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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:
They shall have wars, and pay for their presump-
tion.

'But say, is Warwick friends with Margaret?
Mess. Ay, gracious sovereign; they are so link'd
in friendship,

'That young prince Edward marries Warwick's daughter.

Clar. Belike, the elder; Clarence will have the younger.

Now, brother king, farewell, and sit you fast,
* For I will hence to Warwick's other daughter:
*That, though I want a kingdom, yet in marriage
I may not prove inferior to yourself.-
You, that love me and Warwick, follow me.
[Exit Clarence, and Somerset follows.
Glo. Not I:

My thoughts aim at a further matter; I
*Stay not for love of Edward, but the crown. [Aside.
K. Edw. Clarence and Somerset both gone to
Warwick!

* Yet am I arm'd against the worst can happen;
And haste is needful in this desperate case.-
Pembroke, and Stafford, you in our behalf
'Go levy men, and make prepare for war;
"They are already, or quickly will be landed:
'Myself in person will straight follow you.

[Exeunt Pembroke and Stafford.
'But, ere I go, Hastings,-and Montague,-
'Resolve my doubt. You twain, of all the rest,
Are near to Warwick, by blood, and by alliance:
Tell me, if you love Warwick more than me?
"If it be so, then both depart to him;
"I rather wish you foes, than hollow friends;
'But if you mind to hold your true obedience,
'Give me assurance with some friendly vow,
"That I may never have you in suspect.

Mont. So God help Montague, as he proves true! 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. Edw. 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. SCENE II-A plain in Warwickshire. Enter Warwick and Oxford, with French and other forces.

War. Trust me, my lord, all hitherto goes well;
The common people by numbers swarm to us.
Enter Clarence and Somerset.

But see, where Somerset and Clarence come ;-
Speak suddenly, my lords, are we all friends?
Clar. Fear not that, my lord.

War. Then, gentle Clarence, welcome unto
Warwick;

And welcome, Somerset:-I hold it cowardice,
To rest mistrustful where a noble heart
Hath pawn'd an open hand in sign of love;
Else might I think, that Clarence, Edward's brother,
Were but a feigned friend to our proceedings:
But welcome, Clarence; my daughter shall be thine.
And now what rests, but, in night's coverture,
Thy brother being carelessly encamp'd,

His soldiers lurking in the towns about,
And but attended by a simple guard,
We may surprise and take him at our pleasure?
Our scouts have found the adventure very easy:
That as Ulysses, and stout Diomede,

With sleight and manhood stole to Rhesus' 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 seize himself, I say not-slaughter him,
*For I intend but only to surprise him.-
You, that will follow me to this attempt,
Applaud the name of Henry, with your leader.
[They all cry, Henry!
Why, then, let's on our way in silent sort:
For Warwick and his friends, God and Saint
George!
[Exeunt.
SCENE III.-Edward's camp, near Warwick.
Enter certain Watchmen, to guard the King's

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ness,

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
passage.

*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! Warwick! and set upon the guard; who fly, crying-Arm! 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. Edu. The duke! why, Warwick, when we✶ And stop the rising of blood-sucking sighs,
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. El. Yea, brother of Clarence, art thou
here too?

Lest with my sighs or tears I blast or drown 'King Edward's fruit, true heir to the English crown. Riv. But, madam, where is Warwick then become?

'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. SCENE V.-A Park near Middleham Castle, in Yorkshire. Enter Gloster, Hastings, Sir William Stanley, and others.

*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, 'Leave off to wonder why I drew you hither, *And be true king indeed; thou but the shadow.-'Into this chiefest thicket of the park. "My lord of Somerset, at my request, 'See that forthwith duke Edward be convey'd "Unto my brother, archbishop of York.

(Exe.

Glo. Now, my lord Hastings, and sir William
Stanley,

'Thus stands the case: You know, our king, my

brother,

Is prisoner to the bishop here, at whose hands

When I have fought with Pembroke and his fellows,He hath gocd usage and great liberty;
'I'll follow vou, and tell what answer
'Lewis, and the lady Bona, send to him :-
Now, for a while, farewell, good duke of York.
*K. Elio. What fates impose, that men must
needs abide;

It boots not to resist both wind and tide.

[Erit King Edw. led out; Som, with him. *Orf. What now remains, my lords, for us to do,

But march to London with our soldiers?
War. Av, that's the first thing that we have
to do;

[Exeunt.

'To free king Henry from imprisonment,
And see him seated in the regal throne.
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 befall'n 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,
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 ine bridle passion,
And bear with mildness my misfortune's cross;
Ay, ay, for this I draw in many a tear,

(1) i. e. In his mind; as far as his own mind goes.

VOL. 11.

And often, but attended with weak guard, Comes hunting this way to disport himself. 'I have advértis'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

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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. Ed. 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.

[Exe.

Enter

SCENE VI-A room in the Tower.
King Henry, Clarence, Warwick, Somerset,
Young Richmond, Oxford, Montague, Lieuten-
ant 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?
* Lieut. Subjects may challenge nothing of their
sovereigns;

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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 kind

ness,

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 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; 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 ine 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 loth, 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.
Clar. What else? and that succession be
min'd.

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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 befall him, to his harm, and ours:
Therefore, lord Oxford, to prevent the worst,
* Forthwith we'll send him hence to Britany,
Till storms be past of civil enmity.

*Of. Ay; for, if Edward repossess the crown,
*'Tis like that Richinond with the rest shall down.
* Som. It shall be so; he shall to Pritany.
*Come therefore, let's about it speedily. [Exeunt.
SCENE VII-Before York. Enter King Ed-
ward, 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 deter-My waned state for Henry's regal crown.

Well have we pass'd, and now repass'd the seas,

War. Ay, therein Clarence shalt not want hisAnd brought desir'd help from Burgundy: 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.

Few men conform their temper to their destiny.
Present. (3) Afterwards Henry VII.

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, men! abodements must not
now affright us:

By fair or foul means we must enter in,
For hither will our friends repair to us.

(4) i. e. Waited for him.

Hast. My liege, I'll knock once more, to summon them.

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

'May. My lords, we were forewarn'd 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. Ed. 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. May. Ay, say you so? the gates shall then be open'd. [Exeunt from above. 'Glo. A wise stout captain, and persuaded soon! *Hast. The good old man would fain that all were well,

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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's right, By this I challenge him to single fight.

[Throws down his gauntlet. All. Long live king 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; So 'twere not 'long of him: but, being enter'd,For, well, I wot,' that Henry is no soldier.* 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 the keys. 'For Edward will defend the town, and thee, 'And all those friends that deign to follow me. Drum. Enter Montgomery, and forces, marching. 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. Ed. 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 should we fight, if you pretend no title ? Glo. Why, brother, wherefore stand you nice points?

on

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.

(1) The mayor is willing we should enter, so he may not be blamed.

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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. Enter King Henry, Warwick, Clarence, Mon tague, 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.

*Orf. 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, 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.

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*Oxf. And thus [Kissing Henry's hand.] I seal
my truth, and bid adieu.

*K. Hen. Sweet Oxford, and my loving Mon-
tague,

* And all at once, once more a happy farewell.
War. Farewell, sweet lords; let's meet at Cov-

entry. Exe. War. Clar. Oxf, and Mont.
*K. Hen. Here at the palace will I rest a while.
Cousin of Exeter, what thinks your lordship?
* Methinks, the power, that Edward hat
* Should not be able to encounter mine.

field,

* 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 dry'd their water-flowing tears:

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Act. V.

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Glo, 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?-
he shall pardon thee these outrages.
Call Edward-king, and at his hands beg mercy,

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;And
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 Conventry 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 hav.

Glo. Away betimes, before his forces join, *And take the great-grown traitor unawares : * Brave warriors, march amain towards Coventry. [Excunt.

ACT V.

SCENE I-Coventry. Enter, upon the walls,
Warwick, the Mayor of Coventry, two Mes-
sengers, and others.

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

How far hence is thy lord, mine honest fellow ?
1 Mess. By this at Dunsmore, marching hither-
ward.

War. How far off is our brother Montague ?-
Where is the post that came from Montague?

'2 Mess. By this at Daintry, with a puissant troop. Enter sir John Somerville.

"War. Say, Somerville, what says my loving son? 'And, by the 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.

(1) Merit.

(2) The allusion is to the proverb, Make hay hile the sun shines.'

'War. Nay, rather, wilt thou draw thy forces
hence,

Confess who set thee up and pluck'd thee down?-
And thou shalt still remain the duke of York.
Call Warwick-patron, and be penitent,

Glo. 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?

Glo. Ay, by my faith, for a poor earl to give ;
*I'll do thee service for so good a gift.3
'War. "Twas I, that gave the kingdom to thy
brother.

K. Edw. Why, then 'tis mine, if but by War-
wick's gift.

And, weakling, Warwick takes his gift again;
'War. Thou art no Atlas for so great a weight:
And Henry is my king, Warwick his subject.
*K. Ed. But Warwick's king is Edward's
prisoner:

And, gallant Warwick, do but answer this,-
What is the body, when the head is off?

Glo. Alas, that Warwick had no more forecast,
But, whiles he thought to steal the single ten,
'The king was slily 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; vet you are Warwick still.
Glo. 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 the head is warm, and new cut off, *Write in the dust this sentence with thy blood,'Wind-changing Warwick now can change no

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