KING EDWARD IV Huntsman, what say'st thou? Wilt thou go along?
HUNTSMAN Better do so than tarry and be hanged.
GLOUCESTER Come then, away. Let's ha' no more ado28.
KING EDWARD IV Bishop, farewell. Shield thee from Warwick's frown,
And pray that I may repossess the crown.
Exeunt
[Act 4 Scene 6]
running scene 14
Flourish. Enter King Henry the Sixth, Clarence, Warwick, Somerset, young Henry [of Richmond], Oxford, Montague and Lieutenant
KING HENRY VI Master lieutenant, now that God and friends
Have shaken Edward from the regal seat,
And turned my captive state to liberty,
My fear to hope, my sorrows unto joys,
At our enlargement what are thy due fees5?
LIEUTENANT Subjects may challenge6 nothing of their sov'reigns,
But if an humble prayer may prevail,
I then crave pardon of your majesty.
KING HENRY VI For what, lieutenant? For well using me?
Nay, be thou sure I'll well requite thy kindness,
For that11 it made my imprisonment a pleasure.
Ay, such a pleasure as encaged birds
Conceive, when after many moody13 thoughts,
At last, by notes of household harmony14,
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 author18, thou the instrument.
Therefore, that I may conquer fortune's spite
By living low20, where fortune cannot hurt me,
And that the people of this blessed land
May not be punished with my thwarting stars22,
Warwick, although my head still wear the crown,
I here resign my government to thee,
For thou art fortunate in all thy deeds.
WARWICK Your grace hath still been famed for26 virtuous
And now may seem as wise as virtuous,
By spying28 and avoiding fortune's malice,
For few men rightly temper with the stars29:
Yet in this one thing let me blame your grace,
For choosing me when Clarence is in place31.
CLARENCE No, Warwick, thou art worthy of the sway32,
To whom the heav'ns in thy nativity
Adjudged an olive branch and laurel crown34,
As likely to be blest in peace and war.
And therefore I yield thee my free consent36.
WARWICK And I choose Clarence only for Protector37.
KING HENRY VI Warwick and Clarence give me both your hands.
Now join your hands, and with your hands your hearts,
That no dissension40 hinder government.
I make you both protectors of this land,
While I myself will lead a private life
And in devotion spend my latter43 days,
To sin's rebuke and my creator's praise.
WARWICK What answers Clarence to his sovereign's will?
CLARENCE That he consents, if Warwick yield consent,
For on thy fortune I repose myself47.
WARWICK Why, then, though loath, yet must I be content.
We'll yoke49 together, like a double shadow
To Henry's body, and supply50 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 pronounced a traitor,
And all his lands and goods be confiscate.
CLARENCE What else?56 And that succession be determined.
WARWICK Ay, therein Clarence shall not want his part57.
KING HENRY VI 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 doubtful62 fear
My joy of liberty is half eclipsed.
CLARENCE It shall be done, my sovereign, with all speed.
KING HENRY VI My lord of Somerset, what youth is that,
Of whom you seem to have so tender care?
SOMERSET My liege, it is young Henry, Earl of Richmond.67
KING HENRY VI Come hither, England's hope.
Lays his hand on his head
If secret powers
Suggest but truth to my divining69 thoughts,
This pretty70 lad will prove our country's bliss.
His looks are full of peaceful majesty,
His head by nature framed 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 Post
WARWICK What news, my friend?
POST That Edward is escaped from your brother78,
And fled, as he hears since, to Burgundy.
WARWICK Unsavoury news! But how made he escape?
POST He was conveyed81 by Richard, Duke of Gloucester,
And the Lord Hastings, who attended82 him
In secret ambush on the forest side
And from the bishop's huntsmen rescued him,
For hunting was his daily exercise.
WARWICK My brother was too careless of his charge86.
But let us hence, my sovereign, to provide
A salve for any sore that may betide88.
Exeunt. Somerset, Richmond and Oxford remain
SOMERSET 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 befall 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.
OXFORD Ay, for if Edward repossess the crown,
'Tis like that Richmond with the rest, shall down.
SOMERSET It shall be so. He shall to Brittany.
Come, therefore, let's about it speedily.
Exeunt
[Act 4 Scene 7]
running scene 15
Flourish. Enter Edward, Richard, Hastings and Soldiers
KING EDWARD IV Now, brother Richard, Lord Hastings and the rest,
Yet thus far fortune maketh us amends,
And says that once more I shall interchange3
My waned4 state for Henry's regal crown.
Well have we passed and now repassed the seas
And brought desired help from Burgundy.
What then remains, we being thus arrived
From Ravenspurgh haven8 before the gates of York,
Hastings knocks
But that we enter, as into our dukedom?
GLOUCESTER The gates made fast10? Brother, I like not this,
For many men that stumble at the threshold
Are well foretold12 that danger lurks within.
KING EDWARD IV Tush, man, abodements must not now affright13 us.
By fair or foul means we must enter in,
For hither will our friends repair15 to us.
Knocks
HASTINGS My liege, I'll knock once more to summon them.
Enter [above], on the walls, the Mayor of York and his brethren
MAYOR My lords, we were forewarned of your coming,
And shut the gates for safety of ourselves;
For now we owe allegiance unto Henry.
KING EDWARD IV But, Master Mayor, if Henry be your king,
r /> Yet Edward, at the least, is Duke of York.
MAYOR True, my good lord, I know you for no less.
KING EDWARD IV Why, and I challenge23 nothing but my dukedom,
As being well content with that alone.
Aside
GLOUCESTER But when the fox hath once got in his nose25,
He'll soon find means to make the body follow.
HASTINGS Why, Master Mayor, why stand you in a doubt?
Open the gates, we are King Henry's friends.
MAYOR Ay, say you so? The gates shall then be opened.
He descends [with his brethren]
GLOUCESTER A wise stout30 captain, and soon persuaded.
HASTINGS The good old man would fain31 that all were well,
So 'twere not long of him32. But being entered,
I doubt not, I, but we shall soon persuade
Both him and all his brothers unto reason.
Enter the Mayor and two Aldermen [below]
KING EDWARD IV So, Master Mayor, these gates must not be shut
But36 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 deign39 to follow me.
March. Enter Montgomery, with Drum and Soldiers
GLOUCESTER Brother, this is Sir John Montgomery,
Our trusty friend, unless I be deceived.
KING EDWARD IV Welcome, Sir John. But why come you in arms?
MONTGOMERY To help King Edward in his time of storm,
As every loyal subject ought to do.
KING EDWARD IV Thanks, good Montgomery, but we now forget45
Our title to the crown and only claim
Our dukedom, till God please to send the rest.
MONTGOMERY 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.
The Drum begins to march
KING EDWARD IV Nay, stay, Sir John, awhile, and we'll debate
By what safe means the crown may be recovered.
MONTGOMERY 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 pretend57 no title?
GLOUCESTER Why, brother, wherefore stand you58 on nice points?
KING EDWARD IV When we grow stronger, then we'll make our claim.
Till then, 'tis wisdom to conceal our meaning60.
HASTINGS Away with scrupulous wit61, now arms must rule.
GLOUCESTER And fearless minds climb soonest unto crowns.
Brother, we will proclaim you out of hand63.
The bruit64 thereof will bring you many friends.
KING EDWARD IV Then be it as you will, for 'tis my right,
And Henry but usurps the diadem.
MONTGOMERY Ay, now my sovereign speaketh like himself,
And now will I be Edward's champion68.
HASTINGS Sound69 trumpet. Edward shall be here proclaimed.
Come, fellow soldier, make thou proclamation.
Flourish. Sound
Reads
SOLDIER71 'Edward the Fourth, by the grace of God,
King of England and France, and Lord of Ireland, etc.'
MONTGOMERY And whosoe'er gainsays73 King Edward's right,
By this I challenge him to single fight.
Throws down his gauntlet
ALL Long live Edward the Fourth!
KING EDWARD IV Thanks, brave76 Montgomery, and thanks unto you all.
If fortune serve me, I'll requite this kindness.
Now, for this night, let's harbour78 here in York,
And when the morning sun shall raise his car79
Above the border of this horizon,
We'll forward towards Warwick and his mates;
For well I wot82 that Henry is no soldier.
Ah, froward Clarence, how evil it beseems83 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 day86,
And that once gotten, doubt not of large pay.
Exeunt
[Act 4 Scene 8]
running scene 16
Flourish. Enter the King, Warwick, Montague, Clarence, Oxford and Somerset
WARWICK What counsel, lords? Edward from Belgia1,
With hasty Germans and blunt2 Hollanders,
Hath passed in safety through the narrow seas3,
And with his troops doth march amain4 to London,
And many giddy5 people flock to him.
KING HENRY VI Let's levy men and beat him back again.
CLARENCE A little fire is quickly trodden out,
Which, being suffered8, rivers cannot quench.
WARWICK In Warwickshire I have true-hearted friends,
Not mutinous in peace, yet bold in war.
Those will I muster up, and thou, son11 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, wondrous17 well beloved,
In Oxfordshire shalt muster up thy friends.
My sovereign, with the loving citizens,
Like to his island girt in with20 the ocean,
Or modest Dian21 circled with her nymphs,
Shall rest22 in London till we come to him.
Fair lords, take leave and stand not23 to reply.
Farewell, my sovereign.
KING HENRY VI Farewell, my Hector25, and my Troy's true hope.
CLARENCE In sign of truth26, I kiss your highness' hand.
KING HENRY VI Well-minded27 Clarence, be thou fortunate.
MONTAGUE Comfort28, my lord, and so I take my leave.
OXFORD And thus29 I seal my truth, and bid adieu.
KING HENRY VI Sweet Oxford, and my loving Montague,
And all at once31, once more a happy farewell.
WARWICK Farewell, sweet lords, let's meet at Coventry.
Exeunt. [King Henry and Exeter remain]
KING HENRY VI 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 encounter36 mine.
EXETER The doubt37 is that he will seduce the rest.
KING HENRY VI That's not my fear. My meed38 hath got me fame:
I have not stopped mine ears to their demands39,
Nor posted off40 their suits with slow delays.
My pity hath been balm to heal their wounds,
My mildness hath allayed their swelling griefs,
My mercy dried their water-flowing tears.
I have not been desirous of their wealth,
Nor much oppressed them with great subsidies45,
Nor forward of46 revenge, though they much erred.
Then why should they love Edward more than me?
No, Exeter, these graces challenge grace48,
And when the lion fawns upon the lamb,
The lamb will never cease to follow him.
Shout within, 'A Lancaster! A Lancaster!'
EXETER Hark, hark, my lord, what shouts are these?
Enter Edward and his Soldiers
KING EDWARD IV Seize on the shame-faced52 Henry. Bear him hence,
And once again proclaim us King of England.--
You are the fount54 that makes small brooks to flow:
Now stops thy spring, my sea shall suck them dry,
And swell so much the
higher by their ebb56.--
Hence with him to the Tower. Let him not speak.
Exeunt [some] with King Henry
And, lords, towards Coventry bend58 we our course
Where peremptory59 Warwick now remains.
The sun shines hot, and if we use delay,
Cold biting winter mars our hoped-for hay61.
GLOUCESTER Away betimes62, before his forces join,
And take the great-grown traitor unawares.
Brave warriors, march amain towards Coventry.
Exeunt
[Act 5 Scene 1]
running scene 17
Enter Warwick, the Mayor of Coventry, two Messengers and others upon the walls
WARWICK Where is the post that came from valiant Oxford?
How far hence is thy lord, mine honest fellow?
FIRST MESSENGER By this at Dunsmore3, marching hitherward.
[He may exit]
WARWICK How far off is our brother Montague?
Where is the post that came from Montague?
SECOND MESSENGER By this at Daintry, with a puissant6 troop.
[He may exit]
Enter Somerville
WARWICK Say, Somerville, what says my loving son7?
And, by thy guess, how nigh is Clarence now?
SOMERVILLE At Southam9 I did leave him with his forces
Drum heard
And do expect him here some two hours hence.
WARWICK Then Clarence is at hand, I hear his drum.
SOMERVILLE It is not his, my lord, here12 Southam lies.
The drum your honour hears marcheth from Warwick.
WARWICK Who should that be? Belike, unlooked-for friends.
SOMERVILLE They are at hand, and you shall quickly know.
[Exit into the city]