Enter Suffolke in conference with the King, Glocester and Exeter.
King. Your wondrous rare description (noble Earle) Of beauteous Margaret hath astonish'd me: Her vertues graced with externall gifts, Do breed Loues setled passions in my heart, And like as rigour of tempestuous gustes Prouokes the mightiest Hulke against the tide, So am I driuen by breath of her Renowne, Either to suffer Shipwracke, or arriue Where I may haue fruition of her Loue.
Suf. Tush my good Lord, this superficiall tale, Is but a preface of her worthy praise: The cheefe perfections of that louely Dame, (Had I sufficient skill to vtter them) Would make a volume of inticing lines, Able to rauish any dull conceit. And which is more, she is not so Diuine, So full repleate with choice of all delights, But with as humble lowlinesse of minde, She is content to be at your command: Command I meane, of Vertuous chaste intents, To Loue, and Honor Henry as her Lord.
King. And otherwise, will Henry ne're presume: Therefore my Lord Protector, giue consent, That Marg'ret may be Englands Royall Queene.
Glo. So should I giue consent to flatter sinne, You know (my Lord) your Highnesse is betroath'd Vnto another Lady of esteeme, How shall we then dispense with that contract, And not deface your Honor with reproach?
Suf. As doth a Ruler with vnlawfull Oathes, Or one that at a Triumph, hauing vow'd To try his strength, forsaketh yet the Listes By reason of his Aduersaries oddes. A poore Earles daughter is vnequall oddes, And therefore may be broke without offence.
Gloucester. Why what (I pray) is Margaret more then that? Her Father is no better than an Earle, Although in glorious Titles he excell.
Suf. Yes my Lord, her Father is a King, The King of Naples, and Ierusalem, And of such great Authoritie in France, As his alliance will confirme our peace, And keepe the Frenchmen in Allegeance.
Glo. And so the Earle of Arminacke may doe, Because he is neere Kinsman vnto Charles.
Exet. Beside, his wealth doth warrant a liberal dower, Where Reignier sooner will receyue, than giue.
Suf. A Dowre my Lords? Disgrace not so your King, That he should be so abiect, base, and poore, To choose for wealth, and not for perfect Loue. Henry is able to enrich his Queene, And not to seeke a Queene to make him rich, So worthlesse Pezants bargaine for their Wiues, As Market men for Oxen, Sheepe, or Horse, Marriage is a matter of more worth, Then to be dealt in by Atturney-ship: Not whom we will, but whom his Grace affects, Must be companion of his Nuptiall bed. And therefore Lords, since he affects her most, Most of all these reasons bindeth vs, In our opinions she should be preferr'd. For what is wedlocke forced? but a Hell, An Age of discord and continuall strife, Whereas the contrarie bringeth blisse, And is a patterne of Celestiall peace. Whom should we match with Henry being a King, But Margaret, that is daughter to a King: Her peerelesse feature, ioyned with her birth, Approues her fit for none, but for a King. Her valiant courage, and vndaunted spirit, (More then in women commonly is seene) Will answer our hope in issue of a King. For Henry, sonne vnto a Conqueror, Is likely to beget more Conquerors, If with a Lady of so high resolue, (As is faire Margaret) he be link'd in loue. Then yeeld my Lords, and heere conclude with mee, That Margaret shall be Queene, and none but shee.
King. Whether it be throngh force of your report, My Noble Lord of Suffolke: Or for that My tender youth was neuer yet attaint With any passion of inflaming loue, I cannot tell: but this I am assur'd, I feele such sharpe dissention in my breast, Such fierce alarums both of Hope and Feare, As I am sicke with working of my thoughts. Take therefore shipping, poste my Lord to France; Agree to any couenants, and procure That Lady Margaret do vouchsafe to come To crosse the Seas to England, and be crown'd King Henries faithfull and annointed Queene. For your expences and sufficient charge, Among the people gather vp a tenth. Be gone I say, for till you do returne, I rest perplexed with a thousand Cares. And you (good Vnckle) banish all offence: If you do censure me, by what you were, Not what you are, I know it will excuse This sodaine execution of my will. And so conduct me, where from company, Exit.I may reuolue and ruminate my greefe.
Glo. I greefe I feare me, both at first and last. Exit Glocester.
Suf. Thus Suffolke hath preuail'd, and thus he goes As did the youthfull Paris once to Greece, With hope to finde the like euent in loue, But prosper better than the Troian did: Margaret shall now be Queene, and rule the King: ExitBut I will rule both her, the King, and Realme.
