Oxford with French and other Forces.
War.
Trust me, my lord, all hitherto goes well;
The common people by numbers swarm to us.
Enter Clarence and Somerset.
But, see, where Somerset and Clarence come;—
Speak suddenly, my lords, are we all friends?
Clar.
Fear not that, my lord.
War.
Then, gentle Clarence, welcome unto Warwick;
And welcome, Somerset:—I hold it cowardice,
To rest mistrustful where a noble heart
Hath pawn'd an open hand in sign of love;
Else might I think, that Clarence, Edward's brother,
Were but a feigned friend to our proceedings:
But welcome, sweet Clarence1 note; my daughter shall be thine.
And now what rests, but, in night's coverture,
Thy brother being carelessly encamp'd,
His soldiers lurking in the towns about2 note
,
And but attended by a simple guard,
We may surprise and take him at our pleasure?
-- 490 --
Our scouts have found the adventure very easy3 note
:
&mast;That as Ulysses4 note, and stout Diomede,
&mast;With sleight and manhood stole to Rhesus' tents,
&mast;And brought from thence the Thracian fatal steeds5 note;
&mast;So we, well cover'd with the night's black mantle,
&mast;At unawares may beat down Edward's guard,
&mast;And seize himself; I say not—slaughter him,
&mast;For I intend but only to surprise him.—
&mlquo;You, that will follow me to this attempt,
&mlquo;Applaud the name of Henry, with your leader.
[They all cry, Henry!
Why, then, let's on our way in silent sort:
For Warwick and his friends, God and Saint George6 note
!
[Exeunt.
-- 491 --
James Boswell [1821], The plays and poems of William Shakspeare, with the corrections and illustrations of various commentators: comprehending A Life of the Poet, and an enlarged history of the stage, by the late Edmond Malone. With a new glossarial index (J. Deighton and Sons, Cambridge) [word count] [S10201].
