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To free King Henry from imprisonment,

And see him seated in the regal throne. Exeunt

SCENE IV. London. The palace

Enter QUEEN ELIZABETH and RIVERS

RIVERS.

Madam, what makes you in this sudden change?

QUEEN ELIZABETH.

Why, brother Rivers, are you yet to learn

What late misfortune is befall'n King Edward?

RIVERS.

What, loss of some pitch'd battle against Warwick?

QUEEN ELIZABETH.

No, but the loss of his own royal person.

RIVERS.

Then is my sovereign slain?

QUEEN ELIZABETH.

Ay, almost slain, for he is taken prisoner;

Either betray'd by falsehood of his guard

Or by his foe surpris'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.

RIVERS.

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.

QUEEN ELIZABETH.

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 th' English crown.

RIVERS.

But, madam, where is Warwick then become?

QUEEN ELIZABETH.

I am inform'd that he comes towards London

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 GLOUCESTER, LORD HASTINGS, SIR WILLIAM STANLEY, and others

GLOUCESTER.

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 with him

HUNTSMAN.

This way, my lord; for this way lies the game.

KING EDWARD.

Nay, this way, man. See where the huntsmen stand.

Now, brother of Gloucester, Lord Hastings, and the rest,

Stand you thus close to steal the Bishop's deer?

GLOUCESTER.

Brother, the time and case requireth haste;

Your horse stands ready at the park corner.

KING EDWARD.

But whither shall we then?

HASTINGS.

To Lynn, my lord; and shipt from thence to Flanders.

GLOUCESTER.

Well guess'd, believe me; for that was my meaning.

KING EDWARD.

Stanley, I will requite thy forwardness.

GLOUCESTER.

But wherefore stay we? 'Tis no time to talk.

KING EDWARD.

Huntsman, what say'st thou? Wilt thou go along?

HUNTSMAN.

Better do so than tarry and be hang'd.

GLOUCESTER.

Come then, away; let's ha' no more ado.

KING EDWARD.

Bishop, farewell. Shield thee from Warwick's frown,

And pray that I may repossess the crown. Exeunt

SCENE VI. London. The Tower

Flourish. Enter KING HENRY, CLARENCE, WARWICK, SOMERSET, young

HENRY, EARL OF RICHMOND, OXFORD, MONTAGUE, LIEUTENANT OF THE TOWER, and attendants

KING HENRY.

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?

LIEUTENANT.

Subjects may challenge nothing of their sov'reigns;

But if an humble prayer may prevail,

I then crave