(To Queen Margaret)

And, madam, these for you, from whom I know not.

They all read their letters

OXFORD (to Prince Edward)

I like it well that our fair Queen and mistress

Smiles at her news, while Warwick frowns at his.

PRINCE EDWARD

Nay, mark how Louis stamps as he were nettled.

I hope all’s for the best.

KING LOUIS

Warwick, what are thy news ? And yours, fair Queen?

QUEEN MARGARET

Mine, such as fill my heart with unhoped joys.

WARWICK

Mine, full of sorrow and heart’s discontent.

KING LOUIS

What! Has your king married the Lady Gray?

And now to soothe your forgery and his,

Sends me a paper to persuade me patience?

Is this th’alliance that he seeks with France?

Dare he presume to scorn us in this manner?

QUEEN MARGARET

I told your majesty as much before—

This proveth Edward’s love and Warwick’s honesty.

WARWICK

King Louis, I here protest in sight of heaven

And by the hope I have of heavenly bliss,

That I am clear from this misdeed of Edward‘s,

No more my king, for he dishonours me,

But most himself, if he could see his shame.

Did I forget that by the house of York

My father came untimely to his death?

Did I let pass th’abuse done to my niece?

Did I impale him with the regal crown?

Did I put Henry from his native right?

And am I guerdoned at the last with shame?

Shame on himself, for my desert is honour.

And to repair my honour, lost for him,

I here renounce him and return to Henry.

(To Queen Margaret) My noble Queen, let former

grudges pass,

And henceforth I am thy true servitor.

I will revenge his wrong to Lady Bona

And replant Henry in his former state.

QUEEN MARGARET

Warwick, these words have turned my hate to love,

And I forgive and quite forget old faults,

And joy that thou becom’st King Henry’s friend.

WARWICK

So much his friend, ay, his unfeigned friend,

That if King Louis vouchsafe to furnish us

With some few bands of chosen soldiers,

I’ll undertake to land them on our coast

And force the tyrant from his seat by war.

’Tis not his new-made bride shall succour him.

And as for Clarence, as my letters tell me,

He’s very likely now to fall from him

For matching more for wanton lust than honour,

Or than for strength and safety of our country.

LADY BONA (to King Louis)

Dear brother, how shall Bona be revenged,

But by thy help to this distressed Queen?

QUEEN MARGARET (to King Louis)

Renowned Prince, how shall poor Henry live

Unless thou rescue him from foul despair?

LADY BONA (to King Louis)

My quarrel and this English Queen’s are one.

WARWICK

And mine, fair Lady Bona, joins with yours.

KING LOUIS

And mine with hers, and thine, and Margaret’s.

Therefore at last I firmly am resolved:

You shall have aid.

QUEEN MARGARET

Let me give humble thanks for all at once.

KING LOUIS (to the Post)

Then, England’s messenger, return in post

And tell false Edward, thy supposed king,

That Louis of France is sending over masquers

To revel it with him and his new bride.

Thou seest what’s passed, go fear thy king withal.

LADY BONA (to the Post)

Tell him, in hope he’ll prove a widower shortly,

I’ll wear the willow garland for his sake.

QUEEN MARGARET (to the Post)

Tell him my mourning weeds are laid aside,

And I am ready to put armour on.

WARWICK (to the Post)

Tell him from me that he hath done me wrong,

And therefore I’ll uncrown him ere’t be long.

(Giving money) There’s thy reward—be gone.

Exit Post

KING LOUIS

But, Warwick, thou and Oxford, with five thousand

men,

Shall cross the seas and bid false Edward battle;

And, as occasion serves, this noble Queen

And Prince shall follow with a fresh supply.

Yet, ere thou go, but answer me one doubt:

What pledge have we of thy firm loyalty?

WARWICK

This shall assure my constant loyalty :

That if our Queen and this young Prince agree,

I’ll join mine eldest daughter and my joy

To him forthwith in holy wedlock bands.

QUEEN MARGARET

Yes, I agree, and thank you for your motion.

(To Prince Edward) Son Edward, she is fair and virtuous,

Therefore delay not. Give thy hand to Warwick,

And with thy hand thy faith irrevocable

That only Warwick’s daughter shall be thine.

PRINCE EDWARD

Yes, I accept her, for she well deserves it,

And here to pledge my vow I give my hand.

He and Warwick clasp hands

KING LOUIS

Why stay we now? These soldiers shall be levied,

And thou, Lord Bourbon, our high admiral,

Shall waft them over with our royal fleet.

I long till Edward fall by war’s mischance

For mocking marriage with a dame of France.

Exeunt all but Warwick

WARWICK

I came from Edward as ambassador,

But I return his sworn and mortal foe.

Matter of marriage was the charge he gave me,

But dreadful war shall answer his demand.

Had he none else to make a stale but me?