William Shakespeare: King Henry VI, Third Part

ACT IV. 7. SCENE VII. Before York

[Enter KING EDWARD, GLOSTER, HASTINGS, and Forces.]

KING EDWARD.
Now, brother Richard, Lord Hastings, and the rest,
Yet thus far fortune maketh us amends,
And says that once more I shall interchange
My waned state for Henry's regal crown.
Well have we pass'd and now repass'd the seas,
And brought desired help from Burgundy.
What then remains, we being thus arriv'd
From Ravenspurg haven before the gates of York,
But that we enter as into our dukedom?

GLOSTER.
The gates made fast!--Brother, I like not this;
For many men that stumble at the threshold
Are well foretold that danger lurks within.

KING EDWARD.
Tush, man! abodements must not now affright us;
By fair or foul means we must enter in,
For hither will our friends repair to us.

HASTINGS.
My liege, I'll knock once more to summon them.

[Enter on the walls, the Mayor of York and his Brethren.]

MAYOR.
My lords, we were forewarned of your coming
And shut the gates for safety of ourselves,
For now we owe allegiance unto Henry.

KING EDWARD.
But master mayor, if Henry be your king,
Yet Edward, at the least, is Duke of York.

MAYOR.
True, my good lord; I know you for no less.

KING EDWARD.
Why, and I challenge nothing but my dukedom,
As being well content with that alone.

GLOSTER.
[Aside.] But when the fox hath once got in his nose,
He'll soon find means to make the body follow.

HASTINGS.
Why, master mayor, why stand you in a doubt?
Open the gates; we are King Henry's friends.

MAYOR.
Ay, say you so? the gates shall then be open'd.

[Exeunt from above.]

GLOSTER.
A wise, stout captain, and soon persuaded.