 | The History of Henry the Fifth |  |
THE FOURTH ACT.
The Curtain being drawn up, The Duke of Burgundy, the Constable, Earl of Charaloys, and the Bishop of Arras are seen sitting at one side of a Table, attended by the French Officers of State; on the other side, are seated the Duke of Exeter, Duke of Bedford, the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury, and the Earl of Warwick, attended by the English.Burg.
Since all, my Lords, is done by us and you
Which is, as previous to a Treaty, due;
Delays in the affair should be abhor'd;
Those impious are when peace may be restor'd:
Therefore, my Lords, 'twere fit you would express
On what conditions you will grant a peace.
Exet.
Those who our right and strength well understand
Need not be told, that we all France demand.
Const.
You would by meer demand a question make;
No Treaty gives all that success can take.
This high resolve does more become the Field:
'Tis nobler all to lose then all to yield.
Bedf.
And you'l confess it is more nobly done,
By Arms then Treaty to regain a Throne;
But yet my Brother thought a Treaty good
That his French Subjects might preserve their blood.
Arch-Bish.
That King proves well the justice of his claim
Who, for his Subjects sakes, is deaf to Fame.
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Had we no Plea but what prescription gives
That were enough whilst any French-man lives.
Warw.
In pleading so, my Lord, your selves you wrong;
That can no Title be but to the strong.
For what can a protective aid afford
Against the clearest Right, and sharpest Sword?
Bish. of Ar.
From what pretence soe're a claim you draw
France knows no right above her Salique Law:
A Law which is both rational, and old;
It never was by time or force controul'd.
Exet.
You but imperfectly your story know;
Or speaking thus, you hope that we do so.
That Law (if made) was past on Sala's banks;
And was not made for France but for the Francks;
A Germain people who in Camps were bred,
And therefore still renounc'd a Female head.
Bedf.
A Law, which only from arm'd Tumults rose,
And which Heaven's Law and Nature's does oppose.
My Lord of Canterbury 'tis in you
To speak how France we challenge as our due.
Arch-Bish.
Philip the Fourth, as your own stories tell,
Had Lewis, Philip, Charles, and Isabel;
Edward the Second did his Daughter wed;
His Sons did all to the French Crown succeed.
Who, no Sons leaving, Philip, the Uncle's Son,
Did from the Father's Daughter take the Crown;
And kept it during injur'd Edward's life;
To whom 'twas due, in justice, by his Wife.
That Edward, dead, Edward the Third, his Son,
Did, in his Mothers right, demand his Crown.
Cressy and Poictiers to the World declare
How Heav'n esteem'd his Sword in that just War.
Death, Natures Conquerour, did him subdue;
And his great Son, the greater of the two.
Soon after, Civil Wars our Isle destroy'd:
Our Swords against our selves were long imploy'd.
Whilst sick with Civil War, Prides worst disease,
We bled in France, and lost three Provinces.
But, now when those Intestine Wars are done,
We come here to receive, or take our own.
Bedf.
You boast your Salique Law so just, and old,
That it by time or force was ne're controul'd.
But tell, I pray, what part of it decreed
That Martel should King Childerick succeed?
Or how it could, if not by wrested shift,
Make Capet Successour to Lew'is the Fifth,
When Charles of Lorrain should have fill'd the place;
The first Heir-male left of your Royal Race?
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'Tis true, the States of France, by their decree,
Did call King Capet to the Monarchie.
Who wisely then did Royal In'trest save,
Making them think that what they paid, they gave:
For so to his just right he joyn'd their power,
By which he vanquish'd his Competitor.
Thus when by Arms the Salique Law was try'd
Heaven judg'd the Title to the Female side:
For the chief right which Capet had to plead
Was that he did King Lewis Sister wed.
Arch-Bish.
From this great Capet, who that Law repeal'd,
All your succeeding Kings their Crowns have held.
By which, my Lords, we think we clearly show,
If then his claim was good, ours now is so.
Warw.
Or, if you grant the States by their decree
Can give to whom they will this Monarchie,
If you their pow'r so highly will advance,
We need but conquer to have right to France.
Burg.
Since you, my Lords, so pry into our right,
How comes your Red-rose now to rule your White?
Blame not what France to that Duke Charles has done
When a Lancastrian head does wear your Crown.
What by both sides may equally be sed
That neither, as his proper right, can plead.
But if your Roses Heav'n should e're unite
Then you may challenge France with better right.
None of the present Line we will admit;
The house of York can only plead for it.
Exet.
All of that house allow my Nephew's right;
And, under him, they for this Empire fight.
If Fate should them to Englands Throne advance
They shall possess, with it, the Throne of France:
By them as Subjects he is serv'd and fear'd.
Burg.
When they are Kings again they shall be heard.
My Lords, that all this vain discourse may cease,
What say you, if, t'advance you to a peace,
We give your King the Princess Katherine,
And with her such vast Treasure we assign,
As may for ever all your Title buy
To Anjou, Aquitain, and Normandy.
Bedf.
How came such abject offers in your thought?
One ought not to be sold, nor th'other bought.
Burg.
Then know, my Lords, the War you must pursue;
The Sword must end what Treaty could not do.
He rises, and the rest after him.
Exet.
'Tis to the Sword we must have our recourse!
Where right's deny'd 'tis justice to use force.
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Pippin and Capet such sharp Swords did draw
As twice repeal'd this Pagan-Salique-Law.
My Brother then may charge it as your crime
If he presume to do it the third time.
His Sword you'l quickly feel as sharp as theirs;
Since force must plead the right of Femal-heirs.
[Salutes the English Lords.
My Lords, farewel! we cannot here agree!
But they'l begin th'eusuing War at Sea.
Their Fleet's prepar'd; and, by this morning Post,
Our Navy too does call me to the Coast.
[Exeunt.
Enter the Queen, and Countess of La Marr.
La Marr.
So far this Treaty has already gone
That the Burgundian did assure your Son
The English Treaty never should succeed;
Which with the Dauphin's passion so agreed
As he has offer'd him to share all France
And to forget the Death of Orleance.
This, Madam, but too clearly let's you see
They mean to force you from the Regency:
Which the false Duke soon after will enjoy:
First he'l divide, and then your house destroy.
Queen.
This service, my La Marr, is far above
All Presents I can make you, but my Love.
I thought De Chastel had so fierce a mind
As he to Love could never have inclin'd;
But in that thought I find I injure you:
This conquest only to your Eyes is due.
La Marr.
Madam, 'twas only Love which could have prest
This fatal secret from De Chastel's breast.
Nor would I e're to him have faithless been,
But to save France, and to preserve my Queen.
Queen.
Thy Queen, half lost, thy Friendship does restore;
And yet thy Friendship must oblige her more.—
Enter Burgundy, and Constable.
The Queen casts her eyes on Burgundy.
That haughty Burgundy shall shortly Mourn.—
Kind Cousin! you have made a quick return.—
Burg.
The Dukes of Bedford and of Exeter,
Joyn'd with their talking Bishop, did appear
So much averse to all that we could speak
As we in Duty did the Treaty break;
Duty to you. We offer'd all you sent,
But only France can give their pride content.
Queen.
Since these bold Foes take pleasure to make War
(Proud that they dare do worse then others dare,
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T'advance our merit and debase their pride.
Burg.
Madam, in this just cause I shall afford
Th'assistance of my Counsel and my Sword.
Queen.
It is on those my chief dependance lies:
For you, my Lord, both pow'rful are and wise.
Prepare for Action, and let Treaties cease:
The wise may lose by War, fools lose by Peace.
Burg.
The better to obey what you desire
Excuse me, Madam, if I now retire.
[Exit.
Queen.
He being gone, my Lord, I'le let you know
What France, and I, do to this Lady owe.
The Duke has broke the English Treaty now
That to the Dauphin he may keep his Vow.
And false De Chastel made 'em both agree
Out of my hands to force the regency.
And then between themselves they are to share
The high employments both of Peace and War.
Const.
This Duke does all my faculties amaze:
Yet still he lov'd to walk in crooked ways.
Queen.
They all shall sink and their own ruine find
Within that depth which they for me design'd.
My Secretary Perrot understands
The Art of counterfeiting Seals and hands:
I'le make him straight write to the English King,
As from the Duke, proposing every thing
Which false De Chastel offer'd from my Son;
Yet when all promis'd by the King is done,
Though less then what my Son did e're propose
Him he'l forsake, and with the English close.
La Marr shall entertain De Chastel so
As of the Duke he may suspicious grow.
La Marr.
Some doubts which seem perplex'd I will unfold;
I'le say, he with the King does Treaty hold.
Queen.
Which can no other way be brought to light
But by those Letters ta'ne which he may write:
These Letters shall, though forg'd, authentick seem;
And must be intercepted too by him.
La Marr.
This will between them raise a jealousie.
Const.
And when that seed is sown 'twill never dye.
The Dauphins Soul I never understood
If he revenge not this affront with blood.
Queen.
My Lord, withdraw, and write with instant care
Exit Constable.
The Letter for Du Perrot: you, La Marr,
Shall sooth De Chastel with your former Art,
And subtly play your self in all your part.
[Exit La Marr.
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And greater troubles must preserve us there.
Yet the Ambitious envy those who reign:
They know the Pomp of Crowns, but not the pain.
[Exit.
The Princess Katherine, meeting Princess Anne.
Prin. Kath.
Madam, what News?
Prin. An.
The worst that I could bring:
They have dissolv'd the Treaty with the King.
Peace is quite fled, which did before but hide
Her chearful face. The Sword must all decide.
Thou forward hope, Wars voice has call'd thee back!
Prin. Kath.
I ne're could think suspence was such a rack.
Prin. An.
Suspence, in any thing, a pain does prove;
But turns a torment when 'tis mix'd with love.
Enter La Marr in haste.
La Marr.
Madam, I doubt the Queen and Duke have heard
Of that disguise in which the King appear'd.
The busie Whisp'rers run from place to place;
And fear, or news, is seen in every Face.
Small Parties meet; then to a throng they grow,
As Clouds unite before a storm does blow.
Enter Blamount.
Blam.
Madam, I left the Dauphin with the Queen;
They have this morning in a Tempest been:
Their meeting was both violent and short:
Your Brother instantly will leave the Court.
He said he would no longer vainly strive,
But boldly take what some deny to give.
Safely the Duke th'event of this attends,
And his apartment fills with Guards and Friends.
Enter Earl Charelloys.
E. of Char.
Madam, just now I from the Dauphin came:
His Friends are kindled with his anger's flame.
He is to sudden Execution bent;
To Deeds so swift as he'l too late repent.
He puts on wings for what he will pursue;
And says my Father does usurp his due:
And fierce De Chastel too (which all admire)
Against his Nature strives to quench this fire.
Enter French Lady.
Lady.
Madam, you are expected by the Queen.
Prin. Kath.
This storm will fall as soon as it is seen.
My Lord, I'le strive to make the Queen apply
To this distemper a quick remedy.
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I'le still near my suspicious Father stay;
Too much suspition does it self betray.
Prin. An.
Brother, I'le follow! Madam, we in vain
In storms of Love of other storms complain.
Love's Queen did rise from the Tempestuous Sea;
Which shews that Love in storms must ever be.
[Exeunt.
Enter Tudor.
Tudor.
By what the King related I may see
The Princess is for ever lost to me.
'Tis evident she has her Love resign'd
To his great Title and his greater mind.
Why should I thus, what she has done deplore?
She did but that which I had done before.
But, Fate, thou art unjust in making me
To quit the Love yet keep the jealousie:
Which is of Loves fair tree the foulest fruit;
A Branch whose nourishment offends the root.
Shall jealousie a pow'r o're judgment gain
Though it does only in the fancy reign?
With knowledge thou art inconsistent still;
The minds foul Monster whom fair truth does kill.
Thy tyranny subverts even Natures Laws;
For oft thou hast effects without a cause.
And, which thy strength or weakness does detect,
Thou often hast a cause without effect.
In all thou dost, thou ever dost amiss,
Seest what is not, or seest not that which is.
Whilst thou dost live sickness does thee pursue;
And he who cures thee needs must kill thee too.
Enter King.
King.
Tudor! you must not think my Friendship rude
Though it pursue you to your solitude.
Some fatal sorrow has your heart opprest:
Divide it, and send half into my Breast.
Tudor.
What is it can invade me in excess,
But joy, whilst I your favour, Sir, possess?
King.
If my warm favour has your blessing made
Why leave you then that Sun to seek this shade?
Tudor.
Sir, from your bounties I retire to show
I would prevent th'increase of what I owe.
I study here to pay my former score;
And I avoid your making of it more.
King.
Tudor, I no such answer will admit;
I must be paid with truth and not with wit.
The truth of Friendship has forsook the Earth:
Thou dost dissemble thy accustom'd mirth.
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Nature betrays more Art then I suspect.
Tudor.
Let me not, Sir, be for that shape despis'd
In which I am ev'n to my self, disguis'd.
King.
Friendship above all tyes does bind the heart;
And faith in Friendship is the noblest part.
'Tis ill, unaskt, not to have told your pain;
But worse, when askt, if you excuses feign.
Farewel, frail man; our Friendship here must end.
You wrong your Honour, when you wrong a Friend.
King offers to go out.
Tudor.
Stay, Sir, and to your vertue I'le unfold
The saddest story that was ever told.
King.
Why with thy King should there such trifling be;
With Friendship too, which sacred is as he?
Tudor.
My grief is yet close pris'ner in my Breast;
Whilst there confin'd, 'twill only me molest;
But may disquiet you when got from home;
Complaints, when past relief grow troublesome.
King.
That grief does far all other griefs transcend
Which greater grows when trusted to a Friend.
Friendship in noble hearts would never reign
If Friendships duty should be Friendships pain.
For ease of sorrow Friends from Heaven were sent.
Tudor, dispatch, and try th'experiment.
Tudor.
Why should you press me Sir? it will not out.—
King.
Those fear their Cure who their Physicians doubt.
Tudor.
Force me not, Sir, to tell you what can be
No ease to you, and yet a rack to me.
King.
Tell it I say!
Tudor.
I'le tell it though I dye—
I am in Love.
King.
In Love? and so am I.
Is this the strangest story e're was known?
Tudor.
Pray Heav'n you think not so e're it be done.
King.
Proceed.
Tudor.
She Sir, who does my heart subdue
Is by my Friend ador'd with passion too:
And, which is worse, his passion he did tell
To me, e're mine I durst to him reveal.
And, worser yet, that Friend does me employ
T'assist his Love whilst I my own destroy.
I lose my Mistress if I condescend
To this, not doing it I lose my Friend.
But, which is worst of all, I'le not deny
He does deserve her so much more then I
That should she, for my sake, make him despair
She must be more unjust then she is fair.
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The wrong I do destroys my happiness.
King.
'Tis difficult. What hast thou fixt upon?
Tudor.
What I thought just I have already done.
King.
Why then is so much time in sorrow spent?
For what is justly done canst thou repent?
Tudor.
In what I did such justice I have shown
That I would do't again, were it undone.
But, Sir, I cannot yet that grief remove
Which springs from Friendship that contests with Love.
As after storms the Sea does troubled show
Though the fierce Winds, which mov'd it, cease to blow.
King.
No wonder griefs wild Sea so high is wrought
Since in your Breast Friendship and Love have fought.
But tell me now thy Friends and Mistress name
For whom your self you nobly overcame.
He who you think deserves much more then you
I must conclude deserves my Friendship too.
Tudor.
Oh, Sir! in that your pardon I implore:
Too much is said; force me to say no more.
King.
Tudor, that man must high in merit be
For whom you'l do, more then you'l trust with me,
Tudor kneels.
Tudor.
Forgive me, Sir, if more I dare not say:
Let me in silence mourn my Life away.
King.
Rise, but no more I thee my Friend will call:
For he's no Friend, if not a Friend in all.
In part thou shew'st me what I whole would see;
A half Friend's worse then a whole Enemy.
Thy silence by a stricter way I'le break.
By thy Allegiance I command thee speak!
Tudor.
Oh do not think my Soul is sunk so low
That ought can act what Friendship could not do.
King.
Thy want of it, this passion from me draws:
Excuse th'effects of which thou art the cause.
No longer, Tudor, at this rate contend
With him who is thy King, and more, thy Friend.
[Embraces him.
Tudor.
The charming name of Friend will make me speak
When, even my King, could not my silence break.
You are that Friend whose name I would conceal;
Who is the Mistress then I need not tell.
Shee too did this revealment, Sir, constrain:
What but my pain could have disclos'd my pain?
King.
Oh why so late dost thou this truth avow?
Tudor.
I fear too early I have told it now.
King.
Thus to have us'd thy Friendship breeds a pain
Which nothing can transcend but her disdain.
Tudor.
But had I told it sooner, Sir, to you
Could you have then done more then you can now?
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Is but your pardon that I durst obey.
King.
My ignorance alone has made me do
What Love it self could not have forc'd me to.
Tudor.
Though, Sir, the Charms of Lovers hopes are sweet,
Yet mine I freely prostrate at your feet.
King.
My Rival thus in Love thou shun'st to be
Yet thus in honour dost out-rival me.
I to no Monarch e're that glory gave;
Much less my Subject shall that glory have.
If, Tudor, you would now suppress your flame,
To shew your Friendship, or exalt your fame,
That act on neither score I will allow;
For I'm in both, as much concern'd as you.
So greatly, Tudor, thou hast done for me
As nought can pay it but the same for thee.
Tudor.
I cannot, Sir, imagine your design.
King.
To be your Advocate as you were mine,
And give you leave your passion to pursue.
And, which is more, I do command you too.
Tudor.
Forgive me if this offer I refuse.
King.
Resolve to take it or thy King to lose.
Tudor.
Then I'le embrace it, and dispute no more.
And give me leave a pardon to implore
From all the better World who Lovers are,
From all who shall be so, and all that were,
That I against them did so guilty prove
As to consider ought in Love, but Love.
King.
Tudor, this gallantry obliges more
Then all thy pleading for me did before.
But, if I ever can attend again
That Sov'raign Beauty which does o're us reign,
I'le give her then such Characters of thee
As shall out-speak what thou hast said of me.
We then will be each others Advocate;
And from her sentence each receive his Fate.
Tudor.
Though this is more then I could hope; yet still
That which revives my hopes my hopes does kill.
For when describing me, you please to add
All that you think is likely to perswade,
Even that a surer way will rather prove
To shew your Vertue then advance my Love.
King.
Fear not, you may succeed; though drawing you
I shall but Copy what for me you drew.
Tudor.
Yet those will find, who justly ballance things,
I only Subjects taught, but you teach Kings!
[Exeunt.
| The History of Henry the Fifth | |