A ROOM OF STATE IN THE PALACE.

Flourish of trumpets: then hautboys. Enter, on one side, King Henry, Duke of Glo'ster, Salisbury, Warwick, and Cardinal Beaufort; on the other, Queen Margaret, led in by Suffolk; York, Somerset, Buckingham, and Others, following.

Suf. As by your high imperial majesty
I had in charge at my depart for France,
As procurator to your excellence,

To marry princess Margaret for your grace;
So, in the famous ancient city, Tours,-
In presence of the kings of France and Sicil,

The dukes of Orleans, Calaber, Bretaigne, and

Alençon,

Seven earls, twelve barons, and twenty reverend bishops,

I have perform'd my task, and was espous'd:
And humbly now upon my bended knee,

B

In sight of England and her lordly peers,
Deliver up my title in the queen

To your most gracious hands, that are the substance
Of that great shadow I did represent;

The happiest gift that ever marquess gave,
The fairest queen that ever king receiv'd.

K. Hen. Suffolk, arise.-Welcome, queen Mar

garet:

I can express no kinder sign of love,

Than this kind kiss.-O Lord, that lends me life,
Lend me a heart replete with thankfulness!
For thou hast given me, in this beauteous face,
'A world of earthly blessings to my soul,

* If sympathy of love unite our thoughts.

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'Q. Mar. Great king of England, and my gracious lord;

The mutual conference that my mind hath had

By day, by night; waking, and in my dreams;

In courtly company, or at my beads,—

With you mine alder-liefest sovereign,

Makes me the bolder to salute my king

With ruder terms; such as my wit affords,
And over-joy of heart doth minister.

'K. Hen. Her sight did ravish: but her grace

in speech,

Her words y-clad with wisdom's majesty,

Makes me, from wondering, fall to weeping joys; Such is the fulness of my heart's content.'Lords, with one cheerful voice welcome my love. All. Long live queen Margaret, England's hap

piness!

Q. Mar. We thank

you all.

[Flourish.

Suf. My lord protector, so it please your grace, Here are the articles of contracted peace, Between our sovereign and the French king Charles, 'For eighteen months concluded by consent.

Glo. [reads.] Imprimis, It is agreed between the French king, Charles, and William de la Poole, marquess of Suffolk, ambassador for Henry king of England, that the said Henry shall espouse the lady Margaret, daughter unto Reignier king of Naples, Sicilia, and Jerusalem; and crown her queen of England, ere the thirtieth of May next ensuing. -Item,-That the dutchy of Anjou and the county of Maine, shall be released and delivered to the king her fatherK. Hen. Uncle, how now? Glo. Pardon me, gracious lord; Some sudden qualm hath struck me at the heart, And dimm'd mine eyes, that I can read no further. K. Hen. Uncle of Winchester, I pray, read on. Win. Item,-It is further agreed between them,that the dutchies of Anjou and Maine shall be released and delivered over to the king her father; and she sent over of the king of England's own proper cost and charges, without having dowry.

K. Hen. They please us well.-Lord marquess, kneel down;

We here create thee the first duke of Suffolk,

And girt thee with the sword.

Cousin of York, we here discharge your grace
From being regent in the parts of France,
Till term of eighteen months be full expir'd.-
Thanks, uncle Winchester, Glo'ster, York, and
Buckingham,

'And our king Henry gives away his own,
'To match with her that brings no vantages.

*Glo. A proper jest, and never heard before, *That Suffolk should demand a whole fifteenth, * For costs and charges in transporting her!

* She should have staid in France, and starv'd in France,

*Before

*Car. My lord of Glo'ster, now you grow too hot; * It was the pleasure of my lord the king.

* Glo. My lord of Winchester, I know your mind; 'Tis not my speeches that you do mislike,

But 'tis my presence that doth trouble you. 'Rancour will out: Proud prelate, in thy face I see thy fury: if I longer stay,

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'We shall begin our ancient bickerings.Lordings, farewel; and say, when I am gone, I prophesy'd-France will be lost ere long. [Exit. Car. So, there goes our protector in a rage. 'Tis known to you, he is mine enemy: *Nay, more, an enemy unto you all;

* And no great friend, I fear me, to the king. * Consider, lords, he is the next of blood, * And heir apparent to the English crown; * Had Henry got an empire by his marriage, * And all the wealthy kingdoms of the west, * There's reason he should be displeas'd at it. * Look to it, lords; let not his smoothing words * Bewitch your hearts; be wise, and circumspect. What though the common people favour him, Calling him-Humphrey, the good duke of Glo'ster; Clapping their hands, and crying with loud voice

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Jesu maintain your royal excellence!

"With-God preserve the good duke Humphrey!
'I fear me, lords, for all this flattering gloss,
'He will be found a dangerous protector.

* Buck. Why should he then protect our sovereign,

* He being of age to govern of himself?

with me,

'Cousin of Somerset, join you 'And all together, -with the duke of Suffolk,We'll quickly hoise duke Humphrey from his seat. * Car. This weighty business will not brook delay;

I'll to the duke of Suffolk presently.

[Exit. Som. Cousin of Buckingham, though Hum

phrey's pride,

'And greatness of his place be grief to us,
'Yet let us watch the haughty cardinal;
'His insolence is more intolerable

'Than all the princes in the land beside;
'If Glo'ster be displac'd, he'll be protector.
Buck. Or thou, or I, Somerset, ill be protector,
Despight duke Humphrey, or the cardinal.

.*

[Exeunt Buckingham and Somerset. Sal. Pride went before, ambition follows him. While these do labour for their own preferment, 'Behoves it us to labour for the realm.

I never saw but Humphrey duke of Glo'ster Did bear him like a noble gentleman. 'Oft have I seen the haughty cardinal— 'More like a soldier, than a man o'the church, 'As stout, and proud, as he were lord of all,'Swear like a ruffian, and demean himself

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