Before York. | |
| |
Enter KING EDWARD, GLOUCESTER, HASTINGS, and Forces. | |
| K. Edw. Now, brother Richard, Lord Hastings, and the rest, | |
| Yet thus far Fortune maketh us amends, | 4 |
| And says, that once more I shall interchange | |
| My waned state for Henry’s regal crown. | |
| Well have we pass’d, and now repass’d the seas, | |
| And brought desired help from Burgundy: | 8 |
| What then remains, we being thus arriv’d | |
| From Ravenspurgh haven before the gates of York, | |
| But that we enter, as into our dukedom? | |
| Glo. The gates made fast! Brother, I like not this; | 12 |
| For many men that stumble at the threshold | |
| Are well foretold that danger lurks within. | |
| K. Edw. Tush, man! abodements must not now affright us. | |
| By fair or foul means we must enter in, | 16 |
| 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. | |
| May My lords, we were forewarned of your coming, | 20 |
| 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. | 24 |
| May. 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. [Aside.] But when the fox hath once got in his nose, | 28 |
| 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. | |
| May. Ay, say you so? the gates shall then be open’d. [Exit, with Aldermen, above. | 32 |
| Glo A wise stout captain, and soon persuaded. | |
| 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 | 36 |
| Both him and all his brothers unto reason. | |
| |
Re-enter the Mayor and two Aldermen. | |
| K. Edw. So, Master Mayor: these gates must not be shut | |
| But in the night, or in the time of war. | 40 |
| 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. | |
| |
Enter MONTGOMERY and Forces. | 44 |
| Glo. Brother, this is Sir John Montgomery, | |
| Our trusty friend, unless I be deceiv’d. | |
| K. Edw. Welcome, Sir John! but why come you in arms? | |
| Mont. To help King Edward in his time of storm, | 48 |
| As every loyal subject ought to do. | |
| K. 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. | 52 |
| Mont. 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. [A march begun. | |
| K. Edw. Nay, stay, Sir John, awhile; and we’ll debate | 56 |
| By what safe means the crown may be recover’d. | |
| Mont. 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 | 60 |
| To keep them back that come to succour you. | |
| Why shall 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; | 64 |
| Till then, ’tis wisdom to conceal our meaning. | |
| Hast. Away with scrupulous wit! now arms must rule. | |
| Glo. And fearless minds climb soonest unto crowns. | |
| Brother, we will proclaim you out of hand; | 68 |
| 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. | |
| Mont. Ay, now my sov’reign speaketh like himself; | 72 |
| And now will I be Edward’s champion. | |
| Hast. Sound, trumpet! Edward shall be here proclaim’d; | |
| Come, fellow soldier, make thou proclamation. [Gives him a paper. Flourish. | |
| Sold. Edward the Fourth, by the grace of God, King of England and France, and Lord of Ireland, &c. | 76 |
| Mont. And whosoe’er gainsays King Edward’s right, | |
| By this I challenge him to single fight. [Throws down his gauntlet. | |
| All. Long live Edward the Fourth! | |
| K. Edw. Thanks, brave Montgomery;—and thanks unto you all: | 80 |
| If Fortune serve me, I’ll requite this kindness. | |
| Now, for this night, let’s harbour here in York; | |
| And when the morning sun shall raise his car | |
| Above the border of this horizon, | 84 |
| We’ll forward towards Warwick, and his mates; | |
| For well I wot that Henry is no soldier. | |
| Ah, froward Clarence, how evil it beseems thee | |
| To flatter Henry, and forsake thy brother! | 88 |
| Yet, as we may, we’ll meet both thee and Warwick. | |
| Come on, brave soldiers: doubt not of the day; | |
| And, that once gotten, doubt not of large pay. [Exeunt. | |
