Page 499 - Shakespeare - Vol. 1

And grumbling York; and not the least of these
But can do more in England than the king.

SUFFOLK

And he of these, that can do most of all, [70]
Cannot do more in England than the Nevilles:
Salisbury and Warwick are no simple peers.

MARGARET

Not all these lords do vex me half so much
As that proud dame, the Lord Protector’s wife:
She sweeps it through the court with troops of ladies [75]
More like an empress than Duke Humphrey’s wife.
Strangers in court do take her for the queen:
She bears a duke’s revenues on her back
And in her heart she scorns our poverty.
Shall I not live to be avenged on her? [80]
Contemptuous base-borne callet as she is,
She vaunted ’mongst her minions t’other day
The very train of her worst wearing gown
Was better worth than all my father’s lands,
Till Suffolk gave two dukedoms for his daughter. [85]

SUFFOLK

Madam, myself have limed a bush for her
And placed a choir of such enticing birds
That she will light to listen to their lays
And never mount to trouble you again.
So let her rest; and, madam, list to me, [90]
For I am bold to counsels you in this:
Although we fancy not the cardinal,
Yet must we join with him and with the lords
Till we have brought Duke Humphrey in disgrace.
As for the Duke of York, this late complaint [95]
Will make but little for his benefit:
So one by one we’ll weed them all at last,
And you yourself shall steer the happy helm.

Sound a sennet. Enter the King [with York and Somerset, on either side
of him, whispering with him; and enter] Duke Humphrey, [Winchester,]

Buckingham, Salisbury, Warwick, and the Duchess [Eleanor].