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.

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.

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:

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.

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