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Henry VI, Part 3 (Folio 1, 1623)

Author: William Shakespeare
Not Peer Reviewed
Flourish. Enter Edward, Richard, Hastings,
and Souldiers.
Edw. Now Brother Richard, Lord Hastings, and the rest,
Yet thus farre Fortune maketh vs amends,
2495And sayes, that once more I shall enterchange
My wained state, for Henries Regall Crowne.
Well haue we pass'd, and now re-pass'd the Seas,
And brought desired helpe from Burgundie.
What then remaines, we being thus arriu'd
2500From Rauenspurre Hauen, before the Gates of Yorke,
But that we enter, as into our Dukedome?
Rich. The Gates made fast?
Brother, I like not this.
For many men that stumble at the Threshold,
2505Are well fore-told, that danger lurkes within.
Edw. Tush man, aboadments must not now affright vs:
By faire or foule meanes we must enter in,
For hither will our friends repaire to vs.
Hast. My Liege, Ile knocke once more, to summon
2510them.
Enter on the Walls, the Maior of Yorke,
and his Brethren.
Maior. My Lords,
We were fore-warned of your comming,
2515And shut the Gates, for safetie of our selues;
For now we owe allegeance vnto Henry.
Edw. But, Master Maior, if Henry be your King,
Yet Edward, at the least, is Duke of Yorke.
Maior. True, my good Lord, I know you for no
2520lesse.
Edw. Why, and I challenge nothing but my Dukedome,
As being well content with that alone.
Rich. But when the Fox hath once got in his Nose,
Hee'le soone finde meanes to make the Body follow.
2525 Hast. Why, Master Maior, why stand you in a doubt?
Open the Gates, we are King Henries friends.
Maior. I, say you so? the Gates shall then be opened.
He descends.
Rich. A wise stout Captaine, and soone perswaded.
2530 Hast. The good old man would faine that all were wel,
So 'twere not long of him: but being entred,
I doubt not I, but we shall soone perswade
Both him, and all his Brothers, vnto reason.
Enter the Maior, and two Aldermen.
2535 Edw. So, Master Maior: these Gates must not be shut,
But in the Night, or in the time of Warre.
What, feare not man, but yeeld me vp the Keyes,
Takes his Keyes.
For Edward will defend the Towne, and thee,
2540And all those friends, that deine to follow mee.
March. Enter Mountgomerie, with Drumme
and Souldiers.
Rich. Brother, this is Sir Iohn Mountgomerie,
Our trustie friend, vnlesse I be deceiu'd.
2545 Edw. Welcome Sir Iohn: but why come you in
Armes?
Mount. To helpe King Edward in his time of storme,
As euery loyall Subiect ought to doe.
Edw. Thankes good Mountgomerie:
2550But we now forget our Title to the Crowne,
And onely clayme our Dukedome,
Till God please to send the rest.
Mount. Then fare you well, for I will hence againe,
I came to serue a King, and not a Duke:
2555Drummer strike vp, and let vs march away.
The Drumme begins to march.
Edw. Nay stay, Sir Iohn, a while, and wee'le debate
By what safe meanes the Crowne may be recouer'd.
Mount. What talke you of debating? in few words,
2560If you'le not here proclaime your selfe our King,
Ile leaue you to your fortune, and be gone,
To keepe them back, that come to succour you.
Why shall we fight, if you pretend no Title?
Rich. Why Brother, wherefore stand you on nice
2565points?
Edw. When wee grow stronger,
Then wee'le make our Clayme:
Till then, 'tis wisdome to conceale our meaning.
Hast. Away with scrupulous Wit, now Armes must
2570rule.
Rich. And fearelesse minds clyme soonest vnto Crowns.
Brother, we will proclaime you out of hand,
The bruit thereof will bring you many friends.
Edw. Then be it as you will: for 'tis my right,
2575And Henry but vsurpes the Diademe.
Mount. I, now my Soueraigne speaketh like himselfe,
And now will I be Edwards Champion.
Hast. Sound Trumpet, Edward shal be here proclaim'd:
Come, fellow Souldior, make thou proclamation.
2580
Flourish. Sound.
Soul. Edward the Fourth, by the Grace of God, King of
England and France, and Lord of Ireland, &c.
Mount. And whosoe're gainsayes King Edwards right,
By this I challenge him to single fight.
2585
Throwes downe his Gauntlet.
All. Long liue Edward the Fourth.
Edw. Thankes braue Mountgomery,
And thankes vnto you all:
If fortune serue me, Ile requite this kindnesse.
2590Now for this Night, let's harbor here in Yorke:
And when the Morning Sunne shall rayse his Carre
Aboue the Border of this Horizon,
Wee'le forward towards Warwicke, and his Mates;
For well I wot, that Henry is no Souldier.
2595Ah froward Clarence, how euill it beseemes thee,
To flatter Henry, and forsake thy Brother?
Yet as wee may, wee'le meet both thee and Warwicke.
Come on braue Souldiors: doubt not of the Day,
And that once gotten, doubt not of large Pay.
Exeunt.