Page:Henry VI Part 1 (1918) Yale.djvu/115

King Henry the Sixth, V. v

Because he is near kinsman unto Charles.

Exe. Beside, his wealth doth warrant a liberal dower,

Where Reignier sooner will receive than give.

Suf. 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 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,

 56 by attorneyship: by the shrewd calculation of third parties

68 feature: form of body 