Warwick.
I wonder how the King escap'd our hands?

York.
While we pursu'd the horsemen of the north,
He slily stole away and left his men:
Whereat the great lord of Northumberland,
Whose warlike ears could never brook retreat,
Chear'd up the drooping army; and himself,
Lord Clifford and lord Stafford all a-breast,
Charg'd our main battel's front; and breaking in,
Were by the swords of common soldiers slain.

Edw.
Lord Stafford's father, Duke of Buckingham,

Is either slain or wounded dangerous.
I cleft his beaver with a down-right blow:
That this is true, father, behold his blood.

Mont.
And brother, here's the Earl of Wiltshire's blood,
Whom I encounter'd as the battels join'd.

Rich.
Speak thou for me, and tell them what I did.

York.
Richard hath best deserv'd of all my sons:
Is his grace dead, my lord of Somerset?

Norf.
Such hope have all the line of John of Gaunt.

Rich.
Thus do I hope to shake King Henry's head.

War.
And so do I, victorious Prince of York.
Before I see thee seated in the throne,
Which now the house of Lancaster usurps,
I vow by heav'n these eyes shall never close.
This is the palace of the fearful King,
And this the regal seat; possess it York,
For this is thine, and not King Henry's heirs.

York.
Assist me then, sweet Warwick, and I will;
For hither we have broken in by force.

Norf.
We'll all assist you; he that flies shall die.

York.
Thanks, gentle Norfolk; stay by me my lords,
And soldiers stay and lodge by me this night. [They go up.

War.
And when the King comes, offer him no violence,
Unless he seek to thrust you out by force.

York.
The Queen this day here holds her parliament,
But little thinks we shall be of her council;
By words or blows here let us win our right.

Rich.
Arm'd as we are, let's stay within this house.

War.
The bloody parliament shall this be call'd,
Unless Plantagenet Duke of York be King,
And bashful Henry depos'd, whose cowardise
Hath made us by-words to our enemies.

York.
Then leave me not, my lords, be resolute;

I mean to take possession of my right.

War.
Neither the King, nor he that loves him best,
The proudest he that holds up Lancaster,
Dares stir a wing, if Warwick shake his bells.
I'll plant Plantagenet, root him up who dare:
Resolve thee Richard, claim the English crown.

Next section