War. Ay, that's the first thing that we have to do; To free king Henry from imprisonment, And see him seated in the regal throne. [Exeunt.

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 prisoner; Either betray'd by falsehood of his guard, Or by his foe surpriz'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.

* 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 crown. * Riv. But, madam, where is Warwick then be

come?

'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,

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. [Exeunt.

SCENE V.

A Park near Middleham Castle in Yorkshire.

Enter GLOSTER, HASTINGS, Sir WILLIAM STANLEY, and Others.

Glo. Now, my lord Hastings, and sir William
Stanley,

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

Thus stands the case: You know, our king, my

brother,

Is prisoner to the bishop here, at whose hands
He hath good usage and great liberty;
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 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 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. Edw. 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; * And turn'd my captive state to liberty, * My fear to hope, my sorrows unto joys; * At our enlargement what are thy due fees? *Lieu. 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 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 set'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 vir

tuous;

* And now may seem as wise as virtuous,
* By spying, and avoiding, fortune's malice,
*For few men rightly temper with the stars:3
* Yet in this one thing let me blame your grace,

3

Few men rightly temper with the stars:] I suppose the meaning is, that few men conform their temper to their destiny; which King Henry did, when finding himself unfortunate he gave the management of public affairs to more prosperous hands.

JOHNSON.

*For choosing me, when Clarence is in place.* * 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 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 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 * 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 shall not want his part. * K. Hen. But, with the first of all your chief affairs,

in place.] i. e. here present.