William Shakespeare: King Henry VI, Third Part

ACT IV. 5. SCENE V. A park near Middleham Castle in Yorkshire

[Enter GLOSTER, HASTINGS, SIR WILLIAM STANLEY, and others.]

GLOSTER.
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
He hath good usage and great liberty,
And often, but attended with weak guard,
Comes hunting this way to disport himself.
I have advertis'd him by secret means
That if about this hour he make this way,
Under the colour of his usual game,
He shall here find his friends, with horse and men,
To set him free from his captivity.

[Enter KING EDWARD and a Huntsman.]

HUNTSMAN.
This way, my lord, for this way lies the game.

KING EDWARD.
Nay, this way, man; see, where the huntsmen
stand.--
Now, brother of Gloster, Lord Hastings, and the rest,
Stand you thus close to steal the bishop's deer?

GLOSTER.
Brother, the time and case requireth haste;
Your horse stands ready at the park corner.

KING EDWARD.
But whither shall we then?

HASTINGS.
To Lynn, my lord, and shipt from thence to Flanders.

GLOSTER.
Well guess'd, believe me, for that was my meaning.

KING EDWARD.
Stanley, I will requite thy forwardness.

GLOSTER.
But wherefore stay we? 't is no time to talk.

KING EDWARD.
Huntsman, what say'st thou? wilt thou go along?

HUNTSMAN.
Better do so than tarry and be hang'd.

GLOSTER.
Come then; away! let's have no more ado.

KING EDWARD.
Bishop, farewell; shield thee from Warwick's frown,
And pray that I may repossess the crown.

[Exeunt.]