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I long, till Edward fall by war's mischance,
For mocking marriage with a dame of France.
[Exeunt all but WARWICK.
War. I came from Edward as ambassador,
But I return his sworn and mortal foe:
Matter of marriage was the charge he gave me,
But dreadful war shall answer his demand.
Had he none else to make a stale,* but me?
Then none but I shall turn his jest to sorrow.
I was the chief that rais'd him to the crown,
And I'll be chief to bring him down again:
Not that I pity Henry's misery,
But seek revenge on Edward's mockery.

ACT IV.

[Exit.

SCENE I.-London.-A Room in the Palace. Enter GLOSTER, CLARENCE, SOMERSET, MONTAGUE, and others.

Glo. Now tell me, brother Clarence, what

think you

Of this new marriage with the lady Grey? Hath not our brother made a worthy choice? Clar. Alas, you know, 'tis far from hence to France;

How could he stay till Warwick made return? Som. My lords, forbear this talk; here comes the king.

Flourish. Enter King EDWARD, attended; Lady GREY, as Queen; PEMBROKE, STAFFORD, HASTINGS, and others.

Glo. And his well-chosen bride.

Clar. I mind to tell him plainly what I think. K. Edw. Now brother of Clarence, how like you our choice, That you stand pensive, as half malecontent? Clar. As well as Lewis of France, or the earl of Warwick; [ment, Which are so weak of courage, and in judge. That they'll take no offence at our abuse. K. Edw. Suppose, they take offence without [ward, They are but Lewis and Warwick; I am EdYour king and Warwick's, and must have my

a cause,

will.

Glo. And you shall have your will, because our king:

Yet hasty marriage seldom proveth well. K. Edw. Yea, brother Richard, are you offended too?

Glo. Not I:

[ver'd No; God forbid, that I should wish them seWhom God hath join'd together: ay, and 'twere pity,

To sunder them that yoke so well together. K. Edw. Setting your scorns, and your mislike aside,

Tell me some reason, why the lady Grey Should not become my wife, and England's

queen :

And you too, Somerset, and Montague,
Speak freely what you think.

Clar. Then this is my opinion, that king
Lewis

Becomes your enemy, for mocking him
About the marriage of the lady Bona.

Glo. And Warwick, doing what you gave in charge,

Is now dishonoured by this new marriage. K. Edw. What, if both Lewis and Warwick be appeas'd,

By such invention as I can devise? Mont. Yet to have join'd with France in such alliance.

A stalking horse, a pretence.

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England is safe, if true within itself?

Mont. Yes; but the safer, when 'tis back'd with France.

Hast. 'Tis better using France, than trusting France:

Let us be back'd with God, and with the seas," Which he hath given for fence impregnable, And with their helps only defend ourselves; In them, and in ourselves, our safety lies.

Clar. For this one speech, lord Hastings well deserves

To have the heir of the lord Hungerford. K. Edw. Ay, what of that? it was my will. and grant;

And, for this once, my will shall stand for law. Glo. And yet, methinks, your grace hath not done well,

To give the heir and daughter of lord Scales
Unto the brother of your loving bride;
She better would have fitted me, or Clarence:
But in your bride you bury brotherhood.

Clar. Or else you would not have bestow'd

the heirt

Of the lord Bonville on your new wife's son, And leave your brothers to go speed else

where.

K. Edw. Alas, poor Clarence! is it for a wife, That thou art malecontent? I will provide thee. Clar. In choosing for yourself you show'd

your judgement;

Which being shallow, you shall give me leave
To play the broker in mine own behalf;
And, to that end, I shortly mind to leave you.
K. Edw. Leave me, or tarry, Edward will be
And not be tied unto his brother's will.
king,

Q. Eliz. My lords, before it pleas'd his ma-
To raise my state to title of a queen, [jesty
Do me but right, and you must all confess
That I was not ignoble of descent,
And meaner than myself have had like fortune.
But as this title honours me and mine,
So your dislikes, to whom I would be pleasing,
Do cloud my joys with danger and with sor-

row.

K. Edw. My love, forbear to fawn upon their frowns: What danger, or what sorrow can befall thee, So long as Edward is thy constant friend, And their true sovereign, whom they must obey?

Nay, whom they shall obey, and love thee too, Unless they seek for hatred at my hands: Which if they do, yet will I keep thee safe, And they shall feel the vengeance of my wrath. Glo. I hear, yet say not much, but think the [Aside.

more.

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K. Edw. Go to, we pardon thee: therefore, in brief, Tell me their words as near as thou canst guess them. [letters? What answer makes king Lewis unto our Mess. At my depart, these were his very words;

Go tell false Edward, thy supposed king,— That Lewis of France is sending over maskers, To revel it with him and his new bride.

K. Edw. Is Lewis so brave? belike, he thinks me Henry.

But what said lady Bona to my marriage? Mess. These were her words, utter'd with mild disdain;

Tell him, in hope he'll prove a widower shortly, I'll wear the willow garland for his sake.

K. Edw. I blame not her, she could say little less; [queen; She had the wrong. But what said Henry's For I have heard, that she was there in place." Mess. Tell him, quoth she, my mourning

weeds are done,t

And I am ready to put armour on.

K. Edw. Belike, she minds to play the Amazon.

But what said Warwick to these injuries? Mess. He, more incens'd against your majesty [words; Than all the rest, discharg'd me with these Tell him from me, that he hath done me wrong, And therefore I'll uncrown him, ere't be long.

K. Edw. Ha! durst the traitor breathe out so proud words?

Well, I will arm me, being thus forewarn'd: They shall have wars, and pay for their pre

sumption.

But say, is Warwick friends with Margaret? Mess. Ay, gracious sovereign; they are so link'd in friendship,

That young prince Edward marries Warwick's daughter.

Clar. Belike, the elder; Clarence will have

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My thoughts aim at a further matter; I
Stay not for love of Edward, but the crown.
[Aside.
K. Edw. Clarence and Somerset both gone
to Warwick!

Yet am I arm'd against the worst can happen;
And haste is needful in this desperate case.-
Pembroke, and Stafford, you in our behalf
Go levy men, and make prepare for war;
They are already, or quickly will be landed:
Myself in person will straight follow you.

[Exeunt PEMBROKE and STAFFORD. But, ere I go, Hastings,-and Montague,Resolve my doubt. You twain, of all the rest, Are near to Warwick, by blood, and by alliance :

Tell me, if you love Warwick more than me?
If it be so, then both depart to him;

I rather wish you foes, than hollow friends;
But if you mind to hold your true obedience,
Give me assurance with some friendly vow,
That I may never have you in suspect.
Mont. So God help Montague, as he proves
true!

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Hast. And Hastings, as he favours Edward's cause!

K. Edw. Now, brother Richard, will you stand by us?

Glo. Ay, in despite of all that shall withstand you.

K. Edw. Why so; then am I sure of victory. Now therefore let us hence; and lose no hour, Till we meet Warwick with his foreign power. [Exeunt.

SCENE II.—A plain in Warwickshire. Enter WARWICK and OXFORD, with French and other Forces.

War. Trust me, my lord, all hitherto goes well;

The common people by numbers swarm to us. Enter CLARENCE and Somerset.

see, where Somerset and Clarence

come;

But,
Speak suddenly, my lords, are we all friends?
Clar. Fear not that, my lord.

War. Then, gentle Clarence, welcome unto
Warwick;

And welcome, Somerset :-I hold it cowardice, To rest mistrustful where a noble heart

Hath pawn'd an open hand in sign of love; Else might I think, that Clarence, Edward's brother,

Were but a feigned friend to our proceedings: But welcome, Clarence; my daughter shall be thine.

Thy brother being carelessly encamp'd,
And now what rests, but, in night's overture,
His soldiers lurking in the towns about,
And but attended by a simple guard, [sure?
We may surprize and take him at our plea-
Our scouts have found the adventure very
That as Ulysses, and stout Diomede, [easy:
With sleight and manhood stole to Rhesus'
tents,

steeds;

So we, well cover'd with the night's black
And brought from thence the Thracian fatal
[mantle,
At unawares may beat down Edward's guard,
And seize himself; I say not-slaughter him,
For I intend but only to surprize him.-
You, that will follow me to this attempt,
Applaud the name of Henry, with your leader.
[They all cry, Henry!
Why, then, let's on our way in silent sort:
For Warwick and his friends, God and Saint
George!
[Exeunt.

SCENE III.-Edward's Camp, near Warwick.
Enter certain WATCHMEN, to guard the King's
Tent.

1 Watch. Come on, my masters, each man take his stand;

The king, by this, is set him down to sleep. 2 Watch. What, will he not to-bed?

1 Watch. Why, no: for he hath made a solemn vow

Never to lie and take his natural rest, Till Warwick, or himself, be quite suppress'd. 2 Watch. To-morrow then, belike, shall be

the day,

If Warwick be so near as men report.

3 Watch. But say, I pray, what nobleman is that,

That with the king here resteth in his tent? 1 Watch. 'Tis the lord Hastings, the king's chiefest friend.

3 Watch. O, is it so? But why commands | It boots not to resist both wind and tide.

the king,

[him,

That his chief followers lodge in towns about
While he himself keepeth in the cold field?
2 Watch. "Tis the more honour, because
more dangerous.

3 Watch. Ay; but give me worship and
quietness,

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

1 Watch. Unless our halberts did shut up
his passage.

2 Watch. Ay; wherefore else guard we his
royal tent,

But to defend his person from night-foes?
Enter WARWICK, CLARENCE, Oxford, SomeR-
SET, and Forces.

War. This is his tent; and see, where stand
his guard.

Courage, my masters: honour now, or never!
But follow me, and Edward shall be ours.
1 Watch. Who goes there?
2 Watch. Stay, or thou diest.
[WARWICK, and the rest, cry all-Warwick !
Warwick! and set upon the Guard; who
fly, crying-Arm! Arm!-WARWICK, and
the rest following them..

The Drum beating, and Trumpets sounding, Re-
enter WARWICK, and the rest, bringing the
KING out in a Gown, sitting in a Chair;
GLOSTER and HASTINGS fly.

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?
[down.-
Nay, then I see, that Edward needs must
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.

[Exit King EDWARD, led out; SOMERS with him.

Orf. What now remains, my lords, for us to do,

But march to London with our soldiers?
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.

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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

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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, War. Then, for his mind, be Edward Eng-There shall I rest secure from force, and fraud. To save at least the heir of Edward's right; land's king: [Takes off his Crown. Come therefore, let us fly, while we may fly; But Henry now shall wear the English crown, And be true king indeed; thou but the sha- If Warwick take us, we are sure to die.

dow.

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[Exeunt,

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He hath good usage and great liberty;
And often, but attended with weak guard,
Comes hunting this way to disport himself.
I have advertis'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 forward

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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.

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 blessed 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 sove-
reign'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 need-
ful,
Forthwith that Edward be pronounc'd a traitor,
And all his lands and goods be confiscate.
Clar. What else? and that succession be de-
termin'd.

War. Ay, therein Clarence shall not want his part.

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

SCENE VI.-A Room in the Tower.
Enter King HENRY, CLARENCE, WARWICK,
SOMERSET, young RICHMOND, OXFORD, MON- Let me entreat, (for I command no more,)
TAGUE, LIEUTENANT of the Tower, and At-That Margaret your queen, and my son Edward,

tendants.

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?
[ness,
Nay, be thou sure, I'll well requite thy kind-
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

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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.

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 Hund on his Head. Suggest but truth to my divining thoughts, This pretty lad will prove our country's bliss. His locks 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.

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?

* Few men conform their temper to their destiny.
† Present.
Afterward Henry VIL

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1

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

And the lord Hastings, who attended him
In secret ambush 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, WAR. Clar. Lieut.
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 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 desired 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.

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So 'twere not 'long of him: but, being enter'd, 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 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 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

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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:

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

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;
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;

Hast. Away with scrupulous wit! now arms must rule.

Glo. And fearless minds climb soonest unto

crowns.

The bruitt thereof will bring you many friends. Brother, we will proclaim you out of hand;,

K. Edw. Then be it as you will; for 'tis my And Henry but usurps the diadem. [right, 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 Glo. But, when the fox hath once got in his grace of God, king of England and France, and

As being well content with that alone.

nose,

I. e. Waited for him.

lord of Ireland, &c.

The mayor is willing we should enter, so he may not be blamed. + Noise, report,

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