Page:Henry VI Part 2 (1923) Yale.djvu/30

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King. For my part, noble lords, I care not which;

Or Somerset or York, all's one to me.

York. If York have ill demean'd himself in France,

Then let him be denay'd the regentship.

Som. If Somerset be unworthy of the place,

Let York be regent; I will yield to him.

War. Whether your Grace be worthy, yea or no,

Dispute not that: York is the worthier.

Car. Ambitious Warwick, let thy betters speak.

War. The cardinal's not my better in the field.

Buck. All in this presence are thy betters, Warwick.

War. Warwick may live to be the best of all.

Sal. Peace, son! and show some reason, Buckingham,

Why Somerset should be preferr'd in this.

Queen. Because the king, forsooth, will have it so.

Hum. Madam, the king is old enough himself

To give his censure: these are no women's matters.

Queen. If he be old enough, what needs your Grace

To be protector of his excellence?

Hum. Madam, I am protector of the realm;

And at his pleasure will resign my place.

Suf. Resign it then and leave thine insolence.

Since thou wert king,—as who is king but thou?—

The commonwealth hath daily run to wrack;

The Dauphin hath prevail'd beyond the seas;

And all the peers and nobles of the realm

Have been as bondmen to thy sovereignty.

 105 Cf. n.

107 denay’d: refused

122 protector; cf. n.

128 The Dauphin; cf. n. 