_War._ Nor now my scandal, Richard, dost thou hear; For thou shalt know this strong right hand of mine Can pluck the diadem from faint Henry’s head, And wring the awful sceptre from his fist, Were he as famous and as bold in war ·cba155· As he is famed for mildness, peace, and prayer. _Rich._ I know it well, Lord Warwick; blame me not: ’Tis love I bear thy glories makes me speak. [cba158] But in this troublous time what’s to be done? Shall we go throw away our coats of steel, ·cba160· And wrap our bodies in black mourning gowns, Numbering our Ave-Maries with our beads? Or shall we on the helmets of our foes Tell our devotion with revengeful arms? If for the last, say ay, and to it, lords. ·cba165· _War._ Why, therefore Warwick came to seek you out; And therefore comes my brother Montague. Attend me, lords. The proud insulting queen, With Clifford and the haught Northumberland, And of their feather many moe proud birds, [cba170] Have wrought the easy-melting king like wax. He swore consent to your succession, His oath enrolled in the parliament; And now to London all the crew are gone, To frustrate both his oath and what beside ·cba175· May make against the house of Lancaster. Their power, I think, is thirty thousand strong: Now, if the help of Norfolk and myself, With all the friends that thou, brave Earl of March, Amongst the loving Welshmen canst procure, [cba180] Will but amount to five and twenty thousand, Why, Via! to London will we march amain, [cba182] And once again bestride our foaming steeds, And once again cry ‘Charge upon our foes!’ [cba184] But never once again turn back and fly. ·cba185· _Rich._ Ay, now methinks I hear great Warwick speak: Ne’er may he live to see a sunshine day, That cries ‘Retire,’ if Warwick bid him stay. [cba188] _Edw._ Lord Warwick, on thy shoulder will I lean; [cba189] And when thou fail’st--as God forbid the hour!-- [cba190] Must Edward fall, which peril heaven forfend! _War._ No longer Earl of March, but Duke of York: The next degree is England’s royal throne; [cba193] For King of England shalt thou be proclaim’d In every borough as we pass along; ·cba195· And he that throws not up his cap for joy [cba196] Shall for the fault make forfeit of his head. King Edward, valiant Richard, Montague, [cba198] Stay we no longer, dreaming of renown, But sound the trumpets, and about our task. ·cba200· _Rich._ Then, Clifford, were thy heart as hard as steel, As thou hast shown it flinty by thy deeds, I come to pierce it, or to give thee mine. _Edw._ Then strike up drums: God and Saint George for us! _Enter a_ Messenger. _War._ How now! what news? ·cba205· _Mess._ The Duke of Norfolk sends you word by me, The queen is coming with a puissant host; And craves your company for speedy counsel. _War._ Why then it sorts, brave warriors, let’s away. [cba209] [_Exeunt._ SCENE II. _Before York_.