KING HENRY THE

SIXTH.

ACT I.

SCENE I.-London. A Room of State in the Palace.

Flourish of trumpets; then hautboys. Enter, on one side, KING HENRY, DUKE OF GLOSTER, SALISBURY, WARWICK, and CARDINAL BEAUFORT; on the other, QUEEN MARGARET, led in by SUFFOLK; YORK, SOMERSET, BUCKINGHAM, and others following.

Suffolk.

S by your high imperial majesty

I had in charge at my depart for
France,

As procurator to your excellence,
To marry princess Margaret for your grace;
So, in the famous ancient city, Tours,-
In presence of the kings of France and Sicil,
The dukes of Orleans, Calaber, Bretaigne,
and Alençon, [erend bishops,-
Seven earls, twelve barons and twenty rev-
I have perform'd my task, and was espoused;
And humbly now upon my bended knee,

In sight of England and her lordly peers,
Deliver up my title in the queen [substance
To your most gracious hands, that are the
Of that great shadow I did represent;
The happiest gift that ever marquess gave,
The fairest queen that ever king received.
K. Hen. Suffolk, arise.-Welcome, queen
Margaret:

I can express no kinder sign of love, [life,
Than this kind kiss.-O lord, that lends me
Lend me a heart replete with thankfulness!
For thou hast given me, in this beauteous
face,

A world of earthly blessings to my soul, If sympathy of love unite our thoughts. 2. Mar. Great king of England, and my gracious lord,

[had, The mutual conference that my mind hath By day, by night, — waking, and in my dreams,

In courtly company, or at my beads,-
With you mine alder-liefest sovereign,
Makes me the bolder to salute my king
With ruder terms, such as my wit affords,
And over-joy of heart doth minister.

K. Hen. Her sight did ravish; but her grace in speech,

Her words y-clad with wisdom's majesty, Makes me from wondering fall to weeping joys;

Such is the fulness of my heart's content. Lords, with one cheerful voice welcome my love.

All. [kneeling.] Long live queen Margaret, England's happiness!

Q. Mar. We thank you all.

[Flourish. Suf. My lord protector, so it please your

grace,

Here are the articles of contracted peace, Between our sovereign, and the French king Charles,

For eighteen months concluded by consent. Glo. [reads.]

Imprimis, It is agreed between the French king, Charles, and William de la Poole, marquess of Suffolk, ambassador for Henry king of England, that the said Henry shall espouse the lady Margaret, daughter unto Reignier king of Naples, Sicilia, and Jerusalem; and crown her queen of England, ere the thirtieth of May next ensuing.-Item,-That the duchy of Anjou and the county of Maine shall be released and delivered to the king her father

K. Hen. Uncle, how now?

Glo. Pardon me, gracious lord; Some sudden qualm hath struck me at the

heart,

[further. And dimm'd mine eyes, that I can read no K. Hen. Uncle of Winchester, I pray,

read on. Car. [reads.]

Item,-It is further agreed between them, that the duchies of Anjou and Maine shall be released and delivered over to the king her father; and she sent over of the king of England's own proper cost and charges, without having any dowry.

K. Hen. They please us well.-Lord mar quess, kneel down;