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 keeps 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 must needs 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 a 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. [They lead him out forcibly.

K. Edw.
What fates impose, that men must needs abide;
It boots not to resist both wind and tide. [Exeunt.

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.

Previous section

Next section