Act IV, Scene viii

[Enter KING EDWARD, GLOSTER, HASTINGS, and Forces.]

KING EDWARD.:

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.

Well have we pass'd and now repass'd the seas,

And brought desired help from Burgundy.

What then remains, we being thus arriv'd

From Ravenspurg haven before the gates of York,

But that we enter as into our dukedom?

GLOSTER.:

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.:

Tush, man! abodements must not now affright us;

By fair or foul means we must enter in,

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.:

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.:

Why, and I challenge nothing but my dukedom,

As being well content with that alone.

GLOSTER.:

[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.

[Exeunt from above.]

GLOSTER.:

A wise, stout captain, and soon persuaded.

HASTINGS.:

The good old man would fain that all were well,

So 't were 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.:

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 and Forces.]

GLOSTER.:

Brother, this is Sir John Montgomery,

Our trusty friend unless I be deceiv'd.

KING EDWARD.:

Welcome, Sir John; but why come you in arms?

MONTGOMERY.:

To help King Edward in his time of storm,

As every loyal subject ought to do.

KING EDWARD.:

Thanks, good Montgomery; but we now forget

Our title to the crown, and only claim

Our dukedom till God please to send the rest.

MONTGOMERY.:

Then fare you well, for I will hence again;

I came to serve a king, and not a duke.—

Drummer, strike up, and let us march away.

[A march begun.]

KING EDWARD.:

Nay, stay, Sir John, awhile, and we'll debate

By what safe means the crown may be recover'd.

MONTGOMERY.:

What talk you of debating? in few words,

If you'll not here proclaim yourself our king,

I'll leave you to your fortune and begone

To keep them back that come to succour you.

Why shall we fight if you pretend no title?

GLOSTER.:

Why, brother, wherefore stand you on nice points?

KING EDWARD.:

When we grow stronger, then we'll make our claim;

Till then 't is wisdom to conceal our meaning.

HASTINGS.:

Away with scrupulous wit! now arms must rule.

GLOSTER.:

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.:

Then be it as you will; for 't is my right,

And Henry but usurps the diadem.

MONTGOMERY.:

Ay, now my sovereign speaketh like himself,

And now will I be Edward's champion.

HASTINGS.:

Sound, trumpet; Edward shall be here proclaim'd.—

Come, fellow-soldier, make thou proclamation.

[Gives him a paper. Flourish.]

SOLDIER.:

[Reads.] 'Edward the Fourth, by the grace of God,

King of England and France, and Lord of Ireland,' etc.

MONTGOMERY.:

And whoso'er gainsays King Edward's right,

By this I challenge him to single fight.

[Throws down gauntlet.]

ALL.:

Long live Edward the Fourth!

KING EDWARD.:

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

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!

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.]