*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. '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 lads 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 scepter; 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 side,
* And from the bishop's huntsmen rescued him;

This pretty lad-] He was afterwards Henry VII. a man who put an end to the civil war of the two houses, but no otherwise remarkable for virtue. Shakspeare knew his trade. Henry VII. was grandfather to Queen Elizabeth, and the king from whom James inherited. JOHNSON.

attended him-] i. e. waited for 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

mond;

young Rich

* So doth my heart misgive me, in these conflicts * What may befall him, to his harm, and ours: * Therefore, lord Oxford, to prevent the worst, * Forthwith we'll send him hence to Britany, * Till storms be past of civil enmity.

* Oxf. 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 desired 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, * Are well foretold-that danger lurks within. K. Edw. Tush, man! abodements must not now affright us:

*

By fair or foul means we must enter in, * For hither will our friends repair to us.

*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 forewarned 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, '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 [Exeunt from above.

open'd..

'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. Edw. 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 his 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 and let us march away. [A march begun. 'K. Edw. Nay, stay, sir John, a while; and we'll debate,

up,

The good old man would fain that all were well,] The mayor is willing we should enter, so he may not be blamed.

VOL. VI.

H

'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.

* 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 Edward the fourth!

K. Edw. Thanks, brave Montgomery ;-and thanks unto you all.

If fortune serve me, I'll requite this kindness,

The bruit-] i. e. noise, report.