Original
Modern English
Your wondrous rare description, noble earl, Of beauteous Margaret hath astonish’d me: Her virtues graced with external gifts Do breed love’s settled passions in my heart: And like as rigor of tempestuous gusts Provokes the mightiest hulk against the tide, So am I driven by breath of her renown Either to suffer shipwreck or arrive Where I may have fruition of her love.
Your amazing description, noble earl, Of beautiful Margaret has stunned me: Her virtues, combined with her outer beauty, Have stirred love’s true feelings in my heart: And just as the force of stormy winds Pushes even the strongest ship against the tide, I am driven by her fame Either to crash and fail or to reach A place where I can enjoy her love.
Tush, my good lord, this superficial tale Is but a preface of her worthy praise; The chief perfections of that lovely dame Had I sufficient skill to utter them, Would make a volume of enticing lines, Able to ravish any dull conceit: And, which is more, she is not so divine, So full-replete with choice of all delights, But with as humble lowliness of mind She is content to be at your command; Command, I mean, of virtuous chaste intents, To love and honour Henry as her lord.
Nonsense, my lord, this brief story Is just an introduction to her true worth; The greatest qualities of that lovely lady If I had the skill to describe them, Would fill a whole book of tempting lines, That could captivate any dull mind: And, what’s more, she’s not so perfect, So full of every possible delight, But with humble, gentle humility She is happy to serve you; I mean, to love and honor Henry as her lord.
And otherwise will Henry ne’er presume. Therefore, my lord protector, give consent That Margaret may be England’s royal queen.
And I, for my part, will never overstep. So, my lord protector, please give your approval For Margaret to become England’s queen.
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?
That would be like giving approval to encourage sin. You know, my lord, your highness is already promised To another lady of high rank: How can we then break that promise, And not dishonor your name with shame?
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.
It’s like a ruler breaking an oath, Or like someone who, after vowing to compete in a contest, Withdraws because his opponent is too strong: A poor earl’s daughter is not too much of an opponent, And so her marriage contract can be broken without dishonor.
Why, what, I pray, is Margaret more than that? Her father is no better than an earl, Although in glorious titles he excel.
Why, what, I ask, is Margaret better than that? Her father is no better than an earl, Even though he has greater titles.
Yes, 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.
Yes, lord, her father is a king, The King of Naples and Jerusalem; And he holds such power in France That his alliance will secure our peace And keep the French loyal to us.
And so the Earl of Armagnac may do, Because he is near kinsman unto Charles.
And so the Earl of Armagnac could do the same, Because he is a close relative of Charles.
Beside, his wealth doth warrant a liberal dower, Where Reignier sooner will receive than give.
Besides, his wealth guarantees a large dowry, While Reignier is more likely to take than give.
A dower, my lords! disgrace not so your king, That he should be so abject, base and poor, To choose for wealth and not for perfect love. Henry is able to enrich his queen And not 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.
A dowry, my lords! Don’t dishonor your king, By suggesting he would be so low, base, and poor, As to choose a queen for wealth and not for love. Henry can make his queen rich Without needing to find a queen to make him rich: That’s what poor peasants do when they bargain for their wives, Like marketmen buying cattle, sheep, or horses. Marriage is more important Than something to be arranged by lawyers; It’s not about who we want, but who the king desires, Who must share his marriage bed: And so, lords, since he desires her most, We are bound by all these reasons To agree that she should be preferred. For what is a forced marriage but a hell, A lifetime of conflict and constant struggle? But a marriage based on love brings happiness, And is a model of divine peace. Who should we match with Henry, a king, But Margaret, who is the daughter of a king? Her flawless beauty, matched with her noble birth, Proves she is fit only for a king: Her brave heart and fearless spirit, More than is usually seen in women, Will give us hope for a kingly offspring; For Henry, son of a conqueror, Is likely to father more conquerors, If he marries a woman of such strong will As the beautiful Margaret. So give in, my lords; and agree with me That Margaret shall be queen, and no one else.
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 assured, 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.
Whether it’s because of your report, My noble Lord of Suffolk, or because My young heart has never been touched By any strong passion of love, I cannot say; but this I know for sure, I feel such a sharp conflict inside me, So much hope and fear fighting within me, That I am overwhelmed with worry and confusion. So, take a ship, my lord, and head for France; Agree to whatever terms you need, and arrange For Lady Margaret to come And cross the seas to England to be crowned King Henry’s loyal and anointed queen: For your expenses, gather a tenth from the people. Go now, I say; for until you return, I am troubled with a thousand worries. And you, my good uncle, put aside all anger: If you judge me by what you were, And not by what you are now, I know you will understand This swift decision I’ve made. Now, take me somewhere I can be alone To reflect on and think through my grief.
Ay, grief, I fear me, both at first and last.
Yes, grief, I fear, will trouble me both at the start and the end.
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 Trojan did. Margaret shall now be queen, and rule the king; But I will rule both her, the king and realm.
Thus, Suffolk has succeeded; and now he goes, Just like the young Paris once went to Greece, Hoping for the same outcome in love, But may prosper better than the Trojan did. Margaret shall now be queen, and rule the king; But I will rule both her, the king, and the realm.