War. Oxford, how haps it, in this smooth dis- That your estate requires, and mine can yield.

K. Lew. And mine, with hers, and thine, and
Margaret's.

Mess. My lord ambassador, these letters are for Therefore, at last, I firmly am resolv'd,

*Hath not our brother made a worthy choice?
Clar. Alas, you know, 'tis far from hence to
France;

*How could he stay till Warwick made return?
*Som. My lords, forbear this talk; here comes
the king.

Flourish. Enter King Edward, attended; Lady
Grey, as Queen; Pembroke, Stafford, Hastings,
and others.

* Glo. And his well-chosen bride.

* Clar. I mind to tell him plainly what I think.
'K. Ed. Now, brother of Clarence, how like
you our choice,

'That you stand pensive, as half malcontent?
Clar. As well as Lewis of France, or the earl
of Warwick;

Which are so weak of courage, and in judgment,
'That they'll take no offence at our abuse."

'K. Edi. Suppose they take offence without a

cause,

'They are but Lewis and Warwick; I am Edward, Your king and Warwick's, and must have iny will. Glo. And you shall have your will, because our king:

Yet hasty marriage seldom proveth well.

K. Ed. Yea, brother Richard, are you offended too?

'Glo. Not I:

No; God forbid, that I should wish them sever'd
Whom God hath join'd together: ay, and 'twere
pity,

To sunder them that yoke so well together.
K. Ed. Setting your scorns, and your mislike,
aside,

Tell me some reason, why the lady Grey
'Should not become my wife, and England's

queen:

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
the heir1

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. Edin. 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 dan er and with sorrow.
K. Edw. My love, forbear to fawn upon their

'K. Edw. Now, messenger, what letters, oi what news,

Glo. And Warwick, doing what you gave in From France? charge,

Is now dishonoured by this new marriage.

'K. Edo. 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
France:

*Let us be back'd with God, and with the seas,
Which he hath given for fence impregnable,
And with their helps only defend ourselves;
In them, and in ourselves, our safety lies.
Clar. For this one speech, lord Hastings well
deserves

'To have the heir of the lord Hungerford.

K. Edi. 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
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?

(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
proud words?

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:
so* That as Ulysses, and stout Diomede,

Well, I will arm me, being thus forewarn'd:
"They shall have wars, and pay for their presump-
tion.

'But say, is Warwick friends with Margaret?
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:

*With sleight 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!
Why, then, let's on our way in silent sort:
For Warwick and his friends, God and Saint
George!
[Exeunt.
SCENE III-Edward's camp, near Warwick.
Enter certain Watchmen, to guard the King's
tent.

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!

*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.

'K. Edw. Now, brother Richard, will you stand*
by us?

Glo. Ay, in despite of all that shall withstand you.
K. Edo. 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,
fo 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, Clarence; my daughter shall be thine.
And now what rests, but, in night's coverture,
Thy brother being carelessly encamp'd,

*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
royal 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!
'But follow me, and Edward shall be ours.
1 Watch. Who goes there?

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.

What are they that fly there? War. Richard, and Hastings: let them go, here's the duke.

K. Edu. 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. Edo. 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. 'If Warwick take us, we are sure to die. Exe. 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.-Come therefore, let us fly, while we may fly;

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

'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 is 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.

[Exit 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 iny 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. Riv. 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.

'Leave off to wonder why I drew you hither,
this chiefest 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.

rest,

Now, brother of Gloster, lord Hastings, and the 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. Edhe. 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; Z