Enter a Messenger. Mess. My lord ambassador, these letters are for you; Sent from your brother, marquis Montague. These from our king unto your majesty.— And, madam, these for you; from whom, I know not. [To Margaret. They all read their letters. Oxf. I like it well, that our fair queen and mistress Smiles at her news, while Warwick frowns at his. Prince. Nay, mark, how Lewis stamps as he were nettled: I hope, all's for the best. K. Lew. Warwick, what are thy, news? and yours, fair queen? Q. Mar. Mine, such as fill my heart with unhop'd joys. War. Mine, full of sorrow and heart's discontent. And now, to sooth your forgery and his, Q. Mar. I told your majesty as much before: That Lewis of France is sending over maskers, I'll wear the willow garland for his sake. Q. Mar. Tell him, My mourning weeds are laid aside, And I am ready to put armour on. War. Tell him from me, That he hath done me wrong'; K. Lew. And therefore I'll uncrown him, ere't be long. War. This shall assure my constant loyalty:- Q. Mar. Yes, I agree, and thank you for your motion: -Son Edward, she is fair and virtuous, [He gives his hand to Warwick. K. Lew. Why stay we now? These soldiers shall be levied, And thou, lord Bourbon, our high admiral, Q. Mar. Warwick, these words have turn'd my late Matter of marriage was the charge he gave me, to love; And I forgive and quite forget old faults, And joy that thou becom'st king Henry's friend. War. So much his friend, ay, his unfeigned friend, I'll undertake to land them on our coast, Queen. Renowned prince, how shall poor Henry live, Unless thou rescue him from foul despair? Bona. My quarrel, and this English queen's, are one. War. And mine, fair lady Bona, joins with yours. K. Lew. And mine, with hers, and thine, and Margaret's. Therefore, at last, I firmly am resolv'd, You shall have aid. Q. Mar. Let me give humble thanks for all at once. K. Lew. Then England's messenger, return in post; And tell false Edward, thy supposed king, But dreadful war shall answer his demand. ACT IV. [Exit. SCENE 1-London. A Room in the Palace. Enter Gloster, Clarence, Somerset, Montague, and Others. Gloster. NOW tell me, brother Clarence, what think you Of this new marriage with the lady Grey? Hath not our brother made a worthy choice? Cla. Alas, you know, 'tis far from hence to France; How could he stay till Warwick made return? Som. My lords, forbear this talk; here comes the king. Flourish. Enter King Edward, attended; Lady Grey, as queen: Pembroke, Stafford, Hastings, and Others. Glo. And his well-chosen bride. Cla. I mind to tell him plainly what I think. K. Edw. Now, brother of Clarence, how like you our choice, That you stand pensive, as half malcontent? Cla. As well as Lewis of France, or the earl of War- Which are so weak of courage, and in judgement, K. Edw. Suppose, they take offence without a cause, They are but Lewis and Warwick; I am Edward, Your king and Warwick's, and must have my will. Gle. And you shall have your will, because our king; Yet hasty marriage seldom proveth well. K. Edw. Yea, brother Richard, are you offended too? Glo. Not I: No; God forbid, that I should wish them sever'd Whom God hath join'd together: ay, and 'twere pity, To sunder them that yoke so well together. K. Edw. Setting your scorns and your mislike aside, Cla. Then this is my opinion,-that king Lewis Glo. And Warwick, doing what you gave in charge, Is now dishonoured by this new marriage. K. Edw. What, if both Lewis and Warwick be appeas'd, By such invention as I can devise? Mont. Yet to have join'd with France in such alliance, Would more have strengthen'd this our commonwealth 'Gainst foreign storms, than any home-bred marriage. Hast. Why, knows not Montague, that of itself England is safe, if true within itself? Mont. Yes; but the safer, when 'tis back'd with France. Hast. 'Tis better using France, than trusting France: Let us be back'd with God, and with the seas, Which he hath given for fence impregnable, And with their helps only defend ourselves; In them, and in ourselves, our safety lies. Cla. For this one speech, lord Hastings well deserves To have the heir of the lord Hungerford. K. Edw. Ay, what of that? it was my will, and grant; And, for this once, my will shall stand for law. Glo. And yet, methinks, your grace hath not done well, To give the heir and daughter of lord Scales Cla. Or else you would not have bestow'd the heir K. Edw. Alas, poor Clarence! is it for a wife, Which being shallow, you shall give me leave K. Edr. Leave me, or tarry, Edward will be king, And not be tied unto his brother's will. Q. Eliz. My lords, before it pleas'd his majesty To raise my state to title of a queen, Do me but right, and you must all confess And meaner than myself have had like fortune. But as this title honours me and mine, What danger, or what sorrow can befall thee, Enter a Messenger. K. Edw. Now, messenger, what letters, or what news, From France? Mess. My sovereign liege, no letters; and few words, But such as I, without your special pardon, Dare not relate. K. Edw. Go to, we pardon thee: therefore, in brief, Tell me their words as near as thou canst guess them. What answer makes king Lewis unto our letters? Mess. At my depart, these were his very words; Go tell false Edward, thy supposed king,That Lewis of France is sending over maskers, To revel it with him and his new bride. K. Edw. Is Lewis so brave? belike he thinks me Henry. But what said lady Bona to my marriage? Mess. These were her words, utter'd with mild dis dain; Tell him, in hope he'll prove a widower shortly, K. Edw. I blame not her, she could say little less; She had the wrong. But what said Henry's queen? For I have heard, that she was there in place. Mess. Tell him, quoth she, my mourning weeds are done, And I am ready to put armour on. K. Edw. Belike, she minds to play the Amazon. But what said Warwick to these injuries? Mess. He, more incens'd against your majesty Than all the rest, discharg'd me with these words; Tell him from me, that he hath done me wrong, And therefore I'll uncrown him, ere't be long. K. Edw. Ha! durst the traitor breathe out so proud words? Well, I will arm me, being thus forewarn'd: Mess. Ay, gracious sovereign; they are so link'd in friendship, That young prince Edward marries Warwick's daugh Yet am I arm'd against the worst can happen; I rather wish you foes, than hollow friends; Mont. So God help Montague, as he proves true! 1 Hast. And Hastings, as he favours Edward's cause! K.Edw. Now, brother Richard, will you stand by us? Glo. Ay, in despite of all that shall withstand you. K. Hen. Why so; then am I sure of victory. Now therefore let us hence; and lose no hour, Till we meet Warwick with his foreign power. [Exeunt. Enter War SCENE II-A Plain in Warwickshire. But, see, where Somerset and Clarence come ;- War. Then, gentle Clarence, weicome unto War wick; And welcome, Somerset :-I hold it cowardice, And but attended by a simple guard, We may surprise and take him at our pleasure? With sleight and manhood stole to Rhesus' tents, SCENE III-Edward's Camp, near Warwick. Enter certain Watchmen to guard the King's Tent. 1 Watch. Come on, my masters, each man take his stand; The king, by this, is set him down to sleep. 2 Watch. What, will he not to-bed? 1 Watch. Why, no: for he hath made a solemn vow Never to lie and take his natural rest, 2 Watch. To-morrow then, belike, shall be the day, If Warwick be so near as men report. 3 Watch. But say, I pray, what nobleman is that, That with the king here resteth in his tent? 1 Watch. 'Tis the lord Hastings, the king's chiefest friend. 3 Watch. O, is it so? 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 more dan gerous. 3 Watch. Ay; but give me worship and 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. 1 Watch. Unless our halberds did shut up his pas sage. 2 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. 1 Watch. Who goes there? 2 Watch. Stay, or thou diest. [Warwick, and the rest cry all.-Warwick! War wick! and set upon the Guard; who fly, cryingArm! Arm! Warwick, and the rest, following them. The drum beating and trumpets sounding. Re-enter Warwick, and the rest, bringing the King out in a gown, sitting in a chair: Gloster and Hastings fly. Som. What are they that fly there? War. Richard, and Hastings: let them go, here's the duke, K. Edw. The duke! why, Warwick, when we part ed last, Thou call'dst me king? War. K. Edw. Yea, brother of Clarence, art thou here too? 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. Orf. 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. SCENE IV-London. A Room in the Palace. En ter 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 War wick? 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, 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. Ekz. Till then, fair hope must hinder life's decay. And bear with mildness my misfortune's cross; To set the crown once more on Henry's head: (For trust not him that hath once broken faith,) [Exeunt. SCENE V-A Park near Middleham-Castle in Yorkshire. Enter Gloster, Hastings, Sir William Stanley, and Others. Gle. Now my lord Hastings, and sir William Leave off to wonder why I drew you hither, Thus stands the case: You know, our king, my brother, Is prisoner to the bishop here, at whose hands He shall here find his friends, with horse and men, Enter King Edward, and a Huntsman. Hunt. This way, my lord; for this way lies the games K. Edw. Nay, this way, man; see, where the hunts men 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. Hunt. Better do so, than tarry and be hang'd. wick's frown; And pray that may repossess the crown. [Exeunt. SCENE VI-A Room in the Tower. Enter King Henry, Clarence, Warwick, Somerset, Young Rich mond, 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? I here resign my government to thee, War. Your grace hath still been fam'd for virtuous; Cla. No, Warwick, thou art worthy of the sway, War. And I choose Clarence only for protector. K. Hen. Warwick, and Clarence, give me both your hands; Now join your hands, a: d, with your hands, your hearts, That no dissension hinder government : I make you both protectors of this land; War. What answers Clarence to his sovereign's will? Cla. 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 pronoune'd a traitor, And all his lands and goods be confiscate. Cla. 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. Cla. 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 escape? And from the bishop's huntsmen rescued him ; War. My brother was too careless of his charge.- Did glad my heart, with hope of this young Richmond: Oaf. Ay; for, if Edward repossess the crown, [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, Glo. The gates made fast!-Brother, I like not this; By fair or foul means we must enter in, Hast. My liege, I'll knock once more, to summon them. Enter, on the walls, the Mayor of York, and his Breth ren. 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. So 'twere not 'long of him: but, being enter'd, 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. For Edward will defend the town, and thee, 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 |