I long, till Edward fall by war's mischance, 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, Clar. Then this is my opinion, that king Becomes your enemy, for mocking him 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. 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 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 Q. Eliz. My lords, before it pleas'd his ma- 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. 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 My thoughts aim at a further matter; I Yet am I arm'd against the worst can happen; [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? I rather wish you foes, than hollow friends; 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, War. Then, gentle Clarence, welcome unto 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, steeds; So we, well cover'd with the night's black SCENE III.-Edward's Camp, near Warwick. 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 3 Watch. Ay; but give me worship and I like it better than a dangerous honour. 1 Watch. Unless our halberts did shut up 2 Watch. Ay; wherefore else guard we his But to defend his person from night-foes? War. This is his tent; and see, where stand Courage, my masters: honour now, or never! The Drum beating, and Trumpets sounding, Re- Som. What are they that fly there? K. Edw. The duke! why, Warwick, when Thou call'dst me king? War. Ay, but the case is alter'd: [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? To free king Henry from imprisonment, [Exeunt. 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 And I the rather wean me from despair, 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. [Exeunt, He hath good usage and great liberty; 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 And now may seem as wise as virtuous, 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: 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 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. tendants. 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 Be sent for, to return from France with speed: 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. 1 Mess. He was convey'd by Richard duke of And the lord Hastings, who attended him War. My brother was too careless of his But let us hence, my sovereign, to provide [Exeunt King HENRY, WAR. Clar. Lieut. 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 So doth my heart misgive me, in these conflicts 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, 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, By fair or foul means we must enter in, 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 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; 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, |