3 KING HENRY VI 4.4

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3 KING HENRY VI 4.4

London. The palace.

[Enter QUEEN ELIZABETH and RIVERS]

RIVERS Madam, what makes you in this sudden change?

QUEEN ELIZABETH Why brother Rivers, are you yet to learn

What late misfortune is befall'n King Edward?

RIVERS What! loss of some pitch'd battle against Warwick?

QUEEN ELIZABETH No, but the loss of his own royal person. 5

RIVERS Then is my sovereign slain?

QUEEN ELIZABETH Ay, almost slain, for he is taken prisoner,

Either betray'd by falsehood of his guard

Or by his foe surprised at unawares:

And, as I further have to understand, 10

Is new committed to the Bishop of York,

Fell Warwick's brother and by that our foe.

RIVERS These news I must confess are full of grief;

Yet, gracious madam, bear it as you may:

Warwick may lose, that now hath won the day. 15

QUEEN ELIZABETH Till then fair hope must hinder life's decay.

And I the rather wean me from despair

For love of Edward's offspring in my womb:

This is it that makes me bridle passion

And bear with mildness my misfortune's cross; 20

Ay, ay, for this I draw in many a tear

And stop the rising of blood-sucking sighs,

Lest with my sighs or tears I blast or drown

King Edward's fruit, true heir to the English crown.

RIVERS But, madam, where is Warwick then become? 25

QUEEN ELIZABETH I am inform'd that he comes towards London,

To set the crown once more on Henry's head:

Guess thou the rest; King Edward's friends must down,

But, to prevent the tyrant's violence,--

For trust not him that hath once broken faith,-- 30

I'll hence forthwith unto the sanctuary,

To save at least the heir of Edward's right:

There shall I rest secure from force and fraud.

Come, therefore, let us fly while we may fly:

If Warwick take us we are sure to die. 35

[Exeunt]

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QUEEN ELIZABETH		Why brother Rivers, are you yet to learn
		What late misfortune is befall'n King Edward?

QUEEN ELIZABETH	Ay, almost slain, for he is taken prisoner,
	Either betray'd by falsehood of his guard
	Or by his foe surprised at unawares:
	And, as I further have to understand,	10
	Is new committed to the Bishop of York,
	Fell Warwick's brother and by that our foe.

RIVERS	These news I must confess are full of grief;
	Yet, gracious madam, bear it as you may:
	Warwick may lose, that now hath won the day.	15

QUEEN ELIZABETH	Till then fair hope must hinder life's decay.
	And I the rather wean me from despair
	For love of Edward's offspring in my womb:
	This is it that makes me bridle passion
	And bear with mildness my misfortune's cross;	20
	Ay, ay, for this I draw in many a tear
	And stop the rising of blood-sucking sighs,
	Lest with my sighs or tears I blast or drown
	King Edward's fruit, true heir to the English crown.

QUEEN ELIZABETH	I am inform'd that he comes towards London,
	To set the crown once more on Henry's head:
	Guess thou the rest; King Edward's friends must down,
	But, to prevent the tyrant's violence,--
	For trust not him that hath once broken faith,--	30
	I'll hence forthwith unto the sanctuary,
	To save at least the heir of Edward's right:
	There shall I rest secure from force and fraud.
	Come, therefore, let us fly while we may fly:
	If Warwick take us we are sure to die.	35
	[Exeunt]

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