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ALENCON.

Must he be then as shadow of himself?

Adorn his temples with a coronet,

And yet, in substance and authority,

Retain but privilege of a private man?

This proffer is absurd and reasonless.

CHARLES.

'Tis known already that I am possess'd

With more than half the Gallian territories,

And therein reverenced for their lawful king:

Shall I, for lucre of the rest unvanquish'd,

Detract so much from that prerogative,

As to be call'd but viceroy of the whole?

No, lord ambassador, I 'll rather keep

That which I have than, coveting for more,

Be cast from possibility of all.

YORK.

Insulting Charles! hast thou by secret means

Used intercession to obtain a league,

And, now the matter grows to compromise,

Stand'st thou aloof upon comparison?

Either accept the title thou usurp'st,

Of benefit proceeding from our king

And not of any challenge of desert,

Or we will plague thee with incessant wars.

REIGNIER.

My lord, you do not well in obstinacy

To cavil in the course of this contract:

If once it be neglected, ten to one

We shall not find like opportunity.

ALENCON.

To say the truth, it is your policy

To save your subjects from such massacre

And ruthless slaughters as are daily seen,

By our proceeding in hostility;

And therefore take this compact of a truce,

Although you break it when your pleasure serves.

WARWICK.

How say'st thou, Charles? shall our condition stand?

CHARLES.

It shall;

Only reserv'd, you claim no interest

In any of our towns of garrison.

YORK.

Then swear allegiance to his majesty,

As thou art knight, never to disobey

Nor be rebellious to the crown of England

Thou, nor thy nobles, to the crown of England.

So, now dismiss your army when ye please;

Hang up your ensigns, let your drums be still,

For here we entertain a solemn peace.

[Exeunt.]

SCENE V. London. The royal palace.

[Enter Suffolk in conference with the King,

Gloucester and Exeter.]

KING.

Your wondrous rare description, noble earl,

Of beauteous Margaret hath astonish'd me.

Her virtues graced with external gifts

Do breed love's settled passions in my heart:

And like as rigor of tempestuous gusts

Provokes the mightiest hulk against the tide,

So am I driven by breath of her renown,

Either to suffer shipwreck or arrive

Where I may have fruition of her love.

SUFFOLK.

Tush, my good lord, this superficial tale

Is but a preface of her worthy praise;

The chief perfections of that lovely dame,

Had I sufficient skill to utter them,

Would make a volume of enticing lines,

Able to ravish any dull conceit:

And, which is more, she is not so divine,

So full-replete with choice of all delights,

But with as humble lowliness of mind

She is content to be at your command;

Command, I mean, of virtuous intents,

To love and honor Henry as her lord.

KING.

And otherwise will Henry ne'er presume.

Therefore, my lord protector, give consent

That Margaret may be England's royal queen.

GLOUCESTER.

So should I give consent to flatter sin.

You know, my lord, your highness is betroth'd

Unto another lady of esteem:

How shall we then dispense with that contract,

And not deface your honor with reproach?

SUFFOLK.

As doth a ruler with unlawful oaths;

Or one that, at a triumph having vow'd

To try his strength, forsaketh yet the lists

By reason of his adversary's odds:

A poor earl's daughter is unequal odds,

And therefore may be broke without offense.

GLOUCESTER.

Why, what, I pray, is Margaret more than that?

Her father is no better than an earl,

Although in glorious titles he excel.

SUFFOLK.

Yes, my lord, her father is a king,

The King of Naples and Jerusalem;

And of such great authority in France,

As his alliance will confirm our peace,

And keep the Frenchmen in allegiance.

GLOUCESTER.

And so the Earl of Armagnac may do,

Because he is near kinsman unto Charles.

EXETER.

Beside, his wealth doth warrant a liberal dower,

Where Reignier sooner will receive than give.

SUFFOLK.

A dower, my lords! disgrace not so your king,