&mlquo;K. Edw.
&mlquo;Now, brother Richard^{6 note}



, lord^{7 note}

&mlquo;Yet thus far fortune maketh us amends,
&mlquo;And says—that once more I shall interchange
&mlquo;My waned state for Henry's regal crown.
&mlquo;Well have we pass'd, and now repass'd the seas,
&mlquo;And brought desired help from Burgundy:
&mlquo;What then remains, we being thus arriv'd
&mlquo;From Ravenspurg haven before the gates of York^{8 note}

&mlquo;Glo.
&mlquo;The gates made fast!—Brother, I like not this;
&mast;For many men, that stumble at the threshold,
&mast;Are well foretold—that danger lurks within.

&mast;K. Edw.
&mast;Tush, man! abodements must not now affright us:
&mast;By fair or foul means we must enter in,
&mast;For hither will our friends repair to us.

&mast;Hast.
&mast;My liege, I'll knock once more, to summon them. Enter, on the Walls, the Mayor of York, and his Brethren.

&mlquo;May.
&mlquo;My lords, we were forewarned of your coming,
&mlquo;And shut the gates for safety of ourselves;
&mlquo;For now we owe allegiance unto Henry.

&mlquo;K. Edw.
&mlquo;But, master mayor, if Henry be your king,
&mlquo;Yet Edward, at the least, is duke of York.

&mlquo;May.
&mlquo;True, my good lord; I know you for no less.

&mlquo;K. Edw.
&mlquo;Why, and I challenge nothing but my dukedom;
&mast;As being well content with that alone.

&mlquo;Glo.
&mlquo;But, when the fox hath once got in his nose,
&mlquo;He'll soon find means to make the body follow. [Aside.

&mlquo;Hast.
&mlquo;Why, master mayor, why stand you in a doubt?
Open the gates, we are king Henry's friends.

&mlquo;May.
&mlquo;Ay, say you so? the gates shall then be open'd. [Exeunt from above.

&mlquo;Glo.
&mlquo;A wise stout captain, and persuaded soon^{9 note}!

&mast;Hast.
&mast;The good old man would fain that all were well^{1 note},
&mast;So 'twere not 'long of him: but, being enter'd,
&mast;I doubt not, I, but we shall soon persuade

&mast;Both him, and all his brothers, unto reason. Re-enter the Mayor, and Two Aldermen, below.

&mlquo;K. Edw.
&mlquo;So, master mayor: these gates must not be shut,
&mlquo;But in the night, or in the time of war.
&mlquo;What! fear not, man, but yield me up the keys; [Takes his Keys.
&mlquo;For Edward will defend the town, and thee,
&mlquo;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.

&mlquo;K. Edw.
&mlquo;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.

&mlquo;K. Edw.
&mlquo;Thanks, good Montgomery: But we now forget
&mlquo;Our title to the crown; and only claim
&mlquo;Our dukedom, till God please to send the rest.

&mlquo;Mont.
&mlquo;Then fare you well, for I will hence again;
I came to serve a king, and not a duke,—
&mlquo;Drummer, strike up, and let us march away. [A March begun.

&mlquo;K. Edw.
&mlquo;Nay, stay, sir John, a while; and we'll debate,
&mlquo;By what safe means the crown may be recover'd.

&mlquo;Mont.
&mlquo;What talk you of debating? in few words:
&mlquo;If you'll not here proclaim yourself our king,
&mlquo;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?

&mlquo;Glo.
&mlquo;Why, brother, wherefore stand you on nice points?

&mast;K. Edw.
&mast;When we grow stronger, then we'll make our claim:
&mast;Till then, 'tis wisdom to conceal our meaning.

&mast;Hast.
&mast;Away with scrupulous wit! now arms must rule.

&mast;Glo.
&mast;And fearless minds climb soonest unto crowns.
&mast;Brother, we will proclaim you out of hand;
&mast;The bruit^{2 note}

&mast;K. Edw.
&mast;Then be it as you will; for 'tis my right,
&mast;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:—
&mast;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!

&mlquo;K. Edw.
&mlquo;Thanks, brave Montgomery;—and thanks unto you all^{3 note}

&mlquo;If fortune serve me, I'll requite this kindness.
&mlquo;Now, for this night, let's harbour here in York:
&mlquo;And, when the morning sun shall raise his car
&mlquo;Above the border of this horizon,
&mlquo;We'll forward towards Warwick, and his mates:
&mlquo;For, well I wot, that Henry is no soldier.—
&mast;Ah, froward Clarence!—how evil it beseems thee,
&mast;To flatter Henry, and forsake thy brother!
&mast;Yet, as we may, we'll meet both thee and Warwick.—
&mast;Come on, brave soldiers; doubt not of the day;
&mast;And, that once gotten, doubt not of large pay. [Exeunt. 4 ^note