Page:Henry VI Part 2 (1923) Yale.djvu/29

King Henry the Sixth, I. iii

But can do more in England than the king.

Suf. And he of these that can do most of all

Cannot do more in England than the Nevils:

Salisbury and Warwick are no simple peers.

Queen. Not all these lords do vex me half so much

As that proud dame, the Lord Protector's wife:

She sweeps it through the court with troops of ladies,

More like an empress than Duke Humphrey's wife.

Strangers in court do take her for the queen:

She bears a duke's revenues on her back,

And in her heart she scorns our poverty.

Shall I not live to be aveng'd on her?

Contemptuous base-born callet as she is,

She vaunted 'mongst her minions t'other day

The very train of her worst wearing gown

Was better worth than all my father's lands,

Till Suffolk gave two dukedoms for his daughter.

Suf. Madam, myself have lim'd a bush for her,

And plac'd a quire of such enticing birds

That she will light to listen to the lays,

And never mount to trouble you again.

So, let her rest: and, madam, list to me;

For I am bold to counsel you in this.

Although we fancy not the cardinal,

Yet must we join with him and with the lords

Till we have brought Duke Humphrey in disgrace.

As for the Duke of York, this late complaint

Will make but little for his benefit:

So, one by one, we'll weed them all at last,

And you yourself shall steer the happy helm.

 76 the Nevils; cf. n.

86 callet: lewd woman

88 worst wearing: most unfashionable

89 better worth: worth more

91 lim'd a bush: set a snare

92 quire: choir, chorus

birds: decoy birds

97 fancy: love

103 S. d. Sennet: trumpet call for march of processions 