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 forewarn'd 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. Ed. 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 persuaded soon!
Hast. The good old man would fain that all
were well,

*So 'twere 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. Ed. 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 the 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, a while; and we'll debate,

'By what safe means the crown may be recover'd.
Mont. What talk you of debating? in few words,
'If you'll not here proclaim yourself our king,
I'll leave you to your fortune; and be gone,
To keep them back that come to succour you:
Why should we fight, if you pretend no title ?
Glo. Why, brother, wherefore stand you on
nice points?

* K. Edw. When we grow stronger, then we'll
make our claim:

Till then, 'tis wisdom to conceal our meaning. Hast. Away with scrupulous wit! now arms must rule.

* Glo. And fearless minds climb soonest unto crowns.

(1) The mayor is willing we should enter, so he may not be blamed.

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 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 God, 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 king 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 War wick.

Come on, brave soldiers; doubt not of the day,
* And, that once gotten, doubt not of large pay.
[Exeunt.
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.

*Orf. 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 truc-hearted
friends,

Not mutinous in peace, yet bold in war;
Those will I muster up-and thou, son Clarence,
'Shalt stir, 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.

*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;

'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'd-
for 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, Sce, 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. Ed. Now, Warwick, wilt thou ope the city

gates,

My pity hath been balm to heal their wounds, *My mildness hath allay'd their swelling grict's, 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;And he shall pardon thee these outrages. *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.

'Speak gentle words, and humbly bend thy knee?Call Edward-king, and at his hands beg mercy,

[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 smali 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 hav.2

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

ACT V.

SCENE I-Coventry. Enter, upon the walls,
Warwick, the Mayor of Coventry, two Mes-
sengers, 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. 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.'
Glo. Av, 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 row, or else the iron cools.
*War. I had rather chop this hand off at a blow,
*And with the other fling it at thy face,
*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.

K. Ed. So other foes may set upon our backs. *Stand we in good array; for they, no doubt, *Will issue out again, and bid us battle: 'If not, the city being but of small defence, 'We'll quickly rouse the traitors in the same.

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.

Enter Montague, with drum and colours.
Mont. Montague, Montague, for Lancaster!
He and his forces enter the city.
'Glo. Thou and thy brother both shall buy this

treason

'Even with the dearest blood your bodies bear.
K. Edo. The harder match'd, the greater
victory;

*My mind presageth happy gain, and conquest.

Enter Somerset, with drum and colours.
Som. Somerset, Somerset, for Lancaster!

[He and his forces enter the city.
Glo. Two of thy name, both dukes of Somerset,
Have sold their lives unto the house of York;
And thou shalt be the third, if this sword hold.

Enter Clarence, with drum and colours.

War. And lo, where George of Clarence sweeps
along,

Of force enough to bid his brother battle;
*With whom an upright zeal to right prevails,
*More than the nature of a brother's love :-
Come, Clarence, come; thou wilt, if Warwick
calls.

Clar. Father of Warwick, know you what this

means?

[Taking the red rose out of his cap.
'Look here, I throw my infamy at thee:
I will not ruinate my father's house,
Who gave his blood to lime' the stones together,
'And set up Lanoaster. Why, trow'st thou, War-
wick,

'That Clarence is so harsh, so blunt,2 unnatural,
'To bend the fatal instruments of war
Against his brother, and his lawful king?
Perhaps, thou wilt object my holy oath:
To keep that oath, were more impiety
Than Jephtha's, when he sacrific'd his daughter.
I am so sorry for my trespass made,
That, to deserve well at my brother's hands,
I here proclaim myself thy mortal foe;
With resolution, wheresoe'er I meet thee,
(As I will meet thee, if thou stir abroad,)
To plague thee for thy foul misleading me.
And so, proud-hearted Warwick, I defy thee,
And to my brother turn my blushing cheeks.-
Pardon me, Edward, I will make amends;
And, Richard, do not frown upon my faults,
'For I will henceforth be no more unconstant.
'K. Edu. Now welcome more, and ten
more belov'd,

Than if thou never hadst deserv'd our hate.

Alarums, and Excursions. Enter King Edward bringing in Warwick wounded.

*K, Edw. So, lie thou there: die thou, and
die our fear;

*For Warwick was a bug, that fear'd' us all.-
Now, Montague, sit fast; I seek for thee,
*That Warwick's bones may keep thine company.
Exit.
And tell me, who is victor, York, or Warwick?
War. Ah, who is nigh? come to me, friend or foe,
Why ask I that? my mangled body shows,

My blood, my want of strength, my sick heart
shows,

That I must yield my body to the earth,
And, by my fall, the conquest to my foe.
Thus yields the cedar to the axe's edge,
Whose arms gave shelter to the princely eagle,
Under whose shade the ramping lion slept;
Whose top-branch overpeer'd Jove's spreading tree,
And kept low shrubs from winter's powerful wind.
*These eyes, that now are dimm'd with death's
Have been as piercing as the mid-day sun,
black veil,

*To search the secret treasons of the world:
The wrinkles in my brows, now fill'd with blood,
Were liken'd oft to kingly sepulchres;
For who liv'd king, but I could dig his grave?
And who durst smile, when Warwick bent his brow?
Lo, now my glory smear'd in dust and blood!
My parks, my walks, my manors that I had,
Even now forsake me; and, of all my lands,
Is nothing left me, but my body's length;
Why, what is pomp, rule, reign, but earth and dust?
And, live we how we can, yet die we must.

Enter Oxford and Somerset.

* Som. Ah, Warwick, Warwick! wert thou as

tague,

*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, timesAnd 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,
like.

War. O passing' traitor, perjur'd, and unjust!
K. Edw. What, Warwick, wilt thou leave the
town, and fight?

Or shall we beat the stones about thine ears?
'War. Alas, I am not coop'd here for defence:
I will away towards Barnet presently,
And bid thee battle, Edward, if thou dar'st.

'I well might hear deliver'd with a groan,-
'O, farewell, Warwick!

War.
Sweet rest to his soul!-
Fly, lords, and save yourselves; For Warwick bids
You all farewell, to meet again in heaven. [Dies.
Oxf. Away, away, to meet the queen's great
power!

[Exeunt, bearing off Warwick's body.

(3) Eminent, egregious. (4) Bugbear.
(5) Terrified.

SCENE III-Another part of the field. Flou-* That there's no hop'd-for mercy with the brothers, rish. Enter King Edward, in triumph; with * More than with ruthless waves, with sands, and Clarence, Gloster, and the rest. rocks.

Why, courage, then! what cannot be avoided,

*"Twere childish weakness to lament, or fear. * Prince. Methinks, a woman of this valiant spirit *Should, if a coward heard her speak these words, * Infuse his breast with magnanimity, * And make him, naked, foil a man at arms. queenFor, did I but suspect a fearful man, 'I speak not this, as doubting any here: