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, cryingArm! Arm! Warwick, and the rest, following them. The Drum beating and Trumpets sounding. Re-enter 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? [duke. War. Richard, and Hastings: let them go, here's the K. Edw. The duke! why, Warwick, when we parted Thou call'dst me king! [last, War. K. Edw. Yea, brother of Clarence, art thou here too? War. Then, for his mind, be Edward England's king: [Takes off his Crown. See that forthwith duke Edward be convey'd When I have fought with Pembroke and his fellows, [Exit K. Edw. led out; Somerset with him. Oxf. 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. Elis. Why, brother Rivers, are you yet to learn, What late misfortune is befall'n king Edward? [wick? Riv. What, loss of some pitch'd battle against WarQ. 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 prisoner; 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, womb: For love of Edward's offspring in my (For trust not him that hath once broken faith), To save at least the heir of Edward's right; SCENE V. [Exeunt. A Park near MIDDLEHAM CASTLE, in YORKSHIRE. Enter GLOSTER, HASTINGS, SIR WILLIAM STANLEY, and others. Glo. Now, my lord Hastings, and sir William Stanley, Leave off to wonder why I drew you hither, Into this chiefest thicket of the park. Thus stands the case: You know our king, my brother, He hath good usage and great liberty; He shall here find his friends, with horse and men, Enter KING EDWARD and a Huntsman. Hunt. This way, my lord; for this way lies the gaine. K. Edw. Nay, this way, man; see, where the huntsmen stand. Now, brother of Gloster, lord Hastings, and the rest, And pray that I may repossess the crown. [Exeunt, SCENE VI. A Room in the TOWER, 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? Lieut. Subjects may challenge nothing of their soveBut, if an humble prayer may prevail, I then crave pardon of your majesty. [reigns; 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; E He was the author, thou the instrument. War. Your grace hath still been fam'd for virtuous; And now may seem as wise as virtuous, By spying, and avoiding, fortune's malice, Yet in this one thing let me blame your grace, Clar. No, Warwick, thou art worthy of the sway, To whom the heavens, in thy nativity, Adjudg'd an olive branch, and laurel crown, And therefore I yield thee my free consent. War. And I choose Clarence only for protector. Now, join your hands, and, with your hands, your hearts, I make you both protectors of this land; 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 loath, 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, Forthwith that Edward be pronounc'd a traitor, And all his lands and goods be confiscate. Clar. What else? and that succession be determin'd. |