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Nay, then I see, that Edward needs must down.
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.
War. Then, for his mind, be Edward England's
king:
[Takes off his crown.
But Henry now shall wear the English crown,
And be true king indeed; thou but the shadow. -
My lord of Somerset, at my request,

See that forthwith duke Edward be convey'd

Unto my brother, archbishop of York.

Or by his foe surpriz'd at unawares :
And, as I further have to understand,
Is new commited to the bishop of York,
Fell Warwick's brother, and by that our foe.
Riv. These news, I must confess, are full of 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
And I the rather wean me from despair,
decay.
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 crown.

Riv. But, madam, where is Warwick then become?
Q. Eliz. I am informed, that he comes towards
London,

To set the crown once more on Henry's head: Guess thou the rest; king Edward's friends 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,
There shall I rest secure from force, and fraud.
To save at least the heir of Edward's right;
Come therefore, let us fly, while we may fly;
If Warwick take us, we are sure to die.

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[Exeunt.

A Park near Middleham Castle in Yorkshire.

Enter GLOSTER, HASTINGS, SIR WILLIAM STANLEY, and others.

Glo. Now, my lord Hastings, and sir William
Stanley,

Leave off to wonder why I drew you hither,
Into this chiefest thicket of the park.

Thus stands the case: You know, our king, my

brother,

When I have fought with Pembroke and his fellows, Is prisoner to the bishop here, at whose hands

I'll follow you, and tell what answer

Lewis, and the lady Bona, send to him:
Now, for a while, farewell, good duke of York.
K. Edw. What fates impose, that men must needs
abide;

It boots not to resist both wind and tide.

[Exit KING EDWARD, led out; SOMERSET

with him.

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Enter QUEEN ELIZABETH and RIVERS.

Riv. Madam, what makes you in this sudden change?

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 prisoner; Either betray'd by falsehood of his guard,

4 i. e. In his mind; as far as his own mind gocs.

He hath good usage and great liberty;
And often, but attended with weak guard,
I have advértis'd him by secret means,
Comes hunting this way to disport himself.
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 forwardness. Glo. But wherefore stay we? 'tis no time to talk. K. Edw. Huntsman, what say'st thou? wilt thou

go along.

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Enter KING HENRY, CLARENCE, WARWICK, So-
MERSET, YOUNG RICHMOND, OXFORD, MONTA-
GUE, Lieutenant of the Tower, and Attendants.

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

Lieut. 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?
Nay, be thou sure, I'll well requite thy kindness,
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 crown,
I here resign my government to thee,
For thou art fortunate in all thy deeds.

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 deter-
min'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.

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 Rich

mond.

powers,

K. Hen. Come hither, England's hope: If secret
[Lays his hand on his head.
Suggest but truth to my divining thoughts,
This pretty lad 7 will prove our country's bliss.
His looks are full of peaceful majesty ;
His head by nature fram'd to wear a crown,
His hand to wield a scepter; 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,

War. Your grace hath still been fam'd for vir- And fled, as he hears since, to Burgundy.

tuous;

And now may seem as wise as virtuous,

By spying and avoiding fortune's malice,
For few men rightly temper with the stars 5:
Yet in this one thing let me blame your grace,
For choosing me, when Clarence is in place. 6
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,

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Clar. That he consents, if Warwick yield consent;

For on thy fortune I repose myself.

War. Unsavoury news: But how made he

escape?

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 Ed-
ward'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 Rich

mond;

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.

Orf. Ay; for, if Edward repossess the crown,

War. Why then, though loath, yet must I be 'Tis like that Richmond with the rest shall down.

content:

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SCENE VII.— Before York.
Enter KING EDWARD, GLOSTER, HASTINGS, and Drummer, strike up, and let us march away.

Mont. Then fare you well, for I will hence again;
I came to serve a king and not a duke, -

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.

Hast. My liege, I'll knock once more to summon them.

[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.

Brother, we will proclaim you out of hand;
The bruit 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 And Henry but usurps the diadem.

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. Hast. Why, master mayor, why stand you in 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.

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.

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; thanks unto you all.

and

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 9, 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 Warwick. —
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.

Oxf. Let's levy men, and beat him back again. Clar. A little fire is quickly trodden out;

K. Edw. Thanks, good Montgomery: But we Which, being suffer'd, rivers cannot quench.

now forget

Our title to the crown; and only claim

Our dukedom, till Heaven please to send the rest.

War. In Warwickshire I have true-hearted friends, Not mutinous in peace, yet bold in war; 9 Know.

8 Noise, report.

1

Those will I muster up-and thou, son Clarence,
Shalt stir, in Suffolk, Norfolk, and in Kent,
The knights and gentlemen to come with thee: -
Thou, brother Montague, in Buckingham,
Northampton, and in Leicestershire, shalt find
Men well inclin'd to hear what thou command'st: -
And thou, brave Oxford, wondrous well belov'd,
In Oxfordshire shall muster up thy friends.
My sovereign, with the loving citizens,
Like to his island, girt in with the ocean,
Shall rest in London, till we come to him.
Fair lords, take leave, and stand not to reply. —
Farewell, my sovereign.

K. Hen. Farewell, my Hector, and my Troy's true hope.

Cla. 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.

Orf. And thus [Kissing HENRY's hand.] I seal my truth, and bid adieu.

K. Hen. Sweet Oxford, and my loving Montague, And all at once, once more a happy farewell. War. Farewell, sweet lords; let's meet at Coven try.

[Exeunt 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.

Ere. 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.

Glo. Away betimes, before his forces join,
And take the great-grown traitor unawares;
Brave warriors, march amain towards Coventry.
[Exeunt.

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Glo. See, how the surly Warwick mans the wall. War. O, unbid spite! is sportful Edward come?

Enter, upon the Walls, WARWICK, the Mayor of Where slept our scouts, or how are they seduc'd,

Coventry, two Messengers, and others.

War. Where is the post that came from valiant Oxford?

How far hence is thy lord, mine honest fellow? 1 Mess. By this at Dunsmore, marching hither

ward.

War. How far off is our brother Montague? Where is the post that came from Montague? 2 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? Som. At Southam I did leave him with his forces, And do expect him here some two hours hence. [Drum heard. 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'd-for friends.

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.

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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.

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;

Som. They are at hand, and you shall quickly And Henry is my king, Warwick his subject.

Drums.

know.

Enter KING EDWARD, GLOSTER, and
Forces, marching.

K. Edw. Go, trumpet, to the walls, and sound a parle.

1 Merit.

K. Edw. But Warwick's king is Edward's pri

soner:

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,
M m

The king was slily finger'd from the deck! 2
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. 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 lime the stones together,
And set up Lancaster. Why, trow'st thou, Warwick,
That Clarence is so harsh, so blunt, 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.
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,)

A pack of cards was formerly termed a deck of cards. 3 Insensible.

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 brother-like.
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.
K. Edw. Yes, Warwick, Edward dares, and leads
the way :-

Lords, to the field; saint George, and victory.
[March. Exeunt.
A Field of Battle near Barnet.

SCENE II. Alarums and Excursions. Enter KING EDWARD, bringing in WARWICK wounded.

K. Edw. So, lie thou there: die thou, and die our fear;

For Warwick was a bug 5 that fear'd us all.
Now, Montague, sit fast; I seek for thee,
That Warwick's bones may keep thine company.

[Erit.

War. Ah, who is nigh? come to me friend, or foe,
And tell me, who is victor, York, or Warwick ?
Why ask I that? my mangled body shows,
My blood, my want of strength, my sick heart shows,
That I must yield my body to the earth,
And, by my fall, the conquest to my foe.
Thus yields the cedar to the axe's edge,
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 dimm'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

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