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  • Title: Henry VI, Part 3 (Folio 1, 1623)

  • Copyright Internet Shakespeare Editions. This text may be freely used for educational, non-proift purposes; for all other uses contact the Coordinating Editor.
    Author: William Shakespeare
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    Henry VI, Part 3 (Folio 1, 1623)

    The third Part of Henry the Sixt.167
    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.
    2580Flourish. 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.
    2585Throwes 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.

    2600Flourish. Enter the King, Warwicke, Mountague,
    Clarence, Oxford, and Somerset.

    War. What counsaile, Lords? Edward from Belgia,
    With hastie Germanes, and blunt Hollanders,
    Hath pass'd in safetie through the Narrow Seas,
    2605And with his troupes doth march amaine to London,
    And many giddie people flock to him.
    King. Let's leuie men, and beat him backe againe.
    Clar. A little fire is quickly trodden out,
    Which being suffer'd, Riuers cannot quench.
    2610War. In Warwickshire I haue true-hearted friends,
    Not mutinous in peace, yet bold in Warre,
    Those will I muster vp: and thou Sonne Clarence
    Shalt stirre vp in Suffolke, Norfolke, and in Kent,
    The Knights and Gentlemen, to come with thee.
    2615Thou Brother Mountague, in Buckingham,
    Northampton, and in Leicestershire, shalt find
    Men well enclin'd to heare what thou command'st.
    And thou, braue Oxford, wondrous well belou'd,
    In Oxfordshire shalt muster vp thy friends.
    2620My Soueraigne, with the louing Citizens,
    Like to his Iland, gyrt in with the Ocean,
    Or modest Dyan, circled with her Nymphs,
    Shall rest in London, till we come to him:
    Faire Lords take leaue, and stand not to reply.
    2625Farewell my Soueraigne.
    King. Farewell my Hector, and my Troyes true hope.
    Clar. In signe of truth, I kisse your Highnesse Hand.
    King. Well-minded Clarence, be thou fortunate.
    Mount. Comfort, my Lord, and so I take my leaue.
    2630Oxf. And thus I seale my truth, and bid adieu.
    King. Sweet Oxford, and my louing Mountague,
    And all at once, once more a happy farewell.
    War. Farewell, sweet Lords, let's meet at Couentry.
    Exeunt.
    2635King. Here at the Pallace will I rest a while.
    Cousin of Exeter, what thinkes your Lordship?
    Me thinkes, the Power that Edward hath in field,
    Should not be able to encounter mine.
    Exet. The doubt is, that he will seduce the rest.
    2640 King. That's not my feare, my meed hath got me fame:
    I haue not stopt mine eares to their demands,
    Nor posted off their suites with slow delayes,
    My pittie hath beene balme to heale their wounds,
    My mildnesse hath allay'd their swelling griefes,
    2645My mercie dry'd their water-flowing teares.
    I haue not been desirous of their wealth,
    Nor much opprest them with great Subsidies,
    Nor forward of reuenge, though they much err'd.
    Then why should they loue Edward more then me?
    2650No Exeter, these Graces challenge Grace:
    q2 And