Suggeft 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 efcaped from your brother,A And fled, as he hears fince, to Burgundy..

War. Unfavory news; but how made he escape? Poft. He was convey'd by Richard Duke of Glo'fier, And the Lord Haftings, who attended him.

In fecret ambush on the forest-fide,

And from the Bishop's huntsmen refcu'd him:
For hunting was his daily exercise.

War. My brother was too careless of his charge.
But let us hence, my Sov'reign, to provide

A falve for any fore that may betide.

[Exeunt.

Manent Somerfet, Richmond, and Oxford.

Som. My Lord, I like not of this flight of Edward's: For, doubtlefs, Burgundy will yield him help, And we shall have more wars before't be long.

As Henry's late prefaging prophecy

Did glad my heart, with hope of this young Richmond;
So doth my heart mif-give me, in thefe conflicts
What may befal 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-poff fs the crown,
'Tis like, that Richmond with the reft fhall down.
Som. It fhall be fo; he fhall to Britany.
Come therefore, let's about it fpeedily.

[Exeunt.

SCENE

SCENE changes to York.

N°

Enter King Edward, Glocefter, Haftings, and Soldiers.
K. Edw. TOW, brother Richard, 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 pafs'd, and now repafs'd the feas,
And brought defired help from Burgundy.
What then remains, we being thus arriv'd
From Raven/purg, before the gates of York,
But that we enter, as into our dukedom ?

Glo. The gates made faft! brother, I like not this.
For many men, that ftumble at the threshold,
Are well foretold that danger lurks within.

[us

K. Edw. Tufh! man, aboadments must not now affright By fair or foul means we must enter in, For hither will our friends repair to us.

Haft. My Liege, I'll knock once more to fummon them. Enter, on the Walls, the Mayor of York and his Brethren. Mayor. My Lords, we were fore-warned of your coming, And hut the gates for fafety of ourselves ;

For now we owe allegiance unto Henry.

K. Edw. But, mafter Mayor, if Henry be your King, Yet Edward, at the leaft, is Duke of York.

Mayor. True, my good Lord, I know you for no lefs. K.Edw. Why, and I challenge nothing but my DukeAs being well content with that alone.

[dom; Glo. But when the fox has once got in his nofe, He'll foon find means to make the body follow. [Afide. Haft. Why, mafter Mayor, why ftand you in a doubt? Open the gates, we are King Henry's friends. Mayors Ay, fay you fo? the gates fhall then be open'd. [He defcends. 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, H

VOL. V.

I

1

I doubt not, I, but we shall foon perfuade
Both him and all his brothers unto reason!

Enter the Mayor, and two Aldermen.

K. Edw. So, mafter 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 bis Keys For Edward will defend the town and thee, And all thofe friends, that deign 'to follow me. March. Enter Montgomery, with Drum and Soldiers. Glo. Brother, this is Sir John Montgomery,

Our trufty 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 ftorm, As every loyal fubject ought to do.

K. Earo. Thanks, good Montgom'ry: but we now forget Our title to the crown, and only claim

Our dukedom, till God please to fend the reft.

Mont. Then fare you well, for I will hence again; I came to ferve a King, and not a Duke: Drummer, ftrike up, and let us march away.

[The Drum begins a March. K. Edo. Nay, ftay, Sir John, awhile; and we'll debate, By what fafe 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 fuccour you.. Why fhall we fight, if you pretend no title?

Glo. Why, brother, wherefore ftand you on nice points? K. Edw. When we grow ftronger, then we'll make our claim:

2

Till then, 'tis wisdom to conceal our meaning.

Haft. Away with fcrupulous wit, now arms muft rule. Gla. And fearlefs minds climb fooneft unto crowns. Brother, we will proclaim you out of hand; The bruit thereof will bring you many friends.

K. Edw

K. Edw. Then be it, as you will; for 'tis my right; And Henry but ufurps the diadem, and t

Mont. Ay, now my Sov'reign fpeaketh like him felf; And now will I be Edward's champion: 1

Haft. Sound trumpet, Edward shall be here proclaim'd: Come, feHow-foldier, make thou proclamation. [Flourises Sold, Edward the fourth by the grace of God, King of England and France, and Lord of Ireland, &c.

Mont. And whofoe'er gain-fays King Edward's right, By this I challenge him to fingle fight.

[Throws down his Gauntlet. All. Long live Edward the fourth!

K.Edw. Thanks, brave Montgomery; and thanks to all.
If fortune serve me, I'll requite this kindness.
Now, for this night, let's harbour here in York:. i
And when the morning fun fhall raife his car
Above the border of this horizon,

We'll forward towards Warwick, and his mates;
For well I wot, that Henry is no foldier.
Ah, froward Clarence, evil it befeems thee
To flatter Henry, and forfake thy brother!

Yet as we may, we'll meet both thee and Warwick.
Come on, brave foldiers, doubt not of the day: 2.
And that once gotten, doubt not of large pay. [Exeunt,

SCENE changes again to London.

Enter King Henry, Warwick, Montague, Clarence, Oxford, and Somerfet.

War.

Hat counfel, Lords? Edward from Belgia, With hafty Germans, and blunt Hollanders." Hath pafs'd in fafety through the narrow feas; And with his troops doth march amain to London; And many giddy people flock to him.

K. Henry. Let's levy men, and beat him back again!
Clar. A little fire is quickly trodden out,

Which, being fuffer'd, rivers cannot quench.
War. In Warwickshire I have true-hearted friends,
Not mutinous in peace, yet bold in war,

H 2

Thofe

Thofe will I mutter up; and thou, fon Clarence,
Shalt ftir, in Suffolk, Norfolk, and in Kent,
The Knights and gentlemen to come with thee,
Thou, brother Montague, in Buckingham,
Northampton, and in Leicestershire, fhalt find t
Men well inclin'd to hear what thou command'st.
And thou, brave Oxford, wondrous well belov'd,
In Oxfordshire halt mufter up thy friends.
My Sov'reign, with the loving citizens,
(Like to his ifland girt with th' ocean,
Or modeft Dian circled with her nymphs,)
Shall reft in London, till we come to him:
Fair Lords, take leave, and ftand not to reply.
Farewel, my Sovereign.

2.1

K. Henr. Farewel, my Hester, and my Troy's true hope. Clar. In fign of truth, I kifs your Highnefs' hand. K. Henry. Well-minded Clarence, be thou fortunate! Mont. Comfort, my Lord, and so I take my leave. Oxf. And thus 1 feal my truth, and bid adieu. K. Henry. Sweet Oxford, and my loving Montague, And all at once, once more a happy farewel. War. Farewel, fweet Lords; let's meet at Coventry. [Exeunt. K. Henry. Here at the palace will I reft awhile. Coufin of Exeter, what thinks your Lordship? Methinks, the pow'r, that Edward hath in field, Should not be able to encounter mine.

Exe. The doubt is, that he will feduce the reft. K Henry That's not my fear, my meed hath got me fame: I bave not flopt mine ears to their demands, Nor pofted off their fuits with flow delays; My pity hath been balm to heal their wounds, My mildness hath allay'd their fwelling griefs, My mercy, dry'd their water-flowing tears. I have not been defirous of their wealth, Nor much oppreft them with great fubfidies, Nor forward of revenge, though they much err'd. Then why fhould they love Edward more than me ? No, Exeter, thefe graces challenge grace:

And