K. E.
Now, brother Richard, lord Hastings, and the rest;
Yet thus far fortune maketh us amends,
And says—that once more I shall enterchange
My wained state for Henry's regal crown.
Well have we pass'd, and now repass'd the seas,
And brought desired help from Burgundy:
What then remains, we being thus arriv'd
From Ravenspurg haven before the gates of York,
But that we enter, as into our dukedom. [They approach the gates, and knock.

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

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

Has.
My liege, I'll knock once more, to summon them. Enter the Mayor, and others, upon the walls.

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

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

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

K. E.
Why, and I challenge nothing but my dukedom;
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.

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

May.
Ay, say you so? the gates shall then be open'd* ^note. [Exit, from above.

Glo.
A wise stout captain, and persuaded soon!

Has.
The good old man would fain that all were well.
So 'twere not long of him: but, being enter'd,
I doubt not, I, but we shall soon persuade
Both him, and all his brothers, unto reason. Re-enter Mayor, below; attendants with him.

K. E.
So, master mayor: these gates must not be shut,
But in the night, or in the time of war.
What! fear not, man, but yield me up the keys; [Taking them of him.
For Edward will defend the town, and thee,
And all those friends that deign to follow me. Drums. Enter Montgomery and Forces.

Glo.
Brother, this is Sir John Montgomery,
Our trusty friend, unless I be deceiv'd.

K. E.
Welcome, Sir John! But why come you in arms?

Mon.
To help king Edward in his time of storm,
As every loyal subject ought to do.

K. E.
Thanks, good Montgomery: But we now forget
Our title to the crown; and only claim
Our dukedom, 'till heaven please to send the rest.

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

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

Mon.
What talk you of debating? in few words,
If you'll not here proclaim yourself our king,
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?

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

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

Has.
Away with scrupulous wit! now arms must rule.

Glo.
And fearless minds climb soonest unto crowns.
Brother, we will proclaim you out of hand;
The bruit thereof will bring you many friends.

K. E.
Then be it as you will; for 'tis my right,
And Henry but usurps the diadem.

Mon.
Ay, now my sovereign speaketh like himself;
And now will I be Edward's champion.

Has.
Sound, trumpet, Edward shall be here proclaim'd:—
Come, fellow soldier, make thou proclamation. [Giving him a paper. Trumpet sounds.

Sol. [Reads.]

Edward the fourth, by the grace of God, king of England and France, and lord of Ireland, &c.

Mon.
And whosoe'er gainsays king Edward's right,
By this I challenge him to single fight. [Throwing down his gauntlet.

All.
Long live Edward the fourth!

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

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