The Works of William Shakespeare [Cambridge Edition] [Vol. 5 of 9] · William Shakespeare
SCENE XVI.
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_: [eap002] But soft the gates are shut, _I_ like not this. _Rich._ Sound vp the drum and call them to the wals. [eap004] Enter the Lord Maire of _Yorke_ vpon the wals. _Mair._ My Lords we had notice of your comming, ·eap005· And thats the cause we stand vpon our garde, [eap006] And 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, [eap009] _Edward_ I am sure at least, is Duke of _Yorke_. ·eap010· _Mair._ Truth my Lord, we know you for no lesse. [eap011] _Edw._ I craue nothing but my Dukedome. _Rich._ But when the Fox hath gotten in his head, Heele quicklie make the bodie follow after. [eap014] _Hast._ Why my Lord Maire, what stand you vpon points? ·eap015· Open the gates, we are king _Henries_ friends. _Mair._ Saie you so, then _I_le open them presentlie. _Exit_ Maire. _Ri._ By my faith, a wise stout captain & soone perswaded. The Maire opens the dore, and brings the keies in his hand. _Edw._ So my Lord Maire, these gates must not be shut, ·eap020· But in the time of warre, giue me the keies: [eap021] 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 deceiude. ·eap025· _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. ·eap030· Vntil it please God to send the rest. [eap031] _Sir Iohn._ Then fare you wel? Drum strike vp and let vs March away, I came to serue a king and not a Duke. _Edw._ Nay staie sir Iohn, and let vs first debate, With what security we maie doe this thing. ·eap035· _Sir Iohn._ What stand you on debating, to be briefe, Except you presently proclaime your selfe our king, Ile hence againe, and keepe them backe that come to [eap038] Succour you, why should we fight when You pretend no title? ·eap040· _Rich._ Fie brother, fie, stand you vpon tearmes? [eap041] 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. [eap044] _Sir Iohn._ I now my soueraigne speaketh like himselfe, [eap045] 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 [eap048] and France, and Lord of Ireland, and whosoeuer gainsaies king _Edwards_ right: by this _I_ challenge him to ·eap050· single fight, 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 weele harbour here in _Yorke_, [eap054] And then as earlie as the morning sunne, ·eap055· Liftes vp his beames aboue this horison Weele march to London, to meete with _Warwike_: [eap057] And pull false _Henry_ from the Regall throne. [eap058] _Exeunt Omnes._
Text from Project Gutenberg, public domain in the United States.