Henry VI, Part III

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At my depart, these were his very words:
“Go tell false Edward, thy supposed king,
That Lewis of France is sending over masquers
To revel it with him and his new bride.”

King Edward

Is Lewis so brave? belike he thinks me Henry.
But what said Lady Bona to my marriage?

Post

These were her words, utter’d with mad disdain:
“Tell him, in hope he’ll prove a widower shortly,
I’ll wear the willow garland for his sake.”

King Edward

I blame not her, she could say little less;
She had the wrong. But what said Henry’s queen?
For I have heard that she was there in place.

Post

“Tell him,” quoth she, “my mourning weeds are done,
And I am ready to put armour on.”

King Edward

Belike she minds to play the Amazon.
But what said Warwick to these injuries?

Post

He, more incensed against your majesty
Than all the rest, discharged me with these words:
“Tell him from me that he hath done me wrong,
And therefore I’ll uncrown him ere’t be long.”

King Edward

Ha! durst the traitor breathe out so proud words?
Well I will arm me, being thus forewarn’d:
They shall have wars and pay for their presumption.
But say, is Warwick friends with Margaret?

Post

Ay, gracious sovereign; they are so link’d in friendship,
That young Prince Edward marries Warwick’s daughter.

Clarence

Belike the elder; Clarence will have the younger.
Now, brother king, farewell, and sit you fast,
For I will hence to Warwick’s other daughter;
That, though I want a kingdom, yet in marriage
I may not prove inferior to yourself.
You that love me and Warwick, follow me. Exit Clarence, and Somerset follows.

Gloucester

Aside. Not I:
My thoughts aim at a further matter; I
Stay not for the love of Edward, but the crown.

King Edward

Clarence and Somerset both gone to Warwick!
Yet am I arm’d against the worst can happen;
And haste is needful in this desperate case.
Pembroke and Stafford, you in our behalf
Go levy men, and make prepare for war;
They are already, or quickly will be landed:
Myself in person will straight follow you. Exeunt Pembroke and Stafford.
But, ere I go, Hastings and Montague,
Resolve my doubt. You twain, of all the rest,
Are near to Warwick by blood and by alliance:
Tell me if you love Warwick more than me?
If it be so, then both depart to him;
I rather wish you foes than hollow friends:
But if you mind to hold your true obedience,
Give me assurance with some friendly vow,
That I may never have you in suspect.

Montague So God help Montague as he proves true! Hastings And Hastings as he favours Edward’s cause! King Edward Now, brother Richard, will you stand by us? Gloucester Ay, in despite of all that shall withstand you. King Edward

Why, so! then am I sure of victory.
Now therefore let us hence; and lose no hour,
Till we meet Warwick with his foreign power. Exeunt.

Scene II

A plain in Warwickshire.

	Enter Warwick and Oxford, with French soldiers.
Warwick	Trust me, my lord, all hitherto goes well; The common people by numbers swarm to us.
	Enter Clarence and Somerset.
	But see where Somerset and Clarence come! Speak suddenly, my lords, are we all friends?
Clarence	Fear not that, my lord.
Warwick	Then, gentle Clarence, welcome unto Warwick; And welcome, Somerset: I hold it cowardice To rest mistrustful where a noble heart Hath pawn’d an open hand in sign of love; Else might I think that Clarence, Edward’s brother, Were but a feigned friend to our proceedings: But welcome, sweet Clarence; my daughter shall be thine. And now what rests but, in night’s coverture, Thy brother being carelessly encamp’d, His soldiers lurking in the towns about, And but attended by a simple guard, We may surprise and take him at our pleasure? Our scouts have found the adventure very easy: That as Ulysses and stout Diomede With sleight and manhood stole to Rhesus’ tents, And brought from thence the Thracian fatal steeds, So we, well cover’d with the night’s black mantle, At unawares may beat down Edward’s guard And seize himself; I say not, slaughter him, For I intend but only to surprise him. You that will follow me to this attempt, Applaud the name of Henry with your leader. They all cry, “Henry!” Why, then, let’s on our way in silent sort: For Warwick and his friends, God and Saint George! Exeunt.

Scene III

Edward’s camp, near Warwick.

	Enter three Watchmen, to guard the King’s tent.
First Watchman	Come on, my masters, each man take his stand: The king by this is set him down to sleep.
Second Watchman	What, will he not to bed?
First Watchman	Why, no; for he hath made a solemn vow Never to lie and take his natural rest Till Warwick or himself be quite suppress’d.
Second Watchman	To-morrow then belike shall be the day, If Warwick be so near as men report.
Third Watchman	But say, I pray, what nobleman is that That with the king here resteth in his tent?
First Watchman	’Tis the Lord Hastings, the king’s chiefest friend.
Third Watchman	O, is it so? But why commands the king That his chief followers lodge in towns about him, While he himself keeps in the cold field?
Second Watchman	’Tis the more honour, because more dangerous.
Third Watchman	Ay, but give me worship and quietness; I like it better than a dangerous honour. If Warwick knew in what estate he stands, ’Tis to be doubted he would waken him.
First Watchman	Unless our halberds did shut up his passage.
Second Watchman	Ay, wherefore else guard we his royal tent, But to defend his person from night-foes?
	Enter Warwick, Clarence, Oxford, Somerset, and French soldiers, silent all.
Warwick	This is his tent; and see where stand his guard. Courage, my masters! honour now or never! But follow me, and Edward shall be ours.
First Watchman	Who goes there?
Second Watchman	Stay, or thou diest! Warwick and the rest cry all, “Warwick! Warwick!” and set upon the Guard, who fly, crying, “Arm! arm!” Warwick and the rest following them.
	The drum playing and trumpet sounding, re-enter Warwick, Somerset, and the rest, bringing the King out in his gown, sitting in a chair. Richard and