William Shakespeare: King Henry VI, Third Part

ACT V. 1. SCENE I. Coventry. (continued)

[Enter OXFORD, with Forces.]

WARWICK.
O cheerful colours! see where Oxford comes.

OXFORD.
Oxford, Oxford, for Lancaster!

[He and his forces enter the city.]

GLOSTER.
The gates are open; let us enter too.

KING EDWARD.
So other foes may set upon our backs.
Stand we in good array, for they no doubt
Will issue out again and bid us battle;
If not, the city being but of small defence,
We'll quietly rouse the traitors in the same.

WARWICK.
O, welcome, Oxford, for we want thy help.

[Enter MONTAGUE, with Forces.]

MONTAGUE.
Montague, Montague, for Lancaster!

[He and his forces enter the city.]

GLOSTER.
Thou and thy brother both shall buy this treason,
Even with the dearest blood your bodies bear.

KING EDWARD.
The harder match'd, the greater victory;
My mind presageth happy gain and conquest.

[Enter SOMERSET, with forces.]

SOMERSET.
Somerset, Somerset, for Lancaster!

[He and his forces enter the city.]

GLOSTER.
Two of thy name, both Dukes of Somerset,
Have sold their lives unto the House of York;
And thou shalt be the third if this sword hold.

[Enter CLARENCE, with Forces.]

WARWICK.
And lo, where George of Clarence sweeps along,
Of force enough to bid his brother battle;
With whom an upright zeal to right prevails,
More than the nature of a brother's love!--

[Gloster and Clarence whisper.]

Come, Clarence, come; thou wilt if Warwick call.