But Warwick, after God, thou fett'ft me free, War. Your Grace hath still been fam'd for virtuous, For few Men rightly temper with the Stars: Clar. No, Warwick, thou art worthy of the sway, And therefore I yield thee my free confent. War. And I chufe Clarence only for Protector. K. Henry. Warwick and Clarence, give me both your Hands. Now join your Hands, and with your Hands, your Hearts, That no diffention hinder Government: I make you both Protectors of this Land, War. What anfwers Clarence to his Soveraign's Will? War. Why then, though loath, yet must I be content: We'll yoak together, like a double shadow To Henry's Body, and fupply 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 confifcated. Clar. Clar. What elfe? and that Succeffion be determined. That Margaret your Queen, and my Son Edward, Clar. It fhall be done, my Soveraign, with all speed. K. Henry. My Lord of Somerset, what Youth is that, Of whom you feem to have fo tender care? Som. My Liege, it is young Henry, Earl of Richmond. K. Henry. Come hither, England's Hope: Lays his Hand on his Head. If fecret Powers fuggeft but truth To my divining Thoughts, This pretty Lad will prove our Country's blifs. His Head by Nature fram'd to wear a Crown, War. What news, my Friend? Poft. That Edward is escaped from your Brother, War. Unfavory news; but how made he escape? In fecret ambush, on the Foreft fide, And from the Bishop's Huntsmen refcu'd him: War. My Brother was too careless of his charge. A Salve for any Sore, that may betide. [Exeunt. Manet Somerfet, Richmond, and Oxford. 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 prefaging Prophecy Did glad my Heart, with hope of this young Richmond: Oxf. Ay, for if Edward re-possess the Crown, [Exeunt. Enter King Edward, Glocefter, Haftings, and Soldiers. K. Edw. Now Brother Richard, Lord Haftings, and the reft, Yet thus far Fortune maketh us amends, And fays, that once more I fhall enterchange My wained State, for Henry's Regal Crown. Well have we pafs'd, and now repafs'd the Seas, And brought defired help from Burgundy. What then remains, we being thus arriv'd From Ravenspurgh Haven, before the Gates of York But that we enter, as into our Dukedom? Glo. The Gates made faft? Brother, I like not this. For many Men that stumble at the Threshold, K. Edw. Tuh Man, aboadments muft not now affright us: By fair or foul means we must enter in, For hither will our Friends repair to us. Haft. My Liege, I'll knock once more to fummon them. Enter on the Walls, the Mayor of York, and his Brethren. Mayor. My Lords, We were fore-warned of your coming, And fhut the Gates, for fafety of our felves; For now we owe Allegiance unto Henry. K. Edw. But, Mafter Mayor, if Henry be your King, Yet Edward, at the leaft, is Duke of York. Mayor. True, my good Lord, I know your 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 has once got in his Nofe, He'll foon find means to make the Body follow. Haft. Hoft. Why, Mafter Mayor, why ftand you in a doubt? Open the Gates, we are King Henry's Friends. Mayor. Ay, fay you fo? the Gates fhall then be opened. [He defcends. Glo. A wife ftout Captain, and foon perfuaded. Haft. The good old Man would fain that all were well, So 'twere not long of him; but being entred, I doubt not I, but we fhall foon perfwade Both him, and all his Brothers, unto Reason. Enter the Mayor, aad two Aledrmen. K. Edw. So, Mafter 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, Our trufty 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 ftorm, 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 fend the reft. Mont. Then fare you well, for I will hence again, I came to ferve a King, and not a Duke: Drummer ftrike up, and let us March away. [The Drum begins a March. K. Edw. Nay ftay, Sir John, a while, and we'll debate By what fafe means the Crown may be recover'd. If you'll not' here proclaim your felf our King, I'll leave you to your Fortune, and be gone, To keep them back, that come to fuccour you. Why fhall we fight, if you pretend no Title? Glo. Why Brother, wherefore ftand you on nice points? K. Edw. When we grow ftronger, Then we'll make our Claim: Till then, 'tis Wisdom to conceal our meaning. Haft. Haft. Away with fcrupulous Wit, now Arms muft rule. Glo. And fearlefs minds climb fooneft 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 ufurps the Diadem. Mont. Ay, now my Soveraign fpeaketh like himself, And now will I be Edward's Champion. Haft. Sound Trumpet, Edward fhall be here proclaim'd: Come, fellow Soldier, make thou Proclamation. [Flourish. Sold. Edward the Fourth, by the Grace of God, King of England and France, and Lord of Ireland, c. Mont. And whofoe'er gain-fays King Edward's right, By this I challenge him to fingle Fight. [Throws down his Gauntlet. All. Long live Edward the Fourth. If Fortune serve me, I'll requite this Kindness. We'll forward towards Warwick, and his Mates; [Exeunt. Enter King Henry, Warwick, Montague, Clarence, Oxford, and Somerfet. War. What Counsel, Lords? Edward from Belgia, K. Henry. Let's levy Men, and beat him back again. Which being fuffer'd, Rivers cannot quench. F War. |