The Second part of King Henry the Sixth — Act 4, Scene 5: London. The Tower.

At the Tower, Lord Scales meets two citizens who bring urgent news about Jack Cade’s rebellion. They report that Cade is still alive and that the rebels have seized London Bridge, killing anyone who resisted them. They ask Scales for help from the Tower to defend the city. Scales agrees to send whatever support he can, but admits that the rebels have already tried to take the Tower itself, leaving him under pressure there. He tells the citizens to go to Smithfield and rally more men, promising to send Matthew Goffe to assist them, and urges them to fight for the king, the country, and their lives.

How now! is Jack Cade slain?

No, my lord, nor likely to be slain; for they have

won the bridge, killing all those that withstand

them: the lord mayor craves aid of your honour from

the Tower, to defend the city from the rebels.

Such aid as I can spare you shall command;

But I am troubled here with them myself;

The rebels have assay'd to win the Tower.

But get you to Smithfield, and gather head,

And thither I will send you Matthew Goffe;

Fight for your king, your country and your lives;

And so, farewell, for I must hence again.