So, let her rest; and, Madam, list to me, Yet must we join with him, and with the lords, So, one by one, we 'll weed them all at last, Enter King HENRY, YORK, and SOMERSET; Duke and Duchess of GLOSTER, Cardinal BEAUFORT, BUCKINGHAM, SALISBURY and WARWICK. K. Hen. For my part, noble lords, I care not which; Or Somerset, or York, all's one to me. York. If York have ill demean'd himself in France, Then let him be denay'd the regentship. Som. If Somerset be unworthy of the place, Let York.be regent; I will yield to him. War. Whether your grace be worthy, yea, or no, Car. Ambitious Warwick, let thy betters speak. Sal. Peace, son! - and show some reason, Buckingham Why Somerset should be preferr'd in this. Q. Mar. Because the king, forsooth, will have it so. To give his censure. These are no women's matters. Glo. Madam, I am protector of the realm, Suf. Resign it, then, and leave thine insolence. The Dauphin hath prevail'd beyond the seas, Car. The commons hast thou rack'd; the clergy's bags Som. Thy sumptuous buildings, and thy wife's attire, Have cost a mass of public treasury. Buck. Thy cruelty, in execution 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? [Giving the Duchess a box on the ear. I cry you mercy, Madam: was it you? Duch. Was 't I? yea, I it was, proud French-woman: Could I come near your beauty with my nails, I'd set my ten commandments in your face. K. Hen Sweet aunt, be quiet: 't was against her will. Buck. Lord Cardinal, I will follow Eleanor, [Exit Duchess. She'll gallop far enough to her destruction. [Exit BUCKINGHAM. Re-enter GLOster. Glo. Now, lords, my choler being over-blown With walking once about the quadrangle, I come to talk of commonwealth affairs. As I in duty love my king and country. Suf. Before we make election, give me leave York. I'll tell thee, Suffolk, why I am unmeet. Did never traitor in the land commit. Suf. Peace, headstrong 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, 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, And that your majesty was an usurper. K. Hen. Say, man, were these thy words? what are 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, 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, Hor. And I accept the combat willingly. 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. Of combat shall be the last of the next month. SCENE IV. The Same. The Duke of GLOSTER'S Garden. [Exeunt. 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, The time of night when Troy was set on fire; The time when screech-owls cry, and ban-dogs howl, [Here they perform the Ceremonies belonging, and 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! [As the Spirit speaks, SOUTHWELL writes the answer. Boling. What fates await the duke of Suffolk? Spir. By water shall he die, and take his end. |