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KING HENRY VI:
I was anointed king at nine months old;
My father and my grandfather were kings,
And you were sworn true subjects unto me:
And tell me, then, have you not broke your oaths?
First Keeper:
No;
For we were subjects but while you were king.
KING HENRY VI:
Why, am I dead? do I not breathe a man?
Ah, simple men, you know not what you swear!
Look, as I blow this feather from my face,
And as the air blows it to me again,
Obeying with my wind when I do blow,
And yielding to another when it blows,
Commanded always by the greater gust;
Such is the lightness of you common men.
But do not break your oaths; for of that sin
My mild entreaty shall not make you guilty.
Go where you will, the king shall be commanded;
And be you kings, command, and I'll obey.
First Keeper:
We are true subjects to the king, King Edward.
KING HENRY VI:
So would you be again to Henry,
If he were seated as King Edward is.
First Keeper:
We charge you, in God's name, and the king's,
To go with us unto the officers.
KING HENRY VI:
In God's name, lead; your king's name be obey'd:
And what God will, that let your king perform;
And what he will, I humbly yield unto.
3 KING HENRY VI
KING EDWARD IV:
Brother of Gloucester, at Saint Alban's field
This lady's husband, Sir Richard Grey, was slain,
His lands then seized on by the conqueror:
Her suit is now to repossess those lands;
Which we in justice cannot well deny,
Because in quarrel of the house of York
The worthy gentleman did lose his life.
GLOUCESTER:
Your highness shall do well to grant her suit;
It were dishonour to deny it her.
KING EDWARD IV:
It were no less; but yet I'll make a pause.
GLOUCESTER:
CLARENCE:
GLOUCESTER:
KING EDWARD IV:
Widow, we will consider of your suit;
And come some other time to know our mind.
LADY GREY:
Right gracious lord, I cannot brook delay:
May it please your highness to resolve me now;
And what your pleasure is, shall satisfy me.
GLOUCESTER:
CLARENCE:
GLOUCESTER:
KING EDWARD IV:
How many children hast thou, widow? tell me.
CLARENCE:
GLOUCESTER:
LADY GREY:
Three, my most gracious lord.
GLOUCESTER:
KING EDWARD IV:
'Twere pity they should lose their father's lands.
LADY GREY:
Be pitiful, dread lord, and grant it then.
KING EDWARD IV:
Lords, give us leave: I'll try this widow's wit.