The Drum beating, and Trumpets sounding, reenter WARWICK, and the rest, bringing the King out in a Gown, sitting in a Chair; GLOSTER and HASTINGS fly. Som. What are they that fly there? War. Richard, and Hastings: let them go, here's the duke. K. Edw. The duke! why, Warwick, when we Nay, then I see, that Edward needs must down.- See that forthwith Duke Edward be convey'd I'll follow you, and tell what answer It boots not to resist both wind and tide. [Exit K. EDW. led out; SOM. with him. Orf. 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, [Exeunt SCENE IV. London. A Room in the Palace. Enter QUEEN ELIZABETH and RIVERS. Riv. Madam, what makes you in this sudden change? Q. Eliz. Why, brother Rivers, are you yet to learn, What late misfortune is befall'n King Edward? Riv. What, loss of some pitch'd battle against Warwick? Q. Eliz. No, but the loss of his own royal person. Riv. Then is my sovereign slain? Q. Eliz. Ay, almost slain, for he is taken pri soner; Either betray'd by falsehood of his guard, Yet, gracious madam, bear it as you may: And I the rather wean me from despair, And bear with mildness my misfortune's cross; crown. Riv. But, madam, where is Warwick then become? Q. Eliz. 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. SCENE V. [Exeunt. A Park near Middleham Castle in Yorkshire. Enter GLOSTER, HASTINGS, SIR WILLIAM STANLEY, and Others. Glo. Now, my Lord Hastings, and Sir William Stanley, Leave off to wonder why I drew you hither, Into this chiefest thicket of the park. Thus stands the case: You know, our king, my brother, Is prisoner to the bishop here, at whose hands He shall here find his friends, with horse and men, To set him free from his captivity. Enter KING EDWARD and a Huntsman, Hunt. This way, my lord; for this way lies the game. K. Edw. Nay, this way, man; see, where the huntsmen stand. Now, brother of Gloster, Lord Hastings, and the rest, Stand you thus close, to steal the bishop's deer? Glo. Brother, the time and case requireth haste; Your horse stands ready at the park corner. Hast. To Lynn, my lord: and ship from thence to Flanders. Glo. Well guess'd, believe me; for that was my meaning. K. Edw. Stanley, I will requite thy forward ness. Glo. But wherefore stay we? 'tis no time to talk. K. Edw. Huntsman, what say'st thou? wilt thou go along? Hunt. Better do so, than tarry and be hang'd. Glo. Come then, away; let's have no more ado. K. Edw. Bishop, farewell: shield thee from Warwick's frown; And pray that I may repossess the crown. [Exeunt. SCENE VI. A Room in the Tower. Enter KING HENRY, CLARENCE, WARWICK, SOMER- Have shaken Edward from the regal seat; But, if an humble prayer may prevail, K. Hen. For what, lieutenant? for well using me? Nay, be thou sure, I'll well requite thy kindness, Conceive, when, after many moody thoughts, I here resign my government to thee, War. Your grace hath still been fam'd for virtuous; And now may seem as wise as virtuous, To whom the heavens, in thy nativity, Now join your hands, and, with your hands, your hearts, That no dissension hinder government: Clar. That he consents, if Warwick yield consent: For on thy fortune I repose myself. War. Why then, though loath, yet must I be content: We'll yoke together, like a double shadow Clar. What else? and that succession be determin'd. War. Ay, therein Clarence shall not want his part. K. Hen. But, with the first of all your chief affairs, Let me entreat (for I command no more) |