William Shakespeare: King Henry VI, Third Part

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

KING EDWARD.
No more than when my daughters call thee mother.
Thou art a widow, and thou hast some children;
And, by God's mother, I, being but a bachelor,
Have other some; why, 't is a happy thing
To be the father unto many sons.
Answer no more, for thou shalt be my queen.

GLOSTER.
The ghostly father now hath done his shrift.

CLARENCE.
When he was made a shriver, 't was for shift.

KING EDWARD.
Brothers, you muse what chat we two have had.

[Gloster and Clarence come forward.]

GLOSTER.
The widow likes it not, for she looks very sad.

KING EDWARD.
You'd think it strange if I should marry her.

CLARENCE.
To whom, my lord?

KING EDWARD.
Why, Clarence, to myself.

GLOSTER.
That would be ten days' wonder, at the least.

CLARENCE.
That's a day longer than a wonder lasts.

GLOSTER.
By so much is the wonder in extremes.

KING EDWARD.
Well, jest on, brothers; I can tell you both,
Her suit is granted for her husband's lands.

[Enter a Nobleman.]

NOBLEMAN.
My gracious lord, Henry your foe is taken,
And brought your prisoner to your palace gate.

KING EDWARD.
See that he be convey'd unto the Tower.--
And go we, brothers, to the man that took him,
To question of his apprehension.--
Widow, go you along.--Lords, use her honourably.

[Exeunt King Edward, Lady Grey, Clarence, and Nobleman.]