| [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. |
| 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, 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. |
| 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; 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? |
| 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,-- 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. |
| [Exeunt] |