* 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 kind ness, For that it made my imprisonment a pleasure: * Conceive, when, after many moody thoughts, 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, *For few men rightly temper with the stars:1 * Yet in this one thing let me blame your grace, *For choosing me, when Clarence is in place.2" * 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 blest in peace, and war; * And therefore I yield thee my free consent. *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 dissension hinder government: 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 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. * War. Ay, therein Clarence shalt not want his part. *K. Hen. But, with the first of all your chief affairs, *Let me entreat (for I command no more,) 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. Few men conform their temper to their destiny. '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 Richmond. '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 lad3 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's 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. [Exeunt King Henry, War. Clar. Lieut. and attendants. *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 Did glad my heart, with hope of this young *So doth my heart misgive me, in these conflicts *Orf. Ay; for, if Edward repossess the crown, *"Tis like that Richmond with the rest shall down. Som. It shall be so; he shall to Britany. * Come therefore, let's about it speedily. [Exeunt. SCENE VII.-Before York. Enter King Edward, Gloster, Hastings, and forces. 'K. Edw. Now, brother Richard, lord Hastings, and 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 desir'd 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, By fair or foul means we must enter in, (4) i. e. Waited for him. *Hast. My liege, I'll knock once more, to Brother, we will proclaim you out of hand; summon them. *The bruit thereof will bring you many friends. *K. Edw. Then be it as you will; for 'tis my right, 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. 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, Open the gates, we are king Henry's friends. *And Henry but usurps the diadem. Mont. Ay, now my sovereign speaketh like him- And now will I be Edward's champion. * Come, fellow-soldier, make thou proclamation. Mont. And whosoc'er gainsays king Edward's By this I challenge him to single fight. We'll forward towards Warwick, and his mates; *So 'twere not 'long of him: but, being enter'd,For, well, I wot, that Henry is no soldier. * I doubt not, I, but we shall soon persuade Re-enter the Mayor and two Aldermen, below. 'But in the night, or in the time of war. 'K. Edw. Welcome, sir John! But why come Mont. To help king Edward in his time of storm, As every loyal subject ought to do. K. Edw. Thanks, good Montgomery: But we 'Our title to the crown; and only claim "By what safe means the crown may be recover'd. *K. Edw. When we grow stronger, then we'll *Till then, 'tis wisdom to conceal our meaning. * Glo. And fearless minds climb soonest unto crowns. (1) The mayor is willing we should enter, so he may not be blamed. 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, War. What counsel, lords? Edward from Belgia, Oxf. Let's levy men, and beat him back again. Not mutinous in peace, yet bold in war; Like to his island, girt in with the ocean, K. Hen. Farewell, my Hector, and my Troy's * Clar. In sign of truth, I kiss your highness' hand. *K. Hen. Well-minded Clarence, be thou fortunate! *Mont. Comfort, my lord;-and so I take my leave. *Oxf. And thus [Kissing Henry's hand.] I seal | my truth, and bid adieu." 'War. Then Clarence is at hand, I hear his drum. *Som. It is not his, my lord; here Southam lies drum your honour hears, marcheth from Warwick. *K. Hen. Sweet Oxford, and my loving Mon-*The 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. * I have not stopp'd mine ears, to their demands, [Shout within. A Lancaster! A Lancaster! And once again proclaim us king of England. *You are the fount,that makes small 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 hay.2 Glo. Away betimes, before his forces join, *And take the great-grown traitor unawares : * Brave warriors, march amain towards Coventry. ACT V. [Exeunt. SCENE I-Coventry. Enter, upon the walls, War. Where is the post, that came from valiant How far hence is thy lord, mine honest fellow? War. How far off is our brother Montague ?- 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. (1) Merit. * War. Who should that be? belike, unlook'dfor 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, See, 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. Edw. Now, Warwick, wilt thou ope the city gates, 'Speak gentle words, and humbly bend thy knee?'Call Edward-king, and at his hands beg mercy, And he shall pardon thee these outrages. 'War. Nay, rather, wilt thou draw thy forces hence, Confess who set thee up and pluck'd thee down?— Glo. I thought, at least, he would have said- Or did he make the jest against his will? I'll do thee service for so good a gift.3 K. Edw. Why, then 'tis mine, if but by War- And, weakling, Warwick takes his gift again; prisoner : And, gallant Warwick, do but answer this,- down, kneel down : *Nay, when? strike now, or else the iron cools. *Than bear so low a sail, to strike to thee. This hand, fast wound about thy coal-black hair, 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. 1 K. Edw. 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. Edo. Yes, Warwick, Edward dares, and leads Lords, to the field; Saint George, and victory! 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 Lancaster. Why, trow'st thou, Warwick, '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 1 will henceforth be no more unconstant. 'K. Edw. Now welcome more, and ten times 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; 4 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? That I must yield my body to the earth, *To search the secret treasons of the world: Enter Oxford and Somerset. * Som. Ah, Warwick, Warwick! wert thou as tague, *If thou be there, sweet brother, take my hand, And to the latest gasp, cried out for Warwick, 'Glo. Welcome, good Clarence; this is brother-That might not be distinguish'd; but, at last, like. '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. 80 Act V. Flou-* That there's no hop'd-for mercy with the brothers, with* More than with ruthless waves, with sands, and rocks. 'K. Edw. Thus far our fortune keeps an upward course, 'And we are grac'd with wreaths of victory. * Why, courage, then! what cannot be avoided, queenFor, did I but suspect a fearful man, 'I mean, my lords, those powers, that the 'Hath rais'd in Gallia, have arriv'd our coast, 'And, as we hear, march on to fight with us. *Clar. A little gale will soon disperse that cloud, *And blow it to the source from whence it came : Thy very beams will dry those vapours up; *For every cloud engenders not a storm. *Glo. The queen is valu'd thirty thousand strong, And Somerset, with Oxford, fled to her: 'If she have time to breathe, be well assur'd, Her faction will be full as strong as ours. K. Edw. We are advértis'd by our loving friends, That they do hold their course toward Tewksbury; "We having now the best at Barnet field, Will thither straight, for willingness rids way; And, as we march, our strength will be augmented In every county as we go along. Strike up the drum; cry-Courage and away. SCENE IV.-Plains near Tewksbury. March. [Exeunt. Enter Queen Margaret, Prince Edward, Somerset, Oxford and soldiers. *Q. Mar. Great lords, wise men ne'er sit and wail their loss, But cheerly seek how to redress their harms. "What though the mast be now blown over-board, "The cable broke, the holding anchor lost, 'And half our sailors swallow'd in the flood? Yet lives our pilot still: Is't meet, that he 'Should leave the helm, and, like a fearful lad, * With tearful eyes add water to the sea, * And give more strength to that which hath too much; *Whiles, in his moan, the ship splits on the rock, these? 'Why, is not Oxford here another anchor? 'And Somerset another goodly mast? Lest, in our need, he might infect another, Mess. Prepare you, lords, for Edward is at hand, Som. But he's deceiv'd, we are in readiness. Oxf. Here pitch our battle, hence we will not March. Enter, at a distance, King Edward, Clarence, Gloster, and forces." 'K. Edw. Brave followers, yonder stands the 'Must by the roots be hewn up yet ere night. For well I wot, ye blaze to burn them out : Q. Mar. Lords, knights, and gentlemen, what I should say, The friends of France our shrouds and tacklings?My tears gainsay;2 for every word I speak, And, though unskilful, why not Ned and I 'For once allow'd the skilful pilot's charge? * But keep our course, though the rough wind say -no, From shelves and rocks that threaten us with wreck. As good to chide the waves, as speak them fair. And what is Edward, but a ruthless sea? *What Clarence, but a quicksand of deceit.? * And Richard, but a ragged fatal rock? *All these the enemies to our poor bark. Say, you can swim; alas, 'tis but a while: *Tread on the sand; why, there you quickly sink: *Bestride the rock; the tide will wash you off, *Or else you famish, that's a threefold death. *This speak I, lords, to let you understand, * In case some one of you would fly from us, (1) Know. (2) Unsay, deny. 'Ye see, I drink the water of mine eyes. 'Is prisoner to the foe; his state usurp'd, [Exeunt both armies. 'K. Edw. Now,here a period of tumultuous broils. Away with Oxford to Hammes' Castle3 straight ; (3) A castle in Picardy, |