William Shakespeare: King Henry VI, First Part

ACT FIRST 3. SCENE III. London. Before the Tower.

[Enter the Duke of Gloucester, with his Serving-men
in blue coats.]

GLOUCESTER.
I am come to survey the Tower this day:
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.

FIRST WARDER.
[Within] Who's there that knocks so imperiously?

FIRST SERVING-MAN.
It is the noble Duke of Gloucester.

SECOND WARDER.
[Within] Whoe'er he be, you may not be let in.

FIRST SERVING-MAN.
Villains, answer you so the lord protector?

FIRST WARDER.
[Within] The Lord protect him! so we answer him:
We do no otherwise than we are will'd.

GLOUCESTER.
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 dunghill grooms?
Gloucester's men rush at the Tower Gates, and Woodvile the
Lieutenant speaks within.

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

GLOUCESTER.
Lieutenant, is it you whose voice I hear?
Open the gates; here's Gloucester that would enter.

WOODVILE.
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.

GLOUCESTER.
Faint-hearted Woodvile, 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.

SERVING-MEN.
Open the gates unto the lord protector,
Or we 'll burst them open, if that you come not quickly.

[Enter to the Protector at the Tower Gates Winchester
and his men in tawny coats.]