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As by your high imperial majesty I had in charge at my depart for France, As procurator to your excellence, To marry Princess Margaret for your grace, So, in the famous ancient city, Tours, In presence of the Kings of France and Sicil, The Dukes of Orleans, Calaber, Bretagne and Alencon, Seven earls, twelve barons and twenty reverend bishops, I have perform’d my task and was espoused: And humbly now upon my bended knee, In sight of England and her lordly peers, Deliver up my title in the queen To your most gracious hands, that are the substance Of that great shadow I did represent; The happiest gift that ever marquess gave, The fairest queen that ever king received.
As your highness commanded me when I left for France, As your representative to your majesty, To marry Princess Margaret for you, So, in the famous city of Tours, In front of the Kings of France and Sicily, The Dukes of Orleans, Calabria, Brittany, and Alencon, Seven earls, twelve barons, and twenty bishops, I completed my task and was married: And now, humbly kneeling before you, In the sight of England and her noble peers, I give my title to the queen To your gracious hands, which represent The great honor I was honored with; The happiest gift ever given by a marquess, The fairest queen any king has ever had.
Suffolk, arise. Welcome, Queen Margaret: I can express no kinder sign of love Than this kind kiss. O Lord, that lends me life, Lend me a heart replete with thankfulness! For thou hast given me in this beauteous face A world of earthly blessings to my soul, If sympathy of love unite our thoughts.
Suffolk, rise. Welcome, Queen Margaret: I can show no greater sign of love Than this kiss. O Lord, who gives me life, Give me a heart full of gratitude! For you have given me, in this beautiful face, A world of blessings for my soul, If love and kindness unite our hearts.
Great King of England and my gracious lord, The mutual conference that my mind hath had, By day, by night, waking and in my dreams, In courtly company or at my beads, With you, mine alder-liefest sovereign, Makes me the bolder to salute my king With ruder terms, such as my wit affords And over-joy of heart doth minister.
Great King of England and my noble lord, The constant thoughts my mind has had, By day and night, awake and in my dreams, In company or at my prayers, With you, my dearest lord, Give me the confidence to greet my king With these simpler words, from my heart’s joy.
Her sight did ravish; but her grace in speech, Her words y-clad with wisdom’s majesty, Makes me from wondering fall to weeping joys; Such is the fulness of my heart’s content. Lords, with one cheerful voice welcome my love.
Her appearance took my breath away; but her grace in speaking, Her words, filled with wisdom’s dignity, Makes me go from awe to tears of joy; Such is the depth of my heart’s happiness. Lords, with one voice, welcome my love.
[Kneeling] Long live Queen Margaret, England’s happiness!
[Kneeling] Long live Queen Margaret, England’s joy and pride!
We thank you all.
We thank you all.
My lord protector, so it please your grace, Here are the articles of contracted peace Between our sovereign and the French king Charles, For eighteen months concluded by consent.
My lord protector, if it pleases you, Here are the terms of the peace agreement Between our king and King Charles of France, For eighteen months, agreed upon by both sides.
[Reads] ’Imprimis, it is agreed between the French king Charles, and William de la Pole, Marquess of Suffolk, ambassador for Henry King of England, that the said Henry shall espouse the Lady Margaret, daughter unto Reignier King of Naples, Sicilia and Jerusalem, and crown her Queen of England ere the thirtieth of May next ensuing. Item, that the duchy of Anjou and the county of Maine shall be released and delivered to the king her father’--
[Reads] "First, it is agreed between the French King Charles, and William de la Pole, Marquess of Suffolk, ambassador for Henry King of England, that King Henry shall marry Lady Margaret, daughter of King Reignier of Naples, Sicily, and Jerusalem, and crown her Queen of England by the thirtieth of May next. Also, that the duchy of Anjou and the county of Maine shall be returned to her father."
Uncle, how now!
Uncle, what’s happening?!
Pardon me, gracious lord; Some sudden qualm hath struck me at the heart And dimm’d mine eyes, that I can read no further.
Forgive me, my lord; Something sudden has struck me at the heart And made my eyes go dim, so I can’t read any further.
Uncle of Winchester, I pray, read on.
Uncle of Winchester, please, continue reading.
[Reads] ’Item, It is further agreed between them, that the duchies of Anjou and Maine shall be released and delivered over to the king her father, and she sent over of the King of England’s own proper cost and charges, without having any dowry.’
[Reads] ’Also, it’s agreed between them, that the territories of Anjou and Maine will be given back to the king her father, and she will be sent over at the King of England’s expense, with no dowry.’
They please us well. Lord marquess, kneel down: We here create thee the first duke of Suffolk, And gird thee with the sword. Cousin of York, We here discharge your grace from being regent I’ the parts of France, till term of eighteen months Be full expired. Thanks, uncle Winchester, Gloucester, York, Buckingham, Somerset, Salisbury, and Warwick; We thank you all for the great favour done, In entertainment to my princely queen. Come, let us in, and with all speed provide To see her coronation be perform’d.
That seems fine to us. Lord Marquess, kneel down: We hereby make you the first Duke of Suffolk, And we’ll fasten the sword around your waist. Cousin of York, We now release you from being regent in the parts of France, until eighteen months have passed. Thanks, Uncle Winchester, Gloucester, York, Buckingham, Somerset, Salisbury, and Warwick; We thank you all for the great favor done, in hosting my royal queen. Come, let’s go in, and quickly prepare for her coronation.
Brave peers of England, pillars of the state, To you Duke Humphrey must unload his grief, Your grief, the common grief of all the land. What! did my brother Henry spend his youth, His valour, coin and people, in the wars? Did he so often lodge in open field, In winter’s cold and summer’s parching heat, To conquer France, his true inheritance? And did my brother Bedford toil his wits, To keep by policy what Henry got? Have you yourselves, Somerset, Buckingham, Brave York, Salisbury, and victorious Warwick, Received deep scars in France and Normandy? Or hath mine uncle Beaufort and myself, With all the learned council of the realm, Studied so long, sat in the council-house Early and late, debating to and fro How France and Frenchmen might be kept in awe, And had his highness in his infancy Crowned in Paris in despite of foes? And shall these labours and these honours die? Shall Henry’s conquest, Bedford’s vigilance, Your deeds of war and all our counsel die? O peers of England, shameful is this league! Fatal this marriage, cancelling your fame, Blotting your names from books of memory, Razing the characters of your renown, Defacing monuments of conquer’d France, Undoing all, as all had never been!
Noble lords of England, the support of the nation, Duke Humphrey must now express his sorrow, your sorrow, which is the sorrow of the whole country. What! did my brother Henry spend his youth, his courage, money, and people, in the wars? Did he often camp in the open fields, in the cold of winter and the heat of summer, to conquer France, his rightful land? And did my brother Bedford use his mind, to hold onto what Henry gained by strategy? Have you, Somerset, Buckingham, brave York, Salisbury, and victorious Warwick, received deep battle scars in France and Normandy? Or have my uncle Beaufort and I, along with the learned council of the realm, studied so hard, sat in the council chamber from early to late, debating back and forth how France and the French might be kept under control, and had the King crowned in Paris at a young age, despite his enemies? And will all these efforts and honors fade away? Will Henry’s conquest, Bedford’s vigilance, your wartime deeds, and all our advice vanish? Oh, noble lords of England, how shameful is this treaty! Deadly is this marriage, ruining your reputation, wiping your names from the history books, destroying the monuments of conquered France, undoing everything, as if it had never been!
Nephew, what means this passionate discourse, This peroration with such circumstance? For France, ’tis ours; and we will keep it still.
Nephew, what’s with this passionate speech, this long-winded talk? As for France, it’s ours, and we’ll keep it.
Ay, uncle, we will keep it, if we can; But now it is impossible we should: Suffolk, the new-made duke that rules the roast, Hath given the duchy of Anjou and Maine Unto the poor King Reignier, whose large style Agrees not with the leanness of his purse.
Yes, Uncle, we’ll keep it, if we can; but right now it’s impossible: Suffolk, the newly made Duke who’s in charge, has given the duchy of Anjou and Maine to the poor King Reignier, whose grand title doesn’t match the emptiness of his purse.
Now, by the death of Him that died for all, These counties were the keys of Normandy. But wherefore weeps Warwick, my valiant son?
Now, by the death of Him who died for all, these counties were the key to Normandy. But why is Warwick, my brave son, crying?
For grief that they are past recovery: For, were there hope to conquer them again, My sword should shed hot blood, mine eyes no tears. Anjou and Maine! myself did win them both; Those provinces these arms of mine did conquer: And are the cities, that I got with wounds, Delivered up again with peaceful words? Mort Dieu!
Because they’re beyond saving: If there were hope to take them back, my sword would spill hot blood, my eyes wouldn’t shed tears. Anjou and Maine! I won them both; these territories were conquered by my own hands: And are the cities that I captured with wounds, now being handed back with peaceful words? Good God!
For Suffolk’s duke, may he be suffocate, That dims the honour of this warlike isle! France should have torn and rent my very heart, Before I would have yielded to this league. I never read but England’s kings have had Large sums of gold and dowries with their wives: And our King Henry gives away his own, To match with her that brings no vantages.
As for Suffolk’s duke, may he choke, for dishonoring this warlike nation! France should have torn my heart apart, before I would have agreed to this treaty. I’ve never read of a time when England’s kings didn’t receive large sums of gold and dowries with their wives: But our King Henry gives up his own, to marry a woman who brings no benefits.
A proper jest, and never heard before, That Suffolk should demand a whole fifteenth For costs and charges in transporting her! She should have stayed in France and starved in France, Before--
What a joke, I’ve never heard anything so ridiculous, that Suffolk would demand a whole tax to cover the costs of transporting her! She should have stayed in France and starved there, before--
My Lord of Gloucester, now ye grow too hot: It was the pleasure of my lord the King.
My Lord of Gloucester, you’re getting too heated: It was the King’s decision.
My Lord of Winchester, I know your mind; ’Tis not my speeches that you do mislike, But ’tis my presence that doth trouble ye. Rancour will out: proud prelate, in thy face I see thy fury: if I longer stay, We shall begin our ancient bickerings. Lordings, farewell; and say, when I am gone, I prophesied France will be lost ere long.
My Lord of Winchester, I know what you’re thinking; it’s not my words you disagree with, but my presence that bothers you. Anger is showing: proud bishop, I see your rage: if I stay any longer, we’ll start our old quarrels again. Lords, goodbye; and remember, when I’m gone, I predicted that France will soon be lost.
So, there goes our protector in a rage. ’Tis known to you he is mine enemy, Nay, more, an enemy unto you all, And no great friend, I fear me, to the king. Consider, lords, he is the next of blood, And heir apparent to the English crown: Had Henry got an empire by his marriage, And all the wealthy kingdoms of the west, There’s reason he should be displeased at it. Look to it, lords! let not his smoothing words Bewitch your hearts; be wise and circumspect. What though the common people favour him, Calling him ’Humphrey, the good Duke of Gloucester,’ Clapping their hands, and crying with loud voice, ’Jesu maintain your royal excellence!’ With ’God preserve the good Duke Humphrey!’ I fear me, lords, for all this flattering gloss, He will be found a dangerous protector.
So, there goes our protector, really angry. It’s known to you all that he is my enemy, In fact, more than that, he’s an enemy to all of you, And I fear he’s not much of a friend to the king either. Think about it, lords, he’s the next in line, And the rightful heir to the English throne: If Henry had gained an empire through his marriage, And all the rich kingdoms of the west, It makes sense that he’d be upset about it. Watch out, lords! Don’t let his sweet words Charm you; be smart and cautious. Even though the common people support him, Calling him ’Humphrey, the good Duke of Gloucester,’ Clapping their hands and shouting loudly, ’Jesus, protect your royal greatness!’ With ’God save the good Duke Humphrey!’ I’m afraid, lords, that despite all this flattery, He will turn out to be a dangerous protector.
Why should he, then, protect our sovereign, He being of age to govern of himself? Cousin of Somerset, join you with me, And all together, with the Duke of Suffolk, We’ll quickly hoise Duke Humphrey from his seat.
Why should he, then, protect our king, When he’s old enough to rule on his own? Cousin Somerset, join me, And together, with the Duke of Suffolk, We’ll quickly throw Duke Humphrey out of his position.
This weighty business will not brook delay: I’ll to the Duke of Suffolk presently.
This serious matter won’t wait: I’ll go to the Duke of Suffolk right away.
Cousin of Buckingham, though Humphrey’s pride And greatness of his place be grief to us, Yet let us watch the haughty cardinal: His insolence is more intolerable Than all the princes in the land beside: If Gloucester be displaced, he’ll be protector.
Cousin Buckingham, though Humphrey’s pride And his high position upset us, Let’s keep an eye on the arrogant cardinal: His arrogance is harder to bear Than all the princes in the land put together: If Gloucester is removed, he’ll take over as protector.
Or thou or I, Somerset, will be protector, Despite Duke Humphrey or the cardinal.
Either you or I, Somerset, will be protector, No matter what Duke Humphrey or the cardinal do.
Pride went before, ambition follows him. While these do labour for their own preferment, Behoves it us to labour for the realm. I never saw but Humphrey Duke of Gloucester Did bear him like a noble gentleman. Oft have I seen the haughty cardinal, More like a soldier than a man o’ the church, As stout and proud as he were lord of all, Swear like a ruffian and demean himself Unlike the ruler of a commonweal. Warwick, my son, the comfort of my age, Thy deeds, thy plainness and thy housekeeping, Hath won the greatest favour of the commons, Excepting none but good Duke Humphrey: And, brother York, thy acts in Ireland, In bringing them to civil discipline, Thy late exploits done in the heart of France, When thou wert regent for our sovereign, Have made thee fear’d and honour’d of the people: Join we together, for the public good, In what we can, to bridle and suppress The pride of Suffolk and the cardinal, With Somerset’s and Buckingham’s ambition; And, as we may, cherish Duke Humphrey’s deeds, While they do tend the profit of the land.
Pride went before him, ambition follows. While they work for their own advancement, We should work for the good of the kingdom. I’ve only ever seen Humphrey Duke of Gloucester Act like a true nobleman. I’ve often seen the arrogant cardinal, Acting more like a soldier than a churchman, As proud and bold as if he were lord of everything, Cursing like a thug and behaving in ways Unbecoming of the ruler of a nation. Warwick, my son, the pride of my old age, Your actions, your honesty, and your management, Have earned you the greatest favor of the common people, Except for good Duke Humphrey: And, brother York, your actions in Ireland, Bringing them to peace and order, And your recent successes in the heart of France, When you were regent for our king, Have made you feared and respected by the people: Let’s join forces, for the common good, And do what we can to control and suppress The pride of Suffolk and the cardinal, And the ambitions of Somerset and Buckingham; And, as we can, support Duke Humphrey’s actions, As long as they benefit the land.
So God help Warwick, as he loves the land, And common profit of his country!
So help me God, as I love this land, And the common good of my country!
[Aside] And so says York, for he hath greatest cause.
[Aside] And so says York, because he has the best reason.
Then let’s make haste away, and look unto the main.
Then let’s hurry and focus on the main issue.
Unto the main! O father, Maine is lost; That Maine which by main force Warwick did win, And would have kept so long as breath did last! Main chance, father, you meant; but I meant Maine, Which I will win from France, or else be slain,
The main issue! Oh father, Maine is lost; That Maine which by force of arms Warwick won, And would have kept as long as I lived! You meant the main chance, father, but I meant Maine, Which I will win from the French, or die trying,
Anjou and Maine are given to the French; Paris is lost; the state of Normandy Stands on a tickle point, now they are gone: Suffolk concluded on the articles, The peers agreed, and Henry was well pleased To change two dukedoms for a duke’s fair daughter. I cannot blame them all: what is’t to them? ’Tis thine they give away, and not their own. Pirates may make cheap pennyworths of their pillage And purchase friends and give to courtezans, Still revelling like lords till all be gone; While as the silly owner of the goods Weeps over them and wrings his hapless hands And shakes his head and trembling stands aloof, While all is shared and all is borne away, Ready to starve and dare not touch his own: So York must sit and fret and bite his tongue, While his own lands are bargain’d for and sold. Methinks the realms of England, France and Ireland Bear that proportion to my flesh and blood As did the fatal brand Althaea burn’d Unto the prince’s heart of Calydon. Anjou and Maine both given unto the French! Cold news for me, for I had hope of France, Even as I have of fertile England’s soil. A day will come when York shall claim his own; And therefore I will take the Nevils’ parts And make a show of love to proud Duke Humphrey, And, when I spy advantage, claim the crown, For that’s the golden mark I seek to hit: Nor shall proud Lancaster usurp my right, Nor hold the sceptre in his childish fist, Nor wear the diadem upon his head, Whose church-like humours fits not for a crown. Then, York, be still awhile, till time do serve: Watch thou and wake when others be asleep, To pry into the secrets of the state; Till Henry, surfeiting in joys of love, With his new bride and England’s dear-bought queen, And Humphrey with the peers be fall’n at jars: Then will I raise aloft the milk-white rose, With whose sweet smell the air shall be perfumed; And in my standard bear the arms of York To grapple with the house of Lancaster; And, force perforce, I’ll make him yield the crown, Whose bookish rule hath pull’d fair England down.
Anjou and Maine have been given to the French; Paris is lost; the state of Normandy Is on a knife’s edge, now that they’re gone: Suffolk made the deal, the nobles agreed, and Henry was happy To trade two duchies for a duke’s beautiful daughter. I can’t blame them all: what does it matter to them? It’s your lands they’re giving away, not theirs. Pirates may get cheap deals from their loot And buy friends and give gifts to prostitutes, Living like lords until everything is gone; While the poor owner of the goods Weeps over them and wrings his unlucky hands And shakes his head and stands aside, trembling, While everything is taken and nothing left, Ready to starve, but afraid to touch his own: So York must sit and fume and hold his tongue, While his own lands are being bargained for and sold. It seems to me that the kingdoms of England, France, and Ireland Are like my own flesh and blood As the burning brand did to the prince’s heart of Calydon. Anjou and Maine both handed to the French! Bad news for me, for I had hopes for France, Just like I have hopes for fertile England’s soil. A day will come when York shall claim his own; And so I will side with the Nevils And pretend to be loyal to proud Duke Humphrey, And, when I see the right moment, claim the crown, Because that’s the golden goal I’m aiming for: Nor shall proud Lancaster take my right, Or hold the scepter in his childish grip, Or wear the crown on his head, Whose scholarly rule isn’t fit for a throne. Then, York, stay quiet for now, until the time is right: Watch and wait while others sleep, To spy on the secrets of the state; Until Henry, basking in the joys of love, With his new wife and England’s precious queen, And Humphrey, in conflict with the nobles, Then I will raise the white rose high, Whose sweet scent will fill the air; And I’ll carry the arms of York To battle against the house of Lancaster; And, by force, I’ll make him surrender the crown, For his bookish rule has brought England low.