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| The Third part of King Henry the Sixth |
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| Henry VI, part 3
| Act 4, Scene 7
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Flourish. Enter KING EDWARD IV, GLOUCESTER, HASTINGS, and SoldiersKING EDWARD IV
Now, brother Richard, Lord Hastings, and the rest,GLOUCESTER
Yet thus far fortune maketh us amends,
And says that once more I shall interchange
My waned state for Henry's regal crown.
Well have we pass'd and now repass'd the seas
And brought desired help from Burgundy:
What then remains, we being thus arrived
From Ravenspurgh haven before the gates of York,
But that we enter, as into our dukedom?
The gates made fast! Brother, I like not this;KING EDWARD IV
For many men that stumble at the threshold
Are well foretold that danger lurks within.
Tush, man, abodements must not now affright us:HASTINGS
By fair or foul means we must enter in,
For hither will our friends repair to us.
My liege, I'll knock once more to summon them.Mayor
Enter, on the walls, the Mayor of York, and his Brethren
My lords, we were forewarned of your coming,KING EDWARD IV
And shut the gates for safety of ourselves;
For now we owe allegiance unto Henry.
But, master mayor, if Henry be your king,Mayor
Yet Edward at the least is Duke of York.
True, my good lord; I know you for no less.KING EDWARD IV
Why, and I challenge nothing but my dukedom,GLOUCESTER
As being well content with that alone.
[Aside] But when the fox hath once got in his nose,HASTINGS
He'll soon find means to make the body follow.
Why, master mayor, why stand you in a doubt?Mayor
Open the gates; we are King Henry's friends.
Ay, say you so? the gates shall then be open'd.GLOUCESTER
They descend
A wise stout captain, and soon persuaded!HASTINGS
The good old man would fain that all were well,KING EDWARD IV
So 'twere not 'long of him; but being enter'd,
I doubt not, I, but we shall soon persuade
Both him and all his brothers unto reason.
Enter the Mayor and two Aldermen, below
So, master mayor: these gates must not be shutGLOUCESTER
But in the night or in the time of war.
What! fear not, man, but yield me up the keys;
Takes his keys
For Edward will defend the town and thee,
And all those friends that deign to follow me.
March. Enter MONTGOMERY, with drum and soldiers
Brother, this is Sir John Montgomery,KING EDWARD IV
Our trusty friend, unless I be deceived.
Welcome, Sir John! But why come you in arms?MONTAGUE
To help King Edward in his time of storm,KING EDWARD IV
As every loyal subject ought to do.
Thanks, good Montgomery; but we now forgetMONTAGUE
Our title to the crown and only claim
Our dukedom till God please to send the rest.
Then fare you well, for I will hence again:KING EDWARD IV
I came to serve a king and not a duke.
Drummer, strike up, and let us march away.
The drum begins to march
Nay, stay, Sir John, awhi le, and we'll debateMONTAGUE
By what safe means the crown may be recover'd.
What talk you of debating? in few words,GLOUCESTER
If you'll not here proclaim yourself our king,
I'll leave you to your fortune and be gone
To keep them back that come to succor you:
Why shall we fight, if you pretend no title?
Why, brother, wherefore stand you on nice points?KING EDWARD IV
When we grow stronger, then we'll make our claim:HASTINGS
Till then, 'tis wisdom to conceal our meaning.
Away with scrupulous wit! now arms must rule.GLOUCESTER
And fearless minds climb soonest unto crowns.KING EDWARD IV
Brother, we will proclaim you out of hand:
The bruit thereof will bring you many friends.
Then be it as you will; for 'tis my right,MONTAGUE
And Henry but usurps the diadem.
Ay, now my sovereign speaketh like himself;HASTINGS
And now will I be Edward's champion.
Sound trumpet; Edward shall be here proclaim'd:Soldier
Come, fellow-soldier, make thou proclamation.
Flourish
Edward the Fourth, by the grace of God, king ofMONTAGUE
England and France, and lord of Ireland, & c.
And whosoe'er gainsays King Edward's right,All
By this I challenge him to single fight.
Throws down his gauntlet
Long live Edward the Fourth!KING EDWARD IV
Thanks, brave Montgomery; and thanks unto you all:
If fortune serve me, I'll requite this kindness.
Now, for this night, let's harbour here in York;
And when the morning sun shall raise his car
Above the border of this horizon,
We'll forward towards Warwick and his mates;
For well I wot that Henry is no soldier.
Ah, froward Clarence! how evil it beseems thee
To flatter Henry and forsake thy brother!
Yet, as we may, we'll meet both thee and Warwick.
Come on, brave soldiers: doubt not of the day,
And, that once gotten, doubt not of large pay.
Exeunt
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| Henry VI, part 3
| Act 4, Scene 7
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