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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.
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.

Oxf. What now remains, my lords, for us to do, But march to London with our soldiers?

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. [Exeunt.

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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 learn,

What late misfortune is befallen 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 pris

oner;

Either betray'd by falsehood of his guard,

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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 th' English crown.
Riv. But, madam, where is Warwick then be-
come?

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,
To save at least the heir of Edward's right:
There shall I rest secure from force, and fraud.
Come therefore; let us fly while we may fly:
If Warwick take us we are sure to die.

[Exeunt.

SCENE V.-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,

Is prisoner to the bishop here, at whose hands

He hath good usage and great liberty,

And often, but attended with weak guard,

Comes hunting this way to disport himself.
I have advertis'd him by secret means,
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?

Hunt. Better do so, than tarry and be hang'd. Glo. Come then; away! let's have no more ado. K. Edw. Bishop, farewell: shield thee from Warwick's frown,

And pray that I may repossess the crown.

[Exeunt.

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SCENE VI.-A Room in the Tower.

Enter King HENRY, CLARENCE, WARWICK, SOMERSET, Young RICHMOND, OXFORD, MONTAGUE, ¦ 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 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.

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.

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 sovereign's will?

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
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 confiscated.

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: if secret powers [Lays his hand on his head. Suggest but truth to my divining thoughts, This pretty lad 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 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 es cape?

Mess. He was convey'd by Richard duke of Glos

ter,

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, WARWICK, CLARENCE,
Lieutenant, and Attendants.

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

Did glad my heart with hope of this young Richmond,

So doth my heart misgive me, in these conflicts What may befal 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.

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.
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.

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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.
March. Enter MONTGOMERY, and Forces.

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
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.
[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 shall 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,

And Henry but usurps the diadem.

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'

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 War-
wick.-

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, CLAR-
ENCE, 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, shall 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.

Oxf. 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 Coventry.

[Exeunt WARWICK, CLARENCE, OXFORD, and MONTAGUE.

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.

Exe. The doubt is, that he will seduce the

rest.

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K. Hen. That's not my fear; my meed hath go: 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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