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Act 4, Scene 7

Before York

  1. [Enter KING EDWARD, GLOSTER, HASTINGS, and Forces.]
  2. Edward IV
  3. 2285 Now, brother Richard, Lord Hastings, and the rest,
  4. 2286 Yet thus far fortune maketh us amends,
  5. 2287 And says that once more I shall interchange
  6. 2288 My waned state for Henry's regal crown.
  7. 2289 Well have we pass'd and now repass'd the seas,
  8. 2290 And brought desired help from Burgundy.
  9. 2291 What then remains, we being thus arriv'd
  10. 2292 From Ravenspurg haven before the gates of York,
  11. 2293 But that we enter as into our dukedom?
  12. Richard Plantagenet (Gloucester)
  13. 2294 The gates made fast!—Brother, I like not this;
  14. 2295 For many men that stumble at the threshold
  15. 2296 Are well foretold that danger lurks within.
  16. Edward IV
  17. 2297 Tush, man! abodements must not now affright us;
  18. 2298 By fair or foul means we must enter in,
  19. 2299 For hither will our friends repair to us.
  20. Lord Hastings
  21. 2300 My liege, I'll knock once more to summon them.
  22. [Enter on the walls, the Mayor of York and his Brethren.]
  23. Mayor
  24. 2301 My lords, we were forewarned of your coming
  25. 2302 And shut the gates for safety of ourselves,
  26. 2303 For now we owe allegiance unto Henry.
  27. Edward IV
  28. 2304 But master mayor, if Henry be your king,
  29. 2305 Yet Edward, at the least, is Duke of York.
  30. Mayor
  31. 2306 True, my good lord; I know you for no less.
  32. Edward IV
  33. 2307 Why, and I challenge nothing but my dukedom,
  34. 2308 As being well content with that alone.
  35. [Aside.]
  36. Richard Plantagenet (Gloucester)
  37. 2309 But when the fox hath once got in his nose,
  38. 2310 He'll soon find means to make the body follow.
  39. Lord Hastings
  40. 2311 Why, master mayor, why stand you in a doubt?
  41. 2312 Open the gates; we are King Henry's friends.
  42. Mayor
  43. 2313 Ay, say you so? the gates shall then be open'd.
  44. [Exeunt from above.]
  45. Richard Plantagenet (Gloucester)
  46. 2314 A wise, stout captain, and soon persuaded.
  47. Lord Hastings
  48. 2315 The good old man would fain that all were well,
  49. 2316 So 't were not long of him; but, being enter'd,
  50. 2317 I doubt not, I, but we shall soon persuade
  51. 2318 Both him and all his brothers unto reason.
  52. [Enter the Mayor and two Aldermen, below.]
  53. Edward IV
  54. 2319 So, master mayor; these gates must not be shut
  55. 2320 But in the night or in the time of war.
  56. 2321 What! fear not, man, but yield me up the keys;
  57. [Takes his keys.]
  58. Edward IV
  59. 2322 For Edward will defend the town and thee,
  60. 2323 And all those friends that deign to follow me.
  61. [March. Enter MONTGOMERY and Forces.]
  62. Richard Plantagenet (Gloucester)
  63. 2324 Brother, this is Sir John Montgomery,
  64. 2325 Our trusty friend unless I be deceiv'd.
  65. Edward IV
  66. 2326 Welcome, Sir John; but why come you in arms?
  67. Sir John Montgomery
  68. 2327 To help King Edward in his time of storm,
  69. 2328 As every loyal subject ought to do.
  70. Edward IV
  71. 2329 Thanks, good Montgomery; but we now forget
  72. 2330 Our title to the crown, and only claim
  73. 2331 Our dukedom till God please to send the rest.
  74. Sir John Montgomery
  75. 2332 Then fare you well, for I will hence again;
  76. 2333 I came to serve a king, and not a duke.—
  77. 2334 Drummer, strike up, and let us march away.
  78. [A march begun.]
  79. Edward IV
  80. 2335 Nay, stay, Sir John, awhile, and we'll debate
  81. 2336 By what safe means the crown may be recover'd.
  82. Sir John Montgomery
  83. 2337 What talk you of debating? in few words,
  84. 2338 If you'll not here proclaim yourself our king,
  85. 2339 I'll leave you to your fortune and begone
  86. 2340 To keep them back that come to succour you.
  87. 2341 Why shall we fight if you pretend no title?
  88. Richard Plantagenet (Gloucester)
  89. 2342 Why, brother, wherefore stand you on nice points?
  90. Edward IV
  91. 2343 When we grow stronger, then we'll make our claim;
  92. 2344 Till then 't is wisdom to conceal our meaning.
  93. Lord Hastings
  94. 2345 Away with scrupulous wit! now arms must rule.
  95. Richard Plantagenet (Gloucester)
  96. 2346 And fearless minds climb soonest unto crowns.—
  97. 2347 Brother, we will proclaim you out of hand;
  98. 2348 The bruit thereof will bring you many friends.
  99. Edward IV
  100. 2349 Then be it as you will; for 't is my right,
  101. 2350 And Henry but usurps the diadem.
  102. Sir John Montgomery
  103. 2351 Ay, now my sovereign speaketh like himself,
  104. 2352 And now will I be Edward's champion.
  105. Lord Hastings
  106. 2353 Sound, trumpet; Edward shall be here proclaim'd.—
  107. 2354 Come, fellow-soldier, make thou proclamation.
  108. [Gives him a paper. Flourish.]
  109. [Reads.]
  110. Soldier
  111. 2355 'Edward the Fourth, by the grace of God,
  112. 2356 King of England and France, and Lord of Ireland,' etc.
  113. Sir John Montgomery
  114. 2357 And whoso'er gainsays King Edward's right,
  115. 2358 By this I challenge him to single fight.
  116. [Throws down gauntlet.]
  117. All
  118. 2359 Long live Edward the Fourth!
  119. Edward IV
  120. 2360 Thanks, brave Montgomery, and thanks unto you all;
  121. 2361 If fortune serve me, I'll requite this kindness.
  122. 2362 Now for this night let's harbour here in York;
  123. 2363 And when the morning sun shall raise his car
  124. 2364 Above the border of this horizon
  125. 2365 We'll forward towards Warwick and his mates,
  126. 2366 For well I wot that Henry is no soldier.—
  127. 2367 Ah, froward Clarence! how evil it beseems thee
  128. 2368 To flatter Henry and forsake thy brother!
  129. 2369 Yet, as we may, we'll meet both thee and Warwick.—
  130. 2370 Come on, brave soldiers; doubt not of the day,
  131. 2371 And, that once gotten, doubt not of large pay.
  132. [Exeunt.]