_Mar._ Albemarle? He is not with your brother! _La. Alb._ Brother? Pah! How you draw off and on, as 'twere a shame To love a king! _Mar._ The king? Ah--I---- _La. Alb._ You ask If he is safe, and I say safe enough, Then drops the curtain of your modesty, And you cry of my brother. Faith, you'll have Me set about with this till I believe My brother is the king of England! _Mar._ O, I'm wretched, wretched! _La. Alb._ Patience! He'll be here. True, 'tis most beggarly of him to lag, But do not doubt he'll come. _Mar._ He will not come. O, never, never, never! _La. Alb._ Foolish lass! He can not stay away from you--his wife. I might as well be out with 't soon as late. _Mar._ O, lady--countess--if you e'er had need Of gentle friends---- _La. Alb._ I know not what to do With this strange piece of daintiness. Up, mistress! How will you blush when Henry calls you wife, If I, in play, can throw you on your knees? _Mar._ Henry? God pity me! I am so racked! _La. Alb._ Thou art a fool! Up, girl, there's some one comes. If 't be the king! Quick now, and smooth your face. If he should wonder at this trace of tears, I'll tell him why you wept. _Mar._ You could not be So cruel! _La. Alb._ Cruel? How? 'Twill please him well To hear you wept for him. _Mar._ For him? [_Enter attendant_] _Att._ The king. _La. Alb._ Now, now, be still. He comes. [_Enter Henry_] _Hen._ My duty to My fair and honored guests. And my first suit Is for your pardon that I come so late; My next is still for pardon I must haste Unto my third, and pray the lady Margaret For word with her alone. _La. Alb._ I will withdraw, My lord. _Hen._ [_To attendants_] Attend the countess. _Mar._ O! dear Heaven! _Hen._ Are you at prayers, sweet lady? _Mar._ Say I am, Can women pray too much, who need so oft The soft protection of the holy skies? _Hen._ Have I been slack in care? Ah, Margaret, Let youth excuse neglect the past may know. In future---- _Mar._ O, thou hast been all I wish! _Hen._ All? All, Margaret? You've been in England Ten years or more, and understand, I think, Why you, a child, were sent unto our court. _Mar._ My lord, when peace was made with Scotland's king, I was included in the arbitrament, But am uncertain of the precise terms, Though I dare think there was no mention made Of marriage. _Hen._ There was a dowry paid To English coffers.