And now, good my liege, forgive me one sentence more.

Heaven forefend that I should stand in the way of thy princely favours.

A king's countenance is a sun that should shine on all.

But bethink thee well, the barons of England are a stubborn and haughty race; chafe not thy most puissant peers by too cold a neglect of their past services, and too lavish a largess to new men." "Thou aimest at Elizabeth's kin," interrupted Edward, withdrawing his hand from his minister's arm, "and I tell thee once for all times, that I would rather sink again to mine earldom of March, with a subject's right to honour where he loves, than wear crown and wield sceptre without a king's unquestioned prerogative to ennoble the line and blood of one he has deemed worthy of his throne.

As for the barons, with whose wrath thou threatenest me, I banish them not.