SCENE V. KING HENRY VI. *Never to lie and take his natural rest, *If Warwick be so near as men report. that I what nobleman is *That with the king here resteth in his tent? * 3 Watch. O, is it so? But why commands the *That his chief followers lodge in towns about him, * While he himself keepeth in the cold field? *2 Watch. 'Tis the more honour, because more dangerous. *3 Watch. Ay; but give me worship and quiet ness, *I like it better than a dangerous honour.1 up 1 Watch. Unless our halberts did shut passage. his 2 Watch. Ay; wherefore else guard we his * But to defend his person from night foes? 'War. This is his tent; and see, where stand Courage, my masters: honour now, or never! [WARWICK, and the rest, cry all-Warwick! * K. Edw. What fates impose, that men must It boots not to resist both wind and tide. [Exit KING EDWARD, led out; SOMERSET * Oxf. What now remains, my lords, for us to doj War. Ay, that's the first thing that we have to do; Riv. Madam, what makes you in this sudden 'Q. Eliz. Why, brother Rivers, are you yet to 'What late misfortune is befall'n King Edward? Q. 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 pri soner; Either betray'd by falsehood of his guard, Is new committed to the bishop of York, 'Yet, gracious madam, bear it as you may: decay. * And I the rather wean me from despair, The Drum beating, and Trumpets sounding. Re-* Som. What are they that fly there? here's the duke. K. Edw. The duke! why, Warwick, when we Ay, but the case is alter'd: K. Edw. Yea, brother of Clarence, art thou *Nay, then I see, that Edward needs must down.- When I have fought with Pembroke and his crown. * Riv. But, madam, where is Warwick then be- Q. Eliz. I am informed, that he comes towards *To set the crown once more on Henry's head: down. But to prevent the tyrant's violence (For trust not him that hath once broken faith, I'll hence forthwith unto the sanctuary, To save at least the heir of Edward's right; 'There shall I rest secure from force, and fraud. 'Come, therefore, let us fly, while we may fly; If Warwick take us, we are sure to die. [Exeunt. Yorkshire.3 Enter GLOSTER, HASTINGS, SIR SCENE V. A Park near Middleham Castle in WILLIAM STANLEY, and others. Glo. Now, my Lord Hastings, and Sir William Leave off to wonder why I drew you hither, Thus stands the case: You know, our king, my brother, Is prisoner to the bishop here, at whose hands He shall here find his friends, with horse and men, 2 i. e. in his mind; as far as his own mind goes. Enter KING EDWARD and a Huntsman. Hunt. This way, my lord; for this way lies the game. K. Edw. Nay, this way, man; see, huntsmen stand. where the "Now, brother of Gloster, Lord Hastings, and the rest, Stand you thus close, to steal the bishop's deer? Glo. Brother, the time and case requireth haste; 'Your horse stands ready at the park corner. K. Edw. But whither shall we then? 'Hast. To Lynn, my lord: and ship from thence to Flanders. Glo. Well guess'd, believe me; for that was my meaning. K. Edu. Stanley, I will requite thy forwardness. *Glo. But wherefore stay we? 'tis no time to talk. 'K. Edw. Huntsman, what say'st thou ? wilt thou go along? Hunt. Better do so, than tarry and be hang'd. And pray that I may repossess the crown. [Exeunt. *K. Hen. Master lieutenant, now that God and Have shaken Edward from the regal seat; At our enlargement what are thy due fees? * But, if an humble prayer may prevail, *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 set'st me free, And chiefly therefore I thank God, and thee; He was the author, thou the instrument. *Therefore, that I may conquer fortune's spite, *By living low, where fortune cannot hurt me; *And that the people of this blessed land May not be punish'd with my thwarting stars; Warwick, although my head still wear the crown, 'I here resign my government to thee, For thou art fortunate in all thy deeds. *War. Your grace hath still been fam'd for vir tuous; And now may seem as wise as virtuous, By spying, and avoiding, fortune's malice, *For few men rightly temper with the stars: * 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. 1 Few men accommodate themselves to their destiny, or adapt themselves to circumstance. 2 See note 1, p. 78. K. Hen. My lord of Somerset, what youth is that, 'K. Hen. Come hither, England's hope: If se- War. What news, my friend? * Mess. That Edward is escaped from your bro *And fled, as he hears since, to Burgundy. escape? * Mess. He was convey'd by Richard duke of *And the Lord Hastings, who attended him *War. My brother was too careless of his charge. [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; first duke of Somerset. Edmond was half brother to King Henry VI. being the son of that king's mother, Queen Catharine, by her second husband, Owen Tudor. Henry the Seventh, to show his gratitude to Henry VI. for this 8 This was adopted from Hall by the author of the old early presage in his favour, solicited Pope Julius to ca play; Holished also copies Hall almost verbatim:-nonize him a saint; but either would not pay the price, Whom when the king had a good while beheld, he said or, as Bacon supposes, the pope refused lest as Henry to such princes as were with him, Lo, surelie this is he, to was reputed in the world abroad but for a simple man, whom both we and our adversaries, leaving the posses- the estimation of that kind of honour might be dimin sion of all things, shall hereafter give roome and place. ished if there were not a distance kept between inno p. 678. Henry earl of Richmond, was the son of Edmond cents and saints.' earl of Richinond, and Margaret, daughter to John the 4 i. e. waited for him. * And we shall have more wars, before't be long. *As Henry's late presaging prophecy Drum. Enter MONTGOMERY, and Forces, marching. * Did glad my heart, with hope of this young Rich-Our trusty friend, unless I be deceiv'd. mond; 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, By fair or foul means we must enter in, Enter, on the Walls, the Mayor of York, and his 'May. My lords, we were forewarned of your And shut the gates for safety of ourselves; Yet Edward, at the least, is duke of York. K. Edw. Why, and I challenge nothing but my *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. * So'twere not 'long of him:2 but, being enter'd, Re-enter the Mayor, and Two Aldermen, below. But in the night, or in the time of war. 1 In the old play this is written Raunspurhaven, we 3 Report. Vide Macbeth, Act v. Sc. 7. 4 Know. 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. Drummer, strike up, and let us march away. K. Edw. Nay, stay, Sir John, a while; and By what safe means the crown may be recover'd. Glo. Why, brother, wherefore stand you on nice *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. * Brother, we will proclaim you out of hand; *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 *Come, fellow-soldier, make thou proclamation. Mont. And whosoe'er gainsays King Edward's 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. Ah, froward Clarence!-how evil it beseems thee, wick. * Come on, brave soldiers; doubt not of the day;" SCENE VIII. London. A Room in the Palace. War. What counsel, lords? Edward from Belgia, these plays. Warwick has but just gone off the stage, 'And, lords, towards Coventry bend we our course, In the original play this scene follows immediately after 5 This scene is perhaps the worst contrived of any in sixth scene of the present play. L * Oxf. 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 true-hearted Not mutinous in peace, yet bold in war; 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. *K. Hen. Sweet Oxford, and my loving Montague, And all at once, once more a happy farewell. War. Farewell, sweet lords; let's meet at Coventry. [Exeunt 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, [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 Coventry bend we our course, Where peremptory Warwick now remains:4 1 This line, in the folio copy, is given to the king, to whose character it is so unsuitable, that it has been thought best to give it to Oxford, who is the next speak. er in the old play. 2 Shakspeare has twice repeated this passage, which And stood against them as the hope of Troy In the former instance no trace is to be found of these 3 Merit. The sun shines hot, and, if we use delay, * Brave warriors, march amain towards Coventry. ACT V. 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? 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. Then Clarence is at hand, I hear his drum. *Som. It is not his, my lord: here Southami lies: The drum your honour hears, marcheth from Warwick. * War. Who should that be? belike, unlook'dfor friends. *Som. They are at hand, and you shall quickly know. 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 Speak gentle words, and humbly bend thy knee? 'War. Nay, rather, wilt thou draw thy forces hence, K. Edw. Why, then 'tis mine, if but by Warwick's gift. 'War. Thou art no Atlas for so great a weight: And, weakling, Warwick takes his gift again: And Henry is my king, Warwick his subject. 4 Warwick has but just left the stage, declaring his intention to go to Coventry. How then could Edward know of that intention? Shakspeare here again fol lowed the old play. Some of the old dramatic writers seem to have thought that all the persons of the drama, must know whatever was known to the writers them selves, or to the audience. 5 The allusion is to the proverb, 'Make hay while the sun shines.' 6 Thus in King John : O, where hath our intelligence been drunk? Where hath it slept? 7 That is, enroll myself among thy dependents, Cowell informs us that servitium is that service which the tenant, by reason of his fee, oweth unto his lord. *K. Edw. But Warwick's king is Edward's pri soner: And, gallant Warwick, do but answer this, What is the body, when the head is off? 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 Glo. Alas, that Warwick had no more forecast,* Than Jephtha's, when he sacrific'd his daughter. But, whiles he thought to steal the single ten, The king was slily finger'd from the deck!! You left poor Henry at the bishop's palace,2 And, ten to one, you'll meet him in the Tower. *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,) K. Edw. 'Tis even so; yet you are Warwick still. *Glo. Come, Warwick, take the time, kneel* To plague thee for thy foul misleading me. down, kneel down: *Nay, when? strike now, 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 cold-black hair, Shali, 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. 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, treason Even with the dearest blood your bodies bear. *K. Edw. 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; * Come, Clarence, come; thou wilt, if Warwick calls. Clar. Father of Warwick, know you what this means; Look here, I throw my infamy at thee: ⚫ That Clarence is so harsh, so blunt, unnatural, 1 A pack of cards was anciently termed a deck of cards, or a pair of cards. An instance of a pack of cards being called a deck, occurs in the Sessions Paper for January, 1789. The term is said to be still used in Ireland. 2 The palace of the bishop of London. 2 This expression of impatience has been already noticed in The Tempest, and King Richard II. 4 The first of these noblemen was Edmund, slain at the battle of St. Albans, 1455. The second was Henry his son, beheaded after the battle of Hexham, 1463. The present duke, Edmund, brother to Henry, was 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. Edw. Now welcome more, and ten times more belov❜d, Than if thou never hadst deserv'd our hate, 'Glo. Welcome, good Clarence: this is brotherlike. 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. K. Edw. Yes, Warwick, Edward dares, and leads the way: Lords, to the field; Saint George, and victory. [March. Exeunt. SCENE II. A Field of Battle near Barnet. 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. War. Ah, who is nigh? Come to me, friend, or foe, And tell me who is victor, York or Warwick? Why ask I that? my mangled body shows, *My blood, my want of strength, my sick heart shows And, by my fall, the conquest to my foe. Have been as piercing as the mid-day sun, 6 i. e. stupid, insensible of paternal fondness. 7 i. e. exceeding, egregious. A passing impudent fellow; insigniter impudens.'-Baret. 8 Warwick was the bugbear that frightened us all. 9 All the fowls of heaven made their nest in his boughs, and under his branches did all the beasts of the field bring forth their young.' Ezekiel, c. xxxi. Cedes coemptis saltibus, et domo Villaque.' Hor. 10 Mors sola fatetur Quantula sint hominum corpuscula.' Juv. Camden mentions in his Remaines, that Constantine, in |