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Henry VI, Pt. 3: Act IV, Scene 3

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Henry VI, Pt. 3
Act IV, Scene 3

Edward’s camp near Warwick.

Coat of arms of Edward IV

Coat of arms of Edward IV

Unknown artist, late fifteenth century

  1. Enter three Watchmen to guard the King’s tent.

First Watchman

1 - 2
  1. Come on, my masters, each man take his stand,
  2. The King by this is set him down to sleep.

Second Watchman

3
  1. What, will he not to bed?

First Watchman

4 - 6
  1. Why, no; for he hath made a solemn vow
  2. Never to lie and take his natural rest
  3. Till Warwick or himself be quite suppress’d.

Second Watchman

7 - 8
  1. Tomorrow then belike shall be the day,
  2. If Warwick be so near as men report.

Third Watchman

9 - 10
  1. But say, I pray, what nobleman is that
  2. That with the King here resteth in his tent?

First Watchman

11
  1. ’Tis the Lord Hastings, the King’s chiefest friend.

Third Watchman

12 - 14
  1. O, is it so? But why commands the King
  2. That his chief followers lodge in towns about him,
  3. While he himself keeps in the cold field?

Second Watchman

15
  1. ’Tis the more honor, because more dangerous.

Third Watchman

16 - 19
  1. Ay, but give me worship and quietness,
  2. I like it better than a dangerous honor.
  3. If Warwick knew in what estate he stands,
  4. ’Tis to be doubted he would waken him.

First Watchman

20
  1. Unless our halberds did shut up his passage.

Second Watchman

21 - 22
  1. Ay; wherefore else guard we his royal tent
  2. But to defend his person from night-foes?
  1. Enter Warwick, Clarence, Oxford, Somerset, and French
  2. Soldiers, silent all.

Earl of Warwick

23 - 25
  1. This is his tent, and see where stand his guard.
  2. Courage, my masters! Honor now or never!
  3. But follow me, and Edward shall be ours.

First Watchman

26
  1. Who goes there?

Second Watchman

27
  1. Stay, or thou diest!
  1. Warwick and the rest cry all, “Warwick! Warwick!” and set
  2. upon the Guard, who fly, crying, “Arm! Arm!”, Warwick and
  3. the rest following them.
  1. The Drum playing and Trumpet sounding, enter Warwick,
  2. Somerset, and the rest, bringing the King Edward out in his
  3. gown, sitting in a chair.
  1. Richard of Gloucester and Hastings fly over the stage.

Duke of Somerset

28
  1. What are they that fly there?

Earl of Warwick

29
  1. Richard and Hastings. Let them go, here is The Duke.

King Edward

30 - 31
  1. The Duke? Why, Warwick, when we parted,
  2. Thou call’dst me King.

Earl of Warwick

32 - 41
  1.                        Ay, but the case is alter’d.
  2. When you disgrac’d me in my embassade,
  3. Then I degraded you from being king,
  4. And come now to create you Duke of York.
  5. Alas, how should you govern any kingdom,
  6. That know not how to use ambassadors,
  7. Nor how to be contented with one wife,
  8. Nor how to use your brothers brotherly,
  9. Nor how to study for the people’s welfare,
  10. Nor how to shroud yourself from enemies?
John Palmer as the Earl of Warwick

But Henry now shall wear the English crown

John Palmer as the Earl of Warwick

J. Thornthwaite; John Bell, publisher; Sanders; 1786

King Edward

42 - 48
  1. Yea, brother of Clarence, art thou here too?
  2. Nay then I see that Edward needs must down.
  3. Yet, Warwick, in despite of all mischance,
  4. Of thee thyself and all thy complices,
  5. Edward will always bear himself as king.
  6. Though Fortune’s malice overthrow my state,
  7. My mind exceeds the compass of her wheel.

Earl of Warwick

49 - 58
  1. Then for his mind, be Edward England’s king.
  2. Takes off his crown.
  3. But Henry now shall wear the English crown,
  4. And be true king indeed, thou but the shadow.
  5. My Lord of Somerset, at my request,
  6. See that forthwith Duke Edward be convey’d
  7. Unto my brother, Archbishop of York.
  8. When I have fought with Pembroke and his fellows,
  9. I’ll follow you, and tell what answer
  10. Lewis and the Lady Bona send to him.
  11. Now for awhile farewell, good Duke of York.
  1. They lead him out forcibly.

King Edward

59 - 60
  1. What fates impose, that men must needs abide;
  2. It boots not to resist both wind and tide.
  1. Exit guarded, with Somerset.

Earl of Oxford

61 - 62
  1. What now remains, my lords, for us to do
  2. But march to London with our soldiers?

Earl of Warwick

63 - 65
  1. Ay, that’s the first thing that we have to do,
  2. To free King Henry from imprisonment,
  3. And see him seated in the regal throne.
  1. Exeunt.
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