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, Till Warwick, or himself, be quite suppressed. 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 honor because more dangerous. 3 Watch. Ay; but give me worship and quietness; I like it better than a dangerous honor. 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. 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. Edw. The duke! why, Warwick, when we parted last, Thou call'dst me king! War. Ay, but the case is altered; When you disgraced me in my embassade, K. Edw. Yea, brother of Clarence, art thou here too? 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. But Henry now shall wear the English crown, See that forthwith duke Edward be conveyed Unto my brother, archbishop of York. When I have fought with Pembroke and his fellows, 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. 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 pitched battle against Warwick? Q. Eliz. Ay, almost slain, for he is taken prisoner; Riv. These news, I must confess, are full of grief; 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 me bridle passion, 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 sighs, 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,) To save at least the heir of Edward's right; [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, He hath good usage and great liberty; 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 game. K. Edw. Nay, this way, man; see, where the huntsmen stand. Now, brother of Gloster, lord Hastings, and the rest, Glo. Brother, the time and case requireth haste; K. Edw. But whither shall we then? Hast. To Lynn, my lord; and ship from thence to Glo. Well guessed, believe me; for that was my meaning. along? wilt thou go Hunt. Better do so, than tarry and be hanged. frown; And pray that I may repossess the crown. SCENE VI. A Room in the Tower. [Exeunt. 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 turned 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? But, Warwick, after God, thou set'st me free, For thou art fortunate in all thy deeds. War. Your grace hath still been famed for virtuous; Yet in this one thing let me blame your grace, Clar. No, Warwick, thou art worthy of the sway, War. And I choose Clarence only for protector. I make you both protectors of this land; 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 honor, 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? Clar. What else? and that succession be determined. 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; |