Stockdale's edition of Shakespeare, with explanatory notes

Glo

SCENE I

The Palace in England,

ACT IV.

Enter Glofter, Clarence, Somerfet, and Montague. TOW tell me, brother Clarence, what think you

Clar. I mind to tell him plainly what I think.
K. Edw. Now, brother of Clarence, how like
you our choice,

That you ftand penfive, as half malecontent ?
Clar. As well as Lewis of France, or the earl of
Warwick;

Which are fo weak of courage, and in judgement,

That they'll take no offence at our abufe.

K. Edw. Suppofe they take offence without a
caufe,
They are but Lewis and Warwick; I am Edward,
Your king and Warwick's, and must have my will.
Glo. And you fhall have your will, because our
Yet hafty marriage feldom proveth well. [king:
K. Edw. Yea, brother Richard, are you offend-
Glo. Not I:
[ed too?
No; God forbid, that I fhould wish them fever'd
Whom God hath join'd together: ay, and 'twere
To funder them that yoke fo well together, [pity,
K. Edw. Setting your fcorns, and your mislike,
afide,

Tell me fome reafon, why the lady Grey
Should not become my wife, and England's queen:
And you too, Somerfet, and Montague,

Speak freely what you think.

Would more have ftrengthen'd this our common wealth

'Gainst foreign storms, than any home-bred marriage.

Haf. Why, knows not Montague, that of itself,
England is fafe, if true within itfelf?

Mont. Yes; but the fafer, when 'tis back'd
with France.
[France:

Haft. 'Tis better ufing France, than trufting
Let us be back'd with God, and with the feas1,
Which he hath given for fence impregnable,
And with their helps alone defend ourselves;
In them, and in ourselves, our fafety lies.

Clar. For this one fpeech, lord Haftings well
deferves

To have the heir of the lord Hungerford.
K. Edw. Ay, what of that? it was my will,
and grant;

And, for this once, my will shall stand for law.
Glo. And yet, methinks, your grace hath no
done well,

To give the heir and daughter of lord Scales
Unto the brother of your loving bride;
She better would have fitted me, or Clarence ;
But in your bride you bury brotherhood.

Clar. Or else you would not have beftow'd

the heir

Of the lord Bonville on your new wife's fon 2,
And leave your brothers to go fpeed elsewhere.

K. Edw. Alas, poor Clarence! is it for a wife,
That thou art malecontent? I will provide thee.
Clar. In choofing for yourself, you shew'd your
judgement:

Which being shallow, you shall give me leave
To play the broker in mine own behalf ;
And, to that end, I fhortly mind to leave you.
K. Edw. Leave me, or tarry, Edward will be
king,

And not be ty'd unto his brother's will.

To raife my ftate to title of a queen,
Queen. My lords, before it pleas'd his majefty

Do me but right, and you must all confefs

Clar. Then this is my opinion,-that king Lewis That I was not ignoble of defcent,

Becomes your enemy, for mocking him

About the marriage of the lady Bona.

And meaner than myfelf have had like fortune.
But as this title honours me and mine,

Glo. And Warwick, doing what you gave in So your diflikes, to whom I would be pleafing,

charge,

Is now dishonour'd by this new marriage.

K. Edw. What, if both Lewis and Warwick

be appeas'd,

By fuch invention as I can devise ?

Do cloud my joys with danger and with forrow.
K. Edw. My love, forbear to fawn upon their
frowns:

What danger, or what forrow can befall thee,
So long as Edward is thy conftant friend,

Mont. Yet to have join'd with France in fuch And their true fovereign, whom they must obey ? Nay, whom they shall obey, and love thee too,

alliance,

I Dr. Johnson obferves, that this has been the advice of every man who in any age understood and favoured the intereft of England. 2 Prior to the Reftoration, the heireffes of great estates were in the ward hip of the king, who in their minority gave them up to plunder, and afterwards matched them to his favourites. Dr. Johnfon remarks on this paffage, that he knows not when libeity gained more than by the abolition of the court of wards.

Unlefs

What anfwer makes king Lewis unto our letters? Poft. At my depart, these were his very words: "Go tell falfe Edward, thy fuppofed king,"That Lewis of France is fending over makers, "To revel it with him and his new bride."

K. Edw. Is Lewis fo brave? belike, he thinks me Henry.

But what faid lady Bona to my marriage?

Poft. Thefe were her words, utter'd with mild difdain:

"Tell him, in hope he'll prove a widower shortly, "I'll wear the willow garland for his fake."

K. Edw. I blame not her, fhe could fay little lefs; She had the wrong. But what faid Henry's queen? For I have heard, that the was there in place. Poft. "Tell him," quoth fhe, "my mourning weeds are done,

"And I am ready to put armour on."

K. Ed. Belike, the minds to play the Amazon. But what faid Warwick to these injuries?

Poft. He, more incens'd against your majesty Than all the reft, difcharg'd me with thefe words: "Tell him from me, that he hath done me wrong, "And therefore I'll uncrown him, ere 't be long." K. Edw. Ha! Jurit the traitor breathe out fo| proud words?

Well, I will arm me, being thus forewarn'd:

And hafte is needful in this defperate cafe.→
Pembroke, and Stafford, you in our behalf
Go levy men, and make prepare for war;
They are already, or quickly will be landed:
Myfelf in perfon will straight follow you.

[Exeunt Pembroke and Stafford,

But, ere I go, Haftings,-and Montague,—
Refolve my doubt. You twain, of all the reft,
Are near to Warwick, by blood, and by alliance:
Tell me, if you love Warwick more than me?
If it be fo, then both depart to him;

I rather with you foes, than hollow friends:
But if you mind to hold your true obedience,
Give me affurance with fome friendly vow,
That I may never have you in fufpect.

Enter Warwick and Oxford, with French foldiers. War. Trust me, my lord, all hitherto goes well; The common people by numbers fwarm to us.

Enter Clarence, and Somerfet.

But, fee, where Somerfet and Clarence comes; Speak fuddenly, my lords, are we all friends? Clar. Fear not that, my lord. [Warwick;

War. Then, gentle Clarence, welcome unto And welcome, Somerfet :--I hold it cowardice, To reft miftrustful where a noble heart Hath pawn'd an open hand in fign of love; [ther, Elfe might I think, that Clarence, Edward's broWere but a feigned friend to our proceedings:

They shall have wars, and pay for their prefump-But welcome, Clarence; my daughter shall be

tion.

But fay, is Warwick friends with Margaret?
Poft. Ay, gracious fovereign; they are fo link'd
in friendship,
[daughter.
That young prince Edward marries Warwick's
Clar. Belike, the younger; Clarence will have
the elder.

Now, brother king, farewel, and fit you faft,
For I will hence to Warwick's other daughter;
That, though I want a kingdom, yet in marriage
I may not prove inferior to yourself.-
You, that love me and Warwick, follow me.
[Exit Clarence, and Somerfet follows.

Glo. Not I:.

thine.

And now what refts, but, in night's coverture,
Thy brother being careleily encamp'd,
His foldiers lurking in the towns about,
And but attended by a simple guard,
We may furprize and take him at our pleasure ?
Our fcouts have found the adventure very easy:
That as Ulyiles, and ftout Diomede,

With flight and manhood stole to Rhefus' tents,
And brought from thence the Thracian fatal iteeds;
So we, well cover'd with the night's black mantle,
At unawares may beat down Edward's guard,
And feize himfelf; I fay not-flaughter him,
For I intend but only to furprize him.
You, that will follow me to this attempt,
Applaud the name of Henry, with your leader.
[They all cry, Henry!
Why, then, let's on our way in filent fort:
For Warwick and his friends, God and Saint
George!
[Exeunt.
SCENE

The king, by this, is fet him down to fleep.

2 Watch. What, will he not to bed?

Nay, then I fee, that Edward needs must down-
Yet, Warwick, in defpight of all mifchance,
Of thee thyfelf, and all thy complices,
Edward will always bear hirufelf as king:
Though fortune's malice overthrow my itate,
My mind exceeds the compass of her wheel.
War. Then, for his mind, be Edward England's
[Takes off his croRATE.

king:

Watch. Why, no: for he hath made a fo-But Henry now fhall wear the English crown,

lemn vow,

Never to lie and take his natural reft,
'Till Warwick, or himielf, be quite fuppreft.

2 Watch. To-morrow then, belike, fhall be
the day,

If Warwick be fo near as men report.

[that,

3 Watch. But fay, I pray, what nobleman is That with the king here refteth in his tent ?

1 Watch. 'Tis the lord Haftings, the king's chiefeft friend.

[king,

And be true king indeed; thou but the thadow.-
My lord of Somerfet, at my requett,

See that forthwith duke Edward be convey'd
Unto my brother, archbishop of York.

When I have fought with Pembroke and his fellows,
I'll follow you, and tell what anfwer
Lewis, and the lady Bona, fend to him :-
Now, for a while, farewel, good duke of York.
K. Eder. What fates impofe, that men mit
needs abide;

3 Watch. O, is it fo? But why commands the It boots not to refift both wind and tide.
That his chief followers lodge in towns about him,
While he himself keepeth in the cold field?

2 Watch. 'Tis the more honour, becaufe more dangerous.

[nets,

[Exit King Edward, led out. Oxf. What now remains, my lords, for us to do, But march to London with our foldiers?

War. Ay, that's the first thing that we have to do;

3 Watch. Ay; but give me worship and quiet-To free king Henry from imprifonment,

I like it better than a dangerous honour.
If Warwick knew in what eftare he stands,
'Tis to be doubted, he would waken him.

1 Watch. Unless our halberds did fhut up his
pallage.

[tent,

2 Watch. Ay; wherefore elfe guard we his royal
But to defend his perfon from night-foes?
Enter Warwick, Clarence, Oxford, Somerfet, and
French foldiers, filent all.

War. This is his tent; and fee, where ftand
his guard.

Comage, my mafters: honour now, or never!
But follow me, and Edward fhall be ours.
1 Watch. Who goes there?

2 Watch. Stay, or thou dieft.

[Warwick, and the reft, cry all,-Warwick! Warwick! and fet upon the guard; who fly, crying--Arm! Arm! Warwick, and the reft, following tim.

The drum beating, and trumpets founding. Enter Wartwick, Some fet, and the refi, bieging the King out in a gown, fitting in a chair: «Gloper and Haflings fly over the stage.

here's the duke.

Som. What are they that fly there?
War. Richard, and Haftings: let them go,
[parted laft,
K. Edw. The duke! why, Warwick, when we
Thou call'dit me king?

War. Ay, but the cafe is alter'd:
When you difgrac'd me in my embassage,
Then I degraded you from being king,
And come now to create you duke of York.
Alas! how thould you govern any kingdom,
That know not how to ufe embatfaders ;
Nor how to be contented with one wife;
Nor how to use your brothers brotherly;
Nor how to ftudy for the people's welfare;
Nor how to shrowd yourfelf from enemies (too?
K. Edw. Yea, brother of Clarence, art thou here

Queen. No, but the lofs of his own royal perfon.
Riv. Then is my fovereign flain?

Queen. Ay, almost flain, for he is taken prifoner;
Either betray'd by falfhood of his guard,
Or by his foe furpriz'd 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.

Riv. Thefe news, I mut! contefs, are full of grief,
Yet, gracious madam, bear it as you may;
Warwick may lofe, that now hath won the day.
Queen. Till then, fair hope mult hinder life's

decry.

And I the rather wean me from defpair,
For love of Edward's offspring in my womb :
This is it that makes me bridle my patfien,
And bear with mildness my misfortune's crois;
Ay, ay, for this I draw in many a tear,
And ftop the rifing of blood-fucking fighs,
Lett with my fighs or tears I blaft or drown
King Edward's fruit, true heir to the English crown.
Riv. But, madam, where is Warwick then be-
[London,

come?
Queen. I am informed, that he comes towards
To fet the crown once more on Henry's head:
Guefs thou the reft; king Edward's friends must
But, to prevent the tyrant's violence, [down.
(For truft not him that once hath broken faith)
I'll hence forthwith unto the fanctuary,

То

A Park near Middleham Cafile in Yorkshire. Enter Glofter, Haflings, and Sir William Stanley. Glo. Now, my lord Haftings, and Sir William Stanley,

Leave off to wonder why I drew you hither,
Into this chiefeft thicket of the park. [brother,
Thus ftands the cafe: You know, our king, my
Is prifoner to the bishop er, at whofe hands
He hath good ufage and great liberty;
And often, but attended with weak guard,
Comes hunting this way to difport himíelf.
I have advertis'd him by fecret means,
That if, about this hour, he make this way,
Under the colour of his ufual game,
He fhall here find his friends, with horfe and men,
To fet him free from his captivity.

game.

Enter King Edward, and a Huntsman. Hunt. This way, my lord; for this way lies the [huntfmen ftand.—K. Edw. Nay, this way, man; fee, where the Now, brother of Glofter, lord Haftings, and the rest, Stand you thus clofe to fteal the bishop's deer?

Glo. Brother, the time and cafe requireth hafte; Your horfe ftands ready at the park-corner.

K. Edw. But whither fhall we then?

to Flanders.

Haft. To Lynn, my lord; and fhip from thence [meaning. Glo. Well guefs'd, believe me; for that was my K. Edw. Stanley, I will requite thy forwardness. Gb. But wherefore ftay we? 'tis no time to talk. K. Edw. Huntfman, what fay'ft thou? wilt thou go along?

Hunt. Better do fo, than tarry and be hang'd. Gla. Come then, away; let's ha' no more ado. K. Edw. Bishop, farewel: fhield thee from

Warwick's frown;

Enter King Henry, Clarence, Warwick, Somerfet, Young Richmond, Oxford, Montague, and Licutenant of the Tower.

K. Henry. Mafter lieutenant, now that God and
Have fhaken Edward from the regal feat; [friends
And turn'd my captive ftate to liberty,
My fear to hope, my forrows unto joys;
At our enlargement what are thy due fees?
Lieu. Subjects may challenge nothing of their
fovereigns;

But, if an humble prayer may prevail,
I then crave pardon of your majesty.

K. Henry. For what, lieutenant? for well ufing me? Nay, be thou fure, I'll well requite thy kindness, For that it made my imprisonment a pleasure :

Ay, fuch a pleasure as incaged birds
Conceive, when, after many moody thoughts,
At laft, by notes of houfhold harmony,
They quite forget their lofs of liberty.—
But, Warwick, after God, thou fett'it me free,
And chiefly therefore I thank God and thee;
He was the author, thou the inftrument.
Therefore, that I may conquer fortune's fpight,
By living low, where fortune cannot hurt me;
And that the people of this bletfed land

May not be punifh'd with my thwarting stars;
Warwick, although my head still wear the crown,
For thou art fortunate in all thy deeds.
I here refign my government to thee,

War. Your grace hath ftill been fam'd for virtuous;
And now may feem as wife as virtuous,
By fpying, and avoiding, fortune's malice,
For few men rightly temper with the stars :
Yet in this one thing let me blame your grace,
For chufing me, when Clarence is in place.

Clar. No, Warwick, thou art worthy of the fway, To whom the heavens, in thy nativity, Adjudg'd an olive branch, and laurel crown, As likely to be bleft in peace, and war; And therefore I yield thee my free confent. War. And I chufe Clarence only for protector. K. Henry. Warwick, and Clarence, give me both your hands; hearts, Now join your hands, and, with your hands, your That no diffention hinder government : I make you both protectors of this land; And in devotion fpend my latter days, While I myfelf will lead a private life, To fin's rebuke, and my Creator's praife. [will? War. What aniwers Clarence to his fovereign's Clar. That he confents, if Warwick yield conFor on thy fortune I repole myfelf. [fent; War. Why then, though loth, yet must i be

content;

We'll yoke together, like a double shadow
To Henry's body, and fupply his place;
I mean, in bearing weight of government,
While he enjoys the honour, and his cate.
And, Clarence, now then it is more than needful,
Forthwith that Edward be pronoune'd a traitor,
And all his lands and goods confifcated. [min'd.
Clar. What elfe? and that fucceffion be deter-
War. Ay, therein Clarence fhall not want his
part.
[fairs,

K. Henry. But, with the first of all our chief af-
Let me entreat, (for I command no more)
That Margaret your queen, and my ion Edward,
Be fent for, to return from France with speed:
For, 'till I fee them here, by doubtful fear
My joy of liberty is half eclips'd.
[ípeed.
Clar. It shall be done, my fovereign, with all
K. Henry. My lord of Somerfet, what youth is
that,

Of whom you feem to have so tender care? [mond. Som. My liege, it is young Henry, earl of RichK. Henry. Come hither, England's hope: if iecret powers [Lays bis bansi on bi; kopd.

The meaning is, that few men conform their tenter to their definy.

Suggest

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

War. What news, my friend?

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

War. Unfavoury news: But how made he escape?
Poff. He was convey'd by Richard duke of Glofter,
And the lord Haftings, who attended him
In fecret ambufn on the foreft fide,

And from the bishop's huntsmen rescued him;
For hunting was his daily exercife.

War. My brother was too careless of his charge.-
But let us hence, my fovereign, to provide
A falve for any fore that may betide. [Exeunt.
Manent Some fet, Richmond, and Oxford.
Sem. My lord, I like not of this flight of

ward's:

And shut the gates for safety of ourselves;
For now we owe allegiance unto Henry. [king,
K. Edw. But, mafter mayor, if Henry be your
Yet Edward, at the leaft, duke of York.
Mayor. True, my good lord; 1 know you for
no lefs.

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 foon find means to make the body follow.

Haft. Why, mafter mayor, why stand you in a doubt ?

open'd.

Open the gates, we are king Henry's friends.
Mayor. Ay, fay you fo? the gates shall then be
[He defiends.
Glo. A wife ftout captain, and perfuaded foon !
Haft. 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 fhall foon periu.de
Ed-Both him, and all his brothers, unto reason.

For, doubtless, Burgundy will yield him help:
And we shall have more wars, before 't be long.
As Henry's late prefaging prophecy [mond;
Did glad my heart, with hope of this young Rich-
So doth my heart mifgive me, in thefe conflicts
What may befall him, to his harm, and ours :
Therefore, lord Oxford, to prevent the worst,
Forthwith we'll fend him hence to Britany,
'Till ftorms be paft of civil enmity.

Oxf. Ay; for, if Edward re-poffefs the crown,
'Tis like, that Richmond with the reft fhall down.
Som. It fhall be fe; he fhall to Britany.
Come therefore, let's about it speedily.
SCENE VII.
York.

[Exeunt.

Enter King Edward, Glofter, Haftings, and Soldiers. K. Edw. Now, brother Richard, lord Haftings, and the reft;

Yet thus far fortune maketh us amends,
And fays-that once more I fhall enterchange
My wained ftate for Henry's regal crown.
Well have we pass'd, and now repafs'd the feas,
And brought defired help from Burgundy :
What then remains, we being thus arriv'd
From Ravenfpurg haven before the gates of York,
But that we enter, as into our dukedom? [this;
Glo. The gates made faft!-Brother, I like not
For many men, that ftumble at the threshold,
Are well foretold-that danger lurks within.
K. Edros Tufh, man! abodements muit not now
affright us:

By fair or foul means we muft enter in,
For hither will our friend, repair to us. [mon them.

Haft. My licge, I'll knock once more, to fumEnter, on the walls, the Mayor of York, and his Brethren.

Mayor. My lords, we were forewarned of your coming,

Re-enter the Mayor and two Aldermen, below. K. Edw. So, matter mayor: theie gates muft not be thut,

But in the night, or in the time of war.
What! fear not, man, but yield me up the keys ;
[Takes bis keys.

For Edward will defend the town, and thee,
And all thofe friends that deign to follow me.
March. Enter Montgomery, with a Drum and Soldiers.
Glo. Brother, this is Sir John Montgomery,
Our trufty friend, unlefs I be deceiv'd. [in arms?
K. Edw. Welcome, Sir John! But why come you
Montg. To help king Edward in his time of ftorm,
As every loyal fubject ought to do. [now forget
K. Edw. Thanks, good Montgomery: But we
Our title to the crown; and only claim
Our dukedom, 'till God pleafe to fend the reft.
Montg. Then fare you well, for I will hence
again;

I came to ferve a king, and not a duke.-
Drummer, strike up, and let us march away.

[The drum begins a march. K. Edw. Nay, fay, Sir Jolm, a while; and we'll debate,

By what fafe 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 fuccour you : Why thould we fight, if you pretend no title ? Glo. Why, brother, wherefore stand you on nice points? [make our claim : K. Edw. When we grow ftronger, then we'll 'Till then, 'tis witdom to conceal our meaning. Haft. Away with fcrupulous wit! now arms [crowns. Glo. And fearlets minds climb fooneft unto Brother, we will proclaim you out of hand;

must rule.

1 He was afterwards Henry VII. a man who put an end to the civil war of the two houfes. He was grandfather to queen Elizabeth, and the king from whom James inherited.

The

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