Flourish of trumpets: then hautboys. Enter KING HENRY VI, GLOUCESTER, SALISBURY, WARWICK, and CARDINAL, on the one side; QUEEN MARGARET, SUFFOLK, YORK, SOMERSET, and BUCKINGHAM, on the other

A sound of trumpets, then oboe-like instruments. KING HENRY VI, GLOUCESTER, SALISBURY, WARWICK, and CARDINAL enter from one side, and QUEEN MARGARET, SUFFOLK, YORK, SOMERSET, and BUCKINGHAM enter from the other. 

SUFFOLK

As by your high imperial majesty I had in charge at my depart for France, As procurator to your excellence, To marry Princess Margaret for your grace, So, in the famous ancient city, Tours, In presence of the Kings of France and Sicil, The Dukes of Orleans, Calaber, Bretagne and Alencon, Seven earls, twelve barons and twenty reverend bishops, I have perform'd my task and was espoused: And humbly now upon my bended knee, In sight of England and her lordly peers, Deliver up my title in the queen To your most gracious hands, that are the substance Of that great shadow I did represent; The happiest gift that ever marquess gave, The fairest queen that ever king received.

SUFFOLK

I was commanded by your majesty to travel to France as your representative and arrange a marriage with Princess Margaret on your behalf. And so in that famous ancient city Tours—in the presence of the Kings of France and Sicily and the Dukes of Orleans, Calaber, Bretagne and Alencon, seven earls, twelve barons and twenty bishops—I carried out my task and married her by proxy. And now, humbly on my knees in front of England and her lords, I turn the queen over to your gracious hands, since you are the substance of the shadow that I represented when I was abroad. She is the best gift that a marquess has ever given anyone, and the most beautiful queen that any king has ever married.

KING HENRY VI

Suffolk, arise. Welcome, Queen Margaret: I can express no kinder sign of love Than this kind kiss. O Lord, that lends me life, Lend me a heart replete with thankfulness! For thou hast given me in this beauteous face A world of earthly blessings to my soul, If sympathy of love unite our thoughts.

KING HENRY VI

Stand up, Suffolk. Welcome, Queen Margaret! [Kisses her] This kind kiss is the most affectionate sign of love that I can give you. Oh, Lord, that gives me life, let me also have a heart full of gratitude! Because you have given my soul a whole world of earthly blessings in this beautiful face, if she and I can learn to love each other.

QUEEN MARGARET

Great King of England and my gracious lord, The mutual conference that my mind hath had, By day, by night, waking and in my dreams, In courtly company or at my beads, With you, mine alder-liefest sovereign, Makes me the bolder to salute my king With ruder terms, such as my wit affords And over-joy of heart doth minister.

QUEEN MARGARET

Great king of England and my good husband, I've already been in intimate conversation with you in my mind—I thought of you during the day and during the night, when I was awake and in my dreams, when I was with people at court or when I was praying alone. So after all this imagined conversation, my dear lord, I feel bold enough to greet my king in a friendly way, as my heart and mind directs me. 

KING HENRY VI

Her sight did ravish; but her grace in speech, Her words y-clad with wisdom's majesty, Makes me from wondering fall to weeping joys; Such is the fulness of my heart's content. Lords, with one cheerful voice welcome my love.

KING HENRY VI

The sight of her enchants me, but her speech is even more graceful. Her words, clothed with the power of wisdom, make me go from admiration to tears of joy. That's how happy I am. Lords, welcome my love with one cheerful voice.

ALL

[Kneeling] Long live Queen Margaret, England'shappiness!

ALL

[Kneeling] Long live Queen Margaret, England's happiness!

QUEEN MARGARET

We thank you all.

QUEEN MARGARET

Thank you, everyone. 

Flourish

Sound of a trumpet.

SUFFOLK

My lord protector, so it please your grace, Here are the articles of contracted peace Between our sovereign and the French king Charles, For eighteen months concluded by consent.

SUFFOLK

[To GLOUCESTER] My lord protector, if it's all right with you, here are the conditions of the peace negotiation between our king and the French king Charles. The peace will last for eighteenth months. 

GLOUCESTER

[Reads] 'Imprimis, it is agreed between the French king Charles, and William de la Pole, Marquess of Suffolk, ambassador for Henry King of England, that the said Henry shall espouse the Lady Margaret, daughter unto Reignier King of Naples, Sicilia and Jerusalem, and crown her Queen of England ere the thirtieth of May next ensuing. Item, that the duchy of Anjou and the county of Maine shall be released and delivered to the king her father'—

GLOUCESTER

[Reads] "Firstly, it is agreed between the French king Charles and William de la Pole, Marquess of Suffolk, ambassador for Henry King of England, that the said Henry shall marry the Lady Margaret, daughter of King Reignier of Naples, Sicilia and Jerusalem, and crown her Queen of England before the next thirtieth of May. Likewise, that the dukedom of Anjou and the county of Maine will be released from English control and given to her father the king - "

Lets the paper fall

GLOUCESTER drops the paper on the floor.