Glo.
I am come to survey the Tower this day;
Since Henry's death, I fear, there is conveyance^{1 note}

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.—

Break up the gates^{2 note}

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,
That thou, nor none of thine, shall be let in.

Glo.
Faint-hearted Woodville, prizest him, 'fore me?
Arrogant Winchester? that haughty prelate,
Whom Henry, our late sovereign, ne'er could brook?
Thou art no friend to God, or to the king:
Open the gates, or I'll shut thee out shortly.

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 Servants in Tawny Coats^{3 note}

Win.
How now, ambitious Humphry? what means this^{4 note}?

Glo.
Peel'd priest^{5 note}

Win.
I do, thou most usurping proditor,
And not protector of the king or realm.

Glo.
Stand back, thou manifest conspirator,
Thou, that contriv'dst to murder our dead lord;
Thou that giv'st whores indulgences to sin^{6 note}

If thou proceed in this thy insolence.

Win.
Nay, stand thou back, I will not budge a foot;
This be Damascus, be thou cursed Cain^{8 note}

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?—
Draw, men, for all this privileged place;
Blue-coats to tawny-coats. Priest, beware your beard; [Gloster and his Men attack the Bishop.
I mean to tug it, and to cuff you soundly:
Under my feet I stamp thy cardinal's hat;
In spite of pope or dignities of church,
Here by the cheeks I'll drag thee up and down.

Win.
Gloster, thou'lt answer this before the pope.

Glo.
Winchester goose^{9 note}! I cry—a rope! a rope^{1 note}!—
Now beat them hence, Why do you let them stay?—
Thee I'll chase hence, thou wolf in sheep's array.—
Out, tawny coats!—out, scarlet hypocrite^{2 note}! Here a great Tumult. In the midst of it, Enter the Mayor of London^{3 note}, and Officers.

May.
Fye, lords! that you, being supreme magistrates,
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,
Hath here distrain'd the Tower to his use.

Win.
Here's Gloster too, a foe to citizens^{4 note};
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.

Glo.
I will not answer thee with words, but blows. [Here they skirmish again.

May.
Nought rests for me, in this tumultuous strife,

But to make open proclamation:—
Come, officer; as loud as e'er thou can'st. 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:^{5 note}
Thy heart-blood I will have for this day's work.

May.
I'll call for clubs, if you will not away^{6 note}

Glo.
Mayor, farewell: thou dost but what thou may'st.

Win.
Abominable Gloster! guard thy head;
For I intend to have it, ere long. [Exeunt.

May.
See the coast clear'd, and then we will depart.—
Good God! that nobles should such stomachs^{7 note}

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