|| His soldiers lurking in the towns about, And but attended by a simple guard, We may surprise and take him at our pleasure? Our scouts have found the adventure very easy: so* That as Ulysses, and stout Diomede, Mess. He, more incens'd against your majesty 'Than all the rest, discharg'd me with these words; 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 proud words? 'Well, I will arm me, being thus forewarn'd: They shall have wars, and pay for their presump tion. 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 the younger. *Now, brother king, farewell, and sit you fast, * For I will hence to Warwick's other daughter: * That, though I want a kingdom, yet in marriage * I may not prove inferior to yourself.You, that love me and Warwick, follow me. [Exit Clarence, and Somerset follows. * Gio. Not I: * 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 true obedience, your 'Give me assurance with some friendly vow, "That I may never have you in suspect. Mont. So God help Montague, as he proves true! 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. But see, where Somerset and Clarence come ;Speak suddenly, my lords, are we all friends? Clar. Fear not that, my lord. War. Then, gentle Clarence, welcome unto And welcome, Somerset :-I hold it cowardice, VOL. II. *With sleight and manhood stole to Rhesus' tents, *And brought from thence the Thracian fatal steeds; *So we, well cover'd with the night's black mantle, *At unawares may beat down Edward's guard, * And seize himself; I say not-slaughter him, * For I intend but only to surprise 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 the king, *That his chief followers lodge in towns about him, *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 quiet · 'Tis to be doubted, he would waken him. *1 Watch. Unless our halberds did shut passage. *2 Watch. Ay; wherefore else guard we his royal tent, *But to defend his person from night-foes? Enter Warwick, Clarence, Oxford, Somerset, and forces. 'War. This is his tent; and see, where stand his guard. Courage, my masters: honour now, or never! 2 Watch. Stay, or thou diest. [Warwick, and the rest, cry all-Warwick! Warwick! and set upon the guard; who fy, crying-Arm! Arm! Warwick, and the rest, following them. The drum beating, and trumpets sounding. Reenter Warwick, and the rest, bringing the King out in a gown, sitting in a chair; Gloster and Hastings fly. K. Edw. The duke! why, Warwick, when we* And stop the rising of blood-sucking sighs, parted last, *Lest with my sighs or tears I blast or drown Thou call'dst me king! War. *K. Edw. Yea, brother of Clarence, art thou King Edward's fruit, true heir to the English crown. * Riv. But, madam, where is Warwick then become? 'Q. Eliz. I am informed, that he comes towards *To set the crown once more on Henry's head: But to prevent the tyrant's violence (For trust not him that hath once broken faith,) *Nay, then I see, that Edward needs must down. See that forthwith duke Edward be convey'd * It boots not to resist both wind and tide. [Exit King Edw. led out; Som. with him. *Oxf. 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 free king Henry from imprisonment, Riv. Madam, what makes you in this sudden 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 pris oner; "Either betray'd by falsehood of his guard, * And I the rather wean me from despair, * And bear with mildness my misfortune's cross; (1) i. e. In his mind; as far as his own mind goes. [Exe. 'Glo. Now, my lord Hastings, and sir William Leave off to wonder why I drew you hither, brother, Is prisoner to the bishop here, at whose hands He shall here find his friends, with horse and men, Enter King Edward, and a Huntsman. '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. 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. [Exe. *K. Hen. Master lieutenant, now that God and *Have shaken Edward from the regal seat; ness, * 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 sett'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 virtuous; *And now may seem as wise as virtuous, 'K. Hen. My lord of Somerset, what youth is that, Of whom you seem to have so tender care? 'K. Hen. Come hither, England's hope: If secret * 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 convey'd by Richard duke of Gloster, *And the lord Hastings, who attended4 him *In secret ambush on the forest side, *And from the bishop's huntsmen rescued him; For hunting was his daily exercise. 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.2 *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 dissension hinder government: War. What answers Clarence to his sovereign's will? *Clar. That he consents, if Warwick yield *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, *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 eclips'd. Clar. It shall be done, my sovereign, with all speed. (1) Few men conform their temper to their destiny. (2) Present. (3) Afterward Henry VII. * 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: 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. [Ěxeunt. SCENE VII-Before York. Enter King Ed ward, Gloster, Hastings, and forces. summon them. *Hast. My liege, I'll knock once more, to* Brother, we will proclaim you out of hand; *The bruit2 thereof will bring you many friends. *K. Edw. Then be it as you will; for 'tis my right, 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; *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. you in Hast. Why, master mayor, why stand a doubt? Open the gates, we are king Henry's friends. May. Ay, say you so? the gates shall then be open'd. [Exeunt from above. Glo. A wise stout captain, and persuaded soon! *Hast. The good old man would fain that all were well, *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. But in the night, or in the time of war. "What! fear not, man, but yield me up the keys;| [Takes the keys. "For Edward will defend the town, and thee, '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, a while; and we'll debate, By what safe means the crown may be recover'd. Mont. What talk you of debating? in few words, 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: * Till then, 'tis wisdom to conceal our meaning. *Hast. Away with scrupulous wit! now arms must rule. Glo. And fearless minds climb soonest unto crowns. (1) The mayor is willing we should enter, so he may not be blamed. *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 proclaim'd: *Come, fellow-soldier, make thou proclamation. Gives him a paper. Flourish. Sold. [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, We'll forward towards Warwick, and his mates; For, well I wot,3 that Henry is no soldier. Ah, froward Clarence!-how evil it beseems thee, *To flatter Henry, and forsake thy brother! *Yet, as we may, we'll meet both thee and War wick. Come on, brave soldiers; doubt not of the day; *And, that once gotten, doubt not of large pay. [Exeunt. 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 pass'd in safety through the narrow seas, And with his troops doth march amain to London; And many giddy people flock to him. *Orf. Let's levy men, and beat him back again. Clar. A little fire is quickly trodden out; Which, being suffer'd, 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 fortunate! * Mont. Comfort, my lord;—and so I take my leave. *Oxf. And thus [Kissing Henry's hand.] I 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 Cov entry. [Exe. War. Clar. Oxf. and Mont. *K. Hen. Here at the palace will I rest a while. *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. *I have not stopp'd mine ears to their demands, [Shout within. A Lancaster! A Lancaster! 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 hop'd-for hay.2 *Glo. Away betimes, before his forces join, *And take the great-grown traitor unawares : * Brave warriors, march amain towards Coventry. [Exeunt. '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, unlook'dfor 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 a parle. 'Glo. See, how the surly Warwick mans the wall. War. O, unbid spite! is sportful Edward come? Where slept our scouts, or how are they seduc'd, That we could hear no news of his repair? * K. Edw. Now, Warwick, wilt thou ope the city gates, 'War. Nay, rather, wilt thou draw thy forces hence, Confess who set thee up and pluck'd thee down?- Glo. I thought, at least, he would have said- Or did he make the jest against his will? * War. Is not a dukedom, sir, a goodly gift? * Glo. Ay, by my faith, for a poor earl to give; * I'll do thee service for so good a gift.3 'War. 'Twas I, that gave the kingdom to thy brother. K. Edw. Why, then 'tis mine, if but by War wick's gift. '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? 'Glo. Alas, that Warwick had no more forecast, But, whiles he thought to steal the single ten, The king was slily finger'd from the deck !4 You left poor Henry at the bishop's palace, And, ten to one, you'll meet him in the Tower. K. Edw. 'Tis even so; yet you are Warwick still. * Glo. Come, Warwick, take the time, kneel down, kneel down: * Nay, when? strike now, or else the iron cools. *War. I had rather chop this hand off at a blow, And with the other fling it at thy face, *Than bear so low a sail, to strike to thee. *K. Edw. Sail how thou canst, have wind and tide thy friend; *This hand, fast wound about thy coal-black hair, Shall, whiles the head is warm, and new cut off, *Write in the dust this sentence with thy blood,Wind-changing Warwick now can change no more. Enter Oxford, with drum and colours. *War. O cheerful colours! see, where Oxford comes! Oxf. Oxford, Oxford, for Lancaster! [Oxford and his forces enter the city. 'Glo. The gates are open, let us enter too. (3) i. e. Enrol myself among thy dependants. (4) A pack of cards was anciently termed a dec lof cards. |