KING EDWARD IV    Now, brother Richard, will you stand by us?

  GLOUCESTER    Ay, in despite of all that shall withstand146 you.

  KING EDWARD IV    Why, so. Then am I sure of victory.

  Now therefore let us hence, and lose no hour

  Till we meet Warwick with his foreign power149.

  Exeunt

  [Act 4 Scene 2]

  running scene 10

  Enter Warwick and Oxford in England, with French Soldiers

  WARWICK    Trust me, my lord, all hitherto1 goes well.

  The common people by numbers swarm to us.

  Enter Clarence and Somerset

  But see where Somerset and Clarence comes.

  Speak suddenly4, my lords, are we all friends?

  CLARENCE    Fear not that, my lord.

  WARWICK    Then, gentle Clarence, welcome unto Warwick.—

  And welcome, Somerset. I hold it cowardice

  To rest8 mistrustful where a noble heart

  Hath pawned9 an open hand in sign of love;

  Else might I think that Clarence, Edward’s brother,

  Were but a feignèd friend to our proceedings11.

  But welcome, sweet Clarence, my daughter shall be thine.

  And now what rests but, in night’s coverture13,

  Thy brother being carelessly14 encamped,

  His soldiers lurking15 in the towns about,

  And but16 attended by a simple guard,

  We may surprise17 and take him at our pleasure?

  Our scouts have found the adventure very easy18,

  That as Ulysses and stout Diomede

  With sleight and manhood stole to Rhesus’ tents,

  And brought from thence the Thracian fatal steeds21,

  So we, well covered with the night’s black mantle,

  At unawares23 may beat down Edward’s guard

  And seize himself. I say not, slaughter him,

  For I intend but only to surprise him.

  You that will follow me to this attempt,

  Applaud the name of Henry with your leader.

  They all cry, ‘Henry!’

  Why, then, let’s on our way in silent sort28,

  For Warwick and his friends, God and Saint George!

  Exeunt

  [Act 4 Scene 3]

  running scene 11

  Enter three Watchmen to guard the King’s tent

  FIRST WATCHMAN    Come on, my masters, each man take his stand1.

  The king by this is set2 him down to sleep.

  SECOND WATCHMAN    What, will he not to bed?

  FIRST WATCHMAN    Why, no, for he hath made a solemn vow

  Never to lie and take his natural rest

  Till Warwick or himself be quite suppressed.

  SECOND WATCHMAN    Tomorrow then belike shall be the day,

  If Warwick be so near as men report.

  THIRD WATCHMAN    But say, I pray, what nobleman is that

  That with the king here resteth in his tent?

  FIRST WATCHMAN    ’Tis the lord Hastings, the king’s chiefest friend.

  THIRD WATCHMAN    O, is it so? But why commands the king

  That his chief followers lodge in towns about13 him,

  While he himself keeps14 in the cold field?

  SECOND WATCHMAN    ’Tis the more honour, because more dangerous.

  THIRD WATCHMAN    Ay, but give me worship16 and quietness.

  I like it better than a dangerous honour.

  If Warwick knew in what estate he18 stands,

  ’Tis to be doubted19 he would waken him.

  FIRST WATCHMAN    Unless our halberds did shut up20 his passage.

  SECOND WATCHMAN    Ay, wherefore21 else guard we his royal tent,

  But to defend his person from night-foes?

  Enter Warwick, Clarence, Oxford, Somerset and French Soldiers, silent all

  WARWICK    This is his tent, and see where stand his guard.

  Courage, my masters: honour now or never:

  But25 follow me, and Edward shall be ours.

  FIRST WATCHMAN    Who goes there?

  SECOND WATCHMAN    Stay, or thou diest!

  Warwick and the rest cry all, ‘Warwick! Warwick!’ and set upon the guard, who fly, crying, ‘Arm! Arm!’. Warwick and the rest following them. The Drum playing and Trumpet sounding, enter Warwick, Somerset and the rest bringing the King [Edward]. out in his gown, sitting in a chair. Richard and Hastings fly over the stage

  SOMERSET    What28 are they that fly there?

  WARWICK    Richard and Hastings. Let them go. Here is

  The duke.

  KING EDWARD IV    The duke? Why, Warwick, when we parted,

  Thou called’st me king.

  WARWICK    Ay, but the case is altered.

  When you disgraced me in my embassade34,

  Then I degraded35 you from being king,

  And come now to create you Duke of York.

  Alas, how should you govern any kingdom,

  That know not how to use ambassadors,

  Nor how to be contented with one wife,

  Nor how to use your brothers brotherly,

  Nor how to study for the people’s welfare,

  Nor how to shroud yourself from enemies?

  KING EDWARD IV    Yea, brother of Clarence, art thou here too?

  Nay, then I see that Edward needs must down44.—

  Yet, Warwick, in despite of all mischance,

  Of thee thyself and all thy complices46,

  Edward will always bear himself as king.

  Though fortune’s malice overthrow my state48,

  My mind exceeds the compass49 of her wheel.

  WARWICK    Then, for50 his mind, be Edward England’s king,

  Takes off his crown

  But Henry now shall wear the English crown,

  And be true king indeed, thou but the shadow.—

  My lord of Somerset, at my request,

  See that forthwith Duke Edward be conveyed

  Unto my brother, Archbishop of York.

  When I have fought with Pembroke and his fellows,

  I’ll follow you, and tell what answer

  Lewis and the lady Bona send to him.—

  Now, for awhile farewell, good Duke of York.

  They lead him out forcibly

  KING EDWARD IV    What fates impose, that men must needs abide60;

  It boots not61 to resist both wind and tide.

  Exeunt [all but Oxford and Warwick]

  OXFORD    What now remains, my lords, for us to do

  But march to London with our soldiers?

  WARWICK    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

  [Act 4 Scene 4]

  running scene 12

  Enter Rivers and Lady Grey [Queen Elizabeth]

  RIVERS    Madam, what makes you in this sudden change1?

  LADY GREY    Why brother Rivers, are you yet to learn

  What late misfortune is befall’n King Edward?

  RIVERS    What? Loss of some pitched4 battle against Warwick?

  LADY GREY    No, but the loss of his own royal person.

  RIVERS    Then is my sovereign slain?

  LADY GREY    Ay, almost slain, for he is taken prisoner,

  Either betrayed by falsehood8 of his guard

  Or by his foe surprised at9 unawares.

  And as I further have to understand,

  Is new committed to the Bishop11 of York,

  Fell Warwick’s brother and by that12 our foe.

  RIVERS    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.

  LADY GREY    Till then fair hope must hinder16 life’s decay.

  And I the rather wean me from despair

  For love of Edward’s offspring in my womb.

  This is it that makes me bridle passion19

  And bear with mildness my misfortune’s cross.

  Ay, ay, for this I draw in many a tear

  And stop the rising of blood-sucking sighs19,

  Lest with my sighs or tears I blast23 or drown

  King Edward’s fruit, true heir to th’English crown.

  RIVERS    But, madam, where is Warwick then become25?

  LADY GREY    I am informed that he comes towards London,

  To set the crown once more on Henry’s head.

  Guess thou the rest: King Edward’s friends must down28.

  But, to prevent the tyrant’s29 violence —

  For trust not him that hath once broken faith —

  I’ll hence forthwith unto the sanctuary31,

  To save at least the heir of Edward’s right32.

  There shall I rest secure from force and fraud33.

  Come, therefore, let us fly while we may fly.

  If Warwick take us we are sure to die.

  Exeunt

  [Act 4 Scene 5]

  running scene 13

  Enter Richard, Lord Hastings and Sir William Stanley [with Soldiers]

  GLOUCESTER    Now, my lord Hastings and Sir William Stanley,

  Leave off2 to wonder why I drew you hither,

  Into this chiefest thicket of the park3.

  Thus stands the case4: you know our king, my brother,

  Is prisoner to the bishop here, at whose hands

  He hath good usage6 and great liberty,

  And, often but7 attended with weak guard,

  Comes hunting this way to disport8 himself.

  I have advertised9 him by secret means

  That if about this hour he make this way

  Under the colour of his usual game11,

  He shall here find his friends with horse and men

  To set him free from his captivity.

  Enter King Edward and a Huntsman with him

  HUNTSMAN    This way, my lord, for this way lies the game14.

  KING EDWARD IV    Nay, this way, man. See where the huntsmen stand.—

  Now, brother of Gloucester, Lord Hastings and the rest,

  Stand you thus close17, to steal the bishop’s deer?

  GLOUCESTER    Brother, the time and case requireth haste.

  Your horse stands ready at the park-corner.

  KING EDWARD IV    But whither shall we then?

  HASTINGS    To Lynn21, my lord,

  And shipped from thence to Flanders.

  GLOUCESTER    Well guessed, believe me, for that was my meaning.

  KING EDWARD IV    Stanley, I will requite24 thy forwardness.

  GLOUCESTER    But wherefore stay we? ’Tis no time to talk.

  KING EDWARD IV    Huntsman, what say’st thou? Wilt thou go along?

  HUNTSMAN    Better do so than tarry and be hanged.

  GLOUCESTER    Come then, away. Let’s ha’ no more ado28.

  KING EDWARD IV    Bishop, farewell. Shield thee from Warwick’s frown,

  And pray that I may repossess the crown.

  Exeunt

  [Act 4 Scene 6]

  running scene 14

  Flourish. Enter King Henry the Sixth, Clarence, Warwick, Somerset, young Henry [of Richmond], Oxford, Montague and Lieutenant

  KING HENRY VI    Master lieutenant, now that God and friends

  Have shaken Edward from the regal seat,

  And turned my captive state to liberty,

  My fear to hope, my sorrows unto joys,

  At our enlargement what are thy due fees5?

  LIEUTENANT    Subjects may challenge6 nothing of their sov’reigns,

  But if an humble prayer may prevail,

  I then crave pardon of your majesty.

  KING HENRY VI    For what, lieutenant? For well using me?

  Nay, be thou sure I’ll well requite thy kindness,

  For that11 it made my imprisonment a pleasure.

  Ay, such a pleasure as encagèd birds

  Conceive, when after many moody13 thoughts,

  At last, by notes of household harmony14,

  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 author18, thou the instrument.

  Therefore, that I may conquer fortune’s spite

  By living low20, where fortune cannot hurt me,

  And that the people of this blessèd land

  May not be punished with my thwarting stars22,

  Warwick, although my head still wear the crown,

  I here resign my government to thee,

  For thou art fortunate in all thy deeds.

  WARWICK    Your grace hath still been famed for26 virtuous

  And now may seem as wise as virtuous,

  By spying28 and avoiding fortune’s malice,

  For few men rightly temper with the stars29:

  Yet in this one thing let me blame your grace,

  For choosing me when Clarence is in place31.

  CLARENCE    No, Warwick, thou art worthy of the sway32,

  To whom the heav’ns in thy nativity

  Adjudged an olive branch and laurel crown34,

  As likely to be blest in peace and war.

  And therefore I yield thee my free consent36.

  WARWICK    And I choose Clarence only for Protector37.

  KING HENRY VI    Warwick and Clarence give me both your hands.

  Now join your hands, and with your hands your hearts,

  That no dissension40 hinder government.

  I make you both protectors of this land,

  While I myself will lead a private life

  And in devotion spend my latter43 days,

  To sin’s rebuke and my creator’s praise.

  WARWICK    What answers Clarence to his sovereign’s will?

  CLARENCE    That he consents, if Warwick yield consent,

  For on thy fortune I repose myself47.

  WARWICK    Why, then, though loath, yet must I be content.

  We’ll yoke49 together, like a double shadow

  To Henry’s body, and supply50 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 pronounced a traitor,

  And all his lands and goods be confiscate.

  CLARENCE    What else?56 And that succession be determinèd.

  WARWICK    Ay, therein Clarence shall not want his part57.

  KING HENRY VI    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 doubtful62 fear

  My joy of liberty is half eclipsed.

  CLARENCE    It shall be done, my sovereign, with all speed.

  KING HENRY VI    My lord of Somerset, what youth is that,

  Of whom you seem to have so tender care?

  SOMERSET    My liege, it is young Henry, Earl of Richmond.67

  KING HENRY VI    Come hither, England’s hope.

  Lays his hand on his head

            If secret powers

  Suggest but truth to my divining69 thoughts,

  This pretty70 lad will prove our country’s bliss.

  His looks are full of peaceful majesty,

  His head by nature framed 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 Post

  WARWICK    What news, my friend?

  POST    That Edward is escapèd from your brother78,

  And fled, as he hears since, to Burgundy.

  WARWICK    Unsavoury news! But how made he escape?

  POST    He was conveyed81 by Richard, Duke of Gloucester,

  And the Lord Hastings, who attended82 him

  In secret ambush on the forest side

  And from the bishop’s huntsmen rescued him,

  For hunting was his daily exercise.

  WARWICK    My brother was too careless of his charge86.

  But let us hence, my sovereign, to provide

  A salve for any sore that may betide88.

  Exeunt. Somerset, Richmond and Oxford remain

  SOMERSET    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.