Page 232 - Shakespeare - Vol. 1

To join your hearts in love and amity.
O, what a scandal is it to our crown,
That two such noble peers as ye should jar! [70]
Believe me, lords, my tender years can tell
Civil dissension is a viperous worm
That gnaws the bowels of the commonwealth.

A noise within: ‘Down with the tawny-coats!’.
What tumult’s this?

WARWICK

An uproar, I dare warrant,
Begun through malice of the bishop’s men. [75]

A noise again: ‘Stones! Stones!’.

Enter Mayor [of London, attended].

MAY OR

O, my good lords, and virtuous Henry,
Pity the city of London, pity us!
The bishop and the Duke of Gloucester’s men,
Forbidden late to carry any weapon,
Have filled their pockets full of pebble-stones [80]
And, banding themselves in contrary parts,
Do pelt so fast at one another’s pate
That many have their giddy brains knocked out.
Our windows are broke down in every street,
And we for fear compelled to shut our shops. [85]

Enter [Servingmen] in skirmish with bloody pates.

KING HENRY

We charge you, on allegiance to ourself,
To hold your slaught’ring hands and keep the peace.
Pray, Uncle Gloucester, mitigate this strife.

FIRST SERVINGMAN

Nay, if we be forbidden stones, we’ll fall to it with our teeth.

SECOND SERVINGMAN

Do what you dare, we are as resolute. [90]

Skirmish again.