Glou.
I am this day come to survey the Tower;
Since Henry's death I fear there is conveyance:
Where be these warders, that they wait not here?
Open the gates. 'Tis Gloucester that calls.

1 Ward.
Who's there that knocks so imperiously?

1 Man.
It is the noble Duke of Gloucester.

2 Ward.
Who e'er he be, you may not be let in.

1 Man.
Villains, answer you so the Lord Protector?

1 Ward.
The Lord protect him, so we answer him,
We do no otherwise than we are will'd.

Glou.
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 dunghil grooms? Gloucester's men rush at the Tower gates, and Woodvile the Lieutenant speaks within.

Wood.
What noise is this? what traitors have we here?

Glou.
Lieutenant, is it you whose voice I hear?
Open the gates, here's Glo'ster that would enter.

Wood.
Have patience, noble Duke; I may not open;
The cardinal of Winchester forbids;
From him I have express commandment,
That thou, nor none of thine shall be let in.

Glou.
Faint-hearted Woodvile, prizest him 'fore me?
Arrogant Winchester, the haughty prelate,
Whom Henry our late Soveraign ne'er could brook?
Thou art no friend to God or to the King:
Open the gate, or I'll shut thee out shortly.

Serv.
Open the gates there to the Lord Protector,
We'll burst them open if you come not quickly. Enter to the Protector at the Tower gates, Winchester and his men in tawny coats.

Win.
How now ambitious umpire, what means this?

Glou.
† ^notePiel'd Priest, dost thou command me be shut out?

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

Glou.
Stand back thou manifest conspirator,
Thou that contriv'd'st to murder our dead lord,
Thou that giv'st † ^notewhores indulgencies to sin;
I'll canvass thee in thy broad Cardinal's hat,

If thou proceed in this thy insolence.

Win.
Nay, stand thou back, I will not budge a foot:
This be † ^noteDamascus, be thou cursed Cain,
To slay thy brother Abel if thou wilt.* ^note

















Here Gloucester's men beat out the Cardinal's; and enter in the hurly-burly the Mayor of London, and his officers.

Mayor.
Fie, lords, that you being supreme magistrates,
Thus contumeliously should break the peace.

Glou.
Peace Mayor, for thou know'st little of my wrongs:
Here's Beauford that regards not God nor King,
Hath here distrain'd the Tower to his use.

Win.
Here's Glo'ster too, a foe to citizens,
One that still motions war, and never peace,
O'er-charging 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.

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

Mayor.
Nought rests for me in this tumultuous strife,
But to make open proclamation.
Come, officer, as loud as e'er thou canst.

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.

Glou.
Cardinal, I'll be no breaker of the law:
But we shall meet, and tell our minds at large.

Win.
Glo'ster, we'll meet to thy dear cost be sure;
Thy heart-blood I will have for this day's work.

Mayor.
I'll call for clubs, if you will not away:
This Cardinal is more haughty than the devil.

Glou.
Mayor, farewel: thou dost but what thou may'st.

Win.
Abominable Glo'ster, guard thy head,
For I intend to have it ere be long. [Exeunt.

Mayor.
See the coast clear'd, and then we will depart.
Good God! that nobles should such stomachs bear!
I my self fight not once in forty year. [Exeunt.

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