Henry VI (Parts I, II and III) (Signet Classics)

  KING EDWARD IV Setting your scorns and your mislike24 aside,

  Tell me some reason why the lady Grey

  Should not become my wife and England's queen.--

  And you too, Somerset and Montague,

  Speak freely what you think.

  CLARENCE Then this is mine opinion: that King Lewis

  Becomes your enemy, for mocking him

  About the marriage of the lady Bona.

  GLOUCESTER And Warwick, doing what you gave in charge32,

  Is now dishonoured by this new marriage.

  KING EDWARD IV What if both Lewis and Warwick be appeased

  By such invention35 as I can devise?

  MONTAGUE Yet, to have joined with France in such alliance

  Would more have strengthened this our commonwealth

  Gainst foreign storms than any home-bred marriage.

  HASTINGS Why, knows not Montague that of itself

  England is safe, if true40 within itself?

  MONTAGUE But the safer when 'tis backed with France.

  HASTINGS 'Tis better using France than trusting France.

  Let us be backed with God and with the seas

  Which he hath given for fence44 impregnable,

  And with their helps only45 defend ourselves.

  In them, and in ourselves, our safety lies.

  CLARENCE For this one speech, Lord Hastings well deserves

  To have the heir of the lord Hungerford48.

  KING EDWARD IV Ay, what of that? It was my will and grant,

  And for this once my will shall stand for law.

  GLOUCESTER And yet methinks your grace hath not done well,

  To give the heir and daughter of Lord Scales

  Unto the brother of your loving bride;53

  She better would have fitted me or Clarence,

  But in your bride you bury55 brotherhood.

  CLARENCE Or else you would not have bestowed the heir

  Of the lord Bonville on your new wife's son57,

  And leave your brothers to go speed58 elsewhere.

  KING EDWARD IV Alas, poor Clarence, is it for a wife

  That thou art malcontent? I will provide thee.

  CLARENCE In choosing for yourself, you showed your judgement,

  Which being shallow, you shall give me leave

  To play the broker63 in mine own behalf.

  And to that end, I shortly mind64 to leave you.

  KING EDWARD IV Leave me, or tarry65, Edward will be king,

  And not be tied unto his brother's will.

  LADY GREY My lords, before it pleased his majesty

  To raise my state to title of a queen,

  Do me but right, and you must all confess

  That I was not ignoble of descent,

  And meaner71 than myself have had like fortune.

  But as this title honours me and mine,

  So your dislikes, to whom I would73 be pleasing,

  Doth cloud my joys with danger74 and with sorrow.

  KING EDWARD IV My love, forbear to fawn upon their frowns75.

  What danger or what sorrow can befall thee,

  So long as Edward is thy constant friend77,

  And their true sovereign, whom they must obey?

  Nay, whom they shall obey, and love thee too,

  Unless they seek for hatred at my hands,

  Which if they do, yet will I keep thee safe,

  And they shall feel the vengeance of my wrath.

  Aside

  GLOUCESTER I hear, yet say not much, but think the more.

  Enter a Post

  KING EDWARD IV Now, messenger, what letters or what news

  From France?

  POST My sovereign liege, no letters, and few words,

  But such as I, without your special pardon,

  Dare not relate.

  KING EDWARD IV Go to89, we pardon thee: therefore, in brief,

  Tell me their words as near as thou canst guess90 them.

  What answer makes King Lewis unto our letters?

  POST At my depart, these were his very words:

  'Go tell false Edward, thy supposed king,

  That Lewis of France is sending over masquers

  To revel it with him and his new bride.'

  KING EDWARD IV Is Lewis so brave96? Belike he thinks me Henry.

  But what said Lady Bona to my marriage?

  POST These were her words, uttered with mild disdain:

  'Tell him, in hope he'll prove a widower shortly,

  I'll wear the willow garland for his sake.'

  KING EDWARD IV 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 place103.

  POST 'Tell him', quoth she, 'my mourning weeds are done104,

  And I am ready to put armour on.'

  KING EDWARD IV Belike she minds to play the Amazon106.

  But what said Warwick to these injuries107?

  POST He, more incensed against your majesty

  Than all the rest, discharged109 me with these words:

  'Tell him from me that he hath done me wrong,

  And therefore I'll uncrown him ere't be long.'

  KING EDWARD IV Ha? Durst the traitor breathe out so proud words?

  Well, I will arm me, being thus forewarned.

  They shall have wars and pay for their presumption.--

  But say, is Warwick friends with Margaret?

  POST Ay, gracious sovereign, they are so linked in friendship

  That young Prince Edward marries Warwick's daughter.

  Aside

  CLARENCE Belike118 the elder; Clarence will have the younger.--

  Now, brother king, farewell, and sit you fast119,

  For I will hence to Warwick's other daughter,

  That, though I want121 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

  Aside

  GLOUCESTER Not I.

  My thoughts aim at a further matter:

  I stay not for the love of Edward, but the crown.

  KING EDWARD IV Clarence and Somerset both gone to Warwick!

  Yet am I armed against the worst can happen,

  And haste is needful129 in this desp'rate case.--

  Pembroke and Stafford, you in our behalf

  Go levy men, and make prepare131 for war;

  They are already, or quickly will be landed.

  Myself in person will straight133 follow you.

  Exeunt Pembroke and Stafford

  But, ere I go, Hastings and Montague,

  Resolve my doubt. You twain135, 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 hollow139 friends.

  But if you mind to hold your true obedience,

  Give me assurance with some friendly vow,

  That I may never have you in suspect142.

  MONTAGUE So God help Montague as he proves true.

  HASTINGS And Hastings as he favours Edward's cause.

  KING EDWARD IV Now, brother Richard, will you stand by us?

  GLOUCESTER Ay, in despite of all that shall withstand146 you.

  KING EDWARD IV Why, so. Then am I sure of victory.

  Now therefore let us hence, and lose no hour

  Till we meet Warwick with his foreign power149.

  Exeunt

  [Act 4 Scene 2]

  running scene 10

  Enter Warwick and Oxford in England, with French Soldiers

  WARWICK Trust me, my lord, all hitherto1 goes well.

  The common people by numbers swarm to us.

  Enter Clarence and Somerset

  But see where Somerset and Clarence comes.

  Speak sudden
ly4, my lords, are we all friends?

  CLARENCE Fear not that, my lord.

  WARWICK Then, gentle Clarence, welcome unto Warwick.--

  And welcome, Somerset. I hold it cowardice

  To rest8 mistrustful where a noble heart

  Hath pawned9 an open hand in sign of love;

  Else might I think that Clarence, Edward's brother,

  Were but a feigned friend to our proceedings11.

  But welcome, sweet Clarence, my daughter shall be thine.

  And now what rests but, in night's coverture13,

  Thy brother being carelessly14 encamped,

  His soldiers lurking15 in the towns about,

  And but16 attended by a simple guard,

  We may surprise17 and take him at our pleasure?

  Our scouts have found the adventure very easy18,

  That as Ulysses and stout Diomede

  With sleight and manhood stole to Rhesus' tents,

  And brought from thence the Thracian fatal steeds21,

  So we, well covered with the night's black mantle,

  At unawares23 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 sort28,

  For Warwick and his friends, God and Saint George!

  Exeunt

  [Act 4 Scene 3]

  running scene 11

  Enter three Watchmen to guard the King's tent

  FIRST WATCHMAN Come on, my masters, each man take his stand1.

  The king by this is set2 him down to sleep.

  SECOND WATCHMAN What, will he not to bed?

  FIRST WATCHMAN Why, no, for he hath made a solemn vow

  Never to lie and take his natural rest

  Till Warwick or himself be quite suppressed.

  SECOND WATCHMAN Tomorrow then belike shall be the day,

  If Warwick be so near as men report.

  THIRD WATCHMAN But say, I pray, what nobleman is that

  That with the king here resteth in his tent?

  FIRST WATCHMAN 'Tis the lord Hastings, the king's chiefest friend.

  THIRD WATCHMAN O, is it so? But why commands the king

  That his chief followers lodge in towns about13 him,

  While he himself keeps14 in the cold field?

  SECOND WATCHMAN 'Tis the more honour, because more dangerous.

  THIRD WATCHMAN Ay, but give me worship16 and quietness.

  I like it better than a dangerous honour.

  If Warwick knew in what estate he18 stands,

  'Tis to be doubted19 he would waken him.

  FIRST WATCHMAN Unless our halberds did shut up20 his passage.

  SECOND WATCHMAN Ay, wherefore21 else guard we his royal tent,

  But to defend his person from night-foes?

  Enter Warwick, Clarence, Oxford, Somerset and French Soldiers, silent all

  WARWICK This is his tent, and see where stand his guard.

  Courage, my masters: honour now or never:

  But25 follow me, and Edward shall be ours.

  FIRST WATCHMAN Who goes there?

  SECOND WATCHMAN 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 playing and Trumpet sounding, enter Warwick, Somerset and the rest bringing the King [Edward]. out in his gown, sitting in a chair. Richard and Hastings fly over the stage

  SOMERSET What28 are they that fly there?

  WARWICK Richard and Hastings. Let them go. Here is

  The duke.

  KING EDWARD IV The duke? Why, Warwick, when we parted,

  Thou called'st me king.

  WARWICK Ay, but the case is altered.

  When you disgraced me in my embassade34,

  Then I degraded35 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?

  KING EDWARD IV Yea, brother of Clarence, art thou here too?

  Nay, then I see that Edward needs must down44.--

  Yet, Warwick, in despite of all mischance,

  Of thee thyself and all thy complices46,

  Edward will always bear himself as king.

  Though fortune's malice overthrow my state48,

  My mind exceeds the compass49 of her wheel.

  WARWICK Then, for50 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 conveyed

  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 awhile farewell, good Duke of York.

  They lead him out forcibly

  KING EDWARD IV What fates impose, that men must needs abide60;

  It boots not61 to resist both wind and tide.

  Exeunt [all but Oxford and Warwick]

  OXFORD What now remains, my lords, for us to do

  But march to London with our soldiers?

  WARWICK 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

  [Act 4 Scene 4]

  running scene 12

  Enter Rivers and Lady Grey [Queen Elizabeth]

  RIVERS Madam, what makes you in this sudden change1?

  LADY GREY Why brother Rivers, are you yet to learn

  What late misfortune is befall'n King Edward?

  RIVERS What? Loss of some pitched4 battle against Warwick?

  LADY GREY No, but the loss of his own royal person.

  RIVERS Then is my sovereign slain?

  LADY GREY Ay, almost slain, for he is taken prisoner,

  Either betrayed by falsehood8 of his guard

  Or by his foe surprised at9 unawares.

  And as I further have to understand,

  Is new committed to the Bishop11 of York,

  Fell Warwick's brother and by that12 our foe.

  RIVERS 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.

  LADY GREY Till then fair hope must hinder16 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 passion19

  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 sighs19,

  Lest with my sighs or tears I blast23 or drown

  King Edward's fruit, true heir to th'English crown.

  RIVERS But, madam, where is Warwick then become25?

  LADY GREY 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 down28.

  But, to prevent the tyrant's29 violence --

  For trust not him that hath once broken faith --

  I'll hence forthwith unto the sanctuary31,

  To save at least the heir of Edward's right32.

  There shall I rest secure from force and fraud33.

/>   Come, therefore, let us fly while we may fly.

  If Warwick take us we are sure to die.

  Exeunt

  [Act 4 Scene 5]

  running scene 13

  Enter Richard, Lord Hastings and Sir William Stanley [with Soldiers]

  GLOUCESTER Now, my lord Hastings and Sir William Stanley,

  Leave off2 to wonder why I drew you hither,

  Into this chiefest thicket of the park3.

  Thus stands the case4: you know our king, my brother,

  Is prisoner to the bishop here, at whose hands

  He hath good usage6 and great liberty,

  And, often but7 attended with weak guard,

  Comes hunting this way to disport8 himself.

  I have advertised9 him by secret means

  That if about this hour he make this way

  Under the colour of his usual game11,

  He shall here find his friends with horse and men

  To set him free from his captivity.

  Enter King Edward and a Huntsman with him

  HUNTSMAN This way, my lord, for this way lies the game14.

  KING EDWARD IV Nay, this way, man. See where the huntsmen stand.--

  Now, brother of Gloucester, Lord Hastings and the rest,

  Stand you thus close17, to steal the bishop's deer?

  GLOUCESTER Brother, the time and case requireth haste.

  Your horse stands ready at the park-corner.

  KING EDWARD IV But whither shall we then?

  HASTINGS To Lynn21, my lord,

  And shipped from thence to Flanders.

  GLOUCESTER Well guessed, believe me, for that was my meaning.

  KING EDWARD IV Stanley, I will requite24 thy forwardness.

  GLOUCESTER But wherefore stay we? 'Tis no time to talk.