Henry VI fic...
So, looking through the unused history ficcathon prompts, I saw that someone wanted Gloucester giving Henry VI "The Talk." I couldn't resist...
Enter Gloucester, alone
Gloucester: Oh, Henry, why art thou gone? Thy son may yet lose all that you had won. Thy lords plot, and we are cast upon the sea without thy hand to set the course. Yet I should bear these griefs a thousand times and smile, if thou couldst but return to speak what now I must needs prate to thy pious son. Nay, it seems but little grief that England perish, when this shame I must endure. God in heaven, I cannot bear it! If thou art merciful, strike me down and spare me this. Nay, I yet live? Were I another man, I’d try the devil in hope he’d treat me kinder. But I am Gloucester, burdened ever with a thousand groans that I shall ne’er speak.
Flourish. He enters Henry’s court. Young Henry sits upon the throne, with Beaufort behind.
Gloucester: My gentle King
King Henry: My dear uncle, it does my heart joy that thou art come to me again, for I am much distract, my still young brow burdened with a thousand cares.
Gloucester: My King, may I entreat a private word?
Beaufort: What, art too mighty to speak before Beaufort? Your Majesty, what should he speak that thy gentle Cardinal should not hear?
King Henry: Indeed, we know thee, Gloucester, to be most dutiful, but should we do well to debase our court with such policy? Speak now thy piece, dear Gloucester.
Gloucester: It should go ill to speak it now. I’ll depart.
Beaufort: And damn thyself for a traitor? What, Gloucester? If thou speakest not, I’ll know thou meanest to pawn thy king and seduce him to thine own contrivance.
King Henry: Thou speakest well, gentle Beaufort. I command thee, Uncle, as thy sovereign, speak.
Gloucester: So be it, then, I’ll speak. Yet still in thy youth, thou hast not full known the world. I fear thou shalt not know to be a proper husband to thy queen if I do not now speak this thing.
King Henry: What? Shall I not care for her as thou didst me? Though I have not tasted much of love, I do know I know how I shall love my queen.
Gloucester: Oh, Henry! I have done thee wrong to teach thee so little. Now, my sweet Adam, must thou taste this fruit and know what ne’er thou didst ere the serpent hatched. Thou hast ne’er yet seen thy Margaret in the flesh, and thence some part of love yet lacks.
King Henry: I know not, uncle, what you mean by that. I think it love most pure thrives without sight. As I love my lord in heaven, so do I love my bride. Is thine own faith of such little measure?
Gloucester: [Aside] Oh, a thousand griefs! How plain must I speak? I shall surely die of this shame.
Beaufort: [Aside] And I of my laughter. I thought to catch him at some treason, but this is sweeter!
Gloucester: Know you, Henry, how you came to be your father’s heir?
King Henry: Why, by God’s grace and the proper right of Kings. What mean you by this, my uncle?
Beaufort: [Aside] Indeed, ‘tis off the mark. Gloucester, by your reticence you paint yourself a traitor’s cloak. What fortune! Still I’ll hold.
Gloucester: I mean, how came your mother to bear you in her womb? Thought you of this?
Beaufort: [Aside] He’ll think not on how took Henry Monmouth France, why should he think on how he took aught else?
King Henry: Why, that by God’s will as well.
Beaufort: [Aside] Ah, very like Christ!
Gloucester: Henry, I must away. [Aside] I can bear no more.
King Henry: Art ill, my good Gloucester? Thou speakst as caught with fever.
Gloucester: Nay, sweet King. [Aside] God forgive me, I’ll leave’t to Margaret!
Exit, hastily.