&mlquo;Riv.
&mlquo;Madam, what makes you in this sudden change?

&mlquo;Q. Eliz.
&mlquo;Why, brother Rivers, are you yet to learn,
&mlquo;What late misfortune is befall'n king Edward?

Riv.
What, loss of some pitch'd battle against Warwick?

&mlquo;Q. Eliz.
&mlquo;No, but the loss of his own royal person.

&mlquo;Riv.
&mlquo;Then is my sovereign slain?

&mlquo;Q. Eliz.
&mlquo;Ay, almost slain, for he is taken prisoner?
&mlquo;Either betray'd by falsehood of his guard,
&mlquo;Or by his foe surpris'd at unawares:
&mlquo;And, as I further have to understand,
&mlquo;Is new committed to the bishop of York,
&mlquo;Fell Warwick's brother, and by that our foe.

&mlquo;Riv.
&mlquo;These news, I must confess, are full of grief:
&mlquo;Yet, gracious madam, bear it as you may;
&mlquo;Warwick may lose, that now hath won the day.

&mast;Q. Eliz.
&mast;Till then, fair hope must hinder life's decay.
&mast;And I the rather wean me from despair,
&mast;For love of Edward's offspring in my womb:
&mast;This is it that makes me bridle passion,
&mast;And bear with mildness my misfortune's cross;
&mast;Ay, ay, for this I draw in many a tear,
&mast;And stop the rising of blood-sucking sighs,
&mast;Lest with my sighs or tears I blast or drown
&mlquo;King Edward's fruit, true heir to the English crown.

&mast;Riv.
&mast;But, madam, where is Warwick then become?

&mlquo;Q. Eliz.
&mlquo;I am informed, that he comes towards London,

&mast;To set the crown once more on Henry's head:
&mast;Guess thou the rest; king Edward's friends must down.
&mlquo;But to prevent the tyrant's violence,
&mlquo;(For trust not him that hath once broken faith,)
&mlquo;I'll hence forthwith unto the sanctuary,
&mlquo;To save at least the heir of Edward's right;
&mlquo;There shall I rest secure from force, and fraud.
&mlquo;Come therefore, let us fly, while we may fly;
&mlquo;If Warwick take us, we are sure to die. [Exeunt. 5 ^note.

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