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Now tell me, brother Clarence, what think you Of this new marriage with the Lady Grey? Hath not our brother made a worthy choice?
Now tell me, brother Clarence, what do you think Of this new marriage with Lady Grey? Hasn’t our brother made a good choice?
Alas, you know, ’tis far from hence to France; How could he stay till Warwick made return?
Alas, you know, it’s a long way from here to France; How could he wait until Warwick came back?
My lords, forbear this talk; here comes the king.
My lords, stop this talk; here comes the king.
And his well-chosen bride.
And his well-chosen bride.
I mind to tell him plainly what I think.
I plan to tell him straight out what I think.
Now, brother of Clarence, how like you our choice, That you stand pensive, as half malcontent?
Now, brother Clarence, what do you think of our choice, That you stand here looking serious, almost unhappy?
As well as Lewis of France, or the Earl of Warwick, Which are so weak of courage and in judgment That they’ll take no offence at our abuse.
As well as Louis of France, or the Earl of Warwick, Who are so weak in courage and judgment That they won’t take offense at our mistreatment.
Suppose they take offence without a cause, They are but Lewis and Warwick: I am Edward, Your king and Warwick’s, and must have my will.
Even if they take offense without a reason, They are just Louis and Warwick: I am Edward, Your king and Warwick’s, and I must have my way.
And shall have your will, because our king: Yet hasty marriage seldom proveth well.
And you’ll have your way, because you’re our king: But hasty marriages rarely turn out well.
Yea, brother Richard, are you offended too?
Yes, brother Richard, are you offended too?
Not I: No, God forbid that I should wish them sever’d Whom God hath join’d together; ay, and ’twere pity To sunder them that yoke so well together.
Not at all: No, God forbid that I should want to separate Those whom God has joined together; yes, and it would be a shame To break apart those who are so well matched.
Setting your scorns and your mislike aside, Tell me some reason why the Lady Grey Should not become my wife and England’s queen. And you too, Somerset and Montague, Speak freely what you think.
Putting aside your insults and your dislike, Tell me why the Lady Grey Shouldn’t become my wife and England’s queen. And you too, Somerset and Montague, Speak honestly about what you think.
Then this is mine opinion: that King Lewis Becomes your enemy, for mocking him About the marriage of the Lady Bona.
Then this is my opinion: that King Lewis Becomes your enemy, for mocking him About the marriage of Lady Bona.
And Warwick, doing what you gave in charge, Is now dishonoured by this new marriage.
And Warwick, doing what you asked him to, Is now dishonored by this new marriage.
What if both Lewis and Warwick be appeased By such invention as I can devise?
What if both Lewis and Warwick are calmed By something I can come up with?
Yet, to have join’d with France in such alliance Would more have strengthen’d this our commonwealth ’Gainst foreign storms than any home-bred marriage.
Still, joining with France in such an alliance Would have made our country stronger Against foreign threats than any domestic marriage.
Why, knows not Montague that of itself England is safe, if true within itself?
Why, doesn’t Montague know that England is safe As long as it is strong within itself?
But the safer when ’tis back’d with France.
But it’s even safer when backed by France.
’Tis better using France than trusting France: Let us be back’d with God and with the seas Which He hath given for fence impregnable, And with their helps only defend ourselves; In them and in ourselves our safety lies.
It’s better to use France than to trust France: Let us be supported by God and by the sea, Which He has given as an unbeatable defense, And with their help, defend ourselves; Our safety lies in them and in ourselves.
For this one speech Lord Hastings well deserves To have the heir of the Lord Hungerford.
For this one speech, Lord Hastings truly deserves To inherit the title of Lord Hungerford.
Ay, what of that? it was my will and grant; And for this once my will shall stand for law.
Yes, what of that? It was my decision and my gift; And for this time, my decision shall be law.
And yet methinks your grace hath not done well, To give the heir and daughter of Lord Scales Unto the brother of your loving bride; She better would have fitted me or Clarence: But in your bride you bury brotherhood.
And yet, I think your grace hasn’t done well, Giving the heir and daughter of Lord Scales To your bride’s brother; She would have been a better match for me or Clarence: But with your bride, you bury your brotherly ties.
Or else you would not have bestow’d the heir Of the Lord Bonville on your new wife’s son, And leave your brothers to go speed elsewhere.
Or else you wouldn’t have given the heir Of Lord Bonville to your new wife’s son, Leaving your brothers to seek their fortune elsewhere.
Alas, poor Clarence! is it for a wife That thou art malcontent? I will provide thee.
Alas, poor Clarence! Is it really over a wife That you’re unhappy? I will make it right for you.
In choosing for yourself, you show’d your judgment, Which being shallow, you give me leave To play the broker in mine own behalf; And to that end I shortly mind to leave you.
In choosing for yourself, you showed your judgment, Which being shallow, you give me permission To act on my own behalf; And to that end, I soon plan to leave you.
Leave me, or tarry, Edward will be king, And not be tied unto his brother’s will.
Leave me, or stay, but Edward will still be king, And not bound by his brother’s wishes.
My lords, before it pleased his majesty To raise my state to title of a queen, Do me but right, and you must all confess That I was not ignoble of descent; And meaner than myself have had like fortune. But as this title honours me and mine, So your dislike, to whom I would be pleasing, Doth cloud my joys with danger and with sorrow.
My lords, before it pleased his majesty To elevate my position to that of queen, Do me a favor, and you must all admit That I wasn’t of low birth; And people of even lesser rank have had similar fortune. But just as this title honors me and mine, Your dislike, from those I would please, Clouds my happiness with danger and sorrow.
My love, forbear to fawn upon their frowns: What danger or what sorrow can befall thee, So long as Edward is thy constant friend, And their true sovereign, whom they must obey? Nay, whom they shall obey, and love thee too, Unless they seek for hatred at my hands; Which if they do, yet will I keep thee safe, And they shall feel the vengeance of my wrath.
My love, don’t try to please them with your fawning: What danger or sorrow could come to you, As long as Edward is your loyal friend, And their true ruler, whom they must obey? No, whom they shall obey, and love you too, Unless they seek to bring hatred upon me; And if they do, I will keep you safe, And they will feel the full force of my wrath.
[Aside] I hear, yet say not much, but think the more.
[Aside] I hear, but don’t say much, though I think about it more.
Now, messenger, what letters or what news From France?
Now, messenger, what letters or what news From France?
My sovereign liege, no letters; and few words, But such as I, without your special pardon, Dare not relate.
My sovereign liege, no letters; and few words, But those that I, without your special permission, Dare not repeat.
Go to, we pardon thee: therefore, in brief, Tell me their words as near as thou canst guess them. What answer makes King Lewis unto our letters?
Go on, we pardon you: so, briefly, Tell me their words as best as you can recall. What answer did King Lewis give to our letters?
At my depart, these were his very words: ’Go tell false Edward, thy supposed king, That Lewis of France is sending over masquers To revel it with him and his new bride.’
When I left, these were his exact words: ’Go tell false Edward, your supposed king, That Lewis of France is sending over actors To party with him and his new bride.’
Is Lewis so brave? belike he thinks me Henry. But what said Lady Bona to my marriage?
Is Lewis really that bold? He probably thinks I’m Henry. But what did Lady Bona say about my marriage?
These were her words, utter’d with mad disdain: ’Tell him, in hope he’ll prove a widower shortly, I’ll wear the willow garland for his sake.’
These were her words, spoken with angry contempt: ’Tell him, hoping he’ll be a widower soon, I’ll wear the willow garland for his sake.’
I blame not her, she could say little less; She had the wrong. But what said Henry’s queen? For I have heard that she was there in place.
I don’t blame her, she couldn’t say much less; She was wronged. But what did Henry’s queen say? I heard she was there too.
’Tell him,’ quoth she, ’my mourning weeds are done, And I am ready to put armour on.’
’Tell him,’ she said, ’my mourning clothes are done, And I’m ready to put on armor.’
Belike she minds to play the Amazon. But what said Warwick to these injuries?
She probably plans to act like an Amazon. But what did Warwick say about these insults?
He, more incensed against your majesty Than all the rest, discharged me with these words: ’Tell him from me that he hath done me wrong, And therefore I’ll uncrown him ere’t be long.’
He, more angry with your majesty Than anyone else, sent me away with these words: ’Tell him from me that he has wronged me, And I will take his crown from him before long.’
Ha! durst the traitor breathe out so proud words? Well I will arm me, being thus forewarn’d: They shall have wars and pay for their presumption. But say, is Warwick friends with Margaret?
Ha! Could the traitor dare to say such proud words? Well, I’ll arm myself, now that I’ve been warned: They’ll have wars and pay for their arrogance. But tell me, is Warwick allied with Margaret?
Ay, gracious sovereign; they are so link’d in friendship That young Prince Edward marries Warwick’s daughter.
Yes, gracious sovereign; they are so close in friendship That young Prince Edward is marrying Warwick’s daughter.
Belike the elder; Clarence will have the younger. Now, brother king, farewell, and sit you fast, For I will hence to Warwick’s other daughter; That, though I want a kingdom, yet in marriage I may not prove inferior to yourself. You that love me and Warwick, follow me.
Probably the older one; Clarence will take the younger. Now, brother king, goodbye, and hold your ground, For I’m going to Warwick’s other daughter; Though I don’t have a kingdom, in marriage I will not be inferior to you. You who love me and Warwick, follow me.
[Aside] Not I: My thoughts aim at a further matter; I Stay not for the love of Edward, but the crown.
[Aside] Not me: My thoughts are on something else; I Don’t stay because of Edward’s love, but because of the crown.
Clarence and Somerset both gone to Warwick! Yet am I arm’d against the worst can happen; And haste is needful in this desperate case. Pembroke and Stafford, you in our behalf Go levy men, and make prepare for war; They are already, or quickly will be landed: Myself in person will straight follow you.
Clarence and Somerset have both gone to join Warwick! But I’m ready for whatever the worst might be; And speed is crucial in this desperate situation. Pembroke and Stafford, you two, on our behalf, Go gather men, and get ready for war; They’re already on their way, or will be soon: I’ll follow you personally right after.
But, ere I go, Hastings and Montague, Resolve my doubt. You twain, of all the rest, Are near to Warwick by blood and by alliance: Tell me if you love Warwick more than me? If it be so, then both depart to him; I rather wish you foes than hollow friends: But if you mind to hold your true obedience, Give me assurance with some friendly vow, That I may never have you in suspect.
But before I leave, Hastings and Montague, Help me settle my doubt. You two, more than anyone, Are closely tied to Warwick by blood and marriage: Tell me, do you love Warwick more than you love me? If that’s the case, then both of you go to him; I’d rather have you as enemies than fake friends: But if you truly intend to stay loyal, Give me a promise with a sincere vow, So I never have to suspect you.
So God help Montague as he proves true!
So help me God, Montague will prove true!
And Hastings as he favours Edward’s cause!
And Hastings will stay true to Edward’s cause!
Now, brother Richard, will you stand by us?
Now, brother Richard, will you stand by us?
Ay, in despite of all that shall withstand you.
Yes, no matter who tries to stop you.
Why, so! then am I sure of victory. Now therefore let us hence; and lose no hour, Till we meet Warwick with his foreign power.
Good! Then I’m sure we’ll win. Now let’s go, and lose no time, Until we meet Warwick and his foreign army.