Henry VI, Part 3: Act 5, Scene 2

history

A field of battle near Barnet.

Scene Summary

The Battle of Barnet. Warwick is mortally wounded. Alone on the field, he dies after a speech reflecting on how a man stripped of power and followers is nothing — all the titles and honours mean nothing when the strength to back them is gone.

Alarum and excursions. Enter KING EDWARD IV, bringing forth WARWICK wounded

KING EDWARD IV

So, lie thou there: die thou, and die our fear;

For Warwick was a bug that fear'd us all.

Now, Montague, sit fast; I seek for thee,

That Warwick's bones may keep thine company.

Exit

WARWICK

Ah, who is nigh? come to me, friend or foe,

And tell me who is victor, York or Warwick?

Why ask I that? my mangled body shows,

My blood, my want of strength, my sick heart shows.

That I must yield my body to the earth

And, by my fall, the conquest to my foe.

Thus yields the cedar to the axe's edge,

Whose arms gave shelter to the princely eagle,

Under whose shade the ramping lion slept,

Whose top-branch overpeer'd Jove's spreading tree

And kept low shrubs from winter's powerful wind.

These eyes, that now are dimm'd with death's black veil,

Have been as piercing as the mid-day sun,

To search the secret treasons of the world:

The wrinkles in my brows, now filled with blood,

Were liken'd oft to kingly sepulchres;

For who lived king, but I could dig his grave?

And who durst mine when Warwick bent his brow?

Lo, now my glory smear'd in dust and blood!

My parks, my walks, my manors that I had.

Even now forsake me, and of all my lands

Is nothing left me but my body's length.

Why, what is pomp, rule, reign, but earth and dust?

And, live we how we can, yet die we must.

Enter OXFORD and SOMERSET

SOMERSET

Ah, Warwick, Warwick! wert thou as we are.

We might recover all our loss again;

The queen from France hath brought a puissant power:

Even now we heard the news: ah, could'st thou fly!

WARWICK

Why, then I would not fly. Ah, Montague,

If thou be there, sweet brother, take my hand.

And with thy lips keep in my soul awhile!

Thou lovest me not; for, brother, if thou didst,

Thy tears would wash this cold congealed blood

That glues my lips and will not let me speak.

Come quickly, Montague, or I am dead.

SOMERSET

Ah, Warwick! Montague hath breathed his last;

And to the latest gasp cried out for Warwick,

And said 'Commend me to my valiant brother.'

And more he would have said, and more he spoke,

Which sounded like a clamour in a vault,

That mought not be distinguished; but at last

I well might hear, delivered with a groan,

'O, farewell, Warwick!'

WARWICK

Sweet rest his soul! Fly, lords, and save yourselves;

For Warwick bids you all farewell to meet in heaven.

Dies

OXFORD

Away, away, to meet the queen's great power!

Here they bear away his body. Exeunt