Mon. So God help Montague, as he proves true! Haft. And Haftings, as he favours Edward's Caufe! K. Edw. Now, brother Richard, will you stand by us? Glo. Ay, in despight of all that shall withstand you. K. Edw. Why fo. Then am I sure of victory. Now therefore let us hence, and lose no hour, 'Till we meet Warwick with his foreign Power. [Exe.

Enter Warwick and Oxford, with French Soldiers. RUST me, my Lord, all hitherto goes well; The common people fwarm by numbers to us.

War. T

Enter Clarence and Somerset.

But fee, where Somerfet and Clarence come;
-Speak fuddenly, my Lords, are we all friends?
Clar. Fear not that, my Lord.

War. Then, gentle Clarence, welcome unto Warwick;
And welcome, Somerfet. I hold it cowardife
To reft mistrustful, where a noble heart

Hath pawn'd an open hand in fign of love;
Elfe might I think, that Clarence, Edward's brother,
Were but a feigned friend to our proceedings.
But welcome, friend, my daughter fhall be thine.
And now what refts, but in night's overture,
Thy brother being carelefly encamp'd,
His foldiers lurking in the towns about,
And but attended by a simple guard,

night's overture.] The author muft, I think, have written night's coverture. For though overture, which fignifies firft an opening, then an offer, may likewife mean an opportunity, yet in an overture feems to be an improper phrafe.

His Soldiers lurking in the

*

6

Town about.] Dr. Thirlby advifed the reading Towns here; the Guard in the Scene immediately following fays,

but why commands the King,

That his chief Followers lodge in
Towns about him, &c.

THEOBALD.

We

We may furprize and take him at our pleasure?
Our fcouts have found th'adventure very easy;
That as Ulyffes and ftout Diomede

With flight and manhood stole to Rhefus' 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 feize himself, I fay not flaughter him,
For I intend but only to furprize him.
You, that will follow me to this attempt,
Applaud the name of Henry with your leader.

[They all cry, Henry!
Why then, ler's on our way in filent fort,
For Warwick and his friends, God and Saint George!

SCENE IV.

[Exeunt.

Enter the Watchmen to guard the King's Tent.

1 Watch. Come on, my mafters, each man take his Stand:

The King by this has fet him down to fleep.

2 Watch. What, will he not to bed?

1 Watch. Why, no; for he hath made a folemn vow, Never to lie and take his natural Reft,

Till Warwick or himfelf be quite fuppreft.

2 Watch. Tomorrow then, belike, thall be the day; If Warwick be fo near, as men report.

3 Watch. But fay, I pray, what Nobleman is that, That with the King here refteth in his tent?

1 Watch. 'Tis the Lord Haftings, the King's chiefest friend.

3 Watch. O, is it fo?-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 the more
dangerous.

So we, well cover'd with the line may confirm the reading of
night's black mantle,] This coverture.

3 Watch.

3 Watch. Ay, but give me worship and quietnefs; I like it better than a dang'rous honour. If Warwick knew in what eftate he stands, 'Tis to be doubted, he would waken him.

1 Watch. Unless our halberds did fhut up his paffage. 2 Watch. Ay; wherefore elfe guard we this royal tent, But to defend his perfon from night-foes?

Enter Warwick, Clarence, Oxford, Somerset, and French Soldiers, filent all.

War. This is his tent; and fee, where ftands his guard.

-Courage, my mafters: honour now, or never!
But follow me, and Edward shall be ours.

I Watch. Who

goes there?

2 Watch. Stay, or thou diest.

[Warwick and the reft cry all, Warwick! Warwick! and fet upon the Guard; who fly, crying, Arms! Arms! Warwick and the rest following them.

The Drum beating, and Trumpets founding.

Enter Warwick, Somerfet, and the rest, bringing the King out in a gown, fitting in a chair; Glofter and Haitings flying over the Stage.

Som. What are they that fly there?

War. Richard and Haftings. Let them go, here is

the Duke.

K. Edw. The Duke! why, Warwick, when we parted, Thou call'dft me King?

War. Ay, but the cafe is alter'd.

When you difgrac'd me in my ambaffade,
Then I degraded you from being King;

* And come now to create you Duke of York.
Alas, how fhould you govern any kingdom,

* And come now to create you And come to new create you Duke of York,

Duke of York.] Might we

read with a flight alteration ?

That

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 fhrowd yourself from enemies?

K. Edw. Brother of Clarence, and art thou here too? Nay, then I fee, that Edward needs must down. Yet, Warwick, in defpight of all mifchance, Of thee thyfelf, 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 [Takes off his Crown. But Henry now fhall wear the English crown,

King,

And be true King, indeed; thou but the fhadow.
-My Lord of Somerset, at my request,

See that forthwith Duke Edward be convey'd
Unto my brother, archbishop of York.

When I have fought with Pembroke and his fellows,
I'll follow you, and tell you what reply

Lewis and Lady Bona fent to him.

-Now for a while farewell, good Duke of York. K. Edw. What fates impofe, that men must needs abide;

It boots not to refift both wind and tide.

[Exit King Edward led out. Oxf. What now remains, my Lords, for us to do,

But march to London with our foldiers?

War. Ay, that's the first thing that we have to do; To free King Henry from imprisonment, And fee him feated in the regal throne.

[Exeunt.

VOL. V.

SCENE

Riv.

SCENE V.

The Palace.

Enter Rivers and the Queen.

MAI

ADAM, what makes you in this fudden change?

Queen. Why, brother Rivers, are you yet to learn,
What late misfortune has befaln King Edward?
Riv. What! lofs of fome pitcht battle against War-
wick?

Queen. No, but the lofs of his own royal perfon.
Riv. Then is my fovereign flain?

Queen. Ay, almoft flain, for he is taken prisoner,
Either betray'd by falfhood of his guard,
Or by his foe furpriz'd at unawares;
And, as I further have to understand,
Is now committed to the bishop of York,
Fell Warwick's brother, and by that our foe.
Riv. These news, I must confefs, are full of grief,
Yet, gracious Madam, bear it as you may;
Warwick may lofe, that now hath won the day.
Queen. Till then fair hope must hinder life's decay.
And I the rather wean me from despair,
For love of Edward's off-fpring in my womb,
This is't, that makes me bridle in my paffion,
And bear with mildness my misfortune's crofs;
Ay, ay, for this I draw in many a tear,
And stop the rifing of blood-fucking fighs,
Left with my fighs or tears, I blast or drown
King Edward's fruit, true heir to th' English crown.
Riv. But, Madam, where is Warwick then become?
Queen. I am informed that he comes tow'rds London,
To fet the crown once more on Henry's head:
Guess thou the reft, King Edward's friends must down.
But to prevent the tyrant's violence,

For