Page 489 - Shakespeare - Vol. 1

We shall begin our ancient bickerings. - Exit.
Lordings, farewell; and say when I am gone, Exit.
I prophesied France will be lost ere long.

WINCHEST ER

So, there goes our Protector in a rage. [145]
’Tis known to you he is mine enemy;
Nay more, an enemy unto you all,
And no great friend, I fear me, to the king.
Consider, lords, he is the next of blood
And heir apparent to the English crown: [150]
Had Henry got an empire by his marriage
And all the wealthy kingdoms of the west,
There’s reason he should be displeased at it:
Look to it, lords; let not his smoothing words
Bewitch your hearts; be wise and circumspect. [155]
What though the common people favour him,
Calling him, ‘Humphrey, the good Duke of Gloucester’,
Clapping their hands, and crying with loud voice,
‘Jesu maintain your royal excellence!’
With ‘God preserve the good Duke Humphrey!’ - [160]
I fear me, lords, for all this flattering gloss,
He will be found a dangerous Protector.

BUCKINGHAM

Why should he then protect our sovereign,
He being of age to govern of himself?
Cousin of Somerset, join you with me, [165]
And all together, with the Duke of Suffolk,
We’ll quickly hoise Duke Humphrey from his seat.

WINCHEST ER

This weighty business will not brook delay:
I’ll to the Duke of Suffolk presently.

SOMERSET

Cousin of Buckingham, though Humphrey’s pride [170]
And greatness of his place be grief to us,