William Shakespeare: King Henry VI, Third Part

ACT III. 2. SCENE II. The palace. (continued)

LADY GREY.
Three, my most gracious lord.

GLOSTER.
[Aside to Clarence.] You shall have four if you'll be
rul'd by him.

KING EDWARD.
'T were pity they should lose their father's lands.

LADY GREY.
Be pitiful, dread lord, and grant it then.

KING EDWARD.
Lords, give us leave; I'll try this widow's wit.

GLOSTER.
[Aside to Clarence.] Ay, good leave have you;
for you will have leave
Till youth take leave and leave you to the crutch.

[Gloster and Clarence stand apart.]

KING EDWARD.
Now tell me, madam, do you love your children?

LADY GREY.
Ay, full as dearly as I love myself.

KING EDWARD.
And would you not do much to do them good?

LADY GREY.
To do them good I would sustain some harm.

KING EDWARD.
Then get your husband's lands to do them good.

LADY GREY.
Therefore I came unto your majesty.

KING EDWARD.
I'll tell you how these lands are to be got.

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

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

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

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

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

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