Page 867 - Shakespeare - Vol. 1

Would more have strengthened this our commonwealth
’Gainst foreign storms than any home-bred marriage.

HAST INGS

Why, knows not Montague that of itself
England is safe, if true within itself? [40]

MONT AGUE

But the safer when ’tis backed with France.

HAST INGS

’Tis better losing France than trusting France.
Let us be backed with God and with the seas
Which he hath giv’n for fence impregnable
And, with their helps, only defend ourselves: [45]
In them and in ourselves our safety lies.

CLARENCE

For this one speech Lord Hastings well deserves
To have the heir of the Lord Hungerford.

KING EDWARD

Ay, what of that? It was my will and grant,
And for this once my will shall stand for law. [50]

GLOUCEST ER

And yet methinks your grace hath not done well
To give the heir and daughter of Lord Scales
Unto the brother of your loving bride;
She better would have fitted me or Clarence;
But in your bride you bury brotherhood. [55]

CLARENCE

Or else you would not have bestowed the heir
Of the Lord Bonville on your new wife’s son
And leave your brothers to go speed elsewhere.

KING EDWARD

Alas, poor Clarence! Is it for a wife
That thou art malcontent? I will provide thee. [60]