Shakespeare Portal

Act 4, Scene 3

Edward's Camp near Warwick.

  1. [Enter certain Watchmen, to guard the KING'S tent.]
  2. First Watchman
  3. 2053 Come on, my masters, each man take his stand;
  4. 2054 The king by this is set him down to sleep.
  5. Second Watchman
  6. 2055 What, will he not to bed?
  7. First Watchman
  8. 2056 Why, no; for he hath made a solemn vow
  9. 2057 Never to lie and take his natural rest
  10. 2058 Till Warwick or himself be quite suppress'd.
  11. Second Watchman
  12. 2059 To-morrow, then, belike shall be the day,
  13. 2060 If Warwick be so near as men report.
  14. Third Watchman
  15. 2061 But say, I pray, what nobleman is that
  16. 2062 That with the king here resteth in his tent?
  17. First Watchman
  18. 2063 'T is the Lord Hastings, the king's chiefest friend.
  19. Third Watchman
  20. 2064 O, is it So? But why commands the king
  21. 2065 That his chief followers lodge in towns about him,
  22. 2066 While he himself keeps in the cold field?
  23. Second Watchman
  24. 2067 'T is the more honour, because more dangerous.
  25. Third Watchman
  26. 2068 Ay, but give me worship and quietness;
  27. 2069 I like it better than dangerous honour.
  28. 2070 If Warwick knew in what estate he stands,
  29. 2071 'T is to be doubted he would waken him.
  30. First Watchman
  31. 2072 Unless our halberds did shut up his passage.
  32. Second Watchman
  33. 2073 Ay; wherefore else guard we his royal tent
  34. 2074 But to defend his person from night-foes?
  35. [Enter WARWICK, CLARENCE, OXFORD, SOMERSET, and Forces silently.]
  36. Earl of Warwick
  37. 2075 This is his tent; and see where, stand his guard.
  38. 2076 Courage, my masters! honour now or never!
  39. 2077 But follow me, and Edward shall be ours.
  40. First Watchman
  41. 2078 Who goes there?
  42. Second Watchman
  43. 2079 Stay, or thou diest.
  44. [Warwick and the rest cry all, 'Warwick! Warwick!' and set upon the guard, who fly, crying 'Arm! Arm!' Warwick and the rest following them.]
  45. [Drum beating and trumpet sounding; enter WARWICK and the rest, bringing the KING out in his gown sitting in a chair. GLOSTER and HASTINGS fly over the stage.]
  46. Duke of Somerset
  47. 2080 What are they that fly there?
  48. Earl of Warwick
  49. 2081 Richard and Hastings. Let them go; here is the duke.
  50. Edward IV
  51. 2082 The duke! why, Warwick, when we parted,
  52. 2083 Thou call'dst me king?
  53. Earl of Warwick
  54. 2084 Ay, but the case is alter'd;
  55. 2085 When you disgrac'd me in my embassade,
  56. 2086 Then I degraded you from being king,
  57. 2087 And come now to create you Duke of York.
  58. 2088 Alas! how should you govern any kingdom
  59. 2089 That know not how to use ambassadors,
  60. 2090 Nor how to be contented with one wife,
  61. 2091 Nor how to use your brothers brotherly,
  62. 2092 Nor how to study for the people's welfare,
  63. 2093 Nor how to shroud yourself from enemies?
  64. Edward IV
  65. 2094 Yea, brother of Clarence, art thou here too?
  66. 2095 Nay, then I see that Edward needs must down.—
  67. 2096 Yet, Warwick, in despite of all mischance
  68. 2097 Of thee thyself and all thy complices,
  69. 2098 Edward will always bear himself as king;
  70. 2099 Though fortune's malice overthrow my state,
  71. 2100 My mind exceeds the compass of her wheel.
  72. Earl of Warwick
  73. 2101 Then for his mind be Edward England's king;
  74. [Takes off his crown.]
  75. Earl of Warwick
  76. 2102 But Henry now shall wear the English crown
  77. 2103 And be true king indeed, thou but the shadow.—
  78. 2104 My Lord of Somerset, at my request,
  79. 2105 See that forthwith Duke Edward be convey'd
  80. 2106 Unto my brother, Archbishop of York.
  81. 2107 When I have fought with Pembroke and his fellows,
  82. 2108 I'll follow you and tell what answer
  83. 2109 Lewis and the Lady Bona send to him.—
  84. 2110 Now, for a while farewell, good Duke of York.
  85. Edward IV
  86. 2111 What fates impose, that men must needs abide;
  87. 2112 It boots not to resist both wind and tide.
  88. [Exit King Edward, led out; Somerset with him.]
  89. Earl of Oxford
  90. 2113 What now remains, my lords, for us to do,
  91. 2114 But march to London with our soldiers?
  92. Earl of Warwick
  93. 2115 Ay, that's the first thing that we have to do,—
  94. 2116 To free King Henry from imprisonment
  95. 2117 And see him seated in the regal throne.
  96. [Exeunt.]