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And tell me, then, have you not broke your oaths?

FIRST KEEPER.

No;

For we were subjects but while you were king.

KING HENRY.

Why, am I dead? Do I not breathe a man?

Ah, simple men, you know not what you swear!

Look, as I blow this feather from my face,

And as the air blows it to me again,

Obeying with my wind when I do blow,

And yielding to another when it blows,

Commanded always by the greater gust,

Such is the lightness of you common men.

But do not break your oaths; for of that sin

My mild entreaty shall not make you guilty.

Go where you will, the King shall be commanded;

And be you kings: command, and I'll obey.

FIRST KEEPER.

We are true subjects to the King, King Edward.

KING HENRY.

So would you be again to Henry,

If he were seated as King Edward is.

FIRST KEEPER.

We charge you, in God's name and the King's,

To go with us unto the officers.

KING HENRY.

In God's name, lead; your King's name be obey'd;

And what God will, that let your King perform;

And what he will, I humbly yield unto. Exeunt

SCENE II. London. The palace

Enter KING EDWARD, GLOUCESTER, CLARENCE, and LADY GREY

KING EDWARD.

Brother of Gloucester, at Saint Albans' field

This lady's husband, Sir Richard Grey, was slain,

His land then seiz'd on by the conqueror.

Her suit is now to repossess those lands;

Which we in justice cannot well deny,

Because in quarrel of the house of York

The worthy gentleman did lose his life.

GLOUCESTER.

Your Highness shall do well to grant her suit;

It were dishonour to deny it her.

KING EDWARD.

It were no less; but yet I'll make a pause.

GLOUCESTER.

[Aside to CLARENCE] Yea, is it so?

I see the lady hath a thing to grant,

Before the King will grant her humble suit.

CLARENCE.

[Aside to GLOUCESTER] He knows the game; how true he keeps the wind!

GLOUCESTER.

[Aside to CLARENCE] Silence!

KING EDWARD.

Widow, we will consider of your suit;

And come some other time to know our mind.

LADY GREY.

Right gracious lord, I cannot brook delay.

May it please your Highness to resolve me now;

And what your pleasure is shall satisfy me.

GLOUCESTER.

[Aside] Ay, widow? Then I'll warrant you all your lands,

An if what pleases him shall pleasure you.

Fight closer or, good faith, you'll catch a blow.

CLARENCE.

[Aside to GLOUCESTER] I fear her not, unless she chance to fall.

GLOUCESTER.

[Aside to CLARENCE] God forbid that, for he'll take vantages.

KING EDWARD.

How many children hast thou, widow, tell me.

CLARENCE.

[Aside to GLOUCESTER] I think he means to beg a child of her.

GLOUCESTER.

[Aside to CLARENCE] Nay, then whip me; he'll rather give her two.

LADY GREY.

Three, my most gracious lord.

GLOUCESTER.

[Aside] You shall have four if you'll be rul'd by him.

KING EDWARD.

'Twere pity they should lose their father's lands.

LADY GREY.

Be pitiful, dread lord, and grant it, then.

KING EDWARD.

Lords, give us leave; I'll try this widow's wit.

GLOUCESTER.

[Aside] Ay, good leave have you; for you will have leave

Till youth take leave and leave you to the crutch.

[GLOUCESTER and CLARENCE withdraw]

KING EDWARD.

Now tell me, madam, do you love your children?

LADY GREY.

Ay, full as dearly as I love myself.

KING EDWARD.

And would you not do much to do them good?

LADY GREY.

To do them good I would sustain some harm.

KING EDWARD.

Then get your husband's lands, to do them good.

LADY GREY.

Therefore I came unto your Majesty.

KING EDWARD.

I'll tell you how these lands are to be got.

LADY GREY.

So shall you bind me to your Highness' service.

KING EDWARD.

What service wilt thou do me if I give them?

LADY GREY.

What you command that rests in me to do.

KING EDWARD.

But you will take exceptions to my boon.

LADY GREY.

No, gracious lord, except I cannot do it.

KING EDWARD.

Ay, but thou canst do what I mean to ask.

LADY GREY.

Why, then I will do what your Grace commands.

GLOUCESTER.

He plies her hard; and much rain wears the marble.

CLARENCE.

As red as fire! Nay, then her