Template:Dkt division of funds
Queen Meantime we shall express our darker purpose.
Nuncle, pass the deck. Know this my council, that I have divined
In quarters all our gold reserves. I am tired. I tried.
I am, at last, intent to shake the cares of business;
Conferring them on some younger lance, while I
Unburden’d crawl toward my place in France.
I have made this hour a will to put the firm
In firmer hand and stouter head than mine.
Is there one among you who can forsooth attest
To an acumen so sharp to shave the chin
Or cut the lunch of those cur-struck brigands from the west?
Thou art my likeliest inheritors to make it right.
Is there one or two who, perchance between you
Hast the stomach and the wisdom for the fight?
Nuncle: Now steady, here, my lady liege: one hears it oftly said
One head per pair of shoulders is enough
Less than that a lack, of that be sure
But no less a lack there is if you have more
Queen: What mean you, Fool, your riddle stays unspun.
Nuncle: One head’s a head ahead: co-heads are none.
Queen: Must co-operation e’er be seen a fudge?
Nuncle: So try it, ma’am: you be the fool, and I the judge.
Queen: And here are to be answer’d. Tell me, my closest lords:
If I would divest myself of mandate to a worthy heir
Which heir was you: what would be your best idea?
How wouldst you drive our ancient chariot to the sun?
To he, or she whose plans I love the most
Possessed of large but frittered bounty will become. Speak.