Enter three Watchmen, to guard KING EDWARD IV's tent
First Watchman
1 Come on, my masters, each man take his stand: 2 The king by this is set him down to sleep.
Second Watchman
3 What, will he not to bed?
First Watchman
4 Why, no; for he hath made a solemn vow 5 Never to lie and take his natural rest 6 Till Warwick or himself be quite suppress'd.
Second Watchman
7 To-morrow then belike shall be the day, 8 If Warwick be so near as men report.
Third Watchman
9 But say, I pray, what nobleman is that 10 That with the king here resteth in his tent?
First Watchman
11 'Tis the Lord Hastings, the king's chiefest friend.
Third Watchman
12 O, is it so? But why commands the king 13 That his chief followers lodge in towns about him, 14 While he himself keeps in the cold field?
Second Watchman
15 'Tis the more honour, because more dangerous.
Third Watchman
16 Ay, but give me worship and quietness; 17 I like it better than a dangerous honour. 18 If Warwick knew in what estate he stands, 19 'Tis to be doubted he would waken him.
First Watchman
20 Unless our halberds did shut up his passage.
Second Watchman
21 Ay, wherefore else guard we his royal tent, 22 But to defend his person from night-foes?
WARWICK
23 This is his tent; and see where stand his guard. 24 Courage, my masters! honour now or never! 25 But follow me, and Edward shall be ours.
First Watchman
26 Who goes there?
Second Watchman
27 Stay, or thou diest!
SOMERSET
28 What are they that fly there?
WARWICK
29 Richard and Hastings: let them go; here is The duke.
KING EDWARD IV
30 The duke! Why, Warwick, when we parted, 31 Thou call'dst me king.
WARWICK
32 Ay, but the case is alter'd: 33 When you disgraced me in my embassade, 34 Then I degraded you from being king, 35 And come now to create you Duke of York. 36 Alas! how should you govern any kingdom, 37 That know not how to use ambassadors, 38 Nor how to be contented with one wife, 39 Nor how to use your brothers brotherly, 40 Nor how to study for the people's welfare, 41 Nor how to shroud yourself from enemies?
KING EDWARD IV
42 Yea, brother of Clarence, are thou here too? 43 Nay, then I see that Edward needs must down. 44 Yet, Warwick, in despite of all mischance, 45 Of thee thyself and all thy complices, 46 Edward will always bear himself as king: 47 Though fortune's malice overthrow my state, 48 My mind exceeds the compass of her wheel.
WARWICK
49 Then, for his mind, be Edward England's king: Takes off his crown 50 But Henry now shall wear the English crown, 51 And be true king indeed, thou but the shadow. 52 My Lord of Somerset, at my request, 53 See that forthwith Duke Edward be convey'd 54 Unto my brother, Archbishop of York. 55 When I have fought with Pembroke and his fellows, 56 I'll follow you, and tell what answer 57 Lewis and the Lady Bona send to him. 58 Now, for a while farewell, good Duke of York.
They lead him out forcibly
KING EDWARD IV
59 What fates impose, that men must needs abide; 60 It boots not to resist both wind and tide.
Exit, guarded
OXFORD
61 What now remains, my lords, for us to do 62 But march to London with our soldiers?
WARWICK
63 Ay, that's the first thing that we have to do; 64 To free King Henry from imprisonment 65 And see him seated in the regal throne. Exeunt 66 3 KING HENRY VI