69

  QUEEN MARGARET

  Besides the haughty Protector, have we Beaufort

  70

  The imperious churchman, Somerset, Buckingham,

  71

  And grumbling York; and not the least of these

  72

  But can do more in England than the King.

  73

  SUFFOLK

  And he of these that can do most of all

  74

  Cannot do more in England than the Nevilles;

  75

  Salisbury and Warwick are no simple peers.

  76

  QUEEN MARGARET

  Not all these lords do vex me half so much

  77

  As that proud dame, the Lord Protector’s wife.

  78

  She sweeps it through the court with troops of

  79

  ladies,

  80

  More like an empress than Duke Humphrey’s wife.

  81

  Strangers in court do take her for the Queen.

  82

  She bears a duke’s revenues on her back,

  83

  And in her heart she scorns our poverty.

  84

  Shall I not live to be avenged on her?

  85

  Contemptuous baseborn callet as she is,

  86

  She vaunted ’mongst her minions t’ other day

  87

  The very train of her worst wearing gown

  88

  Was better worth than all my father’s lands

  89

  Till Suffolk gave two dukedoms for his daughter.

  90

  SUFFOLK

  Madam, myself have limed a bush for her

  91

  And placed a choir of such enticing birds

  92

  That she will light to listen to the lays

  93

  And never mount to trouble you again.

  94

  So let her rest. And, madam, list to me,

  95

  For I am bold to counsel you in this:

  96

  Although we fancy not the Cardinal,

  97

  Yet must we join with him and with the lords

  98

  Till we have brought Duke Humphrey in disgrace.

  99

  As for the Duke of York, this late complaint

  100

  Will make but little for his benefit.

  101

  So, one by one, we’ll weed them all at last,

  102

  And you yourself shall steer the happy helm.

  103

  Sound a sennet. Enter King Duke Humphrey

  Cardinal,
  rose,> Buckingham, Salisbury; York and Warwick,
  wearing the white rose;> and the Duchess
  Gloucester.>

  KING HENRY

  For my part, noble lords, I care not which;

  104

  Or Somerset or York, all’s one to me.

  105

  YORK

  If York have ill demeaned himself in France,

  106

  Then let him be denied the regentship.

  107

  SOMERSET

  If Somerset be unworthy of the place,

  108

  Let York be regent; I will yield to him.

  109

  WARWICK

  Whether your Grace be worthy, yea or no,

  110

  Dispute not that. York is the worthier.

  111

  CARDINAL

  Ambitious Warwick, let thy betters speak.

  112

  WARWICK

  The Cardinal’s not my better in the field.

  113

  BUCKINGHAM

  All in this presence are thy betters, Warwick.

  114

  WARWICK

  Warwick may live to be the best of all.

  115

  SALISBURY

  Peace, son.—And show some reason, Buckingham,

  116

  Why Somerset should be preferred in this.

  117

  QUEEN MARGARET

  Because the King, forsooth, will have it so.

  118

  GLOUCESTER

  Madam, the King is old enough himself

  119

  To give his censure. These are no women’s matters.

  120

  QUEEN MARGARET

  If he be old enough, what needs your Grace

  121

  To be Protector of his Excellence?

  122

  GLOUCESTER

  Madam, I am Protector of the realm,

  123

  And at his pleasure will resign my place.

  124

  SUFFOLK

  Resign it, then, and leave thine insolence.

  125

  Since thou wert king—as who is king but thou?—

  126

  The commonwealth hath daily run to wrack,

  127

  The Dauphin hath prevailed beyond the seas,

  128

  And all the peers and nobles of the realm

  129

  Have been as bondmen to thy sovereignty.

  130

  CARDINAL,

  The Commons hast thou racked; the clergy’s bags

  131

  Are lank and lean with thy extortions.

  132

  SOMERSET,

  Thy sumptuous buildings and thy wife’s attire

  133

  Have cost a mass of public treasury.

  134

  BUCKINGHAM,

  Thy cruelty in execution

  135

  Upon offenders hath exceeded law

  136

  And left thee to the mercy of the law.

  137

  QUEEN MARGARET,

  Thy sale of offices and towns in France,

  138

  If they were known, as the suspect is great,

  139

  Would make thee quickly hop without thy head.

  140

  Gloucester exits.

 

  Give me my fan. What, minion, can

  141

  you not?

  142

  She gives the Duchess a box on the ear.

  I cry you mercy, madam. Was it you?

  143

  DUCHESS

  Was ’t I? Yea, I it was, proud Frenchwoman.

  144

  Could I come near your beauty with my nails,

  145

  set my ten commandments in your face.

  146

  KING HENRY

  Sweet aunt, be quiet. ’Twas against her will.

  147

  DUCHESS

  Against her will, good king? Look to ’t in time.

  148

  She’ll hamper thee and dandle thee like a baby.

  149

  Though in this place most master wear no breeches,

  150

  She shall not strike Dame Eleanor unrevenged.

  151

  Eleanor, exits.

  BUCKINGHAM,