Enter Richard of Gloucester, Lord Hastings,
and Sir William Stanley, with Soldiers,
all wearing the white rose. RICHARD
Now, my Lord Hastings and Sir William Stanley,
Leave off to wonder why I drew you hither
Into this chiefest thicket of the park.
Thus stands the case: you know our king, my brother,
Is prisoner to the Bishop here, at whose hands 5
He hath good usage and great liberty,
And, often but attended with weak guard,
Comes hunting this way to disport himself.
I have advertised him by secret means
That, if about this hour he make this way 10
Under the color of his usual game,
He shall here find his friends with horse and men
To set him free from his captivity. Enter King Edward, wearing the white rose,
and a Huntsman with him. | Richard, Hastings, and Sir William Stanley gather in the woods. Richard's sent word to his brother Edward to hunt in a certain place. Sure, Edward's been captured, but he's still allowed to hunt sometimes. |
HUNTSMAN
This way, my lord, for this way lies the game. KING EDWARD
Nay, this way, man. See where the huntsmen stand.— 15
Now, brother of Gloucester, Lord Hastings, and the
rest,
Stand you thus close to steal the Bishop’s deer? RICHARD
Brother, the time and case requireth haste.
Your horse stands ready at the park corner. 20 KING EDWARD But whither shall we then? HASTINGS
To Lynn, my lord, and shipped from thence
to Flanders. RICHARD
Well guessed, believe me, for that was my meaning. KING EDWARD
Stanley, I will requite thy forwardness. 25 RICHARD
But wherefore stay we? ’Tis no time to talk. KING EDWARD
Huntsman, what sayst thou? Wilt thou go along? HUNTSMAN
Better do so than tarry and be hanged. RICHARD
Come then, away! Let’s ha’ no more ado. KING EDWARD
Bishop, farewell; shield thee from Warwick’s frown, 30
And pray that I may repossess the crown. They exit. | Richard and his buddies get the huntsman to release Edward so that he
can join their team. Since they plan to chop off the huntsman's head if
he doesn't do as they say, he doesn't really have many solid options. |