QUEEN ELIZABETH.
Saw you the King today, my Lord of Derby?
STANLEY.
But now the Duke of Buckingham and I
Are come from visiting his Majesty.
QUEEN ELIZABETH.
What likelihood of his amendment, lords?
BUCKINGHAM.
Madam, good hope; his Grace speaks cheerfully.
QUEEN ELIZABETH.
God grant him health! Did you confer with him?
BUCKINGHAM.
Ay, madam; he desires to make atonement
Between the Duke of Gloucester and your brothers,
And between them and my Lord Chamberlain;
And sent to warn them to his royal presence.
QUEEN ELIZABETH.
Would all were well—but that will never be.
I fear our happiness is at the height.
Enter Richard, Duke of Gloucester and Hastings.
RICHARD.
They do me wrong, and I will not endure it!
Who is it that complains unto the King
That I, forsooth, am stern and love them not?
By holy Paul, they love his Grace but lightly
That fill his ears with such dissentious rumours.
Because I cannot flatter and look fair,
Smile in men’s faces, smooth, deceive, and cog,
Duck with French nods and apish courtesy,
I must be held a rancorous enemy.
Cannot a plain man live and think no harm,
But thus his simple truth must be abused
With silken, sly, insinuating Jacks?
GREY.
To who in all this presence speaks your Grace?