Henry VI, Part 3 Translation Act 4, Scene 3
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.
FIRST GUARD
Come on, gentlemen, take your positions, everyone. The king has fallen asleep in his chair by now.
SECOND WATCHMAN
What, will he not to bed?
SECOND GUARD
What, he's not sleeping in his bed?
FIRST WATCHMAN
Why, no; for he hath made a solemn vowNever to lie and take his natural restTill Warwick or himself be quite suppress'd.
FIRST GUARD
No, he's not, because he made a solemn vow never to lie down and sleep normally until either Warwick or himself has been conquered.
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To-morrow then belike shall be the day,If Warwick be so near as men report.
SECOND GUARD
Maybe tomorrow will be the day, if Warwick is as close as men report.
THIRD WATCHMAN
But say, I pray, what nobleman is thatThat with the king here resteth in his tent?
THIRD GUARD
But, tell me, who is the nobleman who is resting with the king here in his tent?
FIRST WATCHMAN
'Tis the Lord Hastings, the king's chiefest friend.
FIRST GUARD
It's Lord Hastings, the king's best friend.
THIRD WATCHMAN
O, is it so? But why commands the kingThat his chief followers lodge in towns about him,While he himself keeps in the cold field?
THIRD GUARD
Oh, is that true? But why does the king order his closest followers to stay in towns around him while he himself sleeps on the cold ground?
SECOND WATCHMAN
'Tis the more honour, because more dangerous.
SECOND GUARD
It's more honorable because it's 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.
THIRD GUARD
Yes, but I'd rather have dignity and peace. I prefer that to receiving a dangerous honor. If Warwick knew what condition the king is in, I fear he would wake him up and kill him.
FIRST WATCHMAN
Unless our halberds did shut up his passage.
FIRST GUARD
Unless our weapons could prevent him from entering.
SECOND WATCHMAN
Ay, wherefore else guard we his royal tent,But to defend his person from night-foes?
SECOND GUARD
Yes, why else would we guard his royal tent but to defend him from enemies in the night?
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.
WARWICK
This is his tent. Look at his guards standing there. Take courage, my men! Gain honor now or never! Follow me and Edward will be captured by us.
FIRST WATCHMAN
Who goes there?
FIRST GUARD
Who's there?
SECOND WATCHMAN
Stay, or thou diest!
SECOND GUARD
Stop, or you'll die!
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?
SOMERSET
Who is it running around here?
WARWICK
Richard and Hastings: let them go; here is The duke.
WARWICK
Richard and Hastings, let them be. We have the duke.
KING EDWARD IV
The duke! Why, Warwick, when we parted,Thou call'dst me king.
KING EDWARD IV
The duke! Warwick, when we said goodbye, you called 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?
WARWICK
Yes, but now the circumstances are different. When you shamed me in my ambassadorial mission, then I said you were no king of mine and now I've come to demote you to Duke of York. Alas, how could you rule over any kingdom when you don't know how to treat ambassadors? Or how to be happy with one wife? Or how to treat your brothers with like brothers? Or how to work for people's well-being? or how to protect 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 despite of all mischance, Of thee thyself and all thy complices, Edward will always bear himself as king: Though fortune's malice overthrow my state, My mind exceeds the compass of her wheel.
KING EDWARD IV
Oh, my brother Clarence are you also here? Well, then I see that my kingship must end. Yet, Warwick, despite the mistreatment I've received from you and all your accomplices, I'll always carry myself like a king. Even though my bad fortune has dethroned me, I'm thinking about things above and beyond what fortune has in store for me.
WARWICK
Then, for his mind, be Edward England's king:
WARWICK
Then you can stay the King of England in your thoughts.
Takes off his crown
But Henry now shall wear the English crown, And be true king indeed, thou but the shadow. My Lord of Somerset, at my request, See that forthwith Duke Edward be convey'd Unto my brother, Archbishop of York. When I have fought with Pembroke and his fellows, I'll follow you, and tell what answer Lewis and the Lady Bona send to him. Now, for a while farewell, good Duke of York.
But Henry shall now wear the English crown and be the true king while you'll be only a shadow of a king. Lord of Somerset, I'm requesting that you make sure that Duke Edward here is taken immediately to my brother, the Archbishop of York. After I have fought with Pembroke and his followers, I'll follow you and tell you what message Lewis and Lady Bona have for Edward. Goodbye for a while now, good Duke of York.
They lead him out forcibly
KING EDWARD IV
What fates impose, that men must needs abide;It boots not to resist both wind and tide.
KING EDWARD IV
What fate prepares for you, men must endure. It is useless to resist fate.
Exit, guarded
OXFORD
What now remains, my lords, for us to doBut march to London with our soldiers?
OXFORD
What else do we have left to do, my lords, but to march to London with our soldiers?
WARWICK
Ay, that's the first thing that we have to do;To free King Henry from imprisonmentAnd see him seated in the regal throne.
WARWICK
Yes, that's the first thing we have to do in order to rescue King Henry from imprisonment and put him back on the throne.
Exeunt
