Page:Henry VI Part 3 (1923) Yale.djvu/77

King Henry the Sixth, III. iii

Tell me for truth the measure of his love

Unto our sister Bona.

War.Such it seems

As may beseem a monarch like himself.

Myself have often heard him say and swear

That this his love was an eternal plant,

Whereof the root was fix'd in virtue's ground,

The leaves and fruit maintain'd with beauty's sun,

Exempt from envy, but not from disdain,

Unless the Lady Bona quit his pain.

Lew. Now, sister, let us hear your firm resolve.

Bona. Your grant, or your denial, shall be mine:

Yet I confess that often ere this day,

When I have heard your king's desert recounted,

Mine ear hath tempted judgment to desire.

Lew. Then, Warwick, thus: our sister shall be Edward's;

And now forthwith shall articles be drawn

Touching the jointure that your king must make,

Which with her dowry shall be counterpois'd.

Draw near, Queen Margaret, and be a witness

That Bona shall be wife to the English king.

Prince. To Edward, but not to the English king.

Mar. Deceitful Warwick! it was thy device

By this alliance to make void my suit:

Before thy coming Lewis was Henry's friend.

Lew. And still is friend to him and Margaret:

But if your title to the crown be weak,

As may appear by Edward's good success,

Then 'tis but reason that I be releas'd

From giving aid which late I promised.

Yet shall you have all kindness at my hand

 127 Cf. n.

128 quit his pain: requite his longing

130 grant: assent

132 desert: merit

136 jointure: property settled on wife at marriage

137 counterpois'd: equalled 