POST

At my depart these were his very words:

‘Go tell false Edward, thy supposed king,

That Louis of France is sending over masquers

To revel it with him and his new bride.’

KING EDWARD

Is Louis so brave ? Belike he thinks me Henry.

But what said Lady Bona to my marriage?

POST

These were her words, uttered with mild disdain:

‘Tell him in hope he’ll prove a widower shortly,

I’ll wear the willow garland for his sake.’

KING EDWARD

ame not her, she could say little less;

She had the wrong. But what said Henry’s queen?

For I have 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.’

KING EDWARD

Belike she minds to play the Amazon.

But what said Warwick to these injuries?

POST

He, more incensed against your majesty

Than all the rest, discharged me with these words:

‘Tell him from me that he hath done me wrong,

And therefore I’ll uncrown him ere’t be long.’

KING EDWARD

Ha! Durst the traitor breathe out so proud words?

Well, I will arm me, being thus forewarned.

They shall have wars and pay for their presumption.

But say, is Warwick friends with Margaret?

POST

Ay, gracious sovereign, they are so linked in friendship

That young Prince Edward marries Warwick’s daughter.

GEORGE OF CLARENCE

Belike the elder; Clarence will have the younger.

Now, brother King, farewell, and sit you fast,

For I will hence to Warwick’s other daughter,

That, though I want a kingdom, yet in marriage

I may not prove inferior to yourself.

You that love me and Warwick, follow me.

Exit Clarence, and Somerset follows

RICHARD OF GLOUCESTER

Not I—⌈aside⌉ my thoughts aim at a further matter.

I stay not for the love of Edward, but the crown.

KING EDWARD

Clarence and Somerset both gone to Warwick?

Yet am I armed 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 quickly will be, landed.

Myself in person will straight follow you.

Exeunt Pembroke and Stafford

But ere I go, Hastings and Montague,

Resolve my doubt. You twain, of all the rest,

Are near’st 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.

MONTAGUE

So God help Montague as he proves true.

HASTINGS

And Hastings as he favours Edward’s cause.

KING EDWARD

Now, brother Richard, will you stand by us?

RICHARD OF GLOUCESTER

Ay, in despite of all that shall withstand you.

KING EDWARD

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. Exeunt

4.2 Enter the Earls of Warwick and Oxford in England, with French soldiers

WARWICK

Trust me, my lord, all hitherto goes well.

The common sort by numbers swarm to us.

Enter the Dukes of Clarence and Somerset

But see where Somerset and Clarence comes.

Speak suddenly, my lords, are we all friends ?

GEORGE OF CLARENCE Fear not that, my lord.

WARWICK

Then, gentle Clarence, welcome unto Warwick—

And welcome, Somerset. I hold it cowardice

To rest mistrustful where a noble heart

Hath pawned 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 come, sweet Clarence, my daughter shall be thine.

And now what rests but, in night’s coverture,

Thy brother being carelessly encamped,

His soldiers lurking in the towns about,

And but attended by a simple guard,

We may surprise and take him at our pleasure?

Our scouts have found the adventure very easy;

That, as Ulysses and stout Diomed

With sleight and manhood stole to Rhesus’ tents

And brought from thence the Thracian fatal steeds,

So we, well covered 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 surprise 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

4.3 Enter three Watchmen, to guard King Edward’s tent

FIRST WATCHMAN

Come on, my masters, each man take his stand.

The King by this is set him down to sleep.

SECOND WATCHMAN What, will he not to bed?

FIRST WATCHMAN

Why, no—for he hath made a solemn vow

Never to lie and take his natural rest

Till Warwick or himself be quite suppressed.

SECOND WATCHMAN

Tomorrow then belike shall be the day,

If Warwick be so near as men report.

THIRD WATCHMAN

But say, I pray, what nobleman is that

That with the King here resteth in his tent?

FIRST WATCHMAN

’Tis the Lord Hastings, the King’s chiefest friend.