And brought desired help from Burgundy: 'Glo. The gates made fast!-Brother, I like not this; * 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, *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, '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. 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. But, when the fox hath once got in his nose, 'He'll soon find means to make the body follow. Hast. Why, master mayor, why stand doubt? [Aside. you in a Open the gates, we are king Henry's friends. May. Ay, say you so? the gates shall then be [Exeunt from above. open'd. 'Glo. A wise stout captain, and persuaded soon! *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 *Both him, and all his brothers, unto reason. Re-enter the Mayor and Two Aldermen, below. K. Edw. So, master mayor: these gates must not be shut, But in the night, or in the time of war. '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. Drum. Enter MONTGOMERY, and Forces, marching. 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, 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. '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, a while; and we'll debate, 7 The good old man would fain that all were well,] The mayor is willing we should enter, so he may not be blamed. VOL. VI. LL 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, To keep them back that come to succour you: Why should 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: * 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. 8 * Brother, we will proclaim you out of hand; *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 sovereign speaketh like himself; 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. [Reads.] Edward the fourth, by the grace of God, king of England and France, and lord of Ireland, &c. 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. 'If fortune serve me, I'll requite this kindness. The bruit -] i. e. noise, report. 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, '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! * Yet, as we may, we'll meet both thee and War wick. * Come on, brave soldiers; doubt not of the day; * And, that once gotten, doubt not of large pay. [Exeunt. SCENE VIII. London. A Room in the Palace. Enter King HENRY, WARWICK, CLARENCE, MONTAGUE, EXETER, and OXFORD. War. What counsel, lords? Edward from Belgia, With hasty Germans, and blunt Hollanders, Hath pass'd in safety through the narrow seas, And with his troops doth march amain to London; And many giddy people flock to him. * Oxf. Let's levy men, and beat him back again. Clar. A little fire is quickly trodden out; Which, being suffer'd, rivers cannot quench. War. In Warwickshire I have true-hearted friends, Not mutinous in peace, yet bold in war; Those will I muster up:—and thou, son Clarence, 'Shalt stir, in Suffolk, Norfolk, and in Kent, 'The knights and gentlemen to come with thee:'Thou, brother Montague, in Buckingham, 'Northampton, and in Leicestershire, shalt find 'Men well inclin'd to hear what thou command'st:And thou, brave Oxford, wondrous well belov'd, In Oxfordshire shall muster up thy friends.— My sovereign, with the loving citizens,- K. Hen. Farewell, my Hector, and my Troy's true hope. * Clar. In sign of truth, I kiss your highness' hand. * K. Hen. Well-minded Clarence, be thou fortunate! *Mont. Comfort, my lord;-and so I take my leave. * Oxf. And thus [Kissing HENRY's hand.] I seal my truth, and bid adieu. * K.Hen. Sweet Oxford, and my loving Montague, * And all at once, once more a happy farewell. War. Farewell, sweet lords; let's meet at Coventry. [Exeunt WAR. CLAR. OXF. and MONT. *K. Hen. Here at the palace will I rest a while. * Cousin of Exeter, what thinks your lordship? * Methinks, the power, that Edward hath in field, *Should not be able to encounter mine. * Exe. The doubt is, that he will seduce the rest. * K. Hen. That's not my fear, my meed' hath got me fame. * I have not stopp'd mine ears to their demands, 9 my meed-] Meed signifies here merit. |