Act 5. Scene I - Page 2

you'll meet him in the Tower.

EDWARD
'Tis even so; yet you are Warwick still.

GLOUCESTER
Come, Warwick, take the time; kneel down, kneel down:
Nay, when? strike now, or else the iron cools.

WARWICK
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.

KING EDWARD IV
Sail how thou canst, have wind and tide thy friend,
This hand, fast wound about thy coal-black hair
Shall, whiles thy 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

WARWICK
O cheerful colours! see where Oxford comes!

OXFORD
Oxford, Oxford, for Lancaster!

He and his forces enter the city

GLOUCESTER
The gates are open, let us enter too.

KING EDWARD IV
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.

WARWICK
O, welcome, Oxford! for we want thy help.

Enter MONTAGUE with drum and colours

MONTAGUE
Montague, Montague, for Lancaster!

He and his forces enter the city

GLOUCESTER
Thou and thy brother both shall buy this treason
Even with the dearest blood your bodies bear.

KING EDWARD IV
The harder match'd, the greater victory:
My mind presageth happy gain and conquest.

Enter SOMERSET, with drum and colours

SOMERSET
Somerset, Somerset, for Lancaster!

He and his forces enter the city

GLOUCESTER
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

WARWICK
And lo, where George of Clarence sweeps along,
Of force enough to bid his brother battle;
With whom an upright zeal to right prevails
More than the nature of a brother's love!
Come, Clarence, come; thou wilt, if Warwick call.

CLARENCE
Father of Warwick, know you what this means?

Taking his red rose out of his hat

Look here, I throw my infamy at thee
I will not ruinate my father's house,
Who gave his blood to lime the stones together,
And set up Lancaster. Why, trow'st thou, Warwick,
That Clarence is so harsh, so blunt, unnatural,
To bend the fatal instruments of war
Against his brother and his lawful king?
Perhaps thou wilt object my holy oath:
To keep that oath were more impiety
Than Jephthah's, when he sacrificed his daughter.
I am so sorry for my