And William de la Pole, first duke of Suffolk. This was my dream: what it doth bode, God knows.

Duch. Tut, this was nothing but an argument1

That he that breaks a stick of Gloster's grove Shall lose his head for his presumption. [But list to me, my Humphrey, my sweet duke:

Methought I sat in seat of majesty

In the cathedral church of Westminster, And in that chair where kings and queens are crown'd;

There Henry and Dame Margaret kneel'd to me,

And on my head did set the diadem.

40

Glo. Nay, Eleanor, then must I chide outright:

Presumptuous dame, ill-nurtur'd2 Eleanor,
Art thou not second woman in the realm,
And the protector's wife, belov'd of him?
Hast thou not worldly pleasure at command,
Above the reach or compass of thy thought?
And wilt thou still be hammering3 treachery,
To tumble down thy husband and thyself
From top of honour to disgrace's feet?
Away from me, and let me hear no more! 50
Duch. What, what, my lord! are you so
choleric

With Eleanor, for telling but her dream?
Next time I'll keep my dreams unto myself,
And not be check'd.1

Glo. Nay, be not angry; I am pleas'd again.]

With Margery Jourdain, the cunning witch,
With Roger Bolingbroke, the conjurer?
And will they undertake to do me good?

Hume. This they have promised,—to show your highness

A spirit rais'd from depth of under-ground, That shall make answer to such questions so As by your grace shall be propounded him.

Duch. It is enough; I'll think upon the questions:

When from St. Alban's we do make return, We'll see these things effected to the full. Here, Hume, take this reward; make merry,

man,

With thy confederates in this weighty cause. [Exit.

Hume. Hume must make merry with the

duchess' gold;

Marry, and shall. [But, how now, Sir John, Hume!

90

Seal up your lips, and give no words but mum:]
The business asketh silent secrecy.
Dame Eleanor gives gold to bring the witch:
Gold cannot come amiss, were she a devil.
Yet have I gold flies from another coast:-
I dare not say, from the rich cardinal

* Pageant, here a trisyllable. But grace, i.e. but a duchess.

"Against the Duke of Suffolk, for enclosing the{ commons of Melford." How now, sir knave! Sec. Petit. Alas, sir, I am but a poor petitioner of our whole township.]

Peter. [Giring his petition] Against my master, Thomas Horner, for saying that the Duke of York was rightful heir to the crown. Queen. What say'st thou did the Duke of say he was rightful heir to the crown? Peter. That my master was? no, forsooth: my master said that he was, and that the king was an usurper.

50

Is this the fashion in the court of England?
[Is this the government of Britain's isle,
And this the royalty of Albion's king?]
What, shall King Henry be a pupil still,
Under the surly Gloster's governance?
Am I a queen in title and in style,
And must be made a subject to a duke?
[I tell thee, Pole, when in the city Tours
Thou ran'st a tilt in honour of my love
And stol'st away the ladies' hearts of France,
I thought King Henry had resembled thee
In courage, courtship, and proportion: 9
But all his mind is bent to holiness,
To number Ave-Maries on his beads:
His champions are the prophets and apostles;
His weapons holy saws of sacred writ;
His study is his tilt-yard, and his loves
Are brazen images of canóniz'd saints.
I would the college of the cardinals

4 Of = for.

61

170

First, for I cannot flatter thee in pride;
Next, if I be appointed for the place,
My Lord of Somerset will keep me here,
Without discharge,12 money, or furniture,13
Till France be won into the Dauphin's hands:
Last time I danc'd attendance on his will
Till Paris was besieg'd, famish'd, and lost.
War. That can I witness; and a fouler fact 14
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, the Armourer, and his man PETER. Suf. Because here is a man accus'd of trea