Act IV, Scene iv

[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.]

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.

[Exit King Edward, led out; Somerset with him.]

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.]