* 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 kind.

Richmond. ness,

• K. Hen. Come hither, England's hope: If secret * For that it made my imprisonment a pleasure :

powers [Lays his hand on his head. * Ay, such a pleasure as incaged birds

Suggest but truth to my divining thoughts, * Conceive, when, after many moody thoughts, This pretty fad3 will prove our country's bliss. * At last, by notes of household harmony, * His looks are full of peaceful majesty ; * They quite forget their loss of liberty

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

Enter a Messenger. * May not be punish'd with my thwarting stars ; * War. What news, my friend ? • Warwick, although my head still wear the crown, * Mess. That Edward' is escaped from your • I here resign my government to thee,

brother, • For thou art fortunate in all thy deeds.

* And Aed, as he hears since, to Burgundy. * War. Your grace hath still been fam'd for * War. Unsavoury news: But how made he virtuous;

escape? * And now may seem as wise as virtuous,

* Mess. He was convey'd by Richard duke of * By spying, and avoiding, fortune's malice,

Gloster, * For few men rightly temper with the stars ;' * And the lord Hastings, who attended him * Yet in this one thing let me blame your grace, * In secret ambush on the forest side, * For choosing me, when Clarence is in place.2 * And from the bishop's huntsmen rescued him; * Clar. No, Warwick, thou art worthy of the * For hunting was his daily exercise. sway,

* War. My brother was too careless of his * To whom the heavens, in thy nativity,

charge.* Adjudg'd an olive branch, and laurel crown, * But let us hence, my sovereign, to provide * As likely to be blest in peace, and war; * A salve for any sore that may betide. * And therefore I yield thee my free consent.

(Exeunt King Henry, War. Clar. Lieut. and * War. And I choose Clarence only for protector.

attendants. * K. Hen. Warwick, and Clarence, give me both * Som. My lord, I like not of this flight of

Edward's : * Now join your hands, and, with your hands, your * For, doubtless, Burgundy w. 1 yield him help; hearts,

* And we shall have more wars, before't be long. * That no dissension hinder government:

* As Henry's late presaging prophecy • I make you both protectors of this land; * Did glad my heart, with hope of this young • While I myself will lead a private life,

Richmond; • And in devotion spend my latter days,

* So doth my heart misgive me, in these conflicts To sin's rebuke, and my Creator's praise. * What may befall him, to his harm, and ours : War. What answers Clarence to his sovereign's ||* Therefore, lord Oxford, to prevent the worst, will?

* Forthwith we'll send him hence to Britany, * Clar. That he consents, if Warwick yield ||* Till storms be past of civil enmity. consent;

* Oxf. Ay; for, if Edward repossess the crown, * For on thy fortune I repose myself.

* 'Tis like, that Richmond with the rest shall down. * War. Why then, though loth, yet must I be * Som. It shall be so; he shall to Britany. content:

* Come therefore, let's about it speedily. [Ěxeunt. * We'll yoke together, like a double shadow * To Henry's body, and supply his place ;

SCENE VII.- Before York. Enter King Ed. * I mean, in bearing weight of government,

ward, Gloster, Hastings, and forces. * While

he enjoys the honour, and his ease. • K. Edw. Now, brother Richard, lord Hastings, * And, Clarence, now then it is more than needful,

and the rest; * Forthwith that Edward be pronounc'd a traitor, • Yet thus far fortune maketh us amends, * And all his lands and goods be confiscate. * And says that once more I shall interchange Clar. What else ? and that succession be deter- ||. My waned state for Henry's regal crown. min'd.

Well have we pass'd, and now repass'd the seas, * War. Ay, therein Clarence shall not want his | And brought desir'd help from Burgundy:

* What then remains, we being thus arrivid * K. Hen. But, with the first of all your chief From Ravenspurg haven before the gates of York, affairs,

• But that we enter, as into our dukedom? * Let me entreat (for I command no more.)

•Glo. The gates made fast !-Brother, I like * That Margaret your queen, and my son Edward,

not this; * Be sent for, to return from France with speed: * For many men, that stumble at the threshold, * For, till I see them here, by doubtful fear * Are well foretold-that danger lurks within. *My joy of liberty is half eclips'd.

* K. Edw. Tish, man! abodements must not Ciar. It shall be done, my sovereign, with all now affright us: speed.

* By fair or foul means we must enter in,

* For hither will our friends repair to us. (1) Few men conform their temper to their destiny. (2) Present. (3) Afterward Henry VII.

(4) i. e. Waited for him.

your hands;

part.

*Hast. My liege, I'll knock once more, to * Brother, we will proclaim you out of hand; summon them. *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.

'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,

4

*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. *K. Hen. That's not my fear, my meed' hath got me fame.

* I have not stopp'd mine ears to their demands, *Nor posted off their suits with slow delays;

My pity hath been balm to heal their wounds, *My mildness hath allay'd their swelling griefs, *My mercy dry'd their water-flowing tears: * I have not been desirous of their wealth, *Nor much oppress'd them with great subsidies, *Nor forward of revenge, though they much err'd; *Then why should they love Edward more than me? *No, Exeter, these graces challenge grace : *And, when the lion fawns upon the lamb, *The lamb will never cease to follow him.

[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-fac'd Henry, bear him hence,

·

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.

(1) Merit.

(2) The allusion is to the proverb, Make hay while the sun shines.'

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,

Speak gentle words, and humbly bend thy knee?—
Call Edward-king, and at his hands beg mercy,
And he shall pardon thee these outrages.
'War. Nay, rather, wilt thou draw thy forces
hence,

Confess who set thee up and pluck'd thee down?—
Call Warwick-patron, and be penitent,
And thou shalt still remain the duke of York.
Glo. I thought, at least, he would have said-
the king;

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 Warwick'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 decя lof cards.

'K. Edw. So other foes may set upon our backs. *Stand we in good array; for they, no doubt, *Will issue out again, and bid us battle:

If not, the city being but of small defence, "We'll quickly rouse the traitors in the same. War. O, welcome, Oxford! for we want thy help.

Enter Montague, with drum and colours. Mont. Montague, Montague, for Lancaster! [He and his forces enter the city. 'Glo. Thou and thy brother both shall buy this

treason

• Even with the dearest blood your bodies bear.
*K. Edw. The harder match'd, the greater

victory;
My mind presageth happy gain, and conquest.

Enter Somerset, with drum and colours.
Som. Somerset, Somerset, for Lancaster!
[He and his forces enter the city.
Glo. 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.

Enter Clarence, with drum and colours.

War. And lo, where George of Clarence sweeps
along,

Of force enough to bid his brother battle;
* With whom an upright zeal to right prevails,
*More than the nature of a brother's love :-
*Come, Clarence, come; thou wilt, if Warwick

calls.

Clar. Father of Warwick, know you what this means?

[Taking the red rose out of his cap.
Look here, I throw my infamy at thee:
I will not ruinate my father's house,
Who gave his blood to limel the stones together,
And set up Lancaster. Why, trow'st thou, War-
wick,

That Clarence is so harsh, so blunt,2 unnatural,
To bend the fatal instruments of war

"

Against his brother, and his lawful king?

* Perhaps, thou wilt object my holy oath:
*To keep that oath, were more impiety
*Than Jephtha'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 misleading 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, Than if thou never hadst deserv'd our hate. 'Glo. Welcome, good Clarence; this is brotherlike.

War. O passing traitor, perjur'd, and unjust!
K. Edw. What, Warwick, wilt thou leave the
town, and fight?

Or shall we beat the stones about thine ears?
War. Alas, I am not coop'd here for defence:
I will away towards Barnet presently,
And bid thee battle, Edward, if thou dar'st.

(1) i. e. To cement.

(2) Stupid, insensible of paternal fondness.

That I must yield my body to the earth,
Thus yields the cedar to the axe's edge,
And, by my fall, the conquest to my foe.
Whose arms gave shelter to the princely eagle,
Under whose shade the ramping lion slept ;
Whose top-branch overpeer'd Jove's spreading tree,
*And kept low shrubs from winter's powerful wind.
*These eyes, that now are dimin'd with death's
black veil,

*Have been as piercing as the mid-day sun,
*To search the secret treasons of the world:
The wrinkles in my brows, now fill'd with blood,
Were liken'd oft to kingly sepulchres;
For who liv'd king, but I could dig his grave?
And who durst smile, when Warwick bent his brow?
Lo, now my glory smear'd in dust and blood!
My parks, my walks, my manors that I had,
Even now forsake me; and, of all my lands,
Is nothing left me, but my body's length;
Why, what is pomp, rule, reign, but earth and dust?
And, live we how we can, yet die we must.

Enter Oxford and Somerset.

*Som. Ah, Warwick, Warwick! wert thou as

we are,

*We might recover all our loss again!

The queen from France hath brought a puissant power;

"

Even now we heard the news: Ah, could'st thou fly! 'War. Why, then I would not fiy.-Ah, Montague,

*If thou be there, sweet brother, take my hand,
*And with thy lips keep in my soul a while!
*Thou lov'st me not; for, brother, if thou didst,
*Thy tears would wash this cold congealed blood,
*That glews my lips, and will not let me speak.
*Come quickly, Montague, or I am dead.

'Som. Ah, Warwick, Montague hath breath'd
his last;

And to the latest gasp, cried out for Warwick,
And said-Commend me to my valiant brother.
And more he would have said; and more he spoke,
Which sounded like a cannon in a vault,
That might not be distinguish'd; but, at last,
I well might hear deliver'd with a groan,—
'O, farewell, Warwick!

War.

Sweet rest to his soul!Fly, lords, and save yourselves; for Warwick bids You all farewell, to meet again in heaven. [Dies. Oxf. Away, away, to meet the queen's great power!

[Exeunt, bearing off Warwick's body

(4) Bugbear.

(3) Eminent, egregious.
(5) Terrified.

SCENE III-Another part of the field. Flou-||* That there's no hop'd-for mercy with the brothers, rish. Enter King Edward in triumph; with More than with ruthless waves, with sands, and Clarence, Gloster, and the rest. rocks.

*

•

K. Edw. Thus far our fortune keeps an upward

Why, courage, then! what cannot be avoided,
*'Twere childish weakness to lament, or fear.
*Prince. Methinks, a woman of this valiant
spirit

*Should, if a coward heard her speak these words,
*Infuse his breast with magnanimity,
*And make him, naked, foil a man at arms.
'I speak not this, as doubting any here:
For, did I but suspect a fearful man,
'He should have leave to go away betimes;

་

Lest, in our need, he might infect another,

And make him of like spirit to himself.

If any such be here, as God forbid !

་

course,

'And we are grac'd with wreaths of victory. 'But, in the midst of this bright-shining day, 'I spy a black, suspicious, threat'ning cloud,

That will encounter with our glorious sun, 'Ere he attain his easeful western bed: 'I mean, my lords,-those powers, that the queen Hath rais'd in Gallia, have arriv'd our coast,

6

And, as we hear, march on to fight with us. *Cla. A little gale will soon disperse that cloud, *And blow it to the source from whence it came : *Thy very beams will dry those vapours up; *For every cloud engenders not a storm.

*Glo. The queen is valu'd thirty thousand strong, 'And Somerset, with Oxford, fled to her; 'If she have time to breathe, be well assur'd, Her faction will be full as strong as ours.

K. Edw. We are advertis'd by our loving friends, That they do hold their course toward Tewksbury; 'We having now the best at Barnet field, 'Will thither straight, for willingness rids way;

<

up

And, as we march, our strength will be augmented In every county as we go along.Strike the drum; cry-Courage! and away. [Exeunt. SCENE IV-Plains near Tewksbury. March. Enter Queen Margaret, Prince Edward, Somerset, Oxford, and Soldiers.

-no,

*From shelves and rocks that threaten us with wreck.

*As good to chide the waves, as speak them fair. *And what is Edward, but a ruthless sea?

Let him depart, before we need his help.

Oxf. Women and children of so high a courage!
And warriors faint! why, 'twere perpetual shame.--
O, brave young prince! thy famous grandfather
Doth live again in thee; Long may'st thou live,
To bear his image, and renew his glories!

Som. And he, that will not fight for such a hope,
Go home to bed, and, like the owl by day,
If he arise, be mock'd and wonder'd at.

*Q. Mar. Thanks, gentle Somerset ;-sweet
Oxford, thanks.

*Prince. And take his thanks, that yet hath nothing else.

Enter a Messenger.

Mess. Prepare you, lords, for Edward is at hand, Ready to fight; therefore be resolute.

•

Oxf. I thought no less: it is his policy, To haste thus fast, to find us unprovided. Som. But he's deceiv'd, we are in readiness. Q. Mar. This cheers my heart, to see your for. wardness. Oxf. Here pitch our battle, hence we will not budge.

March.

Enter, at a distance, King Edward, Clarence, Gloster, and forces.

'K. Edw. Brave followers, yonder stands the thorny wood,

Which, by the heavens' assistance, and your strength,

Must by the roots be hewn up yet ere night.
*I need not add more fuel to your fire,
* For, well I wot, ye blaze to burn them out:
*Give signal to the fight, and to it, lords.

Q. Mar. Lords, knights, and gentlemen,
should say,

what I

་

My tears gainsay 2 for every word I speak,
Ye see, I drink the water of mine eyes.

"

Therefore, no more but this :-Henry, your sove-
reign,

Is prisoner to the foe; his state usurp'd,
His realm a slaughter-house, his subjects slain,
His statutes cancell'd, and his treasure spent ;
And yonder is the wolf, that makes this spoil.

You fight in justice: then, in God's name, lords, 'Be valiant, and give signal to the fight.