Plays and Poems

Third Watch. O is it so? But why commands the king

That his chief followers lodge in towns about him, While he himself keeps in the cold field?

Second Watch. 'Tis the more honour, because more dangerous.

K. Edw. What fates impose, that men must needs abide :

It boots not to resist both wind and tide. Exeunt King EDWARD, led out; and SOMERSET.

Orf. What now remains, my lords, for us to do

Third Watch. Ay, but give me worship and But march to London with our soldiers? quietness;

I like it better than a dangerous honour.
If Warwick knew in what estate he stands,
"Tis to be doubted he would waken him.

First Watch. Unless our halberds did shut up his passage.

Second 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!
But follow me, and Edward shall be ours.
First Watch. Who goes there?
Second Watch. Stay, or thou diest.
WARWICK and the rest cry all, Warwick!
Warwick!' and set upon the Guard;
who fly, crying, Arm! arm!' WAR-
WICK and the rest following them.
Drums beating, and trumpets sounding, re-enter
WARWICK and the rest bringing the King out in
his gown, sitting in a chair. GLOUCESTER and
HASTINGS fly over the stage.

Som.

What are they that fly there? War. Richard and Hastings; let them go'; here's the duke.

K. Edw. The dnke! Why, Warwick, when we parted last,

Thou call'dst me king!

War. Ay, but the case is alter'd: When you disgrac'd me in my embassade, Then I degraded you from being king, And come now to create you Duke of York. Alas! how should you govern any kingdom, 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 shroud yourself from enemies?

K. Edw. Yea, brother of Clarence, art thou here too?

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.
When I have fought with Pembroke and his
fellows

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.

War. Ay, that's the first thing that we have to do;

To free King Henry from imprisonment,
And see him seated in the regal throne. Excunt.

SCENE IV.-London. A Room in the Palace.
Enter Queen ELIZABETH and RIVERS.
Riv. Madam, what makes you in this sudden
change?

Q. Eliz. Why, brother Rivers, are you yet to
What late misfortune is befall'n King Edward?
learn
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 Either betray'd by falsehood of his guard, prisoner; Or by his foe surpris'd at unawares : And, as I further have to understand, Is new committed 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 decay:

And I the rather wean me from despair
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.

Hast. To Lynn, my lord; and ship from thence to Flanders.

Glou. Well guess'd, believe me; for that was my meaning.

K. Edw. Stanley, I will requite thy forwardness. Glou. 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. Glou. Come then, away; let's ha' no more ado. K. Edw. Bishop, farewell: shield thee from Warwick's frown,

And pray that I may repossess the crown.

Exeunt.

SCENE VI.-London. The Tower.
Enter King HENRY, CLARENCE, WARWICK,
SOMERSET, young RICHMOND, OXFORD, MON-
TAGUE, 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?

Lieu. 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 forgot 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, 20
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,
By spying and avoiding fortune's malice;
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. I
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 :
I make you both protectors of this land,
While I myself will lead a private life,
And in devotion spend my latter days,
To sin's rebuke and my Creator's praise.
War. What answers Clarence to his sove-
reign's will?

Clar. That he consents, if Warwick yield con-
sent;

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
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.

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.
Lays his hand on his head.
If secret powers
Suggest but truth to my divining thoughts,
This pretty lad will prove our country's bliss. 70
His looks 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.
Mike much of him, my lords, for this is he
Must help you more than you are hurt by me.

Enter a Post.

War. What news, my friend?

Post. That Edward is escaped from your
brother,

And fled, as he hears since, to Burgundy.
War. Unsavoury news! but how made he
escape?

Post. He was convey'd by Richard Duke of
Gloucester

And the Lord Hastings, who attended him
In secret ambush on the forest side,
And from the bishop's huntsmen rescu'd 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 all but SOMERSET, RICHMOND,
and OXFORD.
Som. My lord, I like not of this flight of
Edward's;

For doubtless Burgundy will yield him help, 90
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
Richmond,

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 Brittany,
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 Brittany.
Come, therefore, let's about it speedily. Exeunt.

101

SCENE VII.-Before York.

Enter King EDWARD, GLOUCESTER, HASTINGS, and 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 Ravenspurgh haven before the gates of
York,

But that we enter, as into our dukedom?
Glou. 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 sum-
mon them.

March. Enter MONTGOMERY and Forces. Glou. 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. Tohelp King Edwardin 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. 50
A march begun.

K. Edw. Nay, stay, Sir John, awhile; 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 shall we fight, if you pretend no title?
Glou. 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. Hust. Away with scrupulous wit! now arms must rule.

Glou. And fearless minds climb soonest unto

Enter, on the walls, the Mayor of York, and his
Brethren.

crowns.

Brother, we will proclaim you out of hand;

May. My lords, we were forewarned of your The bruit thereof will bring you many friends. coming,

K. Edw. Then be it as you will; for 'tis my

right,

And shut the gates for safety of ourselves;
For now we owe allegiance unto Henry.

And Henry but usurps the diadem.

K. Edw. But, Master mayor, if Henry be your

Mont. Av, now my sovereign speaketh like himself;

king,

Yet Edward at the least is Duke of York.

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. Edward the Fourth, by the grace of God, King of England and France, and Lord of Ireland, etc.

Mont. And whosoe'er gain-ays 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 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. Flourish. 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.

K. Hen. 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;
Those will I muster up: and thou, son Clarence,
Shalt stir up 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, shalt muster up thy friends.
My sovereign, with the loving citizens,
Like to his island girt in with the ocean,
Or modest Dian circled with her nymphs,
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.

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.

Orf. Kissing King HENRY'S hand. And thus I seal my truth, and bid adieu.

And all at once, once more a happy farewell. War. Farewell, sweet lords: let's meet at Coventry.

Exeunt all but King HENRY and EXETER. K. Hen. Here at the palace will I rest awhile. Cousin of Exeter, what thinks your lordship! Methinks the power that Edward hath in field Should not be able to encounter mine.

Exc. 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, GLOUCESTER, and
Soldiers.

K. Ed. Seize on the shame-fac'd Henry! bear him hence,

And once again proclaim us King of England.
Youarethe 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."
Glou. Away betimes, before his forces join,
And take the great-grown traitor unawares :
Brave warriors, march amain towards Coventry.
Exeunt.

ACT V.

SCENE I.-Coventry.

Enter, upon the walls, WARWICK, the Mayor of Coventry, two Messengers, and Others.

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

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

War. How far off is our brother Montague? Where is the post that came from Montague! Second Mess. By this at Daintry, with a puissant troop.

Enter Sir JOHN SOMERVILLE.

War. Say, Somerville, what says my loving son! And, by thy 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. 10

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.

March. Flourish. Enter King EDWARD, GLOU-
CESTER, and Forces.

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

Glou. 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.
Glou. 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? Glou. 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 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. Ed. But Warwick's king is Edward's
prisoner;

Oxf. Oxford, Oxford, for Lancaster !

OXFORD and his Forces enter the city.
Glou. 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.
Glou. 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 cit Glou. 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.

GLOUCESTER and CLARENCE whisper. Come, Clarence, come; thou wilt, if Warwick call. Clar. Father of Warwick, know you what this means? Taking the red rose out of his hat. 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,

And, gallant Warwick, do but answer this:
What is the body when the head is off?
That Clarence is so harsh, so blunt, unnatural,
Glou, Alas! that Warwick had no more fore- To bend the fatal instruments of war

cast,
But, whiles he thought to steal the single ten,
The king was slyly finger'd from the deck.
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.

Glou. 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 thy 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.

Wur. O cheerful colours! see where Oxford comes!

Against his brother and his lawful king?
Perhaps thou wilt object my holy oath:
To keep that oath were more impiety
Than Jephthah'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 mi-leading 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,

100

Than if thou never hadst deserv'd our hate. Glou. 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?

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