Flourish. Enter King Edward in triumph, with Richard,
Clarence, and the rest, all wearing the white rose. KING EDWARD
Thus far our fortune keeps an upward course,
And we are graced with wreaths of victory.
But in the midst of this bright-shining day,
I spy a black suspicious threat’ning cloud
That will encounter with our glorious sun 5
Ere he attain his easeful western bed.
I mean, my lords, those powers that the Queen
Hath raised in Gallia have arrived our coast
And, as we hear, march on to fight with us. CLARENCE
A little gale will soon disperse that cloud 10
And blow it to the source from whence it came;
Thy very beams will dry those vapors up,
For every cloud engenders not a storm. | Edward enters with a flourish and greets his brothers. They have
defeated Warwick and his supporters, but Margaret looms on the horizon. |
RICHARD
The Queen is valued thirty thousand strong,
And Somerset, with Oxford, fled to her. 15
If she have time to breathe, be well assured
Her faction will be full as strong as ours. KING EDWARD
We are advertised by our loving friends
That they do hold their course toward Tewkesbury.
We having now the best at Barnet Field 20
Will thither straight, for willingness rids way,
And, as we march, our strength will be augmented
In every county as we go along.
Strike up the drum, cry “Courage!” and away. They exit. | Richard reports that Margaret has 30,000 troops, so combined with the armies of Somerset and Oxford, they will be a match for Edward's armies. Edward says they can hold strong if they are courageous. And away they go. |