Suggest but truth to my divining thoughts,
This pretty lad will prove our country's bliss.
His looks are full of peaceful majesty :
His head by nature fram'd to wear a crown,
His hand to wield a sceptre; and himself
Likely, in time, to bless a regal throne.
Make much of him, my lords; for this is he,
Must help you more than you are hurt by me.

Enter a Post.

War. What news, my friend?

883

Post. That Edward is escaped from your brother, And fled, as he hears since, to Burgundy.

War. Unsavoury news: But how made he escape ?
Post. He was convey'd by Richard duke of Gloster,
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.

War. My brother was too careless of his charge.
But let us hence, my sovereign, to provide
A salve for any sore that may betide.

390

[Exeunt.

Manent SOMERSET, RICHMOND, and OXFORD.

Som. 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

Did glad my heart, with hope of this young Rich

mond;

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 Britany,
'Till storms be past of civil enmity.

400

Oxf. Ay; for, if Edward re-possess the crown,
'Tis like, that Richmond with the rest shall down.
Som. It shall be so; he shall to Britany.
Come, therefore, let's about it speedily.

[Exeunt.

SCENE VII.

York. Enter King EDWARD, GLOSTER, HASTINGS,

and Soldiers.

K. Edw. Now, brother Richard, lord Hastings, and

the rest;

Yet thus far fortune maketh us amends,

And says that once more I shall enterchange
My wained 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 arriv'd

410

From Ravenspurg haven before the gates of York, But that we enter, as into our dukedom?

Glo. The gates made fast!-Brother, I like not

this;

For

For many men, that stumble at the threshold,
Are well foretold that danger lurks within.

420

K. Edw. Tush, man! abodements must not now

By fair or foul means we must enter in,

For hither will our friends repair to us.

Hast. 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 fore-warned of your coming,

And shut the gates for safety of ourselves;

For now we owe allegiance unto Henry.

K. Edw. But, master mayor, if Henry be your

king,

Yet Edward, at the least, is duke of York.

430

Mayor. True, my good lord; I know you for no

less.

K. Edw. Why, and I challenge nothing but my dukedom;

As being well content with that alone.

Glo. But, when the fox has once got in his nose, He'll soon find means to make the body follow.

Hast. 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.

[He descends.

Glo.

Glo. A wise stout captain, and persuaded soon! Hast. 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.

Re-enter the Mayor, and two Aldermen, below.

440

K. Edw. 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 a Drum and Soldiers.

Glo. Brother, this is Sir John Montgomery, Our trusty friend, unless I be deceiv'd.

450

K. Edw. Welcome, Sir John! But why come you

in arms?

Montg. To help king Edward in his time of storm, As every loyal subject ought to do.

Edw. Thanks, good Montgomery: But we now forget

Our title to the crown; and only claim

Our dukedom, 'till God please to send the rest.
Montg. 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 a March. K. Edw. Nay, stay, Sir John, a while; and we'll

debate,

460

By what safe means the crown may be recover'd.
Montg. 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 succour you:
Why should we fight, if you pretend no title?
Glo. Why, brother, wherefore stand you on nice
points?

K. Edw. When we grow stronger, then we'll make our claim :

"Till then, 'tis wisdom to conceal our meaning. Hast. Away with scrupulous wit! now arms must

rule.

470

Glo. And fearless minds climb soonest unto

crowns.

Brother, we will proclaim you out of hand;

The bruit thereof will bring you many friends.

K. Edw. Then be it as you will; for 'tis my right, And Henry but usurps the diadem.

Montg. Ay, now my sovereign speaketh like himself;

And now will I be Edward's champion.

Hast. Sound, trumpet; Edward shall be here pro

claim'd:

K

Come,