Act 3. Scene II - Page 2

tell you how these lands are to be got.

LADY GREY
So shall you bind me to your highness' service.

KING EDWARD IV
What service wilt thou do me, if I give them?

LADY GREY
What you command, that rests in me to do.

KING EDWARD IV
But you will take exceptions to my boon.

LADY GREY
No, gracious lord, except I cannot do it.

KING EDWARD IV
Ay, but thou canst do what I mean to ask.

LADY GREY
Why, then I will do what your grace commands.

GLOUCESTER
[Aside to CLARENCE] He plies her hard; and much rain
wears the marble.

CLARENCE
[Aside to GLOUCESTER] As red as fire! nay, then
her wax must melt.

LADY GREY
Why stops my lord, shall I not hear my task?

KING EDWARD IV
An easy task; 'tis but to love a king.

LADY GREY
That's soon perform'd, because I am a subject.

KING EDWARD IV
Why, then, thy husband's lands I freely give thee.

LADY GREY
I take my leave with many thousand thanks.

GLOUCESTER
[Aside to CLARENCE] The match is made; she seals it
with a curtsy.

KING EDWARD IV
But stay thee, 'tis the fruits of love I mean.

LADY GREY
The fruits of love I mean, my loving liege.

KING EDWARD IV
Ay, but, I fear me, in another sense.
What love, think'st thou, I sue so much to get?

LADY GREY
My love till death, my humble thanks, my prayers;
That love which virtue begs and virtue grants.

KING EDWARD IV
No, by my troth, I did not mean such love.

LADY GREY
Why, then you mean not as I thought you did.

KING EDWARD IV
But now you partly may perceive my mind.

LADY GREY
My mind will never grant what I perceive
Your highness aims at, if I aim aright.

KING EDWARD IV
To tell thee plain, I aim to lie with thee.

LADY GREY
To tell you plain, I had rather lie in prison.

KING EDWARD IV
Why, then thou shalt not have thy husband's lands.

LADY GREY
Why, then mine honesty shall be my dower;
For by that loss I will not purchase them.

KING EDWARD IV
Therein thou wrong'st thy children mightily.

LADY GREY
Herein your highness wrongs both them and me.
But, mighty lord, this merry inclination
Accords not with the sadness of my suit:
Please you dismiss me either with 'ay' or 'no.'

KING EDWARD IV
Ay, if thou wilt say 'ay' to my request;
No if thou dost say 'no' to my demand.

LADY GREY
Then, no, my lord. My suit is at an end.

GLOUCESTER
[Aside to CLARENCE] The widow likes him not, she
knits her brows.

CLARENCE
[Aside to GLOUCESTER] He is the bluntest wooer in
Christendom.