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John Bell [1774], Bell's Edition of Shakespeare's Plays, As they are now performed at the Theatres Royal in London; Regulated from the Prompt Books of each House By Permission; with Notes Critical and Illustrative; By the Authors of the Dramatic Censor (Printed for John Bell... and C. Etherington [etc.], York) [word count] [S10401].
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SCENE III. Edward's Camp, near Warwick. His Tent in front. Enter certain Watchmen.

1. W.
Come on, my masters, each man take his stand;
The king, by this, is set him down to sleep.

2. W.
What, will he not to bed?

1. W.
Why, no: for he hath made a solemn vow,—
Never to lie and take his natural rest,
'Till Warwick, or himself, be quite supprest.

2. W.
To-morrow then, belike, shall be the day,
If Warwick be so near as men report.

3. W.
But say, I pray, what nobleman is that,
That with the king here resteth in his tent?

1. W.
'Tis the lord Hastings, the king's chiefest friend.

-- 338 --

3. W.
O, is it so? But why commands the king,
That his chief followers lodge in towns about him,
While he himself keeps here in the cold field?

2. W.
'Tis the more honour, because more dangerous.

3. W.
Ay; but give me worship, and quietness,
I like it better than a dangerous honour.
If Warwick knew in what estate he stands,
'Tis to be doubted, he would waken him.

1. W.
Unless our halberds did shut up his passage.

2. W.
Ay; wherefore else guard we his royal tent,
But to defend his person from night-foes?
Enter Warwick, Clarence, Oxford, Somerset, and Forces.

War.
This is his tent; and see, where stand his guard:
Courage, my masters; honour now, or never!
But follow me, and Edward shall be ours.

1. W.
Who goes there?

2. W.
Stay, or thou dy'st.
[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 beating, and trumpet sounding. Re-enter Warwick, and the rest; bringing the King out in his gown, sitting in a chair: Gloster and Hastings fly.

Som.
What are they that fly there?

War.
Richard and Hastings: let them go, here's the duke.

K. E.
The duke! why, Warwick, when we parted last,
Thou call'dst me king.

War.
Ay, but the case is alter'd:
When you disgrac'd me in my embassage,
Then I degraded 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 embassadors;
Nor how to be contented with one wife;
Nor how to use your brothers brotherly;

-- 339 --


Nor how to study for the people's welfare;
Nor how to shroud yourself from enemies?

K. E.
Yea, brother of Clarence, and art thou here too?
Nay, then I see, that Edward needs must down.—
Yet, Warwick, in despight of all mischance,
Of thee, thyself, and all thy complices,
Edward will always bear himself as king:
Though fortune's malice overthrow my state,
My mind exceeds the compass of her wheel.

War.
Then, for his mind, be Edward England's king:
But Henry now shall wear the English crown, [Taking it from Edward's head‡ note.
And be true king indeed; thou but the shadow.—
My lord of Somerset, at my request,
See that forthwith duke Edward be convey'd
Unto my brother, archbishop of York:
When I have fought with Pembroke and his fellow
I'll follow you; and tell his grace what answer
Lewis, and the lady Bona, send to him:—
Now, for a while, farewel, good duke of York.

K. E.
What fates impose, that men must needs abide;
It boots not to resist both wind and tide.
[Exit, led off forcibly, Somerset with him.

Oxf.
What now remains, my lords, for us to do,
But march to London with our soldiers?

War.
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.
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John Bell [1774], Bell's Edition of Shakespeare's Plays, As they are now performed at the Theatres Royal in London; Regulated from the Prompt Books of each House By Permission; with Notes Critical and Illustrative; By the Authors of the Dramatic Censor (Printed for John Bell... and C. Etherington [etc.], York) [word count] [S10401].
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