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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
    Not Peer Reviewed

    Henry VI, Part 3 (Folio 1, 1623)

    Enter Riuers, and Lady Gray.
    Riu. Madam, what makes you in this sodain change?
    2305Gray. Why Brother Riuers, are you yet to learne
    What late misfortune is befalne King Edward?
    Riu. What losse of some pitcht battell
    Against Warwicke?
    Gray. No, but the losse of his owne Royall person.
    2310Riu. Then is my Soueraigne slaine?
    Gray. I almost slaine, for he is taken prisoner,
    Either betrayd by falshood of his Guard,
    Or by his Foe surpriz'd at vnawares:
    And as I further haue to vnderstand,
    2315Is new committed to the Bishop of Yorke,
    Fell Warwickes Brother, and by that our Foe.
    Riu. These Newes I must confesse are full of greefe,
    Yet gracious Madam, beare it as you may,
    Warwicke may loose, that now hath wonne the day.
    2320Gray. Till then, faire hope must hinder liues decay:
    And I the rather waine me from dispaire
    For loue of Edwards Off-spring in my wombe:
    This is it that makes me bridle passion,
    And beare with Mildnesse my misfortunes crosse:
    2325I, I, for this I draw in many a teare,
    And stop the rising of blood-sucking sighes,
    Least with my sighes or teares, I blast or drowne
    King Edwards Fruite, true heyre to th' English Crowne.
    Riu. But Madam,
    2330Where is Warwicke then become?
    Gray. I am inform'd that he comes towards London,
    To set the Crowne once more on Henries head,
    Guesse thou the rest, King Edwards Friends must downe.
    But to preuent the Tyrants violence,
    2335(For trust not him that hath once broken Faith)
    Ile hence forthwith vnto the Sanctuary,
    To saue (at least) the heire of Edwards right:
    There shall I rest secure from force and fraud:
    Come therefore let vs flye, while we may flye,
    2340If Warwicke take vs, we are sure to dye. exeunt.