Q. Eliz. Ay, almost slain, for he is taken prisoner; Either betray'd by falsehood of his guard, Or by his foes surpriz’d at unawares : And, as I further have to understand, Is new committed to the bishop of York, Fell Warwick's brother, and by that our foe.

Rio. These news, I must confess, are full of grief; Yet, gracious madam, bear it as you may; . Warwick may lose, that now hath won the day.

Q. Eliz. Till then, fair hope must hinder life's decay,
And I the rather wean me from despair,
For love of Edward's offspring in my womb:
This is it that makes me bridle passion,
And bear with mildness my misfortune's cross;
Ay, ay, for this I draw in many a tear,
And stop the rising of blood-sucking sighs,
Lest with my sighs or tears I blast or drown
King Edward's fruit, true heir to the English crown.

Riv. But, madam, where is Warwick then become?
Q. Eliz. I am informed, that he comes towards Lon-

don,
To set the crown once more on Henry's head:
Guess thou the rest; king Edward's friends must down.
But, to prevent the tyrant's violence,
(For trust not him, that hath once broken faith,)
I'll hence forthwith unto the sanctuary,
To save at least the heir of Edward's right;
There shall I rest secure from force, and fraud.
Come therefore, let us fly, while we may fly;
If Warwick take us, we are sure to die. [Exeunt.

SCENE V.-A Park near Middleham Castle in

Yorkshire.

· Enter Gloster, Hastings, Sir William STANLEY,

and Others. Glo. Now, my lord Hastings, and sir William Stanley, Leave off to wonder why I drew you hither, Into this chiefest thicket of the park. Thus stands the case: You know, our king, my brother, Is prisoner to the bishop here, at whose hands He hath good usage and great liberty; And often, but attended with weak guard, Comes hunting this way to disport himself. I have advertis’d him by secret means, That if, about this hour, he make this way, Under the colour of his usual game, He shall here find his friends, with horse and men, To set him free from his captivity.

Enter King EDWARD, and a Huntsman.
Hunt. This way, my lord; for this way lies the game.
K. Edw. Nay, this way, man; see, where the hunts-

men stand.Now, brother of Gloster, lord Hastings, and the rest, Stand you thus close to steal the bishop's deer?

Glo. Brother, the time and case requireth haste;
Your horse stands ready at the park corner.

K. Edw. But whither shall we then?
Hast. To Lynn, my lord; and ship from thence to

Flanders.

Glo. Well guess’d, believe me; for that was my mean

ing. K. Edw. Stanley, I will requite thy forwardness. Glo. But wherefore stay we? 'tis no time to talk. K. Edw. Huntsman, what say'st thou? wilt thou go

along? Hunt. Better do so, than tarry and be hang’d. Glo. Come then, away; let's have no more ado. K. Edw. Bishop, farewell; shield thee from Warwick's

frown; And pray that I may repossess the crown. [Exeunt.

SCENE VI.- A Room in the Tower.

Enter King HENRY, CLARENCE, WARWICK, SOMER

set, young RicHMOND, OXFORD, MONTAGUE, Lier tenant of the Tower, and Attendants.

K. Hen. Master lieutenant, now that God and friends Have shaken Edward from the regal seat; And turn'd my captive state to liberty, My fear to hope, my sorrows unto joys; At our enlargement what are thy due fees? Lieu. Subjects may challenge nothing of their sove.

reigns ; But, if an humble prayer may prevail, I then crave pardon of your majesty.

K. Hen. For what, lieutenant? for well using me? Nay, be thou sure, I'll well requite thy kindness, For that it made my imprisonment a pleasure: Ay, such a pleasure as incaged birds Conceive, when, after many moody thoughts,

At last, by notes of household harmony,
They quite forget their loss of liberty.--
But, Warwick, after God, thou set’st me free,
And chiefly therefore I thank God, and thee;
He was the author, thou the instrument.
Therefore, that I may conquer fortune's spite,
By living low, where fortune cannot hurt me;
And that the people of this blessed land
May not be punish'd with my thwarting stars ;
Warwick, although my head still wear the crown,
I here resign my government to thee,
For thou art fortunate in all thy deeds.

War. Your grace hath still been fam'd for virtuous ;
And now may seem as wise as virtuous,
By spying, and avoiding, fortune's malice,
For few men rightly temper with the stars :
Yet in this one thing let me blame your grace,
For choosing me, when Clarence is in place.
• Clar. No, Warwick, thou art worthy of the sway,
To whom the heavens, in thy nativity,
Adjudg’d an olive branch, and laurel crown,
As likely to be blest in peace, and war;
And therefore I yield thee my free consent.
War. And I choose Clarence only for protector.
K. Hen. Warwick, and Clarence, give me both your

hands; Now join your hands, and, with your hands, your hearts, That no dissention hinder government : I make you both protectors of this land; While I myself will lead a private life, And in devotion spend my latter days, To sin’s rebuke, and my Creator's praise.

then

Toyoke

War. What answers Clarence to his sovereign's will?

Clar. That he consents, if Warwick yield consent; For on thy fortune I repose myself.

War. Why then, though loath, yet must I be content: We'll yoke together, like a double shadow To Henry's body, and supply his place; I mean, in bearing weight of government, While he enjoys the honour and his ease. And, Clarence, now then it is more than needful, Forthwith that Edward be pronounc'd a traitor, And all his lands and goods be confiscate.

Clar. What else ? and that succession be determin’d. War. Ay, therein Clarence shall not want his part.

K. Hen. But, with the first of all your chief affairs, Let me entreat, (for I command no more,) That Margaret your queen, and my son Edward, Be sent for, to return from France with speed : For, till I see them here, by doubtful fear My joy of liberty is half eclips’d.

Clar. It shall be done, my sovereign, with all speed.

K. Hen. My lord of Somerset, what youth is that, Of whom you seem to have so tender care?

Som. My liege, it is young Henry, earl of Richmond.
K. Hen. Come hither, England's hope: If secret

powers [Lays his Hand on his Head.
Suggest but truth to my divining thoughts,
This pretty lad will prove our country's bliss.
His looks are full of peaceful majesty;
His head by nature fram’d to wear a crown,
His hand to wield a sceptre; and himself
Likely, in time, to bless a regal throne.