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Henry VI, Pt. 3: Act IV, Scene 7

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Henry VI, Pt. 3
Act IV, Scene 7

Before York.

Heraldic badge of William Lord Hastings

Heraldic badge of William Lord Hastings

Unknown artist, circa 1466

  1. Flourish. Enter King Edward, Richard of Gloucester,
  2. Hastings, and Soldiers, a troop of Hollanders.

King Edward

1 - 9
  1. Now, brother Richard, Lord Hastings, and the rest,
  2. Yet thus far fortune maketh us amends,
  3. And says that once more I shall interchange
  4. My waned state for Henry’s regal crown.
  5. Well have we pass’d and now repass’d the seas,
  6. And brought desired help from Burgundy.
  7. What then remains, we being thus arriv’d
  8. From Ravenspurgh haven before the gates of York,
  9. But that we enter as into our dukedom?

Duke of Gloucester

10 - 12
  1. The gates made fast? Brother, I like not this;
  2. For many men that stumble at the threshold
  3. Are well foretold that danger lurks within.

King Edward

13 - 15
  1. Tush, man, abodements must not now affright us.
  2. By fair or foul means we must enter in,
  3. For hither will our friends repair to us.

Lord Hastings

16
  1. My liege, I’ll knock once more to summon them.
  1. Enter on the walls the Mayor of York and his brethren the
  2. Aldermen.

Mayor of York

17 - 19
  1. My lords, we were forewarned of your coming,
  2. And shut the gates for safety of ourselves;
  3. For now we owe allegiance unto Henry.

King Edward

20 - 21
  1. But, Master Mayor, if Henry be your king,
  2. Yet Edward, at the least, is Duke of York.

Mayor of York

22
  1. True, my good lord, I know you for no less.

King Edward

23 - 24
  1. Why, and I challenge nothing but my dukedom,
  2. As being well content with that alone.

Duke of Gloucester

25 - 26
  1. Aside.
  2. But when the fox hath once got in his nose,
  3. He’ll soon find means to make the body follow.

Lord Hastings

27 - 28
  1. Why, Master Mayor, why stand you in a doubt?
  2. Open the gates, we are King Henry’s friends.

Mayor of York

29
  1. Ay, say you so? The gates shall then be opened.
  1. He descends with the Aldermen.

Duke of Gloucester

30
  1. A wise stout captain, and soon persuaded!

Lord Hastings

31 - 34
  1. The good old man would fain that all were well,
  2. So ’twere not long of him; but being ent’red,
  3. I doubt not, I, but we shall soon persuade
  4. Both him and all his brothers unto reason.
  1. Enter the Mayor and two Aldermen below.

King Edward

35 - 39
  1. So, Master Mayor; these gates must not be shut,
  2. But in the night, or in the time of war.
  3. What, fear not, man, but yield me up the keys,
  4. Takes his keys.
  5. For Edward will defend the town and thee,
  6. And all those friends that deign to follow me.
  1. March. Enter Montgomery with Drum and Soldiers.

Duke of Gloucester

40 - 41
  1. Brother, this is Sir John Montgomery,
  2. Our trusty friend, unless I be deceiv’d.

King Edward

42
  1. Welcome, Sir John! But why come you in arms?

Sir John Montgomery

43 - 44
  1. To help King Edward in his time of storm,
  2. As every loyal subject ought to do.

King Edward

45 - 47
  1. Thanks, good Montgomery; but we now forget
  2. Our title to the crown, and only claim
  3. Our dukedom, till God please to send the rest.

Sir John Montgomery

48 - 50
  1. Then fare you well, for I will hence again,
  2. I came to serve a king and not a duke.
  3. Drummer, strike up, and let us march away.
  1. The Drum begins to march.

King Edward

51 - 52
  1. Nay, stay, Sir John, a while, and we’ll debate
  2. By what safe means the crown may be recover’d.

Sir John Montgomery

53 - 57
  1. What talk you of debating? In few words,
  2. If you’ll not here proclaim yourself our king,
  3. I’ll leave you to your fortune, and be gone
  4. To keep them back that come to succor you.
  5. Why shall we fight if you pretend no title?

Duke of Gloucester

58
  1. Why, brother, wherefore stand you on nice points?

King Edward

59 - 60
  1. When we grow stronger, then we’ll make our claim;
  2. Till then, ’tis wisdom to conceal our meaning.

Lord Hastings

61
  1. Away with scrupulous wit! Now arms must rule.

Duke of Gloucester

62 - 64
  1. And fearless minds climb soonest unto crowns.
  2. Brother, we will proclaim you out of hand,
  3. The bruit thereof will bring you many friends.

King Edward

65 - 66
  1. Then be it as you will; for ’tis my right,
  2. And Henry but usurps the diadem.

Sir John Montgomery

67 - 68
  1. Ay, now my sovereign speaketh like himself,
  2. And now will I be Edward’s champion.

Lord Hastings

69 - 70
  1. Sound trumpet, Edward shall be here proclaim’d.
  2. Come, fellow soldier, make thou proclamation.
  1. Gives him a paper. Flourish. Sound.

Yorkist Soldier

71
  1. Reads.
  2. “Edward the Fourth, by the grace of God, King of England and France, and Lord of Ireland, etc.”

Sir John Montgomery

72 - 73
  1. And whosoe’er gainsays King Edward’s right,
  2. By this I challenge him to single fight.
  1. Throws down his gauntlet.

All

74
  1. Long live Edward the Fourth!

King Edward

75 - 86
  1. Thanks, brave Montgomery, and thanks unto you all.
  2. If fortune serve me, I’ll requite this kindness.
  3. Now for this night, let’s harbor here in York;
  4. And when the morning sun shall raise his car
  5. Above the border of this horizon,
  6. We’ll forward towards Warwick and his mates;
  7. For well I wot that Henry is no soldier.
  8. Ah, froward Clarence, how evil it beseems thee
  9. To flatter Henry and forsake thy brother!
  10. Yet as we may, we’ll meet both thee and Warwick.
  11. Come on, brave soldiers; doubt not of the day,
  12. And that once gotten, doubt not of large pay.
  1. Exeunt.
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