Act IV, Scene iii

[Enter certain Watchmen, to guard the KING'S tent.]

1 WATCHMAN.:

Come on, my masters, each man take his stand;

The king by this is set him down to sleep.

2 WATCHMAN.:

What, will he not to bed?

1 WATCHMAN.:

Why, no; for he hath made a solemn vow

Never to lie and take his natural rest

Till Warwick or himself be quite suppress'd.

2 WATCHMAN.:

To-morrow, then, belike shall be the day,

If Warwick be so near as men report.

3 WATCHMAN.:

But say, I pray, what nobleman is that

That with the king here resteth in his tent?

1 WATCHMAN.:

'T is the Lord Hastings, the king's chiefest friend.

3 WATCHMAN.:

O, is it So? But why commands the king

That his chief followers lodge in towns about him,

While he himself keeps in the cold field?

2 WATCHMAN.:

'T is the more honour, because more dangerous.

3 WATCHMAN.:

Ay, but give me worship and quietness;

I like it better than dangerous honour.

If Warwick knew in what estate he stands,

'T is to be doubted he would waken him.

1 WATCHMAN.:

Unless our halberds did shut up his passage.

2 WATCHMAN.:

Ay; wherefore else guard we his royal tent

But to defend his person from night-foes?

[Enter WARWICK, CLARENCE, OXFORD, SOMERSET,and Forces silently.]

WARWICK.:

This is his tent; and see where, stand his guard.

Courage, my masters! honour now or never!

But follow me, and Edward shall be ours.

1 WATCHMAN.:

Who goes there?

2 WATCHMAN.:

Stay, or thou diest.

[Warwick and the rest cry all, 'Warwick! Warwick!' and set upon the guard, who fly, crying 'Arm! Arm!' Warwickand the rest following them.]