Hath pawn'd an open hand in sign of love; Else might I think that Clarence, Edward's brother,

Were but a feigned friend to our proceedings: But welcome, sweet Clarence; my daughter shall be thine.

And now what rests, but, in night's coverture,
Thy brother being carelessly encamp'd,
His soldiers lurking in the towns about,
And but attended by a simple guard,

We may surprise and take him at our pleasure?
Our scouts have found the adventure very easy:
That as Ulysses, and stout Diomede,

With sleight and manhood stole to Rhesus' tents, And brought from thence the Thracian fatal steeds;

So we, well cover'd with the night's black mantle,
At unawares may beat down Edward's guard,
And seize himself: I say not, slaughter him,
For I intend but only to surprise 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 silent sort :
For Warwick and his friends, God and saint
George!

[Exeunt.

SCENE III.-Edward's Camp near Warwick.

Enter certain Watchmen, to guard the KING's tent. I Watch. Come on, my masters, each man take his stand;

The king, by this, is set him down to sleep. 2 Watch. What, will he not to bed?

I Watch. Why, no: for he hath made a solemn

VOW

Never to lie and take his natural rest

Till Warwick, or himself, be quite suppress'd. 2 Watch. To-morrow then, belike, shall be the day,

If Warwick be so near as men report.

3 Watch. But say,

that

pray, what nobleman is

That with the king here resteth in his tent? I Watch. 'Tis the lord Hastings, the king's chiefest friend.

3 Watch. O, is it so? But why commands the king

That his chief followers lodge in towns about

him,

While he himself keeps in the cold field?

2 Watch. 'Tis the more honour, because more

dangerous.

3 Watch. Ay; but give me worship, and quietness,

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

I Watch. Unless our halberds did shut up his passage.

2 Watch. Ay; wherefore else guard we his royal tent,

But to defend his person from night-foes?

Enter WARWICK, Clarence, Oxford, Somerset, and Forces.

War. This is his tent; and see, where stands his guard.

Courage, my masters: honour now, or never! But follow me, and Edward shall be ours.

I Watch. Who goes there?
2 Watch. Stay, or thou diest.

[WARWICK, and the rest, cry all-Warwick ! Warwick! and set upon the Guard; who

fly, crying-Arm! Arm! WARWICK, and the rest, following them.

The drum beating, and trumpets sounding, re-enter WARWICK, and the rest, bringing the KING out in a gown, sitting in a chair: GLOSTER and HASTINGS fly.

Som. What are they that fly there?

War. Richard and Hastings: let them go, here is the duke.

K. Edw. The duke! why, Warwick, when we parted last,

Thou call'dst me king.

War.
Ay, but the case is alter'd:
When you disgraced me in my embassade,
Then I degraded you from being king,
And come now to create you duke of York.
Alas! how should you govern any kingdom,
That know not how to use ambassadors;
Nor how to be contented with one wife;
Nor how to use your brothers brotherly;
Nor how to study for the people's welfare;
Nor how to shroud yourself from enemies?
K. Edw. Yea, brother of Clarence, art thou
here too?

Nay, then I see that Edward needs must down.
Yet, Warwick, in despite of all mischance,
Of thee thyself, and all thy complices,
Edward will always bear himself as king:
Though fortune's malice overthrow my state,
My mind exceeds the compass of her wheel.
War. Then, for his mind, be Edward Eng-
land's king:
[Takes off his crown.

But Henry now shall wear the English crown,
And be true king indeed; thou but the shadow.
My lord of Somerset, at my request,

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 answer

Lewis, and the lady Bona, send to him :

Now, for a while, farewell, good duke of York. K. Edw. What fates impose, that men must needs abide;

It boots not to resist both wind and tide.

[Exit KING EDWARD, led out; SOMERSET with him.

Oxf. What now remains, my lords, for us to do,

But march to London with our soldiers?

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

To free king Henry from imprisonment,

And see him seated in the regal throne.

[Exeunt.

SCENE IV.-London. A Room in the

Palace.

Enter QUEEN ELIZABETH and RIVERS.

Riv. Madam, what makes you in this sudden change?

Q. Eliz. Why, brother Rivers, are you yet to learn

What late misfortune is befallen king Edward? Riv. What, loss of some pitch'd battle against Warwick ?

Q. Eliz. No, but the loss of his own royal person.

Riv. Then is my sovereign slain?

Q. Eliz. Ay, almost slain, for he is taken prisoner;

Either betray'd by falsehood of his guard,
Or by his foe surprised 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. These news, I must confess, are full of
grief:

Yet, gracious madam, bear it as you may;
Warwick may lose, that now hath won the day.
Q. Eliz. Till then, fair hope must hinder life's
decay.

And I the rather wean me from despair,
For love of Edward's offspring in my womb:
This is it that makes me bridle passion,
And bear with mildness my misfortune's cross;
Ay, ay, for this I draw in many a tear,
And stop the rising of blood-sucking sighs,
Lest with my sighs or tears I blast or drown
King Edward's fruit, true heir to the English

crown.

Riv. But, madam, where is Warwick then become?

Q. Eliz. I am inform'd that he comes towards London,

To set the crown once more on Henry's head: Guess thou the rest; king Edward's friends must down.

But, to prevent the tyrant's violence,

(For trust not him that hath once broken faith,) I'll hence forthwith unto the sanctuary,

To save at least the heir of Edward's right;