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Now, brother Richard, Lord Hastings, and the rest, Yet thus far fortune maketh us amends, And says that once more I shall interchange My waned state for Henry’s regal crown. Well have we pass’d and now repass’d the seas And brought desired help from Burgundy: What then remains, we being thus arrived From Ravenspurgh haven before the gates of York, But that we enter, as into our dukedom?
Now, brother Richard, Lord Hastings, and the rest, So far, fortune has made things right for us, And says that once again I shall exchange My weakened position for Henry’s royal crown. We’ve crossed the seas and now crossed them again, And brought the help we wanted from Burgundy. So, what’s left for us, now that we’ve arrived From Ravenspurgh port, right before York’s gates, But to enter, as if it were our own duchy?
The gates made fast! Brother, I like not this; For many men that stumble at the threshold Are well foretold that danger lurks within.
The gates are locked! Brother, I don’t like this; Many men who trip at the threshold Are often warned that danger’s waiting inside.
Tush, man, abodements must not now affright us: By fair or foul means we must enter in, For hither will our friends repair to us.
Nonsense, man, we can’t be scared by omens now: By fair or foul means we must get in, For our friends will come here to join us.
My liege, I’ll knock once more to summon them.
My liege, I’ll knock again to call them out.
My lords, we were forewarned of your coming, And shut the gates for safety of ourselves; For now we owe allegiance unto Henry.
My lords, we were warned about your arrival, And we locked the gates to keep ourselves safe; For right now, we owe allegiance to Henry.
But, master mayor, if Henry be your king, Yet Edward at the least is Duke of York.
But, master mayor, if Henry is your king, Edward is at least Duke of York.
True, my good lord; I know you for no less.
True, my lord; I know you are no less than that.
Why, and I challenge nothing but my dukedom, As being well content with that alone.
Well, I’m not asking for anything but my dukedom, Since I’m content with that alone.
[Aside] But when the fox hath once got in his nose, He’ll soon find means to make the body follow.
[Aside] But once the fox gets his nose in, He’ll quickly find a way to get the rest of him through.
Why, master mayor, why stand you in a doubt? Open the gates; we are King Henry’s friends.
Why, master mayor, why are you hesitating? Open the gates; we’re friends of King Henry.
Ay, say you so? the gates shall then be open’d.
Oh, you say so? The gates will be opened then.
A wise stout captain, and soon persuaded!
A wise, strong leader, and easily convinced!
The good old man would fain that all were well, So ’twere not ’long of him; but being enter’d, I doubt not, I, but we shall soon persuade Both him and all his brothers unto reason.
The old man wants everything to be fine, If only it weren’t because of him; but now that we’re inside, I have no doubt we’ll soon convince Both him and all his brothers to see reason.
So, master mayor: these gates must not be shut But in the night or in the time of war. What! fear not, man, but yield me up the keys;
So, Master Mayor, these gates must not be shut Except at night or during wartime. What! Don’t be afraid, just give me the keys;
For Edward will defend the town and thee, And all those friends that deign to follow me.
For Edward will protect the town and you, And all those who choose to follow me.
Brother, this is Sir John Montgomery, Our trusty friend, unless I be deceived.
Brother, this is Sir John Montgomery, Our loyal friend, unless I’m mistaken.
Welcome, Sir John! But why come you in arms?
Welcome, Sir John! But why are you here with soldiers?
To help King Edward in his time of storm, As every loyal subject ought to do.
To help King Edward in his time of need, As every loyal subject should.
Thanks, good Montgomery; but we now forget Our title to the crown and only claim Our dukedom till God please to send the rest.
Thank you, good Montgomery; but right now, we forget Our claim to the crown and only assert Our dukedom until God allows the rest.
Then fare you well, for I will hence again: I came to serve a king and not a duke. Drummer, strike up, and let us march away.
Then goodbye, because I’m leaving again: I came to serve a king, not a duke. Drummer, begin, and let’s march on.
Nay, stay, Sir John, awhi le, and we’ll debate By what safe means the crown may be recover’d.
No, wait, Sir John, just a moment, and we’ll discuss How we can safely reclaim the crown.
What talk you of debating? in few words, If you’ll not here proclaim yourself our king, I’ll leave you to your fortune and be gone To keep them back that come to succor you: Why shall we fight, if you pretend no title?
What are you talking about debating? To put it simply, If you won’t declare yourself our king here, I’ll leave you to your fate and go To stop anyone who comes to help you: Why should we fight if you don’t claim a title?
Why, brother, wherefore stand you on nice points?
Why, brother, why are you being so picky?
When we grow stronger, then we’ll make our claim: Till then, ’tis wisdom to conceal our meaning.
When we’re stronger, we’ll make our claim: Until then, it’s wise to keep our intentions hidden.
Away with scrupulous wit! now arms must rule.
Enough of this careful thinking! Now we need to fight.
And fearless minds climb soonest unto crowns. Brother, we will proclaim you out of hand: The bruit thereof will bring you many friends.
And bold minds are quickest to rise to power. Brother, we’ll declare you king immediately: The news will bring you many supporters.
Then be it as you will; for ’tis my right, And Henry but usurps the diadem.
Then let it be as you wish; because it’s my right, And Henry only takes the crown by force.
Ay, now my sovereign speaketh like himself; And now will I be Edward’s champion.
Yes, now my king speaks like himself; And now I will be Edward’s champion.
Sound trumpet; Edward shall be here proclaim’d: Come, fellow-soldier, make thou proclamation.
Sound the trumpet; Edward shall be declared king: Come, fellow-soldier, make the proclamation.
Edward the Fourth, by the grace of God, king of England and France, and lord of Ireland, & c.
Edward the Fourth, by the grace of God, king of England and France, and lord of Ireland, etc.
And whosoe’er gainsays King Edward’s right, By this I challenge him to single fight.
And anyone who denies King Edward’s right, By this, I challenge them to single combat.
Long live Edward the Fourth!
Long live Edward the Fourth!
Thanks, brave Montgomery; and thanks unto you all: If fortune serve me, I’ll requite this kindness. Now, for this night, let’s harbour here in York; And when the morning sun shall raise his car Above the border of this horizon, We’ll forward towards Warwick and his mates; For well I wot that Henry is no soldier. Ah, froward Clarence! how evil it beseems thee To flatter Henry and forsake thy brother! Yet, as we may, we’ll meet both thee and Warwick. Come on, brave soldiers: doubt not of the day, And, that once gotten, doubt not of large pay.
Thank you, brave Montgomery; and thanks to all of you: If fortune favors me, I’ll repay this kindness. Now, for tonight, let’s rest here in York; And when the morning sun rises above the horizon, We’ll head towards Warwick and his allies; For I know Henry is no soldier. Ah, wicked Clarence! how shameful it is for you To flatter Henry and abandon your brother! But, as we can, we’ll face both you and Warwick. Come on, brave soldiers: don’t doubt the outcome, And once we win, don’t doubt the rewards.