king henry vi part 1(亨利四世ⅰ)-第21章
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Queen。 GLOUCESTER。 So should I give consent to flatter sin。 You know;
my lord; your Highness is betroth'd Unto another lady of esteem。 How
shall we then dispense with that contract; And not deface your honour with
reproach? SUFFOLK。 As doth a ruler with unlawful oaths; Or one that at a
triumph; having vow'd To try his strength; forsaketh yet the lists By reason
of his adversary's odds: A poor earl's daughter is unequal odds; And
therefore may be broke without offence。 GLOUCESTER。 Why; what; I
pray; is Margaret more than that? Her father is no better than an earl;
Although in glorious titles he excel。 SUFFOLK。 Yes; my lord; her father is
a king; The King of Naples and Jerusalem; And of such great authority in
France As his alliance will confirm our peace; And keep the Frenchmen in
allegiance。 GLOUCESTER。 And so the Earl of Armagnac may do;
Because he is near kinsman unto Charles。 EXETER。 Beside; his wealth
doth warrant a liberal dower; Where Reignier sooner will receive than give。
SUFFOLK。 A dow'r; my lords! Disgrace not so your king; That he should
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be so abject; base; and poor; To choose for wealth and not for perfect love。
Henry is able to enrich his queen; And not to seek a queen to make him
rich。 So worthless peasants bargain for their wives; As market…men for
oxen; sheep; or horse。 Marriage is a matter of more worth Than to be dealt
in by attorneyship; Not whom we will; but whom his Grace affects; Must
be companion of his nuptial bed。 And therefore; lords; since he affects her
most; It most of all these reasons bindeth us In our opinions she should be
preferr'd; For what is wedlock forced but a hell; An age of discord and
continual strife? Whereas the contrary bringeth bliss; And is a pattern of
celestial peace。 Whom should we match with Henry; being a king; But
Margaret; that is daughter to a king? Her peerless feature; joined with her
birth; Approves her fit for none but for a king; Her valiant courage and
undaunted spirit; More than in women commonly is seen; Will answer our
hope in issue of a king; For Henry; son unto a conqueror; Is likely to beget
more conquerors; If with a lady of so high resolve As is fair Margaret he
be link'd in love。 Then yield; my lords; and here conclude with me That
Margaret shall be Queen; and none but she。 KING HENRY。 Whether it be
through force of your report; My noble Lord of Suffolk; or for that My
tender youth was never yet attaint With any passion of inflaming love; I
cannot tell; but this I am assur'd; I feel such sharp dissension in my breast;
Such fierce alarums both of hope and fear; As I am sick with working of
my thoughts。 Take therefore shipping; post; my lord; to France; Agree to
any covenants; and procure That Lady Margaret do vouchsafe to come To
cross the seas to England; and be crown'd King Henry's faithful and
anointed queen。 For your expenses and sufficient charge; Among the
people gather up a tenth。 Be gone; I say; for till you do return I rest
perplexed with a thousand cares。 And you; good uncle; banish all offence:
If you do censure me by what you were; Not what you are; I know it will
excuse This sudden execution of my will。 And so conduct me where; from
company; I may revolve and ruminate my grief。 Exit GLOUCESTER。 Ay;
grief; I fear me; both at first and last。 Exeunt GLOUCESTER and
EXETER SUFFOLK。 Thus Suffolk hath prevail'd; and thus he goes; As
did the youthful Paris once to Greece; With hope to find the like event in
love But prosper better than the Troyan did。 Margaret shall now be Queen;
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and rule the King; But I will rule both her; the King; and realm。 Exit
THE END
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