Act 4, Scene 7: Before York

SCENE VII. Before York.

    Flourish. Enter KING EDWARD IV, GLOUCESTER, HASTINGS, and Soldiers

KING EDWARD IV

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

GLOUCESTER

    The gates made fast! Brother, I like not this;
    For many men that stumble at the threshold
    Are well foretold that danger lurks within.

KING EDWARD IV

    Tush, man, abodements must not now affright us:
    By fair or foul means we must enter in,
    For hither will our friends repair to us.

HASTINGS

    My liege, I'll knock once more to summon them.

    Enter, on the walls, the Mayor of York, and his Brethren

Mayor

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

KING EDWARD IV

    But, master mayor, if Henry be your king,
    Yet Edward at the least is Duke of York.

Mayor

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

KING EDWARD IV

    Why, and I challenge nothing but my dukedom,
    As being well content with that alone.

GLOUCESTER

    [Aside] But when the fox hath once got in his nose,
    He'll soon find means to make the body follow.

HASTINGS

    Why, master mayor, why stand you in a doubt?
    Open the gates; we are King Henry's friends.

Mayor

    Ay, say you so? the gates shall then be open'd.

    They descend

GLOUCESTER

    A wise stout captain, and soon persuaded!

HASTINGS

    The good old man would fain that all were well,
    So 'twere not 'long of him; but being enter'd,
    I doubt not, I, but we shall soon persuade
    Both him and all his brothers unto reason.

    Enter the Mayor and two Aldermen, below

KING EDWARD IV

    So, master mayor: these gates must not be shut
    But in the night or in the time of war.
    What! fear not, man, but yield me up the keys;

    Takes his keys
    For Edward will defend the town and thee,
    And all those friends that deign to follow me.

    March. Enter MONTGOMERY, with drum and soldiers

GLOUCESTER

    Brother, this is Sir John Montgomery,
    Our trusty friend, unless I be deceived.

KING EDWARD IV

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

MONTAGUE

    To help King Edward in his time of storm,
    As every loyal subject ought to do.

KING EDWARD IV

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

MONTAGUE

    Then fare you well, for I will hence again:
    I came to serve a king and not a duke.
    Drummer, strike up, and let us march away.

    The drum begins to march

KING EDWARD IV

    Nay, stay, Sir John, awhi le, and we'll debate
    By what safe means the crown may be recover'd.

MONTAGUE

    What talk you of debating? in few words,
    If you'll not here proclaim yourself our king,
    I'll leave you to your fortune and be gone
    To keep them back that come to succor you:
    Why shall we fight, if you pretend no title?

GLOUCESTER

    Why, brother, wherefore stand you on nice points?

KING EDWARD IV

    When we grow stronger, then we'll make our claim:
    Till then, 'tis wisdom to conceal our meaning.

HASTINGS

    Away with scrupulous wit! now arms must rule.

GLOUCESTER

    And fearless minds climb soonest unto crowns.
    Brother, we will proclaim you out of hand:
    The bruit thereof will bring you many friends.

KING EDWARD IV

    Then be it as you will; for 'tis my right,
    And Henry but usurps the diadem.

MONTAGUE

    Ay, now my sovereign speaketh like himself;
    And now will I be Edward's champion.

HASTINGS

    Sound trumpet; Edward shall be here proclaim'd:
    Come, fellow-soldier, make thou proclamation.

    Flourish

Soldier

    Edward the Fourth, by the grace of God, king of
    England and France, and lord of Ireland, & c.

MONTAGUE

    And whosoe'er gainsays King Edward's right,
    By this I challenge him to single fight.

    Throws down his gauntlet

All

    Long live Edward the Fourth!

KING EDWARD IV

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

    Exeunt