Mess. He, more incens'd against your majesty Than all the rest, discharg'd me with these words; Tell him from me, that he hath done me wrong, And therefore I'll uncrown him, ere't be long. K. Edw. Ha! durst the traitor breathe out so Well, I will arm me, being thus forewarn'd: 'But say, is Warwick friends with Margaret? 'That young prince Edward marries Warwick's daughter. Clar. Belike, the elder; Clarence will have the younger. Now, brother king, farewell, and sit you fast, My thoughts aim at a further matter; I * Yet am I arm'd against the worst can happen; [Exeunt Pembroke and Stafford. Mont. So God help Montague, as he proves true! Hast. And Hastings, as he favours Edward's cause! 'K. Edw. Now, brother Richard, will you stand by us? Glo. Ay, in despite of all that shall withstand you. 'K. Edw. Why so; then am I sure of victory. Now therefore let us hence; and lose no hour, Till we meet Warwick with his foreign power. [Exeunt. SCENE II-A plain in Warwickshire. Enter Warwick and Oxford, with French and other forces. War. Trust me, my lord, all hitherto goes well; But see, where Somerset and Clarence come ;- War. Then, gentle Clarence, welcome unto And welcome, Somerset:-I hold it cowardice, His soldiers lurking in the towns about, With sleight and manhood stole to Rhesus' tents, *And brought from thence the Thracian fatal steeds; * So we, well cover'd with the night's black mantle, ness, I like it better than a dangerous honour. *1 Watch. Unless our halberds did shut up his *2 Watch. Ay; wherefore else guard we his *But to defend his person from night-foes? War. This is his tent; and see, where stand 'Courage, my masters: honour now, or never! 2 Watch. Stay, or thou diest. [Warwick, and the rest, cry all-Warwick! Warwick! and set upon the guard; who fly, crying-Arm! Arm! Warwick, and the rest, following them. The drum beating, and trumpets sounding. Re- • Som. K. Edu. The duke! why, Warwick, when we✶ And stop the rising of blood-sucking sighs, Thou call'dst me king! Lest with my sighs or tears I blast or drown 'King Edward's fruit, true heir to the English crown. Riv. But, madam, where is Warwick then become? 'Q. Eliz. I am informed, that he comes towards London, *To set the crown once more on Henry's head: 'But to prevent the tyrant's violence (For trust not him that hath once broken faith,) 'I'll hence forthwith unto the sanctuary, To save at least the heir of Edward's right; "There shall I rest secure from force, and fraud. Come therefore, let us fly, while we may fly 'If Warwick take us, we are sure to die. SCENE V.-A Park near Middleham Castle, in Yorkshire. Enter Gloster, Hastings, Sir William Stanley, and others. *Nay, then I see, that Edward needs must down. 'Yet, Warwick, in despite of all mischance, Of thee thyself, and all thy 'complices, 'Edward will always bear himself as king: *Though fortune's malice overthrow my state, *My mind exceeds the compass of her wheel. War. Then, for his mind, be Edward England's king: [Takes off his crown. But Henry now shall wear the English crown, 'Leave off to wonder why I drew you hither, *And be true king indeed; thou but the shadow.-'Into this chiefest thicket of the park. "My lord of Somerset, at my request, 'See that forthwith duke Edward be convey'd "Unto my brother, archbishop of York. (Exe. Glo. Now, my lord Hastings, and sir William 'Thus stands the case: You know, our king, my brother, Is prisoner to the bishop here, at whose hands When I have fought with Pembroke and his fellows,He hath gocd usage and great liberty; It boots not to resist both wind and tide. [Erit King Edw. led out; Som, with him. *Orf. What now remains, my lords, for us to do, But march to London with our soldiers? [Exeunt. 'To free king Henry from imprisonment, Riv. Madam, what makes you in this sudden 'Q. Eliz. Why, brother Rivers, are you yet to learn, "What late misfortune is befall'n king Edward? Riv. What, loss of some pitch'd battle against Warwick? 'Q. Eliz. No, but the loss of his own royal person. 'Riv. Then is my sovereign slain? 'Q. Eliz. Ay, almost slain, for he is taken pris oner; Either betray'd by falsehood of his guard, And I the rather wean me from despair, (1) i. e. In his mind; as far as his own mind goes. VOL. 11. And often, but attended with weak guard, Comes hunting this way to disport himself. 'I have advértis'd him by secret means, That if about this hour, he make this way, 'Under the colour of his usual game, 'He shall here find his friends, with horse and men, To set him free from his captivity. Enter King Edward, and a Huntsman. 'Hunt. This way, my lord; for this way lies the to Flanders. 'Glo. Well guess'd, believe me; for that was my meaning. 'K. Edw. Stanley, I will requite thy forwardness. *Glo. But wherefore stay we? 'tis no time to talk. 'K. Ed. Huntsman, what say'st thou wilt thou go along? 'Hunt. Better do so, than tarry and be hang'd. *Glo. Come then, away; let's have no more ado. 'K. Edw. Bishop, farewell: shield thee from Warwick's frown; And pray that I may repossess the crown. [Exe. Enter SCENE VI-A room in the Tower. *K. Hen. Master lieutenant, now that God and * Have shaken Edward from the regal seat; Ꮓ But, if an humble prayer may prevail, K. Hen. For what, lieutenant? for well using Nay, be thou sure, I'll well requite thy kind ness, For that it made my imprisonment a pleasure: * Ay, such a pleasure as incaged birds * Conceive, when, after many moody thoughts, * At last, by notes of household harmony, * They quite forget their loss of liberty. But, Warwick, after God, thou sett'st me free, *And chiefly therefore I thank God, and thee; He was the author, thou the instrument. *Therefore, that I may conquer fortune's spite, By living low, where fortune cannot hurt me; And that the people of this blessed land *May not be punish'd with my thwarting stars; "Warwick, although my head still wear the crown, 'I here resign my government to thee, For thou art fortunate in all thy deeds. * War. Your grace hath still been fam'd for And now may seem as wise as virtuous, sway, To whom the heavens, in thy nativity, * Adjudg'd an olive branch, and laurel crown, As likely to be blest in peace, and war; *And therefore I yield thee my free consent. *War. And I choose Clarence only for protector. *K. Hen. Warwick, and Clarence, give me both your hands; Now join your hands, and, with your hands, your hearts, That no dissension hinder government: I make you both protectors of this land; "While I myself will lead a private life, And in devotion spend my latter days, To sin's rebuke, and my Creator's praise. War. What answers Clarence to his sovereign's will? Clar. That he consents, if Warwick yield consent; For on thy fortune I repose myself. * War. Why then, though loth, yet must I be content: We'll yoke together, like a double shadow For, doubtless, Burgundy will yield him help; *And we shall have more wars, before't be long. * As Henry's late presaging prophecy *Did glad my heart, with hope of this young *So doth my heart misgive me, in these conflicts *Of. Ay; for, if Edward repossess the crown, 'K. Edw. Now, brother Richard, lord Hastings, and the rest; 'Yet thus far fortune maketh us amends, And says that once more I shall interchange deter-My waned state for Henry's regal crown. Well have we pass'd, and now repass'd the seas, War. Ay, therein Clarence shalt not want hisAnd brought desir'd help from Burgundy: part. K. Hen. But, with the first of all your chief Let me entreat (for I command no more,) Clar. It shall be done, my sovereign, with all Few men conform their temper to their destiny. What then remains, we being thus arriv'd Glo. The gates made fast!-Brother, I like not this; For many men, that stumble at the threshold, By fair or foul means we must enter in, (4) i. e. Waited for him. Hast. My liege, I'll knock once more, to summon them. Enter, on the walls, the Mayor of York, and his brethren. 'May. My lords, we were forewarn'd of your coming, And shut the gates for safety of ourselves; 'For now we owe allegiance unto Henry. K. Edw. But, master mayor, if Henry be your king, 'Yet Edward, at the least, is duke of York. May. True, my good lord; I know you for no less; 'K. Ed. Why, and I challenge nothing but my dukedom; *As being well content with that alone. Glo. But, when the fox hath once got in his nose, 'He'll soon find means to make the body follow. [Aside. 'Hast. Why, master mayor, why stand you in a doubt? Open the gates, we are king Henry's friends. May. Ay, say you so? the gates shall then be open'd. [Exeunt from above. 'Glo. A wise stout captain, and persuaded soon! *Hast. The good old man would fain that all were well, And now will I be Edward's champion. Hast. Sound, trumpet; Edward shall be here proclaim'd: Come, fellow-soldier, make thou proclamation. [Gives him a paper. Flourish. Sold. [Reads.] Edward the Fourth, by the grace of God, king of England and France, and lord of Ireland, &c. Mont. And whosoe'er gainsays king Edward's right, By this I challenge him to single fight. [Throws down his gauntlet. All. Long live king Edward the Fourth! 'K. Edw. Thanks, brave Montgomery ;-and thanks unto you all. If fortune serve me, I'll requite this kindness. Now, for this night, let's harbour here in York: And, when the morning sun shall raise his car Above the border of this horizon, We'll forward towards Warwick, and his mates; So 'twere not 'long of him: but, being enter'd,For, well, I wot,' that Henry is no soldier.* I doubt not, I, but we shall soon persuade * Both him, and all his brothers, unto reason. Re-enter the Mayor and two Aldermen, below. 'K. Edw. So, master mayor: these gates must not be shut, 'But in the night, or in the time of war. "What! fear not, man, but yield me up the keys. [Takes the keys. 'For Edward will defend the town, and thee, 'And all those friends that deign to follow me. Drum. Enter Montgomery, and forces, marching. Glo. Brother, this is sir John Montgomery, Our trusty friend, unless I be deceiv'd. 'K. Edw. Welcome, sir John! But why come you in arms? Mont. To help king Edward in his time of storm, As every loyal subject ought to do. K. Ed. Thanks, good Montgomery: But we now forget Our title to the crown; and only claim 'Our dukedom, till God please to send the rest. Mont. Then fare you well, for I will hence again; I came to serve a king, and not a duke,'Drummer, strike up, and let us march away. [A march begun. 'K. Edw. Nay, stay, sir John, a while; and we'll debate, 'By what safe means the crown may be recover'd. Mont. What talk you of debating in few words, "If you'll not here proclaim yourself our king, 'I'll leave you to your fortune; and be gone, To keep them back that come to succour you: Why should we fight, if you pretend no title ? Glo. Why, brother, wherefore stand you nice points? on K. Edw. When we grow stronger, then we'll make our claim: Till then, 'tis wisdom to conceal our meaning. Hast. Away with scrupulous wit! now arms must rule. Glo. And fearless minds climb soonest unto crowns. (1) The mayor is willing we should enter, so he may not be blamed. Ah, froward Clarence!-how evil it beseems thee, *To flatter Henry, and forsake thy brother! *Yet, as we may, we'll meet both thee and War wick. * Come on, brave soldiers; doubt not of the day, * And, that once gotten, doubt not of large pay. [Exeunt. SCENE VIII.-London. A room in the palace. Enter King Henry, Warwick, Clarence, Mon tague, Exeter, and Oxford. War. What counsel, lords? Edward from Belgia, With hasty Germans, and blunt Hollanders, Hath pass'd in safety through the narrow seas, And with his troops doth march amain to London; And many giddy people flock to him. *Orf. Let's levy men, and beat him back again. Clar. A little fire is quickly trodden out ; Which, being suffer'd, rivers cannot quench. War. In Warwickshire I have true-hearted friends, Not mutinous in peace, yet bold in war; Like to his island, girt in with the ocean, K. Hen. Farewell, my Hector, and my Troy's true hope. *Clar. In sign of truth, I kiss your highness' hand. *Oxf. And thus [Kissing Henry's hand.] I seal *K. Hen. Sweet Oxford, and my loving Mon- * And all at once, once more a happy farewell. entry. Exe. War. Clar. Oxf, and Mont. field, * Exe. The doubt is, that he will seduce the rest. I have not stopp'd mine ears, to their demands, Act. V. Glo, See, how the surly Warwick mans the wall. War. O, unbid spite! is sportful Edward come? Where slept our scouts, or how are they seduc'd, That we could hear no news of his repair? * K. Edw. Now, Warwick, wilt thou ope the city Speak gentle words, and humbly bend thy knee?- I have not been desirous of their wealth, [Shout within. A Lancaster! A Lancaster! And once again proclaim us king of England.*You are the fount, that makes small brooks to flow. Now stops thy spring; my sea shall suck them dry, *And swell so much the higher by their ebb.'Hence with him to the Tower; let him not speak. [Exeunt some with King Henry. 'And, lords, towards Conventry bend we our course, Where peremptory Warwick now remains : "The sun shines hot, and, if we use delay, 'Cold biting winter mars our hop'd-for hav. Glo. Away betimes, before his forces join, *And take the great-grown traitor unawares : * Brave warriors, march amain towards Coventry. [Excunt. ACT V. SCENE I-Coventry. Enter, upon the walls, War. Where is the post, that came from valiant How far hence is thy lord, mine honest fellow ? War. How far off is our brother Montague ?- '2 Mess. By this at Daintry, with a puissant troop. Enter sir John Somerville. "War. Say, Somerville, what says my loving son? 'And, by the guess, how nigh is Clarence now? Som. At Southam I did leave him with his forces, 'And do expect him here some two hours hence. (1) Merit. (2) The allusion is to the proverb, Make hay hile the sun shines.' 'War. Nay, rather, wilt thou draw thy forces Confess who set thee up and pluck'd thee down?- Glo. I thought, at least, he would have said- Or did he make the jest against his will? Glo. Ay, by my faith, for a poor earl to give ; K. Edw. Why, then 'tis mine, if but by War- And, weakling, Warwick takes his gift again; And, gallant Warwick, do but answer this,- Glo. Alas, that Warwick had no more forecast, *Nay, when? strike now, or else the iron cools. *K. Edw. Sail how thou canst, have wind and tide thy friend; This hand, fast wound about thy coal-black hair, *Shall, whiles the head is warm, and new cut off, *Write in the dust this sentence with thy blood,'Wind-changing Warwick now can change no more. of cards. |