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Lewis Theobald [1733], The works of Shakespeare: in seven volumes. Collated with the Oldest Copies, and Corrected; With notes, Explanatory and Critical; By Mr. Theobald (Printed for A. Bettesworth and C. Hitch [and] J. Tonson [etc.], London) [word count] [S11201].
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ACT IV. Scene 1 SCENE, the Palace in England. Enter Gloucester, Clarence, Somerset and Montague.

Gloucester.
Now tell me, brother Clarence, what think you
Of this new marriage with the lady Gray?
Hath not our brother made a worthy choice?

Clar.
Alas, you know, 'tis far from hence to France:
How could he stay till Warwick made Return?

Som.
My lords, forbear this talk: here comes the King.
Flourish. Enter King Edward, Lady Gray as Queen, Pembroke, Stafford, and Hastings: Four stand on one side, and four on the other.

Glo.
And his well chosen bride.

Clar.
I mind to tell him plainly what I think.

K. Edw.
Now, brother Clarence, how like you our choice,
That you stand pensive, as half malecontent?

Clar.
As well as Lewis of France, or th' Earl of Warwick,

-- 360 --


Which are so weak of courage, and in judgment,
That they'll take no offence at our abuse.

K. Edw.
Suppose, they take offence without a cause:
They are but Lewis and Warwick, I am Edward,
Your King and Warwick's, and must have my will.

Glo.
And you shall have your will, because our King.
Yet hasty marriage seldom proveth well.

K. Edw.
Yea, brother Richard, are you offended too?

Glo.
Not I; no: God forbid, that I should wish
Them severed whom God hath join'd together:
Pity, to sunder them, that yoak so well.

K. Edw.
Setting your scorns and your mislike aside,
Tell me some reason, why the lady Gray
Should not become my wife, and England's Queen?
And you too, Somerset and Montague,
Speak freely what you think.

Clar.
Then this is my opinion; that King Lewis
Becomes your enemy, for mocking him
About the marriage of the lady Bona.

Glo.
And Warwick, doing what you gave in charge,
Is now dishonoured by this new marriage.

K. Edw.
What if both Lewis and Warwick be appeas'd,
By such invention as I can devise?

Mont.
Yet to have join'd with France in such alliance,
Would more have strengthen'd this our Commonwealth
'Gainst foreign storms, than any home-bred marriage.

Hast.
Why, knows not Montague, that of it self
England is safe, if true within it self?

Mont.
Yes; but the safer, when 'tis back'd with France.

Hast.
'Tis better using France, than trusting France.
Let us be back'd with God, and with the seas,
Which he hath given for fence impregnable,
And with their helps alone defend our selves:
In them, and in our selves, our safety lyes.

Clar.
For this one speech, lord Hastings well deserves
To have the Heir of the lord Hungerford.

K. Edw.
Ay, what of that? it was my Will and Grant,
And for this once my will shall stand for law.

Glo.
And yet, methinks, your Grace hath not done well,
To give the heir and daughter of lord Scales

-- 361 --


Unto the brother of your loving bride.
She better would have fitted Me, or Clarence;
But in your bride you bury brotherhood.

Clar.
Or else you would not have bestow'd the heir
Of the lord Bonvill on your new wife's son,
And leave your brothers to go speed elsewhere.

K. Edw.
Alas, poor Clarence! is it for a wife
That thou art malecontent? I will provide thee.

Clar.
In chusing for your self, you shew'd your judgment;
Which being shallow, you shall give me Leave
To play the broker in mine own behalf;
And, to that end, I shortly mind to leave you.

K. Edw.
Leave me, or tarry, Edward will be King,
And not be ty'd unto his brother's will.

Queen.
My lords, before it pleas'd his Majesty
To raise my state to Title of a Queen,
Do me but right, and you must all confess
That I was not ignoble of Descent;
And meaner than my self have had like fortune.
But as this Title honours me and mine,
So your dislikes, to whom I would be pleasing,
Do cloud my joys with danger and with sorrow.

K. Edw.
My Love, forbear to fawn upon their frowns;
What danger, or what sorrow, can befal thee,
So long as Edward is thy constant friend,
And their true Sov'raign, whom they must obey?
Nay, whom they shall obey, and love thee too,
Unless they seek for hatred at my hands:
Which if they do, yet will I keep thee safe;
And they shall feel the vengeance of my wrath.

Glo.
I hear, yet say not much, but think the more.
Enter a Post.

K. Edw.
Now, Messenger, what letters or what news from France?

Post.
My Soveraign Liege, no letters, and few words;
But such as I (without your special pardon)
Dare not relate.

-- 362 --

K. Edw.
Go to, we pardon thee:
So tell their words, as near as thou canst guess them.
What answer makes King Lewis to our letters?

Post.
At my Depart, these were his very words;
Go tell false Edward, thy supposed King,
That Lewis of France is sending over maskers
To revel it with him and his new bride.

K. Edw.
Is Lewis so brave? belike, he thinks me Henry.
But what said lady Bona to my Marriage?

Post.
These were her words, utter'd with mild disdain:
Tell him, in hope he'll prove a widower shortly,
I'll wear the willow garland for his sake.

K. Edw.
I blame not her, she could say little less;
She had the wrong. But what said Henry's Queen?
For so I heard, that she was there in place.

Post.
Tell him, (quoth she) my mourning weeds are done;
And I am ready to put armour on.

K. Edw.
Belike, she minds to play the Amazon.
But what said Warwick to these injuries?

Post.
He, more incens'd against your Majesty
Than all the rest, discharg'd me with these words;
Tell him from me, that he hath done me Wrong;
And therefore I'll uncrown him ere't be long.

K. Edw.
Ha! durst the Traitor breath out so proud words?
Well, I will arm me, being thus fore-warn'd:
They shall have wars, and pay for their presumption.
But say, is Warwick friends with Margaret?

Post.
Ay, gracious Sov'raign, they're so link'd in friendship,
That young Prince Edward marries Warwick's daughter.

Clar.
Belike, the younger; Clarence will have the elder.(18) note
Now, brother King, farewel, and sit you fast,

-- 363 --


For I will hence to Warwick's other daughter;
That, though I want a Kingdom, yet in Marriage
I may not prove inferior to your self.
You, that love me and Warwick, follow me. [Exit Clarence; and Somerset follows.

Glo.
Not I: my thoughts aim at a further matter:
I stay not for love of Edward, but the Crown.
[Aside.

K. Edw.
Clarence and Somerset both gone to Warwick?
Yet am I arm'd against the worst can happen;
And haste is needful in this desp'rate case:
Pembroke and Stafford, you in our behalf
Go levy men, and make prepare for war;
They are already, or will soon be landed;
My self in person will straight follow you. [Ex. Pembroke and Stafford.
But ere I go, Hastings and Montague,
Resolve my doubt: you twain, of all the rest,
Are near to Warwick by blood and by alliance;
Tell me, if you love Warwick more than me?
If it be so, then both depart to him:
I rather wish you foes, than hollow friends.
But if you mind to hold your true obedience,
Give me assurance with some friendly vow,
That I may never have you in suspect.

Mon.
So God help Montague, as he proves true!

Hast.
And Hastings, as he favours Edward's Cause!

K. Edw.
Now, brother Richard, will you stand by us?

Glo.
Ay, in despight of all that shall withstand you.

K. Edw.
Why so, then am I sure of victory.
Now therefore let us hence, and lose no hour,
'Till we meet Warwick with his foreign Power.
[Exe.

-- 364 --

Scene 2 SCENE in Warwickshire. Enter Warwick and Oxford, with French Soldiers.

War.
Trust me, my lord, all hitherto goes well;
The common people swarm by numbers to us. Enter Clarence and Somerset.
But see, where Somerset and Clarence come;
Speak suddenly, my lords, are we all friends?

Clar.
Fear not that, my lord.

War.
Then gentle Clarence, welcome unto Warwick;
And welcome, Somerset: I hold it cowardize
To rest mistrustful, where a noble heart
Hath pawn'd an open hand in sign of love.
Else might I think, that Clarence, Edward's brother,
Were but a feigned friend to our proceedings.
But welcome, friend, my daughter shall be thine.
And now what rests, but in night's coverture,
Thy brother being carelesly encamp'd,
His soldiers lurking in the towns about,(19) note


And but attended by a simple guard,
We may surprize and take him at our pleasure?
Our scouts have found th' adventure very easie:
That as Ulysses and stout Diomede
With slight and manhood stole to Rhesus' Tents,
And brought from thence the Thracian fatal steeds;
So we, well cover'd with the night's black mantle,
At unawares may beat down Edward's guard,
And seize himself: I say not, slaughter him;
For I intend but only to surprize him.

-- 365 --


You, that will follow me to this attempt,
Applaud the name of Henry with your leader. [They all cry, Henry!
Why then, let's on our way in silent sort,
For Warwick and his friends, God and Saint George! [Exeunt. Enter the Watchmen to guard the King's Tent.

1 Watch.
Come on, my masters, each man take his Stand:
The King by this has set him down to sleep.

2 Watch.
What, will he not to bed?

1 Watch.
Why, no; for he hath made a solemn vow,
Never to lye and take his natural Rest,
Till Warwick, or himself be quite supprest.

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

3 Watch.
But say, I pray, what Nobleman is that,
That with the King here resteth in his tent?

1 Watch.
'Tis the lord Hastings, the King's chiefest friend.

3 Watch.
O, is it so? but why commands the King,
That his chief followers lodge in towns about him,
While he himself keepeth in the cold field?

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

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

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

2 Watch.
Ay; wherefore else guard we this royal tent,
But to defend his person from night-foes?
Enter Warwick, Clarence, Oxford, Somerset, and French Soldiers, silent all.

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

-- 366 --

1 Watch.
Who goes there?

2 Watch.
Stay, or thou diest.
[Warwick and the rest cry all, Warwick! Warwick! and set upon the Guard; who fly, crying Arms! Arms! Warwick and the rest following them. The Drum beating, and Trumpets sounding. Enter Warwick, Somerset, and the rest, bringing the King out in a gown, sitting in a chair; Glo'ster and Hastings flying over the Stage.

Som.
What are they, that fly there?

War.
Richard and Hastings; let them go, here is
The Duke.

K. Edw.
The Duke! why, Warwick, when we parted,
Thou call'dst me King?

War.
Ay, but the case is alter'd.
When you disgrac'd me in my Ambassade,
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 Ambassadors;
Nor how to be contented with one wife,
Nor how to use your brothers brotherly,
Nor how to study for the people's welfare,
Nor how to shrowd your self from enemies?

K. Edw.
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 thy self, 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: [Takes off his Crown.
But Henry now shall wear the English Crown,
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:

-- 367 --


When I have fought with Pembroke and his fellows,
I'll follow you, and tell you what reply
Lewis and lady Bona sent to him:
Now for a while farewel, good Duke of York.

K. Edw.
What fates impose, that men must needs abide;
It boots not to resist both wind and tide.
[Ex. King Edward led out forceably.

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. Scene 3 SCENE, the Palace. Enter Rivers, and the Queen.

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

Queen.
Why brother Rivers, are you yet to learn,
What late misfortune has befaln King Edward?

Riv.
What! loss of some pitcht battel against Warwick?

Queen.
No, but the loss of his own royal person.

Riv.
Then is my Soveraign slain?

Queen.
Ay, almost slain, for he is taken prisoner.
Either betray'd by falshood of his guard,
Or by his foe surpriz'd at unawares:
And as I further have to understand,
Is now committed to the Bishop of York,
Fell Warwick's brother, and by that our foe.

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

Queen.
Till then fair hope must hinder life's decay.
And I the rather wean me from despair,
For love of Edward's Off-spring in my womb:
This is't, that makes me bridle in my passion,
And bear with mildness my misfortune's cross:

-- 368 --


Ay, ay, for this I draw in many a tear,
And stop the rising of blood-sucking sighs,
Lest with my sighs, or tears, I blast or drown
King Edward's fruit, true heir to th' English Crown.

Riv.
But, Madam, where is Warwick then become?

Queen.
I am informed that he comes towards London,
To set the Crown once more on Henry's head:
Guess thou the rest, King Edward's friends must down.
But to prevent the tyrant's violence,
(For trust not him, that once hath broken faith;)
I'll hence forthwith unto the Sanctuary,
To save at least the heir of Edward's Right.
There shall I rest secure from force and fraud:
Come therefore, let us fly, while we may fly;
If Warwick take us, we are sure to die.
[Exeunt. Scene 4 SCENE, a Park near Middleham Castle in Yorkshire. Enter Gloucester, Lord Hastings, and Sir William Stanley.

Glo.
Now, my lord Hastings, and Sir William Stanley,
Leave off to wonder why I drew you hither,
Into this chiefest thicket of the Park.
Thus stands the case; you know, our King, my brother,
Is pris'ner to the Bishop, at whose hands,
He hath good usage and great liberty;
And often but attended with weak guard
Comes hunting this way to disport himself.
I have advertis'd him by secret means,
That if about this hour he make this way,
Under the colour of his usual game;
He shall here find his friends with horse and men,
To set him free from his captivity.

-- 369 --

Enter King Edward, and a Huntsman with him.

Hunt.
This way, my lord, for this way lies the game.

K. Edw.
Nay, this way, man; see, where the huntsmen stand.
Now, brother Glo'ster, Hastings, and the rest,
Stand you thus close to steal the Bishop's deer?

Glo.
Brother, the time and case requireth haste,
Your horse stands ready at the park-corner.

K. Edw.
But whither shall we then?

Hast.
To Lyn, my lord,
And ship from thence to Flanders.

Glo.
Well guest, believe me, for that was my meaning.

K. Edw.
Stanley, I will requite thy forwardness.

Glo.
But wherefore stay we? 'tis no time to talk.

K. Edw.
Huntsman, what say'st thou? wilt thou go along?

Hunt.
Better do so, than tarry and be hang'd.

Glo.
Come then away, let's ha' no more ado.

K. Edw.
Bishop, farewel; shield thee from Warwick's frown;
And pray, that I may repossess the Crown.
[Exeunt. Scene 5 SCENE changes to the Tower in London. Enter King Henry, Clarence, Warwick, Somerset, young Richmond, Oxford, Montague, and Lieutenant of the Tower.

K. Henry.
Mr. Lieutenant, now that God and friends
Have shaken Edward from the regal Seat,
And turn'd my captive state to liberty,
My fear to hope, my sorrows unto joys;
At our enlargement what are thy due fees?

Lieu.
Subjects may challenge nothing of their Soveraigns;
But if an humble prayer may prevail,
I then crave Pardon of your Majesty.

-- 370 --

K. Henry.
For what, lieutenant? for well using me?
Nay, be thou sure, I'll well requite thy kindness;
For that it made my imprisonment a pleasure:
Ay, such a pleasure as incaged birds
Conceive, when after many moody thoughts,
At last, by notes of houshold harmony,
They quite forget their loss of liberty.
But Warwick, after God, thou sett'st me free,
And chiefly therefore I thank God and thee:
He was the author, thou the instrument.
Therefore that I may conquer fortune's spight,
By living low, where fortune cannot hurt me;
And that the people of this blessed Land
May not be punish'd with my thwarting stars;
Warwick, although my head still wear the Crown,
I here resign my Government to thee,
For thou art fortunate in all thy deeds.

War.
Your Grace hath still been fam'd for virtuous,
And now may seem as wise as virtuous,
By spying and avoiding fortune's malice;
For few men rightly temper with the stars;
Yet in this one thing let me blame your Grace,
For chusing me, when Clarence is in place.

Clar.
No, Warwick, thou art worthy of the sway,
To whom the heav'ns in thy nativity
Adjudg'd an olive branch and lawrel Crown,
As likely to be blest in peace and war;
And therefore I yield thee my free consent.

War.
And I chuse Clarence only for Protector.

K. Henry.
Warwick and Clarence, give me both your hands;
Now join your hands, and with your hands, your hearts,
That no dissention hinder Government.
I make you both Protectors of this Land,
While I my self will lead a private life;
And in devotion spend my latter days,
To sin's rebuke and my Creator's praise.

War.
What answers Clarence to his Sov'raign's will?

-- 371 --

Clar.
That he consents, if Warwick yield consent;
For on thy fortune I repose my self.

War.
Why then, though loth, yet must I be content:
We'll yoak together, like a double shadow
To Henry's body, and supply his place;
I mean, in bearing weight of Government,
While he enjoys the honour, and his ease.
And, Clarence, now then it is more than needful,
Forthwith that Edward be pronounc'd a traitor;
And all his lands and goods confiscated.

Clar.
What else? and that Succession be determin'd.

War.
Ay, therein Clarence shall not want his part.

K. Henry.
But with the first of all our chief affairs,
Let me intreat, for I command no more,
That Margaret your Queen and my son Edward
Be sent for, to return from France with speed.
For till I see them here, by doubtful fear
My joy of liberty is half eclips'd.

Clar.
It shall be done, my Sov'raign, with all speed.

K. Henry.
My lord of Somerset, what Youth is that,
Of whom you seem to have so tender care?

Som.
My liege, it is young Henry, Earl of Richmond.

K. Henry.
Come hither, England's Hope: if secret Powers [Lays his hand on his head.
Suggest but truth to my divining thoughts,
This pretty lad will prove our Country's bliss.
His looks are full of peaceful Majesty,
His head by nature fram'd to wear a Crown,
His hand to wield a scepter, and himself
Likely in time to bless a regal Throne.
Make much of him, my lords; for this is he
Must help you more, than you are hurt by me.
Enter a Post.

War.
What news, my friend?

Post.
That Edward is escaped from your brother,
And fled, as he hears since, to Burgundy.

War.
Unsavory news; but how made he escape?

Post.
He was convey'd by Richard Duke of Glo'ster,
And the lord Hastings, who attended him

-- 372 --


In secret ambush on the forest-side,
And from the Bishop's huntsmen rescu'd him:
For hunting was his daily exercise.

War.
My brother was too careless of his charge.
But let us hence, my Sov'raign, to provide
A salve for any sore that may betide.
[Exeunt. Manent Somerset, Richmond, and Oxford.

Som.
My lord, I like not of this flight of Edward's:
For, doubtless, Burgundy will yield him help,
And we shall have more wars before't be long.
As Henry's late presaging prophecy
Did glad my heart, with hope of this young Richmond;
So doth my heart mis-give me, in these Conflicts
What may befal him, to his harm and ours.
Therefore, lord Oxford, to prevent the worst,
Forthwith we'll send him hence to Britany,
Till storms be past of civil enmity.

Oxf.
Ay, for if Edward re-possess the Crown,
'Tis like, that Richmond with the rest shall down.

Som.
It shall be so; he shall to Britany.
Come therefore, let's about it speedily.
[Exeunt. Scene 6 SCENE changes to York. Enter King Edward, Glocester, Hastings, and Soldiers.

K. Edw.
Now, brother Richard, 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, before the gates of York,
But that we enter, as into our Dukedom?

-- 373 --

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

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

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

K. Edw.
But, master Mayor, if Henry be your King,
Yet Edward, at the least, is Duke of York.

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

K. Edw.
Why, and I challenge nothing but my Dukedom;
As being well content with that alone.

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

Hast.
Why, master Mayor, why stand you in a doubt?
Open the gates, we are King Henry's friends.

Mayor.
Ay, say you so? the gates shall then be open'd.
[He descends.

Glo.
A wise stout Captain, and persuaded soon!

Hast.
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.
Enter the Mayor, and two Aldermen.

K. Edw.
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; [Takes his Keys.
For Edward will defend the town and thee,
And all those friends, that deign to follow me.

-- 374 --

March. Enter Montgomery, with Drum and Soldiers.

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

K. Edw.
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.

K. Edw.
Thanks, good Montgom'ry: but we now forget
Our Title to the Crown, and only claim
Our Dukedom, till God please to send the rest.

Mont.
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.
[The Drum begins a March.

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

Mont.
What talk you of debating? in few words,
If you'll not here proclaim your self our King,
I'll leave you to your fortune, and be gone
To keep them back that come to succour you.
Why shall we fight, if you pretend no title?

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

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

Hast.
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. Edw.
Then be it, as you will; for 'tis my Right;
And Henry but usurps the Diadem.

Mont.
Ay, now my Sov'raign speaketh like himself;
And now will I be Edward's champion.

Hast.
Sound trumpet, Edward shall be here proclaim'd:
Come, fellow-soldier, make thou proclamation.
[Flourish.

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

-- 375 --

Mont.
And whosoe'er gain-says King Edward's Right,
By this I challenge him to single Fight.
[Throws down his Gauntlet.

All.
Long live Edward the fourth!

K. Edw.
Thanks, brave Montgomery; and thanks to 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, 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. Scene 7 SCENE changes again to London. Enter King Henry, Warwick, Montague, Clarence, Oxford, and Somerset.

War.
What counsel, lords? Edward from Belgia,
With hasty Germans, and blunt Hollanders,
Hath pass'd in safety through the narrow seas;
And with his troops doth march amain to London;
And many giddy people flock to him.

K. Henry.
Let's levy men, and beat him back again.

Clar.
A little fire is quickly trodden out,
Which, being suffer'd, rivers cannot quench.

War.
In Warwickshire I have true-hearted friends,
Not mutinous in peace, yet bold in war,
Those will I muster up; and thou, Son Clarence,
Shalt stir, in Suffolk, Norfolk, and in Kent,
The Knights and Gentlemen to come with thee.
Thou, brother Montague, in Buckingham,
Northampton, and in Leicestershire, shalt find
Men well inclin'd to hear what thou command'st.
And thou, brave Oxford, wondrous well belov'd,

-- 376 --


In Oxfordshire shalt muster up thy friends.
My Sov'raign, with the loving citizens,
(Like to his Island girt with th' Ocean,
Or modest Dian circled with her Nymphs,)
Shall rest in London, till we come to him:
Fair lords, take leave, and stand not to reply.
Farewel, my Soveraign.

K. Henr.
Farewel, my Hector, and my Troy's true hope.

Clar.
In sign of truth, I kiss your Highness' hand.

K. Henry.
Well-minded Clarence, be thou fortunate!

Mont.
Comfort, my lord, and so I take my leave.

Oxf.
And thus I seal my truth, and bid adieu.

K. Henry.
Sweet Oxford, and my loving Montague,
And all at once, once more a happy farewel.

War.
Farewel, sweet lords; let's meet at Coventry.
[Exeunt.

K. Henry.
Here at the Palace will I rest a while.
Cousin of Exeter, what thinks your lordship?
Methinks, the Pow'r, that Edward hath in field,
Should not be able to encounter mine.

Exe.
The doubt is, that he will seduce the rest.

K. Henry.
That's not my fear, my meed hath got me fame:
I have not stopt mine ears to their demands,
Nor posted off their suits with slow delays;
My pity hath been balm to heal their wounds,
My mildness hath allay'd their swelling griefs,
My mercy dry'd their water-flowing tears.
I have not been desirous of their wealth,
Nor much opprest them with great subsidies,
Nor forward of revenge, though they much err'd.
Then why should they love Edward more than me?
No, Exeter, these graces challenge grace:
And when the lion fawns upon the lamb,
The lamb will never cease to follow him.
[Shout within. A Lancaster! a Lancaster!

Exe.
Hark, hark, my lord, what shouts are these?

-- 377 --

Enter King Edward and his Soldiers.

K. Edw.
Seize on the shame-fac'd Henry, bear him hence,
And once again proclaim us King of England.
You are the fount, that make small brooks to flow;
Now stops thy spring, my sea shall suck them dry,
And swell so much the higher, by their ebb.
Hence with him to the Tower, let him not speak. [Ex. with King Henry.
And, lords, to Coventry bend we our Course,
Where peremptory Warwick now remains.
The Sun shines hot; and if we use delay,
Cold biting winter mars our hop'd-for hay.

Glo.
Away betimes, before his forces join;
And take the great-grown Traitor unawares:
Brave warriors, march amain towards Coventry.
[Exeunt.
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Lewis Theobald [1733], The works of Shakespeare: in seven volumes. Collated with the Oldest Copies, and Corrected; With notes, Explanatory and Critical; By Mr. Theobald (Printed for A. Bettesworth and C. Hitch [and] J. Tonson [etc.], London) [word count] [S11201].
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