Q. Mar. Because the king, forsooth, will have it SO. Glo. Madam, the king is old enough himself To give his censure: these are no women's matters. Q. Mar. If he be old enough, what needs your grace To be protector of his excellence? Glo. Madam, I am protector of the realm; And, at his pleasure, will resign my place. Suf. Resign it then, and leave thine insolence. Since thou wert king, (as who is king, but thou?) The commonwealth hath daily run to wreck: The Dauphin hath prevail'd beyond the seas; And all the peers and nobles of the realm Have been as bondmen to thy sovereignty. Car. The commons hast thou rack'd; the clergy's bags Are lank and lean with thy extortions. Som. Thy sumptuous buildings, and thy wife's attire, Have cost a mass of public treasury. Q. Mar. Thy sale of offices, and towns in France,- [Exit Gloster. The Queen drops her fan. Give me my fan: What, minion! can you not? [Gives the Duchess a box on the ear. I cry you mercy, madam; Was it you? Duch. Wast 1 yea, I it was, proud French woman: Could I come near your beauty with my nails, K. Hen. Sweet aunt, be quiet; 'twas against her will. Duch. Against her will! Good king, look to't in time; She'll hamper thee, and dandle thee like a baby: Buck. Lord Cardinal, I will follow Eleanor, [Exit Buckingham. Re-enter Gloster. Glo. Now, lords, my choler being overblown, War. That I can witness; and a fouler fact Did never traitor in the land commit. Suf. Peace, head-strong Warwick! War. Image of pride, why should I hold my peace? Enter Servants of Suffolk, bringing in HORNER and PETER. Suf. Because here is a man accus'd of treason: Pray God, the duke of York excuse himself! York. Doth any one accuse York for a traitor? K. Hen. What mean'st thou, Suffolk tell me : What are these? Suf. Please it your majesty, this is the man That doth accuse his master of high treason: His words were these;-that Richard, duke of York, Was rightful heir unto the English crown; And that your majesty was an usurper. K. Hen. Say, man, were these thy words? Hor. An't shall please your majesty, I never said nor thought any such matter: God is my witness, I am falsely accused by the villain. Pet. By these ten bones, my lords, [Holding up his hands.] he did speak them to me in the garret one night, as we were scouring my lord of York's armour. York. Base dunghill villain, and mechanical, I'll have thy head for this thy traitor's speech:I do beseech your royal majesty, Let him have all the rigour of the law. Hor. Alas, my lord, hang me, if ever I spake the words. My accuser is my prentice; and when I did correct him for his fault the other day, he did vow upon his knees he would be even with me: I have good witness of this; therefore, I beseech your majesty, do not cast away an honest man for a villain's accusation. K. Hen. Uncle, what shall we say to this in law? Glo. This doom, my lord, if I may judge. Let Somerset be regent o'er the French, Because in York this breeds suspicion : Pet. Alas, my lord, I cannot fight; for God's sake, pity my case! the spite of man prevaileth against me. O, Lord have mercy upon me! I shall never be able to fight a blow: O Lord, my heart! Glo. Sirrah, or you must fight, or else be hang'd. K. Hen. Away with them to prison: and the day Of combat shall be the last of the next month.Come, Somerset, we'll see thee sent away. [Exeunt. SCENE IV.-The same. The Duke of Gloster's garden. Enter MARGERY JOURDAIN, HUME, SOUTHWELL, and Bolingbroke. Hume. Come, my masters; the duchess, I tell you, expects performance of your promises. Boling. Master Hume, we are therefore provided: Will her ladyship behold and hear our exorcisms? Hume. Ay; What else? fear you not her courage. Boling. I have heard her reported to be a woman of an invincible spirit: But it shall be convenient, master Hume, that you be by her aloft, while we be busy below; and so, I pray you, go in God's name, and leave us. [Exit Hume.] Mother Jourdain, be you prostrate, and grovel on the earth:-John Southwell, read you; and let us to our work. Enter Duchess, above. Duch. Well said, my masters; and welcome all. To this geer; the sooner the better. Boling. Patience, good lady; wizards know their times: Deep night, dark night, the silent of the night, [Here they perform the ceremonies appertain- Spir. Adsum. M. Jourd, Asmath, By the eternal God, whose name and power For, till thou speak, thou shalt not pass from hence. Spir. Ask what thou wilt:-That I had said and done! become? Boling. First of the king-What shall of him [Reading out of a paper. Spir. The duke yet lives, that Henry shall depose; But him outlive, and die a violent death. [As the Spirit speaks, Southwell writes the answer. Boling. What fate awaits the duke of Suffolk? Spir. By water shall he die, and take his end. Boling. What shall befall the duke of Somerset ? Spir. Let him shun castles; Safer shall he be upon the sandy plains |