*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

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 sce, 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.

K. Edw. The duke! why, Warwick, when we* And stop the rising of blood-sucking sighs,
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 how to use your brothers brotherly;
*Nor how to study for the people's welfare;
Nor how to shroud yourself from enemies?

*K. Edw. Yea, brother of Clarence, art thou
here too?

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 be come?

'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.

'If Warwick take us, we are sure to die.

SCENE V.-A Park near Middleham Castle, in Yorkshire. Enter Gloster, Hastings, Sir William Stanley, and others.

* Nay, then I see, that Edward needs must down..come therefore, let us by while we may y Exe. 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: [Takes off his crown. But Henry now shall wear the English crown, *And be true king indeed; thou but the shadow.-Into 'My lord of Somerset, at my request, 'See that forthwith duke Edward be convey'd "Unto my brother, archbishop of York.

'Glo. Now, my lord Hastings, and sir William
Stanley,

'Leave off to wonder why I drew you hither,
this chiefest thicket of the park.
'Thus stands the case: You know, our king, my
brother,

"When I have fought with Pembroke and his fellows,He
'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 Edw. led out; Som. 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?

Q. Eliz. No, but the loss of his own royal person.
Rio. Then is my sovereign slain?

Q. Eliz. Ay, almost slain, for he is taken pris

oner;

Either betray'd by falsehood of his guard, 'Or by his foe surpris'd at unawares: And, as I further have to understand, Is new committed to the bishop of York, 'Fell Warwick's brother, and by that our foe. Riv. 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.

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,

(i) i. e. In his mind; as far as his own mind goes.

VOL. 11.

Is prisoner to the bishop here, at whose hands 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, He shall here find his friends, with horse and men, To set him free from his captivity.

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, Stand you thus close, to steal the bishop's deer? 'Glo. Brother, the time and case requireth haste; 'Your horse stands ready at the park corner. 'K. Edw. But whither shall we then?

Hast. To Lynn, my lord; and ship from thence to Flanders.

'Glo. Well guess'd, believe me; for that was

my meaning.

'K. Edw. Stanley, I will requite thy forwardness. * Glo. But wherefore stay we? 'tis no time to talk. 'K. Edro. Huntsman, what say'st thou? wilt thou go along?

"Hunt. Better do so, than tarry and be hang'd. *Glo. Come then, away; let's have no more ado. 'K. Edw. Bishop, farewell: shield thee from Warwick's frown;

And pray that I may repossess the crown.

[Exe.

Enter

SCENE VI-A room in the Tower.
King Henry, Clarence, Warwick, Somerset,
Young Richmond, Oxford, Montague, Lieuten-
ant of the Tower, and Attendants.

*K. Hen. Master lieutenant, now that God and
friends

Have shaken Edward from the regal seat; And turn'd my captive state to liberty, My fear to hope, my sorrows unto joys; *At our enlargement what are thy due fees? * Lieut. 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 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;

'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.

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.

And now may seem as wise as virtuous, By 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.2 *Clar. No, Warwick, thou art worthy of the*

sway,

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 dissension 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 loth, yet must I be

content:

* 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 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 Ed-
ward, Gloster, Hastings, and forces.

*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 honour, and his ease.
And, Clarence, now then it is more than needful,
Forthwith that Edward be pronounc'd a traitor,Yet thus far fortune maketh us amends,
And all his lands and goods be confiscate.
Clar. What else? and that succession be

'K. Edw. Now, brother Richard, lord Hastings,
and the rest;

min'd.

*War. Ay, therein Clarence shalt not want his part.

And says-that once more I shall interchange deter-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;

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 VII.

For many men, that stumble at the threshold,
Are well foretold-that danger lurks within.
*K. Edro. 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.

(4) i. e. Waited for him.

*Hast. My liege, I'll knock once more, to summon them.

Enter, on the wails, the Mayor of York, and his brethren.

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; '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 nose, 'He'll soon find means to make the body follow.

[Aside. "Hast. Why, master mayor, why stand you in a doubt?

Open the gates, we are king Henry's friends.
May. Ay, say you so? the gates shall then be
open'd.
[Exeunt from above.
Glo. A wise stout captain, and persuaded soon!
*Hast. The good old man would fain that all
were well,

* 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 him-
self.

And now will I be Edward's champion.
Hast. Sound, trumpet; Edward shall be here
proclaim'd:-

Come, fellow-soldier, make thou proclamation.
[Gives him a paper. Flourish.
Sold. [Reads.] Edward the Fourth, by the grace
of God, king of England and France, and lord
of Ireland, &c.

Mont. And whosoe'er gainsays king Edward's right,

By this I challenge him to single fight.

[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;

*So 'twere not 'long of him:' but, being enter'd,For, well, I wot, that Henry is no soldier.

* I doubt not, I, but we shall soon persuade
* Both him, and all his brothers, unto reason.

Re-enter the Mayor and two Aldermen, below.
'K. Edw. So, master mayor: these gates must
not be shut,

'But in the night, or in the time of war.
"What! fear not, man, but yield me up the keys.
[Takes the keys.
'For Edward will defend the town, and thee,
'And all those friends that deign to follow me.
Drum. 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
now forget

'Our title to the crown; and only claim
"Our dukedom, till God please to send the rest.
Mont. 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.

[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.
Mont. 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 should we fight, if you pretend no title ?
Glo. Why, brother, wherefore stand you on
nice points?

*K. Edw. When we grow stronger, then we'll
make our claim:

*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.

Ah, froward Clarence!-how evil it beseems thee,
To flaiter 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;
*And, that once gotten, doubt not of large pay.

[Exeunt. SCENE VIII.-London. A room in the palace. Enter King Henry, Warwick, Clarence, Mon tague, Exeter, and Oxford.

War. What counsel, lords? Edward from Belgia,
With hasty Germans, and blunt Hollanders,
Hath pass'd in safety through the narrow seas,
And with his troops doth march amain to London;
And many giddy people flock to him.

*Oxf. Let's levy men, and beat him back again.
Clar. A little fire is quickly trodden out;
Which, being suffer'd, rivers cannot quench.
War. In Warwickshire I have true-hearted
friends,

Not mutinous in peace, yet bold in war;
Those will I muster up-and thou, son Clarence,
Shalt stir, 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'inclin'd to hear what thou command'st:-
And thou, brave Oxford, wondrous well belov'd,
In Oxfordshire shalt muster up thy friends.-
My sovereign, with the loving citizens,-
*Like to his island, girt in with the ocean,

Or modest Dian, circled with her nymphs,-
Shall rest in London, till we come to him.-
Fair lords, take leave, and stand not to reply.-
Farewell, my sovereign.

K. Hen. Farewell, my Hector, and my Troy's true hope.

* Clar. In sign of truth, I kiss your highness' hand.

*K. Hen. Well-minded Clarence, be thou fortunate!

*Mont. Comfort, my lord;-and so I take my leave.

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.