And, lords, towards Coventry bend we our course, ACT V. SCENE I. Enter, upon the walls, WARWICK, the Mayor of Coventry, two Messengers, and Others. War. Where is the post, that came from valiant Oxford? How far hence is thy lord, mine honest fellow? 1 Mess. By this at Dunsmore, marching hitherward. War. How far off is our brother Montague ?Where is the post, that came from Montague? 2 Mess. By this at Daintry, with a puissant troop. Enter Sir JOHN SOMERVILLE. War, Say, Somerville, what says my loving son? And, by thy guess, how nigh is Clarence now? Som. At Southam I did leave him with his forces, And do expect him here some two hours hence. [Drum heard. War. Then Clarence is at hand, I hear his drum. Som. It is not his, my lord; here Southam lies; The drum, your honour hears, marcheth from Warwick. War. Who should that be? belike, unlook'd-for friends. Som. They are at hand, and you shall quickly know. Drums. Enter King EDWARD, GLOSTER, and Forces, marching. K. Edw. Go, trumpet, to the wails, and sound a parle. Glo. See, how the surly Warwick mans the walls. War. O, unbid spite is sportful Edward come? Where slept our scouts, or how are they seduc'd, That we could hear no news of his repair? K.Edw. Now, Warwick, wilt thou ope the city gates, Speak gentle words, and humbly bend thy knee ! Call Edward-king, and at his hands beg mercy, And he shall pardon thee these outrages. War. Nay, rather wilt thou draw thy forces hence, Confess who set thee up and pluck'd thee down?Call Warwick-patron, and be penitent, And thou shalt still remain the duke of York. Or did he make the jest against his will? War. 'Twas I, that gave the kingdom to thy brother. K. Edw. Why, then 'tis mine, if but by Warwick's gift. War. Thou art no Atlas for so great a weight: And, weakling, Warwick takes his gift again; And Henry is my king, Warwick his subject. K. Ed. But Warwick's king is Edward's prisoner: And, gallant Warwick, do but answer this,What is the body, when the head is off? Glo. Alas, that Warwick had no more forecast, But, whiles he thought to steal the single ten, The king was slily finger'd from the deck! You left poor Henry at the bishop's palace, And, ten to one, you'll meet him in the Tower. K. Edw. 'Tis even so; yet you are Warwick still. Glo. Come, Warwick, take the time, kneel down, kneel down: Nay, when? strike now, or else the iron cools. War. I had rather chop this hand off at a blow, And with the other fling it at thy face, Than bear so low a sail, to strike to thee. K. Edw. Sail how thou canst, have wind and tide thy friend; This hand, fast wound about thy coal-black hair, Shall, whiles the head is warm, and new cut off, Write in the dust this sentence with thy blood,Wind-changing Warwick now can change no more. Enter OXFORD, with drum and colours. War. O cheerful colours! see, where Oxford comes! Oaf. Oxford, Oxford, for Lancaster! [Oxford and his Forces enter the city. lo. The gates are open, let us enter too. K. Edw. So other foes may set upon our backs. Stand we in good array; for they, no doubt, Will issue out again, and bid us battle: If not, the city being but of small defence, We'll quickly rouse the traitors in the same. War. O, welcome, Oxford! for we want thy help. Enter MONTAGUE, with drum and colours. Mont. Montague, Montague, for Lancaster! [He and his Forces enter the city. Glo. Thou and thy brother both shall buy this treason Even with the dearsest blood your bodies bear. Enter SOMERSET, with drum and colours. [He and his Forces enter the city. Glo. Two of thy name, both dukes of Somerset, Have sold their lives unto the house of York; And thou shalt be the third, if this sword hold. Enter CLARENCE, with drum and colours. War. And lo, where George of Clarence sweeps along, Of force enough to bid his brother battle; means? Come, Clarence, come; thou wilt, if Warwick calls. Who gave his blood to lime the stones together, That, to deserve well at my brother's hands, To plague thee for thy foul misleading me. Than if thou never hadst deserv'd our hate. Glo. Welcome, good Clarence; this is brother-like. Or shall we beat the stones about thine ears? And bid thee battle, Edward, if thou dar'st. K. Edo. Yes, Warwick, Edward dares, and leads the way : Lords, to the field; Saint George, and victory. SCENE II. A field of battle near Barnet. Alarums, and Excursions. Enter King EDWARD, bringing in Warwick wounded. K. Edw. So, lie thou there: die thou, and die For Warwick was a bug, that fear'd us all.- [Exit. veil, Have been as piercing as the mid-day sun, To search the secret treasons of the world: For who liv'd king, but I could dig his grave? Enter OXFORD and SOMERSET. Som. Ah, Warwick, Warwick! wert thou as we are, We might recover all our loss again! The queen from France hath brought a puissant power; Even now we heard the news: Ah, could'st thou fly! Som. Ah, Warwick, Montague hath breath'd his last; And to the latest gasp, cried out for Warwick, War. Flourish. SCENE III. Another part of the field. Enter King EDWARD in triumph: with CLARENCE, GLOSTER, and the rest, K. Edo. Thus far our fortune keeps an upward course, |