KING EDWARD. This counsel, Artois, like to fruitful showers, Hath added growth unto my dignity; And, by the fiery vigor of thy words, Hot courage is engendered in my breast, Which heretofore was raked in ignorance, But now doth mount with golden wings of fame, And will approve fair Isabel’s descent, Able to yoke their stubborn necks with steel, That spurn against my sovereignty in France. [Sound a horn.] A messenger?—Lord Audley, know from whence. [Exit Audley, and returns.] AUDLEY. The Duke of Lorrain, having crossed the seas, Entreats he may have conference with your highness. KING EDWARD. Admit him, Lords, that we may hear the news. [Exeunt Lords. King takes his State. Re-enter Lords; with Lorrain, attended.] Say, Duke of Lorrain, wherefore art thou come? LORRAIN. The most renowned prince, King John of France, Doth greet thee, Edward, and by me commands, That, for so much as by his liberal gift The Guyen Dukedom is entailed to thee, Thou do him lowly homage for the same. And, for that purpose, here I summon thee, Repair to France within these forty days, That there, according as the custom is, Thou mayst be sworn true liegeman to our King; Or else thy title in that province dies, And he him self will repossess the place. KING EDWARD. See, how occasion laughs me in the face! No sooner minded to prepare for France, But straight I am invited,—nay, with threats, Upon a penalty, enjoined to come: Twere but a childish part to say him nay.— Lorrain, return this answer to thy Lord: I mean to visit him as he requests; But how? not servilely disposed to bend, But like a conqueror to make him bow. His lame unpolished shifts are come to light; And truth hath pulled the vizard from his face, That set a gloss upon his arrogance. Dare he command a fealty in me? Tell him, the Crown that he usurps, is mine, And where he sets his foot, he ought to kneel. Tis not a petty Dukedom that I claim, But all the whole Dominions of the Realm; Which if with grudging he refuse to yield, I’ll take away those borrowed plumes of his, And send him naked to the wilderness. LORRAIN. Then, Edward, here, in spite of all thy Lords, I do pronounce defiance to thy face. PRINCE EDWARD. Defiance, French man? we rebound it back, Even to the bottom of thy master’s throat. And, be it spoke with reverence of the King, My gracious father, and these other Lords, I hold thy message but as scurrilous, And him that sent thee, like the lazy drone, Crept up by stealth unto the Eagle’s nest; From whence we’ll shake him with so rough a storm, As others shall be warned by his harm. WARWICK. Bid him leave of the Lyons case he wears, Least, meeting with the Lyon in the field, He chance to tear him piecemeal for his pride. ARTOIS. The soundest counsel I can give his grace, Is to surrender ere he be constrained. A voluntary mischief hath less scorn, Than when reproach with violence is borne.