The true Tragedie of Richard Duke of Yorke and the death of good King Henrie the Sixt with the whole contention betweene the two Houses Lancaster and Yorke as it was sundrie times acted by the Right Honourable the Earle of Pembrooke his seruants Printed at London by P. S. for Thomas Millington and are to be sold at his shoppe vnder Saint Peters Church in Cornival 1595. The true Tragedie of Richard Duke of Yorke and the good King Henry the Sixt. Enter Richard Duke of Yorke The Earle of Warwicke The Duke of Norffolke Marquis Montague Edward Earle of March Crookeback Richard and the yong Earle of Rutland with Drumme and Souldiers with white Roses in their hats Warwike I Wonder how the king escapt our hands Yorke Whilst we pursude the horsemen of the North He slilie stole awaie and left his men Whereat the great Lord of Northumland Whose warlike eares could neuer brooke retrait Chargde our maine battels front and therewith him Lord Stafford and Lord Clifford all abrâ—st 〈…〉 Brake in and were by the hands oâ— common Souldiers slain Edw. Lord Staffords father Duke of Buckhingham Is either slaine or wounded dangerouslie I cleft his Beuer with a downe right blow Father that this is true behold his bloud Mont And brother heere 's the Earle of Wiltshires Bloud whom I encountred as the battailes ioâ—â—d Rich. Speake thou for me and tell them what I did York What is your grace dead my L of Summerset Norf. Such hope haue all the line of Iohn of Gaâ—â—â— Rich. Thus doe I hope to shape king Henries head War And so do I victoriâ—us prince of Yorke Before I see thee seated in that throne Which now the house of Lancaster vsurpes I vow by heauens these eies shal neuer close This is the pallace of that fearefull king And that the regall chaire Possesse it Yorke For this is thine and not king Henries heires York Assist me then sweet Warwike and I wil For hither are we broken in by force Norf. Wee le all assist thee and he that flies shall die York Thanks gentle Norffolke Staie by me my Lords and souldiers staie you heere and lodge this night War And when the king comes offer him no Violence vnlesse he seek to put vs out by force Rich Armde as we be le ts staie within this house War The bloudie parlement shall this be calde Vnlâ—â—â—e Plantagenet Duke of Yorke be king And bashfull Henrie be deposde whose cowardise Hath made vs by words to our enemies York Then leaue me not my Lords for now I meane To take possession of my right War Neither the king nor him that loues him best The proudest burd that holds vp Lancaster Dares stirre a wing if Warwike shake his bels I le plant Plantagenet and root him out who dares Resolue thee Richard Claime the English crowne Enter king Henrie the sixt with the Duke of Excester The Earle of Northumberland the Earle of Westmerland and Clifford the Earle of Cumberland withred Roses in their hats King Looke Lordings where the sturdy rebel sits Euen in the chaire of state belike he meanes Backt by the power of Warwike that false peere To aspire vnto the crowne and raigne as king Earle of Northumberland he slew thy father And thine Clifford and you both haue vow'd reuenge On him his sonnes his fauorites and his friends Northu And if I be not heauens be reuengd on me Clif. The hope thereof makes Clifford mourn in steel West What shall we suffer this le ts pull him downe My hart for anger breakes I cannot speake King Be patient gentle Earle of Westmerland Clif. Patience is for pultrouns such as he He durst not sit there had your father liu'd My gratious Lord here in the Parlement Let vs assaile the familie of Yorke North. Well hast thou spoken cosen be it so King O know you not the Cittie fauours them And they haue troopes of soldiers at their becke Exet. But when the D. is slaine thei le quicklie slie King Far be it from the thoughtes of Henries hart To make a shambles of the parlement house Cosâ—â— of Exeter words frownes and threats Shall be the warres that Henrie meanes to vse Thou facâ—tious duke of Yorke descend my throne I am thy soueraigne York Thou art deceiu'd I am thine Exet. For shame come downe he made thee D. of York York T was mine inheritance as the kingdome is Exet. Thy father was a traytor to the crowne War Exeter thou art a traitor to the crowne In following this vsurping Henry Clif. Whom should he follow but his naturall king War Tâ—ue Clif and that is Richard Duke of Yorke King And shall I stande while thou sittest in my throne York Content thy selfe it must and shall be so War Be Duke of Lancaster let him be king West Why he is both king Duke of Lancaster And that the Earle of Westmerland shall mainetaine War And Warwike shall disproue it You forget That we are those that chaste you from the field And slew your father and with colours spred Marcht through the Cittie to the pallas gates Nor. No Warwike I remember it to my griefe And by his soule thou and thy house shall rew it West Plantagenet of thee and of thy sonnes Thy kinsmen and thy friendes I le haue more liues Then drops of bloud were in my fathers vaines Clif. Vrge it no more least in reuenge thereof I send thee Warwike such a messenger As shall reueng his death before I stirre War Poore Clifford how I skorn thy worthles threats York Wil ye we shew our title to the crowne Or else our swords shall plead it in the field King What title haste thou traitor to the Crowne Thy father was as thou art Duke of Yorke Thy grandfather Roger Mortâ—mer earle of March I am the sonne of Henrie the Fift who tamde the French And made the Dolphin stoope and seazd vpon their Townes and prouinces War Talke not of France since thou hast lost it all King â—he Lord protector lost it and not I When I was crownd I was but nine months old Rich. You are olde enough now and yet me thinkes you lose Father teare the Crowne from the Vsurpers head Edw. Do so sweet father set it on your head Mont. Good brother as thou lou'st honorst armes Le ts fight it out and not stand cauilling thus Rich. Sound drums and trumpets the king will sly York Peace sonnes Nâ—rthum Peace thou and giue king Henry leaue to speake King Ah Plantagenet why seekest thou to depose me Are we not both both Plantagenets by birth And from two brothers line allie discent Suppose by right and equitie thou be king Thinkst thou that I will leaue my kinglie seate Whereâ—n my father and my grandsire sat No first shall warre vnpeople this my realme I and our colours often borne in France And now in England to our harts great sorrow Shall be my winding sheete why saint you Lords My titles better farre than his
I haue fought with Penbrooke his followers I le come and tell thee what the ladie Bona saies And so for a while farewell good Duke of Yorke Exeunt some with Edward Cla. What followes now all hithertoo goes well But we must dispatch some letters to France To tell the Queene of our happy fortune And bid hir come with speed to ioine with vs. War I that 's the first thing that we haue to doe And free king Henry from imprisonment And see him seated in his regall throne Come let vs haste awaie and hauing past these cares I le post to Yorke and see how Edward fares Exeunt Omnes Enter Gloster Hastings and sir VVilliam Stanly Glo. Lord Hastings and 〈◊〉 VVilliam Stanly Know that the cause I sent for you is this I looke my brother with a slender traine Should come a hunting in this forrest heere The Bishop of Yorke be friends him much And lets him vse his pleasure in the chase Now I haue priuilie sent him word How I am come with you to rescue him And see where the huntsman and he doth come Enter Edward and a Huntsman Hunts This waie my Lord the deere is gone Edw. No this waie huntsman see where the Keepers stand Now brother and the rest What are you prouided to depart Glo. I I the horse stands at the parke corner Come to Linne and so take shipping into Flanders Edw. Come then Hastings and Stanlie I will Requite your loues Bishop farewell Sheeld thee from Warwikes frowne And praie that I maie repossesse the crowne Now huntsman what will you doe Hunts Marrie my Lord I thinke I had as good Goe with you as tarrie heere to be hangde Edw. Come then le ts awaie with speed Exeunt Omnes Enter the Queene and the Lord Riuers Riuers Tel me good maddam why is your grace So paâ—â—â—onate of late Queen Why brother Riuers heare you not the newes Of that successe king Edward had of late Riu. Whatâ— losse of some pitcht battaile against Warwike Tush feare not faire Queen but cast those cares aside King Edwards noble mind his honours doth display And Warwike maie loose though then he got the day Queen If that were all my griefes were at an end But greater troubles will I â—â—arâ— befall Riu What is he taken prisoner by the foe To the danger of his royall person then Queen I thear 's my griefe king Edward is surprisde And led awaie as prisoner vnto Yorke Riu. The newes is passing strange I must confesse Yet comfort your selfe for Edward hath more friends Then Lancaster at this time must perceiue That some will set him in his throne againe Queen God grant they maie but gentle brother come And let me leane vpon thine arme a while Vntill I come vnto the sanctuaâ—ie There to preserue the fâ—uâ—t within my wombe K. Edwards seed true heire to Englands crowne Exit Enter Edward and Richard and Hastings with a troope of Hollanders Edw. Thus far from Belgia haue we past the seas And marcht from Raunspur hauen vnto Yorke But soft the gates are shut I like not this Rich. Sound vp the drum and call them to the wals Enter the Lord Maire of Yorke vpon the wals Mair My Lords we had notice of your comming And that 's the cause we stand vpon our garde An I shut the gates for to preserue the towne Henry now is king and we are sworne to him Edw. Why my Lord Maire if Henry be your king Edward I am sure at least is Duke of Yorke Mair Truth my Lord we know you for no lesse Edw I craue nothing but my Dukedome Rich. But when the Fox hath gotten in his head Hee le quicklie make the boâ—ie follow after Hast Why my Lord Maire what stand you vpon points Open the gates we are king Henries friends Mair Saie you so then I le open them presentlie Exit Maire Ri. By my â—aith a wise stout captain soone perswaded The Maire opens the dore and bâ—ings the keies in his hand Edw. So my Lord Maire these gates must not be shut But in the time of warre giue me the keies What feare not man for Edward will defend the towne and you despight of all your foes Enter sir Iohn Mountgommery with drumme and souldiers How now Richard who is this Rich. Brother this is sir Iohn Mountgommery A trustie friend vnlesse I be deceâ—ude Edw. Welcome sir Iohn Wherfore come you in armes Sir Iohn To helpe king Edward in this time of stormes As euerie loyall subiect ought to doe Edw. Thankes braue Mountgommery But I onlie claime my Dukedom Vntil iâ— please God to send the rest Sir Iohn Then saâ—e you wel Drum strike vp and let vs March away I came to serue a king and not a Duke Edw. Nay staâ—e sir Iohn and let vs first debate With what security we maie doe this thing Sir Iohn What stand you on debating to be briefe Except you presently proclaime your selfe our king I le hence againe and keepe them backe that come to Succour you why should we fight when You pretend no title Rich Fie brother fie stand you vpon tearmes Resolue your selfe and let vs claime the crowne Edw. I am resolude once more to claime the crowne And win it too or else to loose my life Sir Iohn I now my soueraigne speaketh like himselfe And now will I be Edwards Champion Sound Trumpets for Edward shall be proclaimd Edward the fourth by the grace of God king of England and France and Lord of Ireland and whosoeuer gainsaâ—es king Edwards â—ight by this I challenge him to single sight long liue Edward the fourth All. Long liue Edward the fourth Edw. We thanke you all Lord Maire leade on the waie For this night wee le haâ—bour here in Yorke And then â—s eaâ—â—e as the morning sunne Lâ—ftes vp his beames aboue this hoâ—ison Wee le march to London to meete with VVarwike And pull salâ—e Henry from the Regall throne Exeunt Omnes Enter VVarwike and Clarence with the Crowne and then king Henry and Oxford and Summerset and the yong Earle of Richmond King Thus from the prison to this prince lie seat By Gods great mercies am I brought Againe Clarence and VVarwike doe you Keepe the crowne and gouerue and protect My realme in peace and I will spend the Remnant of my daies to sinnes rebuke And my Creators praise VVar. What answeres Clarence to his soueraignes will Cla. Clarencâ— agrees to what king Henry likes King My Lord of Summerset what prettie Boie is that you seeme to be so carefull of Sum And it please your grace it is youg Henry Earle of Richmond King Henry of Richmond Come hither pretie Ladde If heauenlie powers doe aime aright To my diuining thoughts thou pretie boy Shalt proue this Countries blisse Thy head is made to weare a princelie crowne Thy lookes are all repleat with Maiestie Make much of him my Lords For this is he shall helpe you more Then you are hurt by me Enter one
War Proue it Henrie and thou shalt be king King Why Henrie the fourth by conquest got the Crowne York T' was by rebellion gainst his soueraigne King I know not what to saie my titles weake Tell me maie not a king adopt an heire War What then King Then am I lawfull king For Richard The second in the view of maine Lords Resignde the Crowne to Henrie the fourth Whose heire my Father was and I am his York I tell thee he rose against him being his Soueraigne made him to resigne the crown perforce War Suppose my Lord he did it vnconstrainde Thinke you that were preiudiciall to the Crowne Exet. No for he could not so resigne the Crowne But that the next heire must succeed and raigne King Art thou against vs Duke of Exceter Exet. His is the right and therefore pardon me King All will reuolt from me and turne to him Northum Plantagenet for all the claime thou laist Thinke not king Henry shall be thus deposde War Deposde he shall be in despight of thee North. Tush Warwike Thou art deceiued t is not thy Southerne powers of Essex Suffolke Norffolke and of Kent that makes thee thus presumptuous and proud Can set the Duke vp in despight of me Cliff King Henrie be thy title right or wrong Lord Clifford vowes to fight in thy defence Maie that ground gape and swallow me aliue Where I do kneele to him that slew my father King O Clifford how thy words reâ—iue my soule York Henry of Lancaster resigne thy crowne What mutter you or what conspire you Lords War Doe right vnto this princelie Duke of Yorke Or I will fill the house with armed men Enter Souldiers And ouer the chaire of state where now he sits Wright vp his title with thy vsurping bloud King O Warwike heare me speake Let me but raigne in quiet whilst I liue York Confirme the crowne to me and to mine heires And thou shalt raigne in quiet whilst thou hu'st King Conuey the souldiers hence and then I will War Captaine conduct them into Tâ—â—hill fieldes Clif. What wrong is this vnto the Prince your son War What good is this for England and himselfe Northum Base fearefull and despairing Henry Clif. How hast thou wronged both thy selfe and vs West I cannot staie to heare these Articles Exit Clif. Nor I Come cosen le ts go tell the Queene Northum Be thou a praie vnto the house of Yorke And die in bands for this vnkingly deed Exit Clif. In dreadfull warre maist thou be ouercome Or liue in peace abandon'd and despisde Exit Exet. They seeke reuenge and therefore will not yeeld my Lord. King Ah Exeter War Why should you sigh my Lord King Not for my selfe Lord Warwike but my soone Whom I vnnaturallie shall disinherit But be it as it maie I heere intaile the Crowne To thee and to thine heires conditionallie That here thou take thine oath to cease these ciuill Broiles and whilst I liue to honour me as thy king and Soueraigne York That oath I willinglie take and will performe War Long liue king Henry Plantagenet embrace him King And long liue thou and all thy forward sonnes York Now Yorke and Lancaster are reconcilde Exet. Accuist be he that seekes to make them soes Sound Irumpets York My Lord I le take my leaue for I le to Wakefield To my castell Exit Yorke and his sonnes War And I le keepe London with my souldiers Exit Norf And I le to Norffolke with my followers Exit Mont. And I to the sea from whence I came Exit Enter the Queene and the Prince Exet. My Lord here comes the Queen I le steale away King And so will I. Queene Naie staie or else I follow thee King Be patient gentle Queene and then I le staie Quee. What patience can there ah timerous man Thou hast vndoone thy selfe thy sonne and me And giuen our rights vnto the house of Yorke Art thou a king and wilt be â—orst to yeeld Had I beene there the souldiers should haue tost Me on their launces points before I would haue Granted to their wils The Duke is made Protector of the land Sterne Fawconbridge Commands the narrow seas And thinkst thou then To sleepe secure I heere diuorce me Henry From thy bed vntâ—ll that Act of Parlement Be recalde wherein thou yeeldest to the house of Yorke The Northen Lords that haue forsworne thy colours Will follow mine if once they see them spred And spread they shall vnto thy deepe disgrace Come sonne le ts awaie and leaue him heere alone King Staie gentle Margaret and here me speake Queene Thou hast spoke too much alreadie therefore be still King Gentle sonne Edwarde wilt thou staie with me Quee I to be murdred by his enemies Exit Prin. When I returne with victorie from the field I le see your Grace till then I le follow her Exit King Poore Queene her loue to me and to the prince Her sonne Makes hir in 〈…〉 thus forget hir selfe Reuenged maie shâ—e be on that accursed Duke Come cosen of Exeter staie thou here For Clifford and those Northern Lords be gone I feare towards Wakefield to disturbe the Duke Enter Edward and Richard and Montague Edw. Brother and cosen Montague giue mee leaue to speake Rich. Nay I can better plaie the Orator Mont. But I haue reasons strong and forceable Enter the Duke of Yorke York Howe nowe sonnes what at a iarre amongst your selues Rich. No father but a sweete contention about that which concernes your selfe and vs The crowne of England father York The crowne boy why Henries yet aliue And I haue sworne that he shall raigne in quiet till His death Edw. But I would breake an hundred othes to raigne one yeare Rich. And if it please your grace to giue me leaue I le shew your grace the waie to saue your oath And dispossesse king Henrie from the crowne Yorke I prethe Dicke let me heare thy deuise Rich. Then thus my Lord. An oath is of no moment Being not sworne before a lawfull magistrate Henry is none but doth vsurpe your right And yet your grace stands bound to him by oath Then noble father resolue your selfe And once more claime the crowne Yorke I saist thou so boie why then it shall be so I am resolude to win the crowne or die Edward thou shalt to Edmund Brooke Lord Cobham With vvhom the Kentishmen vvill vvillinglie rise Thou cosen Montague shalt to Norffolke straight And bid the Duke to muster vppe his souldiers And come to me to Wakefield presentlie And Richard thou to London strait shalt post And bid Richard Neuill Earle of Warwike To leaue the cittie and with his men of warre To meete me at Saint Albons ten daies hence My selfe heere in Sandall castell will prouide Both men and monie to furder our attempts Now what newes Enter a Messenger Mes My Lord the Queene with thirtie thousand men Accompanied with the Earles of Cumberland Nâ—rthumberland and Westmerland and others of the House
of Lancaster are marching towards Wakefield To besiedge you in your castell heere Enter sir Iohn and sir Hugh Mortimer Yorke A Gods name let them come Cosen Montague post you hence and boies staie you with me Sir Iohn and sir Hugh Mortemers mine vncles Your welcome to Sandall in an happie houre The armie of the Queene meanes to besiedge vs. Sir Iohn Shee shall not neede my Lorde wee le meete her in the field York What with fiue thousand souldiers vncle Rich. I father with fiue hundred for a need A womans generall what should you feare York Indeed manie braue battels haue I woon In Normandie when as the enimie Hath bin ten to one and why should I now doubt Of the like successe I am resolu'd Come lets goe Edw. Le ts martch awaie I heare their drums Exit Alarmes and then Enter the yong Earle of Rutland and his Tutor Tutor Oh flie my Lord le ts leaue the Castell And flie to Wakefield straight Enter Clifford Rut. O Tutor looke where bloudie Clifford comes Clif. Chaplin awaie thy Priesthood saues thy life As for the brat of that accursed Duke Whose father slew my father he shall die Tutor Oh Clifford spare this tender Lord least Heauen reuenge it on thy head Oh saue his life Clif Soldiers awaie and drag him hence perforce Awaie with the villaine Exit the Chaplein How now what dead alreadie or is it feare that Makes him close his eies I le open them Rut. So lookes the pent vp Lion on the lambe And so he walkes insulting ouer his praie And so he turnes againe to rend his limmes in sunder Oh Clifford kill me with thy sword and Not with such a cruell threatning looke I am too meane a subiect for thy wrath Be thou reuengde on men and let me liue Clif. In vaine thou speakest poore boy my fathers Bloud hath stopt the passage where thy wordes shoulde enter Rut. Then let my fathers blood ope it againe he is a Man and Clifford cope with him Clif. Had I thy brethren here their liues and thine Were not reuenge sufficient for me Or should I dig vp thy forefathers graues And hang their rotten coffins vp in chaines It could not slake mine ire nor case my hart The sight of anie of the house of Yorke Is as a furie to torment my soule Therefore till I root out that curssed line And leaue not one on earth I le liue in hell therefore Rut. Oh let me praie before I take my death To thee I praie Sweet Clifford pittie me Clif. I such pittiâ—â—s my rapiers point affords Rut. I neuer did thee hurt wherefore wilt thou kill mee Clif. Thy father hath Rut. But t was ere I was borne Thou hast one sonne for his sake pittie me Least in reuenge thereof 〈◊〉 God is iust He be as miserablie slaine as I. Oh let me liue in prison all my daies And when I giue occasion of offence Then let me die for now thou hast no cause Clif. No cause Thy Father slew my father therefore Die Plantagenet I come Plantagenet And this thy sonnes bloud cleauing to my blade Shall rust vpon my weapon till thy bloud Congeald with his doe make me wipe off both Exit Alarmes Enter the Duke of Yorke solus Yorke Ah Yorke post to thy castell saue thy life The goale is lost thou house of Lancaster Thrise happie chance is it for thee and thine That heauen abridgde my daies and cals me hence But God knowes what chance hath betide my sonnes But this I know they haue demeand themselues Like men borne to renowne by life or death Three times this daie came Richard to my sight And cried courage Father Victorie or death And twise so oft came Edward to my view With purple Faulchen painted to the hilts In bloud of those whom he had slaâ—ghtered Oh harke I heare the drums No waie to flie No waie to saue my life And heere I staie And heere my life must end Enter the Queene Clifford Northumberland and souldiers Come bloudie Clifford rough Northumberland I dare your quenchlesse â—â—rie to more bloud This is the But and this abides your shot Northum Yeeld to our mercies proud Plantagenet Clif. I to such mercie as his ruthfull arme With downe right paiment lent vnto my father Now Phaeton hath tumbled from his carre And made an euening at the noone tide pricke York My ashes like the Phoenix maie bring forth A bird that will reuenge it on you all And in that hope I cast mine eies to heauen Skorning what ere you can afflict me with Why staie you Lords what multitudes and feare Clif. So cowards fight when they can flie no longer So Doues doe pecke the Rauens piersing tallents So desperate theeues all hopelesse of their liues Breath out inuectiues gainst the officers York Oh Clifford yet bethinke thee once againe And in thy minde orerun my former time And bite thy toung that slaunderst him with cowardise Whose verie looke hath made thee quake â—re this Clif. I will not bandie with thee word for word But buckle with thee blowes twise two for one Queene Hold valiant Clifford for a thousand causes I would prolong the traitors life a while Wrath makes him death speake thou Northumberland Nor. Hold Clifford doe not honour him to much To pricke thy finger though to wound his hart What valure were it when a curre doth grin For one to thrust his hand betweene his teeth When he might spurne him with his foote awaie T is warres prise to take all aduantages And ten to one is no impeach in wanes Fight and take him Cliff I I so striues the Woodcocke with the gin North. So doth the cunnâ—e struggle with the net York So triumphs theeues vpon their conquered Bootie So true men yeeld by robbers ouermatcht North. What will your grace haue done with him Queen Braue warriors Clifford Northumberland Come make him stand vpon thâ—s molehill here That aâ—mde at mountaines with outstâ—etched arme And parted but the shaddow with his hand Was it you that reuelde in our Parlement And made a prechment of your high descent Where are your messe of sonnes to backe you now The wanton Edward and the lâ—stie George Or where is that valiant Crookbackt prodegie Dickey your boy that with his grumbling voice Was wont to cheare his Dad in mutinâ—es Or amongst the rest where is your daâ—â—ing Rutland Looke Yorke I dipt this napkin in the bloud That valiant Clifford with his rapiers point Made isâ—ue from the bosome of thy boy And if thine eâ—es can water for his death I giue thee this to drie thy cheeks with all Alas poore Yorke But that I hate thee much I should lament thy miserable state I prethee greeue to make me merrie Yorke Stamp raue and fret that I maie sing and dance What hath thy fierie hart so parcht thine entrailes That not a teare can fall for Rutlands death Thou wouldst be feede I see to make me sport Yorke cannot speake vnlesle he
kingdome saie For eâ—ther that is thine or else thou wert not his Enter the Earle of Warwike Montague with drum ancient and souldiers War How now faire Lords what sare what newes abroad Rich. Ah Warwike should we report the balefull Nâ—â—â—◠〈◊〉 at each words deliuerance stab poinyardes In our flesh till all were told the words would adde More 〈◊〉 then the wounds Ah valiant Lord the Duke of Yorke is slaine Edw. Ah Warwike Warwike that Plantagenet Which held thee deere I euen an his soules redemption Is by the â—â—â—â—ne L. Clifford done to death War Ten daiâ—s a go I drownd those newes in teares And now to adde more measure to your woes I come to tell you things since then befalne After the bloudie fraie at Wakefield fought Where your braue father breath'd his latest gaspe Tidings as swiflie as the post could runne Was brought me of your losse and his departure I then in London keeper of the King Mustred my souldâ—ers gathered flockes of friends And verie vvell appointed as I thought Marcht to saint Albons to entercept the Queene Bearing the King in my behalfe along For by my scoutes I was aduertised That she was comming with a full intent To dash your late decree in parliament Touching king Henries heires and your succession Short tale to make we at Saint Albons met Our battel 's ioinde and both sides fiercelie fought But whether t was the coldnesse of the king He lookt full gentlie on his warlike Queene That robde my souldiers of their heated spleene Or whether t was report of his successe Or more then common feare of Cliffords rigor Who thunders to his captaines bloud and death I cannot tell But to conclude with truth Their weapons like to lightnings went and came Our souldiers like the might Owles lasie flight Or like an idle thresher with a â—laile Fel gentlie downe as if they smote their friends I cheerd them vp with iustice of the cause With promise of hie paie and great rewardes But all in vaine they had no harts to fight Nor we in them no hope to win the daie So that We fled The king vnto the Queene Lord George your brother Norffolke and my selfe In hast post hast are come to ioine with you For in the marches here we heard you were Making another head to fight againe Edw. Thankes gentle Warwike How farre hence is the Duke with his power And when came George from Burgundie to England War Some fiue miles off the Duke is with his power But as for your brother he was latelie sent From your kind Aunt Duches of Burgundie With aide of souldiers gainst this needfull warre Rich. T was ods belike when valiant Warwike fled Oft haue I heard thy praises in pursute But nere till now thy scandall of retire War Nor now my scandall Richard dost thou heare For thou shalt know that thâ—s right hand of mine Can plucke the Diadem from â—aint Henries head And wring the awefull scepter from his fist Were he as famous and as bold in warre As he is famde for mildnesse peace and praier Rich. I know it well Lord Warwike blame me not T was loue I bare thy glories made me speake But in this troublous time what 's to be done Shall we gothrow away our coates of steele And clad our bodies in blacke mourning gownes Numbring our Auemaries with our beades Or shall we on the helmets of our foes Tell our deuotion with reuengefull armes If for the last saie I and to it Lords War Why therefore Warwike came to find â— you out And therefore comes my brother Montague Attend me Lords the proud insulting Queene With Clifford and the haught Northumberland And of their feather manie mo proud birdes Haue wrought thâ— easie melting king like waxe He sware consent to your succession His oath inrolled in the Parliament But now to London all the crew are gone To frustrate his oath or what besides May make against the house of Lancaster Thâ—iâ— power I gesse them fifty thousand strong Now if the helpe of Norffolke and my selfe Can but amount to 48. thousand With all the friendes that thou braue earle of March Among the louing Welshmen canst procure Why via To London will we march amaine And once againe beâ—â—â—ide our foming steedes And once againe crie charge vpon the foe But neuer once againe turne backe and flâ—e Rich. I now me thinkes I heare great Warwike speake Nere maie he liue to see a sunshine daie That cries râ—tire when Warwike bids him stay Edw. Lord Warwike on thy shoulder will I leane And when thou faints must Edward fall Which perill heauen forefend War No longer Earle of March but Duke of Yorke The next degree is Englands royall king And king of England and shalt thou be proclaimde In euery burrough as we passe along And he that casts not vp his cap for ioie Shall for the offence make forfeit of his head King Edward valiant Richard Montague Stay we no longer dreaming of renowne But forward to effect these resolutions Enâ—er a Messenger Mes The Duke of Norffolke sends you word by me The Queene is comming with a puissant power And craues your companie for speedie councell War Why then it sorts braue Lordes Le ts march away Exeunt Omnes Enter the King and Queene Prince Edward and the Northerne Earles with drum and Souldiers Quee. Welcome my Lord to this braue town of York Yonder 's the head of that ambitious enemie That sought to be impaled with your crowne Doth not the obiect please your eie my Lord King Euen as the rockes please them that feare their wracke Withhold reuenge deare God t is not my fault Nor wittinglie haue I infringde my vow Clif My gratious Lord this too much lenitie And harmefull pittie must be laid aside To whom do Lyons cast their gentle lookes Not to the beast that would vsurpe his den Whose hand is that the sauage Beare doth licke Not his that spoiles his young before his face Whose â—â—apâ—s the lurking serpentes mortall sting Not he that sets his foot vpon her backe The smallest worme will turne being troden on And Doues will pecke in rescue of their broode Ambitious Yorke did leuell at thy Crowne Thou smiling while he knit his angrie browes He but a Duke would haue his sonne a king And raise his issue like a louing sire Thou being a king blest with a goodlie sonne Didst giue consent to disinherit him Which argude thee a most vnnaturall father Vnreasonable creatures feed their yong And though mans face be fearefull to their eies Yet in protect on of their tender ones Who hath not seene them euen with those same wings Which they haue sometime vsde in fearefull flight Make warre with him that climes vnto their nest Offring their owne liues in their yongs defence For shame my Lord make them your president Were it not pittie that this goodlie boy should lose his birth right through his fathers fault And long hereafter saie vnto his child
delaies I beseech your highnesse to dispatch me now K Ed. Lords giue vs leaue wee meane to trie this widowes wit Cla. I good leaue haue you Glo. For you will haue leaue till youth take leaue And leaue you to your crouch K Ed. Come hither widdow howe many children haste thou Cla. I thinke he meanes to begge a child on her Glo. Nay whip me then hee le rather giue hir two La. Three my most gratious Lord. Glo. You shall haue foure and you wil be rulde by him K Ed. Were it not pittie they shoulde loose their fathers lands La. Be pittifull then dread L. and grant it them K Edw. I le tell thee how these lands are to be got La. So shall you bind me to your highnesse seruice K Ed What seruice wilt thou doe me if I grant it them La. Euen what your highnesse shall command Glo. Naic then widow I le warrant you all your Husbands lands if you grant to do what he Commands Fight close or in good faith You catch a clap Cla. Naie I seare her not vnlesse she fall Glo. Marie godsforbot man for hee le take vantage then La. Why stops my Lord shall I not know my taske K Ed. An easie taske t is but to loue a king La. That 's soone perfounde because I am a subiect K Ed. Why then thy hushandes landes I freelie giue thee La. I take my leaue with manie thousand thankes Cla. The match is made shee seales it with a cursie K Ed Staie widdow stare what loue dost thou thinke I sue so much to get La. My humble seruice such as subiects owes and the lawes commands K Ed. No by my troth I meant no such loue But to tell thee the troth I aime to lie with thee La. To tell you plaine my Lord I had rather lie in prison K Edw. Why then thou canst not get thy husbandes lands La. Then mine honestie shall be my dower For by that losse I will not purchase them K Ed. Herein thou wrongst thy children mightilie La. Heerein your highnesse wrongs both them and Me but mightie Lord this merrie inclination Agrees not with the sadnesse of my sute Please it your highnes to dismisse me either with I or no. K Ed I if thou saie I to my request No if thousaie no to my demand La. Then no my Lord my sute is at an end Glo. The widdow likes him not shee bends the brow Cla. Why he is the bluntest woer in christendome K Ed Her lookes are all repleat with maiestie One waie or other she is for a king And she shall be my loue or else my Queene Saie that king Edward tooke thee for his Queene La. T is better said then done my gratious Lord I am a subiect sit to iest withall But far vnfit to be a Soueraigne K Edw. Sweet widdow by my state I sweare I speake No more then what my hart intends And that is to enioie thee for my loue La. And that is more then I will yeeld vnto I know I am too bad to be your Queene And yet too good to be your Concubine K Edw. You caâ—â—ll widdow I did meane my Queene La. Your grace would be loath my sonnes should call you father K Edw. No more then when my daughters call thee Mother Thou art a widow and thou hast some children And by Gods mother I being but a bacheler Haue other some Why t is a happy thing To be the father of manie children Argue no more for thou shalt be my Queene Glo. The ghostlie father now hath done his shrift Cla. When he was made a shriuer t was for shift K Edw. Brothers you muse what talke the widdow And I haue had you would thinke it strange If I should marrie her Cla. Marrie her my Lord to whom K Edw. Why Clarence to my selfe Glo. That would be ten daies wonder at the least Cla. Why that 's a daie longer then a wonder lastes Glo. And so much more are the wonders in extreames K Edw. Well ieast on brothers I can tell you hir Sute is granted for her husbands lands Enter a Messenger Mes And it please your grace Henry your foe is Taken and brought as prisoner to your pallace gates K Edw. Awaie with him and send him to the Tower And let vs go question with the man about His apprehension Lords along and vse this Ladie honorablie Exeunt Omnes Manet Gloster and spâ—akes Glost I Edward will vse women honourablie Would he were wasted marrow bones and all That from his loines no issue might succeed To hinder me from the golden time I looke for For I am not yet lookt on in the world First is there Edward Clarence and Henry And his sonne and all they lookt for issue Of their loines ere I can plant my selfe A cold premeditation for my purpose What other pleasure is there in the world beside I will go clad my bodie in gaie ornaments And lull my selfe within a ladies lap And with sweet Ladies with my words and lookes Oh monstrous man to harbour such a thought Why loue did scorne me in my mothers wombe And for I should not deale in hir astaires Shee did corrupt fraile nature in the flesh And plasle an enuious mountaine on my backe Where sits deformity to mocke my bodie To drie mine arme vp like a withered shrimpe To make my legges of an vnequall size And am I then a man to be belou'd Easier for me to compasse twentie crownes Tut I can smile and murder when I smile I crie content to that that greeues me most I can adde colours to the Camelion And for a need change shapes with Protheus And set the aspiring Catalin to schoole Can I doe this and cannot get the crowne Tush were it ten times higher I le pull it downe Exit Enter king Lewis and the ladie Bonâ— and Queene Margaret Prince Edward and Oxford and others Lewes Welcome Queene Margaret to the Court of France It sits not Lewis to sit while thou dost stand Sit by my side and here I vow to thee Thou shalt haue aide to repossesse thy right And be at proud Edward from his vsurped seat And place king Henry in his former rule Queen I humblie thanke your royall maiestie And pray the God of heauen to blesse thy state Great king of France that thus regards our wrongs Enter Warwike Lew. How now who is this Queen Our Earle of Warwike Edwardes chiefest friend Lew. Welcome braue Warwike what brings thee to France War From worthy Edward king of England My Lord and Soueraigne and thy vowed friend I come in kindnes and vnfained loue First to do greetings to thy royall person And then to craue a league of amitie And lastlie to confirme that amitie With nuptiall knot if thou vouchsafe to grant That vertuous ladie Bona thy faire sister To Englands king in lawfull marriage Queen And if this go forward all our hope is done War And gratious Madam in our kings behalfe I am commanded with
Cla. My Lord we thinke as Warvvike and Levves That are so slacke in iudgement that thei le take No offence at this suddaine marriage Edw. Suppose they doe they are but Levves and Warvvike and I am your king and Warvvikes And will be obaied Glo. And shall because our king but yet such Sudden marriages seldome proueth well Edw. Yea brother Richard are you against vs too Glo. Not I my Lord no God foreâ—end that I should Once gaine sâ—â—e your highnesse pleasure â— t were a pittie to sunder them that yoake so wel togither Edw. 〈◊〉 your skornes and your dislikes aside Shew me some reasons why the Ladie Gray Mare not be my loue and Englands Queene Speake freelie Clarence Gloster Montague and Hastings Cla. My Lord then this is my opinion That Warwike beeing dishonored in his embassage Doth seeke reuenge to quite his iniuries Glo. And Levves in regard of his sisters wrongs Doth â—oine with Warwike to supplant your state Edw. Suppose that Lewiâ— and Warwike be appeasâ— By such meanes as I can best deuise Mont. But yet to haue ioind with France in this Alliance would more haue strengthened this out Common wealth gainst â—orâ—aâ—â—e stormes Then anie hâ—me bred marriage Hast Let England be true within it selfe We need not France not any alliance with them Clâ— For this 〈◊〉 speech the Lord Hastings wel deserues To haue the daughter and heire of the Lord Hungerford Edw. And what then It was our will it should be so Cla. I and for such a thing too the Lord Scales Did well deserue at your hands to haue the Daughter of the Lord Bonsield and left your Brothers to go seeke elsewhere but in Your madnes you butie brotherhood Edw Alasse poore Clarence is it for a wife That thou art mal-content Why man be of good cheere I will prouide thee one Cla. Naie you plaide the broker soâ—ll for your selfe That you shall giue me leaue to make my Choise as I thinke good â—nd to that intent I shortlie meane to leaue you Edw. Leaue me or tarrie I am full resolu'd Edward will not be tied to his brothers wils Queen My Lords doe 〈◊〉 but right and you must Confesse before it pleasd his highnesse to aduance My state to title of a Queene That I was not ignoble in my birth Edw. Forthcare my loue to â—iwne vpon their frownes For thee they must obay 〈◊〉 shall obâ—â—â— And if they looke for fauour at my hands Mont. My Lord heere is the messenger returnâ— from France Enter a Messenger Edw. Now sâ—â—a What letters or what newâ—â—â— Mes No letters my Lord and such 〈…〉 without your highnesse speciall pardon I dare not â—â—late Edw. We pardon thee and as neere as thou canst Tell me What said Lewis to our letters Mes At my depaâ—tute these were his vetie words Go tell false Edward thy supposed king That Lewis of France is sending ouer Maskers To reuill it with him and his new bride Edw. Is Lewis so braue belike he thinkes me Henry But what said Lady Bona to these wrongs Mes Tel him quâ—th she in hope hee le proue a widdower shortly I le weare the willow garland for his sake Edw. She had the wrong indeed she could saie Little lesse But what saide Henries Queene for as I heare she was then in place Mes Tell him quoth shee my mourning weeds be Doone and I am readie to put armour on Edw. Then be like she meanes to plaâ—e the Amazon But what said Warwike to these iniuries Mes He more incensed then the rest my Lord Tell him quoth he that he hath done me wrong And therefore I le vncrowne him erâ—â— be long Ed Ha Durst the traytor breath out such proude words But I will arme me to preuent the worst But what is Warwike friendes with Margaret Mes I my good Lord theare so 〈◊〉 in friendship That young Prince Edward marries Warwikes daughter Cla. The elder belike Clarence shall haue the Yonger All you that loue me and Warwike Follo v me Exit Clarence and Summerset Edw. Clarence and Summerset fled to Warwike What saie you brother Richard will you stand to vs Glo. I my Lord in despight of all that shall Withstand you For why hath Nature Made me halt downe right but that I Should be valiant and stand to it for if I would I cannot runne awaie Edw. ` Penbrooke go raise an armie presentlie Pitch vp my tent for in the field this night I meane to rest and on the morrow morne I le march to meet proud Warwike ere he land Those stragling troopes which he hath got in France But ere I goe Montague and Hastings You of all the rest are neerest allied In bloud to Warwike therefore tell me if You fauour him more then me or not Speake truelie for I had rather haue you open Enemies then hollow friends Monta. So God helpe Montague as he proues true Hast And Hastings as hee fauours Edwards cause Edw. It shall suffice come then le ts march awaie Exeunt Omnes Enter Warwike and Oxford with souldiers War Trust me my Lords all hitherto goes well The common people by numbers swaâ—me to vs But see where Sommerset and Clarence comes Speake suddenlie my Lords are we all friends Cla. Feare not that my Lord. War Then gentle Clarence welcome vnto Warwike And welcome Summerset I hold it cowardise To rest mistrustfull where a noble hart Hath pawnde an open hand in signe of loue Else might I thinke that Clarence Edwards brother Were but a fained friend to our proceedings But welcome sweet Clarence my daughter shal be thine And now what rests but in nights couerture Thy brother being careleslie encampt His souldiers lurking in the towne about And but attended by a simple guarde We maie surprise and take him at our pleasure Our skouts haue found the aduenture verie easie Then crie king Henry with resolued nundes And breake we presentlie into his tent Cla. Why then le ts on our waie in silent sort For Warwike and his friends God and saint George War This is his tent and see where his guard doth Stand Courage my souldiers now or neuer But follow me now and Edward shall be ours All A Warwike a Warwike Alarmes and Gloster and Hastings shes Oxf Who goes there War Richard and Hastings let them go heere is the Duke Edw. The Duke why Warwike when we parted Last thou caldst me king War I but the case is altred now When you disgraste me in my embassage Then I disgraste you â—rom being king And now am come to create yoâ— Duke of Yorke Alasâ—e how should you gouerne anie kingdome That knowes not how to vse embassadors Nor how to vse your brothers brotherlie Noâ—how to shâ—owd your selfe from enimies Edw. Well Warwike let fortune doe her worst Edward in mind will beare himselfe a king War Then for his minde be Edward Englands king But Henry now shall weare the English crowne Go conuaie him to our brother archbishop of Yorke And when