The Complete Works of William Shakespeare In Plain and Simple English (Translated) (280 page)

That Edward is escaped from your brother,

And fled, as he hears since, to Burgundy.

But Edward has escaped from your brother,

and fled, he now hears, to Burgundy.

WARWICK.

Unsavoury news! but how made he escape?

Unpleasant news! But how did he escape?

MESSENGER.

He was convey'd by Richard Duke of Gloster

And the Lord Hastings, who attended him

In secret ambush on the forest side,

And from the bishop's huntsmen rescued him,

For hunting was his daily exercise.

He was taken by Richard Duke of Gloucester

and the Lord Hastings, who waited for him

in a secret ambush outside of the forest,

and rescued him from the bishop's huntsmen,

for he hunted for exercise every day.

WARWICK.

My brother was too careless of his charge.--

But let us hence, my sovereign, to provide

A salve for any sore that may betide.

My brother was too careless with his responsibility.

But let us go, my sovereign, and plan

a remedy for any misfortune which comes.

[Exeunt King Henry, Warwick, Clarence, Lieutenant, and

attendants.]

SOMERSET.

My lord, I like not of this flight of Edward's,

For doubtless Burgundy will yield him help,

And we shall have more wars before 't be long.

As Henry's late presaging prophecy

Did glad my heart with hope of this young Richmond,

So doth my heart misgive me, in these conflicts

What may befall him, to his harm and ours;

Therefore, Lord Oxford, to prevent the worst,

Forthwith we'll send him hence to Brittany

Till storms be past of civil enmity.

My lord, I do not like this business of Edward's escape,

for Burgundy will doubtless give him assistance,

and we shall have more wars before long.

Just as Henry's recent foretelling prophecy

gladdened my heart with hopes for this young Richmond,

so I am worried that something could happen to him

in these conflicts, which will harm him and us;

so, Lord Oxford, to avoid the worst happening,

which shall send him at once to Brittany,

until all this civil strife is over.

OXFORD.

Ay; for if Edward repossess the crown,

'T is like that Richmond with the rest shall down.

Yes; for if Edward recaptures the Crown,

Richmond will probably fall with the rest.

SOMERSET.

It shall be so; he shall to Brittany.

Come therefore, let's about it speedily.

That's right; he shall go to Brittany.

Come on then, let's arrange it quickly.

[Exeunt.]

[Enter KING EDWARD, GLOSTER, HASTINGS, and Forces.]

KING EDWARD.

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 arriv'd

From Ravenspurg haven before the gates of York,

But that we enter as into our dukedom?

Now, brother Richard, Lord Hastings, and the rest,

so far fortune has been friendly to us,

and says that once again I shall exchange

my reduced state for Henry's royal crown.

We have profitably crossed and recrossed the sea,

and brought the help we wanted from Burgundy.

So what is left, as we have now arrived

from the harbour at Ravensburgh to the gates of York,

but for us to go in as if claiming our dukedom?

GLOSTER.

The gates made fast!--Brother, I like not this;

For many men that stumble at the threshold

Are well foretold that danger lurks within.

The gates are shut! Brother, I don't like this;

many men who trip on the threshold

are being given a warning of the danger inside.

KING EDWARD.

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.

Nonsense, man! We must not be frightened by presentiment;

we must go in by fair or foul means,

for this is where our friends will come to us.

HASTINGS.

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

My lord, I'll knock once again to call 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.

My lords, we were given advance notice of your coming

and shut the gates to protect ourselves,

for we are now supporters of Henry.

KING EDWARD.

But master mayor, if Henry be your king,

Yet Edward, at the least, is Duke of York.

But Master Mayor, if Henry is your king,

Edward is at least the Duke of York.

MAYOR.

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

True, my good lord; I recognise you as such.

KING EDWARD.

Why, and I challenge nothing but my dukedom,

As being well content with that alone.

Why then, I am just asking for the rights of my dukedom,

being happy with just that.

GLOSTER.

[Aside.] But when the fox hath once got in his nose,

He'll soon find means to make the body follow.

But once the fox has got his nose through the door,

he'll soon find a way to get his body in as well.

HASTINGS.

Why, master mayor, why stand you in a doubt?

Open the gates; we are King Henry's friends.

Why, master Mayor, are you uncertain?

Open the gates; we are friends to King Henry.

MAYOR.

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

Is that so? Then the gates will be opened.

[Exeunt from above.]

GLOSTER.

A wise, stout captain, and soon persuaded.

A wise and solid captain, easily persuaded.

HASTINGS.

The good old man would fain that all were well,

So 't were 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.

The good old man hopes everything is all right,

as long as nothing happens to him; but, once we are in,

I do not doubt that I will soon be able to persuade

both him and all his brothers to see reason.

[Enter the Mayor and two Aldermen, below.]

KING EDWARD.

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.

So, Master Mayor; these gates must not be shut

except at night time or when there is a war.

What! Don't be afraid, man, give me the keys;

Edward will defend the town and you,

and everyone here who agrees to follow me.

[March. Enter MONTGOMERYand Forces.]

GLOSTER.

Brother, this is Sir John Montgomery,

Our trusty friend unless I be deceiv'd.

Brother, this is Sir John Montgomery,

a loyal friend unless I am mistaken.

KING EDWARD.

Welcome, Sir John; but why come you in arms?

Welcome, Sir John; but why have you come armed?

MONTGOMERY.

To help King Edward in his time of storm,

As every loyal subject ought to do.

To help King Edward in his time of trouble,

as every loyal subject ought to do.

KING EDWARD.

Thanks, good Montgomery; but we now forget

Our title to the crown, and only claim

Our dukedom till God please to send the rest.

Thanks, good Montgomery; but I now relinquish

my claim on the crown, and I only ask

for my dukedom, until God decides to give me the rest.

MONTGOMERY.

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.

Then farewell, I will go away again;

I came to serve a king, not a duke.

Drummer, play, and let's march away.

[A march begun.]

KING EDWARD.

Nay, stay, Sir John, awhile, and we'll debate

By what safe means the crown may be recover'd.

No, Sir John, stay here a while, and we'll discuss

how we can safely recapture the crown.

MONTGOMERY.

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 begone

To keep them back that come to succour you.

Why shall we fight if you pretend no title?

Why are you talking about discussing? I'll tell you straight,

if you don't declare that you are our King,

I will leave you to your fate and go

and fight those who come to help you.

Why should we fight if you don't claim any title?

GLOSTER.

Why, brother, wherefore stand you on nice points?

Why, brother, why are you being so pernickety?

KING EDWARD.

When we grow stronger, then we'll make our claim;

Till then 't is wisdom to conceal our meaning.

When I have greater forces, then I will make my claim;