London. A Room in the Palace.
 Enter RIVERS and LADY GREY.

Rivers	Madam, what makes you in this sudden change?

Lady Grey	Why, brother Rivers, are you yet to learn
	What late misfortune is befall'n King Edward?

Rivers	What, loss of some pitched battle against Warwick?

Lady Grey	No, but the loss of his own royal person.

Rivers	Then is my sovereign slain?

Lady Grey	Ay, almost slain, for he is taken prisoner;
	Either betrayed 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.

Lady Grey	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 bloodsucking 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?

Lady Grey	I am informed 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 once hath 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.
