Flourish. Enter King Henry, Warwick, Montague,
Clarence, Oxford, and Exeter, all wearing the red rose. WARWICK
What counsel, lords? Edward from Belgia,
With hasty Germans and blunt Hollanders,
Hath passed in safety through the Narrow Seas,
And with his troops doth march amain to London,
And many giddy people flock to him. 5 KING HENRY
Let’s levy men and beat him back again. CLARENCE
A little fire is quickly trodden out,
Which, being suffered, rivers cannot quench. | Henry, Warwick, George, and friends enter. They've learned that Edward's received help from Burgundy and is ready to fight. |
WARWICK
In Warwickshire I have true-hearted friends,
Not mutinous in peace yet bold in war. 10
Those will I muster up; and thou, son Clarence,
Shalt stir up in Suffolk, Norfolk, and in Kent
The knights and gentlemen to come with thee.—
Thou, brother Montague, in Buckingham,
Northampton, and in Leicestershire shalt find 15
Men well inclined to hear what thou command’st.—
And thou, brave Oxford, wondrous well beloved,
In Oxfordshire shalt muster up thy friends.—
My sovereign, with the loving citizens,
Like to his island girt in with the ocean, 20
Or modest Dian circled with her nymphs,
Shall rest in London till we come to him.
Fair lords, take leave, and stand not to reply.—
Farewell, my sovereign. KING HENRY
Farewell, my Hector and my Troy’s true hope. 25 CLARENCE
In sign of truth, I kiss your Highness’ hand. KING HENRY
Well-minded Clarence, be thou fortunate. MONTAGUE
Comfort, my lord; and so I take my leave. OXFORD
And thus I seal my truth, and bid adieu.
He kisses Henry’s hand. KING HENRY
Sweet Oxford and my loving Montague 30
And all at once, once more a happy farewell. WARWICK
Farewell, sweet lords. Let’s meet at Coventry. All but King Henry and Exeter exit. | Warwick encourages everyone to gather up their armies and prepare them to fight. Everyone leaves to do this. |
KING HENRY
Here at the palace will I rest awhile.
Cousin of Exeter, what thinks your Lordship?
Methinks the power that Edward hath in field 35
Should not be able to encounter mine. EXETER
The doubt is that he will seduce the rest. KING HENRY
That’s not my fear. My meed hath got me fame.
I have not stopped mine ears to their demands,
Nor posted off their suits with slow delays. 40
My pity hath been balm to heal their wounds,
My mildness hath allayed their swelling griefs,
My mercy dried their water-flowing tears.
I have not been desirous of their wealth
Nor much oppressed them with great subsidies, 45
Nor forward of revenge, though they much erred.
Then why should they love Edward more than me?
No, Exeter, these graces challenge grace;
And when the lion fawns upon the lamb,
The lamb will never cease to follow him. 50 | Henry and Exeter discuss the ongoing popularity contest. Henry is not
worried. He's always been popular with the people. He's listened to them
and tried to give them what they want. Exeter isn't so sure. |
Shout within “À York! À York!” EXETER
Hark, hark, my lord, what shouts are these? Enter King Edward and Richard and Soldiers,
all wearing the white rose. KING EDWARD
Seize on the shamefaced Henry, bear him hence,
And once again proclaim us King of England.—
You are the fount that makes small brooks to flow.
Now stops thy spring; my sea shall suck them dry 55
And swell so much the higher by their ebb.—
Hence with him to the Tower. Let him not speak. Soldiers exit with King Henry and Exeter. And, lords, towards Coventry bend we our course,
Where peremptory Warwick now remains.
The sun shines hot, and if we use delay, 60
Cold biting winter mars our hoped-for hay. RICHARD
Away betimes, before his forces join,
And take the great-grown traitor unawares.
Brave warriors, march amain towards Coventry. They exit | Richard and Edward enter. Edward orders his soldiers to take Henry to the Tower. He says he's king again. Edward and Richard decide to send their troops to meet up with Warwick in the field before he hears the news. |