Page 850 - Shakespeare - Vol. 1

And she shall be my love, or else my queen. -
Say that King Edward take thee for his queen?

LADY GREY

’Tis better said than done, my gracious lord: [90]
I am a subject fit to jest withal
But far unfit to be a sovereign.

KING EDWARD

Sweet widow, by my state I swear to thee
I speak no more than what my soul intends
And that is to enjoy thee for my love. [95]

LADY GREY

And that is more than I will yield unto:
I know I am too mean to be your queen
And yet too good to be your concubine.

KING EDWARD

You cavil, widow: I did mean my queen.

LADY GREY

’Twill grieve your grace my sons should call you father. [100]

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, ’tis a happy thing
To be the father unto many sons. [105]
Answer no more for thou shalt be my queen.

GLOUCEST ER

[aside to Clarence]
The ghostly father now hath done his shrift.

CLARENCE

[aside to Gloucester]
When he was made a shriver, ’twas for shift.