Comes hunting this way to disport himself.
I have advertised him by secret means
That if about this hour he make this way,
Und 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

game. K. Edw. 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 guessed, believe me; for that was

my meaning. K. Edw. Stanley, I will requite thy forwardness. Glo. But wherefore stay we? 't is no time to talk. K. Edw. Huntsman, what sayst thou: wilt thou

go along? Hunt. Better do so than tarry and be hanged. 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. [Exeunt.

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 blesséd land
May not be punished 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 famed for virtuous
And now may seem as wise as virtuous,
By spying and avoiding fortune's malice;
For few men rightly temper with the stars:
Yet in this one thing let me blame your grace,
For choosing me when Clarence is in place.

Cla. No, Warwick, thou art worthy of the sway,
To whom the Heavens, in thy nativity,
Adjudged 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 dissention 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 consentFor on thy fortune I repose myself. War. Why then, though loath, 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 pronounced a traitor, And all his lands and goods be confiscate. Clar. What else ? and that succession be de

termined. 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) 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 eclipsed. 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?

Scene VI.-A Room in the Tower.

a

Enter Kino 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, And turned my captive state to liberty, My fear to hope, my sorrows unto joys, At our enlargement what are thy due fees? Lieut. Subjects may challenge nothing of their

sovereigns : 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, For that it made my imprisonment a pleasure : Ay, such a pleasure as incagéd 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 set'st me free,

My wanéd state for Henry's regal crown.
Well have we passed, and now repassed the seas,
And brought desiréd help from Burgundy.
What then remains, we being thus arrived
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. Hast. My liege, I 'll knock once more to sum

mon them.

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 framed to wear a crown,
His band 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.
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 conveyed by Richard, Duke of

Gloster, And the Lord Hastings, who attended him In secret am bush on the forest 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, WARWICK, CLA

RENCE, Lieutenant and Attendants. Som. My lord, I like not of this flight of

Edward's: 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

befal 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 'T is 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.

Enter on the walls the Mayor of York and his

Brethren. May. My lords, we were forewarnéd 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? Open the gates; we are King Henry's friends. May Ay, say you so ? the gates shall then be

opened. [Exeunt from above. Glo. A wise stout captain, and soon persuaded! Hast. The good old man would fain that all

were well, So 't were not ʼlong of him: but being entered, I doubt not, I, but we shall soon persuade Both him and all his brothers unto reason.

Scene VII.- Before York. Enter King EDWARD, Gloster, Hastings, and

Forces. K. Edw. Now, brother Richard, Lord Hastings,

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 his 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 deceived.

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, awhile; and

we 'll debate By what safe means the crown may be recovered. Mont. What talk you of debating? In few

words, If you ʼll 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 clain : Till then 't is wisdom to conceal our meaning. Hast. Away with scrupulous wit : now arms

must rule. Glo. And fearless minds climb soonest unto

crowns. Brother, we will proclaim you out of hand: The bruit thereof will bring you many friends. K. Edw. Then be it as

you 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

proclaimed. Come, fellow-soldier, make thou proclamation.

[Gives him a paper. Flourish.

will;

for 't is my

Enter King Henry, WARWICK, CLARENCE,

Montague, Exeter, and OXFORD. War. What counsel, lords? Edward from Belgia, With hasty Germans and blunt Hollanders, Hath passed 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 suffered, rivers cannot quench. War. In Warwickshire I have true-hearted

friends, Not mutinous in peace, yet bold in war: Those will I muster up. And thou, son Clarence, Shall stir up 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 well inclined to hear what thou command'st

. And thou, brave Oxford, wondrous well beloved, 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 fortu

nate. Mont. Comfort, my lord: and so I take my

leave. Oxf. And thus [Kissing Henry's hand.] !

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

Coventry. [Exeunt Warwick, CLARENCE, OXFORD,

Soldier 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 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

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

K. Hen. Here at the palace will I rest awhile. 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 stopped 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 allayed their swelling griefs, My mercy dried their water-flowing tears : I have not been desirous of their wealth : Nor much oppressed them with great subsidies ; Nor forward of revenge, though they much err’d: 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.

Enter King EDWARD, Gloster, and Soldiers. K. Edw. Seize on the shame-faced 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 Coventry bend we our course, Where peremptory Warwick now remains. The sun shines hot, and if we use delay Cold biting winter mars our hoped-for hay.

Glo. Away betimes before his forces join, And take the great-grown traitor unawares. Brave warriors, narch amain towards Coventry.

[Exeunt.

Enter, upon the walls, Warwick, the Mayor of

Coventry, two Messengers, and others.
War. Where is the post that came from valiant

Oxford ? How far hence is thy lord, mine honest fellow? 1st Mess. By this at Dunsmore, marching

hitherward. War. How far off is our brother Montague ? Where is the post that came from Montague? 2nd 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. 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 unlooked

for friends. Som. They are at hand, and you shall quickly

know.

Drums, Enter King EDWARD, GLOSTER, and

Forces, marching. K. Edw. Go, trumpet, to the walls, and sound