SCENE III. Edward’s Camp near Warwick

Enter three Watchmen to guard the King’s tent.

1 WATCHMAN. Come on, my masters, each man take his stand. The King by this is set him down to sleep.

2 WATCHMAN. What, will he not to bed?

1 WATCHMAN. Why, no; for he hath made a solemn vow Never to lie and take his natural rest Till Warwick or himself be quite suppressed.

2 WATCHMAN. Tomorrow, then, belike shall be the day, If Warwick be so near as men report.

3 WATCHMAN. But say, I pray, what nobleman is that That with the King here resteth in his tent?

1 WATCHMAN. ’Tis the Lord Hastings, the King’s chiefest friend.

3 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?

2 WATCHMAN. ’Tis the more honour, because more dangerous.

3 WATCHMAN. Ay, but give me worship and quietness; I like it better than dangerous honour. If Warwick knew in what estate he stands, ’Tis to be doubted he would waken him.

1 WATCHMAN. Unless our halberds did shut up his passage.

2 WATCHMAN. Ay, wherefore else guard we his royal tent But to defend his person from night-foes?

Enter Warwick, George (Duke of 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.

1 WATCHMAN. Who goes there?

2 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, enter Warwick, Somerset , and the rest, bringing the King out in his gown, sitting in a chair. Richard (Duke of Gloucester) and Hastings fly over the stage.

SOMERSET. What are they that fly there?

WARWICK. Richard and Hastings. Let them go. Here is the Duke.

KING EDWARD. The Duke? Why, Warwick, when we parted, Thou call’dst me king?

WARWICK. Ay, but the case is altered. When you disgraced me in my embassade, Then I degraded you from being king, And come now to create you Duke of York. Alas, how should you govern any kingdom That know not how to use ambassadors, Nor how to be contented with one wife, Nor how to use your brothers brotherly, Nor how to study for the people’s welfare, Nor how to shroud yourself from enemies?

KING EDWARD. Yea, brother of Clarence, art thou here too? Nay, then I see that Edward needs must down. Yet, Warwick, in despite of all mischance Of thee thyself and all thy complices, Edward will always bear himself as king. Though Fortune’s malice overthrow my state, My mind exceeds the compass of her wheel.

WARWICK. Then for his mind be Edward England’s king;

[ Takes off his crown. ]

But Henry now shall wear the English crown And be true king indeed, thou but the shadow. My lord of Somerset, at my request, See that forthwith Duke Edward be conveyed Unto my brother, Archbishop of York. When I have fought with Pembroke and his fellows, I’ll follow you and tell what answer Lewis and the Lady Bona send to him. Now, for a while farewell, good Duke of York.

[ They begin to lead him out forcibly. ]

KING EDWARD. What fates impose, that men must needs abide; It boots not to resist both wind and tide.

[ Exit King Edward , led out; Somerset with him. ]

OXFORD. What now remains, my lords, for us to do, But march to London with our soldiers?

WARWICK. Ay, that’s the first thing that we have to do, To free King Henry from imprisonment And see him seated in the regal throne.

[ Exeunt. ]