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.
Your highness shall do well to grant her suit;
It were dishonour to deny it her.
It were no less; but yet I'll make a pause.
Yea, is it so?
I see the lady hath a thing to grant,
Before the king will grant her humble suit.
He knows the game: how true
he keeps the wind!
Silence!
Widow, we will consider of your suit;
And come some other time to know our mind.
Right gracious lord, I cannot brook delay:
May it please your highness to resolve me now;
And what your pleasure is, shall satisfy me.
Ay, widow? then I'll warrant
you all your lands,
An if what pleases him shall pleasure you.
Fight closer, or, good faith, you'll catch a blow.
I fear her not, unless she
chance to fall.
God forbid that! for he'll
take vantages.
How many children hast thou, widow? tell me.
I think he means to beg a
child of her.
Nay, whip me then: he'll rather
give her two.
Three, my most gracious lord.
You shall have four, if you'll
be ruled by him.
'Twere pity they should lose their father's lands.
Be pitiful, dread lord, and grant it then.
Lords, give us leave: I'll try this widow's wit.
Ay, good leave have you; for
you will have leave,
Till youth take leave and leave you to the crutch.
Now tell me, madam, do you love your children?
Ay, full as dearly as I love myself.
And would you not do much to do them good?
To do them good, I would sustain some harm.
Then get your husband's lands, to do them good.
Therefore I came unto your majesty.
I'll tell you how these lands are to be got.
So shall you bind me to your highness' service.
What service wilt thou do me, if I give them?
What you command, that rests in me to do.
But you will take exceptions to my boon.
No, gracious lord, except I cannot do it.
Ay, but thou canst do what I mean to ask.
Why, then I will do what your grace commands.
He plies her hard; and much rain
wears the marble.
As red as fire! nay, then
her wax must melt.
Why stops my lord, shall I not hear my task?
An easy task; 'tis but to love a king.