Open the gates; Gloster it is that calls. [Servants knock. 1 Ward. [Within.] Who is there that knocks so imperiously? 1 Serv. It is the noble duke of Gloster. 2 Ward. [Within.] Whoe'er he be, you may not be let in. 1 Serv. Answer you so the lord protector, villains? 1 Ward. [Within.] The Lord protect him! so we answer him: We do no otherwise than we are will'd. Glo. Who willed you? or whose will stands but There's none protector of the realm, but I.— Servants rush at the Tower gates. Enter, to the gates, Woodville, the lieutenant. Wood. [Within.] What noise is this? what traitors have we here? Glo. Lieutenant, is it you, whose voice I hear? -Open the gates; here's Gloster, that would enter. Wood. [Within.] Have patience, noble duke: I may not open; The cardinal of Winchester forbids: Arrogant Winchester? that haughty prelate, Whom Henry, our late sovereign, ne'er could brook? Thou art no friend to God, or to the king: 1 Serv. Open the gates unto the lord protector; Or we'll burst them open, if that you come not quickly. (1) Break open. Enter Winchester, attended by a train of servants, in tawny-coats. Win. How now, ambitious Humphrey? what means this? Glo. Piel'd priest, dost thou command me to be Win. I do, thou most usurping proditor,2 Glo. Stand back, thou manifest conspirator; Thou, that contriv'dst to murder our dead lord; Thou, that giv'st whores indulgences to sin: I'll canvass thee in thy broad cardinal's hat, thou proceed Win. Nay, stand thou back, I will not budge a this thy insolence. foot; This be Damascus, be thou cursed Cain, Glo. I will not slay thee, but I'll drive thee back: Win. Do what thou dar'st; I beard thee to thy face. Glo. What? am I dar'd, and bearded to my Draw, men, for all this privileged place; Under my [Gloster and his men attack the bishop. I mean to tug it, and to cuff you soundly: In spite of pope or dignities of church, feet I stamp thy cardinal's hat; Here by the cheeks I'll drag thee up and down. Win. Gloster, thou'lt answer this before the pope. Glo. Winchester goose,4 I cry-a rope! a rope!Now beat them hence, why do you let them stay?Thee I'll chase hence, thou wolf in sheep's array.— (1) Alluding to his shaven crown. (2) Traitor Out, tawney-coats!-out, scarlet1 hypocrite! Here a great tumult. In the midst of it, enter the Mayor of London, and officers. May. Fie, lords! that you, being supreme magistrates, Thus contumeliously should break the peace! Glo. Peace, mayor; thou know'st little of my wrongs: Here's Beaufort, that regards nor God nor king, Hath here distrain'd the Tower to his use. Win. Here's Gloster too, a foe to citizens; One that still motions war, and never peace, O'ercharging your free purses with large fines; That seeks to overthrow religion, Because he is protector of the realm; And would have armour here out of the Tower, To crown himself king, and suppress the prince. Glo. I will not answer thee with words, but blows. [Here they skirmish again. May. Nought rests for me, in this tumultuous strife, But to make open proclamation :- Off. All manner of men, assembled here in arms this day, against God's peace and the king's, we charge and command you, in his highness' name, to repair to your several dwelling-places; and not to wear, handle, or use, any sword, weapon, or dagger, henceforward, upon pain of death. Glo. Cardinal, I'll be no breaker of the law: But we shall meet, and break our minds at large. Win. Gloster, we'll meet; to thy dear cost, be sure: Thy heart-blood I will have, for this day's work. May. I'll call for clubs,2 if you will not away :— (1) An allusion to the bishop's habit. (2) That is, for peace-officers armed with clubs or staves. This cardinal is more haughty than the devil. Win. Abominable Gloster! guard thy head; [Exeunt. May. See the coast clear'd, and then we will Good God! that nobles should such stomachs! bear! SCENE IV.-France. Before Orleans. Enter M. Gun. Sirrah, thou know'st how Orleans is And how the English have the suburbs won. M. Gun. But now thou shalt not. Be thou rul'd Chief master-gunner am I of this town; And thence discover, how, with most advantage, A piece of ordnance 'gainst it I have plac'd; If thou spy'st any, run and bring me word; take you no care, Son. Father, I warrant you; (1) Pride. VOL. V. (2) Favour. (3) Spies. Enter, in an upper chamber of a tower, the Lords Salisbury and Talbot, Sir William Glansdale, Sir Thomas Gargrave, and others. Sal. Talbot, my life, my joy, again return'd! Tal. The duke of Bedford had a prisoner, Once, in contempt, they would have barter'd me: But, O! the treacherous Fastolfe wounds my heart! Sal. Yet tell'st thou not, how thou wert entertain'd. Tal. With scoffs, and scorns, and contumelious taunts. In open market-place produc'd they me, Here, said they, is the terror of the French, My grisly countenance made others fly; So great fear of my name 'mongst them was spread, (3) So stripped of honours. |