Glo. And yet, methinks, your grace hath not done well
To give the heir and daughter of lord Scales
Unto the brother of your loving bride;

She better would have fitted me, or Clarence :
But in your bride you bury brotherhood.

Clar. Or else you would not have bestow'd the heir
Of the lord Bonville on your new wife's son,
And leave your brothers to go speed elsewhere.

K. Edw. Alas, poor Clarence! is it for a wife That thou art malcontent? I will provide thee.

Clar. In choosing for yourself you show'd your judgment;

Which being shallow, you shall give me leave
To play the broker in mine own behalf;

And, to that end, I shortly mind to leave you.

K. Edo. Leave me, or tarry, Edward will be king, And not be tied unto his brother's will.

Q. Eliz. My lords, before it pleas'd his majesty
To raise my state to title of a queen,

Do me but right, and you must all confess
That I was not ignoble of descent,

And meaner than myself have had like fortune.
But as this title honours me and mine,

So your dislikes, to whom I would be pleasing,
Do cloud my joys with danger and with sorrow.

K. Edw. My love, forbear to fawn upon their frowns:
What danger or what sorrow can befall thee,
So long as Edward is thy constant friend,
And their true sovereign, whom they must obey?
Nay, whom they shall obey, and love thee too,
Unless they seek for hatred at my hands:
Which if they do, yet will I keep thee safe,
And they shall feel the vengeance of my wrath.
Glo. I hear, yet say not much, but think the more.

Enter a Messenger.

[Aside.

K. Edw. Now, messenger, what letters or what news From France?

Mess. My sovereign liege, no letters; and few words, But such as I, without your special pardon, Dare not relate.

K. Edw. Go to, we pardon thee: therefore, in brief, Tell me their words as near as thou canst guess them. What answer makes king Lewis unto our letters?

Mess. At my depart, these were his very words:
"Go tell false Edward, thy supposed king,
That Lewis of France is sending over maskers
To revel it with him and his new bride."

K. Edw. Is Lewis so brave? belike he thinks me
Henry.

But what said lady Bona to my marriage?

Mess. These were her words, utter'd with mild disdain:

Tell him, in hope he'll prove a widower shortly, I'll wear the willow garland for his sake."

K. Edw. I blame not her, she could say little less; She had the wrong. But what said Henry's queen?

For I have heard that she was there in place." Mess. "Tell him," quoth she, "my mourning weeds are done,

And I am ready to put armour on."

K. Edw. Belike she minds to play the Amazon. But what said Warwick to these injuries?

Mess. He, more incens'd against your majesty Than all the rest, discharg'd me with these words: "Tell him from me, that he hath done me wrong, And therefore I'll uncrown him ere 't be long."

K. Edw. Ha! durst the traitor breathe out so proud words?

Well, I will arm me, being thus forewarn'd:

They shall have wars, and pay for their presumption. is Warwick friends with Margaret?

But

say,

In place- there present

Mess. Ay, gracious sovereign; they are so link'd in friendship

That young prince Edward marries Warwick's daughter. Clar. Belike, the elder; Clarence will have the

younger.

Now, brother king, farewell, and sit you fast,
For I will hence to Warwick's other daughter;
That, though I want a kingdom, yet in marriage
I may not prove inferior to yourself.

You that love me and Warwick, follow me.
[Exit CLARENCE, and SOMERSET follows.
Glo. Not I.

My thoughts aim at a further matter;

I stay not for love of Edward, but the crown. [Aside.
K. Edw. Clarence and Somerset both gone to Warwick!
Yet am I arm'd against the worst can happen ;
And haste is needful in this desperate case.
Pembroke, and Stafford, you in our behalf
Go levy men, and make prepare for war.
They are already, or quickly will be landed :
Myself in person will straight follow you.

[Exeunt PEMBROKE and STAFFORD,
But, ere I go, Hastings and Montague,
Resolve my doubt. You twain, of all the rest,
Are near to Warwick by blood, and by alliance:
Tell me, if you love Warwick more than me?
If it be so, then both depart to him;

I rather wish you foes than hollow friends;
But if you mind to hold your true obedience,
Give me assurance with some friendly vow,
That I may never have you in suspect.

Mont. So God help Montague, as he proves true!
Hast. And Hastings, as he favours Edward's cause!
K. Edw. Now, brother Richard, will you stand by us?
Glo. Ay, in despite of all that shall withstand you.
K. Edw. Why so; then am I sure of victory.
Now therefore let us hence; and lose no hour,
Till we meet Warwick with his foreign power. [Exeunt.

SCENE II.-A Plain in Warwickshire.

Enter WARWICK and OXFORD, with French and other Forces.

War. Trust me, my lord, all hitherto goes well; The common people by numbers swarm to us.

Enter CLARENCE and SOMERSET.

But, see, where Somerset and Clarence come;
Speak suddenly, my lords; are we all friends?
Clar. Fear not that, my lord.

War. Then, gentle Clarence, welcome unto Warwick;
And welcome, Somerset: I hold it cowardice,
To rest mistrustful where a noble heart
Hath pawn'd an open hand in sign of love;
Else might I think that Clarence, Edward's brother,
Were but a feigned friend to our proceedings:

But welcome, sweet Clarence; my daughter shall be thine.

And now what rests, but, in night's coverture,
Thy brother being carelessly encamp'd,
His soldiers lurking in the towns about,
And but attended by a simple guard,

We may surprise and take him at our pleasure?
Our scouts have found the adventure very easy:
That as Ulysses, and stout Diomede,

With slight and manhood stole to Rhesus' tents,
And brought from thence the Thracian fatal steeds;
So we, well cover'd with the night's black mantle,
At unawares may beat down Edward's guard,
And seize himself: I say not, slaughter him,
For I intend but only to surprise him.
You that will follow me to this attempt
Applaud the name of Henry, with your leader.
[They all cry Henry!

And often, but attended with weak guard,
Comes hunting this way to disport himself.
I have advertis'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? 't is no time to talk,
K. Edwo. 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 War-
wick'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,
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. 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 dissention 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 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, And all his lands and goods be confiscate. Forthwith that Edward be pronounc'd a traitor,

Clar. What else? and that succession be determin'd.
War. Ay, therein Clarence shall not want his part.
Let me entreat (for I command no more)
K. Hen. But, with the first of all your chief affairs,

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.

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 Richinond. K. Hen. Come hither, England's hope: If secret powers [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 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.

[Exnt. K. HEN., WAR., CLAR., Lieut., and Attends. 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

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.

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 bless'd in peace, and war, And therefore I yield thee my free consent

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 Brittany, Till storms be past of civil enmity.

Oxf. Ay; for if Edward repossess the crown, "T is like that Richmond with the rest shall down Som. It shall be so; he shall to Brittany. Come, therefore, let's about it speedily.

a Attended him-waited for him.

[Exeunt.

SCENE VII.-Before York.

Enter KING EDWARD, GLOSTER, HASTINGS, and Forces.

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 desired 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. Edw. Tush, man! abodements must not now affright us:

By fair or foul means we must enter in,
For hitner 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 his 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 soon persuaded!
Hast. The good old man would fain that all were
well,

So 't were 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 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, awhile; and we 'll debate

By what safe means the crown may be recover'd.

Glo. Why, brother, wherefore stand you on nice points! K. Edw. When we grow stronger, then we 'll make our claim:

Till then, 't is wisdom to conceal our meaning.

Hast. Away with scrupulous wit! now arms must rule. Glo. And fearless minds climb soonest 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 't is 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 proclaim'd:

Come, fellow-soldier, make thou proclamation.

[Gives him a paper. Flourish. Sold. [Reads.] "Edward the fourth, by the grace of Gud, 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 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 Warwick.
Come on, brave soldiers; doubt not of the day;
And that once gotten, doubt not of large pay. [Ereuní

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, Those will I muster up: and thou, son Clarence, Not mutinous in peace, yet bold in war; Shall stir up 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. a Bruit-report.