King Edward's fruit, true heir to the English crown. Riv. But, madam, where is Warwick then be

come?

Queen. I am informed that he comes towards London, To set the crown once more on Henry's head:

270

Guess thou the rest; king Edward's friends must

down.

But, to prevent the tyrant's violence

(For trust not him that once hath 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.

SCENE V.

A Park near Middleham-Castle in Yorkshire. Enter GLOSTER, HASTINGS, and Sir WILLIAM STAN

LEY.

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.

280

Thus stands the case: You know our king, my bro,

ther,

Is prisoner to the bishop here, at whose hands

He hath good usage and great liberty:

And

And often, but attended with weak guard,
Comes hunting this way to disport himself.
I have advertis'd him by secret means,
That if about this hour, he make this way,
Under the colour of his usual game,

He shall here find his friends, with horse and men,
To set him free from his captivity.

Enter King EDWARD, and a Hunstman.

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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.
K. Edw. But whither shall we then?

Hast. To Lynn, my lord; and ship from thence to Flanders.

Glo. Well guess'd, believe me; for that was my

meaning.

300

K. Edw. Stanley, I will requite thy forwardness. 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 ha' no more ado.

K. Edw. Bishop, farewel: shield thee from War

wick's frown;

And pray that I may reposses the crown. [Exeunt.

SCENE VI.

The Tower in London. Enter King HENRY, CLAREnce, WARWICK, SOMERSET, Young RICHMOND, OxFORD, MONTAGUE, and Lieutenant of the Tower.

K. Henry. Master lieutenant, now that God and friends

Have shaken Edward from the regal seat;
And turn'd my captive state to liberty,
My fear to hope, my sorrows unto joys;

At our enlargement what are thy due fees?

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Lieu. Subjects may challenge nothing of their sovereigns;

But, if an humble prayer may prevail,

I then crave pardon of your majesty.

K. Henry. For what, lieutenant ? for well using me 2 Nay, be thou sure, I'll well requite thy kindness, For that it made my imprisonment a pleasure: Ay, such a pleasure as incaged birds

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Conceive, when, after many moody thoughts,
At last, by notes of household harmony,

They quite forget their loss of liberty.—

But, Warwick, after God, thou set'st me free,
And chiefly therefore I thank God, and thee;

He

1

He was the author, thou the instrument.

Therefore, that I may conquer fortune's spight,
By living low, where fortune cannot hurt me;
And that the people of this blessed land
May not be punish'd with my thwarting stars;
Warwick, although my head still wear the crown,
I here resign my government to thee,

For thou art fortunate in all thy deeds.

331

War. Your grace hath still been fam'd for virtuous: And now may seem as wise as virtuous, By spying, and avoiding, fortune's malice, For few men rightly temper with the stars: Yet in this one thing let me blame your grace,

For chusing me, when Clarence is in place.

Clar. No, Warwick, thou art worthy of the sway,

To whom the heavens, in thy nativity,

Adjudg'd an olive branch, and laurel crown,
As likely to be blest in peace, and war;

340

And therefore I yield thee my free consent.
War. And I chuse Clarence only for protector.
K. Henry. Warwick, and Clarence, give me both
your hands;

Now join your hands, and, with you hands, your hearts,

That no dissention hinder government :
Į make you both protectors of this land;
While I myself will lead a private life,
And in devotion spend my latter days,
To sin's rebuke, and my Creator's praise.

850

War,

War. What answers Clarence to his sovereign's

will?

Clar. That he consents, if Warwick yield consent.; For on thy fortune I repose myself.

1

War. Why then, though loth, yet must I be con

tent:

We'll yoke together, like a double shadow
To Henry's body, and supply his place;
I mean, in bearing weight of government,
While he enjoys the honour, and his ease.

And, Clarence, now then it is more than needful,
Forthwith that Edward be pronounc'd a traitor, 361
And all his lands and goods confiscated.

Clar. What else? and that succession be deter

min'd.

War. Ay, therein Clarence shall not want his part. K. Henry. But, with the first of all our chief affairs, Let me entreat (for I command no more),

That Margaret your queen, and my son Edward,
Be sent for, to return from France with speed!
For, 'till I see them here, by doubtful fear
My joy of liberty is half eclips'd.

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Clar. It shall be done, my sovereign, with all

speed.

K. Henry. My lord of Somerset, what youth is that, Of whom you seem to have so tender care?

Som. My liege, it is young Henry, earl of Rich

mond.

"K. Henry. Come hither, England's hope: If secret [Lays his Hand on his Head.

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