War.
What counsel, lords? Edward from Belgia,
With hasty ^note 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. Hen.
Let's levy men, and beat him back again ^note.

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 ^note stir up ^note in Suffolk, Norfolk and in Kent,
The knights and gentlemen to come with thee:
Thou, brother Montague, in Buckingham,
Northampton and in Leicestershire, shalt ^note find
Men well inclined to hear what thou command'st:
And thou, brave Oxford, wondrous well beloved,
In Oxfordshire shalt ^note muster up thy friends.
My sovereign, with the loving citizens,
Like to his island girt in ^note with the 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.
Farewell, my sovereign.

K. Hen.
Farewell, my Hector, and my Troy's true hope.

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

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

Mont.
Comfort, my lord; and so I take my leave. ^note

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

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

War.
Farewell, sweet lords: let's meet at Coventry. [Exeunt ^note all but King Henry and Exeter.

K. Hen.
Here at the palace will I rest awhile.
Cousin of Exeter, what thinks your lordship?
Methinks the power that Edward hath in field
Should ^note not be able to encounter mine.

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

K. Hen.
That's not my fear; my meed ^note hath got me fame:
I have not stopp'd mine ears to their demands,
Nor posted off ^note their suits with slow delays;
My pity hath been balm to heal their wounds,
My mildness hath allay'd their swelling griefs,
My mercy dried their water-flowing tears ^note;
I have not been desirous of their wealth,
Nor much ^note oppress'd 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!’ ^note

Exe.
Hark, hark, my lord! what shouts are these? Enter ^note King Edward, Gloucester ^note, and Soldiers.

K. Edw.
Seize on the shame-faced Henry, bear him hence;
And once again proclaim us king of England.
You are the fount that makes ^note 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. [Exeunt ^note some with King Henry.
And, lords, towards Coventry bend we our course,
Where peremptory Warwick now remains:
The sun shines hot; and, if we use delay,
Cold biting winter mars our hoped-for hay ^note.

Glou.
Away betimes, before his forces join,
And take the great-grown traitor unawares:
Brave warriors, march amain towards Coventry. [Exeunt.

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