Act 4. Scene III

SCENE III. Edward's camp, near Warwick.

Enter three Watchmen, to guard KING EDWARD IV's tent
First Watchman
Come on, my masters, each man take his stand:
The king by this is set him down to sleep.

Second Watchman
What, will he not to bed?

First Watchman
Why, no; for he hath made a solemn vow
Never to lie and take his natural rest
Till Warwick or himself be quite suppress'd.

Second Watchman
To-morrow then belike shall be the day,
If Warwick be so near as men report.

Third Watchman
But say, I pray, what nobleman is that
That with the king here resteth in his tent?

First Watchman
'Tis the Lord Hastings, the king's chiefest friend.

Third Watchman
O, is it so? But why commands the king
That his chief followers lodge in towns about him,
While he himself keeps in the cold field?

Second Watchman
'Tis the more honour, because more dangerous.

Third Watchman
Ay, but give me worship and quietness;
I like it better than a dangerous honour.
If Warwick knew in what estate he stands,
'Tis to be doubted he would waken him.

First Watchman
Unless our halberds did shut up his passage.

Second Watchman
Ay, wherefore else guard we his royal tent,
But to defend his person from night-foes?

Enter WARWICK, CLARENCE, OXFORD, SOMERSET, and French soldiers, silent all

WARWICK
This is his tent; and see where stand his guard.
Courage, my masters! honour now or never!
But follow me, and Edward shall be ours.

First Watchman
Who goes there?

Second Watchman
Stay, or thou diest!

WARWICK and the rest cry all, 'Warwick! Warwick!' and set upon the Guard, who fly, crying, 'Arm! arm!' WARWICK and the rest following them

The drum playing and trumpet sounding, reenter WARWICK, SOMERSET, and the rest, bringing KING EDWARD IV out in his gown, sitting in a chair. RICHARD and HASTINGS fly over the stage

SOMERSET
What are they that fly there?

WARWICK
Richard and Hastings: let them go; here is The duke.

KING EDWARD IV
The duke! Why, Warwick, when we parted,
Thou call'dst me king.

WARWICK
Ay, but the case is alter'd:
When you disgraced me in my embassade,
Then I degraded you from being king,
And come now to create you Duke of York.
Alas! how should you govern any kingdom,
That know not how to use ambassadors,
Nor how to be contented with one wife,
Nor how to use your brothers brotherly,
Nor how to study for the people's welfare,
Nor how to shroud yourself from enemies?

KING EDWARD IV
Yea, brother of Clarence, are thou here too?
Nay, then I see that Edward needs must down.
Yet, Warwick, in