THIRD WATCHMAN

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?

SECOND WATCHMAN

’Tis the more honour, because more dangerous.

THIRD WATCHMAN

Ay, but give me worship and quietness—

I like it better than a dangerous honour.

If Warwick knew in what estate he stands,

’Tis to be doubted he would waken him.

FIRST WATCHMAN

Unless our halberds did shut up his passage.

SECOND WATCHMAN

Ay, wherefore else guard we his royal tent

But to defend his person from night-foes?

Enter silently the Earl of Warwick, George Duke of

Clarence, the Earl of Oxford, and the Duke of

Somerset, with French soldiers

WARWICK

This is his tent—and see where stand his guard.

Courage, my masters—honour now or never!

But follow me, and Edward shall be ours.

FIRST WATCHMAN Who goes there?

SECOND WATCHMAN Stay or thou diest.

Warwick and the rest all cry ‘Warwick, Warwick!’

and set upon the guard, who fly, crying ‘Arm, arm!’

Warwick and the rest follow them

4.4 With the drummer playing and trumpeter sounding, enter the Earl of Warwick, the Duke of Somerset, and the rest bringing King Edward out in his gown, sitting in a chair. Richard Duke of Gloucester and Lord Hastings flies over the stage

SOMERSET What are they that fly there?

WARWICK

Richard and Hastings—let them go. Here is the Duke.

KING EDWARD

‘The Duke’! Why, Warwick, when we parted,

Thou calledst me king.

WARWICK Ay, but the case is altered.

When you disgraced me in my embassade,

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 shroud yourself from enemies?

KING EDWARD (seeing George)

Yea, brother of Clarence, art thou here too?

Nay, then, I see that Edward needs must down.

Yet, Warwick, in despite of all mischance,

Of thee thyself 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.

WARWICK

Then, for his mind, be Edward England’s king.

Warwick takes off Edward’s 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 conveyed

Unto my brother, Archbishop of York.

When I have fought with Pembroke and his fellows,

I’ll follow you, and tell what answer

Louis and the Lady Bona send to him.

Now for a while farewell, good Duke of York.

They begin to lead Edward out forcibly

KING EDWARD

What fates impose, that men must needs abide.

It boots not to resist both wind and tide.

Exeunt some with Edward

OXFORD

What now remains, my lords, for us to do

But march to London with our soldiers?

WARWICK

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

4.5 Enter Earl Rivers and his sister, Lady Gray, Edward’s queen

RIVERS

Madam, what makes you in this sudden change?

LADY GRAY

Why, brother Rivers, are you yet to learn

What late misfortune is befall’n King Edward?

RIVERS

What? Loss of some pitched battle against Warwick?

LADY GRAY

No, but the loss of his own royal person.

RIVERS Then is my sovereign slain?

LADY GRAY

Ay, almost stain—for he is taken prisoner,

Either betrayed by falsehood of his guard

Or by his foe surprised at unawares,

And, as I further have to understand,

Is new committed to the Bishop of York,

Fell Warwick’s brother, and by that our foe.

RIVERS

These news, I must confess, are full of grief.

Yet, gracious madam, bear it as you may.

Warwick may lose, that now hath won the day.

LADY GRAY

Till then fair hope must hinder life’s decay,

And I the rather wean me from despair

For love of Edward’s offspring in my womb.

This is it that makes me bridle passion

And bear with mildness my misfortune’s cross.

Ay, ay, for this I draw in many a tear

And stop the rising of blood-sucking sighs,

Lest with my sighs or tears I blast or drown

King Edward’s fruit, true heir to th’English crown.

RIVERS

But, madam, where is Warwick then become?

LADY GRAY

I am informed that he comes towards London

To set the crown once more on Henry’s head.

Guess thou the rest—King Edward’s friends must down.

But to prevent the tyrant’s violence—

For trust not him that hath once broken faith—

I’ll hence forthwith unto the sanctuary,

To save at least the heir of Edward’s right.

There shall I rest secure from force and fraud.

Come, therefore, let us fly while we may fly.

If Warwick take us, we are sure to die. Exeunt

4.6 Enter Richard Duke of Gloucester, Lord Hastings, and Sir William Stanley, ⌈with soldiers⌉