Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

Proud setter-up and puller-down of kings!
I will not hence, till with my talk and tears,
Both full of truth, I make king Lewis behold
Thy sly conveyance9, and thy lord's false love;
For both of you are birds of self-same feather.
[A Horn sounded within.
K. Lew. Warwick, this is some post to us, or thee.

Enter a Messenger.

Mess. My lord ambassador, these letters are for you; Sent from your brother, marquis Montague. These from our king unto your majesty. And, madam, these for you; from whom I know not.

[To MARGARET. They all read their Letters. Orf. I like it well, that our fair queen and mistress Smiles at her news, while Warwick frowns at his. Prince. Nay, mark, how Lewis stamps as he were nettled;

I hope all's for the best

K. Lew. Warwick, what are thy news? and yours, fair queen?

Q. Mar. Mine, such as fill my heart with unhop'd joys.

War. Mine, full of sorrow, and heart's discontent. K. Lew. What! has your king married the lady

Grey?

-

And now, to soothe your forgery and his,
Sends me a paper to persuade me patience?
Is this the alliance that he seeks with France?
Dare he presume to scorn us in this manner?
Q. Mar. I told your majesty as much before:
This proveth Edward's love, and Warwick's honesty.
War. King Lewis, I here protest, -in sight of
heaven,
And by the hope I have of heavenly bliss, —
That I am clear from this misdeed of Edward's ;
No more my king, for he dishonours me;
But most himself, if he could see his shame.
Did I forget, that by the house of York
My father came untimely to his death?
Did I let pass the abuse done to my niece?
Did I impale him with the regal crown?
Did I put Henry from his native right;
And am I guerdon'd at the last with shame?
Shame on himself! for my desert is honour.
And to repair my honour lost for him,
I here renounce him, and return to Henry:
My noble queen, let former grudges pass,
And henceforth I am thy true servitor;

I will revenge his wrong to lady Bona,
And replant Henry in his former state.

Bona. Dear brother, how shall Bona be reveng'd, But by thy help to this distressed queen?

Q. Mar. Renowned prince, how shall poor Henry live,

Unless thou rescue him from foul despair?

Bona. My quarrel, and this English queen's, are one.
War. And mine, fair lady Bona, joins with yours.
K. Lew. And mine, with hers, and thine, and
Margaret's.

Therefore at last, I firmly am resolv'd,
You shall have aid.

Q. Mar. Let me give humble thanks for all at once. K. Lew. Then England's messenger, return in post;

And tell false Edward, thy supposed king, —
That Lewis of France is sending over maskers,
To revel it with him and his new bride:
Thou seest what's past, go fear thy king withal.
Bona. Tell him, In hope he'll prove a widower
shortly,

I'll wear the willow garland for his sake.

Q. Mar. Tell him, My mourning weeds are laid aside,

And I am ready to put armour on.

War. Tell him from me, That he hath done me

wrong;

And therefore I'll uncrown him ere't be long. There's thy reward; be gone.

K. Lew.

[Exit Mess. But, Warwick, thou, And Oxford, with five thousand men, Shall cross the seas, and bid false Edward battle: And, as occasion serves, this noble queen And prince shall follow with a fresh supply. Yet, ere thou go, but answer me one doubt; — What pledge have we of thy firm loyalty?

War. This shall assure my constant loyalty: That if our queen and this young prince agree, I'll join mine eldest daughter, and my joy, To him forthwith in holy wedlock bands.

Q. Mar. Yes, I agree, and thank you for your motion:

[ocr errors]

Son Edward, she is fair and virtuous,
Therefore delay not, give thy hand to Warwick :
And, with thy hand, thy faith irrevocable,
That only Warwick's daughter shall be thine.
Prince. Yes, I accept her, for she well deserves it :
And here to pledge my vow, I give my hand.
[He gives his hand to WARWICK.
K. Lew. Why stay we now? These soldiers shall
be levied,

And thou, lord Bourbon, our high admiral,

Q. Mar. Warwick, these words have turn'd my Shall waft them over with our royal fleet.

hate to love;

And I forgive and quite forget old faults,
And joy that thou becom'st king Henry's friend.
War. So much his friend, ay, his unfeigned friend,
That, if king Lewis vouchsafe to furnish us
With some few bands of chosen soldiers,
I'll undertake to land them on our coast,
And force the tyrant from his seat by war.
'Tis not his new-made bride shall succour him:
And as for Clarence, -as my letters tell me,
He's very likely now to fall from him;
For matching more for wanton lust than honour,
Or than for strength or safety of our country.
1 Rewarded.

9 Juggling.

[blocks in formation]

SCENE I.

[ocr errors]

ACT IV.

- London. A Room in the Palace.

Clar. For this one speech, lord Hastings well deserves

Enter GLOSTER, CLARENCE, SOMERSET, MONTAGUE, To have the heir of the lord Hungerford.

and others.

Glo. Now tell me, brother Clarence, what think you
Of this new marriage with the lady Grey?
Hath not our brother made a worthy choice?

Clar. Alas, you know, 'tis far from hence to France;
How could he stay till Warwick made return?
Som. My lords, forbear this talk; here comes the
king.

Flourish.

Enter KING EDWARD, attended; LADY GREY, as Queen; PEMBROKE, STAFFORD, HASTINGS, and others.

Glo. And his well-chosen bride.

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

That you stand pensive, as half malcontent?

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 not
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 bestow'd the heir
Of the lord Bonville on your new wife's son,
And leave your brothers to go speed elsewhere.

K. Edw. Alas, poor Clarence! is it for a wife,
That thou art malcontent? I will provide thee.

Clar. In choosing for yourself, you show'd your judgment;

Which being shallow, you shall give me leave

Clar. As well as Lewis of France, or the earl of To play the broker in mine own behalf;

Warwick;

Which are so weak of courage, and in judgment,
That they'll take no offence at our abuse.

K. Edw. Suppose they take offence without a cause,
They are but Lewis and Warwick; I am Edward,
Your king and Warwick's, and must have my will.
Glo. And you shall have your will, because our
king:

Yet hasty marriage seldom proveth well.

And, to that end, I shortly mind to leave you.

K. Edw. Leave me, or tarry, Edward will be king,
And not be tied unto his brother's will.

Q. Eliz. My lords, before it pleas'd his majesty
To raise my state to title of a queen,
Do me but right, and you must all confess
That I was not ignoble of descent,
And meaner than myself have had like fortune.
But as this title honours me and mine,

K. Edw. Yea, brother Richard, are you offended So your dislikes, to whom I would be pleasing,

too?

Glo. Not I:

No; God forbid, that I should wish them sever'd
Whom he hath join'd together: ay, and 'twere pity,
To sunder them that yoke so well together.

K. Edw. Setting your scorns, and your mislike,
aside,

Tell me some reason, why the lady Grey
Should not become my wife, and England's queen: —
And you too, Somerset, and Montague,
Speak freely what you think.

Clar. Then this is my opinion, that king Lewis
Becomes your enemy, for mocking him
About the marriage of the lady Bona.

Glo. And Warwick, doing what you gave in charge,
Is now dishonoured by this new marriage.

K. Edw. What, if both Lewis and Warwick be appeas'd,

By such invention as I can devise?

Mont. Yet to have join'd with France in such alliance,

Would more have strengthen'd this our commonwealth

'Gainst foreign storms, than any home-bred marriage.
Hast. Why, knows not Montague, that of itself
England is safe, if true within itselt?

Mont. Yes; but the safer, when 'tis back'd with
France.

Hast. 'Tis better using France, than trusting
France:

Let us be back'd with heaven, and with the seas,
Which God hath given for fence impregnable,
And with their helps only defend ourselves;
In them, and in ourselves, our safety lies.

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

What danger, or what sorrow can befal thee,
So long as Edward is thy constant friend,
And their true sovereign, whom they must obey?
Nay, whom they shall obey, and love thee too,
Unless they seek for hatred at my hands:
Which if they do, yet will I keep thee safe,
And they shall feel the vengeance of my wrath.
Glo. I hear, yet say not much, but think the
[Aside.

more.

[blocks in formation]

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

K. Edw. I blame not her, she could say little less; She had the wrong. But what said Henry's queen? For I have heard that she was there in place.

Mess. Tell him, quoth she, my mourning weeds are done,

And I am ready to put armour on.

K. Edw. Belike, she minds to play the Amazon. But what said Warwick to these injuries?

Mess. He, more incens'd against your majesty Than all the rest, discharg'd me with these words; Tell him from me, that he hath done me wrong, And therefore, I'll uncrown him, ere't be long.

K. Edw. Ha! durst the traitor breathe out so proud words?

Well, I will arm me, being thus forewarn'd:
They shall have wars, and pay for their presumption.
But say, is Warwick friends with Margaret?
Mess. Ay, gracious sovereign; they are so link'd

in friendship,

That young prince Edward marries Warwick's daughter.

Clar. Belike, the elder; Clarence will have the

younger.

Now, brother king, farewell, and sit you fast,
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 SOMERSET follows.
Glo. Not I:

My thoughts aim at a further matter; I
Stay not for love of Edward, but the crown. [Aside.
K. Edw. Clarence and Somerset both gone to
Warwick!

Yet am I arm'd against the worst can happen;
And haste is needful in this desperate case.
Pembroke, and Stafford, you in our behalf
Go levy men, and make prepare for war;
They are already, or quickly will be landed:
Myself in person will straight follow you.

[Exeunt PEMBROKE and STAFFORD. But, ere I go, Hastings, - and Montague, Resolve my doubt. You twain, of all the rest, Are near to Warwick, by blood, and by alliance:

Tell me, if you love Warwick more than me?

If it be so, then both depart to him;

I rather wish you foes than hollow friends;
But if you mind to hold your true obedience,
Give me assurance with some friendly vow,
That I may never have you in suspect.

Mont. So God help Montague, as he proves true!

Hast. And Hastings, as he favours Edward's cause!

K. Edw. Now, brother Richard, will you stand by us?

Glo. Ay, in despite of all that shall withstand you. K. Edw. Why so; then am I sure of victory. Now therefore let us hence; and lose no hour, Till we meet Warwick with his foreign power.

[ocr errors][merged small][merged small]

Enter CLARENCE and Somerset.

But, sce, where Somerset and Clarence come;

Speak suddenly, my lords, are we all friends? Clar. Fear not that, my lord.

War. Then, gentle Clarence, welcome unto Warwick;

And welcome, Somerset : I hold it cowardice,
To rest mistrustful where a noble heart
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, 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,
Our scouts have found the adventure very easy:
We may surprize and take him at our pleasure?
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,
And seize himself: I say not
At unawares may beat down Edward's guard,
- slaughter him,
For I intend but only to surprize 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.

[blocks in formation]

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 stand his guard.

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

[blocks in formation]

Thou call'dst me king.

War. Ay, but the case is alter'd: When you disgrac'd 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 England'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.

[blocks in formation]

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 befall'n 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,

4. c. In his mind; as far as his own mind goes.

Or by his foe surpriz'd at unawares :
And, as I further have to understand,
Is new commited 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:
And bear with mildness my misfortune's cross;
This is it that makes me bridle passion,
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 informed, 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,
There shall I rest secure from force, and fraud.
To save at least the heir of Edward's right;
Come therefore, let us fly, while we may fly;
If Warwick take us, we are sure to die. [Exeunt.
SCENE V. —

A Park near Middleham Castle in
Yorkshire.

Enter GLOSTER, HASTINGS, SIR WILLIAM STANLEY, and others.

Glo. Now, my lord Hastings, and sir William
Stanley,

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
He hath good usage and great liberty;
And often, but attended with weak guard,
Comes hunting this way to disport himself.
I have advértis'd him by secret means,
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; for that was my meaning.

K. Edw. Stanley, I will requite thy forwardness. Glo. But wherefore stay we? 'tis no time to talk. K. Edw. Huntsman, what say'st thou? wilt thou

go along.

[blocks in formation]

SCENE VI. A Room in the Tower.

Enter KING HENRY, CLARENCE, WARWICK, SO-
MERSET, YOUNG RICHMOND, OXFORD, MONTA-
GUE, Lieutenant of the Tower, and Attendants.

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

Lieut. 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,
At last, by notes of household harmony,
They quite forget their loss of liberty..
But, Warwick, after God, thou set'st me free,
And chiefly therefore I thank God and thee;
He was the author, thou the instrument.
Therefore, that I may conquer fortune's spite,
By living low where fortune cannot hurt me;
And that the people of this blessed land
May not be punish'd with my thwarting stars;
Warwick, although my head still wear the crown,
I here resign my government to thee,
For thou art fortunate in all thy deeds.

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,
Forthwith that Edward be pronounc'd a traitor,
And all his lands and goods be confiscate.

Clar. What else? and that succession be deter-
min'd.

War. 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.

powers,

K. Hen. Come hither, England's hope: If secret
[Lays his hand on his head.
Suggest but truth to my divining thoughts,
This pretty lad 7 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 scepter; 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 Messenger.

War. What news, my friend?

Mess. That Edward is escaped from your brother,

War. Your grace hath still been fam'd for vir- And fled, as he hears since, to Burgundy.

tuous;

6

And now may seem as wise as virtuous,
By spying and avoiding fortune's malice,
For few men rightly temper with the stars 5:
Yet in this one thing let me blame your grace,
For choosing me, when Clarence is in place.
Clar. No, Warwick, thou art worthy of the sway,
To whom the heavens, in thy nativity,
Adjudg'd an olive branch, and laurel crown,
As likely to be blest in peace, and war;
And therefore I yield thee my free consent.

War. And I choose Clarence only for protector.
K. Hen. Warwick, and Clarence, give me both
your hands;

Now join your hands, and with your hands, your

hearts,

That no dissension 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. Unsavoury news: But how made he

escape?

Mess. 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.

[Exeunt KING HENRY, WAR., CLAR., Lieut.,
and Attendants.

Som. My lord, I like not of this flight of Ed-
ward'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 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.

Orf. Ay; for, if Edward repossess the crown,

War. Why then, though loath, yet must I be 'Tis like that Richmond with the rest shall down.

content:

[blocks in formation]
[blocks in formation]
« AnteriorContinuar »