And in her heart she scorns her poverty: Yet we must join with him, and with the lords, So, one by one, we'll weed them all at last. And you yourself shall steer the happy helm. Enter KING HENRY, YORK, and SOMERSET, conversing with him; 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, Dispute not that: York is the worthier. Car. Ambitious Warwick, let thy betters speak. Buck. All in this presence are thy betters, Warwick, Sal. Peace, son ;- and show some reason, Buckingham, Q. Mar. Because the king, forsooth, will have it so. Glo. Madam, I am protector of the realm; Suf. Resign it then, and leave thine insolence. * Trull. † Of Peter, the armourer's man against his master. + Deny. Opinion. 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. 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? [Gives the DUCHESS a box on the Ear. I cry you mercy, madam; Was it you? Duch. Was't I? yea, I it was, proud Frenchwoman: Could I come near your beauty with my nails, I'd set my ten commandments in your face.* K. Hen. Sweet aunt, be quiet; 'twas against her will. She'll hamper thee, and dandle thee like a baby: She shall not strike dame Eleanor unrevenged. [Exit DUCHESS. And listen after Humphrey, how he proceeds: Re-enter GLOSTER. [Exit BUCKINGHAM. Glo. Now, lords, my choler being over-blown, York. I'll tell thee, Suffolk, why I am unmeet. * The marks of her fingers. Last time, I danced attendance on his will, 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 accused 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, 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 ? 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. 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 BOLING BROKE. 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, And spirits walk, and ghosts break up their graves, Madam, sit you, and fear not; whom we raise, We will make fast within a hallow'd verge. [Here they perform the Ceremonies appertaining, and make the Circle; BOLINGBROKE, or SOUTHWELL, reads, Conjuro, te, &c. It thunders and lightens terribly; then the SPIRIT riseth. Spir. Adsum. M. Jourd. Asmath. By the eternal God, whose name and power Thou tremblest at, answer that I shall ask; For, till thou speak, thou shalt not pass from hence. Spir. Ask what thou wilt:+-That I had said and done! [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? Safer shall he be upon the sandy plains, Than where castles mounted stand. Have done, for more I hardly can endure. Boling. Descend to darkness, and the burning lake: False fiend, avoid! [Thunder and lightning. SPIRIT descends. Enter YORK and BUCKINGHAM, hastily, with their Guards, and others. York. Lay hands upon these traitors, and their trash. What, madam, are you there? the king and commonweal My lord protector will, I doubt it not, See you well guerdon'd* for these good deserts. Away with them; let them be clapp'd up close, [Exit DUCHESS from above. [Exeunt Guards, with SOUTH., BOLING., &c. The duke yet lives, that Henry shall depose; Aio te, Eacida, Romanos vincere posse. Tell me what fate awaits the duke of Suffolk? By water shall he die, and take his end. What shall betide the duke of Somerset ? Let him shun castles; Safer shall he be upon the sandy plains, Than where castles mounted stand. Come, come, my lords; These oracles are hardily attain'd, And hardly understood. The king is now in progress toward Saint Albans. With him the husband of this lovely lady: Thither go these news, as fast as horse can carry them; A sorry breakfast for my lord protector. [Reads. Buck. Your grace shall give me leave, my lord of York, To be the post, in hope of his reward. York. At your pleasure, my good lord. Who's within there, ho! Enter a SERVANT. Invite my lords of Salisbury, and Warwick, [Exeunt. *Rewarded. |