Alen. He may mean more than we poor men do know: These women are, shrewd tempters with their tongues. Reig. My lord, where are you? what devise you on ? Shall we give over Orleans, or no? Puc. Why, no, I say, distrustful recreants! Fight till the last gasp; I will be your guard. Char. What she says, I'll confirm; we'll fight it out. Puc. Assign'd am I to be the English scourge. Till, by broad spreading, it disperse to nought. Now am I like that proud insulting ship, Helen, the mother of great Constantine, 3 Alen. Leave off delays, and let us raise the siege. Reig. Woman, do what thou canst to save our honours; 2 Expect prosperity after misfortune. Meaning the four daughters of Philip mentioned in Acts xxi. 9. Drive them from Orleans, and be immortaliz'd. Char. Presently we'll try :-Come, let's away about it: No prophet will I trust, if she prove false. [Exeunt. SCENE III. London. Hill before the Tower. Enter, at the Gates, the Duke of GLOSTER, with his Serving-men, in blue Coats. Glo. I am come to survey the Tower this day; Since Henry's death, I fear, there is conveyance.4Where be these warders, that they wait not here? 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 mine? 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: From him I have express commandement, me? Arrogant Winchester? that haughty prelate, 1 Serv. Open the gates unto the lord protector; Or we'll burst them open, if that you come not quickly. Enter WINCHESTER, attended by a Train of IVin. How now, ambitious Humphry? what means · this? 6 Glo. Piel'd priest, dost thou command me to be shut out? Win. I do, thou most usurping proditor," And not protector of the king or realm. Alluding to his shaven crown. ? Traitor. Thou, that contriv'dst to murder our dead lord; Win. Nay, stand thou back, I will not budge a foot; This be Damascus, be thou cursed Cain, To slay thy brother Abel, if thou wilt. Glo. I will not slay thee, but I'll drive thee back: Thy scarlet robes, as a child's bearing-cloth I'll use, to carry thee out of this place. Win. Do what thou dar'st; I beard thee to thy face. Glo. What? am I dar'd, and bearded to my face?- I mean to tug it, and to cuff you soundly: Here a great Tumult. In the midst of it, Enter the May. Fye, lords! that you, being supreme magistrates, • Sift. 9 A strumpet. An allusion to the Bishop's habit. 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, Win. Here's Gloster too, a foe to citizens; Because he is protector of the realm; And would have armour here out of the Tower, May. Nought rests for me, in this tumultuous strife, But to make open proclamation : Come, officer; as loud as e'er thou canst. 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,' if you will not away : That is, for peace-officers armed with clubs or staves. |