*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:1 *Yet in this one thing let me blame your grace, *For choosing me, when Clarence is in place.2" *Clar. No, Warwick, thou art worthy of the * 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. (1) Few men conform their temper to their destiny. Present. (3) Afterwards Henry VIL 'K. Hen. My lord of Somerset, what youth is that, Of whom you seem to have so tender care? powers 'K. Hen. Come hither, England's hope: If secret [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's 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 Henry, 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. Oxf. Ay; for, if Edward repossess the crow, *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 desir'd 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. Edi. Tush, man! abodements must not now affright us: By fair or foul means we must enter in, (4) i. e. Waited for him. Hast. My liege, I'll knock once more, to Enter, on the walls, the Mayor of York, and his '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; *As being well content with that alone. [Aside. 'Hast. Why, master mayor, why stand you in a doubt? Open the gates, we are king Henry's friends. *So 'twere not 'long of him: but, being enter'd, Re-enter the Mayor and two Aldermen, below. not be shut, "But in the night, or in the time of war. 'For Edward will defend the town, and thee, 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. Edw. Thanks, good Montgomery: But we ་ Our title to the crown; and only claim [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. * K. Edw. When we grow stronger, then we'll 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. Brother, we will proclaim you out of hand; *The bruit thereof will bring you many friends. *K. Edw. Then be it as you will; for 'tis my right, *And Henry but usurps the diadem. Mont. Ay, now my sovereign speaketh like himself. And now will I be Edward's champion. Hast. Sound, trumpet; Edward shall be here *Come, fellow-soldier, make thou proclamation. Mont. And whosoe'er gainsays king Edward's [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; For, well, I wot,' that Henry is no soldier.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, War. What counsel, lords? Edward from Belgia, *Orf. Let's levy men, and beat him back again. Not mutinous in peace, yet bold in war; K. Hen. Farewell, my Hector, and my Troy's *Clar. In sign of truth, I kiss your highness' hand. *Oxf. And thus [Kissing Henry's hand.] I seal my truth, and bid adieu." *K. Hen. Sweet Oxford, and my loving Mon- And all at once, once more a happy farewell. entry. [Exe. War. Clar. Oxf, and Mont. *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; 'War. Then Clarence is at hand, I hear his drum. * War. Who should that be? belike, unlook'd- *Som. They are at hand, and you shall quickly know. Drums. Enter King Edward, Gloster, and forces, marching. *K. Edw. Go, trumpet, to the walls, and sound a parle. Glo, Sce, 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. Ed. Now, Warwick, wilt thou ope the city gates, My pity hath been balm to heal their wounds, *My mildness hath allay'd their swelling grict's, My mercy dry'd their water-flowing tears: * 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 he shall pardon thee these outrages. *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. 'Speak gentle words, and humbly bend thy knee?Call Edward-king, and at his hands beg mercy, [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 smali 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.2 Glo. Away betimes, before his forces join, *And take the great-grown traitor unawares : * Brave warriors, march amain towards Coventry. [Exeunt. ACT V. SCENE I-Coventry. Enter, upon the walls, War. Where is the post, that came from valiant How far hence is thy lord, mine honest fellow ? War. How far off is our brother 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. 'War. Nay, rather, wilt thou draw thy forces hence, Confess who set thee up and pluck'd thee down?- Glo. I thought, at least, he would have said- Or did he make the jest against his will? I'll do thee service for so good a gift.' K. Edw. Why, then 'tis mine, if but by War- And, weakling, Warwick takes his gift again; 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 !4 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; yet you are Warwick still. *Glo. Come, Warwick, take the time, kneel down, kneel down: *Nay, when? strike row, or else the iron cools. 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 more. Enter Oxford, with drum and colours. * War. O cheerful colours! see, where Oxford comes ! Oxf. Oxford, Oxford, for Lancaster! [Oxford and his forces enter the city. 'Glo. The gates are open, let us enter too. (3) i. e. Enrol myself among thy dependants. (4) A pack of cards was anciently termed a deck of cards. K. Ed. So other foes may set upon our backs. *Stand we in good array; for they, no doubt, *Will issue out again, and bid us battle: 'If not, the city being but of small defence, 'We'll quickly rouse the traitors in the same. K. Edw. Yes, Warwick, Edward dares, and leads Lords, to the field; Saint George, and victory! War. O, welcome, Oxford! for we want thy SCENE II-A field of battle_near Barnet.help. Enter Montague, with drum and colours. treason 'Even with the dearest blood your bodies bear. *My mind presageth happy gain, and conquest. Enter Somerset, with drum and colours. [He and his forces enter the city. Enter Clarence, with drum and colours. War. And lo, where George of Clarence sweeps Of force enough to bid his brother battle; Clar. Father of Warwick, know you what this means? [Taking the red rose out of his cap. 'That Clarence is so harsh, so blunt,2 unnatural, Than if thou never hadst deserv'd our hate. Alarums, and Excursions. Enter King Edward bringing in Warwick wounded. *K, Edw. So, lie thou there: die thou, and *For Warwick was a bug, that fear'd' us all.- My blood, my want of strength, my sick heart That I must yield my body to the earth, *To search the secret treasons of the world: Enter Oxford and Somerset. * Som. Ah, Warwick, Warwick! wert thou as tague, *If thou be there, sweet brother, take my hand, 'Som. Ah, Warwick, Montague hath breath'd And to the latest gasp, cried out for Warwick, timesAnd said-Commend me to my valiant brother. And more he would have said; and more he spoke, 'Which sounded like a cannon in a vault, 'Glo. Welcome, good Clarence; this is brother-That might not be distinguish'd; but, at last, War. O passing' traitor, perjur'd, and unjust! Or shall we beat the stones about thine ears? 'I well might hear deliver'd with a groan,- War. [Exeunt, bearing off Warwick's body. (3) Eminent, egregious. (4) Bugbear. SCENE III-Another part of the field. Flou-* That there's no hop'd-for mercy with the brothers, rish. Enter King Edward, in triumph; with * More than with ruthless waves, with sands, and Clarence, Gloster, and the rest. rocks. 'K. Echo. Thus far our fortune keeps an upward course, And we are grac'd with wreaths of victory. But, in the midst of this bright-shining day, 'I spy a black, suspicious, threat'ning cloud, "That will encounter with our glorious sun, 'Ere he attain his easeful western bed: Why, courage, then! what cannot be avoided, *"Twere childish weakness to lament, or fear. * Prince. Methinks, a woman of this valiant spirit *Should, if a coward heard her speak these words, * Infuse his breast with magnanimity, * And make him, naked, foil a man at arms. queenFor, did I but suspect a fearful man, 'I speak not this, as doubting any here: 'I mean, my lords,-those powers, that the 'Hath rais'd in Gallia, have arriv'd our coast, 'And, as we hear, march on to fight with us. *Clar. A little gale will soon disperse that cloud, * And blow it to the source from whence it came : Thy very beams will dry those vapours up; *For every cloud engenders not a storm. *Glo. The queen is valu'd thirty thousand strong, 'And Somerset, with Oxford, fled to her : "If she have time to breathe, be well assur'd, Her faction will be full as strong as ours. K. Edw. We are advértis'd by our loving friends, That they do hold their course toward Tewksbury; 'We having now the best at Barnet field, 'Will thither straight, for willingness rids way; And, as we march, our strength will be augmented In every county as we go along. Strike up the drum; cry-Courage and away. [Exeunt. SCENE IV.-Plains near Tewksbury. March. Enter Queen Margaret, Prince Edward, Somerset, Oxford and soldiers. Q. Mar. Great lords, wise men ne'er sit and wail their loss, *But cheerly seek how to redress their harms. "What though the mast be now blown over-board, "The cable broke, the holding anchor lost, 'And half our sailors swallow'd in the flood? 'Yet lives our pilot still: Is't meet, that he 'Should leave the helm, and, like a fearful lad, * With tearful eyes add water to the sea, And give more strength to that which hath too much; *Whiles, in his moan, the ship splits on the rock, *Which industry and courage might have saved? Ah, what a shame! ah, what a fault were this! 'Say, Warwick was our anchor; What of that? 'And Montague our top-mast; What of him? 'Our slaughter'd friends the tackles; What of these? 'Why, is not Oxford here another anchor? 'And Somerset another goodly mast? The friends of France our shrouds and tacklings? " And, though unskilful, why not Ned and I 'For once allow'd the skilful pilot's charge? 'We will not from the helm, to sit and weepi, * But keep our course, though the rough wind say -no, From shelves and rocks that threaten us with wreck. As good to chide the waves, as speak them fair. * What Clarence, but a quicksand of deceit ? Say, you can swim; alas, 'tis but a while : Tread on the sand; why, there you quickly sink: Bestride the rock; the tide will wash you off, *Or else you famish, that's a threefold death. This speak I, lords, to let you understand, In case some one of you would fly from us, (2) Unsay, deny. (1) Know. 'He should have leave to go away betimes; And warriors faint! why, 'twere perpetual shame. 'Som. And he, that will not fight for such a hope, 'Go home to bed, and, like the owl by day, 'If he arise, be mock'd and wonder'd at. Q. Mar. Thanks, gentle Somerset ;-sweet *Prince. And take his thanks, that yet hath nothing else. March. Enter, at a distance, King Edward, Clarence, Gloster, and forces. 'K. Edw. Brave followers, yonder stands the thorny wood, Which, by the heavens' assistance, and your strength, 'Must by the roots be hewn up yet ere night. For well I wot, ye blaze to burn them out: My tears gainsay;2 for every word I speak, 'Ye see, I drink the water of mine eyes. "Therefore, no more but this :-Henry, your sovereign, 'Is prisoner to the foe; his state usurp'd, 'His realm a slaughter-house, his subjects slain, His statutes cancell'd, and his treasure spent ; 'And yonder is the wolf, that makes this spoil. 'You fight in justice: then, in God's name, lords, 'Be valiant, and give signal to the fight, Alar [Exeunt both armies. SCENE V.-Another part of the same. ums; Excursions: and afterwards a Retreat. Then Enter King Edward, Clarence, Gloster, and forces; with Queen Margaret, Oxford, and Somerset, prisoners. 'K. Edw. Now,here a period of tumultuous broils. Away with Oxford to Hammes' Castle' straight: (3) A castle in Picardy. |