Complete Plays, The

by William Shakespeare

  Warwick

  What news, my friend?

  Post

  That Edward is escaped from your brother,

  And fled, as he hears since, to Burgundy.

  Warwick

  Unsavoury news! but how made he escape?

  Post

  He was convey’d by Richard Duke of Gloucester

  And the Lord Hastings, who attended him

  In secret ambush on the forest side

  And from the bishop’s huntsmen rescued him;

  For hunting was his daily exercise.

  Warwick

  My brother was too careless of his charge.

  But let us hence, my sovereign, to provide

  A salve for any sore that may betide.

  Exeunt all but Somerset, Henry Of Richmond, and Oxford

  Somerset

  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 misgive me, in these conflicts

  What may befall him, to his harm and ours:

  Therefore, Lord Oxford, to prevent the worst,

  Forthwith we’ll send him hence to Brittany,

  Till storms be past of civil enmity.

  Oxford

  Ay, for if Edward repossess the crown,

  ’Tis like that Richmond with the rest shall down.

  Somerset

  It shall be so; he shall to Brittany.

  Come, therefore, let’s about it speedily.

  Exeunt

  SCENE VII. BEFORE YORK.

  Flourish. Enter King Edward IV, Gloucester, Hastings, and Soldiers

  King Edward IV

  Now, brother Richard, Lord Hastings, and the rest,

  Yet thus far fortune maketh us amends,

  And says that once more I shall interchange

  My waned 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 arrived

  From Ravenspurgh haven before the gates of York,

  But that we enter, as into our dukedom?

  Gloucester

  The gates made fast! Brother, I like not this;

  For many men that stumble at the threshold

  Are well foretold that danger lurks within.

  King Edward IV

  Tush, man, abodements must not now affright us:

  By fair or foul means we must enter in,

  For hither will our friends repair to us.

  Hastings

  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 forewarned of your coming,

  And shut the gates for safety of ourselves;

  For now we owe allegiance unto Henry.

  King Edward IV

  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.

  King Edward IV

  Why, and I challenge nothing but my dukedom,

  As being well content with that alone.

  Gloucester

  [Aside] But when the fox hath once got in his nose,

  He’ll soon find means to make the body follow.

  Hastings

  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.

  They descend

  Gloucester

  A wise stout captain, and soon persuaded!

  Hastings

  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, below

  King Edward IV

  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.

  March. Enter Montgomery, with drum and soldiers

  Gloucester

  Brother, this is Sir John Montgomery,

  Our trusty friend, unless I be deceived.

  King Edward IV

  Welcome, Sir John! But why come you in arms?

  Montague

  To help King Edward in his time of storm,

  As every loyal subject ought to do.

  King Edward IV

  Thanks, good Montgomery; but we now forget

  Our title to the crown and only claim

  Our dukedom till God please to send the rest.

  Montague

  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 to march

  King Edward IV

  Nay, stay, Sir John, awhi le, and we’ll debate

  By what safe means the crown may be recover’d.

  Montague

  What talk you of debating? in few words,

  If you’ll not here proclaim yourself our king,

  I’ll leave you to your fortune and be gone

  To keep them back that come to succor you:

  Why shall we fight, if you pretend no title?

  Gloucester

  Why, brother, wherefore stand you on nice points?

  King Edward IV

  When we grow stronger, then we’ll make our claim:

  Till then, ’tis wisdom to conceal our meaning.

  Hastings

  Away with scrupulous wit! now arms must rule.

  Gloucester

  And fearless minds climb soonest unto crowns.

  Brother, we will proclaim you out of hand:

  The bruit thereof will bring you many friends.

  King Edward IV

  Then be it as you will; for ’tis my right,

  And Henry but usurps the diadem.

  Montague

  Ay, now my sovereign speaketh like himself;

  And now will I be Edward’s champion.

  Hastings

  Sound trumpet; Edward shall be here proclaim’d:

  Come, fellow-soldier, make thou proclamation.

  Flourish

  Soldier

  Edward the Fourth, by the grace of God, king of

  England and France, and lord of Ireland, & c.

  Montague

  And whosoe’er gainsays King Edward’s right,

  By this I challenge him to single fight.

  Throws down his gauntlet

  All

  Long live Edward the Fourth!

  King Edward IV

  Thanks, brave Montgomery; and thanks unto you 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! how 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 VIII. LONDON. THE PALACE.

&nbs
p; Flourish. Enter King Henry VI, Warwick, Montague, Clarence, Exeter, and Oxford

  Warwick

  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.

  King Henry VI

  Let’s levy men, and beat him back again.

  Clarence

  A little fire is quickly trodden out;

  Which, being suffer’d, rivers cannot quench.

  Warwick

  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 up 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 inclined to hear what thou command’st:

  And thou, brave Oxford, wondrous well beloved,

  In Oxfordshire shalt muster up thy friends.

  My sovereign, with the loving citizens,

  Like to his island girt in 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.

  King Henry VI

  Farewell, my Hector, and my Troy’s true hope.

  Clarence

  In sign of truth, I kiss your highness’ hand.

  King Henry VI

  Well-minded Clarence, be thou fortunate!

  Montague

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

  Oxford

  And thus I seal my truth, and bid adieu.

  King Henry VI

  Sweet Oxford, and my loving Montague,

  And all at once, once more a happy farewell.

  Warwick

  Farewell, sweet lords: let’s meet at Coventry.

  Exeunt all but King Henry VI and Exeter

  King Henry VI

  Here at the palace I will rest awhile.

  Cousin of Exeter, what thinks your lordship?

  Methinks the power that Edward hath in field

  Should not be able to encounter mine.

  Exeter

  The doubt is that he will seduce the rest.

  King Henry VI

  That’s not my fear; my meed hath got me fame:

  I have not stopp’d 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 dried their water-flowing tears;

  I have not been desirous of their wealth,

  Nor much 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!’

  Exeter

  Hark, hark, my lord! what shouts are these?

  Enter King Edward IV, Gloucester, and soldiers

  King Edward IV

  Seize on the shame-faced Henry, bear him hence;

  And once again proclaim us King of England.

  You are the fount that makes small brooks to flow:

  Now stops thy spring; my sea sha$l suck them dry,

  And swell so much the higher by their ebb.

  Hence with him to the Tower; let him not speak.

  Exeunt some with King Henry VI

  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.

  Gloucester

  Away betimes, before his forces join,

  And take the great-grown traitor unawares:

  Brave warriors, march amain towards Coventry.

  Exeunt

  ACT V

  SCENE I. COVENTRY.

  Enter Warwick, the Mayor of Coventry, two Messengers, and others upon the walls

  Warwick

  Where is the post that came from valiant Oxford?

  How far hence is thy lord, mine honest fellow?

  First Messenger

  By this at Dunsmore, marching hitherward.

  Warwick

  How far off is our brother Montague?

  Where is the post that came from Montague?

  Second Messenger

  By this at Daintry, with a puissant troop.

  Enter Sir John Somerville

  Warwick

  Say, Somerville, what says my loving son?

  And, by thy guess, how nigh is Clarence now?

  Somerset

  At Southam I did leave him with his forces,

  And do expect him here some two hours hence.

  Drum heard

  Warwick

  Then Clarence is at hand, I hear his drum.

  Somerset

  It is not his, my lord; here Southam lies:

  The drum your honour hears marcheth from Warwick.

  Warwick

  Who should that be? belike, unlook’d-for friends.

  Somerset

  They are at hand, and you shall quickly know.

  March: flourish. Enter King Edward IV, Gloucester, and soldiers

  King Edward IV

  Go, trumpet, to the walls, and sound a parle.

  Gloucester

  See how the surly Warwick mans the wall!

  Warwick

  O unbid spite! is sportful Edward come?

  Where slept our scouts, or how are they seduced,

  That we could hear no news of his repair?

  King Edward IV

  Now, Warwick, wilt thou ope the city gates,

  Speak gentle words and humbly bend thy knee,

  Call Edward king and at his hands beg mercy?

  And he shall pardon thee these outrages.

  Warwick

  Nay, rather, wilt thou draw thy forces hence,

  Confess who set thee up and pluck’d thee own,

  Call Warwick patron and be penitent?

  And thou shalt still remain the Duke of York.

  Gloucester

  I thought, at least, he would have said the king;

  Or did he make the jest against his will?

  Warwick

  Is not a dukedom, sir, a goodly gift?

  Gloucester

  Ay, by my faith, for a poor earl to give:

  I’ll do thee service for so good a gift.

  Warwick

  ’Twas I that gave the kingdom to thy brother.

  King Edward IV

  Why then ’tis mine, if but by Warwick’s gift.

  Warwick

  Thou art no Atlas for so great a weight:

  And weakling, Warwick takes his gift again;

  And Henry is my king, Warwick his subject.

  King Edward IV

  But Warwick’s king is Edward’s prisoner:

  And, gallant Warwick, do but answer this:

  What is the body when the head is off?

  Gloucester

  Alas, that Warwick had no more forecast,

  But, whiles he thought to steal the single ten,

  The king was slily finger’d from the deck!

  You left poor Henry at the Bishop’s palace,

  And, ten to one, you’ll meet him in the Tower.

  Edward

  ’Tis even so; yet you are Warwick still.

  Gloucester

  Come, Warwick, take the time; kneel down, kneel down:

  Na
y, when? strike now, or else the iron cools.

  Warwick

  I had rather chop this hand off at a blow,

  And with the other fling it at thy face,

  Than bear so low a sail, to strike to thee.

  King Edward IV

  Sail how thou canst, have wind and tide thy friend,

  This hand, fast wound about thy coal-black hair

  Shall, whiles thy head is warm and new cut off,

  Write in the dust this sentence with thy blood,

  ‘Wind-changing Warwick now can change no more.’

  Enter Oxford, with drum and colours

  Warwick

  O cheerful colours! see where Oxford comes!

  Oxford

  Oxford, Oxford, for Lancaster!

  He and his forces enter the city

  Gloucester

  The gates are open, let us enter too.

  King Edward IV

  So other foes may set upon our backs.

  Stand we in good array; for they no doubt

  Will issue out again and bid us battle:

  If not, the city being but of small defence,

  We’ll quickly rouse the traitors in the same.

  Warwick

  O, welcome, Oxford! for we want thy help.

  Enter Montague with drum and colours

  Montague

  Montague, Montague, for Lancaster!

  He and his forces enter the city

  Gloucester

  Thou and thy brother both shall buy this treason

  Even with the dearest blood your bodies bear.

  King Edward IV

  The harder match’d, the greater victory:

  My mind presageth happy gain and conquest.

  Enter Somerset, with drum and colours

  Somerset

  Somerset, Somerset, for Lancaster!

  He and his forces enter the city

  Gloucester

  Two of thy name, both Dukes of Somerset,

  Have sold their lives unto the house of York;

  And thou shalt be the third if this sword hold.

  Enter Clarence, with drum and colours

  Warwick

  And lo, where George of Clarence sweeps along,

  Of force enough to bid his brother battle;

  With whom an upright zeal to right prevails

  More than the nature of a brother’s love!

  Come, Clarence, come; thou wilt, if Warwick call.

  Clarence

  Father of Warwick, know you what this means?

  Taking his red rose out of his hat

  Look here, I throw my infamy at thee

  I will not ruinate my father’s house,

  Who gave his blood to lime the stones together,

  And set up Lancaster. Why, trow’st thou, Warwick,

  That Clarence is so harsh, so blunt, unnatural,

  To bend the fatal instruments of war

  Against his brother and his lawful king?

  Perhaps thou wilt object my holy oath:

  To keep that oath were more impiety