KING HENRY.
Sweet Oxford, and my loving Montague,
And all at once, once more a happy farewell.
WARWICK.
Farewell, sweet lords; let’s meet at Coventry.
[Exeunt all but King Henry and Exeter.]
KING HENRY.
Here at the palace will I rest a while.
Cousin of Exeter, what thinks your lordship?
Methinks the power that Edward hath in field
Should not be able to encounter mine.
EXETER.
The doubt is that he will seduce the rest.
KING HENRY.
That’s not my fear; my meed hath got me fame.
I have not stopped mine ears to their demands,
Nor posted off their suits with slow delays;
My pity hath been balm to heal their wounds,
My mildness hath allayed their swelling griefs,
My mercy dried their water-flowing tears.
I have not been desirous of their wealth
Nor much oppressed them with great subsidies,
Nor forward of revenge, though they much erred.
Then why should they love Edward more than me?
No, Exeter, these graces challenge grace;
And when the lion fawns upon the lamb,
The lamb will never cease to follow him.
[Shout within “A York! A York!”]
EXETER.
Hark, hark, my lord, what shouts are these?
Enter King Edward, Richard (Duke of Gloucester) and Soldiers.
KING EDWARD.
Seize on the shame-faced Henry, bear him hence,
And once again proclaim us King of England.
You are the fount that makes small brooks to flow.
Now stops thy spring; my sea shall suck them dry
And swell so much the higher by their ebb.
Hence with him to the Tower. Let him not speak.