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Henry VI, Part 3 (Folio 1, 1623)

Author: William Shakespeare
Not Peer Reviewed
2220
Enter three Watchmen to guard the Kings Tent.
1. Watch. Come on my Masters, each man take his stand,
The King by this, is set him downe to sleepe.
2. Watch. What, will he not to Bed?
1. Watch. Why, no: for he hath made a solemne Vow,
2225Neuer to lye and take his naturall Rest,
Till Warwicke, or himselfe, be quite supprest.
2. Watch. To morrow then belike shall be the day,
If Warwicke be so neere as men report.
3. Watch. But say, I pray, what Noble man is that,
2230That with the King here resteth in his Tent?
1. Watch. 'Tis the Lord Hastings, the Kings chiefest
friend.
3. Watch. O, is it so? but why commands the King,
That his chiefe followers lodge in Townes about him,
2235While he himselfe keepes in the cold field?
2. Watch. 'Tis the more honour, because more dange-
rous.
3. Watch. I, but giue me worship, and quietnesse,
I like it better then a dangerous honor.
2240If Warwicke knew in what estate he stands,
'Tis to be doubted he would waken him.
1. Watch. Vnlesse our Halberds did shut vp his pas-
sage.
2. Watch. I: wherefore else guard we his Royall Tent,
2245But to defend his Person from Night-foes?
Enter Warwicke, Clarence, Oxford, Somerset,
and French Souldiors, silent all.
Warw. This is his Tent, and see where stand his Guard:
Courage my Masters: Honor now, or neuer:
2250But follow me, and Edward shall be ours.
1. Watch. Who goes there?
2. Watch. Stay, or thou dyest.
Warwicke and the rest cry all, Warwicke, Warwicke,
and set vpon the Guard, who flye, crying, Arme, Arme,
2255
Warwicke and the rest following them.
The Drumme playing, and Trumpet sounding.
Enter Warwicke, Somerset, and the rest, bringing the King
out in his Gowne, sitting in a Chaire: Richard
and Hastings flyes ouer the Stage.
2260Som. What are they that flye there?
Warw. Richard and Hastings: let them goe, heere is
the Duke.
K.Edw. The Duke?
Why Warwicke, when wee parted,
2265Thou call'dst me King.
Warw. I, 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 Yorke.
2270Alas, how should you gouerne any Kingdome,
That know not how to vse Embassadors,
Nor how to be contented with one Wife,
Nor how to vse your Brothers Brotherly,
Nor how to studie for the Peoples Welfare,
2275Nor how to shrowd your selfe from Enemies?
K.Edw. Yea, Brother of Clarence,
Art thou here too?
Nay then I see, that Edward needs must downe.
Yet Warwicke, in despight of all mischance,
2280Of thee thy selfe, and all thy Complices,
Edward will alwayes beare himselfe as King:
Though Fortunes mallice ouerthrow my State,
My minde exceedes the compasse of her Wheele.
Warw. Then for his minde, be Edward Englands King,
2285
Takes off his Crowne.
But Henry now shall weare the English Crowne,
And be true King indeede: thou but the shadow.
My Lord of Somerset, at my request,
See that forthwith Duke Edward be conuey'd
2290Vnto my Brother Arch-Bishop of Yorke:
When I haue fought with Pembrooke, and his fellowes,
Ile follow you, and tell what answer
Lewis and the Lady Bona send to him.
Now for a-while farewell good Duke of Yorke.
2295
They leade him out forcibly.
K.Ed. What Fates impose, that men must needs abide;
It boots not to resist both winde and tide.
Exeunt.
Oxf. What now remaines my Lords for vs to do,
But march to London with our Soldiers?
2300War. I, that's the first thing that we haue to do,
To free King Henry from imprisonment,
And see him seated in the Regall Throne.
exit.