To give the heir and daughter of lord Scales Clar. Or else you would not have bestow'd the Of the lord Bonville on your new wife's son, Which being shallow, you shall give me leave And, to that end, I shortly mind to leave you. And not be tied unto his brother's will. Q. Eliz. My lords, before it pleas'd his majesty And meaner than myself have had like fortune. What danger, or what sorrow can befall thee, more. Enter a Messenger. K. Edm. Now, messenger, what letters, or what news, From France ? Mess. My sovereign liege, no letters; and few But such as I, without your special pardon, K. Edw. Go to, we pardon thee: therefore, in Tell me their words as near as thou canst guess What answer makes king Lewis unto our letters ? K. Edm. Is Lewis so brave? belike, he thinks But what said lady Bona to my marriage? Tell him, in hope he'll prove a widower shortly, K. Edw. I blame not her, she could say little She had the wrong. But what said Henry's queen? And I am ready to put armour on. K. Edw. Belike, she minds to play the Amazon. Mess. He, more incens'd against your majesty Mess. Ay, gracious sovereign ; they are so link'd in friendship, 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. But, ere I go, Hastings, and Montague,- I rather wish you foes, than hollow friends; Mont. So God help Montague, as he proves true. 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. SCENE II.-A Plain in Warwickshire. War. Trust me, my lord, all hitherto goes well; The common people by numbers swarm to us. Enter Clarence and Somerset. But, see, where Somerset and Clarence come;- War. Then, gentle Clarence, welcome unto And welcome, Somerset :-I hold it cowardice, Were but a feigned friend to our proceedings: ** And now what rests, but, in night's coverture, We may surprize and take him at our pleasure? So we, well covered with the night's black mantle, K. Edw. Ha! durst the traitor breathe out so At unawares may bent down Edward's guard, proud words ? °་ Well, I will arm me, being thus forewarn'd: tion. But say, is Warwick friends with Margaret? And seize himself; I say not-slaughter him, Why, then, let's on our way in silent sort: The king, by this, is set him down to sleep. 1 Watch. Why, no: for he hath made a solemn VOW. Never to lie and take his natural rest, If Warwick be so near as men report. 8 Watch. But say, I pray, what nobleman is that, That with the king here resteth in his tent ? 1 Watch. Tis the lord Hastings, the king's chiefest friend. 3 Watch. O, is it so? But why commands the That his chief followers lodge in towns about him, 2 Watch. 'Tis the more honour, because more 8 Watch. Ay; but give me worship, and quietness, I like it better than a dangerous honour. If Warwick knew in what estate he stands, 'Tis to be doubted, he would waken him. 1 Watch. Unless our halberds did shut up passage. his 2 Watch. Ay; wherefore else guard we his royal tent, But to defend his person from night-foes? And be true king indeed; thou but the shadow.→→ See that forthwith duke Edward be convey'd It boots not to resist both wind and tide. [Exit King Edward, led out; Somerset with him. Oxf. What now remains, my lords, for us to do, But march to London with our soldiers ? War. Ay; that's the first thing that we have to To free king Henry from imprisonment, Riv. Madam, what makes you in this sudden Q. Eliz. Why, brother Rivers, are you yet to What late misfortune is befall'n king Edward ? Q. Eliz, No, but the loss of his own royal person. Q. Eliz. Ay, almost slain, for he is taken prisoner ; Is now committed to the bishop of York, Enter Warwick, Clarence, Oxford, Somerset, and Yet, gracious madam, bear it as you may; Forces. War. This is his tent; and see, where stands his Courage, my masters: honour now, or never! 2 Watch. Stay, or thou diest. The drum beating, and trumpets sounding, re-enter K. Edw. The duke! why, Warwick, when parted last, Thou call'dst me king? War. Warwick may lose, that now hath won the day. And I the rather wean me from despair, come ? Q. Elix. I am informed, that he comes towards 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,) we'll hence forthwith unto the sanctuary, Ay, but the case is alter'd: K. Edn. Yea, brother of Clarence, art thou Nay, then I see, that Edward needs must down. To save at least the heir of Edward's right; [Exeunt. Enter Gloster, Hastings, Sir William Stanley, and Glo. Now, my lord Hastings, and sir William Leave off to wonder, why I drew you hither, Is prisoner to the bishop here, at whose hands He shall here find his friends, with horse and men, While I myself will lead a private life, To set him free from his captivity. Enter King Edward, and a Huntsman. Hunt. This way, my lord; for this way lies the game. K. Edm. Nay, this way, man; see, where the huntsmen stand. Now, brother of Gloster, lord Hastings, and the rest, Stand you thus close, to steal the bishop's deer? Glo. Brother, the time and case requireth haste; Your horse stands ready at the park corner. K. Edw. But whither shall we then? Hast. To Lynn, my lord; and ship from thence 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, Edw, 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. Edn. Bishop, farewell: shield thee from Warwick's frown; And pray that I may repossess the crown. [Exeunt. SCENE VI.-A Room in the Tower. Enter King Henry, Clarence, Warwick, Somerset, young Richmond, Oxford, Montague, Lieutenant of the Tower, and Attendants. K. Hen. Master lieutenant, now that God and friends Have shaken Edward from the regal seat, But, if an humble prayer may prevail, I then crave pardon of your majesty. K. Hen. For what, lieutenant ? for well using me ? Nay be thou sure, I'll well requite thy kindness, War, Your grace hath still been fam'd for vir tue ; And now may seem as wise as virtuous, 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; 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 loath, yet must I be content: We'll yoke together like a double shadow Clar. What else? and that succession be determin'd. War. Ay, therein Clarence shall not want his part. K. Hen. But, with the first of all your chief affairs, Let me entreat, (for I command no more,) Clar. It shall be done, my sovereign, with all speed. K. Hen. My lord of Somerset, what youth is that, Of whom you seem to have so tender care? mond. And the lord Hastings, who attended him War. My brother was too careless of his charge. But let us hence, my sovereign, to provide A salve for any sore that may betide. [Exeunt King Henry, War. Clar. Lieut. and Attendants. Som. My lord, I like not of this flight of Edward's : For, doubtless, Burgundy will yield him help; Did glad my heart, with hope of this young Richmond: So doth my heart misgive me, in these conflicts Oxf. Ay; for, if Edward repossess the crown, 1 [Exeunt. K. Edw. Now, brother Richard, lord Hastings, Yet thus far fortune maketh us amends, Glo. The gates made fast!-Brother, I like not For many men, that stumble at the threshold, "Are well foretold that danger lurks within. K. Edn. Tush, man! abodements must not now By fair or foul means we must enter in, 3 Mont. What talk you of debating? in few words, K. Edw. When we grow stronger, then we'll Till then, 'tis wisdom to conceal our meaning, Hast. Away with scrupulous wit now arms must rule. A Glo. And fearless: minds climb soonest unto Brother, we will proclaim you out of hand; Mont. Ay, now, my sovereign speaketh like And now will I be Edward's champion. Hast. My liege, I'll knock once more, to sum- Come, fellow-soldier, make thou proclamation. mon them. Enter on the walls, the Mayor of York, and his brethren. K. Edw. 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. So 'twere not 'long of him: but, being enter'd, Re-enter the Mayor, and two Aldermen, below. But in the night, or in the time of war. K. Edn. Welcome, sir John! But why come you Mont. To help king Edward in his time of storm. As every loyal subject ought to do. K. Edw. Thanks, good Montgomery: But we Our title to the crown; and only claim K. Edm. Nay, stay, sir John, awhile; and we'll By what safe means the crown may be recover'd. [Gives him a paper. Flourish. of God, king of England and France, and lord of Sold. [Reads. Edward the Fourth, by the grace Ireland, &c. Mont. And whosoe'er gainsays king Edward's By this I challenge him to single fight. [right, [Throws down his gauntlet. If fortune serve me, I'll requite this kindness. We'll forward towards Warwick, and his mates; :wick.. SCENE VIII-London. A Room in the Palace.. Enter King Henry, Warwick, Clarence, Mon- War. What counsel, lords? Edward from Belgia, Oxf. Let's levy men, and beat him back again. Not mutinous in peace, yet bold in war; K. Hen. Farewell, my Hector, and my Troy's Clar. In sign of truth, I kiss your highness' hand. nate! Mont. Comfort, my lord;-and so I take my leave. Orf. And thus [kissing Henry's hand.] I seal my truth, and bid adieu. K. Hen. Sweet Oxford, and my loving Montague, And all at once, once more a happy farewell. War. Farewell, sweet lords; let's meet at Coventry. [Exeunt War. Clar. Oxf. and Mont. K. Hen. Here at the palace will I rest a while. Cousin of Exeter, what thinks your lordship? Methinks, the power, that Edward hath in field, Should not be able to encounter mine. Exe. The doubt is, that he will seduce the rest. K. Hen. That's not my fear, my meed hath got me fame. I have not stopp'd mine ears to their demands, [Shout within. A Lancaster! A Lancaster! Exe. Hark, hark, my lord! what shouts are these? Enter King Edward, Gloster, and Soldiers. Edw. Seize on the shame-fac'd Henry, bear him hence, 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, ACT V. SCENE 1.-Coventry. [Exeunt. Enter, upon the walls, Warwick, the Mayor of War. Where is the post, that came from valiant How far hence is thy lord, mine honest fellow ? 1 Mess. By this at Dunsmore, marching hitherward. War. How far off is our brother Montague ?Where is the post that came from 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 thy 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. [Drum heard. War. Then Clarence is at hand, I hear his drum. Som. It is not his, my lord; here Southam lies; The drum your honour hears, marcheth from Warwick. War. Who should that be? belike, unlook'd-for friends. gates, Speak gentle words, and humbly bend thy knee?— Call Edward-king, and at his hands beg mercy, And he shall pardon thee these outrages. War. Nay, rather, wilt thou draw thy forces hence, Confess who set thee up and pluck'd thee down?— Call Warwick-patron, and be penitent, And thou shalt still remain the duke of York. Glo. I thought, at least, he would have saidthe king; Or did he make the jest against his will? K. Edw. Why, then 'tis mine, if but by War. wick's gift. War. Thou art no Atlas for so great a weight: And, weakling, Warwick takes his gift again; And Henry is my king, Warwick his subject. K. Edw. But Warwick's king is Edward's pri soner: And, gallant Warwick, do but answer this,- Glo. Alas, that Warwick had no more forecast, Glo. Come, Warwick, take the time, kneel down, Nay, when? strike now, or else the iron cools. War. I had rather chop this hand off at a blow, And with the other fling it at thy face, Than bear so low a sail, to strike to thee. 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. Enter Oxford, with drum and colours."" War. O cheerful colours! see, where Oxford comes ! Oxf. Oxford, Oxford, for Lancaster! [Oxford and his Forces enter the City. Glo. The gates are open, let us enter too. K. Edn. So other foes may set upon our backs. Stand we in good array; for they, no doubt, Will issue out again, and bid us battle: If not, the city being but of small defence, We'll quickly rouse the traitors in the same. War, 0, welcome, Oxford! for we want thy help. Enter Montague, with drum and colours. Mont. Montague, Montague, for Lancaster! He and his Forces enter the City. Glo. Thou and thy brother both shall buy this treason, Even with the dearest blood your bodies bear. K. Edw. The harder match'd, the greater victory: My mind presageth happy gain, and conquest. |