*To fet 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 truft not him that hath once broken faith,) I'll hence forthwith unto the fanctuary, 'To fave at least the heir of Edward's right; [Exeunt. SCENE V.5 A Park near Middleham Cafile in Yorkshire. Enter GLOSTER, HASTINGS, Sir WILLIAM STANLEY, and Others. 'GLO. Now, my lord Haftings," and fir William Stanley, Leave off to wonder why I drew you hither, 5. Scene V.] In new forming these pieces Shakspeare transposed not only many lines and speeches, but some of the scenes. This fcene in the original play precedes that which he has made the fourth scene of this A&t. MALONE. • A Park near Middleham -] Shakspeare follows his authority Holinfhed, in the representation here given of King Edward's capture and imprisonment. But honeft Raphael misled him, as he himself was misled by his predeceffor Hall. The whole is untrue: Edward was never in the hands of Warwick. RITSON. Now, my lord Haftings, &c.] I fhall infert the speech correfponding to this in the old play, as the comparison will show the reader in what manner Shakspeare proceeded, where he "Into this chiefeft thicket of the park. Thus ftands the cafe: You know, our king, my brother, Is prifoner to the bishop here, at whofe hands He hath good usage and great liberty ; And often, but attended with weak guard, 'Comes hunting this way to difport himself. • I have advértis'd him by fecret means, "That if about this hour, he make this way, • Under the colour of his ufual game, He fhall here find his friends, with horse and men, To fet 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; fee, where the huntsmen ftand. Now, brother of Glofter, lord Haftings, and the < Stand reft, you thus close, to steal the bishop's deer? merely retouched and expanded what he found in the elder drama, without the addition of any new matter: "Glo. Lord Hastings and Sir William Stanley, "And fee where the huntsman and he doth come." MALONE. "Gzo. Brother, the time and cafe requireth hafte; 'Your horse stands ready at the park corner. 'K. EDW. But whither shall we then? 8 'HAST. TO Lynn, my lord; and fhip from thence to Flanders. 'Gzo. Well guess'd, believe me; for that was my meaning. 'K. EDW. Stanley, I will requite thy forwardnefs. * GLO. But wherefore ftay we? 'tis no time to talk. "K. EDW. Huntsman, what fay'fi thou? wilt thou go along? • HUNT. Better do so, than tarry and be hang'd. * Gro. Come then, away; let's have no more ado. "K. EDW. Bishop, farewell: fhield thee from Warwick's frown; And pray that I may repoffefs the crown. [Exeunt. and fhip-] The first folio has Shipt. The correction was made by the editor of the fecond folio. MALONE. SCENE VI. A Room in the Tower. Enter King HENRY, CLARENCE, WARWICK, SOMERSET, young RICHMOND, OXFORD, MONTAGUE, Lieutenant of the Tower, and Attend ants. *K. HEN. Mafter lieutenant, now that God and friends * Have shaken Edward from the regal feat; * LIEU. Subjects may challenge nothing of their fovereigns; * But, if an humble prayer may prevail, * I then crave pardon of your majefty. * K. HEN. For what, lieutenant? for well ufing me? *Nay, be thou fure, I'll well requite thy kindness, * For that it made my imprifonment a pleasure: * Ay, fuch a pleasure as incaged birds * Conceive, when, after many moody thoughts, * At laft, by notes of household harmony, * They quite forget their lofs of liberty.*But, Warwick, after God, thou fet'ft me free, * And chiefly therefore I thank God, and thee; * He was the author, thou the inftrument. * Therefore, that I may conquer fortune's spite, *By living low, where fortune cannot hurt me; *And that the people of this bleffed land *May not be punish'd with my thwarting ftars; 'Warwick, although my head ftill wear the crown, I here refign my government to thee, For thou art fortunate in all thy deeds. *WAR. Your grace hath ftill been fam'd for virtuous; *And now may feem as wife as virtuous, *By spying, and avoiding, fortune's malice, *For few men rightly temper with the ftars:9 *Yet in this one thing let me blame your grace, *For choofing me, when Clarence is in place.1 * CLAR. No, Warwick, thou art worthy of the fway, * To whom the heavens, in thy nativity, * WAR. And I choofe 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 diffention 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 fin's rebuke, and my Creator's praise. 9 few men rightly temper with the ftars:] I fuppofe the meaning is, that few men conform their temper to their destiny; which King Henry did, when finding himself unfortunate he gave the management of publick affairs to more profperous hands. 1 JOHNSON. in place.] i. e. here prefent. See p. 140, n. 3. STEEVENS. |