Som. Yes, when his holy state is touch'd so near. War. State holy, or unhallow'd, what of that? Is not his grace protector to the king? Plan. Plantagenet, I see, must hold his tongue; Lest it be said, Speak, sirrah, when you should ; Must your bold verdict enter talk with lords? Else would I have a fling at Winchester. [Aside. K. Hen. Uncles of Gloster, and of Winchester, The special watchmen of our English weal; I would prevail, if prayers might prevail, To join your hearts in love and amity. O, what a scandal is it to our crown, That two such noble peers as ye, should jar! Believe me, lords, my tender years can tell, Civil dissention is a viperous worm, That gnaws the bowels of the commonwealth. [A noise within; Down with the tawny coats! What tumult's this? War. An uproar, I dare warrant, Begun through malice of the bishop's men. [A noise again; Stones! Stones! Enter the Mayor of London, attended. May. O, my good lords, and virtuous Henry,— Pity the city of London, pity us! The bishop and the duke of Gloster's men, That many have their giddy brains knock'd out: Enter, skirmishing, the retainers of Gloster and K. Hen. We charge you, on allegiance to ourself, To hold your slaught'ring hands, and keep the peace. Pray, uncle Gloster, mitigate this strife. 1 Serv. Nay, if we be Forbidden stones, we'll fall to it with our teeth. 2 Serv. Do what ye dare, we are as resolute. [Skirmish again. Glo. You of my household, leave this peevish broil, And set this unaccustom'd fight aside. 1 Serv. My lord, we know your grace to be a man Just and upright; and, for your royal birth, Inferior to none, but his majesty: And, ere that we will suffer such a prince, We, and our wives, and children, all will fight, 2 Serv. Ay, and the very parings of our nails Shall pitch a field, when we are dead. [Skirmish again. Glo. Stay, stay, I say! my soul! K. Hen. O, how this discord doth afflict War. My lord protector, yield;-yield Winches ter; Except you mean, with obstinate repulse, Win. He shall submit, or I will never yield. Glo. Compassion on the king commands me stoop; War. Behold, my lord of Winchester, the duke Glo. Here, Winchester, I offer thee my hand. That malice was a great and grievous sin: War. Sweet king!-the bishop hath a kindly gird. Glo. Ay; but, I fear me, with a hollow heart.- Win. So help me God, as I intend it not! [Aside. 2 Serv. And so will I. 3 Serv. And I will see what physic the tavern affords. [Exeunt Servants, Mayor, &c. War. Accept this scroll, most gracious sovereign; Which in the right of Richard Plantagenet We do exhibit to your majesty. Glo. Well urg'd, my lord of Warwick ;-for, sweet prince, An if your grace mark every circumstance, You have great reason to do Richard right: At Eltham-place I told your majesty. K. Hen. And those occasions, uncle, were of force : Therefore, my loving lords, our pleasure is, That Richard be restored to his blood. War. Let Richard be restored to his blood; So shall his father's wrongs be recompens❜d. Win. As will the rest, so willeth Winchester. K. Hen. If Richard will be true, not that alone, But all the whole inheritance I give, That doth belong unto the house of York, From whence you spring by lineal descent. Plan. Thy humble servant vows obedience, K. Hen. Stoop then, and set your knee against my And, in reguerdon of that duty done, may fall! I girt thee with the valiant sword of York: Som. Perish, base prince, ignoble duke of York! Glo. Now will it best avail your majesty, [Aside To cross the seas, and to be crown'd in France: K. Hen. When Gloster says the word, king Henry goes; For friendly counsel cuts off many foes.. Glo. Your ships already are in readiness. [Exeunt all but Exeter. Exe. Ay, we may march in England, or in France, Not seeing what is likely to ensue : This late dissention, grown betwixt the peers, Which, in the time of Henry, nam'd the fifth, SCENE II.-France. Before Roüen. [Exit. Enter LA PUCELLE, disguised, and Soldiers dressed like countrymen, with sacks upon their backs. Puc. These are the city gates, the gates of Rouen, Through which our policy must make a breach: Take heed, be wary how you place your words; Talk like the vulgar sort of market-men, That come to gather money for their corn. If we have entrance, (as, I hope, we shall,) And that we find the slothful watch but weak, I'll by a sign give notice to our friends, That Charles the Dauphin may encounter them. 1 Sold. Our sacks shall be a mean to sack the city, And we be lords and rulers over Roüen; Therefore we'll knock. Guard. [Within.] Qui est là? [Knocks. |