K. Edo. 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. Come therefore, let us fly, while we may fly; '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.
'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.

"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.

[Erit King Edw. led out; Som. with him. * Orf. 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. 'Riv. 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. Rit. 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,

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

VOL. II.

(Exe.

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

'Leave off to wonder why I drew you hither,
this chicfest 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, '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. Edw. 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;
Ꮓ

*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"

'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 lad3 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.

* 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 vield 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. My brother was too careless of his charge.

*But let us hence, my sovercign, 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,

War. What answers Clarence to his sovereign's* will?

* Clar. That he consents, if Warwick yield Till storms be past of civil enmity.

consent;

*For on thy fortune I repose myself.

*War. Why then, though loth, yet must I be

content:

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

*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,
* And all his lands and goods be confiscate.
Clar. What else? and that succession be
min'd.
*War. Ay, therein Clarence shalt not want hisAnd brought desir'd help from Burgundy:

'Yet thus far fortune maketh us amends,
'And says-that once more I shall interchange
deter-My waned state for Henry's regal crown.

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: *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. (2) Present. (3) Afterwards Henry VII.

'Well have we pass'd, and now repass'd the seas,

'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.

(4) i. e. Waited for him.

* Hast. My liege, I'll knock once more, to* Brother, we will proclaim you out of hand; summon them. *The bruit thereof will bring you many friends. *K. Edw. Then be it as you will; for 'tis my right,

Enter, on the walls, the Mayor of York, and his

*Oxf. And thus [Kissing Henry's hand.] I seal| my truth, and bid adieu.

*K. Hen. Sweet Oxford, and my loving Mon-* tague,

*And all at once, once more a happy farewell. War. Farewell, sweet lords; let's meet at Cov

entry. [Exe. War. Clar. Oxf. and Mont. *K. Hen. Here at the palace will I rest a while. *Cousin of Exeter, what thinks your lordship? *Methinks, the power, that Edward hath in field, *Should not be able to encounter mine.

*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;

My pity hath been balm to heal their wounds, *My mildness hath allay'd their swelling griefs, 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 *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."

;

[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 small 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 hay.

Glo. Away betimes, before his forces join, *And take the great-grown traitor unawares: * Brave warriors, march amain towards Coventry.

ACT V.

[Exeunt.

SCENE I-Coventry. Enter, upon the walls, Warwick, the Mayor of Coventry, two Messengers, and others."

War. Where is the post, that came from valiant

Oxford ?

How far hence is thy lord, mine honest fellow?
'1 Mess. By this at Dunsmore, marching hither-
ward.

War. How far off is our brother Montague ?-
Where is the post that came from 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.
[Drum heard.

'War. Then Clarence is at hand, I hear his drum. *Som. It is not his, my lord; here Southam lies; The drum your honour hears, marcheth from Warwick.

*War. Who should that be? belike, unlook'dfor friends.

*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, See, 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. Edw. Now, Warwick, wilt thou ope the city

gates,

Speak gentle words, and humbly bend thy knee?~ 'Call Edward-king, and at his hands beg merey, And he shall pardon thee these outrages.

'War. Nay, rather, wilt thou draw thy forces

hence,

Confess who set thee up and pluck'd thee down?—
Call Warwick-patron, and be penitent,
And thou shalt still remain the duke of York.

Glo. I thought, at least, he would have said-
the king;

Or did he make the jest against his will?
* War. Is not a dukedom, sir, a goodly gift?
I'll do thee service for so good a gift.3
Glo. Ay, by my faith, for a poor earl to give ;

'War. Twas I, that gave the kingdom to thy
brother.

K. Edw. Why, then 'tis mine, if but by War-
wick's gift.

And, weakling, Warwick takes his gift again;
War. Thou art no Atlas for so great a weight:
And Henry is my king, Warwick his subject.
*K. Edw. But Warwick's king is Edward's

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 now, or else the iron cools.
And with the other fling it at thy face,
*War. I had rather chop this hand off at a blow,

*Than bear so low a sail, to strike to thee.
*K. Edw. Sail how thou canst, have wind and

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.

г

K. Edw. Yes, Warwick, Edward dares, and leads
the way :-

Lords, to the field; Saint George, and victory!
[March. Exeunt.

War. O, welcome, Oxford! for we want thy SCENE II-A field of battle_near Barnet.help.

*If thou be there, sweet brother, take my hand,
And with thy lips keep in my soul a while!
*Thou lov'st me not; for, brother, if thou didst,
*Thy tears would wash this cold congealed blood,
That glews my lips, and will not let me speak.
*Come quickly, Montague, or I am dead.
'Som. Ah, Warwick, Montague hath breath'd
his last;

And to the latest gasp, cried out for Warwick,
And 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,