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The Third Part Of King Henry The Sixth

  1. 1 Flourish. Enter King Edward, Richard (Duke of Gloucester), Hastings and
  2. 2 Soldiers.
  3. 3 KING EDWARD.
  4. 4 Now, brother Richard, Lord Hastings, and the rest,
  5. 5 Yet thus far Fortune maketh us amends,
  6. 6 And says that once more I shall interchange
  7. 7 My waned state for Henry’s regal crown.
  8. 8 Well have we passed and now repassed the seas,
  9. 9 And brought desired help from Burgundy.
  10. 10 What then remains, we being thus arrived
  11. 11 From Ravenspurgh haven before the gates of York,
  12. 12 But that we enter as into our dukedom?
  13. 13 RICHARD.
  14. 14 The gates made fast! Brother, I like not this;
  15. 15 For many men that stumble at the threshold
  16. 16 Are well foretold that danger lurks within.
  17. 17 KING EDWARD.
  18. 18 Tush, man, abodements must not now affright us.
  19. 19 By fair or foul means we must enter in,
  20. 20 For hither will our friends repair to us.
  21. 21 HASTINGS.
  22. 22 My liege, I’ll knock once more to summon them.
  23. 23 Enter on the walls, the Mayor of York and his Brethren.
  24. 24 MAYOR.
  25. 25 My lords, we were forewarned of your coming
  26. 26 And shut the gates for safety of ourselves,
  27. 27 For now we owe allegiance unto Henry.
  28. 28 KING EDWARD.
  29. 29 But, master Mayor, if Henry be your king,
  30. 30 Yet Edward, at the least, is Duke of York.
  31. 31 MAYOR.
  32. 32 True, my good lord, I know you for no less.
  33. 33 KING EDWARD.
  34. 34 Why, and I challenge nothing but my dukedom,
  35. 35 As being well content with that alone.
  36. 36 RICHARD.
  37. 37 [_Aside_.] But when the fox hath once got in his nose,
  38. 38 He’ll soon find means to make the body follow.
  39. 39 HASTINGS.
  40. 40 Why, master Mayor, why stand you in a doubt?
  41. 41 Open the gates; we are King Henry’s friends.
  42. 42 MAYOR.
  43. 43 Ay, say you so? The gates shall then be opened.
  44. 44 [_He descends._]
  45. 45 RICHARD.
  46. 46 A wise, stout captain, and soon persuaded.
  47. 47 HASTINGS.
  48. 48 The good old man would fain that all were well,
  49. 49 So ’twere not long of him; but, being entered,
  50. 50 I doubt not, I, but we shall soon persuade
  51. 51 Both him and all his brothers unto reason.
  52. 52 Enter the Mayor and two Aldermen below.
  53. 53 KING EDWARD.
  54. 54 So, master Mayor, these gates must not be shut
  55. 55 But in the night or in the time of war.
  56. 56 What, fear not, man, but yield me up the keys;
  57. 57 [_Takes his keys._]
  58. 58 For Edward will defend the town and thee
  59. 59 And all those friends that deign to follow me.
  60. 60 March. Enter Montgomery with drum and Soldiers.
  61. 61 RICHARD.
  62. 62 Brother, this is Sir John Montgomery,
  63. 63 Our trusty friend unless I be deceived.
  64. 64 KING EDWARD.
  65. 65 Welcome, Sir John! But why come you in arms?
  66. 66 MONTGOMERY.
  67. 67 To help King Edward in his time of storm,
  68. 68 As every loyal subject ought to do.
  69. 69 KING EDWARD.
  70. 70 Thanks, good Montgomery; but we now forget
  71. 71 Our title to the crown, and only claim
  72. 72 Our dukedom till God please to send the rest.
  73. 73 MONTGOMERY.
  74. 74 Then fare you well, for I will hence again.
  75. 75 I came to serve a king, and not a duke.
  76. 76 Drummer, strike up, and let us march away.
  77. 77 [_The drum begins to march._]
  78. 78 KING EDWARD.
  79. 79 Nay, stay, Sir John, a while, and we’ll debate
  80. 80 By what safe means the crown may be recovered.
  81. 81 MONTGOMERY.
  82. 82 What talk you of debating? In few words,
  83. 83 If you’ll not here proclaim yourself our king,
  84. 84 I’ll leave you to your fortune and be gone
  85. 85 To keep them back that come to succour you.
  86. 86 Why shall we fight if you pretend no title?
  87. 87 RICHARD.
  88. 88 Why, brother, wherefore stand you on nice points?
  89. 89 KING EDWARD.
  90. 90 When we grow stronger, then we’ll make our claim.
  91. 91 Till then ’tis wisdom to conceal our meaning.
  92. 92 HASTINGS.
  93. 93 Away with scrupulous wit! Now arms must rule.
  94. 94 RICHARD.
  95. 95 And fearless minds climb soonest unto crowns.
  96. 96 Brother, we will proclaim you out of hand;
  97. 97 The bruit thereof will bring you many friends.
  98. 98 KING EDWARD.
  99. 99 Then be it as you will; for ’tis my right,
  100. 100 And Henry but usurps the diadem.
  101. 101 MONTGOMERY.
  102. 102 Ay, now my sovereign speaketh like himself,
  103. 103 And now will I be Edward’s champion.
  104. 104 HASTINGS.
  105. 105 Sound, trumpet; Edward shall be here proclaimed.
  106. 106 Come, fellow soldier, make thou proclamation.
  107. 107 [_Gives him a paper. Flourish._]
  108. 108 SOLDIER.
  109. 109 [_Reads_.] _Edward the Fourth, by the Grace of God, King of England and
  110. 110 France, and Lord of Ireland, etc._
  111. 111 MONTGOMERY.
  112. 112 And whoso’er gainsays King Edward’s right,
  113. 113 By this I challenge him to single fight.
  114. 114 [_Throws down his gauntlet._]
  115. 115 ALL.
  116. 116 Long live Edward the Fourth!
  117. 117 KING EDWARD.
  118. 118 Thanks, brave Montgomery, and thanks unto you all.
  119. 119 If Fortune serve me, I’ll requite this kindness.
  120. 120 Now for this night let’s harbour here in York,
  121. 121 And when the morning sun shall raise his car
  122. 122 Above the border of this horizon
  123. 123 We’ll forward towards Warwick and his mates;
  124. 124 For well I wot that Henry is no soldier.
  125. 125 Ah, froward Clarence, how evil it beseems thee
  126. 126 To flatter Henry and forsake thy brother!
  127. 127 Yet, as we may, we’ll meet both thee and Warwick.
  128. 128 Come on, brave soldiers; doubt not of the day,
  129. 129 And, that once gotten, doubt not of large pay.
  130. 130 [_Exeunt._]