Why fhall we fight, if you pretend no title ? Glo. Why brother, wherefore ftand you on nice points? K. Edw. When we grow ftronger, then we'll make our claim: ill then 'tis wisdom to conceal our meaning. Haft. Away with fcrupulous wit, now arms must rule. Glo. And fearlets minds climb fooneft unto crowns. 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 ufurps the diadem. Mont. Ay, now my Sov'reign speaketh like himself : And now will I be Edward's champion. Haft. Sound trumpet, Edward fhall be here proclaim'd: Come, fellow-foldier, make thou proclamation. [Flourish. Sold. Edward the Fourth, by the grace of God, King f England, and France, and Lord of Ireland, &c Mont, and whofoe'er gainfays King Edward's right, By this I challenge him to fingle fight. [Throws down his gauntlet. All. Long live Edward the Fourth! K. Edw. Thanks, brave Montgomery; and thanks If fortune serve me, I'll requite this kindnefs. [to all. Now, for this night, let's harbour here in York: And when the morning fun fhail raise his car Above the border of this horizon, We'll forward towards Warwick, and his mates Ah, froward Clarence, evil at befeems thee Yet as we may, we'll meet both thee and Warwick. SCENE IX. Changes again to London. Enter King Henry, Exeter, Warwick, Montague, Cla rence, Oxford, and Somerset. War. What counfel, Lords? Edward from Belgia, With hafty Germans, and blunt Hollanders, Hath pafs'd in fafety through the narrow feas, K Henry Let's levy men, and beat him back again. Clar. A little fire is quickly trodden out, Which being fuffer'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, fon Clarence, K. Henry. Farewel, my Hector, and my Troy's true hope. Clar In fign of truth, I kifs your Highness' hand. K. Henry. Well-minded Clarence, be thou fortunate! Mont. Comfort, my Lord, and so I take my leave. Oxf. And thus I feal my truth, and bid adieu. K. Henry. Sweet Oxford, and my loving Montague, And all at once, once more a happy farewel. War Farewel, fweet Lords; let's meet at Coventry. [Exeunt. K. Henry. Here at the palace will I reft a while. Coufin of Exeter, what thinks your Lordship? Methinks the pow'r that Edward hath in field, Should not be able to encounter mine. Exe, The doubt is, that he will feduce the rest. My pity hath been balm to healm their wounds,' My mercy dry'd their water-flowing tears. Nor much opprefs'd them with great fubfidies, ? [Shout within. A Lancaster! a Lancaster! Exe. Hark, hark, my Lord, what shouts are these ? Enter King Edward, Gloucefter, &c. with Soldiers: K. Edw. Seize on the fhame-fac'd Henry, bear him And once again proclaim us King of England [hence, You are the fount that makes small brooks to flow; Now ftops thy fprings, my fea fhall fuck them dry, And fwell fo much the higher, by their ebb. Hence with him to the Tow'r, let him not fpeak. [Ex. with King Henry, And, Lords, to Coventry bend we our course, Where peremptory Warwick now remains. The fun fhines 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, marchamain towards Coventry. [Exeunt. A CT V. SCENE I. Before the town of Coventry. Enter Warwick, the Mayor of Coventry, two Meffengers, and others, upon the walls. War. Here is the poft that came from valiant Oxford? How far hence is thy Lord, mine honeft fellow? 1 Me. By this at Dunfmore, marching hither ward, War. How far off is our brother Montague ? Where is the poft that came from Montague? 2 Me. By this at Daintry, with a puiffant troop. Enter Somerville. War. Say, Somerville, what fays my loving fon? And by thy guefs how nigh is Clarence now? Somerv. At Southam I did leave him with his forces, And do expect him here fome two hours hence. War. Then Clarence is at hand, I hear his drum: Somerv. It is not his, my Lord; here Southam lies: The drum your Honour hears, marcheth from Warwick. War. Whofhould that be? belike unlook'd-for friends. Somero. They are at hand, and you fhall quickly know. March. Flourish. Enter King Edward, Gloucester, and Soldiers. K. Edw. Go, trumpet, to the walls, and found a parley. Glo. See how the furly Warwick mans the wall. War. Oh, unbid fpight! is fportful Edward come? Where slept our scouts, or how are they feduc'd, That we could hear no news of his repair? K. Edw. Now, Warwick, wilt thou ope the citygates, Speak gentle words, and humbly bend thy knee, . War. Nay, rather wilt thou draw thy forces hence, Confefs who fet thee up and pluck'd thee down, Call Warwick patron, and be penitent? And thou fhalt still remain the Duke of York. Glo. I thought at least he wou'd have faid the King; Or did he make the jest against his will? War. Is not a dukedom, Sir, a goodly gift? Glo. Ay, by my faith, for a poor Earl to give: I'll do thee fervice for fo good a gift. War. 'Twas I that gave the kingdom to thy brother. K. Edw. Why, then 'tis mine, if but by Warwick's gift. War. Thou art nó Atlas for fo great a weight: And, weakling! Warwick takes his gift again; And Henry is my King, Warwick his fubject. K. Edw. But Warwick's King is Edward's prifoner : And, gallant Warwick, do but answer this, What is the body when the head is off? Glo. Alas! that Warwick had no more fore-cast, But while he thought to fteal the fingle ten, The King was flily finger'd from the deck. You left poor Henry at the Bishop's palace, And ten to one you'll meet him in the Tower. K. Edw. 'Tis even fo, yet you are Warwick ftill. Glo.Come, Warwick, take the time, kneel down, kneel down: Nay, when? strike now, or effe the iron cools. Than bear fo low a fail to ftrike to thee. K. Edw. Sail how thou canft, have wind and tide thy friend, This hand, fast wound about thy coal black hair, Glo. The gates are open, let us enter too. Mont Montague! Montague! for Lancaster. Glo. Thou, and thy brother both, fhall buy this treafon Ev'n with the dearest blood your bodies bear. K. Edw. The harder match'd, the greater victory; My mind prefageth happy gain and conqueft. Enter Somerfet, with drum and colours. Som. Somerfet! Somerfet! for Lancaster. Glo Two of thy name, both Dukes of Somerset, Have fold their lives unto the house of York; |