TPTT The Third Part of Henry the Sixth: ACT IV
Introduction
ACT I
ACT II
ACT III
ACT IV
SCENE I. London. The palace.
SCENE II. A plain in Warwickshire.
SCENE III. Edward's camp, near Warwick.
SCENE IV. London. The palace.
SCENE V. A park near Middleham Castle In Yorkshire.
SCENE VI. London. The Tower.
SCENE VII. Before York.
SCENE VIII. London. The palace.
ACT V
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SCENE VII. Before York.
Flourish. Enter KING EDWARD IV, GLOUCESTER, HASTINGS, and Soldiers
KING EDWARD IV
      Now, brother Richard, Lord Hastings, and the rest,
      Yet thus far fortune maketh us amends,
      And says that once more I shall interchange
      My waned state for Henry's regal crown.
5     Well have we pass'd and now repass'd the seas
      And brought desired help from Burgundy:
      What then remains, we being thus arrived
      From Ravenspurgh haven before the gates of York,
      But that we enter, as into our dukedom?
GLOUCESTER
10    The gates made fast! Brother, I like not this;
      For many men that stumble at the threshold
      Are well foretold that danger lurks within.
KING EDWARD IV
      Tush, man, abodements must not now affright us:
      By fair or foul means we must enter in,
15    For hither will our friends repair to us.
HASTINGS
      My liege, I'll knock once more to summon them.
Enter, on the walls, the Mayor of York, and his Brethren
Mayor
      My lords, we were forewarned of your coming,
      And shut the gates for safety of ourselves;
      For now we owe allegiance unto Henry.
KING EDWARD IV
20    But, master mayor, if Henry be your king,
      Yet Edward at the least is Duke of York.
Mayor
      True, my good lord; I know you for no less.
KING EDWARD IV
      Why, and I challenge nothing but my dukedom,
      As being well content with that alone.
GLOUCESTER
25    (Aside) But when the fox hath once got in his nose,
      He'll soon find means to make the body follow.
HASTINGS
      Why, master mayor, why stand you in a doubt?
      Open the gates; we are King Henry's friends.
Mayor
      Ay, say you so? the gates shall then be open'd.
They descend
GLOUCESTER
30    A wise stout captain, and soon persuaded!
HASTINGS
      The good old man would fain that all were well,
      So 'twere not 'long of him; but being enter'd,
      I doubt not, I, but we shall soon persuade
      Both him and all his brothers unto reason.
Enter the Mayor and two Aldermen, below
KING EDWARD IV
35    So, master mayor: these gates must not be shut
      But in the night or in the time of war.
      What! fear not, man, but yield me up the keys;

Takes his keys

      For Edward will defend the town and thee,
      And all those friends that deign to follow me.
March. Enter MONTGOMERY, with drum and soldiers
GLOUCESTER
40    Brother, this is Sir John Montgomery,
      Our trusty friend, unless I be deceived.
KING EDWARD IV
      Welcome, Sir John! But why come you in arms?
MONTAGUE
      To help King Edward in his time of storm,
      As every loyal subject ought to do.
KING EDWARD IV
45    Thanks, good Montgomery; but we now forget
      Our title to the crown and only claim
      Our dukedom till God please to send the rest.
MONTAGUE
      Then fare you well, for I will hence again:
      I came to serve a king and not a duke.
50    Drummer, strike up, and let us march away.
The drum begins to march
KING EDWARD IV
      Nay, stay, Sir John, awhile, and we'll debate
      By what safe means the crown may be recover'd.
MONTAGUE
      What talk you of debating? in few words,
      If you'll not here proclaim yourself our king,
55    I'll leave you to your fortune and be gone
      To keep them back that come to succor you:
      Why shall we fight, if you pretend no title?
GLOUCESTER
      Why, brother, wherefore stand you on nice points?
KING EDWARD IV
      When we grow stronger, then we'll make our claim:
60    Till then, 'tis wisdom to conceal our meaning.
HASTINGS
      Away with scrupulous wit! now arms must rule.
GLOUCESTER
      And fearless minds climb soonest unto crowns.
      Brother, we will proclaim you out of hand:
      The bruit thereof will bring you many friends.
KING EDWARD IV
65    Then be it as you will; for 'tis my right,
      And Henry but usurps the diadem.
MONTAGUE
      Ay, now my sovereign speaketh like himself;
      And now will I be Edward's champion.
HASTINGS
      Sound trumpet; Edward shall be here proclaim'd:
70    Come, fellow-soldier, make thou proclamation.
Flourish
Soldier
      Edward the Fourth, by the grace of God, king of
      England and France, and lord of Ireland, &c.
MONTAGUE
      And whosoe'er gainsays King Edward's right,
      By this I challenge him to single fight.
Throws down his gauntlet
All
75    Long live Edward the Fourth!
KING EDWARD IV
      Thanks, brave Montgomery; and thanks unto you all:
      If fortune serve me, I'll requite this kindness.
      Now, for this night, let's harbour here in York;
      And when the morning sun shall raise his car
80    Above the border of this horizon,
      We'll forward towards Warwick and his mates;
      For well I wot that Henry is no soldier.
      Ah, froward Clarence! how evil it beseems thee
      To flatter Henry and forsake thy brother!
85    Yet, as we may, we'll meet both thee and Warwick.
      Come on, brave soldiers: doubt not of the day,
      And, that once gotten, doubt not of large pay.

Exeunt

      3 KING HENRY VI
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