King Edward the Third
Page: 19

Tis full a fortnight, since I saw his highness
What time he sent me forth to muster men;
Which I accordingly have done, and bring them hither
In fair array before his majesty.

What news, my Lord of Derby, from the Emperor?

DERBY.
As good as we desire: the Emperor
Hath yielded to his highness friendly aid,
And makes our king lieutenant general
In all his lands and large dominions;
Then via for the spatious bounds of France!

AUDLEY.
What, doth his highness leap to hear these news?

DERBY.
I have not yet found time to open them;
The king is in his closet, malcontent;
For what, I know not, but he gave in charge,
Till after dinner none should interrupt him:
The Countess Salisbury and her father Warwick,
Artois and all look underneath the brows.

AUDLEY.
Undoubtedly, then, some thing is amiss.

[Trumpet within.]

DERBY.
The Trumpets sound, the king is now abroad.

[Enter the King.]

AUDLEY.
Here comes his highness.

DERBY.
Befall my sovereign all my sovereign's wish!

KING EDWARD.
Ah, that thou wert a Witch to make it so!

DERBY.
The Emperour greeteth you.

[Presenting Letters.]

KING EDWARD.
--Would it were the Countess!


DERBY.
And hath accorded to your highness suite.

KING EDWARD.
--Thou liest, she hath not; but I would she had.

AUDLEY.
All love and duty to my Lord the King!

KING EDWARD.
Well, all but one is none.--What news with you?

AUDLEY.
I have, my liege, levied those horse and foot
According to your charge, and brought them hither.

KING EDWARD.
Then let those foot trudge hence upon those horse
According to our discharge, and be gone.--
Darby, I'll look upon the Countess' mind anon.

DERBY.
The Countess' mind, my liege?

KING EDWARD.
I mean the Emperour:--leave me alone.

AUDLEY.
What is his mind?

DERBY.
Let's leave him to his humor.

[Exeunt.]

KING EDWARD.
Thus from the heart's aboundance speaks the tongue;
Countess for Emperour: and indeed, why not?
She is as imperator over me
And I to her
Am as a kneeling vassal, that observes
The pleasure or displeasure of her eye.