The Third Part of King Henry the Sixth

  LEWIS. What's he approacheth boldly to our presence?  QUEEN MARGARET. Our Earl of Warwick, Edward's greatest friend.  LEWIS. Welcome, brave Warwick! What brings thee to France?                                      [He descends. She ariseth]  QUEEN MARGARET. Ay, now begins a second storm to rise;    For this is he that moves both wind and tide.  WARWICK. From worthy Edward, King of Albion,    My lord and sovereign, and thy vowed friend,    I come, in kindness and unfeigned love,    First to do greetings to thy royal person,    And then to crave a league of amity,    And lastly to confirm that amity    With nuptial knot, if thou vouchsafe to grant    That virtuous Lady Bona, thy fair sister,    To England's King in lawful marriage.  QUEEN MARGARET. [Aside] If that go forward, Henry's hope isdone.  WARWICK. [To BONA] And, gracious madam, in our king's behalf,    I am commanded, with your leave and favour,    Humbly to kiss your hand, and with my tongue    To tell the passion of my sovereign's heart;    Where fame, late ent'ring at his heedful ears,    Hath plac'd thy beauty's image and thy virtue.  QUEEN MARGARET. King Lewis and Lady Bona, hear me speak    Before you answer Warwick. His demand    Springs not from Edward's well-meant honest love,    But from deceit bred by necessity;    For how can tyrants safely govern home    Unless abroad they purchase great alliance?    To prove him tyrant this reason may suffice,    That Henry liveth still; but were he dead,    Yet here Prince Edward stands, King Henry's son.    Look therefore, Lewis, that by this league and marriage    Thou draw not on thy danger and dishonour;    For though usurpers sway the rule a while    Yet heav'ns are just, and time suppresseth wrongs.  WARWICK. Injurious Margaret!  PRINCE OF WALES. And why not Queen?  WARWICK. Because thy father Henry did usurp;    And thou no more art prince than she is queen.  OXFORD. Then Warwick disannuls great John of Gaunt,    Which did subdue the greatest part of Spain;    And, after John of Gaunt, Henry the Fourth,    Whose wisdom was a mirror to the wisest;    And, after that wise prince, Henry the Fifth,    Who by his prowess conquered all France.    From these our Henry lineally descends.  WARWICK. Oxford, how haps it in this smooth discourse    You told not how Henry the Sixth hath lost    All that which Henry the Fifth had gotten?    Methinks these peers of France should smile at that.    But for the rest: you tell a pedigree    Of threescore and two years- a silly time    To make prescription for a kingdom's worth.  OXFORD. Why, Warwick, canst thou speak against thy liege,    Whom thou obeyed'st thirty and six years,    And not betray thy treason with a blush?  WARWICK. Can Oxford that did ever fence the right    Now buckler falsehood with a pedigree?    For shame! Leave Henry, and call Edward king.  OXFORD. Call him my king by whose injurious doom    My elder brother, the Lord Aubrey Vere,    Was done to death; and more than so, my father,    Even in the downfall of his mellow'd years,    When nature brought him to the door of death?    No, Warwick, no; while life upholds this arm,    This arm upholds the house of Lancaster.  WARWICK. And I the house of York.  LEWIS. Queen Margaret, Prince Edward, and Oxford,    Vouchsafe at our request to stand aside    While I use further conference with Warwick.                                              [They stand aloof]  QUEEN MARGARET. Heavens grant that Warwick's words bewitch himnot!  LEWIS. Now, Warwick, tell me, even upon thy conscience,    Is Edward your true king? for I were loath    To link with him that were not lawful chosen.  WARWICK. Thereon I pawn my credit and mine honour.  LEWIS. But is he gracious in the people's eye?  WARWICK. The more that Henry was unfortunate.  LEWIS. Then further: all dissembling set aside,    Tell me for truth the measure of his love    Unto our sister Bona.  WARWICK. Such it seems    As may beseem a monarch like himself.    Myself have often heard him say and swear    That this his love was an eternal plant    Whereof the root was fix'd in virtue's ground,    The leaves and fruit maintain'd with beauty's sun,    Exempt from envy, but not from disdain,    Unless the Lady Bona quit his pain.  LEWIS. Now, sister, let us hear your firm resolve.  BONA. Your grant or your denial shall be mine.    [To WARWICK] Yet I confess that often ere this day,    When I have heard your king's desert recounted,    Mine ear hath tempted judgment to desire.  LEWIS. Then, Warwick, thus: our sister shall be Edward's.    And now forthwith shall articles be drawn    Touching the jointure that your king must make,    Which with her dowry shall be counterpois'd.    Draw near, Queen Margaret, and be a witness    That Bona shall be wife to the English king.  PRINCE OF WALES. To Edward, but not to the English king.  QUEEN MARGARET. Deceitful Warwick, it was thy device    By this alliance to make void my suit.    Before thy coming, Lewis was Henry's friend.  LEWIS. And still is friend to him and Margaret.    But if your title to the crown be weak,    As may appear by Edward's good success,    Then 'tis but reason that I be releas'd    From giving aid which late I promised.    Yet shall you have all kindness at my hand    That your estate requires and mine can yield.  WARWICK. Henry now lives in Scotland at his case,    Where having nothing, nothing can he lose.    And as for you yourself, our quondam queen,    You have a father able to maintain you,    And better 'twere you troubled him than France.  QUEEN MARGARET. Peace, impudent and shameless Warwick,    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 conveyance and thy lord's false love;    For both of you are birds of self-same feather.                                    [POST blowing a horn within]  LEWIS. Warwick, this is some post to us or thee.

Enter the POST

  POST. 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.                                   [They all read their letters]  OXFORD. I like it well that our fair Queen and mistress    Smiles at her news, while Warwick frowns at his.  PRINCE OF WALES. Nay, mark how Lewis stamps as he were nettled.    I hope all's for the best.  LEWIS. Warwick, what are thy news? And yours, fair Queen?  QUEEN MARGARET. Mine such as fill my heart with unhop'd joys.  WARWICK. Mine, full of sorrow and heart's discontent.  LEWIS. 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 th' alliance that he seeks with France?    Dare he presume to scorn us in this manner?  QUEEN MARGARET. I told your Majesty as much before.    This proveth Edward's love and Warwick's honesty.  WARWICK. 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 th' 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.  QUEEN MARGARET. Warwick, these words have turn'd my hate tolove;    And I forgive and quite forget old faults,    And joy that thou becom'st King Henry's friend.  WARWICK. 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 and safety of our country.  BONA. Dear brother, how shall Bona be reveng'd    But by thy help to this distressed queen?  QUEEN MARGARET. Renowned Prince, how shall poor Henry live    Unless thou rescue him from foul despair?  BONA. My quarrel and this English queen's are one.  WARWICK. And mine, fair Lady Bona, joins with yours.  LEWIS. And mine with hers, and thine, and Margaret's.    Therefore, at last, I firmly am resolv'd    You shall have aid.  QUEEN MARGARET. Let me give humble thanks for all at once.  LEWIS. Then, England's messenger, return in post    And tell false Edward, thy supposed king,    That Lewis of France is sending over masquers    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.  QUEEN MARGARET. Tell him my mourning weeds are laid aside,    And I am ready to put armour on.  WARWICK. 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. Exit POST  LEWIS. 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?  WARWICK. 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.  QUEEN MARGARET. Yes, I agree, and thank you for your motion.    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 OF WALES. 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]  LEWIS. stay we now? These soldiers shall be levied;    And thou, Lord Bourbon, our High Admiral,    Shall waft them over with our royal fleet.    I long till Edward fall by war's mischance    For mocking marriage with a dame of France.                                          Exeunt all but WARWICK  WARWICK. I came from Edward as ambassador,    But I return his sworn and mortal foe.    Matter of marriage was the charge he gave me,    But dreadful war shall answer his demand.    Had he none else to make a stale but me?    Then none but I shall turn his jest to sorrow.    I was the chief that rais'd him to the crown,    And I'll be chief to bring him down again;    Not that I pity Henry's misery,    But seek revenge on Edward's mockery. Exit

ACT IV. SCENE I. London. The palace

Enter GLOUCESTER, CLARENCE, SOMERSET, and MONTAGUE

  GLOUCESTER. Now tell me, brother Clarence, what think you    Of this new marriage with the Lady Grey?    Hath not our brother made a worthy choice?  CLARENCE. Alas, you know 'tis far from hence to France!    How could he stay till Warwick made return?  SOMERSET. My lords, forbear this talk; here comes the King.Flourish. Enter KING EDWARD, attended; LADY GREY, as Queen; PEMBROKE, STAFFORD, HASTINGS, and others. Four stand on one side, and four on the other  GLOUCESTER. And his well-chosen bride.  CLARENCE. I mind to tell him plainly what I think.  KING EDWARD. Now, brother of Clarence, how like you our choice    That you stand pensive as half malcontent?  CLARENCE. As well as Lewis of France or the Earl of Warwick,    Which are so weak of courage and in judgment    That they'll take no offence at our abuse.  KING EDWARD. 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.  GLOUCESTER. And shall have your will, because our King.    Yet hasty marriage seldom proveth well.  KING EDWARD. Yea, brother Richard, are you offended too?  GLOUCESTER. Not I.    No, God forbid that I should wish them sever'd    Whom God hath join'd together; ay, and 'twere pity    To sunder them that yoke so well together.  KING EDWARD. 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.  CLARENCE. Then this is mine opinion: that King Lewis    Becomes your enemy for mocking him    About the marriage of the Lady Bona.  GLOUCESTER. And Warwick, doing what you gave in charge,    Is now dishonoured by this new marriage.  KING EDWARD. What if both Lewis and Warwick be appeas'd    By such invention as I can devise?  MONTAGUE. Yet to have join'd with France in such alliance    Would more have strength'ned this our commonwealth    'Gainst foreign storms than any home-bred marriage.  HASTINGS. Why, knows not Montague that of itself    England is safe, if true within itself?  MONTAGUE. But the safer when 'tis back'd with France.  HASTINGS. 'Tis better using France than trusting France.    Let us be back'd with God, and with the seas    Which He hath giv'n for fence impregnable,    And with their helps only defend ourselves.    In them and in ourselves our safety lies.  CLARENCE. For this one speech Lord Hastings well deserves    To have the heir of the Lord Hungerford.  KING EDWARD. Ay, what of that? it was my will and grant;    And for this once my will shall stand for law.  GLOUCESTER. 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.  CLARENCE. 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.  KING EDWARD. Alas, poor Clarence! Is it for a wife    That thou art malcontent? I will provide thee.  CLARENCE. In choosing for yourself you show'd your judgment,    Which being shallow, you shall give me leave    To play the broker in mine own behalf;    And to that end I shortly mind to leave you.  KING EDWARD. Leave me or tarry, Edward will be King,    And not be tied unto his brother's will.  QUEEN ELIZABETH. 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,    So your dislikes, to whom I would be pleasing,    Doth cloud my joys with danger and with sorrow.  KING EDWARD. My love, forbear to fawn upon their frowns.    What danger or what sorrow can befall 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.  GLOUCESTER. [Aside] I hear, yet say not much, but think themore.

Enter a POST

  KING EDWARD. Now, messenger, what letters or what news    From France?  MESSENGER. My sovereign liege, no letters, and few words,    But such as I, without your special pardon,    Dare not relate.  KING EDWARD. Go to, we pardon thee; therefore, in brief,    Tell me their words as near as thou canst guess them.    What answer makes King Lewis unto our letters?  MESSENGER. At my depart, these were his very words:    'Go tell false Edward, the supposed king,    That Lewis of France is sending over masquers    To revel it with him and his new bride.'  KING EDWARD. IS Lewis so brave? Belike he thinks me Henry.    But what said Lady Bona to my marriage?  MESSENGER. These were her words, utt'red with mild disdain:    'Tell him, in hope he'll prove a widower shortly,    I'll wear the willow-garland for his sake.'  KING EDWARD. 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.  MESSENGER. 'Tell him' quoth she 'my mourning weeds are done,    And I am ready to put armour on.'  KING EDWARD. Belike she minds to play the Amazon.    But what said Warwick to these injuries?  MESSENGER. 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.'  KING EDWARD. 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?  MESSENGER. Ay, gracious sovereign; they are so link'd infriendship    That young Prince Edward marries Warwick's daughter.  CLARENCE. 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, and SOMERSET follows  GLOUCESTER. [Aside] Not I.    My thoughts aim at a further matter; I    Stay not for the love of Edward but the crown.  KING EDWARD. Clarence and Somerset both gone to Warwick!    Yet am I arm'd against the worst can happen;    And haste is needful in this desp'rate 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.  MONTAGUE. So God help Montague as he proves true!  HASTINGS. And Hastings as he favours Edward's cause!  KING EDWARD. Now, brother Richard, will you stand by us?  GLOUCESTER. Ay, in despite of all that shall withstand you.  KING EDWARD. Why, so! then am I sure of victory.    Now therefore let us hence, and lose no hour    Till we meet Warwick with his foreign pow'r. Exeunt

SCENE II. A plain in Warwickshire

Enter WARWICK and OXFORD, with French soldiers

  WARWICK. Trust me, my lord, all hitherto goes well;    The common people by numbers swarm to us.

Enter CLARENCE and SOMERSET

    But see where Somerset and Clarence comes.    Speak suddenly, my lords- are we all friends?  CLARENCE. Fear not that, my lord.  WARWICK. 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, sweet 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,    We may surprise and take him at our pleasure?    Our scouts have found the adventure very easy;    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,    At unawares may beat down Edward's guard    And seize himself- I say not 'slaughter him,'    For I intend but only to surprise 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

SCENE III. Edward's camp, near Warwick

Enter three WATCHMEN, to guard the KING'S tent

  FIRST WATCHMAN. Come on, my masters, each man take his stand;    The King by this is set him down to sleep.  SECOND WATCHMAN. What, will he not to bed?  FIRST WATCHMAN. Why, no; for he hath made a solemn vow    Never to lie and take his natural rest    Till Warwick or himself be quite suppress'd.  SECOND WATCHMAN. To-morrow then, belike, shall be the day,    If Warwick be so near as men report.  THIRD WATCHMAN. But say, I pray, what nobleman is that    That with the King here resteth in his tent?  FIRST WATCHMAN. 'Tis the Lord Hastings, the King's chiefestfriend.  THIRD WATCHMAN. O, is it So? But why commands the King    That his chief followers lodge in towns about him,    While he himself keeps in the cold field?  SECOND WATCHMAN. 'Tis the more honour, because more dangerous.  THIRD WATCHMAN. Ay, but give me worship and quietness;    I like it better than dangerous honour.    If Warwick knew in what estate he stands,    'Tis to be doubted he would waken him.  FIRST WATCHMAN. Unless our halberds did shut up his passage.  SECOND WATCHMAN. Ay, wherefore else guard we his royal tent    But to defend his person from night-foes?Enter WARWICK, CLARENCE, OXFORD, SOMERSET, and French soldiers, silent all  WARWICK. 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.  FIRST WATCHMAN. Who goes there?  SECOND WATCHMAN. Stay, or thou diest.       WARWICK and the rest cry all 'Warwick! Warwick!' and      set upon the guard, who fly, crying 'Arm! Arm!' WARWICK                   and the rest following them      The drum playing and trumpet sounding, re-enter WARWICK         and the rest, bringing the KING out in his gown,   sitting in a chair. GLOUCESTER and HASTINGS fly over the stage  SOMERSET. What are they that fly there?  WARWICK. Richard and Hastings. Let them go; here is the Duke.  KING EDWARD. The Duke! Why, Warwick, when we parted,    Thou call'dst me King?  WARWICK. 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?  KING EDWARD. 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.  WARWICK. 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.  KING EDWARD. What fates impose, that men must needs abide;    It boots not to resist both wind and tide.                                    [They lead him out forcibly]  OXFORD. What now remains, my lords, for us to do    But march to London with our soldiers?  WARWICK. Ay, that's the first thing that we have to do;    To free King Henry from imprisonment,    And see him seated in the regal throne. 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 surpris'd 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 th' 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