Comes hunting this way to disport himself. He shall here find his friends, with horse and men, 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? 'tis 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. 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, K. Hen. For what, lieutenant; for well using me? And chiefly therefore I thank God and thee: War. Your grace hath still been famed for virtuous 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. 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 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. War. What news, my friend? Mess. That Edward is escapéd 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 And the Lord Hastings, who attended him War. My brother was too careless of his charge. [Exeunt KING HENRY, WARWICK, CLARENCE, 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 '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, My waned state for Henry's regal crown. Glo. The gates made fast!-Brother, I like not this: For many men that stumble at the threshold K. Edw. Tush, man! abodements must not now affright us. By fair or foul means we must enter in ; 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 forewarned of your coming, And shut the gates for safety of ourselves: K. Edw. But, master mayor, if Henry be your Yet Edward at the least is Duke of York. 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 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 I came to serve a king, and not a duke.- 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'll not here proclaim yourself our King, nice points? K. Edw. When we grow stronger, then we'll make our claim: 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: 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. 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 Above the border of this horizon, Come on, brave soldiers: doubt not of the day; SCENE VIII.-London. A Room in the Palace. 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: 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.] 1 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, and MONTAGUE. 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, [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-faced Henry; bear him hence : And once again proclaim us King of England. Glo. Away betimes before his forces join, And take the great-grown traitor unawares. Brave warriors, march amain towards Coventry. [Exeunt. ACT SCENE I.-Coventry. 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? |