GLOUCESTER
I am come to survey the Tower this day.
Since Henry’s death, I fear, there is conveyance.
Where be these warders that they wait not here?
Open the gates; Gloucester that calls.
FIRST WARDER
Who’s there that knocks so imperiously?
FIRST SERVINGMAN
It is the noble Duke of Gloucester.
SECOND WARDER
Whoe’er he be, you may not be let in.
FIRST SERVINGMAN
Villains, answer you so the Lord Protector?
FIRST WARDER
The Lord protect him, so we answer him.
We do no otherwise than we are will’d.
GLOUCESTER
Who willed you? Or whose will stands but mine?
There’s none Protector of the realm but I.
Break up the gates, I’ll be your warrantize.
Shall I be flouted thus by dunghill grooms?
WOODVILLE
What noise is this? What traitors have we here?
GLOUCESTER
Lieutenant, is it you whose voice I hear?
Open the gates; here’s Gloucester that would enter.
WOODVILLE
Have patience, noble Duke; I may not open;
The Cardinal of Winchester forbids.
From him I have express commandment
That nor none of shall be let in.
GLOUCESTER
Faint-hearted Woodville, prizest him ’fore me?
Arrogant Winchester, that haughty prelate
Whom Henry, our late sovereign, could brook?
art no friend to God or to the King.
Open the gates, or I’ll shut out shortly.
SERVINGMEN
Open the gates unto the Lord Protector,
Or we’ll burst them open, if that you come not quickly.
WINCHESTER
How now, ambitious Humphrey! What means this?
GLOUCESTER
Peel’d priest, command me to be shut out?
WINCHESTER
I do, most usurping proditor,
And not Protector, of the King or realm.
GLOUCESTER
Stand back, manifest conspirator,
that contrived’st to murder our dead lord;
that giv’st whores indulgences to sin:
I’ll canvass in broad cardinal’s hat,
If proceed in this insolence.
WINCHESTER
Nay, stand back; I will not budge a foot.
This be Damascus, be cursed Cain,
To slay brother Abel, if wilt.
GLOUCESTER
I will not slay , but I’ll drive back.
scarlet robes, as a child’s bearing-cloth,
I’ll use to carry out of this place.
WINCHESTER
Do what dar’st, I beard to face.
GLOUCESTER
What, am I dared and bearded to my face?
Draw, men, for all this privileged place.
Blue coats to tawny coats. Priest, beware your beard;
I mean to tug it and to cuff you soundly.
Under my feet I’ll stamp cardinal’s hat;
In spite of Pope or dignities of church,
Here by the cheeks I’ll drag up and down.
WINCHESTER
Gloucester, wilt answer this before the Pope.
GLOUCESTER
Winchester goose, I cry, “a rope, a rope!”
Now beat them ; why do you let them stay?
I’ll chase , wolf in sheep’s array.
Out, tawny coats! Out, scarlet hypocrite!
MAYOR
Fie, lords, that you, being supreme magistrates,
Thus contumeliously should break the peace!
GLOUCESTER
Peace, Mayor! know’st little of my wrongs.
Here’s Beaufort, that regards nor God nor king,
here distrain’d the Tower to his use.
WINCHESTER
Here’s Gloucester, 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.
GLOUCESTER
I will not answer with words, but blows.
MAYOR
Nought rests for me in this tumultuous strife
But to make open proclamation.
Come, officer, as loud as e’er canst, cry.
OFFICER
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.
GLOUCESTER
Cardinal, I’ll be no breaker of the law;
But we shall meet and break our minds at large.
WINCHESTER
Gloucester, we will meet, to cost, be sure;
heart-blood I will have for this day’s work.
MAYOR
I’ll call for clubs, if you will not away.
This Cardinal’s more haughty than the devil.
GLOUCESTER
Mayor, farewell. but what mayst.
WINCHESTER
Abominable Gloucester, guard head,
For I intend to have it long.
MAYOR
See the coast clear’d, and then we will depart.
Good God, these nobles should such stomachs bear!
I myself fight not once in forty year.