Exeunt SCENE IV. London. The palace. Enter QUEEN ELIZABETH and RIVERS RIVERS Madam, what makes you in this sudden change? QUEEN ELIZABETH Why brother Rivers, are you yet to learn What late misfortune is befall'n King Edward? RIVERS What! loss of some pitch'd battle against Warwick? QUEEN ELIZABETH No, but the loss of his own royal person. RIVERS Then is my sovereign slain? QUEEN ELIZABETH 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. RIVERS 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. QUEEN ELIZABETH 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. RIVERS But, madam, where is Warwick then become? QUEEN ELIZABETH 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:
There shall I rest secure from force and fraud.
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 GLOUCESTER, HASTINGS, and STANLEY GLOUCESTER 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 advertised him by secret means That if about this hour he make his 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 IV and a Huntsman with him Huntsman This way, my lord; for this way lies the game. KING EDWARD IV Nay, this way, man: see where the huntsmen stand.
Now, brother of Gloucester, Lord Hastings, and the rest, Stand you thus close, to steal the bishop's deer? GLOUCESTER Brother, the time and case requireth haste:
Your horse stands ready at the park-corner. KING EDWARD IV But whither shall we then? HASTINGS To Lynn, my lord, And ship from thence to Flanders. GLOUCESTER Well guess'd, believe me; for that was my meaning. KING EDWARD IV Stanley, I will requite thy forwardness. GLOUCESTER But wherefore stay we? 'tis no time to talk. KING EDWARD IV Huntsman, what say'st thou? wilt thou go along? Huntsman Better do so than tarry and be hang'd. GLOUCESTER Come then, away; let's ha' no more ado. KING EDWARD IV Bishop, farewell: shield thee from Warwick's frown;And pray that I may repossess the crown.
Exeunt SCENE VI. London. The Tower. Flourish. Enter KING HENRY VI, CLARENCE, WARWICK, SOMERSET, HENRY OF RICHMOND, OXFORD, MONTAGUE, and Lieutenant of the Tower KING HENRY VI 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? Lieutenant Subjects may challenge nothing of their sovereigns;But if an humble prayer may prevail, I then crave pardon of your majesty. KING HENRY VI 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. WARWICK Your grace hath still been famed for virtuous;And now may seem as wise as virtuous, By spying and avoiding fortune's malice, For few men rightly temper with the stars:
Yet in this one thing let me blame your grace, For choosing me when Clarence is in place. CLARENCE No, Warwick, thou art worthy of the sway, To whom the heavens in thy nativity Adjudged an olive branch and laurel crown, As likely to be blest in peace and war;And therefore I yield thee my free consent. WARWICK And I choose Clarence only for protector. KING HENRY VI 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. WARWICK What answers Clarence to his sovereign's will? CLARENCE That he consents, if Warwick yield consent;For on thy fortune I repose myself. WARWICK Why, then, though loath, yet must I be content:
We'll yoke together, like a double shadow To Henry's body, and supply his place;I mean, in bearing weight of government, While he enjoys the honour and his ease.