Do me but right, and you must all confess
That I was not ignoble of descent;
And meaner than myself have had like fortune.
But as this title honours me and mine, 72
So your dislikes, to whom I would be pleasing,
Do cloud my joys with danger and with sorrow.
K. Edw. My love, forbear to fawn upon their frowns:
What danger or what sorrow can befall thee, 76
So long as Edward is thy constant friend
And their true sovereign, whom they must obey?
Nay, whom they shall obey, and love thee too,
Unless they seek for hatred at my hands; 80
Which if they do, yet will I keep thee safe,
And they shall feel the vengeance of my wrath.
Rich. [Aside.] I hear, yet say not much, but think the more.
Enter a Post.
K. Edw. Now, messenger, what letters or what news 84
From France?
Post. My sovereign liege, no letters; and few words,
But such as I, without your special pardon,
Dare not relate. 88
K. Edw. Go to, we pardon thee: therefore, in brief,
Tell me their words as near as thou canst guess them.
What answer makes King Lewis unto our letters?
Post. At my depart these were his very words: 92
'Go tell false Edward, thy supposed king,
That Lewis of France is sending over masquers,
To revel it with him and his new bride.'
70 not . . . descent; cf. n.
71 meaner: lowlier persons
73 your dislikes: the displeasure of you
75 fawn upon: seek to propitiate
89 Go to: come!
90 guess: approximate
