War.
Victorious Duke of York!
Before we see thee seated on the throne,
Which now the House of Lancaster usurps,
I vow, by heaven! these eyes shall never close.
This is the palace of the fearful king,
And here the regal seat. Possess it, York!

York.
Say ye, my Lords? Doth Warwick speak for all?

Sal.
We'll all support thee.

York.
Then be resolute,
And thus I take possession of my right. The doors of the Hall thrown open, and the Throne discovered within. York enters, and seats himself. Shouts and acclamations.

Then Enter King Henry, Clifford, and their followers.

K. Hen.
My Lords, look where the sturdy rebel sits,
Even in the chair of state. Belike he means,
Back'd by the power of Warwick, there to reign.
Clifford! Thou saidst, I live but for revenge.

Y. Cliff.
If for aught else, heaven be revenged on me!

King.
Thou factious Duke of York, descend my throne,
And kneel for grace and merey at my feet.
I am thy Sovereign.

York. (Descending, and advancing to the front.)
Henry, I am thine!

King.
What title shew'st thou, traitor, to the crown?
Think'st thou, that I will leave my kingly throne,
Wherein my grandsire and my father sat?
No;—first shall war unpeople this my realm;
Aye, and their colours, that so oft they've borne
In fields of fame, shall be my winding sheet.

York.
Henry of Lancaster! Resign thy crown.

War.
Do right unto the princely heir of Edward,
Or I will fill this house with armed men;
And o'er the chair of state, where now he sits
Write up his title with usurping blood. [Stamps with his foot, and soldiers appear.]

Y. Cliff.
May that ground gape, and swallow me allve,
Where I shall kneel to him that slew my father.

Sal. and War.
Long live King Henry! Live, Plantagenet!

York.
Henry of Lancaster! thou seest my powers.
Thy royal throne I've won, and may maintain.
But, heaven's my judge! 'Tis not the diadem,
Though chased with all the honours of this world—
'Tis not the canker of ambitions thoughts,
That cats my heart-strings. For myself I care not,
So I may die a true Plantagenet;
But that my grandsire's honour lives in me,
And I am guardian to my children's right.
Then yield the erown to me and to mine heirs,
And thou shall reign in quiet while thou liv'st.

King.
I am content.—Richard, Plantagenet,
Enjoy the kingdom after my decease!

Y. Cliff.
Base, fearful, and despairing Henry?
What wrong is this; unto the prince your son?
Farewell, faint-hearted and degenerate King!
Be thou a prey unto the House of York,
Aud die in bonds for this unworthy deed.
In dreadful war may'st thou be overcome,
Or live in peace, abandoned and despised. [Exit.

King.
Oh, Clifford! Clifford!

War.
Wherefore sighs my liege?

King.
Not for myself, Lord Warwick, but my son
But, be that as it may,—York, I have sworn,
And leave the rest to heaven. I here entail
The erown on thee, and on thy heirs, for ever:
But on condition that thou take an oath
To cease this civil war, and, while I live,
To honour me as thy true king and liege.

York.
This oath I freely take, and will perform.

King.
Now York and Lancaster are reconciled,
Accurst be he, who tries to make them foes!
Farewell, my Liege! As a pledge of peace,
I here disband my powers, and shall, forthwith,

Depart unto my Castle in the north.

King.
And I, with shame and sorrow, to the Court. [Exit with his party.

York.
My Lord of Warwick, do thou guard the King,
Whilst I towards Sandal.—I do fear, the Queen,
And chiefly Clifford, will not let us rest,
But will be levying forces in the north,
To vivify this ill-extinguished feud;
Which, if not strangled in its second birth,
May overmatch us still. Be, therefore, wise
And circumspect. On thee our main hopes rest. [Exeunt.

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