Third Watch. O! is it so? But why commands the king That his chief followers lodge in towns about him, It boots not to resist both wind and tide. While he himself keeps in the cold field? Exeunt King EDWARD, led out; and SOMERSET. Orf. What now remains, my lords, for us to do

Second Watch. 'Tis the more honour, because

more dangerous.

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Third Watch. Ay, but give me worship and But march to London with our soldiers? quietness;

War. Ay, that's the first thing that we have
to do;

I like it better than a dangerous honour.
If Warwick knew in what estate he stands,
'Tis to be doubted he would waken him.

To free King Henry from imprisonment,
And see him seated in the regal throne. Excunt.

First Watch. Unless our halberds did shut up his passage.

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Second Watch. Ay; wherefore else guard we his roval tent,

But to defend his person from night-foes?

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K. Edw. What fates impose, that men must needs abide :

Drums beating, and trumpets sounding, re-enter
WARWICK and the rest bringing the King out in
his gown, sitting in a chair. GLOUCESTER and
HASTINGS fly over the stage.
Som.
What are they that fly there?
War. Richard and Hastings: let them go';
here's the duke.

K. Edw. The duke! Why, Warwick, when we
parted last,
Thou call'dst me king!
War.
Ay, but the case is alter'd:
When you disgrac'd me in my embassade,
Then I degraded you from being king,
And come now to create you Duke of York.
Alas! how should you govern any kingdom,
That know not how to use ambassadors,
Nor how to be contented with one wife,
Nor how to use your brothers brotherly,
Nor how to study for the people's welfare,
Nor how to shroud yourself from enemies?
K. Edw. Yea, brother of Clarence, art thou

here too?

40

To save at least the heir of Edward's right:
There shall I rest secure from force and fraud.

If Warwick take us we are sure to die, Exeunt.

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 Come therefore; let us fly while we may fly :
king:
Takes off his crown.
But Henry now shall wear the English crown,
And be true king indeed, thou but the shadow.
My Lord of Somerset, at my request,
See that forthwith Duke Edward be convey'd
Unto my brother, Archbishop of York.
When I have fought with Pembroke and his
fellows

I'll follow you, and tell what answer
Lewis and the Lady Bona send to him.
Now, for a while farewell, good Duke of York.

SCENE IV. London. A Room in the Palace.
Enter Queen ELIZABETH and RIVERS.
Riv. Madam, what makes you in this sudden
change?

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
Either betray'd by falsehood of his guard,
prisoner;
Or by his foe surpris'd at unawares :
And, as I further have to understand,
Is new committed to the Bishop of York,
Fell Warwick's brother, and by that our foe.

Riv. These news I must confess are full of grief;
Yet, gracious madam, bear it as you may:
Warwick may lose, that now hath won the day.
Q. Eliz. Till then fair hope must hinder life's
decay:

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And I the rather wean me from despair
For love of Edward's offspring in my womb:
This is it that makes me bridle passion,
And bear with mildness my misfortune's cross;
Ay, ay, for this I draw in many a tear,
And stop the rising of blood-sucking sighs,
Lest with my sighs or tears I blast or drown
King Edward's fruit, true heir to the English

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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.
Guess thou the rest; King Edward's friends
must down:

But to prevent the tyrant's violence,

For trust not him that hath once broken faith,
I'll hence forthwith unto the sanctuary,

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SCENE V.-A Park near Middleham Castle
in Yorkshire.
Enter GLOUCESTER, HASTINGS, Sir WILLIAM
STANLEY, and Others.

Glou. Now, my Lord Hastings and Sir William
Stanley,

Leave off to wonder why I drew you hither,
Into this chiefest thicket of the park.

men

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Thus stands the case. You know our king, my | May not be punish'd with my thwarting stars, brother,

Warwick, although my head still wear the crown, Is prisoner to the bishop here, at whose hands I here resign my government to thee, He hath good usage and great liberty,

For thou art fortunate in all thy deeds. And often but attended with weak guard,

War. Your grace hath still been fam'd for Comes hunting this way to disport himself.

virtuous, I have advertis'd him by secret means

And now may seem as wise as virtuous, That if about this hour he make this way, 10 By spying and avoiding fortune's malice ; Under the colour of his usual game,

For few men rightly temper with the stars : He shall here find his friends with horse and Yet in this one thing let me blame your grace,

For choosing me when Clarence is in place.si To set him free from his captivity.

Clar. No, Warwick, thou art worthy of the

sway, Enter King EDWARD and a Huntsman.

To whom the heavens in thy nativity Hunt. This way, my lord, for this way lies the Adjudg’d an olive branch and laurel crown, game.

As likely to be blest in peace and war; K. Edw. Nay, this way, man : see where the And therefore I yield thee my free consent. huntsmen stand.

War. And I choose Clarence only for protector. Now, brother of Gloucester, Lord Hastings, and K. Hen. Warwick and Clarence give me both the rest,

Four hands : Stand you thus close, to steal the bishop's deer? Now join your hands, and with your hands your Glou. Brother, the time and case requireth hearts, haste.

That no dissension binder government: Your horse stands ready at the park corner. I make you both protectors of this land,

K. Edw. But whither shall we then ? 20 While I myself will lead a private life, Hast. To Lynn, my lord; and ship from thence And in devotion spend my latter days, to Flanders.

To sin's rebuke and my Creator's praise. Glou. Well guess'd, believe me; for that was War. What answers Clarence to his sove. my meaning.

reign's will ? K. Edw. Stanley, I will requite thy forwardness. Clar. That he consents, if Warwick yield conGlou. But wherefore stay we? 'tis no time to

sent; talk.

For on thy fortune I repose myself. K. Edw. Huntsman, what say'st thou ? wilt War. Why then, thongh loath, yet must I be thou go along?

content.
Hunt. Better do so than tarry and be hang'd. We'll yoke together, like a double shadow
Glou. Come then, away ; let's ha' no more ado. To Henry's body, and supply his place ;
K. Elw. Bishop, farewell: shield thee from I mean, in bearing weight of government,
Warwick's frown,

While he enjoys the honour and his ease.
And pray that I may repossess the crown. And, Clarence, now then it is more than needful

Exeunt. Forthwith that Edward be pronounc'd a traitor,

And all his lands and goods be confiscate.
SCENE VI.-London. The Tower.

Clar. What else ? and that succession be de

termin'd. Enter King HENRY, CLARENCE, WARWICK,

War. Ay, therein Clarence shall not want his SOMERSET, young RICHMOND, OXFORD, Mon

part. TAGUE, Licutenant of the Tower, and Attendants.

K. Hen. But, with the first of all your chief K. Hen. Master lieutenant, now that God and affairs, friends

Let me entreat, for I command no more, Have shaken Edward from the regal seat, That Margaret your queen and my son Edward And turn d my captive state to liberty,

Be sent for, to return from France with speed: My fear to hope, my sorrows unto joys,

For, till I see them here, by doubtful fear At our enlargement what are thy due fees? My joy of liberty is half eclips'd. Lieu. Subjects may challenge nothing of their Clar. It shall be done, my sovereign, with all sovereigns ;

speed. But if an humble prayer may prevail,

K. Hen. My Lord of Somerset, what youth is I then crave pardon of your majesty.

that K. Hen. For what, lieutenant ? for well using Of whom you seem to have so tender care? me ?

Som. My liege, it is young Henry, Earl of Nay, be thou sure I'll well requite thy kindness, Richmond. For that it made my imprisonment a pleasure ; K. Hen. Come hither, England's hope. Ay, such a pleasure as incaged birds

Lays his hand on his head. Conceive, when after many moody thoughts

If secret powers At last by notes of household harmony

Suggest but truth to my divining thoughts, They quite forgot their loss of liberty.

This pretty lad will prove our country's bliss. 70 But, Warwick, after God, thou sett'st me free, His looks are full of peaceful majesty, And chiefly therefore I thank God and thee; His head by nature fram'd to wear a crown, He was the author, thou the instrument. His hand to wield a sceptre, and himself Therefore, that I may conquer fortune's spite Likely in time to bless a regal throne. By living low, where fortune cannot hurt me, 20 Mike much of him, my lords, for this is he And that the people of this blessed land Must help you more than you are hurt by me

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in his nose,

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open'd.

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101

Enter a Post.

May. True, my good lord: I know you for no less. War. What news, my friend ?

K. Edw. Why, and I challenge nothing but Post. That Edward' is escaped from your As being well content with that alone.

my dukedom, brother, And fled, as he hears since, to Burgundy.

Glou. Aside. But when the fox hath once got War. Unsavoury news! but how made he escape

He'll soon find means to make the body follow. Post. He was convey'd by Richard Duke of Hast. Why, Master mayor, why stand you in Gloucester

a doubt? And the Lord Hastings, who attended him Open the gates; we are King Henry's friends. In secret ambush on the forest side,

May. Ay, say you so ? the gates shall then be And from the bishop's huntsmen rescu'd him ;

Exeunt from above. For hunting was bis daily exercise.

Glou. A wise stout captain, and soon persuaded ! War. My brother was too careless of his charge.

Hast. The good old man would fain that all But let us hence, my sovereign, to provide

were well, A salve for any sore that may betide.

So 'twere not ’long of him ; but being enter'd, Exeunt all but SOMERSET, RICHMOND,

I doubt not, I, but we shall soon persuade

and OxfORD. Both him and all his brothers unto reason. Som. My lord, I like not of this flight of

Enter the Mayor and two Aldermen.
Edward's ;
For doubtless Burgundy will yield him help, 90

K. Edw. So, Master mayor: these gates must And we shall have more wars before 't be long.

not be shut As Henry's late presaging prophecy

But in the night or in the time of war. Did glad my heart with hope of this young What ! fear not, man, but yield me up the keys ; Richmond,

Takes his keys. So doth my heart misgive me, in these conflicts For Edward will defend the town and thee, What may befall him to his harm and ours :

And all those friends that deign to follow me. Therefore, Lord Oxford, to prevent the worst, March. Enter MONTGOMERY and Forces. Forthwith we'll send him hence to Brittany, Till storms be past of civil enmity.

Glou. Brother, this is Sir John Montgomery, Oxf. Ay, for if Edward repossess the crown,

Our trusty friend, unless I be deceiv'd. 'Tis like that Richmond with the rest shall down.

K. Edw. Welcome, Sir John! but why come Som. It shall be so; he shall to Brittany.

you in arms ? Come, therefore, let's about it speedily. Ereunt. Mont. To help King Edwardin his timeof storm,

As every loyal subject ought to do.
SCENE VII.-Before York.

K. Edw. Thanks, good Montgomery ; but we

now forget Enter King EDWARD, GLOUCESTER, HASTINGS, Our title to the crown, and only claim and Forces.

Our dukedom till God please to send the rest. K. Edw. Now, brother Richard, Lord Hastings,

Mont. Then fare you well, for I will hence and the rest,

again : Yet thus far fortune maketh us amends,

I came to serve a king and not duke. And says that once more I shall interchange

Drummer, strike up, and let us march away. 50 My waned state for Henry's regal crown.

A march bejun. Well have we pass'd, and now repass d the seas,

K. Edw. Nay, stay, Sir John, awhile ;- and And brought desired help from Burgundy :

we'll debate What then remains, we being thus arriv'd

By what safe means the crown may be recover'd. From Ravenspurgh haren before the gates of

Mont. What talk you of debating? in few York,

words, But that we enter, as into our dukedom ?

If you ’ll not here proclaim yourself our king, Glou. The gates made fast! Brother, I like I'll leave you to your fortune, and be gone not this;

To keep them back that come to succour you. For many men that stumble at the threshold Why shall we fight, if you pretend no title? Are well foretold that danger lurks within.

Glou. Why, brother, wherefore stand you on K. Edw. Tush, man! abodements must not now

nice points ? affright us:

K. Edw. When we grow stronger, then we 'll

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

Till then, 'tis wisdom to conceal our meaning. Hast. My liege, I'll knock once more to sum

Hust. Away with scrupulous wit! now arms

must rule.

Glou. And fearless minds climb soonest unto Enter, on the walls, the Mayor of York, and his

crowns. Brethren.

Brother, we will proclaim you out of land ; May. My lords, we were forewarned of your The bruit thereof will bring you many friends. coming,

K. Edw. Then be it as you will; for 'tis my And shut the gates for safety of ourselves ;

right, For now we owe allegiance unto Henry.

And Henry but usurps the diadem. K. Edw. But, Master mayor, if Henry be your Mont. Av, now my sovereign speaketh like king,

himself; Yet Edward at the least is Duke of York. And now will I be Edward's champion.

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mon them.

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40

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?
That Clarence is so harsh, so blunt, unnatural,
Glou. Alas! that Warwick had no more fore- To bend the fatal instruments of war

My mind presageth happy gain and conquest.
Enter SOMERSET, with drum and colours.
Som. Somerset, Somerset, for Lancaster!
He and his Forces enter the cit
Glou. 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.

8)

Clar. Father of Warwick, know you what this means? Taking the red rose out of his hat. 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,

Against his brother and his lawful king?
Perhaps thou wilt object my holy oath:
To keep that oath were more impiety
Than Jephthah's, when he sacrific'd his daughter.
I am so sorry for my trespass made
That, to deserve well 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 mi-leading 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,

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