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*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 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 virtuous;

*And now may seem as wise as virtuous,
*By spying, and avoiding, fortune's malice,

'K. Hen. My lord of Somerset, what youth is that,

Of whom you seem to have so tender care?
Som. My liege, it is young Henry, earl of
Richmond.

'K. Hen. Come hither, England's hope: If secret powers [Lays his hand on his head. 'Suggest but truth to my divining thoughts, This pretty lad will prove our country's bliss. His looks are full of peaceful majesty; 'His head by nature fram'd to wear a crown, 'His hand to wield a sceptre; and himself Likely, in time, to bless a regal throne. Make much of him, my lords; for this is he, 'Must help you more than you are hurt by me. Enter a Messenger.

For few men rightly temper with the stars:1 *Yet in this one thing let me blame your grace, *For choosing me, when Clarence is in place.2" * Clar. No, Warwick, thou art worthy of the*

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 *To Henry's body, and supply his place; * I mean, in bearing weight of government, *While he enjoys the honour, and his ease. *And, Clarence, now then it is more than needful, *Forthwith that Edward be pronounc'd a traitor, *And all his lands and goods be confiscate. Clar. What else? and that succession be determin'd.

*War. Ay, therein Clarence shalt not want his part.

*K. Hen. But, with the first of all your chief affairs,

*Let me entreat (for I command no more,) That Margaret your queen, and my son Edward, Be sent for, to return from France with speed: *For, till I see them here, by doubtful fear *My joy of liberty is half eclips'd.

Clar. It shall be done, my sovereign, with all speed.

(1) Few men conform their temper to their destiny. (2) Present. (3) Afterwards Henry VII.

* War. What news, my friend?

*Mess. That Edward is escaped from your brother,

*And fled, as he hears since, to Burgundy.

* War. Unsavoury news: But how made he escape?

* Mess. He was convey'd by Richard duke of Gloster,

*And the lord Hastings, who attended him

* In secret ambush on the forest's side,
*And from the bishop's huntsmen rescued him ;
For hunting was his daily exercise.

* 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.

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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 Richmond;

So doth my heart misgive me, in these conflicts What may befall him, to his harm, and ours: Therefore, lord Oxford, to prevent the worst, *Forthwith we'll send him hence to Britany, Till storms be past of civil enmity.

Oxf. Ay; for, if Edward repossess the crown, 'Tis like that Richmond with the rest shall down. Som. It shall be so; he shall to Britany. *Come therefore, let's about it speedily. [Exeunt. SCENE VII.-Before York. Enter King Edward, Gloster, Hastings, and forces.

'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 My waned state for Henry's regal crown. 'Well have we pass'd, and now repass'd the seas, 'And brought desir'd help from Burgundy: 'What then remains, we being thus arriv'd 'From Ravenspurg haven before the gates of York, 'But that we enter, as into our dukedom? 'Glo. The gates made fast!-Brother, I like not this;

For many men, that stumble at the threshold, *Are well foretold-that danger lurks within. *K. Edw. Tush, man! abodements must not now affright us:

By fair or foul means we must enter in, *For hither will our friends repair to us.

(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. 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?

Brother, we will proclaim you out of hand; *The bruit thereof will bring you many friends. *K. Edw. Then be it as you will; for 'tis my right,

*And Henry but usurps the diadem.

Mont. Ay, now my sovereign speaketh like himself.

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 Open the gates, we are king Henry's friends. thanks unto you all. May. Ay, say you so? the gates shall then be If fortune serve me, I'll requite this kindness. open'd. [Exeunt from above. Now, for this night, let's harbour here in York: Glo. A wise stout captain, and persuaded soon! And, when the morning sun shall raise his car *Hast. The good old man would fain that allAbove the border of this horizon,

were well,

'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. Edw. 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 on
nice points?

* 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.

*Oxf. 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 truc-hearted
friends,

Not mutinous in peace, yet bold in war;
Those will I muster up-and thou, son Clarence,
Shalt stir, in Suffolk, Norfolk, and in Kent,
"The knights and gentlemen to come with thee:-
Thou, brother Montague, in Buckingham,
Northampton, and in Leicestershire, shalt find,
'Men wellinclin'd to hear what thou command'st :---
And thou, brave Oxford, wondrous well belov❜d,
In Oxfordshire shalt muster up thy friends.—
My sovereign, with the loving citizens,-
*Like to his island, girt in with the ocean,
* Or modest Dian, circled with her nymphs,-
Shall rest in London, till we come to him.-
Fair lords, take leave, and stand not to reply.—
Farewell, my sovereign.

K. Hen. Farewell, my Hector, and my Troy's
true hope.

*Clar. In sign of truth, I kiss your highness'

hand.

* K. Hen. Well-minded Clarence, be thou fortunate!

* Mont. Comfort, my lord;-and so I take my leave.

(2) Noise, report.

(3) Know.

*Oxf. And thus [Kissing Henry's hand.] I seal my truth, and bid adieu.

*K. Hen. Sweet Oxford, and my loving Mon-
tague,

And all at once, once more a happy farewell.
War. Farewell, sweet lords; let's meet at Cov-

entry. [Exe. 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.

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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

I have not stopp'd mine ears, to their demands, *Nor posted off their suits with slow delays; *My pity hath been balm to heal their wounds, *My mildness hath allay'd their swelling griefs, My mercy dry'd their water-flowing tears: * I have not been desirous of their wealth, *Nor much oppress'd them with great subsidies, *Nor forward of revenge, though they much err'd;And *Then why should they love Edward more than me ? No, Exeter, these graces challenge grace : *And, when the lion fawns upon the lamb, The lamb will never cease to follow him.

[Shout within. A Lancaster! A Lancaster! Exe. Hark, hark, my lord! what shouts are these?

- Enter King Edward, Gloster, and Soldiers.
*K. 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, 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 hay.2

Glo. Away betimes, before his forces join, And take the great-grown traitor unawares : * Brave warriors, march amain towards Coventry. [Exeunt.

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How far hence is thy lord, mine honest fellow ?
'1 Mess. By this at Dunsmore, marching hither-
ward.

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 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.
[Drum heard.

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gates,

Speak gentle words, and humbly bend thy knee?— 'Call Edward-king, and at his hands beg mercy, 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 said—
the king;

Or did he make the jest against his will?
* War. Is not a dukedom, sir, a goodly gift?
Glo. Ay, by my faith, for a poor carl to give ;
I'll do thee service for so good a gift.

War. "Twas I, that gave the kingdom to thy
brother.

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

prisoner:

And, gallant Warwick, do but answer this,-
What is the body, when the head is off?

Glo. Alas, that Warwick had no more forecast,
But, whiles he thought to steal the single ten,
The king was slily finger'd from the deck !4
You left poor Henry at the bishop's palace,
And, ten to one, you'll meet him in the Tower.
K. Edw. 'Tis even so; yet you are Warwick still.
*Glo. Come, Warwick, take the time, kneel

down, kneel down:

*Nay, when? strike now, or else the iron cools.
And with the other fling it at thy face,
* War. I had rather chop this hand off at a blow,

*Than hear so low a sail, to strike to thee.
*K. Ed. Sail how thou canst, have wind and

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Scene II.

K. Edw. 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.

K. Edo. Yes, Warwick, Edward dares, and leads
the way :-

Lords, to the field; Saint George, and victory!
[March. Exeunt.

War. O, welcome, Oxford! for we want thy SCENE II-A field of battle_near Barnet.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.
Enter Somerset, with drum and colours.
Som. Somerset, Somerset, for Lancaster!

[He and his forces enter the city.
Glo. Two of thy name, both dukes of Somerset,
Have sold their lives unto the house of York;
And thou shalt be the third, if this sword hold.

Enter Clarence, with drum and colours.

War. And lo, where George of Clarence sweeps
along,

Of force enough to bid his brother battle;
* With whom an upright zeal to right prevails,
* More than the nature of a brother's love :-
* Come, Clarence, come; thou wilt, if Warwick

calls.

Clar. Father of Warwick, know you what this means?

[Taking the red rose out of his cap. 'Look here, I throw my infamy at thee: I will not ruinate my father's house, Who gave his blood to lime' the stones together, 'And set up Lancaster. Why, trow'st thou, Warwick,

'That Clarence is so harsh, so blunt, unnatural, 'To bend the fatal instruments of war "Against his brother, and his lawful king? * Perhaps, thou wilt object my holy oath: To keep that oath, were more impiety *Than Jephtha's, when he sacrific'd his daughter. *I am so sorry for my trespass made, *That, to deserve weil at my brother's hands, *I here proclaim myself thy mortal foe; *With resolution, wheresoe'er I meet thee, * (As I will meet thee, if thou stir abroad,) *To plague thee for thy foul misleading me. And so, proud-hearted Warwick, I defy thee, And to my brother turn my blushing cheeks.'Pardon me, Edward, I will make amends; 'And, Richard, do not frown upon my faults, 'For I will henceforth be no more unconstant. 'K. Edw. Now welcome more, and ten times more belov'd,

Than if thou never hadst deserv'd our hate.

Alarums, and Excursions. Enter King Edward bringing in Warwick wounded.

*K. Edw. So, lie thou there: die thou, and
die our fear;

*For Warwick was a bug, that fear'd' us all.—
Now, Montague, sit fast; I seek for thee,
*That Warwick's bones may keep thine company.
Exit.

War. Ah, who is nigh? come to me, friend or foe,
And tell me, who is victor, York, or Warwick?
Why ask I that? my mangled body shows,
*My blood, my want of strength, my sick heart
shows,

That I must yield my body to the earth,
And, by my fall, the conquest to my foe.
Thus yields the cedar to the axe's edge,
Whose arms gave shelter to the princely eagle,
Under whose shade the ramping lion slept;
Whose top-branch overpeer'd Jove's spreading tree,
*And kept low shrubs from winter's powerful wind.
These eyes, that now are dimm'd with death's

black veil,

Have been as piercing as the mid-day sun,
*To search the secret treasons of the world:
The wrinkles in my brows, now fill'd with blood,
Were liken'd oft to kingly sepulchres;
For who liv'd king, but I could dig his grave?
And who durst smile, when Warwick bent his brow?
Lo, now my glory smear'd in dust and blood!
My parks, my walks, my manors that I had,
Even now forsake me; and, of all my lands,
Is nothing left me, but my body's length;
Why, what is pomp, rule, reign, but earth and dust?
And, live we how we can, yet die we must.

Enter Oxford and Somerset.

*Som. Ah, Warwick, Warwick! wert thou as

we are,

*We might recover all our loss again!

'The queen from France hath brought a puissant

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power;

Even now we heard the news: Ah could'st thou fly! 'War. Why, then I would not fly.-Ah, Mon

tague,

*If thou be there, sweet brother, take my hand,
*And with thy lips keep in my soul a while!
*Thou lov'st me not; for, brother, if thou didst,
*Thy tears would wash this cold congealed blood,
That glews my lips, and will not let me speak.
Come quickly, Montague, or I am dead.
'Som. Ah, Warwick, Montague hath breath'd
his last;

'And to the latest gasp, cried out for Warwick,
And said-Commend me to my valiant brother.
And more he would have said; and more he spoke,
'Which sounded like a cannon in a vault,

'Glo. Welcome, good Clarence; this is brother-That might not be distinguish'd; but, at last,

like.

War. O passing traitor, perjur'd, and unjust!
K. Edw. What, Warwick, wilt thou leave the
town, and fight?

Or shall we beat the stones about thine ears?
'War. Alas, I am not coop'd here for defence:
I will away towards Barnet presently,
And bid thee battle, Edward, if thou dar'st.

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'I well might hear deliver'd with a groan,-
'O, farewell, Warwick!

War.
Sweet rest to his soul!-
Fly, lords, and save yourselves; For Warwick bids
[Dies.
You all farewell, to meet again in heaven.
Oxf. Away, away, to meet the queen's great
power!

[Exeunt, bearing off Warwick's body.

(3) Eminent, egregious.

Terrified.

(4) Bugbear.

SCENE_III.—Another part of the field. Flou-* rish. Enter King Edward, in triumph; with Clarence, Gloster, and the rest.

K. Edw. Thus far our fortune keeps an upward

course,

'And we are grac'd with wreaths of victory. 'But, in the midst of this bright-shining day, 'I spy a black, suspicious, threat'ning cloud, "That will encounter with our glorious sun, 'Ere he attain his easeful western bed:

'I mean, my lords,-those powers, that the queen. 'Hath rais'd in Gallia, have arriv'd our coast, And, as we hear, march on to fight with us. *Clar. A little gale will soon disperse that cloud, *And blow it to the source from whence it came : Thy very beams will dry those vapours up; *For every cloud engenders not a storm. *Glo. The queen is valu'd thirty thousand strong, 'And Somerset, with Oxford, fled to her: 'If she have time to breathe, be well assur'd, Her faction will be full as strong as ours.

K. Edw. We are advértis'd by our loving friends, That they do hold their course toward Tewksbury; 'We having now the best at Barnet field,

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'Will thither straight, for willingness rids way; And, as we march, our strength will be augmented In every county as we go along.

Strike up the drum; cry-Courage and away.

[Exeunt.

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Q. Mar. Great lords, wise men ne'er sit and wail their loss,

But cheerly seek how to redress their harms. "What though the mast be now blown over-board, The cable broke, the holding anchor lost, "And half our sailors swallow'd in the flood? "Yet lives our pilot still: Is't meet, that he

Should leave the helm, and, like a fearful lad, * With tearful eyes add water to the sea, *And give more strength to that which hath too much;

*Whiles, in his moan, the ship splits on the rock, * Which industry and courage might have saved? Ah, what a shame! ah, what a fault were this! 'Say, Warwick was our anchor; What of that? And Montague our top-mast; What of him? 'Our slaughter'd friends the tackles; What of these ?

"Why, is not Oxford here another anchor? 'And Somerset another goodly mast?

The friends of France our shrouds and tacklings? 'And, though unskilful, why not Ned and I "For once allow'd the skilful pilot's charge? 'We will not from the helm, to sit and weep ;. * But keep our course, though the rough wind say -no,

From shelves and rocks that threaten us with wreck.

*As good to chide the waves, as speak them fair. And what is Edward, but a ruthless sea? What Clarence, but a quicksand of deceit ? * And Richard, but a ragged fatal rock? *All these the enemies to our poor bark. *Say, you can swim; alas, 'tis but a while: *Tread on the sand; why, there you quickly sink: *Bestride the rock; the tide will wash you off, *Or else you famish, that's a threefold death. *This speak I, lords, to let you understand, * In case some one of you would fly from us, (1) Know. (2) Unsay, deny.

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That there's no hop'd-for mercy with the brothers, More than with ruthless waves, with sands, and rocks.

"Twere childish weakness to lament, or fear. Why, courage, then! what cannot be avoided,

*Prince. Methinks, a woman of this valiant spirit

*Should, if a coward heard her speak these words,
* Infuse his breast with magnanimity,
* And make him, naked, foil a man at arms.
For, did I but suspect a fearful man,
'I speak not this, as doubting any here:

'He should have leave to go away betimes;
Lest, in our need, he might infect another,"
And make him of like spirit to himself.
If any such be here, as God forbid!

'Let him depart, before we need his help.

·

And warriors faint! why, 'twere perpetual shame.-
Orf. Women and children of so high a courage!
O, brave young prince! thy famous grandfather
Doth live again in thee; Long may'st thou live,
To bear his image, and renew his glories!

Go home to bed, and, like the owl by day, Som. And he, that will not fight for such a hope, 'If he arise, be mock'd and wonder'd at.

* Q. Mar. Thanks, gentle Somerset ;-sweet Oxford, thanks.

*Prince. And take his thanks, that yet hath nothing else.

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March.

Enter, at a distance, King Edward, Clarence, Gloster, and forces.

'K. Edw. Brave followers, yonder stands the thorny wood,

Which, by the heavens' assistance, and your strength,

Must by the roots be hewn up yet ere night.
* I need not add more fuel to your fire,

For well I wot,' ye blaze to burn them out :
Give signal to the fight, and to it, lords.
Q. Mar. Lords, knights, and gentlemen, what I
should say,

My tears gainsay; for every word I speak, "Ye see, I drink the water of mine eyes. "Therefore, no more but this :-Henry, your sovereign,

'Is prisoner to the foe; his state usurp'd, His realm a slaughter-house, his subjects slain, His statutes cancell'd, and his treasure spent ; 'And yonder is the wolf, that makes this spoil. 'You fight in justice then, in God's name, lords, 'Be valiant, and give signal to the fight,

[Exeunt both armies.

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