 Support the Monkey! Tell All your Friends and Teachers |
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Support the Monkey! Tell All your Friends and Teachers |
Table of Contents Act III, SCENE 3 The scene is the King's palace in France where King Lewis, his sister Bona, his Admiral Bourbon, Prince Edward, Queen Margaret and the Earl of Oxford are meeting. Margaret reveals the current problems besieging King Henry's court and King Lewis listens to her sympathetically. She tells him that all her hopes are in him and that even Scotland cannot help them. King Lewis comforts and assures her of his help. Warwick announces his arrival and says he has come to exchange greetings to establish friendly relations between the two countries. He also adds that he wants to confirm this friendship with nuptial knot and he proposes to the fair Lady Bona, the King's sister, on Edward's behalf. Warwick then turns to Bona and tells her that Edward has asked him to convey the passion in his heart for her and to kiss her hand in his favor. Her beauty and virtue has made her famous in England. Queen Margaret interupts and says that Warwick's demand arises not from honest love but from deceit bred by necessity. Tyrants can never govern their country unless they have great alliances with countries abroad. She warns the King that by this league and marriage, he is inviting danger, trouble and dishonor. The Prince chides Warwick for not calling Margaret, Queen Margaret and Warwick coolly replies that she is not the queen any more, and he is not a prince. Oxford and Warwick debate over who is the legitimate heir to the crown. Warwick urges Oxford to leave aside Henry and call Edward the King. King Lewis interrupts and asks Warwick whether Edward was his true King or not, whether he was lawfully chosen, whether he was gracious in the people's eye and the measure of love for his sister Bona. Warwick says that Edward's love for Bona is like an eternal plant whose root is fixed in the ground of virtue, and the leaves and fruits are maintained by Beauty's sun. The King asks his sister for her opinion. Bona confesses that she has heard of Edward's valor and victories and they have inspired her desire. The King then gives consent to the marriage and asks Margaret to be the witness. The Prince says they are witness to the marriage between Bona and Edward and not to the English King. King Lewis says to Margaret that he is still a friend of hers and Henry but since their title to the crown is weak, he is withdrawing his promise of helping her. The Queen condemns Warwick for disrupting her and the King's negotiations. A postman comes and delivers letters to Warwick from the Marquees Montague, his brother, and to Lewis from Edward and to Margaret. They all read their letters. Oxford observes the smile on Margaret's face and the frown on the face of Warwick. Queen Margaret says that her news fills her with joy and Warwick's news fill his heart with sorrow and discontent. King Lewis asks Warwick whether Edward has married Lady Grey and reproves Warwick for mocking the French King in this manner. Warwick protests and says that he doesn't know anything about this misdeed of Edward's and says that he has been dishonored. He immediately renounces Edward and returns to Henry's court. He apologizes to Margaret for his past deeds and offers her his future service. The overjoyed Queen forgives Warwick and says that she is very happy that Warwick has become their friend. Queen Margaret and Warwick seek the help of King Lewis to take revenge on Edward and he agrees to help. They plan to gather troops in France and overrun Edward and his men. When the King questions Warwick's loyalty to Henry, Warwick assures the King of his constant loyalty by agreeing to give his eldest daughter in marriage to Prince Edward. The Queen is very happy at the proposal and urges her son to agree to it. Warwick says to himself that he came from Edward as his ambassador but now he is returning as his enemy. Even though he has no pity towards Henry, he seeks revenge on Edward's mockery. Table of Contents | |
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