SCENE IV-London. A Room in the Palace. Enter QUEEN ELIZABETH and RIVERS. Riv. Madam, what makes you in this sudden change? Riv. What, loss of some pitch'd battle against Warwick ? Q. Eliz. Ay, almost slain, for he is taken prisoner; 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: Q. Eliz. Till then, fair hope must hinder life's decay. womb: For love of Edward's offspring in my Lest with my sighs or tears I blast or drown King Edward's fruit, true heir to the English crown. 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. (For trust not him that hath once broken faith), To save at least the heir of Edward's right; There shall I rest secure from force, and fraud. [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; And often, but attended with weak guard, I have advértised him by secret means, That if about this hour, he make this way, 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, 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. K. Edw. Huntsman, what say'st thou ? wilt thou go along? 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. 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 turn'd 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? Nay, be thou sure, I'll well requite thy kindness, Ay, such a pleasure as incaged birds Conceive, when, after many moody thoughts, 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 famed for virtuous; By spying, and avoiding, fortune's malice, Adjudged an olive branch and laurel crown, 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, I make you both protectors of this land; War. What answers Clarence to his sovereign's will? For on thy fortune I repose myself. War. Why then, though loath, yet must I be content: Clar. What else? and that succession be determined. My joy of liberty is half eclipsed. Clar. It shall be done, my sovereign, with all speed. Of whom you seem to have so tender care? Som. My liege, it is young Henry, earl of Richmond. Suggest but truth to my divining thoughts, * Conform their temper to their destiny. + Present. His hand to wield a sceptre; and himself 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 HENRY, WARWICK, CLARENCE, LIEUTENANT, 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; Oxf. Ay; for, if Edward repossess the crown, Come, therefore, let's about it speedily. SCENE VII.-Before York. [Exeunt 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, Glo. The gates made fast!-Brother, I like not this; * Waited for him. 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 kis 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 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, So 'twere not long of him: but, being enter'd, 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 his keysFor 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 deceived. 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. *So he may not be blamed. |