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GLOU. [Aside] But when the fox hath once got in

his nose,

He'll soon find means to make the body follow. 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. [They descend. GLOU. A wise stout captain, and soon persuaded! 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.

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.
March. Enter MONTGOMERY, with drum and soldiers.

GLOU. Brother, this is Sir John Montgomery, Our trusty friend, unless I be deceived.

K. Edw. Welcome, Sir John! But why come in arms?

you 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.

up,

Drummer, strike and let us march away. [The drum begins to march.

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. HAST. Away with scrupulous wit! now arms must rule.

GLOU. 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,
And Henry but usurps the diadem.

MONT. Ay, now my sovereign speaketh like himAnd now will I be Edward's champion. [self; HAST. Sound trumpet; Edward shall be here proclaim'd:

[Flourish.

Come, fellow-soldier, make thou proclamation.

SOLD. Edward the Fourth, by the grace of God, king

of England and France, and lord of Ireland, etc. 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; 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. The palace.

Flourish. Enter KING HENRY, WARWICK, MONTAGUE, CLARENCE, 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 inclined to hear what thou command'st:
And thou, brave Oxford, wondrous well beloved,
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. OXF. And thus 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 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.

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 dried 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. Edw. Seize on the shame-faced Henry, bear

him hence;

And once again proclaim us king of England.
You are the fount that makes small brooks to flow:

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