Shakespeare's First Folio Part 367

Enter the King, Duke Humfrey, Cardinall, Buckingham, Yorke, Salisbury, Warwicke, and the d.u.c.h.esse.

King. For my part, n.o.ble Lords, I care not which, Or Somerset, or Yorke, all's one to me

Yorke. If Yorke haue ill demean'd himselfe in France, Then let him be denay'd the Regentship

Som. If Somerset be vnworthy of the Place, Let Yorke be Regent, I will yeeld to him

Warw. Whether your Grace be worthy, yea or no, Dispute not that, Yorke is the worthyer

Card. Ambitious Warwicke, let thy betters speake

Warw. The Cardinall's not my better in the field

Buck. All in this presence are thy betters, Warwicke

Warw. Warwicke may liue to be the best of all

Salisb. Peace Sonne, and shew some reason Buckingham Why Somerset should be preferr'd in this?

Queene. Because the King forsooth will haue it so

Humf. Madame, the King is old enough himselfe To giue his Censure: These are no Womens matters

Queene. If he be old enough, what needs your Grace To be Protector of his Excellence?

Humf. Madame, I am Protector of the Realme, And at his pleasure will resigne my Place

Suff. Resigne it then, and leaue thine insolence.

Since thou wert King; as who is King, but thou?

The Common-wealth hath dayly run to wrack, The Dolphin hath preuayl'd beyond the Seas, And all the Peeres and n.o.bles of the Realme Haue beene as Bond-men to thy Soueraigntie

Card. The Commons hast thou rackt, the Clergies Bags Are lanke and leane with thy Extortions

Som. Thy sumptuous Buildings, and thy Wiues Attyre Haue cost a ma.s.se of publique Treasurie

Buck. Thy Crueltie in execution Vpon Offendors, hath exceeded Law, And left thee to the mercy of the Law

Queene. Thy sale of Offices and Townes in France, If they were knowne, as the suspect is great, Would make thee quickly hop without thy Head.

Exit Humfrey.

Giue me my Fanne: what, Mynion, can ye not?

She giues the d.u.c.h.esse a box on the eare.

I cry you mercy, Madame: was it you?

Duch. Was't I? yea, I it was, prowd French-woman: Could I come neere your Beautie with my Nayles, I could set my ten Commandements in your face

King. Sweet Aunt be quiet, 'twas against her will

Duch. Against her will, good King? looke to't in time, Shee'le hamper thee, and dandle thee like a Baby: Though in this place most Master weare no Breeches, She shall not strike Dame Elianor vnreueng'd.

Exit Elianor.

Buck. Lord Cardinall, I will follow Elianor, And listen after Humfrey, how he proceedes: Shee's tickled now, her Fume needs no spurres, Shee'le gallop farre enough to her destruction.

Exit Buckingham.

Enter Humfrey.

Humf. Now Lords, my Choller being ouer-blowne, With walking once about the Quadrangle, I come to talke of Common-wealth Affayres.

As for your spightfull false Obiections, Proue them, and I lye open to the Law: But G.o.d in mercie so deale with my Soule, As I in dutie loue my King and Countrey.

But to the matter that we haue in hand: I say, my Soueraigne, Yorke is meetest man To be your Regent in the Realme of France

Suff. Before we make election, giue me leaue To shew some reason, of no little force, That Yorke is most vnmeet of any man

Yorke. Ile tell thee, Suffolke, why I am vnmeet.

First, for I cannot flatter thee in Pride: Next, if I be appointed for the Place, My Lord of Somerset will keepe me here, Without Discharge, Money, or Furniture, Till France be wonne into the Dolphins hands: Last time I danc't attendance on his will, Till Paris was besieg'd, famisht, and lost

Warw. That can I witnesse, and a fouler fact Did neuer Traytor in the Land commit

Suff. Peace head-strong Warwicke

Warw. Image of Pride, why should I hold my peace?

Enter Armorer and his Man.

Suff. Because here is a man accused of Treason, Pray G.o.d the Duke of Yorke excuse himselfe

Yorke. Doth any one accuse Yorke for a Traytor?

King. What mean'st thou, Suffolke? tell me, what are these?

Suff. Please it your Maiestie, this is the man That doth accuse his Master of High Treason; His words were these: That Richard, Duke of Yorke, Was rightfull Heire vnto the English Crowne, And that your Maiestie was an Vsurper

King. Say man, were these thy words?

Armorer. And't shall please your Maiestie, I neuer sayd nor thought any such matter: G.o.d is my witnesse, I am falsely accus'd by the Villaine

Peter. By these tenne bones, my Lords, hee did speake them to me in the Garret one Night, as wee were scowring my Lord of Yorkes Armor

Yorke. Base Dunghill Villaine, and Mechanicall, Ile haue thy Head for this thy Traytors speech: I doe beseech your Royall Maiestie, Let him haue all the rigor of the Law

Armorer. Alas, my Lord, hang me if euer I spake the words: my accuser is my Prentice, and when I did correct him for his fault the other day, he did vow vpon his knees he would be euen with me: I haue good witnesse of this; therefore I beseech your Maiestie, doe not cast away an honest man for a Villaines accusation

King. Vnckle, what shall we say to this in law?

Humf. This doome, my Lord, if I may iudge: Let Somerset be Regent o're the French, Because in Yorke this breedes suspition; And let these haue a day appointed them For single Combat, in conuenient place, For he hath witnesse of his seruants malice: This is the Law, and this Duke Humfreyes doome

Som. I humbly thanke your Royall Maiestie

Armorer. And I accept the Combat willingly

Peter. Alas, my Lord, I cannot fight; for G.o.ds sake pitty my case: the spight of man preuayleth against me.

O Lord haue mercy vpon me, I shall neuer be able to fight a blow: O Lord my heart