University of Virginia Library

SCENE VII.

Suffolk. Gloucester. Beaufort. Queen.
Queen.
What would the Lord Protectour, then, with Us?

Gloucest.
That Title, Madam, is become a Crime;
The only Crime, that Gloucester knows: Unless,
Your Majesty is pleas'd to inform me; Why,
A Prince, and Peer, of England is deny'd
Admittance to the King.

Queen.
We come not, hither,
To answer Questions.—I was told, you had
Some Business to impart.—If so; be brief.

Gloucest.
Madam, I know, Affairs of State demand you.
Brief, then: I would resign my needless Office;
Whether to you, or to the King.

Queen.
I undertake,
My royal Consort will not be displeas'd.

Gloucest.
He has no Will, but Yours.—Before, you came
To grace the Court, my Counsels bore some Weight;
But, Your Superiour Wisdom makes them useless:
And, I have held my Office, much too long.
Therein I merit Blame.

Queen.
Yes; Scornful Man!
Too long thou hast held it; and, too proudly, govern'd:
As if, while Gloucester lives, the Majesty
Of England must submit to Tutelage;
And, be the Scorn of all the Neighbouring Princes:
A By-Word, in the Mouth of every Subject!

Beauf.
I must commend my Nephew's Resolution:
Nor, can it be unwelcome to the King;
Whose regal Dignity your Majesty consults.

Gloucest.
Peace, Beaufort, Peace!—Nor, Madam, think that You
(Though crown'd, with Pomp, as Queen of this fair Realm)
Have any Right, to censure my Endeavours
To serve, alike, my Countrey, and my King;
Whose Interests are the same:—Not sacred Wedlock
Is a closer Tie.—As for My Actions;
To our Sovereign Lord, the Nobles, and the Commons,
(Our legal Powers) am I accountable:—
And, so is Beaufort; and your Favourite, Suffolk;
And You, my royal Dame!

Queen.
Presumptuous Man!—

Suff.
Why should your Majesty, thus, condescend—

Queen.
The vain Applauses of the wretched Commons
Have swoln thy Heart with Pride!—

Beauf.

Suff.
No Mention of the King, in all their Transport:—
Duke Humfrey reigns!

Queen.
I blush, my Lords,
To recollect, how gentle Henry's Goodness
Has been abus'd.—

Gloucest.
And, Madam, Gloucester blushes:
But, not for any Guilt of His.

Queen.
Most insolent!—
To Whom doest Thou intend the Provocation?
Speak out thy Insinuations:—We defy thee!—
But, Gloucester, if thou darest to loose thy Tongue
Against my Fame, unsully'd, as the Light;
Here, by my royal Father's Life, I swear
Perdition on thy Head!—More fatal Vengeance,
Than, ever, injur'd Woman did accomplish.

Gloucest.
Wherein, do I accuse your Majesty?
I answer, only, as to my Sovereign's Goodness;
Never, abus'd by Me.—These busy Flies,
That ever seek the Sunshine of the Court,
Will ruin Him, and You.—I am content
To quit my Apartment in the Palace.—And,
(Whatever They, through Envy, may suggest)
Gloucester was never sordidly ambitious
Of popular Applause.—If, to do Justice,
If, to protect the Commons from Oppression,
Be judg'd a Crime; I am, indeed, most criminal.
And, yet; unless the Commons do enjoy
Their Rights; and, be indulg'd their Freedom:
In my poor Thought, the King, with all his Nobles,
Is destitute; unable to repell
A forreign Foe; or rule in Peace, at Home.