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Act 4, Scene 1
Henry VI, Part 3 Translation Act 4, Scene 2
Enter WARWICK and OXFORD, with French soldiers
WARWICK
Trust me, my lord, all hitherto goes well;The common people by numbers swarm to us.
WARWICK
Trust me, my lord. Everything has gone well so far. The commoners rush to support us in huge number.
Enter CLARENCE and SOMERSET
WARWICK
But see where Somerset and Clarence come!Speak suddenly, my lords, are we all friends?
WARWICK
But look at Somerset and Clarence coming! Tell us immediately, my lords—are we all friends?
CLARENCE
Fear not that, my lord.
CLARENCE
Don't be worried about that, my lord.
WARWICK
Then, gentle Clarence, welcome unto Warwick; And welcome, Somerset: I hold it cowardice To rest mistrustful where a noble heart Hath pawn'd an open hand in sign of love; Else might I think that Clarence, Edward's brother, Were but a feigned friend to our proceedings: But welcome, sweet Clarence; my daughter shall be thine. And now what rests but, in night's coverture, Thy brother being carelessly encamp'd, His soldiers lurking in the towns about, And but attended by a simple guard, We may surprise and take him at our pleasure? Our scouts have found the adventure very easy: That as Ulysses and stout Diomede With sleight and manhood stole to Rhesus' tents, And brought from thence the Thracian fatal steeds, So we, well cover'd with the night's black mantle, At unawares may beat down Edward's guard And seize himself; I say not, slaughter him, For I intend but only to surprise him. You that will follow me to this attempt, Applaud the name of Henry with your leader.
WARWICK
Then, kind Clarence, welcome to Warwick, and you too, Somerset. I think it's cowardly not to trust a noble man who has pledged his love and loyalty to you and shaken hands on it. Otherwise, I might think that Edward's brother Clarence was only pretending to be friendly to our side of the battle. But you are welcome, sweet Clarence and my daughter will be yours. And now what's left for us to do but attack by cover of darkness? Since your brother's camp is not well set up, and he just has a low-key guard while his soldiers are wandering about the town, we can surprise him and capture him whenever we feel like it. Our spies have found sneaking into Edward's camp easy. We'll be just like Ulysses and the bold Diomedes in the Trojan War who snuck into Rhesus' tents with macho cunning, and stole the deadly Thracian horses. Just like that, covered with the dark cape of night, we'll catch them unawares, knock out Edward's guard, and capture him. I don't say "kill him" because I only want to capture him. Anyone who wants to attempt this with me, shout the name of Henry with your leader.
They all cry, 'Henry!'
WARWICK
Why, then, let's on our way in silent sort:For Warwick and his friends, God and Saint George!
WARWICK
Well, then, let's go in a silent manner. For Warwick and his friends, God and Saint George!
Exeunt
