Henry VI, Part III by William Shakespeare

Act 4 - Scene 3

Edward’s camp, near Warwick.

First Watchman : Come on, my masters, each man take his stand: [p]The king by this is
set him down to sleep.

Second Watchman : What, will he not to bed?

First Watchman : Why, no; for he hath made a solemn vow [p]Never to lie and take his
natural rest [p]Till Warwick or himself be quite suppress'd.

Second Watchman : To-morrow then belike shall be the day, [p]If Warwick be so near as
men report.

Third Watchman : But say, I pray, what nobleman is that [p]That with the king here
resteth in his tent?

First Watchman : 'Tis the Lord Hastings, the king's chiefest friend.

Third Watchman : O, is it so? But why commands the king [p]That his chief followers
lodge in towns about him, [p]While he himself keeps in the cold
field?

Second Watchman : 'Tis the more honour, because more dangerous.

Third Watchman : Ay, but give me worship and quietness; [p]I like it better than a
dangerous honour. [p]If Warwick knew in what estate he stands, [p]'Tis
to be doubted he would waken him.

First Watchman : Unless our halberds did shut up his passage.

Second Watchman : Ay, wherefore else guard we his royal tent, [p]But to defend his
person from night-foes? [p][Enter WARWICK, CLARENCE, OXFORD, SOMERSET,
and] [p]French soldiers, silent all]

First Watchman : Who goes there?

Second Watchman : Stay, or thou diest! [p][WARWICK and the rest cry all, 'Warwick!
Warwick!'] [p]and set upon the Guard, who fly, crying, 'Arm! [p]arm!'
WARWICK and the rest following them] [p][The drum playing and trumpet
sounding, reenter] [p]WARWICK, SOMERSET, and the rest, bringing
KING [p]EDWARD IV out in his gown, sitting in a chair. [p]RICHARD and
HASTINGS fly over the stage]

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