And see, where comes the breeder of my sorrow. Oxf. Call him my king, by whose injurious doom Enter Warwick, attended. 'K. Lew. What's he, approacheth boldly to our Even in the downfall of his mellow'd years, presence? Q. Mar. Our earl of Warwick, Edward's great-No, Warwick, no; while life upholds this arm, est friend. This arm upholds the house of Lancaster. War. And I the house of York. 'When nature brought him to the door of death? K. Lew. Welcome, brave Warwick! What brings thee to France? [Descending from his state, Queen Mar. rises. With nuptial knot, if thou vouchsafe to grant To England's king in lawful marriage." Q. Mar. If that go forward, Henry's hope is done. War. And, gracious madam, [To Bona.] in our king's behalf, I am commanded, with your leave and favour, For how can tyrants safely govern home, * Thou draw not on thy danger and dishonour: And why not queen? Which did subdue the greatest part of Spain; War. Oxford, how haps it, in this smooth course, K. Lew. Queen Margaret, prince Edward, and Vouchsafe, at our request, to stand aside, [Retiring with the Prince and Oxford. 'K. Lew. Now, Warwick, tell me, even upon thy conscience, Is Edward your true king? for I were loath, K. Lew. But is he gracious in the people's eye? As may beseem a monarch like himself. K. Lew. Now, sister, let us hear your firm resolve. K. Lew. Then, Warwick, thus, -Our sister shall be Edward's: *And now forthwith shall articles be drawn Touching the jointure that your king must make, *Which with her dowry shall be counterpois'd:Draw near, queen Margaret; and be a witness, That Bona shall be wife to the English king. Prince. To Edward, but not to the English king. *Q. Mar. Deceitful Warwick! it was thy device *By this alliance to make void my suit; Before thy coming, Lewis was Henry's friend. garet: But if your title to the crown be weak,— From giving aid, which late I promised. You told not, how Henry the Sixth hath lost wick, peace; Proud setter-up and puller-down of kings! *I will not hence, till with my talk and tears, *Both full of truth, I make king Lewis behold Thy sly conveyance, and thy lord's false love; For both of you are birds of self-same feather. [A horn sounded within. K. Lew. Warwick, this is some post to us, or thee. (2) Juggling. "Whom thou obey'dst thirty and six years, (1) Malice, or hatred. Enter a Messenger. K. Lew. And mine, with hers, and thine, and Mess. My lord ambassador, these letters are for Therefore, at last, I firmly am resolv'd, you; Sent from your brother marquis Montague. [To Margaret. They all read their letters. Oxf. I like it well, that our fair queen and mistress Smiles at her news, while Warwick frowns at his. Prince. Nay, mark, how Lewis stamps as he were nettled: * I hope, all's for the best. 'K. Lew. Warwick, what are thy news? and yours, fair queen? 'Q. Mar. Mine, such as fill my heart with unhop'd joys. War. Mine, full of sorrow and heart's discon tent. K. Lew. What! has your king married the lady Grey? And now, to sooth your forgery and his, 'Sends me a paper to persuade me patience? 'Is this the alliance that he seeks with France? 'Dare he presume to scorn us in this manner? Q. Mar. I told your majesty as much before: This proveth Edward's love, and Warwick's honesty. War. King Lewis, I here protest,-in sight of heaven, And by the hope I have of heavenly bliss,- 'And am I guerdon'd' at the last with shame ? Q. Mar. Warwick, these words have turn'd 'And I forgive and quite forget old faults, That, if king Lewis vouchsafe to furnish us For matching more for wanton lust than honour, * Or than for strength and safety of our country. * Bona. Dear brother, how shall Bona be reveng'd, *But by thy help to this distressed queen? * Q. Mar. Renowned prince, how shall poor Henry live, * Unless thou rescue him from foul despair? *Bona. My quarrel, and this English queen's, You shall have aid. *Q. Mar. Let me give humble thanks for all at once. K. Lew. Then England's messenger, return in post; And tell false Edward, thy supposed king,That Lewis of France is sending over maskers, To revel it with him and his new bride: *Thou seest what's past, go fear thy king withal. Bona. Tell him, In hope he'll prove a widower shortly, I'll wear the willow garland for his sake. Q. Mar. Tell him, My mourning weeds are laid aside, And I am ready to put armour on. War. Tell him from me, That he hath done me wrong; And therefore I'll uncrown him, ere't be long. [Exit Mess. K. Lew. But, Warwick, thou, And Oxford, with five thousand men, Shall cross the seas, and bid false Edward battle: *And, as occasion serves, this noble queen And prince shall follow with a fresh supply, Yet, ere thou go, but answer me one doubt;What pledge have we of thy firm loyalty? War. This shall assure my constant loyalty:That if our queen and this young prince agree, I'll join mine eldest daughter, and my joy, To him forthwith in holy wedlock bands. 'Q. Mar. Yes, I agree, and thank you for your motion: 'Son Edward, she is fair and virtuous, Therefore delay not, give thy hand to Warwick; 'And, with thy hand, thy faith irrevocable, 'That only Warwick's daughter shall be thine. * Prince. Yes, I accept her, for she well deserves it; * And here, to pledge my vow, I give my hand. He gives his hand to Warwick. 'K. Lew. Why stay we now? These soldiers shall be levied, And thou, lord Bourbon, our high admiral, 'Shall waft them over with our royal fleet.I long, till Edward fall by war's mischance, For mocking marriage with a dame of France. [Exeunt all but Warwick. War. I came from Edward as ambassador, But I return his sworn and mortal foe: Matter of marriage was the charge he gave me, But dreadful war shall answer his demand. Had he none else to make a stale,' but me? Then none but I shall turn his jest to sorrow. I was the chief that raised him to the crown, And I'll be chief to bring him down again: Not that I pity Henry's misery, But seek revenge on Edward's mockery. ACT IV. [Erit, * Glo. And his well-chosen bride. * Clar. I mind to tell him plainly what I think. 'That you stand pensive, as half malcontent? Which are so weak of courage, and in judgment, 'K. Edw. Suppose they take offence without a' cause, They are but Lewis and Warwick; I am Edward, "Your king and Warwick's, and must have my will. 'Glo. And you shall have your will, because our king: Yet hasty marriage seldom proveth well. K. Edw. Yea, brother Richard, are you offended And you too, Somerset, and Montague, 'Speak freely what you think. Clar. Then this is my opinion,-that king Lewis 'Becomes your enemy, for mocking him About the marriage of the lady Bona. '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 6 the heir' Of the lord Bonville on your new wife's son, Which being shallow, you shall give me leave And, to that end, I shortly mind to leave you. And not be tied unto his brother's will. And meaner than myself have had like fortune. So your dislikes, to whom I would be pleasing, 'K. Edw. Now, messenger, what letters, o! what news, 'Glo. And Warwick, doing what you gave in From France? charge, Is now dishonoured by this new marriage. 'K. Edw. What, if both Lewis and Warwick be appeas'd, 'By such invention as I can devise? Mont. Yet to have join'd with France in such alliance, Would more have strengthen'd this our commonwealth, 'Gainst foreign storms, than any home-bred marriage. Hast. Why, knows not Montague, that of itself 'England is safe, if true within itself? *Mont. Yes; but the safer, when 'tis back'd with France. * Hast. 'Tis better using France, than trusting * Let us be back'd with God, and with the seas, 'To have the heir of the lord Hungerford. 'K. Edw. Ay, what of that? it was my will, and grant; * And, for this once, my will shall stand for law. (1) The heiress of great estates were in the wardship of the king, who match'd them to his favourites. 'Mess. My sovereign liege, no letters; and few But such as I, without your special pardon, 'K. Edw. Go to, we pardon thee: therefore, Tell me their words as near as thou canst guess What answer makes king Lewis unto our letters? K. Edw. Is Lewis so brave? belike, he thinks But what said lady Bona to my marriage? Tell him, in hope he'll prove a widower shortly, K. Edw. I blame not her, she could say little less; And I am ready to put armour on. K. Edw. Belike, she minds to play the Amazon. But what said Warwick to these injuries? (2) Present. (3) Thrown off. 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. His soldiers lurking in the towns about, *With sleight and manhood stole to Rhesus' tents, * So we, well cover'd with the night's black mantle, *At unawares may beat down Edward's guard, Mess. Ay, gracious sovereign; they are so link'd* And seize himself, I say not-slaughter him, 'But say, is Warwick friends with Margaret? 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: * 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! Why, then, let's on our way in silent sort: For Warwick and his friends, God and Saint George! [Exeunt. My thoughts aim at a further matter; I *Yet am I arm'd against the worst can happen; [Exeunt Pembroke and Stafford. 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; Mont. So God help Montague, as he proves true! 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;- War. Then, gentle Clarence, welcome unto And welcome, Somerset :-I hold it cowardice, *1 Watch. Come on, my masters, each man take his stand; The king, by this, is set him down to sleep. *2 Watch. What, will he not to-bed? * 1 Watch. Why, no: for he hath made a solemn VOW *Never to lie and take his natural rest, *Till Warwick, or himself, be quite suppress'd. *2 Watch. To-morrow then, belike, shall be the day, *If Warwick be so near as men report. *3 Watch. But say, I pray, what nobleman is that, *That with the king here resteth in his tent? *1 Watch. 'Tis the lord Hastings, the king's chiefest friend. * 3 Watch. O, is it so? But why commands the king, 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 ness, 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 roval tent, * But to defend his person from night-foes? Enter Warwick, Clarence, Oxford, Somerset, and forces. 'War. This is his tent; and see, where stand his guard. 'Courage, my masters: honour now, or never! 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. The drum beating, and trumpets sounding. Reenter Warwick, and the rest, bringing the King out in a gown, sitting in a chair; Gloster and Hastings fly. Som. What are they that fly there? 'War. Richard, and Hastings: let them go, here's the duke. K. Edw. The duke! why, Warwick, when we✶ And stop the rising of blood-sucking sighs, Thou call'dst me king! *K. Edw. Yea, brother of Clarence, art thou *Lest with my sighs or tears I blast or drown 'Q. Eliz. I am informed, that he comes towards *To set the crown once more on Henry's head: 'But to prevent the tyrant's violence *Nay, then I see, that Edward needs must down.-Come therefore, let us fly, while we may fly; 'Yet, Warwick, in despite of all mischance, 'Of thee thyself, and all thy 'complices, Edward will always bear himself as king: (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. (E SCENE V-A Park near Middleham Castle, in Yorkshire. Enter Gloster, Hastings, Sif William Stanley, and others. 'Glo. Now, my lord Hastings, and sir William Stanley, 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. 'Leave off to wonder why I drew you hither, 'Is prisoner to the bishop here, at whose hands "When I have fought with Pembroke and his fellows,He hath good usage and great liberty; 'I'll follow you, and tell what answer 'Lewis, and the lady Bona, send to him:- * 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? [Exeunt. 'To free king Henry from imprisonment, 'Q. Eliz. Why, brother Rivers, are you yet to 'What late misfortune 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, * And I the rather wean me from despair, * And bear with mildness my misfortune's cross; (1) i. e. In his mind; as far as his own mind goes.! 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. 'Hunt. Better do so, than tarry and be hang'd. Warwick's frown; And pray that I may repossess the crown. [Exe. Enter SCENE VI-A room in the Tower. *K. Hen. Master lieutenant, now that God and *Have shaken Edward from the regal seat; My fear to hope, my sorrows unto joys; Z |