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. Glo. 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,

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.

Clar. Then this is my opinion, that king Lewis
Becomes your enemy, for mocking him
About the marriage of the lady Bona.

K. Edw. Alas, poor Clarence! is it for a wife, That thou art malcontent? I will provide thee. Clar. In choosing for yourself, you show'd your

judgment;

Which being shallow, you shall give me leave
To play the broker in mine own behalf;
And, to that end, I shortly mind to leave you.
K. Edw. 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 That I was not ignoble of descent, And meaner than myself have had like fortune. But as this title honours me and mine, So your dislikes, to whom I would be pleasing, Do cloud my joys with danger and with sorrow.

K. Edw. My love, forbear to fawn upon their

frowns:

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.
Clar. 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
Unto the brother of your loving bride;
She better would have fitted me, or Clarence:
But in your bride you bury brotherhood.
Clar. Or else you would not have bestow'd

the heir

Of the lord Benville on your new wife's son, And leave your brothers to go speed elsewhere.

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 presumption.

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. Áy, in despite of all that shall withstand

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 surprize 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 surprize 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

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 suppress'd. 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 dangerous.

3 Watch. Ay; but give me worship and quiet

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, reenter 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 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 know not how to use your brothers brotherly;
Nor how to study for the people's welfare;
Nor how to shrowd yourself from enemies?
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 Eng-
land'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 convey'd
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 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 befall'n king Edward? Riv. What, loss of some pitch'd battle against

Warwick?

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.

[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,

Is prisoner to the bishop here, at whose hands
He hath good usage and great liberty;
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,
Heshall here find his friends, with horse and men,
To set him free from his captivity.

Enter King EDWARD, and a Huntsman.
for this way lies

Hunt. This way, my lord;
K. Edw. Nay, this way, man; see, where the

the game.

huntsmen stand.

Now, brother of Gloster, lord Hastings, and

the rest,

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?

Nay, be thou sure, I'll well requite thy kindness,
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 set'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, Be spying, and avoiding, fortune's malice, For few men rightly temper with the stars: Yet in this one thing let me blame your grace, For choosing me, when Clarence is in place.

sway,

Clar. No, Warwick, thou art worthy of the 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 dissention 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 loath, yet must I be

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.

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 se-
cret 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?

Mess. He was convey'd by Richard duke of
Gloster,

And the lord Hastings, who attended him
In secret ambush on the forest side,
And from the bishop's huntsmen rescued him ;
For hunting was his daily exercise.

War. My brother was too careless of his
charge.-

But let us hence, my sovereign, to provide
A salve for any sore that may betide.

[Exeunt King Hen. War. Clar. Lieut.
and Attendants.

Som. 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 Britany, Till storms be past of civil enmity.

Orf. Ay; for, if Edward repossess the crown, "Tis like, that Richmond with the rest shall down. Som. It shall be so; he shall to Britany. Come therefore, let's about it speedily.

[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,
And says that once more I shall interchange
My waned state for Henry's regal crown.
Well have we pass'd, and now repass'd the seas,
And brought desired help from Burgundy:
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, man! abodements must not
now affright us:

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

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 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