SCENE V. A Park near Middleham Castle in Yorkshire. Enter GLOSTER, HASTINGS, Sir WILLIAM STAN Glo. Now, my lord Hastings, and sir William '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 'And often, but attended with weak guard, • 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 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. K. Edw. But whither shall we then? 'Hast. To Lynn, my lord; and ship from thence to Flanders. 'Glo. Well guess'd, believe me; my meaning. for that was 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, SoMERSET, young RICHMOND, OXFORD, MONTAGUE, Lieutenant of the Tower, und Attend ants. *K. Hen. 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? *Lieu. Subjects may challenge nothing of their sovereigns; * But, if an humble prayer may prevail, * I then crave pardon of your majesty. * * K. Hen. For what, lieutenant? for well using me? 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 * Conceive, when, after many moody thoughts, * But, Warwick, after God, thou set'st me free, 'For thou art fortunate in all thy deeds. * War. Your grace hath still been fam'd for vir◄ tuous; * And now may seem as wise as virtuous, 4 Few men conform their temper to their destiny. *For choosing me, when Clarence is in place.5 *Clar. No, Warwick, thou art worthy of the sway, * To whom the heavens, in thy nativity, * And therefore I yield thee my free consent. * War. And I choose Clarence only for protec tor. *K. Hen. Warwick, and Clarence, give me both your hands; * Now join your hands, and, with your hands, your hearts, * That no dissention hinder government: 'I 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. War. What answers Clarence to his sovereign's will? * 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 * 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, 5 Present. * Forthwith_that Edward be pronounc'd a traitor, And all his lands and goods be confiscate. Clar. What else? and that succession be determin'd. * IVar. 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,) * 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. Clar. It shall be done, my sovereign, with all speed. K. Hen. 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. Hen. Come hither, England's hope: If secret powers [Lays his Hand on his Head. Suggest but truth to my divining thoughts, ‹ His head by nature fram'd to wear a crown, s Afterward Henry VII. |