Henry VI, Pt. 2
Act V, Scene 3
Field nearby Saint Albans.
Sound drum and trumpets, and to London all,
And more such days as these to us befall!
From: Cassell's Illustrated Shakespeare
Mary Cowden Clarke, Charles Cowden Clarke, 1870
- Alarum. Retreat. Enter York, Richard, Warwick, and Soldiers
- with Drum and Colors.
Duke of York
1 - 7- Of Salisbury, who can report of him,
- That winter lion, who in rage forgets
- Aged contusions and all brush of time;
- And like a gallant in the brow of youth,
- Repairs him with occasion? This happy day
- Is not itself, nor have we won one foot,
- If Salisbury be lost.
Richard Plantagenet
8 - 15- My noble father,
- Three times today I holp him to his horse,
- Three times bestrid him; thrice I led him off,
- Persuaded him from any further act:
- But still, where danger was, still there I met him,
- And like rich hangings in a homely house,
- So was his will in his old feeble body.
- But noble as he is, look where he comes.
- Enter Salisbury.
Earl of Salisbury
16 - 23- Now, by my sword, well hast thou fought today;
- By th’ mass, so did we all. I thank you, Richard.
- God knows how long it is I have to live,
- And it hath pleas’d him that three times today
- You have defended me from imminent death.
- Well, lords, we have not got that which we have:
- ’Tis not enough our foes are this time fled,
- Being opposites of such repairing nature.
Duke of York
24 - 28- I know our safety is to follow them,
- For, as I hear, the King is fled to London,
- To call a present court of parliament.
- Let us pursue him ere the writs go forth.
- What says Lord Warwick? Shall we after them?
Earl of Warwick
29 - 34- After them! Nay, before them, if we can.
- Now, by my faith, lords, ’twas a glorious day.
- Saint Albans battle won by famous York
- Shall be eterniz’d in all age to come.
- Sound drum and trumpets, and to London all,
- And more such days as these to us befall!
- Exeunt.
