WOOD 5 WOODSTOCK, KEY-PUNCHED IN 1968 FROM THE 1946 EDITION OF THE MANUSCRIPT BY A. P. ROSSITER. MODERN AMERICAN SPELLING. PROOFED BY FREDA DUSNIC, 1977. COLLATED WITH TEXT BY WILHELMINA FRIJLINCK (1929 ED.) TO MINIMIZE ROSSITER'S EMENDATIONS; PROOFED, JAN. 1978 BY LOUIS ULE. ) THOMAS OF WOODSTOCK. SCENE 1. ENTER HASTILY AT SEVERAL DOORS: DUKE OF LANCASTER, DUKE OF YORK, THE EARLS OF ARUNDEL AND SURREY, WITH NAPKINS ON THEIR ARMS AND KNIVES IN THEIR HANDS, AND SIR THOMAS CHEYNEY, WITH OTHERS BEARING TORCHES, AND SOME WITH CLOAKS AND RAPIERS. OMNES. LIGHTS, LIGHTS, BRING TORCHES, KNAVES! LANC. SHUT TO THE GATES, LET NO MAN OUT UNTIL THE HOUSE BE SEARCHED. YORK. CALL FOR OUR COACHES, LET'S AWAY GOOD BROTHER NOW BY TH' BLEST SAINTS, I FEAR WE ARE POISONED ALL. ARUND. POISONED MY LORD? LANC. AY, AY, GOOD ARUNDEL, TIS HIGH TIME BEGONE. MAY HEAVEN BE BLEST FOR THIS PREVENTION. YORK. GOD, FOR THY MERCY! WOULD OUR COUSIN KING SO COZEN US, TO POISON US IN OUR MEAT? LANC. HAS NO MAN HERE SOME HELPING ANTIDOTE FOR FEAR ALREADY WE HAVE TA'EN SOME DRAM? WHAT THINK'ST THOU, CHEYNEY, THOU FIRST BROUGHTST THE TIDINGS. ARE WE NOT POISONED, THINK'ST THOU? CHEY. FEAR NOT, MY LORDS. THAT MISCHIEVOUS POTION WAS AS YET UNSERVED. IT WAS A LIQUID BANE DISSOLVED IN WINE WHICH AFTER SUPPER SHOULD HAVE BEEN CAROUSED TO YOUNG KING RICHARD'S HEALTH. LANC. GOOD I' FAITH! ARE HIS UNCLES' DEATHS BECOME HEALTH TO KING RICHARD? HOW CAME IT OUT? SIR THOMAS CHEYNEY, PRAY RESOLVE US. CHEY. A CARMELITE FRIAR, MY LORD, REVEALED THE PLOT AND SHOULD HAVE ACTED IT, BUT TOUCHED IN CONSCIENCE HE CAME TO YOUR GOOD BROTHER, THE LORD PROTECTOR, YORK. THE LORD PROTECT HIM FOR IT, AY, AND OUR COUSIN KING. HIGH HEAVEN BE JUDGE, WE WISH ALL GOOD TO HIM. LANC. A HEAVY CHARGE, GOOD WOODSTOCK, HAST THOU HAD TO BE PROTECTOR TO SO WILD A PRINCE SO FAR DEGENERATE FROM HIS NOBLE FATHER WHOM THE TREMBLING FRENCH THE BLACK PRINCE CALLED NOT OF A SWART AND MELANCHOLY BROW (FOR SWEET AND LOVELY WAS HIS COUNTENANCE) BUT THAT HE MADE SO MANY FUNERAL DAYS IN MOURNFUL FRANCE: THE WARLIKE BATTLES WON AT CRECY FIELD, POITIERS, ARTOISE AND MAINE MADE ALL FRANCE GROAN UNDER HIS CONQUERING ARM. BUT HEAVEN FORESTALLED HIS DIADEM ON EARTH TO PLACE HIM WITH A ROYAL CROWN IN HEAVEN. RISE MAY HIS DUST TO GLORY! ERE HE'D 'A DONE A DEED SO BASE UNTO HIS ENEMY, MUCH LESS UNTO THE BROTHERS OF HIS FATHER, HE'D FIRST HAVE LOST HIS ROYAL BLOOD IN DROPS, DISSOLVED THE STRINGS OF HIS HUMANITY AND LOST THAT LIVELIHOOD THAT WAS PRESERVED TO MAKE HIS (UNLIKE) SON A WANTON KING. YORK. FORBEAR, GOOD JOHN OF GAUNT; BELIEVE ME, BROTHER WE MAY DO WRONG UNTO OUR COUSIN KING. I FEAR HIS FLATTERING MINIONS MORE THAN HIM. LANC. BY THE BLEST VIRGIN, NOBLE EDMUND YORK I'M PAST ALL PATIENCE. POISON HIS SUBJECTS, HIS ROYAL UNCLES! WHY, THE PROUD CASTILIAN WHERE JOHN OF GAUNT WRITES KING AND SOVEREIGN, WOULD NOT THROW OFF THEIR VILD AND SERVILE YOKE BY TREACHERY SO BASE. PATIENCE, GRACIOUS HEAVEN! ARUND. A GOOD INVOKE, RIGHT PRINCELY LANCASTER, CALM THY HIGH SPLEEN. SIR THOMAS CHEYNEY HERE CAN TELL THE CIRCUMSTANCE; PRAY GIVE HIM LEAVE. LANC. WELL, LET HIM SPEAK. CHEY. TIS CERTAINLY MADE KNOWN, MY REVEREND LORDS, TO YOUR LOVED BROTHER, AND THE GOOD PROTECTOR THAT NOT KING RICHARD BUT HIS FLATTERERS SIR HENRY GREENE, JOINED WITH SIR EDWARD BAGOT, AND THAT SLY MACHIAVEL TRESILIAN, (WHOM NOW THE KING ELECTS FOR LORD CHIEF JUSTICE) LANC. BY BLESSED MARY I'LL CONFOUND THEM ALL. YORK. YOUR SPLEEN CONFOUNDS YOURSELF. LANC. BY KINGLY EDWARD'S SOUL, MY ROYAL FATHER, I'LL BE REVENGED AT FULL ON ALL THEIR LIVES. YORK. NAY, IF YOUR RAGE BREAK TO SUCH HIGH EXTREMES YOU WILL PREVENT YOURSELF, AND LOSE REVENGE. LANC. WHY EDMUND, CANST THOU GIVE A REASON YET THOUGH WE, SO NEAR IN BLOOD, HIS HAPLESS UNCLES, (HIS GRANDSIRE EDWARD'S SONS; HIS FATHER'S BROTHERS) SHOULD THUS BE MADE AWAY, WHY MIGHT IT BE THAT ARUNDEL AND SURREY HERE SHOULD DIE? SURR. SOME FRIEND OF THEIRS WANTED MY EARLDOM SORE. ARUND. PERHAPS MY OFFICE OF THE ADMIRALTY, IF A BETTER AND MORE FORTUNATE HAND COULD GOVERN IT I WOULD TWERE NONE OF MINE, YET THUS MUCH CAN I SAY; AND MAKE MY PRAISE NO MORE THAN MERIT A WEALTHIER PRIZE DID NEVER YET TAKE HARBOR IN OUR ROADS THAN I TO ENGLAND BROUGHT. YOU ALL CAN TELL, FULL THREESCORE SAIL OF TALL AND LUSTY SHIPS AND SIX GREAT CARRACKS FRAUGHT WITH OIL AND WINES I BROUGHT KING RICHARD IN ABUNDANCE HOME SO MUCH, THAT PLENTY HATH SO STALED OUR PALATES AS THAT A TUN OF HIGH-PRICED WINES OF FRANCE IS HARDLY WORTH A MARK OF ENGLISH MONEY. IF SERVICE SUCH AS THIS DONE TO MY COUNTRY MERIT MY HEART TO BLEED, LET IT BLEED FREELY. LANC. WE'LL BLEED TOGETHER, WARLIKE ARUNDEL. COUSIN OF SURREY, PRINCELY EDMUND YORK LET'S THINK ON SOME REVENGE: IF WE MUST DIE 10000 SOULS SHALL KEEP US COMPANY. YORK. PATIENCE, GOOD LANCASTER. TELL ME, KIND CHEYNEY HOW DOES THY MASTER, OUR GOOD BROTHER WOODSTOCK PLAIN THOMAS, FOR BY TH' ROOD SO ALL MEN CALL HIM FOR HIS PLAIN DEALING, AND HIS SIMPLE CLOTHING. LET OTHERS JET IN SILK AND GOLD, SAYS HE, A COAT OF ENGLISH FRIEZE, BEST PLEASETH ME. HOW THINKS HIS UNSOPHISTICATED PLAINNESS OF THESE BITTER COMPOUNDS? FEARS HE NO DRUG PUT IN HIS BROTH? SHALL HIS HEALTHS BE SECURE? HOMELY AND PLAIN; BOTH FREE FROM PRIDE AND ENVY AND THEREIN WILL ADMIT DISTRUST TO NONE. ENTER THOMAS OF WOODSTOCK IN FRIEZE. THE MACE (AFORE HIM). THE LORD MAYOR EXTON AND OTHERS WITH LIGHTS AFORE THEM. AND SEE, HIS GRACE HIMSELF IS COME TO GREET YOU. BY'R LEAVE THERE, ROOM FOR MY LORD PROTECTOR'S GRACE! YORK,LANC. HEALTH TO YOUR GRACE. WOOD. I SALUTE YOUR HEALTHS, GOOD BROTHERS, PRAY PARDON ME, I'LL SPEAK WITH YOU ANON. HIE THEE, GOOD EXTON! GOOD LORD MAYOR, I DO BESEECH YE PROSECUTE WITH YOUR BEST CARE A MEANS FOR ALL OUR SAFETIES. MISCHIEF HATH OFTEN DOUBLE PRACTICES; TREACHERY WANTS NOT HIS SECOND STRATAGEM. WHO KNOWS BUT STEEL MAY HIT, THOUGH POISON FAIL? ALACK THE DAY, THE NIGHT IS MADE A VEIL TO SHADOW MISCHIEF. SET, I BESEECH, STRONG GUARD AND CAREFUL TO ATTEND THE CITY. OUR LADY HELP, WE KNOW NOT WHO ARE FRIENDS. OUR FOES ARE GROWN SO MIGHTY, PRAY BE CAREFUL. L-MAY. YOUR FRIENDS ARE GREAT IN LONDON, GOOD MY LORD. I'LL FRONT ALL DANGERS, TRUST IT ON MY WORD. (EXIT LORD MAYOR. WOOD. THANKS FROM MY HEART I SWEAR. AFORE MY GOD I KNOW NOT WHICH WAY TO BESTOW MYSELF THE TIME'S SO BUSY AND SO DANGEROUS TOO. WHY HOW NOW, BROTHERS? HOW FARES GOOD JOHN O' GAUNT? THOU'RT VEXED I KNOW; THOU GRIEV'ST, KIND EDMUND YORK. ARUNDEL AND SURREY, NOBLE KINSMEN I KNOW YE ALL ARE DISCONTENTED MUCH; BUT BE NOT SO. AFORE MY GOD I SWEAR KING RICHARD LOVES YOU ALL: AND CREDIT ME THE PRINCELY GENTLEMAN IS INNOCENT OF THIS BLACK DEED, AND BASE CONSPIRACY. SPEAK, SPEAK, HOW IS'T WITH PRINCELY LANCASTER? LANC. SICK CLOSTER, SICK... WE ALL ARE WEARY AND FAIN WE WOULD LIE DOWN TO REST OURSELVES BUT THAT SO MANY SERPENTS LURK I' TH' GRASS WE DARE NOT SLEEP. WOOD. ENOUGH, ENOUGH GOOD BROTHER, I HAVE FOUND OUT THE DISEASE. KING RICHARD'S WOUNDED WITH A WANTON HUMOR, LULLED AND SECURED BY FLATTERING SYCOPHANTS; BUT TIS NOT DEADLY YET, IT MAY BE CURED. SOME VEIN LET BLOOD WHERE THE CORRUPTION LIES AND ALL SHALL HEAL AGAIN. YORK. THEN LOSE NO TIME, LEST IT GROW ULCEROUS. THE FALSE TRESILIAN, GREENE AND BAGOT RUN NAUGHT BUT POISON, BROTHER, SPILL THEM ALL. LANC. THEY GUIDE THE NONAGE KING; 'TIS THEY PROTECT HIM. YE WEAR THE TITLE OF PROTECTORSHIP BUT LIKE AN UNDEROFFICER, AS THOUGH YOURS WERE DERIVED FROM THEIRS; 'FAITH, YOU'RE TOO PLAIN. WOOD. IN MY APPAREL, YOU'LL SAY. LANC. GOOD FAITH, IN ALL. THE COMMONS MURMUR GAINST THE DISSOLUTE KING TREASON IS WHISPERED AT EACH COMMON TABLE AS CUSTOMARY AS THEIR THANKS TO HEAVEN. MEN NEED NOT GAZE UP TO THE SKY TO SEE WHETHER THE SUN SHINE CLEAR OR NO, TIS FOUND BY THE SMALL LIGHT SHOULD BEAUTIFY THE GROUND. CONCEIT YOU ME, A BLIND MAN THUS MUCH SEES: HE WANTS HIS EYES TO WHOM WE BEND OUR KNEES. ARUND. YOU ALL ARE PRINCES OF THE ROYAL BLOOD YET LIKE GREAT OAKS YE LET THE IVY GROW TO EAT YOUR HEARTS OUT WITH HIS FALSE EMBRACES. YE UNDERSTAND, MY LORD? WOOD. AY, AY, GOOD COZ, AS IF YE PLAINLY SAID DESTROY THOSE FLATTERERS ... AND TELL KING RICHARD HE DOES ABASE HIMSELF TO COUNTENANCE THEM. SOFT, SOFT! FRUIT THAT GROWS HIGH IS NOT SECURELY PLUCKED, WE MUST USE LADDERS AND BY STEPS ASCEND TILL BY DEGREES WE REACH THE ALTITUDE. YOU CONCEIT ME TOO? PRAY BE SMOOTH AWHILE. TOMORROW IS THE SOLEMN NUPTIAL DAY BETWIXT THE KING AND VIRTUOUS ANNE A BEAME THE EMPEROR'S DAUGHTER, A RIGHT GRACIOUS LADY THAT'S COME TO ENGLAND FOR KING RICHARD'S LOVE. THEN, AS YOU LOVE HIS GRACE, AND HATE HIS FLATTERERS, DISCOUNTENACE NOT THE DAY WITH THE LEAST FROWN, BE IGNORANT OF WHAT YE KNOW. AFORE MY GOD I HAVE GOOD HOPE THIS HAPPY MARRIAGE, BROTHERS, WILL MILDLY CALM HIS HEADSTRONG YOUTH, TO SEE AND SHUN THOSE STAINS THAT BLUR HIS MAJESTY. IF NOT, BY GOOD KING EDWARD'S BONES, OUR ROYAL FATHER, I WILL REMOVE THOSE HINDERERS OF HIS HEALTH, THOUGH'T COST MY HEAD. YORK,LANC. ON THESE CONDITIONS, BROTHER, WE AGREE. ARUND. AND I. SURR. AND I. LANC. TO HIDE OUR HATE IS SOUNDEST POLICY. YORK. AND BROTHER GLOSTER, SINCE IT IS YOUR PLEASURE TO HAVE US SMOOTH OUR SULLEN BROWS WITH SMILES WE'D HAVE YOU SUIT YOUR OUTSIDE TO YOUR HEART AND LIKE A COURTIER CAST THIS COUNTRY HABIT FOR WHICH THE COARSE AND VULGAR CALL YOUR GRACE BY TH' TITLE OF PLAIN THOMAS: YET WE DOUBT NOT TOMORROW WE SHALL HAVE GOOD HOPE TO SEE YOUR HIGH PROTECTORSHIP IN BRAVERY. WOOD. NO NO, GOOD YORK, THIS IS AS FAIR A SIGHT, MY HEART IN THIS PLAIN FRIEZE SITS TRUE AND RIGHT. IN THIS I'LL SERVE MY KING AS TRUE AND BOLD AS IF MY OUTSIDE WERE ALL TRAPPED IN GOLD. LANC. BY MARY BUT YOU SHALL NOT, BROTHER WOODSTOCK! WHAT, THE MARRIAGE DAY TO RICHARD AND HIS QUEEN, AND WILL YE SO DISGRACE THE STATE AND REALM? WE'LL HAVE YOU BRAVE, I' FAITH! WOOD. WELL, WELL FOR YOUR SAKES, BROTHERS, AND THIS SOLEMN DAY FOR ONCE I'LL SUMPTER A GAUDY WARDROBE, BUT TIS MORE THAN I HAVE DONE (I VOW) THESE 20 YEARS. AFORE MY GOD THE KING COULD NOT HAVE ENTREATED ME TO LEAVE THIS HABIT, BUT YOUR WILLS BE DONE. LET'S HIE TO COURT: YOU ALL YOUR WISHES HAVE: ONE WEARY DAY, PLAIN THOMAS WILL BE BRAVE. (EXEUNT OMNES. SCENE 2. ENTER GREENE, BAGOT AND TRESILIAN, IN RAGE. TRES. NAY, GOOD SIR HENRY, KING RICHARD CALLS FOR YOU. BAGOT. PRITHEE SWEET GREENE VISIT HIS HIGHNESS AND FORSAKE THESE PASSIONS. GREEN. SBLOOD I AM VEXED, TRESILIAN MAD ME NOT, THYSELF AND I AND ALL ARE NOW UNDONE. THE PLOT'S REVEALED. BLACK CURSES SEIZE THE TRAITOR! BAGOT. ETERNAL TORMENTS WHIP THAT CARMELITE! TRES. A DEEPER HELL THAN LIMBO PATRUM HOLD HIM, A FAINTING VILLAIN, CONFUSION CRUSH HIS SOUL! BAGOT. COULD THE FALSE SLAVE RECOIL, AND SWORE THEIR DEATHS! GREEN. MISCHIEF DEVOUR HIM! HAD IT BUT TA'EN EFFECT ON LANCASTER AND EDMUND DUKE OF YORK (THOSE HEADSTRONG UNCLES TO THE GENTLE KING) THE THIRD BROTHER, PLAIN THOMAS, THE PROTECTOR HAD QUICKLY BEEN REMOVED; BUT SINCE TIS THUS OUR SAFETIES MUST BE CARED FOR, AND TIS BEST TO KEEP US NEAR THE PERSON OF THE KING. HAD THEY BEEN DEAD, WE HAD RULED THE REALM AND HIM. BAGOT. SO SHALL WE STILL SO LONG AS RICHARD LIVES. I KNOW HE CANNOT BROOK HIS STUBBORN UNCLES. COME, THINK NOT ON'T: CHEER THEE, TRESILIAN HERE'S BETTER NEWS FOR THEE: WE HAVE SO WROUGHT WITH KINGLY RICHARD, THAT BY HIS CONSENT YOU ARE ALREADY MOUNTED ON YOUR FOOTCLOTH (YOUR SCARLET OR YOUR PURPLE, WHICH YE PLEASE) AND SHORTLY ARE TO UNDERPROP THE NAME, MARK ME, TRESILIAN, OF LORD CHIEF JUSTICE OF ENGLAND. TRES. HUM, HUM, HUM. LEGIT OR NON LEGIT? METHINKS ALREADY I SIT UPON THE BENCH WITH DREADFUL FROWNS FRIGHTING THE LOUSY RASCALS, AND WHEN THE JURY ONCE CRIES "GUILTY" COULD PRONOUNCE "LORD HAVE MERCY ON THEE", WITH A BROW AS ROUGH AND STERN AS SURLY RHADAMANTH; OR WHEN A FELLOW TALKS, CRY "TAKE HIM, JAILOR, CLAP BOLTS OF IRON ON HIS HEELS AND HANDS!" CHIEF JUSTICE, MY LORDS! HUM, HUM, HUM. I WILL WEAR THE OFFICE IN HIS TRUE ORNAMENT. GREEN. BUT GOOD YOUR HONOR, AS 'TWILL SHORTLY BE, YOU MUST OBSERVE AND FASHION TO THE TIME THE HABIT OF YOUR LAWS. THE KING IS YOUNG AY, AND A LITTLE WANTON, SO PERHAPS ARE WE: YOUR LAWS MUST NOT BE BEADLES THEN, TRESILIAN, TO PUNISH YOUR BENEFACTORS, LOOK TO THAT. TRES. HOW SIR, TO PUNISH YOU, THE MINIONS TO THE KING, ZOUNDS, I WILL SCREW AND WIND THE STUBBORN LAW TO ANY FASHION THAT SHALL LIKE YOU BEST. IT SHALL BE LAW, WHAT I SHALL SAY IS LAW, AND WHAT'S MOST SUITABLE TO ALL YOUR PLEASURES. BAGOT. THANKS TO YOUR LORDSHIP WHICH IS YET TO COME! GREEN. FAREWELL, TRESILIAN, STILL BE NEAR THE COURT. ANON KING RICHARD SHALL CONFIRM THY STATE. WE MUST ATTEND HIS GRACE TO WESTMINSTER TO THE HIGH NUPTIALS OF FAIR ANNE A BEAME, THAT MUST BE NOW HIS WIFE AND ENGLAND'S QUEEN. (EXEUNT GREENE AND BAGOT; MANET TRESILIAN. TRES. SO, LET THEM PASS. TRESILIAN, NOW BETHINK THEE. HUM, LORD CHIEF JUSTICE: METHINKS ALREADY I AM SWELLED MORE PLUMP THAN ERST I WAS. AUTHORITY'S A DISH THAT FEEDS MEN FAT, AN EXCELLENT DELICATE: YET BEST BE WISE, NO STATE'S SECURE WITHOUT SOME ENEMIES. THE DUKES WILL FROWN; WHY, I CAN LOOK AS GRIM AS JOHN OF GAUNT, AND ALL THAT FROWN WITH HIM. BUT YET UNTIL MINE OFFICE BE PUT ON BY KINGLY RICHARD, I'LL CONCEAL MYSELF: FRAMING SUCH SUBTLE LAWS THAT JANUS-LIKE MAY WITH A DOUBLE FACE SALUTE THEM BOTH. I'LL SEARCH MY BRAIN AND TURN THE LEAVES OF LAW: WIT MAKES US GREAT, GREATNESS KEEPS FOOLS IN AWE. MY MAN THERE, HO! WHERE'S NIMBLE? (ENTER NIMBLE. NIMB. AS NIMBLE AS AN EEL, SIR. DID YE CALL, SIR? TRES. SIR! LOOK OUT SOME BETTER PHRASE: SALUTE AGAIN. NIMB. I KNOW NO OTHER, SIR, UNLESS YOU'LL BE FRENCHIFIED, AND LET ME LAY THE MONSIEUR TO YOUR CHARGE, OR SWEET SIGNIOR. TRES. NEITHER. TIS HIGHER YET. NIMBLE, THOU BUCKRAM SCRIBE, THINK ONCE AGAIN. NIMB. NEITHER SIR: NOR MONSIEUR: NOR SIGNIOR. WHAT SHOULD I CALL HIM, TROW? HE'S MONSTROUSLY TRANSLATED SUDDENLY! AT FIRST, WHEN WE WERE SCHOOLFELLOWS, THEN I CALLED HIM SIRRAH,, BUT SINCE HE BECAME MY MASTER I PARED AWAY THE 'AH' AND SERVED HIM WITH THE SIR. WHAT TITLE HE HAS GOT NOW, I KNOW NOT, BUT I'LL TRY TRES. THOU GROSS UNCAPUT, NO, THOU SPEAKEST NOT YET. NIMB. MY MOUTH WAS OPEN I'M SURE... IF YOUR HONOR WOULD PLEASE TO HEAR ME... TRES. HA, HONOR SAY'ST THOU? AY, NOW THOU HITT'ST IT, NIMBLE. NIMB. I KNEW I SHOULD WIND ABOUT YE TILL I HAD YOUR HONOR. TRES. NIMBLE, BEND THY KNEE.... THE LORD CHIEF JUSTICE OF ENGLAND SPEAKS TO THEE. NIMB. THE LORD BE PRAISED! WE SHALL HAVE A FLOURISHING COMMONWEALTH, SIR. TRES. PEACE, LET ME SPEAK TO THEE. IMB. YES, ANYTHING, SO YOUR HONOR PRAY NOT FOR ME, I CARE NOT; FOR NOW YOU'RE LORD CHIEF JUSTICE, IF EVER YE CRY, LORD HAVE MERCY UPON ME, I SHALL HANG FOR'T, SURE! TRES. NO. THOSE FEARFUL WORDS SHALL NOT BE PRONOUNCED AGAINST THEE, NIMBLE. NIMB. THANK YE, MY LORD. NAY, AND YOU'LL STAND BETWEEN ME AND THE GALLOWS, I'LL BE AN ARRANT THIEF, SURE, IF I CANNOT PICK UP MY CRUMBS BY THE .AW QUICKLY, I'LL CAST AWAY MY BUCKRAM BAGS AND BE A HIGHWAY LAWYER NOW, CERTAINLY. TRES. CANST THOU REMEMBER, NIMBLE, HOW BY DEGREES I ROSE, SINCE FIRST THOU KNEW'ST ME? I WAS FIRST A SCHOOLBOY. NIMB. AY, SAVING YOUR HONOR'S SPEECH, YOUR WORSHIPFUL TAIL WAS WHIPPED FOR STEALING MY DINNER OUT OF MY SATCHEL. YOU WERE EVER SO CRAFTY IN YOUR CHILDHOOD, THAT I KNEW YOUR WORSHIP WOULD PROVE A GOOD LAWYER. TRES. INTERRUPT ME NOT. THOSE DAYS THOU KNEW'ST, I SAY, FROM WHENCE I DID BECOME A PLODDING CLERK, FROM WHICH I BOUNCED, AS THOU DOST NOW, IN BUCKRAM TO BE A PLEADING LAWYER (AND THERE I STAYED...) TILL BY THE KING I WAS CHIEF JUSTICE MADE. NIMBLE, I READ THIS DISCIPLINE TO THEE TO STIR THY MIND UP STILL TO INDUSTRY. NIMB. THANK YOUR GOOD LORDSHIP. TRES. GO TO THY MISTRESS: LADY YOU NOW MUST CALL HER. BID HER REMOVE HER HOUSEHOLD UP TO LONDON; TELL HER OUR FORTUNES, AND WITH HOW MUCH PERIL WE HAVE ATTAINED THIS PLACE OF EMINENCE. NIMB. WITH A HABIS CORPUS OR A SURSSARARYS, I ASSURE YE. AND SO I LEAVE YOUR LORDSHIP, ALWAYS HOPING OF YOUR WONTED FAVOR, THAT WHEN I HAVE PASSED THE LONDON BRIDGE OF AFFLICTION I MAY ARRIVE WITH YOU AT THE WESTMINSTER HALL OF PROMOTION, AND THEN I CARE NOT. TRES. THOU SHALT; THOU HAST AN EXECUTING LOOK AND I WILL PUT THE AXE INTO THY HAND. I RULE THE LAW: THOU BY THE LAW SHALT STAND. NIMB. I THANK YOUR LORDSHIP, AND A FIG FOR THE ROPE THEN! (EXEUNT. SOUND A SENNET. ENTER IN GREAT STATE KING RICHARD, QUEEN ANNE CROWNED, LANCASTER, YORK, ARUNDEL, SURREY, GREENE, BAGOT, AND WOODSTOCK VERY BRAVE. THE DUCHESS OF GLOSTER AND THE DUCHESS OF IRELAND. KING. BAGOT AND GREENE, NEXT TO THE FAIR QUEEN ANNE TAKE YOUR HIGH PLACES, BY KING RICHARD'S SIDE AND GIVE FAIR WELCOME TO OUR QUEEN AND BRIDE. UNCLES OF WOODSTOCK, YORK, AND LANCASTER, MAKE FULL OUR WISHES, AND SALUTE OUR QUEEN; GIVE ALL YOUR WELCOMES TO FAIR ANNE A BEAME. LANC. I HOPE SWEET PRINCE, HER GRACE MISTAKES US NOT TO MAKE OUR HEARTS THE WORSER PART OF US: OUR TONGUES HAVE IN OUR ENGLISH ELOQUENCE (HARSH THOUGH IT IS) PRONOUNCED HER WELCOMES MANY BY OATHS AND LOYAL PROTESTATIONS TO WHICH WE ADD A THOUSAND INFINITES; BUT IN A WORD, FAIR QUEEN, FOR EVER WELCOME! WOOD. LET ME PREVENT THE REST, FOR MERCY'S SAKE! IF ALL THEIR WELCOMES BE AS LONG AS THINE THIS HEALTH WILL NOT GO ROUND THIS WEEK, BY TH' MASS! SWEET QUEEN, AND COUSIN, NOW I'LL CALL YOU SO, IN PLAIN AND HONEST PHRASE, WELCOME TO ENGLAND! THINK THEY SPEAK ALL IN ME, AND YOU HAVE SEEN ALL ENGLAND CRY WITH JOY, "GOD BLESS THE QUEEN", AND SO AFORE MY GOD I KNOW THEY WISH IT. ONLY I FEAR MY DUTY NOT MISCONSTR'D, NAY, NAY, KING RICHARD, FORE GOD I'LL SPEAK THE TRUTH! SWEET QUEEN, YOU'VE FOUND A YOUNG AND WANTON CHOICE, A YOUTH UNSETTLED; YET HE'S PRINCELY BRED DESCENDED FROM THE ROYAL'ST BLOODS IN EUROPE, THE KINGLY STOCK OF ENGLAND AND OF FRANCE. YET HE'S A HAREBRAIN, A VERY WAG I' FAITH, BUT YOU MUST BEAR, MADAM: 'LAS, HE'S BUT A BLOSSOM; BUT HIS MATURITY I HOPE YOU'LL FIND TRUE ENGLISH-BRED, A KING LOVING AND KIND. KING. I THANK YE FOR YOUR DOUBLE PRAISE, GOOD UNCLE. WOOD. AY, AY GOOD COZ, I'M PLAIN THOMAS, BY TH' ROOD I'LL SPEAK THE TRUTH. QUEEN. MY SOVEREIGN LORD, AND YOU TRUE ENGLISH PEERS YOUR ALL-ACCOMPLISHED HONORS HAVE SO TIED MY SENSES BY A MAGICAL RESTRAINT IN THE SWEET SPELLS OF THESE YOUR FAIR DEMEANORS, THAT I AM BOUND AND CHARMED FROM WHAT I WAS: MY NATIVE COUNTRY I NO MORE REMEMBER BUT AS A TALE TOLD IN MY INFANCY, THE GREATEST PART FORGOT: AND THAT WHICH IS, APPEARS TO ENGLAND'S FAIR ELYSIUM LIKE BRAMBLES TO THE CEDARS, COARSE TO FINE, OR LIKE THE WILD GRAPE TO THE FRUITFUL VINE. AND, HAVING LEFT THE EARTH WHERE I WAS BRED AND ENGLISH MADE, LET ME BE ENGLISHED: THEY BEST SHALL PLEASE ME SHALL ME ENGLISH CALL. MY HEART, GREAT KING, TO YOU; MY LOVE TO ALL. KING. GRAMERCY, MAN, THOU HIGHLY HONOR'ST ME. YORK. AND BLEST IS ENGLAND IN THIS SWEET ACCORD. WOOD. AFORE MY GOD, SWEET QUEEN, OUR ENGLISH LADIES AND ALL THE WOMEN THAT THIS ISLE CONTAINS SHALL SING IN PRAISE OF THIS YOUR MEMORY AND KEEP RECORDS OF VIRTUOUS ANNE A BEAME WHOSE DISCIPLINE HATH TAUGHT THEM WOMANHOOD. WHAT ERST SEEMED WELL BY CUSTOM, NOW LOOKS RUDE. OUR WOMEN, TILL YOUR COMING, FAIREST COUSIN DID USE LIKE MEN TO STRADDLE WHEN THEY RIDE, BUT YOU HAVE TAUGHT THEM NOW TO SIT ASIDE. YET (BY'R LEAVE) YOUNG PRACTICE OFTEN REELS; I HAVE SEEN SOME OF YOUR SCHOLARS KICK UP BOTH THEIR HEELS! DUCH.GL. WHAT HAVE YOU SEEN, MY LORD? WOOD. NAY, NAY, NOTHING, WIFE. KING. TRUST HIM NOT, AUNT, FOR NOW HE'S GROWN SO BRAVE HE WILL BE COURTING, AY, AND KISSING TOO. NAY, UNCLE! NOW I'LL DO AS MUCH FOR YOU, AND LAY YOUR FAULTS ALL OPEN TO THE WORLD! WOOD. AY, AY, DO, DO. KING. I'M GLAD YOU'RE GROWN SO CARELESS: NOW BY MY CROWN I SWEAR, GOOD UNCLES YORK AND LANCASTER, WHEN YOU THIS MORNING CAME TO VISIT ME I DID NOT KNOW HIM IN THIS STRANGE ATTIRE. HOW COMES THIS GOLDEN METAMORPHOSIS FROM HOMESPUN HOUSEWIFERY? SPEAK, GOOD UNCLE! I NEVER SAW YOU HATCHED AND GILDED THUS. WOOD. I AM NO STOIC, MY DEAR SOVEREIGN COUSIN, TO MAKE MY PLAINNESS SEEM CANONICAL, BUT TO ALLOW MYSELF SUCH ORNAMENTS AS MIGHT BE FITTING FOR YOUR NUPTIAL DAY AND CORONATION OF YOUR VIRTUOUS QUEEN; BUT WERE THE EYE OF DAY ONCE CLOSED AGAIN UPON THIS BACK THEY NEVER MORE SHOULD COME. KING. YOU HAVE MUCH GRACED THE DAY. BUT, NOBLE UNCLE I DID OBSERVE WHAT I HAVE WONDERED AT: AS WE, TODAY, RODE ON TO WESTMINSTER METHOUGHT YOUR HORSE, THAT'S WONT TO TREAD THE GROUND AND PACE AS IF HE KICKED IT, SCORNFULLY, MOUNT AND CURVET, LIKE STRONG BUCEPHALUS, TODAY HE TROD AS SLOW AND MELANCHOLY AS IF HIS LEGS HAD FAILED TO BEAR HIS LOAD. WOOD. AND CAN YE BLAME THE BEAST? AFORE MY GOD HE WAS NOT WONT TO BEAR SUCH LOADS. INDEED, A HUNDRED OAKS UPON THESE SHOULDERS HANG TO MAKE ME BRAVE UPON YOUR WEDDING DAY, AND MORE THAN THAT: TO MAKE MY HORSE MORE TIRE, TEN ACRES OF GOOD LAND ARE STITCHED UP HERE. YOU KNOW, GOOD COZ, THIS WAS NOT WONT TO BE. KING. IN YOUR TOTHER HOSE, UNCLE? GREEN. NO, NOR HIS FRIEZE COAT NEITHER! WOOD. AY, AY, MOCK ON. MY TOTHER HOSE, SAY YE? THERE'S HONEST PLAIN DEALING IN MY TOTHER HOSE. SHOULD THIS FASHION LAST I MUST RAISE NEW RENTS, UNDO MY POOR TENANTS, TURN AWAY MY SERVANTS, AND GUARD MYSELF WITH LACE; NAY, SELL MORE LAND IF THUS I JET IN PRIDE, I STILL SHALL LOSE; BUT I'LL BUILD CASTLES IN MY TOTHER HOSE. QUEEN. THE KING BUT JESTS, MY LORD; AND YOU GROW ANGRY. WOOD. TOTHER HOSE! DID SOME HERE WEAR THAT FASHION THEY WOULD NOT TAX AND PILL THE COMMONS SO! YORK. (SFOOT, HE FOREWARNED US, AND WILL BREAK OUT HIMSELF.) LANC. NO MATTER, WE'LL BACK HIM THOUGH IT GROWS TO BLOWS. WOOD. SCOFF YE MY PLAINNESS, I'LL TALK NO RIDDLES, PLAIN THOMAS WILL SPEAK PLAINLY: THERE'S BAGOT THERE, AND GREENE... GREENE,BAGOT. AND WHAT OF THEM, MY LORD? WOOD. UPSTARTS, COME DOWN, YOU HAVE NO PLACES THERE; HERE'S BETTER MEN TO GRACE KING RICHARD'S CHAIR, IF'T PLEASED HIM GRACE THEM SO. KING. UNCLE, FORBEAR. WOOD. THESE CUT THE COLUMNS THAT SHOULD PROP THY HOUSE THEY TAX THE POOR, AND I AM SCANDALED FOR IT THAT BY MY FAULT THOSE LATE OPPRESSIONS RISE TO SET THE COMMONS IN A MUTINY THAT LONDON EVEN ITSELF WAS SACKED BY THEM. AND WHO DID ALL THESE RANK COMMOTIONS POINT AT? EVEN AT THESE TWO: BAGOT HERE, AND GREENE, WITH FALSE TRESILIAN, WHOM YOUR GRACE WE HEAR HATH MADE CHIEF JUSTICE. WELL, WELL, BE IT SO... MISCHIEF ON MISCHIEF SURE WILL SHORTLY FLOW. PARDON MY SPEECH, MY LORD, SINCE NOW WE'RE ALL SO BRAVE TO GRACE QUEEN ANNE, THIS DAY WE'LL SPEND IN SPORT; BUT IN MY TOTHER HOSE, I'LL TICKLE THEM FOR'T. GREEN. COME, COME, YE DOTE, MY LORD. LANC. DOTE, SIR? KNOW YE TO WHOM YE SPEAK? KING. NO MORE, GOOD UNCLES. COME, SWEET GREENE, HA' DONE. (I'LL WRING THEM ALL FOR THIS, BY ENGLAND'S CROWN). WHY IS OUR LORD PROTECTOR SO OUTRAGEOUS? WOOD. BECAUSE THY SUBJECTS HAVE SUCH OUTRAGE SHOWN THEM BY THESE THY FLATTERERS. LET THE SUN DRY UP WHAT TH' UNWHOLESOME FOG HATH CHOKED THE GROUND WITH. HERE'S ARUNDEL, THY OCEAN'S ADMIRAL HATH BROUGHT THEE HOME A RICH AND WEALTHY PRIZE, TA'EN THREE SCORE SAIL OF SHIPS, AND SIX GREAT ALL RICHLY LADEN; LET THOSE GOODS BE SOLD TO SATISFY THOSE BORROWED SUMS OF COIN THEIR PRIDE HATH FORCED FROM THE NEEDY COMMONS: TO SALVE WHICH INCONVENIENCE I BESEECH YOUR GRACE YOU WOULD VOUCHSAFE TO LET ME HAVE THE SALE AND DISTRIBUTION OF THOSE GOODS. KING. OUR WORD, GOOD UNCLE, IS ALREADY PASSED, WHICH CANNOT WITH OUR HONOR BE RECALLED: THOSE WEALTHY PRIZES ALREADY ARE BESTOWED ON THESE OUR FRIENDS. LORDS. ON THEM, MY LORD? KING. YES. WHO STORMS AT IT? WOOD. SHALL CANKERS EAT THE FRUIT THAT PLANTING AND GOOD HUSBANDRY HATH NOURISHED? GREEN,BAGOT. CANKERS?! YORK,ARUND. AY, CANKERS! CATERPILLARS! LANC. WORSE THAN CONSUMING FIRES THAT EAT UP ALL THEIR FURY FALLS UPON. KING. ONCE MORE BE STILL. WHO IS'T THAT DARES ENCOUNTER WITH OUR WILL? WE DID BESTOW THEM, HEAR ME, KIND UNCLES: WE SHALL ERE LONG BE PAST PROTECTORSHIP THEN WILL WE RULE OURSELF, AND EVEN TILL THEN WE LET YOU KNOW THOSE GIFTS ARE GIVEN TO THEM. WE DID IT, WOODSTOCK... WOOD. YE HAVE DONE ILL, THEN. KING. HA, DARE YE SAY SO? WOOD. DARE I? AFORE MY GOD I'LL SPEAK, KING RICHARD, WERE I ASSURED THIS DAY MY HEAD SHOULD OFF. I TELL YE SIR, MY ALLEGIANCE STANDS EXCUSED IN JUSTICE OF THE CAUSE. YE HAVE DONE ILL. THE SUN OF MERCY NEVER SHINE ON ME BUT I SPEAK TRUTH. WHEN WARLIKE ARUNDEL, BESET AT SEA, FOUGHT FOR THOSE WEALTHY PRIZES HE DID WITH FAME ADVANCE THE ENGLISH CROSS, STILL CRYING "COURAGE IN KING RICHARD'S NAME." FOR THEE HE WON THEM, AND DO THOU ENJOY THEM, HE'LL FETCH MORE HONORS HOME. BUT HAD HE KNOWN THAT KITES SHOULD HAVE ENJOYED THE EAGLE'S PRIZE THE FRAUGHT HAD SWUM UNTO THINE ENEMIES. KING. SO, SIR. WE'LL SOOTHE YOUR VEXED SPLEEN, GOOD UNCLE AND MEND WHAT IS AMISS. TO THOSE SLIGHT GIFTS YOUNG HENRY GREENE SHALL BE LORD CHANCELLOR, BAGOT, LORD KEEPER OF OUR PRIVY SEAL, TRESILIAN, LEARNED IN OUR KINGDOM'S LAWS, SHALL BE CHIEF JUSTICE. BY THEM AND THEIR DIRECTIONS KING RICHARD WILL UPHOLD HIS GOVERNMENT. GREEN. CHANGE NO MORE WORDS, MY LORD, YE DO DEJECT YOUR KINGLY MAJESTY TO SPEAK TO SUCH WHOSE HOMESPUN JUDGMENTS, LIKE THEIR FROSTY BEARDS WOULD BLAST THE BLOOMING HOPES OF ALL YOUR KINGDOM. WERE I AS YOU, MY LORD,.. QUEEN. OH, GENTLE GREENE, THROW NO MORE FUEL ON BUT RATHER SEEK TO MITIGATE THIS HEAT. BE PATIENT, KINGLY RICHARD, QUENCH THIS IRE. WOULD I HAD TEARS OF FORCE TO STINT THIS FIRE! KING. BESHREW THE CHURLS THAT MAKE MY QUEEN SO SAD. BUT BY MY GRANDSIRE EDWARD'S KINGLY BONES, MY PRINCELY FATHER'S TOMB, KING RICHARD SWEARS WE'LL MAKE THEM WEEP THESE WRONGS IN BLOODY TEARS. COME, FAIR QUEEN ANNE A BEAM. BAGOT AND GREENE, KEEP BY KING RICHARD'S SIDE; BUT AS FOR YOU, WE'LL SHORTLY MAKE YOUR STIFF OBEDIENCE BOW. (EXEUNT KING, QUEEN. BAGOT. REMEMBER THIS, MY LORDS: WE KEEP THE SEAL: OUR STRENGTH YOU ALL SHALL KNOW. (EXIT BAGOT. GREEN. AND WE ARE CHANCELLOR: WE LOVE YOU WELL, THINK SO. (EXIT GREENE. YORK. GOD FOR HIS MERCY! SHALL WE BROOK THESE BRAVES, DISGRACED AND THREATENED THUS BY FAWNING KNAVES? LANC. SHALL WE THAT WERE GREAT EDWARD'S PRINCELY SONS BE THUS OUTBRAVED BY FLATTERING SYCOPHANTS? WOOD. AFORE MY GOD AND HOLY SAINTS I SWEAR BUT THAT MY TONGUE HATH LIBERTY TO SHOW THE INLY PASSIONS BOILING IN MY BREAST, I THINK MY OVERBURDENED HEART WOULD BREAK. WHAT THEN MAY WE CONJECTURE? WHAT'S THE CAUSE OF THIS REMISS AND INCONSIDERATE DEALING URGED BY THE KING AND HIS CONFEDERATES, BUT HATE TO VIRTUE, AND A MIND CORRUPT WITH ALL PREPOSTEROUS RUDE MISGOVERNMENT? LANC. THESE PRIZES TA'EN BY WARLIKE ARUNDEL SURR. IT IS HIS CUSTOM TO BE PRODIGAL TO ANY BUT TO THOSE DO BEST DESERVE. ARUND. BECAUSE HE KNEW YOU WOULD BESTOW THEM WELL HE GAVE IT SUCH AS FOR THEIR PRIVATE GAIN NEGLECT BOTH HONOR AND THEIR COUNTRY'S GOOD. (WIND HORNS WITHIN. LANC. HOW NOW, WHAT NOISE IS THIS? YORK. SOME POST, IT SEEMS: PRAY HEAVEN THE NEWS BE GOOD. (ENTER CHEYNEY. WOOD. AMEN. I PRAY, FOR ENGLAND'S HAPPINESS. SPEAK, SPEAK, WHAT TIDINGS CHEYNEY? CHEY. OF WAR, MY LORD ... AND CIVIL DISSENSION: THE MEN OF KENT AND ESSEX DO REBEL. WOOD. I THOUGHT NO LESS; AND ALWAYS FEARED AS MUCH. CHEY. THE SHRIEVES IN POST HAVE SENT UNTO YOUR GRACE THAT ORDER BE TA'EN TO STAY THE COMMONS FOR FEAR REBELLION RISE IN OPEN ARMS. WOOD. NOW, HEADSTRONG RICHARD, SHALT THOU REAP THE FRUIT THY LEWD LICENTIOUS WILLFULNESS HATH SOWN. I KNOW NOT WHICH WAY TO BESTOW MYSELF! YORK. THERE IS NO STANDING ON DELAY, MY LORDS, THESE HOT ERUPTIONS MUST HAVE SOME REDRESS OR ELSE IN TIME THEY'LL GROW INCURABLE. WOOD. THE COMMONS, THEY REBEL: AND THE KING ALL CARELESS. HERE'S WRONG ON WRONG, TO STIR MORE MUTINY. AFORE MY GOD I KNOW NOT WHAT TO DO. LANC. TAKE OPEN ARMS. JOIN WITH THE VEXED COMMONS AND HALE HIS MINIONS FROM HIS WANTON SIDE. THEIR HEADS CUT OFF, THE PEOPLE'S SATISFIED. WOOD. NOT SO, NOT SO! ALACK THE DAY, GOOD BROTHER WE MAY NOT SO AFFRIGHT THE TENDER PRINCE. WE'LL BEAR US NOBLY, FOR THE KINGDOM'S SAFETY AND THE KING'S HONOR. THEREFORE LIST TO ME. YOU, BROTHER GAUNT, AND NOBLE ARUNDEL SHALL UNDERTAKE, BY THREATS, OR FAIR ENTREATY, TO PACIFY THE MURMURING COMMONS' RAGE; AND WHILST YOU THERE EMPLOY YOUR SERVICE HOURS WE PRESENTLY WILL CALL A PARLIAMENT AND HAVE THEIR DEEDS EXAMINED THOROUGHLY; WHERE, IF BY FAIR MEANS WE CAN WIN NO FAVOR NOR MAKE KING RICHARD LEAVE THEIR COMPANIES, TO RIGHT HER WRONGS, OR FOR IT SPEND OUR BLOOD. LANC. ABOUT IT THEN, WE FOR THE COMMONS, YOU FOR THE COURT. WOOD. AY, AY. GOOD LANCASTER, I PRAY BE CAREFUL. COME, BROTHER YORK, WE SOON SHALL RIGHT ALL WRONG, AND SEND SOME HEADLESS FROM THE COURT ERE LONG. (EXEUNT OMNES. ACT 2. TRUMPETS SOUND FLOURISH. ENTER KING RICHARD, GREENE, BAGOT, BUSHY, SCROOPE, TRESILIAN, AND OTHERS. KING. THUS SHALL KING RICHARD SUIT HIS PRINCELY TRAIN DESPITE HIS UNCLES' PRIDE. EMBRACE US, GENTLEMEN. SIR EDWARD BAGOT, BUSHY, GREENE, AND SCROOPE, YOUR YOUTHS ARE FITTING TO OUR TENDER YEARS AND SUCH SHALL BEAUTIFY OUR PRINCELY THRONE. FEAR NOT MY UNCLES, NOR THEIR PROUDEST STRENGTH FOR I WILL BUCKLER YE AGAINST THEM ALL. GREEN. THANKS, DEAREST LORD, LET ME HAVE RICHARD'S LOVE AND LIKE A ROCK UNMOVED MY STATE SHALL STAND SCORNING THE PROUDEST PEER THAT RULES THE LAND. BUSH. YOUR UNCLES SEEK TO OVERTURN YOUR STATE, TO AWE YE LIKE A CHILD, THAT THEY ALONE MAY AT THEIR PLEASURES THRUST YOU FROM THE THRONE. SCROO. AS IF THE SUN WERE FORCED TO DECLINE BEFORE HIS DATED TIME OF DARKNESS COMES. BAGOT. SWEET KING, SET COURAGE TO AUTHORITY AND LET THEM KNOW THE POWER OF MAJESTY. GREEN. MAY NOT THE LION ROAR, BECAUSE HE'S YOUNG? WHAT ARE YOUR UNCLES BUT AS ELEPHANTS THAT SET THEIR AGED BODIES TO THE OAK? YOU ARE THE OAK AGAINST WHOSE STOCK THEY LEAN: FALL FROM THEM ONCE, AND THEN DESTROY THEM EVER. BE THOU NO STAY, KING RICHARD, TO THEIR STRENGTH BUT AS A TYRANT UNTO TYRANNY, AND SO CONFOUND THEM ALL ETERNALLY. TRES. LAW MUST EXTEND UNTO SEVERITY WHEN SUBJECTS DARE TO BRAVE THEIR SOVEREIGN. KING. TRESILIAN, THOU ART LORD CHIEF JUSTICE NOW, WHO SHOULD BE LEARNED IN THE LAWS BUT THEE? RESOLVE US THEREFORE WHAT THOU THINK'ST OF THEM SEEK TO SUBVERT THEIR KING AND SOVEREIGN. TRES. AS OF THE KING'S REBELLIOUS ENEMIES: AS UNDERMINERS OF HIS SACRED STATE; WHICH, IN THE GREATEST PRINCE OR MIGHTIEST PEER THAT IS A SUBJECT TO YOUR MAJESTY, IS NOTHING LESS THAN TREASON CAPITAL, AND HE A TRAITOR THAT ENDEAVORS IT, KING. ATTAINT THEM THEN, ARREST THEM AND CONDEMN THEM. GREEN. HALE THEM TO TH' BLOCK AND CUT OFF ALL THEIR HEADS, AND THEN KING RICHARD CLAIM THE GOVERNMENT. KING. SEE IT BE DONE, TRESILIAN, SPEEDILY. TRES. THAT COURSE IS ALL TOO RASH, MY GRACIOUS LORD. ALL. TOO RASH FOR WHAT? TRES. IT MUST BE DONE WITH GREATER POLICY FOR FEAR THE PEOPLE RISE IN MUTINY. KING. AY, THERE'S THE FEAR: THE COMMONS LOVE THEM WELL AND ALL APPLAUD THE WILY LANCASTER, THE COUNTERFEIT RELENTING DUKE OF YORK TOGETHER WITH OUR FRETFUL UNCLE WOODSTOCK WITH GREATER REVERENCE THAN KING RICHARD'S SELF. BUT TIME SHALL COME, WHEN WE SHALL YOKE THEIR NECKS AND MAKE THEM BEND TO OUR OBEDIENCE. HOW NOW, WHAT READ'ST THOU, BUSHY? BUSH. THE MONUMENT OF ENGLISH CHRONICLES, MY LORD, CONTAINING ACTS AND MEMORABLE DEEDS OF ALL YOUR FAMOUS PREDECESSOR KINGS. KING. WHAT FIND'ST THOU OF THEM? BUSH. EXAMPLES STRANGE AND WONDERFUL, MY LORD. THE END OF TREASON EVEN IN MIGHTY PERSONS: FOR HERE TIS SAID YOUR ROYAL GRANDFATHER ALTHOUGH BUT YOUNG, AND UNDER GOVERNMENT, TOOK THE PROTECTOR THEN, PROUD MORTIMER, AND ON A GALLOWS 50 FOOT IN HEIGHT HE HUNG HIM FOR HIS PRIDE AND TREACHERY. KING. WHY SHOULD OUR PROUD PROTECTOR THEN PRESUME AND WE NOT PUNISH HIM, WHOSE TREASON'S VILDER FAR THAN EVER WAS REBELLIOUS MORTIMER? PRITHEE READ ON. EXAMPLES SUCH AS THESE WILL BRING US TO OUR KINGLY GRANDSIRE'S SPIRIT. WHAT'S NEXT? BUSH. THE BATTLE FULL OF DREAD AND DOUBTFUL FEAR WAS FOUGHT BETWIXT YOUR FATHER AND THE FRENCH. BUSH. THEN THE BLACK PRINCE, ENCOURAGING HIS SOLDIERS, BEING IN NUMBER BUT 7750, GAVE THE ONSET TO THE FRENCH KING'S PUISSANT ARMY, WHICH WERE NUMBERED TO 68000, AND IN ONE HOUR GOT THE VICTORY, SLEW 6000 OF THE FRENCH SOLDIERS, TOOK PRISONERS OF DUKES, EARLS, KNIGHTS AND GENTLEMEN TO THE NUMBER 1700, AND OF THE COMMON SORT 10000; SO THE PRISONERS THAT WERE TAKEN WERE TWICE SO MANY AS THE ENGLISHMEN WERE IN NJMBER. BESIDES, THE THRICE RENOWNED PRINCE TOOK WITH HIS OWN HAND KING JOHN OF FRANCE AND HIS SON PRI- SONERS. THIS WAS CALLED THE BATTLE OF POITIERS, AND WAS FOUGHT ON MONDAY THE 19TH OF SEPTEMBER, 1356, MY LORD. KING. A VICTORY MOST STRANGE AND ADMIRABLE. NEVER WAS CONQUEST GOT WITH SUCH GREAT ODDS. OH, PRINCELY EDWARD, HAD THY SON SUCH HAP, SUCH FORTUNE AND SUCCESS TO FOLLOW HIM, HIS DARING UNCLES AND REBELLIOUS PEERS DURST NOT CONTROL AND GOVERN AS THEY DO. BUT THESE BRIGHT SHINING TROPHIES SHALL AWAKE ME, AND AS WE ARE HIS BODY'S COUNTERFEIT, SO WILL WE BE THE IMAGE OF HIS MIND, AND DIE BUT WE'LL ATTAIN HIS VIRTUOUS DEEDS. WHAT NEXT ENSUES, GOOD BUSHY? READ THE REST. BUSH. HERE IS SET DOWN, MY PRINCELY SOVEREIGN, THE CERTAIN TIME AND DAY WHEN YOU WERE BORN. KING. OUR BIRTHDAY SAY'ST THOU? IS THAT NOTED THERE? BUSH. IT IS, MY LORD. KING. PRITHEE LET ME HEAR'T, FOR THEREBY HANGS A SECRET MYSTERY WHICH YET OUR UNCLE STRANGELY KEEPS FROM US. ON, BUSHY. BUSH. UPON THE 3RD OF APRIL 1365 WAS LORD RICHARD, SON TO THE BLACK PRINCE, BORN AT BORDEAUX. KING. STAY; LET ME THINK AWHILE. READ IT AGAIN. BUSH. UPON THE 3RD OF APRIL 1365 WAS LORD RICHARD SON TO THE BLACK PRINCE BORN AT BORDEAUX. KING. 1365... WHAT YEAR IS THIS? GREEN: TIS NOW, MY LORD, 1387. KING. BY THAT ACCOUNT, THE 3 OF APRIL NEXT OUR AGE IS NUMBERED 22 YEARS. WE MIGHT HAVE CLAIMED OUR RIGHT A TWELVEMONTH SINCE! SHUT UP THY BOOK, GOOD BUSHY. BAGOT, GREENE, KING RICHARD IN HIS THRONE WILL NOW BE SEEN. THIS DAY I'LL CLAIM MY RIGHT, MY KINGDOM'S DUE. OUR UNCLES WELL SHALL KNOW THEY BUT INTRUDE: FOR WHICH WE'LL SMITE THEIR BASE INGRATITUDE. BAGOT. EDMUND OF LANGLEY, DUKE OF YORK, (MY LORD) SENT FROM THE LORD PROTECTOR AND THE PEERS DOTH CRAVE ADMITTANCE TO YOUR ROYAL PRESENCE. KING. OUR UNCLE EDMUND. SO. WERE IT NOT HE WE WOULD NOT SPEAK WITH HIM, BUT GO ADMIT HIM. WOODSTOCK AND GAUNT ARE STERN AND TROUBLESOME BUT YORK IS GENTLE, MILD AND GENEROUS; AND THEREFORE WE ADMIT HIS CONFERENCE. (ENTER YORK. BAGOT. HE COMES, MY LORD. KING. METHINKS TIS STRANGE, MY GOOD AND REVERENT UNCLE, YOU AND THE REST SHOULD THUS MALIGN AGAINST US, AND EVERY HOUR WITH RUDE AND BITTER TAUNTS ABUSE KING RICHARD AND HIS HARMLESS FRIENDS. WE HAD A FATHER, THAT ONCE CALLED YE BROTHER: A GRANDSIRE TOO, THAT TITLED YOU HIS SON; BUT COULD THEY SEE HOW YOUR HAVE WRONGED KING RICHARD THEIR GHOSTS WOULD HAUNT YE; AND IN DEAD OF NIGHT FRIGHT ALL YOUR QUIET SLEEPS WITH HORRID FEARS. I PRAY, STAND UP, WE HONOR REVEREND YEARS IN MEANER SUBJECTS. GOOD UNCLE, RISE AND TELL US: WHAT FURTHER MISCHIEFS ARE THERE NOW DEVISED TO TORTURE AND AFFLICT YOUR SOVEREIGN WITH? YORK. MY ROYAL LORD, EVEN BY MY BIRTH I SWEAR, MY FATHER'S TOMB, AND FAITH TO HEAVEN I OWE, YOUR UNCLES' THOUGHTS ARE ALL MOST HONORABLE. AND TO THAT END THE GOOD PROTECTOR SENDS ME TO CERTIFY YOUR SACRED MAJESTY THE PEERS OF ENGLAND NOW ARE ALL ASSEMBLED TO HOLD A PARLIAMENT AT WESTMINSTER, AND HUMBLY CRAVE YOU HIGHNESS WOULD BE THERE TO SIT IN COUNCIL TOUCHING SUCH AFFAIRS AS SHALL CONCERN YOUR COUNTRY'S GOVERNMENT. KING. HAVE THEY SO SOON PROCURED A PARLIAMENT? YET SAY, GOOD UNCLE, WE WILL MEET THEM STRAIGHT. YORK. THE NEWS TO ALL WILL BE MOST WISHED AND WELCOME. I TAKE MY LEAVE, AND TO YOUR GRACE I SWEAR AS I AM SUBJECT LOYAL, JUST AND TRUE, WE'LL NOTHING DO TO HURT THE REALM NOR YOU. KING. WE SHALL BELIEVE YOU, UNCLE. GO ATTEND HIM. (EXIT YORK. YES, WE WILL MEET THEM, BUT WITH SUCH INTENT AS SHALL DISMISS THEIR SUDDEN PARLIAMENT TILL WE BE PLEASED TO SUMMON AND DIRECT IT. COME, SIRS, TO WESTMINSTER, ATTEND OUR STATE. THIS DAY SHALL MAKE YOU EVER FORTUNATE. THE 3 OF APRIL, BUSHY, NOTE THE TIME, OUR AGE ACCOMPLISHED, CROWN AND KINGDOM'S MINE. (EXEUNT OMNES. PETITIONS, MACE, FLOURISH. ENTER LANCASTER, ARUNDEL SURREY, THE QUEEN, WOODSTOCK AND HIS DUCHESS. YORK MEETS THEM IN HASTE. WOOD. NOW, BROTHER YORK, WHAT SAYS KING RICHARD, HA? YORK. HIS HIGHNESS WILL BE HERE IMMEDIATELY. WOOD. GO, COUSIN SURREY, GREET THE PARLIAMENT, TELL THEM THE KING IS COMING, GIVE THESE PETITIONS TO THE KNIGHTS AND BURGESSES O' THE LOWER HOUSE, SENT FROM EACH SEVERAL SHIRE OF ALL THE KINGDOM. THESE COPIES I WILL KEEP, AND SHOW HIS HIGHNESS. PRAY MAKE HASTE. SURR. I WILL, MY LORD. (EXIT). QUEEN. PITY KING RICHARD'S YOUTH, MOST REVEREND UNCLES AND IN YOUR HIGH PROCEEDINGS GENTLY USE HIM. THINK OF HIS TENDER YEARS: WHAT'S NOW AMISS HIS RIPER JUDGMENT SHALL MAKE GOOD AND PERFECT TO YOUR, AND THE KINGDOM'S BENEFIT. YORK. ALACK, SWEET QUEEN. YOU AND OUR LORD THE KING HAVE LITTLE CAUSE TO FEAR OUR JUST PROCEEDINGS. WE'LL FALL BENEATH HIS FEET, AND BEND OUR KNEES SO HE CAST OFF THOSE HATEFUL FLATTERERS THAT DAILY RUINATE HIS STATE AND KINGDOM. WOOD. GO IN, SWEET LADIES, COMFORT ONE ANOTHER. THIS HAPPY PARLIAMENT SHALL MAKE ALL EVEN AND PLANT SURE PEACE BETWIXT THE KING AND REALM. FOR ENGLAND'S HONOR AND KING RICHARD'S GOOD. YORK. BELIEVE NO LESS, SWEET QUEEN. ATTEND HER HIGHNESS. (EXEUNT. ARUND. THE KING IS COME, MY LORDS. WOOD. STAND FROM THE DOOR THEN: MAKE WAY, CHEYNEY. SOUND FLOURISH. ENTER KING RICHARD, BAGOT, BUSHY, GREENE, AND SCROOPE AND OTHERS. GREEN. YONDER'S YOUR UNCLES, MY LORD. KING. AY, WITH OUR PLAIN PROTECTOR! FULL OF COMPLAINTS, SWEET GREENE, I'LL WAGE MY CROWN. BAGOT. GIVE THEM FAIR WORDS, AND SMOOTH AWHILE. THE TOILS ARE PITCHED, AND YOU MAY CATCH THEM QUICKLY. KING. WHY, HOW NOW, UNCLE? WHAT, DISROBED AGAIN OF ALL YOUR GOLDEN RICH HABILIMENTS? WOOD. AY, AY, MY LIEGE, I'M NOW IN MY TOTHER HOSE, I'M NOW MYSELF, PLAIN THOMAS, AND BY TH' ROOD IN THESE PLAIN HOSE I'LL DO THE REALM MORE GOOD THAN THESE THAT PILL THE POOR, TO JET IN GOLD. KING. NAY, BE NOT ANGRY, UNCLE. WOOD. BE YOU THEN PLEASED, GOOD COZ, TO HEAR ME SPEAK AND VIEW THY SUBJECTS SAD PETITIONS. SEE HERE, KING RICHARD, WHILST THOU LIV'ST AT EASE LULLING THYSELF IN NICE SECURITY, THY WRONGED KINGDOM'S IN A MUTINY. FROM EVERY PROVINCE ARE THE PEOPLE COME WITH OPEN MOUTHS EXCLAIMING ON THE WRONGS THOU AND THESE UPSTARTS HAVE IMPOSED ON THEM. SHAME IS DECIPHERED ON THY PALACE GATE, CONFUSION HANGETH O'ER THY WRETCHED HEAD, MISCHIEF IS COMING AND IN STORMS MUST FALL: TH' OPPRESSION OF THE POOR TO HEAVEN DOTH CALL. KING. WELL, WELL, GOOD UNCLE, THESE YOUR BITTER TAUNTS AGAINST MY FRIENDS AND ME WILL ONE DAY CEASE... BUT WHAT'S THE REASON YOU HAVE SENT FOR US? LANC. TO HAVE YOUR GRACE CONFIRM THIS PARLIAMENT AND SET YOUR HAND TO CERTAIN ARTICLES MOST NEEDFUL FOR YOUR STATE AND KINGDOM'S QUIET. KING. WHERE ARE THOSE ARTICLES? ARUND. THE STATES AND BURGESSES O' THE PARLIAMENT ATTEND WITH DUTY TO DELIVER THEM. KING. WE'LL ASK A QUESTION FIRST, AND THEN WE'LL SEE THEM; FOR TRUST ME, REVERENT UNCLES, WE HAVE SWORN WE WILL NOT SIT UPON OUR ROYAL THRONE UNTIL THIS QUESTION BE RESOLVED AT FULL. REACH ME THAT PAPER, BUSHY. HEAR ME, PRINCES: WE HAD A STRANGE PETITION HERE DELIVERED US. A POOR MAN'S SON, HIS FATHER BEING DECEASED, GAVE HIM IN CHARGE UNTO A RICH MAN'S HANDS TO KEEP HIM AND THE LITTLE LAND HE HAD TILL HE ATTAINED TO 21 YEARS. THE POOR REVENUE AMOUNTS BUT TO 3 CROWNS, AND YET TH' INSATIATE CHURL DENIES HIS RIGHT AND BARS HIM OF HIS FAIR INHERITANCE. TELL ME, I PRAY: WILL NOT OUR ENGLISH LAWS ENFORCE THIS RICH MAN TO RESIGN HIS DUE? WOOD. THERE IS NO LET TO BAR IT, GRACIOUS SOVERIGN. AFORE MY GOD, SWEET PRINCE, IT JOYS MY SOUL TO SEE YOUR GRACE IN PERSON THUS TO JUDGE HIS CAUSE. YORK. SUCH DEEDS AS THIS WILL MAKE KING RICHARD SHINE ABOVE HIS FAMOUS PREDECESSOR KINGS IF THUS HE LABOR TO ESTABLISH RIGHT. KING. THE POOR MAN THEN HAD WRONG, YOU ALL CONFESS? WOOD. AND SHALL HAVE RIGHT, MY LIEGE, TO QUIT HIS WRONG. KING. THEN, WOODSTOCK, GIVE US RIGHT, FOR WE ARE WRONGED. THOU ART THE RICH, AND WE THE POOR MAN'S SON... THE REALMS OF ENGLAND, FRANCE, AND IRELAND ARE THOSE 3 CROWNS THOU YEARLY KEEP'ST FROM US. IS'T NOT A WRONG WHEN EVERY MEAN MAN'S SON MAY TAKE HIS BIRTHRIGHT AT THE TIME EXPIRED, AND WE, THE PRINCIPAL, BEING NOW ATTAINED ALMOST TO 22 YEARS OF AGE CANNOT BE SUFFERED TO ENJOY OUR OWN NOR PEACEABLY POSSESS OUR FATHER'S RIGHT? WOOD. WAS THIS THE TRICK, SWEET PRINCE! ALACK THE DAY, YOU NEED NOT THUS HAVE DOUBLED WITH YOUR FRIENDS. THE RIGHT I HOLD, EVEN WITH MY HEART I RENDER AND WISH YOUR GRACE HAD CLAIMED IT LONG AGO. THOU'DST RID MY AGE OF MICKLE CARE AND WOE. AND YET I THINK I HAVE NOT WRONGED YOUR BIRTHRIGHT: IS NOT SO FULL OF YEARS TILL APRIL NEXT. BUT BE IT AS IT WILL. LO, HERE, KING RICHARD, I THUS YIELD UP MY SAD PROTECTORSHIP: (GIVES THE MACE UP. A HEAVY BURDEN HAST THOU TA'EN FROM ME. LONG MAYST THOU LIVE IN PEACE AND KEEP THINE OWN THAT TRUTH AND JUSTICE MAY ATTEND THY THRONE. KING. THEN IN THE NAME OF HEAVEN WE THUS ASCEND IT AND HERE WE CLAIM OUR FAIR INHERITANCE OF FRUITFUL ENGLAND, FRANCE, AND IRELAND, SUPERIOR LORD OF SCOTLAND; AND THE RIGHTS BELONGING TO OUR GREAT DOMINIONS. HERE, UNCLES, TAKE THE CROWN FROM RICHARD'S HAND AND ONCE MORE PLACE IT ON OUR KINGLY HEAD. THIS DAY WE WILL BE NEW ENTHRONIZED. WOOD. WITH ALL OUR HEARTS, MY LORD. TRUMPETS, BE READY. (A FLOURISH. ALL. LONG LIVE KING RICHARD, OF THAT NAME THE SECOND THE SOVEREIGN LORD OF ENGLAND'S ANCIENT RIGHTS! KING. WE THANK YE ALL. SO. NOW WE FEEL OURSELF. OUR BODY COULD NOT FILL THIS CHAIR TILL NOW, TWAS SCANTED TO US BY PROTECTORSHIP. BUT NOW WE LET YE KNOW KING RICHARD RULES AND WILL ELECT AND CHOOSE, PLACE AND DISPLACE SUCH OFFICERS AS WE OURSELF SHALL LIKE OF. AND FIRST, MY LORDS, BECAUSE YOUR AGE IS SUCH AS PITY TWERE YE SHOULD BE FURTHER PRESSED WITH WEIGHTY BUSINESS OF THE COMMON WEAL, WE HERE DISMISS YE FROM THE COUNCIL TABLE AND WILL THAT YOU REMAIN NOT IN OUR COURT. DELIVER UP YOUR STAVES. AND HEAR YE, ARUNDEL, WE DO DISCHARGE YE OF THE ADMIRALTY. SCROOPE, TAKE HIS OFFICE AND HIS PLACE IN COUNCIL. SCROO. I THANK YOUR HIGHNESS. YORK. HERE, TAKE MY STAFF, GOOD COUSIN. YORK THUS LEAVES THEE. THOU LEAN'ST ON STAVES THAT WILL AT LENGTH DECEIVE THEE. LANC. THERE LIE THE BURDEN OF OLD LANCASTER; AND MAY HE PERISH THAT SUCCEEDS MY PLACE! KING. SO, SIR, WE WILL OBSERVE YOUR HUMOR... SIR HENRY GREENE, SUCCEED OUR UNCLE YORK, BUSH. I THANK YOUR GRACE: HIS CURSES FRIGHT NOT ME. I'LL KEEP IT TO DEFEND YOUR MAJESTY. WOOD. WHAT TRANSFORMATION DO MINE EYES BEHOLD AS IF THE WORLD WERE TOPSY-TURVY TURNED! HEAR ME, KING RICHARD. KING. PLAIN THOMAS, I'LL NOT HEAR YE. GREEN. YE DO NOT WELL TO MOVE HIS MAJESTY. WOOD. HENCE, FLATTERER, OR BY MY SOUL I'LL KILL THEE! (SHALL ENGLAND, THAT SO LONG WAS GOVERNED BY GRAVE EXPERIENCE, OF WHITE-HEADED AGE, BE SUBJECT NOW TO RASH UNSKILLFUL BOYS?) THEN FORCE THE SUN RUN BACKWARD TO THE EAST, LAY ATLAS' BURDEN ON A PYGMY'S BACK, APPOINT THE SEA HIS TIMES TO EBB AND FLOW; AND THAT AS EASILY MAY BE DONE AS THIS... KING. GIVE UP YOUR COUNCIL STAFF, WE'LL HEAR NO MORE. WOOD. MY STAFF, KING RICHARD? SEE, COZ, HERE IT IS: FULL 10 YEARS SPACE WITHIN A PRINCE'S HAND, A SOLDIER AND A FAITHFUL COUNSELLOR, THIS STAFF HATH ALWAYS BEEN DISCREETLY KEPT; NOR SHALL THE WORLD REPORT AN UPSTART GROOM DID GLORY IN THE HONORS WOODSTOCK LOST; AND THEREFORE, RICHARD, THUS I SEVER IT. THERE, LET HIM TAKE IT, SHIVERED, CRACKED AND BROKE AS WILL THE STATE OF ENGLAND BE ERE LONG BY THIS REJECTING TRUE NOBILITY. FAREWELL, KING RICHARD. I'LL TO PLASHY, BROTHERS, IF YE RIDE THROUGH ESSEX, CALL AND SEE ME. IF ONCE THE PILLARS AND SUPPORTERS QUAIL HOW CAN THE STRONGEST CASTLE CHOOSE BUT FAIL? LORDS. AND SO WILL HE ERE LONG. COME, COME, LET'S LEAVE THEM. BUSH. AY, AY, YOUR PLACES ARE SUPPLIED SUFFICIENTLY. (EXEUNT THE LORDS. SCROO. OLD DOTING GRAYBEARD! FORE GOD, MY LORD, HAD THEY NOT BEEN YOUR UNCLES I'D BROKE MY COUNCIL STAFF ABOUT THEIR HEADS. GREEN. WE'LL HAVE AN ACT FOR THIS: IT SHALL BE HENCEFORTH COUNTED HIGH TREASON FOR ANY FELLOW WITH A GRAY BEARD TO COME WITHIN FORTY FOOT OF THE COURT GATES. BAGOT. AY, OR A GREAT-BELLIED DOUBLET. WE'LL ALTER GREEN. POX ON'T, WE'LL NOT HAVE A BEARD AMONGST US, WE'LL SHAVE THE COUNTRY AND THE CITY TOO, SHALL WE NOT, RICHARD? KING. DO WHAT YE WILL, WE'LL SHIELD AND BUCKLER YE. WE'LL HAVE A GUARD OF ARCHERS TO ATTEND US; AND THEY SHALL DAILY WAIT ON US AND YOU. SEND PROCLAMATIONS STRAIGHT IN RICHARD'S NAME T'ABRIDGE THE LAWS OUR LATE PROTECTOR MADE. LET SOME BE SENT TO SEEK TRESILIAN FORTH. BAGOT. SEEK HIM! HANG HIM, HE LURKS NOT FAR OFF I WARRANT YE; AND THIS NEWS COME ABROAD ONCE, YE SHALL HAVE HIM HERE PRESENTLY. KING. WOULD HE WERE COME. HIS COUNSEL WOULD DIRECT YOU WELL. GREEN. TROTH, I THINK I SHALL TROUBLE MYSELF BUT WITH A FEW COUNSELLORS. WHAT CHEER SHALL WE HAVE TO DINNER, KING RICHARD? KING. NO MATTER WHAT TODAY. WE'LL MEND IT SHORTLY. THE HALL AT WESTMINSTER SHALL BE ENLARGED AND ONLY SERVE US FOR A DINING ROOM, WHEREIN I'LL DAILY FEAST TEN THOUSAND MEN. GREEN. AN EXCELLENT DEVICE! THE COMMONS HAVE MURMURED AGAINST US A GREAT WHILE, AND THERE'S NO SUCH MEANS AS MEAT TO STOP THEIR MOUTHS. SCROO. SFOOT, MAKE THEIR GATE WIDER. LET'S FIRST FETCH THEIR MONEY AND BID THEM TO DINNER AFTERWARDS. GREEN. SBLOOD, AND I WERE NOT A COUNCILLOR, I COULD FIND IN MYSELF TO DINE AT A TAVERN TODAY, SWEET KING. SHALL'S BE MERRY? SCROO. WE MUST HAVE MONEY TO BUY NEW SUITS, MY LORD. THE FASHIONS THAT WE WEAR ARE GROSS AND STALE. WE'LL GO SIT IN COUNCIL TO DEVISE SOME NEW. ALL. A SPECIAL PURPOSE TO BE THOUGHT UPON! IT SHALL BE THE FIRST THING WE'LL DO. KING. COME, WANTONS, COME. IF GLOSTER HEAR OF THIS HE'LL SAY OUR COUNCIL GUIDES US MUCH AMISS. DISMISS THE PARLIAMENT OUR UNCLES CALLED, AND TELL THE PEERS IT IS OUR PRESENT PLEASURE THAT EACH MAN PARTS UNTO HIS SEVERAL HOME. WHEN WE ARE PLEASED, THEY SHALL HAVE SUMMONS SENT AND WITH KING RICHARD HOLD A PARLIAMENT. GREEN. YOU OF THE COUNCIL MARCH BEFORE THE KING; I WILL SUPPORT HIS ARM. KING. GRAMERCY, GREENE. (TRUMPETS SOUND; EXEUNT OMNES. ENTER THE QUEEN, THE DUCHESS OF GLOSTER, THE DUCHESS OF IRELAND, AND OTHER MAIDS WITH SHIRTS AND BANDS AND OTHER LINEN. QUEEN. TELL ME, DEAR AUNT, HAS RICHARD SO FORGOT THE TYPES OF HONOR AND NOBILITY SO TO DISGRACE HIS GOOD AND REVERENT UNCLES? D.GLO. MADAM, TIS TRUE. NO SOONER HAD HE CLAIMED THE FULL POSSESSION OF HIS GOVERNMENT BUT MY DEAR HUSBAND AND HIS NOBLE BRETHREN WERE ALL DISMISSED FROM THE COUNCIL TABLE, BANISHED THE COURT, AND EVEN BEFORE THEIR FACES THEIR OFFICES BESTOWED ON SEVERAL GROOMS. D.IRE. MY HUSBAND IRELAND, THAT UNLOVING LORD (GOD PARDON HIS AMISS, HE NOW IS DEAD) KING RICHARD WAS THE CAUSE HE LEFT MY BED. QUEEN. NO MORE, GOOD COUSIN. COULD I WORK THE MEANS, HE SHOULD NOT SO DISGRACE HIS DEAREST FRIENDS. ALACK THE DAY! THOUGH I AM ENGLAND'S QUEEN I MEET SAD HOURS AND WAKE WHEN OTHERS SLEEP. HE MEETS CONTENT, BUT CARE WITH ME MUST KEEP. DISTRESSED POVERTY O'ERSPREADS THE KINGDOM: IN ESSEX, SURREY, KENT AND MIDDLESEX ARE 17000 POOR AND INDIGENT WHICH I HAVE NUMBERED; AND TO HELP THEIR WANTS MY JEWELS AND MY PLATE ARE TURNED TO COIN AND SHARED AMONGST THEM. OH, RIOTOUS RICHARD, A HEAVY BLAME IS THINE FOR THIS DISTRESS, THAT DOST ALLOW THY POLLING FLATTERERS TO GILD THEMSELVES WITH OTHERS' MISERIES. D.GLO. WRONG NOT YOURSELF WITH SORROW, GENTLE QUEEN, UNLESS THAT SORROW WERE A HELPING MEANS TO CURE THE MALADY YOU SORROW FOR. QUEEN. THE SIGHS I VENT ARE NOT MINE OWN, DEAR AUNT. I DO NOT SORROW IN MINE OWN BEHALF NOR NOW REPENT WITH PEEVISH FROWARDNESS AND WISH I NE'ER HAD SEEN THIS ENGLISH SHORE, BUT THINK ME HAPPY IN KING RICHARD'S LOVE. TIS ENGLAND'S SUBJECTS' SORROW I SUSTAIN, I FEAR THEY GRUDGE AGAINST THEIR SOVEREIGN. D.GLO. FEAR NOT THAT, MADAM, ENGLAND'S NOT MUTINOUS; TIS PEOPLED ALL WITH SUBJECTS, NOT WITH OUTLAWS. THOUGH RICHARD (MUCH MISLED BY FLATTERERS) NEGLECTS, AND THROWS HIS SCEPTER CARELESSLY, YET NONE DARES ROB HIM OF HIS KINGLY RULE. D.IRE. BESIDES, YOUR VIRTUOUS CHARITY, FAIR QUEEN SO GRACIOUSLY HATH WON THE COMMONS' LOVE AS ONLY YOU HAVE POWER TO STAY THEIR RIGOR. QUEEN. THE WEALTH I HAVE SHALL BE THE POOR'S REVENUE AS SURE AS TWERE CONFIRMED BY PARLIAMENT. THIS MINE OWN INDUSTRY, AND 60 MORE I DAILY KEEP AT WORK, IS ALL THEIR OWN. THE COIN I HAVE, I SEND THEM, WOULD TWERE MORE. TO SATISFY MY FEARS, OR PAY THOSE SUMS MY WANTON LORD HATH FORCED FROM NEEDY SUBJECTS. I'D WANT MYSELF. GO, LET THOSE TRUNKS BE FILLED WITH THOSE OUR LABORS TO RELIEVE THE POOR. LET THEM BE CAREFULLY DISTRIBUTED. FOR THOSE THAT NOW SHALL WANT, WE'LL WORK AGAIN, AND TELL THEM ERE TWO DAYS WE SHALL BE FURNISHED. (ENTER CHEYNEY. CHEY. WHAT, IS THE COURT REMOVING? WHITHER GOES THAT TRUNK? MAID. TIS THE QUEEN'S CHARITY, SIR, OF NEEDFUL CLOTHING TO BE DISTRIBUTED AMONGST THE POOR. CHEY. WHY, THERE'S ONE BLESSING YET, THAT ENGLAND HATH A VIRTUOUS QUEEN, ALTHOUGH A WANTON KING... GOOD HEALTH, SWEET PRINCESS. BELIEVE ME, MADAM, YOU HAVE QUICK UTTERANCE FOR YOUR HOUSEWIFERY. YOUR GRACE AFFORDS GOOD PENNYWORTHS SURE, YE SELL SO FAST! PRAY HEAVEN YOUR GETTINGS QUITE YOUR SWIFT RETURN. QUEEN. AMEN; FOR TIS FROM HEAVEN I LOOK FOR RECOMPENSE. CHEY. NO DOUBT, FAIR QUEEN, THE RIGHTEOUS POWERS WILL QUITE YOU FOR THESE RELIGIOUS DEEDS OF CHARITY. BUT TO MY MESSAGE: HEALTH TO YOUR MAJESTY! MY LORD THE DUKE ENTREATS YOUR GRACE PREPARE WITH HIM TO HORSE. HE WILL THIS NIGHT RIDE HOME TO PLASHEY HOUSE. QUEEN. THEN BEGONE: LEAVE ME ALONE IN DESOLATION. D.IRE. ADIEU, GOOD AUNT, I'LL SEE YE SHORTLY THERE. KING RICHARD'S KINDRED ARE NOT WELCOME HERE. QUEEN. WILL YE ALL LEAVE ME THEN? OH WOE IS ME, I NOW AM CROWNED A QUEEN OF MISERY. D.GLO. WHERE DIDST THOU LEAVE MY HUSBAND, CHEYNEY, SPEAK! CHEY. ACCOMP'NIED WITH THE DUKES OF YORK AND LANCASTER WHO, AS I GUESS, INTEND TO RIDE WITH HIM, FOR WHICH HE WISHED ME HASTE YOUR GRACE'S PRESENCE. D.GLO. THOU SEEST THE PASSIONS OF THE QUEEN ARE SUCH I MAY NOT TOO ABRUPTLY LEAVE HER HIGHNESS; BUT TELL MY LORD I'LL SEE HIM PRESENTLY. QUEEN. SAW'ST THOU KING RICHARD, CHEYNEY? PRITHEE, TELL ME: WHAT REVELS KEEP HIS FLATTERING MINIONS? CHEY. THEY SIT IN COUNCIL TO DEVISE STRANGE FASHIONS, AND SUIT THEMSELVES IN WILD AND ANTIC HABITS SUCH AS THIS KINGDOM NEVER YET BEHELD: FRENCH HOSE, ITALIAN CLOAKS, AND SPANISH HATS, POLONIAN SHOES WITH PEAKS A HAND FULL LONG, TIED TO THEIR KNEES WITH CHAINS OF PEARL AND GOLD. THEIR PLUMED TOPS FLY WAVING IN THE AIR A CUBIT HIGH ABOVE THEIR WANTON HEADS. TRESILIAN WITH KING RICHARD LIKEWISE SITS DEVISING TAXES, AND STRANGE SHIFTS FOR MONEY TO BUILD AGAIN THE HALL AT WESTMINSTER TO FEAST AND REVEL IN; AND WHEN ABROAD THEY COME, 400 ARCHERS IN A GUARD ATTEND THEM. QUEEN. OH, CERTAIN RUIN OF THIS FAMOUS KINGDOM! FOND RICHARD, THOU BUILD'ST A HALL TO FEAST IN AND STARV'ST THY WRETCHED SUBJECTS TO ERECT IT. WOE TO THOSE MEN THAT THUS INCLINE THY SOUL TO THESE REMORSELESS ACTS AND DEEDS SO FOUL! (A FLOURISH. D.GLO. THE TRUMPETS TELL US THAT KING RICHARD'S COMING. I'LL TAKE MY LEAVE, FAIR QUEEN; BUT CREDIT ME ERE MANY DAYS, AGAIN I'LL VISIT YE. D.IRE. I'LL HOME TO LANGLEY, WITH MY UNCLE YORK, AND THERE LAMENT ALONE MY WRETCHED STATE. QUEEN. BLEST HEAVEN CONDUCT YE BOTH. QUEEN ANNE ALONE FOR RICHARD'S FOLLIES STILL MUST SIGH AND GROAN. (EXIT QUEEN. ACT 3. SOUND A SENNET. ENTER KING RICHARD, BAGOT, BUSHY, GREENE AND SCROOPE, VERY RICHLY ATTIRED IN NEW FASHIONS AND TRESILIAN WHISPERING WITH THE KING. A GUARD OF ARCHERS AFTER THEM. KING. COME, MY TRESILIAN. THUS LIKE AN EMPEROR SHALL KING RICHARD REIGN AND YOU SO MANY KINGS ATTENDANT ON HIM. OUR GUARD OF ARCHERS, KEEP THE DOORS, I CHARGE YE, LET NO MAN ENTER TO DISTURB OUR PLEASURES. THOU TOLD'ST ME, KIND TRESILIAN, THOU'DST DEVISED BLANK CHARTERS, TO FILL UP OUR TREASURY OPENING THE CHESTS OF HOARDING CORMORANTS THAT LAUGH TO SEE THEIR KINGLY SOVEREIGN LACK. LET'S KNOW THE MEANS, WE MAY APPLAUD THY WIT. TRES. SEE HERE, MY LORD: ONLY WITH PARCHMENT, INNOCENT SHEEPSKINS. YE SEE HERE'S NO FRAUD, NO CLAUSE, NO DECEIT IN THE WRITING. ALL. WHY, THERE'S NOTHING WRIT! TRES. THERE'S THE TRICK ON'T! THESE BLANK CHARTERS SHALL BE FORTHWITH SENT TO EVERY SHRIEVE THROUGH ALL THE SHIRES OF ENGLAND, WITH CHARGE TO CALL BEFORE THEM PRESENTLY ALL LANDED MEN, FREEHOLDERS, FARMERS, GRAZIERS, OR ANY ELSE THAT HAVE ABILITY. THEN IN YOUR HIGHNESS' NAME THEY SHALL BE CHARGED TO SET THEIR NAMES, AND FORTHWITH SEAL THESE BLANKS. THAT DONE, THESE SHALL RETURN TO COURT AGAIN, BUT CARTLOADS OF MONEY SOON SHALL FOLLOW THEM. SCROO. EXCELLENT TRESILIAN! BUSH. NOBLE LORD CHIEF JUSTICE! BAGOT. WHERE SHOULD HIS GRACE GET SUCH A COUNCILLOR! GREEN. NOT IF HIS BEARD WERE OFF! PRITHEE TRESILIAN, OFF WITH IT. SFOOT, THOU SEEST WE HAVE NOT A BEARD AMONGST US! THOU SEND'ST OUR BARBERS THERE TO POLL THE WHOLE COUNTRY. SFOOT, LET SOME SHAVE THEE! BUSH. TWOULD BECOME THEE BETTER I' FAITH, AND MAKE THEE TRES. I TELL YE, GALLANTS: I WILL NOT LOSE A HAIR OF MY LORDSHIP AND KING RICHARD'S FAVOR FOR THE POPE'S REVENUES. (ENTER THE QUEEN. GREEN. BY'R LEAVE, THERE, GIVE WAY TO THE QUEEN! KING. NOW, ANNE A BEAME, HOW CHEERS MY DEAREST QUEEN? IS'T HOLIDAY, MY LOVE? BELIEVE ME, LORDS, TIS STRANGE TO TAKE HER FROM HER SEMPSTRY; SHE AND HER MAIDS ARE ALL FOR HOUSEWIFERY. SHALT WORK NO MORE, SWEET NAN, NOW RICHARD'S KING, AND PEERS AND PEOPLE ALL SHALL STOOP TO HIM. WE'LL HAVE NO MORE PROTECTING UNCLES, TRUST ME! PRITHEE LOOK SMOOTH AND BID THESE NOBLES WELCOME. QUEEN. WHOM MY LORD FAVORS MUST TO ME BE WELCOME. KING. THESE ARE OUR COUNCILLORS, I TELL YE, LADY, AND THESE SHALL BETTER GRACE KING RICHARD'S COURT THAN ALL THE DOTING HEADS THAT LATE CONTROLLED US. THOU SEEST ALREADY WE BEGIN TO ALTER THE VULGAR FASHIONS OF OUR HOMESPUN KINGDOM. I TELL THEE, NAN, THE STATES OF CHRISTENDOM SHALL WONDER AT OUR ENGLISH ROYALTY. WE HELD A COUNCIL TO DEVISE THESE SUITS: SIR HENRY GREENE DEVISED THIS FASHION SHOE, BUSHY THIS PEAK; BAGOT AND SCROOPE SET FORTH THIS KIND COHERENCE TWIXT THE TOE AND KNEE TO HAVE THEM CHAINED TOGETHER LOVINGLY; AND WE AS SOVEREIGN DID CONFIRM THEM ALL. SUIT THEY NOT QUAINTLY, NAN? SWEET QUEEN, RESOLVE ME. QUEEN. I SEE NO FAULT THAT I DARE CALL A FAULT... BUT WOULD YOUR GRACE CONSIDER WITH ADVICE WHAT YOU HAVE DONE UNTO YOUR REVERENT UNCLES? (MY FEARS PROVOKE ME TO BE BOLD, MY LORD) THEY ARE YOUR NOBLE KINSMEN, TO REVOKE THE SENTENCE WERE... KING. AN ACT OF FOLLY, NAN! KING'S WORDS ARE LAWS. IF WE INFRINGE OUR WORD, WE BREAK OUR LAW. NO MORE OF THEM, SWEET QUEEN. TRES. MADAM, WHAT'S DONE WAS WITH ADVICE ENOUGH. THE KING IS NOW AT YEARS AND HATH SHOOK OFF THE SERVILE YOKE OF MEAN PROTECTORSHIP. WHY SHOULD HIS PLEASURES THEN BE CURBED BY ANY AS IF HE DID NOT UNDERSTAND HIS STATE? KING. THEY TELL THEE TRUE, SWEET LOVE. COME, RIDE WITH ME AND SEE TODAY MY HALL AT WESTMINSTER WHICH WE HAVE BUILDED NOW TO FEAST OUR FRIENDS. GREEN. DO, DO, GOOD MADAM. PRITHEE SWEET KING, LET'S RIDE SOMEWHITHER AND IT BE BUT TO SHOW OURSELVES. SFOOT, OUR DEVICES HERE ARE LIKE JEWELS KEPT IN CASKETS, OR GOOD FACES IN MASKS, THAT GRACE NOT THE OWNERS BECAUSE THEY'RE OBSCURED. IF OUR FASHIONS BE NOT PUBLISHED, WHAT GLORY'S IN THE WEARING? KING. WE'LL RIDE THROUGH LONDON ONLY TO BE GAZED AT. FAIR ANNE A BEAME, YOU SHALL ALONG WITH US. AT WESTMINSTER SHALT SEE MY SUMPTUOUS HALL, MY ROYAL TABLES RICHLY FURNISHED WHERE EVERY DAY I FEAST 10000 MEN; TO FURNISH OUT WHICH FEAST I DAILY SPEND 30 FAT OXEN AND 300 SHEEP, WITH FISH AND FOWL IN NUMBERS NUMBERLESS. NOT ALL OUR CHRONICLES SHALL POINT A KING TO MATCH OUR BOUNTY, STATE, AND ROYALTY. OR LET ALL OUR SUCCESSORS YET TO COME STRIVE TO EXCEED ME ... AND IF THEY FORBID IT, LET RECORDS SAY, ONLY KING RICHARD DID IT. QUEEN. OH BUT, MY LORD, TWILL TIRE YOUR REVENUES TO KEEP THIS FESTIVAL A YEAR TOGETHER! KING. AS MANY DAYS AS I WRITE ENGLAND'S KING WE WILL MAINTAIN THAT BOUNTEOUS FESTIVAL. TRESILIAN, LOOK TO YOUR BLANK CHARTERS SPEEDILY, SEND THEM ABROAD WITH TRUSTY OFFICERS; AND BAGOT, SEE A MESSENGER BE SENT TO CALL OUR UNCLE WOODSTOCK HOME TO TH' COURT. NOT THAT WE LOVE HIS MEDDLING COMPANY, BUT THAT THE RAGGED COMMONS LOVE HIS PLAINNESS AND SHOULD GROW MUTINOUS ABOUT THESE BLANKS. WE'LL HAVE HIM NEAR US. WITHIN HIS ARROW'S LENGTH, WE STAND SECURE: WE CAN RESTRAIN HIS STRENGTH. SEE IT BE DONE. COME, ANNE, TO OUR GREAT HALL WHERE RICHARD KEEPS HIS GORGEOUS FESTIVAL. (SOUND; EXEUNT; MANET TRESILIAN. TRES. WITHIN THERE HO! CROSB. YOUR LORDSHIP'S PLEASURE? TRES. WHAT, ARE THOSE BLANKS DISPATCHED? FLEM. THEY'RE ALL TRUSSED UP, MY LORD, IN SEVERAL PACKETS. TRES. WHERE'S NIMBLE? WHERE'S THAT VARLET? (ENTER NIMBLE. NIMB. AS NIMBLE AS A MORRIS DANCER, NOW MY BELLS ARE ON. HOW DO YE LIKE THE RATTLING OF MY CHAINS, MY LORD? TRES. OH, VILLAIN, THOU WILT HANG IN CHAINS FOR THIS. ART THOU CREPT INTO THE COURT FASHION, KNAVE? NIMB. ALAS, MY LORD, YE KNOW I HAVE FOLLOWED YOUR LORD- SHIP WITHOUT E'ER A RAG SINCE YE RAN AWAY FROM THE COURT ONCE; AND I PRAY LET ME FOLLOW THE FASHION A LITTLE, TO SHOW MYSELF A COURTIER. TRES. GO SPREAD THOSE SEVERAL BLANKS THROUGHOUT THE KINGDOM, AND HERE'S COMMISSION WITH THE COUNCIL'S HANDS WITH CHARGE TO EVERY SHRIEVE AND OFFICER T'ASSIST AND AID YOU ... AND WHEN THEY'RE SEALED AND SIGNED, SEE YE NOTE WELL SUCH MEN'S ABILITY AS SET THEIR HANDS TO THEM. INQUIRE WHAT RENTS, WHAT LANDS, OR WHAT REVENUES THEY SPEND BY TH' YEAR, AND LET ME STRAIGHT RECEIVE INTELLIGENCE. BESIDES, I'D HAVE YOU USE YOURSELVES SO CUNNINGLY TO MARK WHO GRUDGES, OR BUT SPEAKS AMISS OF GOOD KING RICHARD, MYSELF, OR ANY OF HIS NEW COUNCILLORS. ATTACH THEM ALL FOR PRIVY WHISPERERS AND SEND THEM UP. I HAVE A TRICK IN LAW SHALL MAKE KING RICHARD SEIZE INTO HIS HANDS THE FORFEITURE OF ALL THEIR GOOD AND LANDS. NIMBLE, TAKE THOU THESE BLANKS, AND SEE YOU TAKE ESPECIAL NOTE OF THEM. NIMB. I'LL TAKE THE DITTY, SIR, BUT YOU SHALL SET A NOTE TO'T, FOR IF ANY MAN SHALL SPEAK BUT AN ILL WORD OF ANYTHING THAT'S WRITTEN HERE... TRES. WHY, ASS, THERE'S NOTHING. NIMB. AND WOULD YE HAVE THEM SPEAK ILL OF NOTHING? THAT'S STRANGE. BUT I MEAN, MY LORD, IF THEY SHOULD BUT GIVE THIS PAPER AN ILL WORD, AS TO SAY, 'I WILL TEAR THIS WORDS THAN THAT, AS TO SAY, 'I WILL BUMFIDDLE YOUR PAPER,' IF THERE BE ANY SUCH, I HAVE A BLACK BOOK FOR THEM, MY LORD, I WARRANT YE. TRES. BE IT YOUR GREATEST CARE TO BE SEVERE. CROSBY AND FLEMING, PRAY BE DILIGENT. CROS. WE SHALL, MY LORD. NIMB. BUT HOW IF WE MEET WITH SOME IGNORAMUS FELLOWS, MY LORD, THAT CANNOT WRITE THEIR MINDS. WHAT SHALL THEY DO? TRES. IF THEY BUT SET TO THEIR MARKS, TIS GOOD. NIMB. WE SHALL MEDDLE WITH NO WOMEN IN THE BLANKS, SHALL WE? TRES. RICH WIDOWS, NONE ELSE; FOR A WIDOW IS AS MUCH AS MAN AND WIFE. NIMB. THEN A WIDOW'S A HERMAPHRODITE, BOTH CUT AND LONGTAIL. AND IF SHE CANNOT WRITE, SHE SHALL SET HER MARK TO IT? TRES. WHAT ELSE, SIR? NIMB. BUT IF SHE HAVE A DAUGHTER, SHE SHALL SET HER MOTHER'S MARK TO'T? TRES. MEDDLE WITH NONE BUT MEN AND WIDOWS, SIR, I CHARGE YE. NIMB. WELL, SIR, I SHALL SEE A WIDOW'S MARK THEN: I NE'ER SAW NONE YET! TRES. YOU HAVE YOUR LESSONS PERFECT, NOW BEGONE: BE BOLD AND SWIFT IN EXECUTION. (EXIT TRESILIAN. NIMB. GOODBYE, MY LORD... WE WILL DOMINEER OVER THE VULGAR LIKE SO MANY ST. GEORGES OVER THE POOR DRAGONS. COME, SIRS, WE ARE LIKE TO HAVE A FLOURISHING COMMON- WEALTH, I' FAITH! (EXEUNT. ENTER WOODSTOCK, LANCASTER AND YORK, AT PLASHEY. WOOD. COME, MY GOOD BROTHERS, HERE AT PLASHEY HOUSE I'LL BID YOU WELCOME WITH AS TRUE A HEART AS RICHARD WITH A FALSE, AND MIND CORRUPT DISGRACED OUR NAMES AND THRUST US FROM HIS COURT. LANC. BESHREW HIM THAT REPINES, MY LORD, FOR ME. I LIVED WITH CARE AT COURT, I NOW AM FREE. YORK. COME, COME, LET'S FIND SOME OTHER TALK. I THINK NOT ON IT. I NE'ER SLEPT SOUNDLY WHEN I WAS AMONGST THEM, SO LET THEM GO. THIS HOUSE OF PLASHEY, BROTHER, STANDS IN A SWEET AND PLEASANT AIR, I' FAITH. THAT IN THE SUMMER SERVE FOR PLEASANT FANS TO COOL YE, AND IN WINTER STRONGLY BREAK THE STORMY WINDS THAT ELSE WOULD NIP YE TOO. WOOD. AND IN FAITH, OLD YORK, WE HAVE ALL NEED OF SOME KIND WINTERING. WE ARE BESET (HEAVEN SHIELD) WITH MANY STORMS. AND YET THESE TREES AT LENGTH WILL PROVE TO ME LIKE RICHARD AND HIS RIOTOUS MINIONS... THEIR WANTON HEADS SO OFT PLAY WITH THE WINDS THROWING THEIR LEAVES SO PRODIGALLY DOWN, THEY'LL LEAVE ME COLD AT LAST; AND SO WILL THEY MAKE ENGLAND WRETCHED; AND, I' TH' END, THEMSELVES. LANC. IF WESTMINSTER HALL DEVOUR AS IT HAS BEGUN TWERE BETTER IT WERE RUINED LIME AND STONE. WOOD. AFORE MY GOD, I LATE WAS CERTIFIED THAT AT ONE FEAST WAS SERVED 10000 DISHES. YORK. HE DAILY FEASTS, THEY SAY, 1OOOO MEN AND EVERY MAN MUST HAVE HIS DISH, AT LEAST. WOOD. 30 FAT OXEN AND 300 SHEEP SERVE BUT ONE DAY'S EXPENSES... LANC. A 100 SCARCELY CAN SUFFICE HIS GUARD. A CAMP OF SOLDIERS FEEDS NOT LIKE THOSE BOWMEN. WOOD. BUT HOW WILL THESE EXPENSES BE MAINTAINED? YORK. OH, THEY SAY THERE ARE STRANGE TRICKS COME FORTH TO FETCH IN MONEY. WHAT THEY ARE, I KNOW NOT. WOOD. YOU'VE HEARD OF THE FANTASTIC SUITS THEY WEAR? NEVER WAS ENGLISH KING SO HABITED. LANC. WE COULD ALLOW HIS CLOTHING, BROTHER WOODSTOCK, BUT WE HAVE FOUR KINGS MORE, ARE EQUALLED WITH HIM. THERE'S BAGOT, BUSHY, WANTON GREENE, AND SCROOPE IN STATE AND FASHION WITHOUT DIFFERENCE... YORK. INDEED, THEY'RE MORE THAN KINGS; FOR THEY RULE HIM. WOOD. COME, COME, OUR BREATHS REVERBERATE THE WIND. WE TALK LIKE GOOD DIVINES, BUT CANNOT CURE THE GROSSNESS OF THE SIN. OR SHALL WE SPEAK LIKE ALL-COMMANDING WISE ASTRONOMERS, AND FLATLY SAY, SUCH A DAY SHALL BE FAIR? AND YET IT RAINS, WHETHER HE WILL OR NO. SO MAY WE TALK; BUT THUS WILL RICHARD DO. LANC. HOW NOW, CHEYNEY, WHAT DRIVES THEE ON SO FAST? CHEY. IF I DURST, I WOULD SAY (MY LORD) TRESILIAN DRIVES ME, ON BEHALF SO ILL; I'M STILL THE PURSUIVANT OF UNHAPPY NEWS. HERE'S BLANK CHARTERS, MY LORD. I PRAY, BEHOLD THEM, SENT FROM KING RICHARD AND HIS COUNCILLORS. WOOD. THOU MAK'ST ME BLANK AT VERY SIGHT OF THEM! WHAT MUST THESE....? LANC. THEY APPEAR IN SHAPE OF OBLIGATIONS... CHEY. THEY ARE NO LESS, THE COUNTRY'S FULL OF THEM. COMMISSIONS ARE COME DOWN TO EVERY SHRIEVE TO FORCE THE RICHEST SUBJECTS OF THE LAND TO SET THEIR HANDS, AND FORTHWITH SEAL THESE BLANKS AND THEN THE BOND MUST AFTERWARDS BE PAID: THAT SHALL CONFIRM A DUE DEBT TO THE KING AS MUCH OR LITTLE AS THEY PLEASE TO POINT IT. LANC. OH, STRANGE UNHEARD-OF VILD TAXATION! WOOD. WHO IS'T CAN HELP MY MEMORY A LITTLE? HAS NOT THIS E'ER BEEN HELD A PRINCIPLE: 'THERE'S NOTHING SPOKE OR DONE THAT HAS NOT BEEN? YORK. IT WAS A MAXIM ERE I HAD A BEARD. WOOD. TIS NOW FOUND FALSE, AN OPEN HERESY! THIS IS A THING WAS NEVER SPOKE NOR DONE. BLANK CHARTERS CALL YE THEM? IF ANY AGE KEEP BUT A RECORD OF THIS POLICY (I PHRASE IT TOO, TOO WELL) FLAT VILLAINY, LET ME BE CHRONICLED APOSTATA, REBELLIOUS TO MY GOD AND COUNTRY BOTH! LANC. HOW DO THE PEOPLE ENTERTAIN THESE BLANKS? CHEY. WITH MUCH DISLIKE, YET SOME FOR FEAR HAVE SIGNED THEM; OTHERS THERE BE, REFUSE AND MURMUR STRONGLY. WOOD. AFORE MY GOD I CANNOT BLAME THEM FOR IT. HE MIGHT AS WELL HAVE SENT DEFIANCE TO THEM. OH, VULTURE ENGLAND, WILT THOU EAT THINE OWN? CAN THEY BE REBELS CALLED, THAT NOW TURN HEAD? I SPEAK BUT WHAT I FEAR, NOT WHAT I WISH. THIS FOUL OPPRESSION WILL WITHDRAW ALL DUTY, AND IN THE COMMONS' HEARTS HOT RANCORS BREED TO MAKE OUR COUNTRY'S BOSOM SHORTLY BLEED. LANC. WHAT SHALL WE DO TO SEEK FOR REMEDY? YORK. LET EACH MAN HIE HIM TO HIS SEVERAL HOME AND, IN THE MILDEST PART OF LENITY, SEEK TO RESTRAIN THEM FROM REBELLION, FOR WHAT CAN ELSE BE LOOKED FOR? PROMISE REDRESS; THAT ELOQUENCE IS BEST IN THIS DISTRESS. LANC. YORK COUNSELS WELL. LET'S HASTE AWAY. THE TIME IS SICK. WE MUST NOT USE DELAY. YORK. LET'S STILL CONFER BY LETTERS. WOOD. CONTENT, CONTENT, SO FRIENDS MAY PARLEY, EVEN IN BANISHMENT. FAREWELL, GOOD BROTHERS. CHEYNEY, CONDUCT THEM FORTH. (EXEUNT ALL BUT WOODSTOCK. ADIEU, GOOD YORK AND GAUNT, FAREWELL FOREVER. I HAVE A SAD PRESAGE COMES SUDDENLY THAT I SHALL NEVER SEE THESE BROTHERS MORE. ON EARTH, I FEAR, WE NEVER MORE SHALL MEET. OF EDWARD THE THIRD'S 7 SONS WE 3 ARE LEFT TO SEE OUR FATHER'S KINGDOM RUINATE. I WOULD MY DEATH MIGHT END THE MISERY MY FEAR PRESAGETH TO MY WRETCHED COUNTRY. THE COMMONS WILL REBEL WITHOUT ALL QUESTION, AND FORE MY GOD, I HAVE NO ELOQUENCE TO STAY THIS UPROAR, I MUST TELL THEM PLAIN WE ALL ARE STRUCK, BUT MUST NOT STRIKE AGAIN. (ENTER A SERVANT. HOW NOW? WHAT NEWS? SERVANT. THERE'S A HORSEMAN AT THE GATE, MY LORD. HE COMES FROM THE KING, HE SAYS, TO SEE YOUR GRACE. WOOD. TO SEE ME, SAY'ST THOU? A GOD'S NAME, LET HIM COME, HE BRINGS NO BLANK CHARTERS WITH HIM. PRITHEE, BID HIM 'LIGHT AND ENTER. SER. I THINK HE DARES NOT FOR FOULING ON HIS FEET, MY LORD, I WOULD HAVE HAD HIM 'LIGHT, BUT HE SWEARS AS HE'S A COURTIER, HE WILL NOT OFF ON'S HORSEBACK TILL THE INNER GATE BE OPEN. WOOD. PASSION OF ME, THAT'S STRANGE. I PRITHEE, GIVE HIM SATISFACTION, OPEN THE INNER GATE. WHAT MIGHT THIS FELLOW BE? SERV. SOME FINE FOOL: HE'S ATTIRED VERY FANTASTICALLY, AND TALKS AS FOOLISHLY... WOOD. GO LET HIM IN, AND WHEN YOUR HAVE DONE, BID CHEYNEY COME AND SPEAK WITH ME. SERV. I WILL, MY LORD. COME ON, SIR, YE MAY RIDE INTO MY LORD'S CELLAR NOW, (ENTER A SPRUCE COURTIER A HORSEBACK. COUR. PRITHEE, FELLOW, STAY AND TAKE MY HORSE. SERV. I HAVE BUSINESS FOR MY LORD, SIR, I CANNOT. (EXIT SERVANT. COUR. A RUDE SWAIN, BY HEAVEN, BUT STAY, HERE WALKS ANOTHER. HEAR'ST TA, THOU, FELLOW? IS THIS PLASHEY HOUSE? WOOD. YE SHOULD HAVE ASKED THAT QUESTION BEFORE YE CAME IN, SIR. BUT THIS IS IT. COUR. THE HINDS ARE ALL MOST RUDE AND GROSS. I PRITHEE, WALK MY HORSE. WOOD. I HAVE A LITTLE BUSINESS, SIR. COUR. THOU SHALT NOT LOSE BY'T. I'LL GIVE THEE A TESTER FOR THY PAINS. WOOD. I SHALL BE GLAD TO EARN MONEY, SIR. COUR. PRITHEE, DO, AND KNOW THY DUTY. THY HEAD'S TOO SAUCY. WOOD. CRY YE MERCY, I DID NOT UNDERSTAND YOUR WORSHIP'S CALLING. COUR. THE DUKE OF GLOSTER LIES HERE, DOES HE NOT? WOOD. MARRY, DOES HE, SIR. COUR. IS HE WITHIN? WOOD. HE'S NOT FAR OFF, SIR. HE WAS HERE EVEN NOW. COUR. AH, VERY GOOD, WALK MY HORSE WELL, I PRITHEE, HE'S TRAVELED HARD AND HE'S HOT I' FAITH. I'LL IN AND SPEAK WITH THE DUKE, AND PAY THEE PRESENTLY. (EXIT COURTIER. WOOD. I MAKE NO DOUBT SIR... OH, STRANGE METAMORPHOSIS! IS'T POSSIBLE THAT THIS FELLOW THAT'S ALL MADE OF FASHIONS SHOULD BE AN ENGLISHMAN? NO MARVEL IF HE KNOW NOT ME, BEING SO BRAVE, AND I SO BEGGARLY. WELL, I SHALL EARN MONEY TO ENRICH ME NOW AND TIS THE FIRST I EARNED, BY TH' ROOD, THIS 40 YEAR. COME ON, SIR, YOU HAVE SWEAT HARD ABOUT THIS HASTE, YET I THINK YOU KNOW LITTLE OF THE BUSINESS. WHY SO I SAY! YOU'RE A VERY INDIFFERENT BEAST, YOU'LL FOLLOW ANY MAN THAT WILL LEAD YOU. NOW, TRULY, SIR, YOU LOOK BUT E'EN LEANLY ON'T. YOU FEED NOT IN WESTMINSTER HALL ADAYS, WHERE SO MANY SHEEP AND OXEN ARE DEVOURED. I'M AFRAID THEY'LL EAT YOU SHORTLY, IF YOU TARRY AMONGST THEM. I SEE THAT. I THINK YOUR DWELLING BE AT HACKNEY WHEN YOU'RE AT HOME, IS'T NOT? YOU KNOW NOT THE DUKE NEITHER, NO MORE THAN YOUR MASTER, AND YET I THINK YOU HAVE AS MUCH WIT AS HE. FAITH, SAY A MAN SHOULD STEAL YE AND FEED YE FATTER, COULD YE RUN AWAY WITH HIM LUSTILY? (ENTER CHEYNEY, COURTIER, AND SERVANTS. AH, YOUR SILENCE ARGUES A CONSENT, I SEE, BY TH' MASS, HERE COMES COMPANY. WE HAD BEEN BOTH TAKEN IF WE HAD, I SEE. CHEY. SAW YE NOT MY LORD AT THE GATE, SAY YE? WHY, I LEFT HIM THERE BUT NOW. COUR. IN SOOTH I SAW NO CREATURE, SIR, ONLY AN OLD GROOM I GOT TO WALK MY HORSE. CHEY. A GROOM, SAY YE! SFOOT, TIS MY LORD, THE DUKE. WHAT HAVE YE DONE? THIS IS SOMEWHAT TOO COARSE YOUR GRACE SHOULD BE AN HOSTLER TO THIS FELLOW! COUR. I DO BESEECH YOUR GRACE'S PARDON. THE ERROR WAS IN THE MISTAKE (THAT) YOUR PLAINNESS DID DECEIVE ME. PLEASE IT YOUR GRACE TO REDELIVER... WOOD. NO, BY MY FAITH. I'LL HAVE MY MONEY FIRST. PROMISE IS A PROMISE. COUR. I KNOW YOUR GRACE'S GOODNESS WILL REFUSE IT. WOOD. THINK NOT SO NICELY OF ME; INDEED, I WILL NOT. COUR. IF YOU SO PLEASE, THERE IS YOUR TESTER. WOOD. IF YOU SO PLEASE, THERE IS YOUR HORSE, SIR. NOW PRAY YOU TELL ME, IS YOUR HASTE TO ME? COUR. MOST SWIFT AND SERIOUS, FROM HIS MAJESTY. WOOD. WHAT, FROM KING RICHARD, MY DEAR LORD AND KINSMAN? GO, SIRRAH, TAKE YOU HIS HORSE, LEAD HIM TO THE STABLE, MEAT HIM WELL, I'LL DOUBLE HIS REWARD. THERE'S TWELVE PENCE FOR YE. SERV. I THANK YOUR GRACE. (EXIT WITH THE HORSE. WOOD. NOW, SIR, YOUR BUSINESS. COUR. HIS MAJESTY COMMENDS HIM TO YOUR GRACE... WOOD. THIS SAME'S A RARE FASHION YOU HAVE GOT AT COURT. OF WHOSE DEVISING WAS'T, I PRAY? COUR. I ASSURE YOUR GRACE, THE KING HIS COUNCIL SAT 3 DAYS ABOUT IT. WOOD. BY MY FAITH, THEIR WISDOMS TOOK GREAT PAINS, I AS- TH' ROOD. THEN THIS AT COURT IS ALL THE FASHION NOW? COUR. THE KING HIMSELF DOTH WEAR IT; WHOSE MOST GRACIOUS MAJESTY SENT ME IN HASTE... WOOD. THIS PEAK DOTH STRANGELY WELL BECOME THE FOOT. COUR. THIS PEAK, THE KING DOTH LIKEWISE WEAR, BEING A POLONIAN PEAK; AND ME DID HIS HIGHNESS PICK FROM FORTH THE REST... WOOD. HE COULD NOT HAVE PICKED OUT SUCH ANOTHER, I ASSURE YE. COUR. I THANK YOUR GRACE THAT PICKS ME OUT SO WELL; BUT AS I SAID, HIS HIGHNESS WOULD REQUEST... WOOD. BUT THIS MOST FASHIONABLE CHAIN, THAT LINKS AS TWERE THE TOE AND KNEE TOGETHER... COUR. IN A MOST KIND COHERENCE, SO IT LIKE YOUR GRACE; FOR THESE 2 PARTS, BEING IN OPERATION AND QUALITY DIFFERENT, AS FOR EXAMPLE: THE TOE A DISDAINER OR SPURNER; THE KNEE A DUTIFUL AND MOST HUMBLE ORATOR. THIS CHAIN DOTH, AS IT WERE, SO TOEIFY THE KNEE AND SO KNEEIFY THE TOE, THAT BETWEEN BOTH IT MAKES A MOST METHODICAL COHERENCE, OR COHERENT METHOD. WOOD. TIS MOST EXCELLENT, SIR, AND FULL OF ART. PLEASE YE WALK IN. COUR. MY MESSAGE TENDERED, I WILL TEND YOUR GRACE. WOOD. CRY YE MERCY, HAVE YOU A MESSAGE TO ME? COUR. HIS MAJESTY, MOST AFFECTIONATELY, AND LIKE A ROYAL KINSMAN, ENTREATS YOUR GRACE'S PRESENCE AT THE COURT. WOOD. IS THAT YOUR MESSAGE SIR? I MUST REFUSE IT, THEN. MY ENGLISH PLAINNESS WILL NOT SUIT THAT PLACE, THE COURT'S TOO FINE FOR ME. MY SERVICE HERE WILL STAND IN BETTER STEAD, TO QUENCH THE FIRE THOSE BLANKS HAVE MADE. I WOULD THEY WERE ALL BURNT, OR HE WERE HANGED THAT FIRST DEVISED THEM, SIR. THEY STIR THE COUNTRY. I DARE NOT COME AND SO EXCUSE ME, SIR. IF THE KING THINK IT ILL, HE THINKS AMISS. I AM PLAIN THOMAS STILL. THE REST I'LL TELL YE AS YE SIT AT MEAT. FURNISH A TABLE, CHEYNEY, CALL FOR WINE. COME, SIR, YE SHALL COMMEND ME TO THE KING. TELL HIM I'LL KEEP THESE PARTS IN PEACE TO HIM. ENTER MASTER IGNORANCE, THE BAILEY OF DUNSTABLE, CROSBY, FLEMING, AND NIMBLE WITH BLANKS. CROS. DISPATCH, GOOD MR BAILEY, THE MARKET'S ALMOST DONE, YOU SEE. TIS RUMORED THAT THE BLANKS ARE COME AND THE RICH CHOUGHS BEGIN TO FLOCK OUT O' THE TOWN ALREADY. YOU HAVE SEEN THE HIGH SHRIEVE'S WARRANT AND THE COUNCIL'S COMMISSION, AND THEREFORE I CHARGE YE IN THE KING'S NAME, BE READY TO ASSIST US. BAIL. NAY, LOOK YE SIR. BE NOT TOO PESTIFEROUS, I BESEECH YE. I HAVE BEGUN MYSELF AND SEALED ONE OF YOUR BLANKS ALREADY, AND BY MY EXAMPLE THERE'S MORE SHALL FOLLOW. I KNOW MY PLACE AND CALLING, MY NAME IS IGNORANCE AND I AM BAILEY OF DUNSTABLE. I CANNOT WRITE NOR READ, I CONFESS IT, MO MORE COULD MY FATHER, NOR HIS FATHER NOR NONE OF THE IGNORANTS THIS 100 YEAR, I ASSURE YE. NIMB. YOUR NAME PROCLAIMS NO LESS, SIR, AND IT HAS BEEN A MOST LEARNED GENERATION. BAIL. THOUGH I CANNOT WRITE, I HAVE SET MY MARK, ECCE SIGNUM! READ IT I BESEECH YE. NIMB. THE MARK OF SIMON IGNORANCE, THE BAILEY OF DUNS- TABLE, BEING A SHEEPHOOK WITH A TARBOX AT END ON'T. BAIL. VERY RIGHT. IT WAS MY MARK EVER SINCE I WAS AN INNOCENT AND THEREFORE, AS I SAY, I HAVE BEGUN AND WILL ASSIST YE. FOR HERE BE RICH WHORESONS I' THE TOWN, I CAN TELL YE, THAT WILL YE THE SLIP AND YE LOOK NOT TO IT. FLEM. WE THEREFORE PRESENTLY WILL DIVIDE OURSELVES. YOU 2 SHALL STAY HERE WHILE WE, MR. IGNORANCE, WITH SOME OF YOUR BRETHREN, THE MEN OF DUNSTABLE, WALK THROUGH THE TOWN NOTING THE CARRIAGE OF THE PEOPLE. THEY SAY THERE ARE STRANGE SONGS AND LIBELS CAST ABOUT THE MARKET PLACE AGAINST MY LORD TRESILIAN AND THE REST OF THE KING'S YOUNG COUNCILLORS. IF SUCH THERE BE, WE'LL HAVE SOME AID AND ATTACH THEM SPEEDILY. BAIL. YE SHALL DO WELL, SIR, AND FOR YOUR BETTER AIDING, IF YOU CAN BUT FIND OUT MY BROTHER, MR IGNORAMUS, HE CROS. I'M AFRAID HE WILL NOT BE FOUND, SIR, BUT WE'LL INQUIRE. COME, FELLOW FLEMING AND NIMBLE, LOOK TO THE WHISPERERS I CHARGE YE. (EXIT CROSBY AND FLEMING. NIMB. I WARRANT YE. COME, MR. BAILEY, LET YOUR BILLMEN RETIRE TILL WE CALL THEM ... AND YOU AND I WILL HERE SHADOW OURSELVES AND WRITE DOWN THEIR SPEECHES. BAIL. NAY, YOU SHALL WRITE AND I WILL MARK, SIR. ENTER A FARMER, A BUTCHER, AND A GRAZIER, VERY HASTILY. BAIL. AND SEE, SEE, HERE COME SOME ALREADY, ALL RICH CHUBS, BY THE MASS. I KNOW THEM ALL, SIR. FARM. TARRY, TARRY, GOOD NEIGHBORS, TAKE A KNAVE WITH YE! WHAT A MURRAIN! IS THERE A BEAR BROKE LOOSE I' THE TOWN, THAT YE MAKE SUCH HASTE FROM THE MARKET? GRAZ. A BEAR? NO, NOR A LION BAITED NEITHER. I TELL YE, NEIGHBOR, I AM MORE AFRAID OF THE BEE THAN THE BEAR. THERE'S WAX TO BE USED TODAY, AND I HAVE NO SEAL ABOUT ME. I MAY TELL YOU IN SECRET, HERE'S A DANGEROUS WORLD TOWARDS. NEIGHBOR, YOU'RE A FARMER, AND I HOPE HERE'S NONE BUT GOD AND GOOD COMPANY. WE LIVE IN SUCH A STATE, I AM E'EN ALMOST WEARY OF ALL, I ASSURE YE. HERE'S MY OTHER NEIGHBOR, THE BUTCHER, THAT DWELLS AT HOCKLEY, HAS HEARD HIS LANDLORD TELL STRANGE TIDINGS. WE SHALL BE ALL HOISTED AND WE TARRY HERE, I CAN TELL YE. NIMB. THEY BEGIN TO MURMUR. I'LL PUT THEM DOWN ALL FOR WHISPERERS. MR. BAILEY, WHAT'S HE THAT TALKS SO? BAIL. HIS NAME IS COWTAIL, A RICH GRAZIER, AND DWELLS HERE HARD BY AT LEIGHTON BUZZARD. NIMB. COW TAIL, A GRAZIER, DWELLING AT LEIGHTON, BUZZARD, MY BAILEY? BAIL. RIGHT, SIR. LISTEN AGAIN, SIR. FARM. AH, SIRRAH? AND WHAT SAID THE GOOD KNIGHT YOUR LANDLORD, NEIGHBOR? BUTCH. MARRY, HE SAID, BUT I'LL NOT STAND TO ANYTHING, I TELL YE THAT AFOREHAND. HE SAID THAT KING RICHARD'S NEW COUNCILLORS (GOD AMEND THEM) HAD CREPT INTO HON- KING'S UNCLES AND THE OLD LORDS WERE ALL BANISHED THE COURT. AND HE SAID FLATLY WE SHOULD NEVER HAVE A MERRY WORLD AS LONG AS IT WAS SO. NIMB. BUTCHER, YOU AND YOUR LANDLORD WILL BE BOTH HANGED FOR'T. BUTH. AND THEN HE SAID THERE'S ONE TRESILIAN, A LAWYER, THAT HAS CREPT IN AMONGST THEM AND IS NOW A LORD FOR- SOOTH, AND HE HAS SENT DOWN INTO EVERY COUNTRY OF ENG- LAND A SORT OF BLACK CHAPTERS. FARM. BLACK CHAPTERS? A GOD'S NAME, NEIGHBOR, OUT OF WHAT BLACK BOOK WERE THEY TAKEN? GRAZ. COME, COME. THEY ARE BLANK CHARTERS, NEIGH- BORS. I HEARD OF THEM AFORE, AND THEREFORE I MADE SUCH HASTE AWAY. THEY'RE SENT DOWN TO THE HIGH SHRIEVE WITH SPECIAL CHARGE THAT EVERY MAN THAT IS OF ANY CREDIT OR WORSHIP I' THE COUNTRY MUST SET THEIR HANDS AND SEAL TO THEM, FOR WHAT INTENT I KNOW NOT. I SAY NO MORE, I SMELL SOMETHING. FARM. WELL, WELL, MY MASTERS. LET'S BE WISE. WE ARE NOT ALL ONE MAN'S SONS. THEY SAY THERE ARE WHISPERING KNAVES ABROAD. LET'S HIE US HOME, FOR I ASSURE YE, TWAS TOLD ME WHERE I BROKE MY FAST THIS AFTERNOON THAT THERE WERE ABOVE 3 SCORE GENTLEMEN IN OUR SHIRE THAT HAD SET THEIR HANDS AND SEALS TO THOSE BLANK CHARTERS ALREADY. GRAZ. NOW GOD AMEND THEM FOR IT, THEY HAVE GIVEN AN ILL EXAMPLE WE SHALL BE FORCED TO FOLLOW. BUTCH. I WOULD MY WIFE AND CHILDREN WERE AT JERUSALEM WITH ALL THE WEALTH! I'D MAKE SHIFT FOR ONE, I WAR- RANT THEM. COME, NEIGHBORS, LET'S BE GONE. NIMB. STEP FORWARD WITH YOUR BILLS, MR. BAILEY. NOT TOO FAST, SIRS! I CHARGE YE I' THE KING'S NAME TO STAND TILL WE HAVE DONE WITH YE. OMNES. SAINTE BENYDISSETE, WHAT MUST WE DO NOW, TROW? BAIL. BE NOT SO PESTIFEROUS, MY GOOD FRIENDS AND NEIGH- BORS. YOU ARE MEN OF WEALTH AND CREDIT IN THE COUNTRY AND THEREFORE AS I MYSELF AND OTHERS HAVE BEGUN, I HANDS AND SEALS TO THESE BLANK CHARTERS. GRAZ. JESU, RECEIVE MY SOUL, I'M DEPARTED! FARM. I'M E'EN STRUCK TO AT HEART TOO. BUTCH. ALAS, SIR, WE ARE POOR MEN, WHAT SHOULD OUR HANDS DO? BAIL. THERE'S NO HARM I WARRANT YE. WHAT NEED YOU FEAR, WHEN YE SEE BAILEY IGNORANCE HAS SEALED BEFORE YE? GRAZ. I PFAY YE LET'S SEE THEM, SIR. NIMB. HERE, YE BACON-FED PUDDING EATERS, ARE YE AFRAID OF A SHEEPSKIN? GRAZ. MASS! TIS SOMEWHAT DARKLY WRITTEN. FARM. AY, AY, TWAS DONE I'THE NIGHT, SURE. GRAZ. MASS, NEIGHBORS, HERE'S NOTHING THAT I SEE. BUTC. AND CAN IT BE ANY HARM, THINK YE, TO SET YOUR HANDS TO NOTHING? THESE BLANK CHARTERS ARE BUT LITTLE PIECES OF PARCHMENT. LET'S SET OUR MARKS TO THEM, AND BE RID OF A KNAVE'S COMPANY. FARM. AS GOOD AT FIRST AS LAST, WE CAN BE BUT UNDONE. GRAY. AY AND OUR OWN HANDS UNDOES US, THAT'S THE WORST ON'T. LEND'S YOUR PEN, SIR. BUTCH. WE MUST ALL VENTURE, NEIGHBORS, THERE'S NO REMEDY. NIMB. THEY GRUMBLE AS THEY DO IT. I MUST PUT THEM DOWN FOR WHISPERERS AND GRUMBLERS. COME, HAVE YOU DONE YET? GRAZ. AY, SIR. (WOULD YOU AND THEY WERE SODDEN FOR MY SWINE!) NIMB. HERE'S WAX, THEN. I'LL SEAL THEM FOR YE, AND YOU SHALL SEVERALLY TAKE THEM OFF, AND THEN DELIVER THEM AS YOUR DEEDS. (SEAL THEM.) COME YOU BOAR'S GREASE, TAKE OF THIS SEAL HERE. SO! THIS IS YOUR DEED. FARM. FAITH, SIR, IN SOME RESPECT IT IS AND IT IS NOT. NIMB. AND THIS IS YOURS. GRAZ. AY, SIR, AGAINST MY WILL, I SWEAR. NIMB. OX JAW, TAKE OF THIS SEAL! YOU'LL DELIVER YOUR DEED WITH A GOOD CONSCIENCE? BUTCH. THERE TIS, SIR, AGAINST MY CONSCIENCE, GOD'S MY WITNESS. I HOPE YE HAVE DONE WITH US NOW, SIR. NIMB. NO, YE CATERPILLARS, WE HAVE WORSE MATTERS AGAINST YE YET. SIRRAH, YOU KNOW WHAT YOUR LANDLORD TOLD YE, CONCERNING MY LORD TRESILIAN, AND KING RICHARD'S NEW SPEECHES; AND THEREFORE MR. BAILEY, LET SOME OF YOUR BILLMEN AWAY WITH THEM TO THE HIGH SHRIEVE'S PRESENT- LY, EITHER TO PUT IN BAIL, OR BE SENT UP TO TH' COURT FOR PRIVY WHISPERERS. BAIL. THEIR OFFENSES ARE MOST PESTIFEROUS. AWAY WITH THEM! OMNES. NOW OUT ALAS, WE SHALL ALL TO HANGING, SURE! NIMB. HANGING? NAY, THAT'S THE LEAST ON'T, YE SHALL TELL ME THAT A TWELVEMONTH HENCE ELSE. (EXEUNT OFFICERS WITH THE 3 MEN. STAND CLOSE, MR BAILEY; WE SHALL CATCH MORE OF THESE TRAITORS PRESENTLY. BAIL. YOU SHALL FIND ME MOST PESTIFEROUS TO ASSIST YE; AND SO I PRAY YE, COMMEND MY SERVICE TO YOUR GOOD LORD AND MASTER. COME, SIR, STAND CLOSE; I SEE... (ENTER A SCHOOLMASTER AND A SERVINGMAN. SERV. NAY, SWEET MR SCHOOLMASTER, LET'S HEAR'T AGAIN, I BESEECH YE. S-M. PATIENTIA. YOU'RE A SERVINGMAN, I'M A SCHOLAR. I HAVE SHOWN ART AND LEARNING IN THESE VERSES, I ASSURE YE, AND YET IF THEY WERE WELL SEARCHED THEY'RE LITTLE BETTER THAN LIBELS. BUT THE CARRIAGE OF A THING IS ALL, SIR. I HAVE COVERED THEM RARELY. SER. SFOOT, THE COUNTRY'S SO FULL OF INTELLIGENCERS THAT 2 MEN CAN SCARCE WALK TOGETHER BUT THEY'RE ATTACHED FOR WHISPERERS. S-M. THIS PAPER SHALL WIPE THEIR NOSES, AND THEY SHALL NOT BOO TO A GOOSE FOR'T; FOR I'LL HAVE THESE VERSES SUNG TO THEIR FACES BY ONE OF MY SCHOOLBOYS, WHEREIN I'LL TICKLE THEM ALL, I' FAITH. SHALT HEAR ELSE. BUT FIRST LET'S LOOK THERE BE NO PITCHERS WITH EARS, NOR NEEDLES WITH EYES ABOUT US. SERV. COME, COME, ALL'S SAFE I WARRANT YE. S-M. MARK THEN. HERE I COME OVER THEM FOR THEIR BLANK CHARTERS; SHALT HEAR ELSE. WILL YE BUY ANY PARCHMENT KNIVES? WE SELL FOR LITTLE GAIN: WHOE'ER ARE WEARY OF THEIR LIVES THEY'LL RID THEM OF THEIR PAIN. BLANK CHARTERS THEY ARE CALLED I WOULD HE WERE BOTH FLAYED AND BALD: GOD BLESS MY LORD TRESILIAN. IS'T NOT RARE? NIMB. OH RASCALS! THEY'RE DAMNED 300 FATHOM DEEP ALREADY. S-M. NAY, LOOK YE, SIR, THERE CAN BE NO EXCEPTIONS TAKEN FOR THIS LAST LINE HELPS ALL, WHEREIN WITH A KIND OF EQUIVOCATION I SAY 'GOD BLESS MY LORD TRESILIAN.' DO YE MARK, SIR? NOW HERE, IN THE NEXT VERSE I RUN O'ER ALL THESE FLATTERERS I' THE COURT BY NAME. YE SHALL SEE ELSE: A POISON MAY BE GREEN, BUT BUSHY CAN BE NO FAGOT: GOD MEND THE KING AND BLESS THE QUEEN, AND TIS NO MATTER FOR BAGOT. FOR SCROOPE, HE DOES NO GOOD; BUT IF YOU'LL KNOW THE VILLAIN, HIS NAME IS NOW TO BE UNDERSTOOD: GOD BLESS MY LORD TRESILIAN. HOW LIKE YE THIS, SIR? SERV. MOST EXCELLENT, I' FAITH, SIR. NIMB. OH, TRAITORS! MR BAILEY, DO YOUR AUTHORITY. BAIL. TWO MOST PESTIFEROUS TRAITORS. LAY HOLD OF THEM, I CHARGE YE. SERV. WHAT MEAN YE, SIR? NIMB. NAY, TALK NOT, FOR IF YE HAD A 100 LIVES THEY WERE ALL HANGED. YE HAVE SPOKEN TREASON IN THE NINTH DEGREE. S-M. TREASON? PATIENTIA, GOOD SIR, WE SPOKE NOT A WORD. BAIL. BE NOT SO PESTIFEROUS. MINE EARS HAVE HEARD YOUR EXAMINATIONS, WHEREIN YOU UTTERED MOST SHAMEFUL TREA- SON, FOR YE SAID, 'GOD BLESS MY LORD TRESILIAN.' S-M. I HOPE THERE'S NO TREASON IN THAT, SIR. NIMB. THAT SHALL BE TRIED. COME, MR BAILEY: THEIR HANDS SHALL BE BOUND UNDER A HORSE'S BELLY AND SENT UP TO HIM PRESENTLY, THEY'LL BOTH BE HANGED, I WARRANT THEM. SERV. WELL, SIR, IF WE BE: WE'LL SPEAK MORE ERE WE BE HANGED, IN SPITE OF YOU. NIMB. AY, AY, WHEN YOU'RE HANGED, SPEAK WHAT YOU WILL, WE CARE NOT. AWAY WITH THEM. (EXEUNT THE SCHOOLMASTER AND SERVINGMAN. YE SEE, MR BAILEY, WHAT KNAVES ARE ABROAD NOW YOU ARE BAIL. I SEE THERE ARE KNAVES ABROAD INDEED, SIR. I PICK FOR MINE OWN PART. I WILL DO MY BEST TO REFORM THE PESTIFEROUSNESS OF THE TIME, AND AS FOR EXAMPLE I HAVE SET MY MARK TO THE CHARTERS, SO WILL I SET MINE EYES TO OBSERVE THESE DANGEROUS CASES. (ENTER ONE A WHISTLING. NIMB. CLOSE AGAIN, MR BAILEY: HERE COMES ANOTHER WHIS- PERER, I SEE BY SOME, OH VILLAIN! HE WHISTLES TREASON! I'LL LAY HOLD OF HIM MYSELF. WHISTLER. OUT ALAS, WHAT DO YE MEAN, SIR? NIMB. A RANK TRAITOR, MR BAILEY: LAY HOLD ON HIM, FOR HE HAS MOST ERRONEOUSLY AND REBELLIOUSLY WHISTLED TREASON. WHIST. WHISTLED TREASON! ALAS, SIR, HOW CAN THAT BE? BAIL. VERY EASILY, SIR. THERE'S A PIECE OF TREASON THAT FLIES UP AND DOWN THE COUNTRY IN THE LIKENESS OF A BALLAD, AND THIS BEING THE VERY TUNE OF IT, THOU HAST WHISTLED TREASON. WHIST. ALAS, SIR, YE KNOW I SPAKE NOT A WORD. NIMB. THAT'S ALL ONE, IF ANY MAN WHISTLES TREASON TIS AS ILL AS SPEAKING IT. MARK ME, MR. BAILEY: THE BIRD WHISTLES THAT CANNOT SPEAK, AND YET THERE BE BIRDS IN A MANNER THAT CAN SPEAK TOO. YOUR RAVEN WILL CALL YE RASCAL, YOUR CROW WILL CALL YE KNAVE, MR. BAILEY. ERGO, HE THAT CAN WHISTLE CAN SPEAK, AND THEREFORE THIS FELLOW HATH BOTH SPOKE AND WHISTLED TREASON. HOW SAY YOU, BAILEY IGNORANCE? BAIL. YE HAVE ARGUED WELL, SIR, BUT YE SHALL HEAR ME SIFT HIM NEARER, FOR I DO NOT THINK BUT THERE ARE GREATER HEADS IN THIS MATTER, AND THEREFORE, MY GOOD FELLOW, BE NOT PESTIFEROUS, BUT SAY AND TELL THE TRUTH. WHO DID SET YOU AWORK? OR WHO WAS THE CAUSE OF YOUR WHIST- LING? OR DID ANY MAN SAY TO YOU, 'GO WHISTLE'? WHIST. NOT ANY MAN, WOMAN OR CHILD, TRULY, SIR. BAIL. NO? HOW DURST YOU WHISTLE, THEN? OR WHAT CAUSE HAD YE TO DO SO? WHIST. THE TRUTH IS, SIR. I HAD LOST 2 CALVES OUT OF MY THE HILL I MIGHT SPY YOU 2 AT TH' BOTTOM HERE, AND TOOK YE FOR MY CALVES SIR; AND THAT MADE ME COME WHISTLING DOWN FOR JOY, IN HOPE I HAD FOUND THEM. NIMB. MORE TREASON YET! HE TAKE A COURTIER AND A BAILEY FOR 2 CALVES! TO LIMBO WITH HIM. HE SHALL BE QUAR- TERED AND THEN HANGED. WHIST. GOOD MR BAILEY, BE PITIFUL. BAIL. WHY, LOOK YE, SIR, HE MAKES A PITIFUL FELLOW OF A BAILEY TOO! AWAY WITH HIM. YET STAY AWHILE, HERE COMES YOUR FELLOWS, SIR. ENTER CROSBY AND FLEMING. FLEM. NOW, MR BAILEY, ARE YOUR BLANKS SEALED YET? BAIL. THEY ARE, SIR, AND WE HAVE DONE THIS DAY MOST STRANGE AND PESTIFEROUS SERVICE, I ASSURE YE, SIR. FLEM. YOUR CARE SHALL BE REWARDED. COME, FELLOW NIMBLE, WE MUST TO COURT ABOUT OTHER EMPLOYMENTS. THERE ARE ALREADY 13000 BLANKS SIGNED AND RETURNED TO THE SHRIEVES, AND 700 SENT UP TO TH' COURT FOR WHISPERERS, OUT OF ALL WHICH MY LORD WILL FETCH A ROUND SUM, I DOUBT IT NOT. COME, LET'S AWAY. NIMB. AY, AY. WE'LL FOLLOW. COME, YE SHEEPBITER. HERE'S A TRAITOR OF ALL TRAITORS THAT NOT ONLY SPEAKS, BUT HAS WHISTLED TREASON. COME, COME, SIR, I'LL SPOIL YOUR WHISTLE, I WARRANT YE! (EXEUNT OMNES. ACTUS QUARTUS. ENTER TRESILIAN WITH WRITINGS, AND A MAN WITH BAGS OF MONEY. TRES. SIRRAH, ARE THE BAGS SEALED? SERV. YES, MY LORD. TRES. THEN TAKE MY KEYS; AND LOCK THE MONEY IN MY STUDY SAFE. BAR AND MAKE SURE, I CHARGE YE, SO, BEGONE. SERV. I WILL, MY LORD. (EXIT SERVANT. TRES. SO, 7000 POUNDS FROM BEDFORD, BUCKINGHAM AND OXFORD SHIRES, THESE BLANKS ALREADY HAVE RETURNED THE KING. SO THEN THERE'S 4 FOR ME AND 3 FOR HIM; OUR PAINS IN THIS MUST NEEDS BE SATISFIED. GOOD HUSBANDS WILL MAKE HAY WHILE THE SUN SHINES AND SO MUST WE, FOR THUS CONCLUDE THESE TIMES. SO MEN BE RICH ENOUGH, THEY GET THEIR COIN. I'LL PLEASE THE KING AND KEEP ME IN HIS GRACE, FOR PRINCES' FAVORS PURCHASE LAND APACE. THESE BLANKS THAT I HAVE SCATTERED IN THE REALM SHALL DOUBLE HIS REVENUES TO THE CROWN. ENTER BUSHY AND SCROOPE. SCROO. NOW, LORD TRESILIAN, IS THIS COIN COME YET? BUSH. KING RICHARD WANTS MONEY, YOU'RE TOO SLACK, TRESILIAN. TRES. SOME SHIRES HAVE SENT; AND MORE, MY LORDS, WILL FOLLOW. THESE SEALED BLANKS I NOW HAVE TURNED TO BONDS AND THESE SHALL DOWN TO NORFOLK PRESENTLY. THE CHOUGHS WITH MUCH ADO HAVE SIGNED AND SEALED, AND HERE'S A SECRET NOTE MY MEN HAVE SENT OF ALL THEIR YEARLY 'STATES AMOUNT UNTO, HERE'S A FAT WHORESON IN HIS RUSSET SLOPS AND YET MAY SPEND 300 POUNDS BY TH' YEAR: THE THIRD OF WHICH THE HOGSFACE OWES THE KING. HERE'S HIS BOND FOR'T, WITH HIS HAND AND SEAL AND SO BY THIS I'LL SORT EACH SEVERAL SUM: THE THIRDS OF ALL SHALL TO KING RICHARD COME. HOW LIKE YOU THIS, MY LORDS? SCROO. MOST RARE, TRESILIAN. HANG 'EM, CODSHEADS, SHALL THEY SPEND MONEY AND KING RICHARD LACK IT? BUSH. ARE NOT THEIR LIVES AND LANDS AND LIVINGS HIS? THEN RACK THEM THOROUGHLY. TRES. OH, MY LORDS, I HAVE SET A TRICK AFOOT FOR YE; AND YE FOLLOW IT HARD AND GET THE KING TO SIGN IT, YOU'LL BE ALL KINGS BY IT. BUSH. THE FARMING OUT THE KINGDOM? TUSH, TRESILIAN, TIS HALF GRANTED ALREADY, AND HAD BEEN FULLY CONCLUDED, HAD NOT THE MESSENGER RETURNED SO UNLUCKILY FROM THE DUKE OF GLOSTER, WHICH A LITTLE MOVED THE KING AT HIS UNCLE'S STUBBORNESS. BUT TO MAKE ALL WHOLE, WE HAVE LEFT THAT SMOOTH-FACED FLATTERING GREENE TO FOLLOW HIM CLOSE AND HE'LL NEVER LEAVE TILL HE HAS DONE IT, I WARRANT YE. SCROO. THERE'S NO QUESTION ON'T; KING RICHARD WILL BETAKE HIMSELF TO A YEARLY STIPEND, AND WE 4 BY LEASE MUST RENT THE KINGDOM. ENTER BAGOT. LEASES, AND WE HAD THEM ONCE. HOW NOW, BAGOT, WHAT NEWS? BAGOT. ALL RICH AND RARE: THE REALM MUST BE DIVIDED PRE- SENTLY AND WE 4 MUST FARM IT. THE LEASES ARE A-MAKING AND FOR 7000 POUNDS A MONTH THE KINGDOM IS OUR OWN, BOYS. BUSH. SFOOT, LET'S DIFFER FOR NO PRICE AND IT WERE 701000 POUNDS A MONTH WE'LL MAKE SOMEBODY PAY FOR'T. SCROO. WHERE IS HIS HIGHNESS? BAGOT. HE WILL BE HERE PRESENTLY TO SEAL THE WRITINGS. HE'S A LITTLE ANGRY THAT THE DUKE COMES NOT, BUT THAT WILL VANISH QUICKLY. ON WITH YOUR SOOTHEST FACES, YE WENCHING RASCALS. HUMOR HIM FINELY, AND YOU'RE ALL MADE BY IT. SOUND; ENTER KING RICHARD, GREENE AND OTHERS. BUSH. SEE, SEE! HE COMES; AND THAT FLATTERING HOUND GREENE CLOSE AT'S ELBOW. SCROO. COME, COME, WE MUST ALL FLATTER IF WE MEAN TO LIVE BY IT. KING. OUR UNCLE WILL NOT COME, THEN... GREEN. THAT WAS HIS ANSWER, FLAT AND RESOLUTE. KING. WAS EVER SUBJECT SO AUDACIOUS? BAGOT. AND CAN YOUR GRACE, MY LORD, DIGEST THESE WRONGS? KING. YES, AS A MOTHER THAT BEHOLDS HER CHILD DISMEMBERED BY A BLOODY TYRANT'S SWORD. I TELL THEE, BAGOT, IN MY HEART REMAINS SUCH DEEP IMPRESSIONS OF HIS CHURLISH TAUNTS AS NOTHING CAN REMOVE THE GALL THEREOF TILL WITH HIS BLOOD MINE EYES BE SATISFIED. GREEN. SFOOT, RAISE POWERS, MY LORD, AND FETCH HIM THENCE PERFORCE. KING. I DARE NOT, GREENE, FOR WHILST HE KEEPS I' THE COUNTRY THERE IS NO MEDDLING, HE'S SO WELL BELOVED AS ALL THE REALM WILL RISE IN ARMS WITH HIM. TRES. SFOOT, MY LORD, AN YOU'D FAIN HAVE HIM, I HAVE A TRICK SHALL FETCH HIM FROM HIS HOUSE AT PLASHEY IN SPITE OF ALL HIS FAVORITES. GREEN. LET'S HA'T, TRESILIAN, THY WIT MUST HELP OR ALL'S DASHED ELSE. TRES. THEN THUS, MY LORD: WHILE THE DUKE SECURELY REVELS I' THE COUNTRY, WE'LL HAVE SOME TRUSTY FRIENDS DIS- TO PLASHEY, AND IN THE NAME OF SOME NEAR ADJOINING FRIENDS, OFFER THEIR SPORTS TO MAKE HIM MERRY, WHICH HE NO DOUBT WILL THANKFULLY ACCEPT. THEN IN THE MASK WE'LL HAVE IT SO DEVISED (THE DANCE BEING DONE AND THE ROOM VOIDED) THEN UPON SOME OCCASION SINGLE THE DUKE ALONE, THRUST HIM IN A MASKING SUIT, CLAP A VIZARD ON HIS FACE, AND SO CONVEY HIM OUT O' THE HOUSE AT PLEASURE. SCROO. HOW IF HE CRY, AND CALL FOR HELP? TRES. WHAT SERVES YOUR DRUMS BUT TO DROWN HIS CRIES? AND, BEING IN A MASK, TWILL NEVER BE SUSPECTED. GREEN. GOOD, I' FAITH, AND TO HELP IT, MY LORD LAPOOLE, THE GOVERNOR OF CALAIS, IS NEW COME OVER, WHO, WITH A TROOP OF SOLDIERS CLOSELY AMBUSHED IN THE WOODS, NEAR THE HOUSE, SHALL SHROUD THEMSELVES TILL THE MASK BE ENDED. THEN, THE DUKE BEING ATTACHED, HE SHALL BE THERE READY TO RECEIVE HIM, HURRY HIM AWAY TO THE THAMES SIDE, WHERE A SHIP SHALL BE LAID READY FOR HIS COMING, SO CLAP HIM UNDER HATCHES, HOIST SAILS, AND SECRETLY CONVEY HIM OUT O' THE REALM TO CALAIS, AND SO BY THIS MEANS YE SHALL PREVENT ALL MISCHIEF, FOR NEI- THER OF YOUR UNCLES NOR ANY OF THE KINGDOM SHALL KNOW WHAT'S BECOME OF HIM. KING. I LIKE IT WELL, SWEET GREENE; AND BY MY CROWN WE'LL BE I' TH' MASK OURSELF, AND SO SHALL YOU. GET HORSES READY, THIS NIGHT WE'LL RIDE TO PLASHEY; BUT SEE YE CARRY IT CLOSE AND SECRETLY, FOR WHILST THIS PLOT'S AWORKING FOR THE DUKE I'LL SET A TRAP FOR YORK AND LANCASTER... GO, TRESILIAN, LET PROCLAMATIONS STRAIGHT BE SENT WHEREIN THOU SHALT ACCUSE THE DUKES OF TREASON, AND THEN ATTACH, CONDEMN, AND CLOSE IMPRISON THEM. LEST THE COMMONS SHOULD REBEL AGAINST US WE'LL SEND UNTO THE KING OF FRANCE FOR AID, AND IN REQUITAL WE'LL SURRENDER UP OUR FORTS OF GUISNES AND CALAIS TO THE FRENCH. LET CROWN AND KINGDOM WASTE, YEA LIFE AND ALL, GIVE ORDER OUR DISGUISES BE MADE READY, AND LET LAPOOLE PROVIDE THE SHIP AND SOLDIERS. WE WILL NOT SLEEP, BY HEAVEN, TILL WE HAVE SEIZED HIM. BUSH. (SFOOT, URGE OUR SUIT AGAIN, HE WILL FORGET IT ELSE.) KING. THESE TRAITORS ONCE SURPRISED, THEN ALL IS SURE: OUR KINGDOM'S QUIET AND YOUR STATE'S SECURE. GREEN. MOST TRUE, SWEET KING: AND THEN YOUR GRACE, AS YOU PROMISED, FARMING OUT THE KINGDOM TO US 4 SHALL NOT NEED TO TROUBLE YOURSELF WITH ANY BUSINESS, THIS OLD TURKEYCOCK TRESILIAN SHALL LOOK TO THE LAW, AND WE'LL GOVERN THE LAND MOST RARELY. KING. SO, SIR. THE LOVE OF THEE AND THESE, MY DEAREST GREENE, HATH WON KING RICHARD TO CONSENT TO THAT FOR WHICH ALL FOREIGN KINGS WILL POINT AT US. AND OF THE MEANEST SUBJECT OF OUR LAND WE SHALL BE CENSURED STRANGELY, WHEN THEY TELL HOW OUR GREAT FATHER TOILED HIS ROYAL PERSON SPENDING HIS BLOOD TO PURCHASE TOWNS IN FRANCE; AND WE HIS SON, TO EASE OUR WANTON YOUTH BECOME A LANDLORD TO THIS WARLIKE REALM, RENT OUT OUR KINGDOM LIKE A PELTING FARM THAT ERST WAS HELD, AS FAIR AS BABYLON, THE MAIDEN CONQUERESS TO ALL THE WORLD. GREEN. SFOOT, WHAT NEED YOU CARE WHAT THE WORLD TALKS? YOU STILL RETAIN THE NAME OF KING, AND IF ANY DISTURB YE, WE 4 COME PRESENTLY FROM THE 4 PARTS OF THE KING- DOM, WITH 4 PUISSANT ARMIES TO ASSIST YOU. KING. YOU 4 MUST BE ALL THEN, FOR I THINK NOBODY ELSE WILL FOLLOW YOU, UNLESS IT BE TO HANGING! GREEN. WHY RICHARD, KING RICHARD, WILL YE BE AS GOOD AS YOUR WORD, AND SEAL THE WRITINGS? SFOOT, AND THOU DOST NOT AND I DO NOT JOIN WITH THINE UNCLES AND TURN TRAITOR, WOULD I MIGHT BE TURNED TO A TOADSTOOL. KING. VERY WELL, SIR. THEY DID WELL TO CHOOSE YOU FOR THEIR ORATOR, THAT HAS KING RICHARD'S LOVE AND HEART IN KEEPING. YOUR SUIT IS GRANTED, SIR. LET'S SEE THE WRITINGS. ALL. THEY'RE HERE, MY LORD. THEM. LOOK TO YOUR BARGAIN, GREENE, AND BE NO LOSER, FOR IF YE FORFEIT OR RUN BEHINDHAND WITH ME, I SWEAR I'LL BOTH IMPRISON AND PUNISH YE SOUNDLY. GREEN. FORFEIT, SWEET KING? SBLOOD, I'LL SELL THEIR HOUSES ERE I'LL FORFEIT MY LEASE, I WARRANT THEE. KING. IF THEY BE STUBBORN, DO, AND SPARE NOT. RACK THEM SOUNDLY AND WE'LL MAINTAIN IT. REMEMBER YE NOT THE PROVISO ENACTED IN OUR LAST PARLIAMENT, THAT NO STA- TUTE, WERE IT NE'ER SO PROFITABLE FOR THE COMMONWEALTH SHOULD STAND IN ANY FORCE AGAINST OUR PROCEEDINGS? GREEN. TIS TRUE, MY LORD, THEN WHAT SHOULD HINDER YE TO ACCOMPLISH ANYTHING THAT MAY BEST PLEASE YOUR KINGLY SPIRIT TO DETERMINE? KING. TRUE, GREENE, AND WE WILL DO IT IN SPITE OF THEM... IS'T JUST, TRESILIAN? TRES. MOST JUST, MY LIEGE. THESE GENTLEMEN HERE, SIR HENRY GREENE, SIR EDWARD BAGOT, SIR WILLIAM BUSHY, AND SIR THOMAS SCROOPE, ALL JOINTLY HERE STAND BOUND TO PAY YOUR MAJESTY, OR YOUR DEPUTY, WHEREVER YOU REMAIN, 7000 POUNDS A MONTH FOR THIS YOUR KINGDOM; FOR WHICH YOUR GRACE, BY THESE WRITINGS, SURRENDERS TO THEIR HANDS: ALL YOUR CROWN LANDS, LORDSHIPS, MANORS, RENTS, TAXES, SUBSIDIES, FIFTEENS, IMPOSTS, FOREIGN CUSTOMS, STAPLES FOR WOOL, TIN, LEAD, AND CLOTH; ALL FORFEIT- URES OF GOODS OR LANDS CONFISCATE, AND ALL OTHER DUTIES THAT DO, SHALL, OR MAY APPERTAIN TO THE KING OR CROWN'S REVENUES, AND FOR NONPAYMENT OF THE SUM OR SUMS AFORESAID, YOUR MAJESTY TO SEIZE THE LANDS AND GOODS OF THE SAID GENTLEMEN ABOVE NAMED, AND THEIR BODIES TO BE IMPRISONED AT YOUR GRACE'S PLEASURE. KING. HOW LIKE YOU THAT, GREENE? BELIEVE ME, IF YOU FAIL, I'LL NOT FAVOR YE A DAY. GREEN. I'LL ASK NO FAVOR AT YOUR HANDS, SIR. YE SHALL HAVE YOUR MONEY AT YOUR DAY, AND THEN DO YOUR WORST, SIR! KING. TIS VERY GOOD. SET TO YOUR HANDS AND SEALS. EY. LOOK STRICTLY TO THEM, I CHARGE YE. TRES. IF THE MONEY COME NOT TO MY HANDS AT THE TIME APPOINTED, I'LL MAKE THEM SMOKE FOR'T. GREEN. AY, AY, YOU'RE AN UPRIGHT JUSTICE, SIR, WE FEAR YE NOT. HERE, MY LORD, THEY'RE READY, SIGNED AND SEALED. TRES. DELIVER THEM TO HIS MAJESTY ALL TOGETHER, AS YOUR SPECIAL DEEDS. BAG. WE DO, WITH HUMBLE THANKS UNTO HIS MAJESTY THAT MAKES US TENANTS TO SO RICH A LORDSHIP. KING. KEEP THEM, TRESILIAN; NOW WILL WE SIGN AND SEAL TO YOU. NEVER HAD ENGLISH SUBJECTS SUCH A LANDLORD. GREEN. NOR EVER HAD ENGLISH KING SUCH SUBJECTS AS WE 4, THAT ARE ABLE TO FARM A WHOLE KINGDOM AND PAY HIM RENT FOR'T. KING. LOOK THAT YE DO. WE SHALL EXPECT PERFORMANCE SPEEDILY. THERE'S YOUR INDENTURE, SIGNED AND SEALED, WHICH AS OUR KINGLY DEED WE HERE DELIVER. GREEN. THOU NEVER DIDST A BETTER DEED IN THY LIFE, SWEET BULLY, THOU MAYST NOW LIVE AT EASE, WE'LL TOIL FOR THEE, AND SEND THY MONEY IN TUMBLING. KING. WE SHALL SEE YOUR CARE, SIR. REACH ME THE MAP, WE MAY ALLOT THEIR PORTIONS, AND PART THE REALM AMONGST THEM EQUALLY. YOUR 4 SHALL HERE BY US DIVIDE YOURSELVES INTO THE 39 SHIRES AND COUNTIES OF MY KINGDOM, PARTED THUS: (COME STAND BY ME AND MARK THOSE SHIRES ASSIGNED YE). BAGOT, THY LOT: BETWIXT THE THAMES AND SEA THUS LIES: KENT, SURREY, SUSSEX, HAMPSHIRE, BERKSHIRE, WILTSHIRE, DORSETSHIRE, SOMERSETSHIRE, DEVONSHIRE, CORNWALL, THOSE PARTS ARE THINE AS AMPLY, BAGOT, AS THE CROWN IS MINE. BAGOT. ALL THANKS, LOVE, DUTY TO MY PRINCELY SOVEREIGN. KING. BUSHY, FROM THEE SHALL STRETCH HIS GOVERNMENT OVER THESE LANDS THAT LIE IN WALES, TOGETHER WITH OUR COUNTIES OF GLOSTER, WO'STER, HEREFORD, SHROPSHIRE, STAFFORDSHIRE AND CHESHIRE. THERE'S THY LOT. BUSH. THANKS TO MY KING THAT THUS HATH HONORED ME. IS PARTED THUS: ALL YORKSHIRE, DERBYSHIRE, LANCASHIRE, CUMBERLAND, WESTMORELAND, AND NORTHUMBERLAND. RECEIVE THY LOT, THY STATE AND GOVERNMENT. SCROO. WITH FAITH AND DUTY TO YOUR HIGHNESS' THRONE. KING. NOW, MY GREENE, WHAT HAVE I LEFT FOR THEE? GREEN. SFOOT, AND YOU'LL GIVE ME NOTHING, THEN GOODNIGHT LANDLORD! SINCE YE HAVE SERVED ME LAST, AND I BE NOT THE LAST SHALL PAY YOUR RENT, NE'ER TRUST ME! KING. I KEPT THEE LAST TO MAKE THY PART THE GREATEST. SE HERE, SWEET GREENE: THESE SHIRES ARE THINE, EVEN FROM THE THAMES TO TRENT: THOU HERE SHALT LIE, I' THE MIDDLE OF MY LAND. GREEN. THAT'S BEST I' THE WINTER. IS THERE ANY PRETTY WENCHES IN MY GOVERNMENT? KING. GUESS THAT BY THIS: THOU HAST LONDON, MIDDLESEX, ESSEX, SUFFOLK, NORFOLK, CAMBRIDGESHIRE, HERTFORDSHIRE, BEDFORDSHIRE, BUCKINGHAMSHIRE, OXFORDSHIRE, NORTHAMPTONSHIRE; RUTLANDSHIRE, LEICESTERSHIRE, WARWICKSHIRE, HUNTINGDONSHIRE, AND LINCOLNSHIRE. THERE'S YOUR PORTION, SIR. GREEN. 'SLID, I WILL RULE LIKE A KING AMONGST THEM, AND THOU SHALT REIGN LIKE AN EMPEROR OVER US. KING. THUS HAVE I PARTED MY WHOLE REALM AMONGST YE. BE CAREFUL OF YOUR CHARGE AND GOVERNMENT. AND NOW TO ATTACH OUR STUBBORN UNCLES, LET WARRANTS BE SENT DOWN, TRESILIAN, FOR GAUNT AND YORK, SURREY AND ARUNDEL WHILST WE THIS NIGHT AT PLASHEY SUDDENLY SURPRISE PLAIN WOODSTOCK. BEING PARTED THUS WE SHALL WITH GREATER EASE ARREST AND TAKE THEM. YOUR PLACES ARE NOT SURE WHILE THEY HAVE BREATH, THEREFORE PURSUE THEM HARD: THOSE TRAITORS GONE, THE STAVES ARE BROKE THE PEOPLE LEAN UPON, AND YOU MAY GUIDE AND RULE THEN AT YOUR PLEASURES. AWAY TO PLASHEY, LET OUR MASK BE READY. BEWARE PLAIN THOMAS, FOR KING RICHARD COMES RESOLVED WITH BLOOD TO WASH ALL FORMER WRONGS. EXEUNT OMNES; SOUND; ENTER WOODSTOCK AND HIS DUCHESS WITH A GENTLEMEN, WOOD. THE QUEEN SO SICK! COME, COME, MAKE HASTE GOOD WIFE, THOU'LT BE BELATED, SURE, TIS NIGHT ALREADY! ON WITH THY CLOAK AND MASK! TO HORSE, TO HORSE! DUCH. GOOD TROTH, MY LORD I HAVE NO MIND TO RIDE. I HAVE BEEN DULL AND HEAVY ALL THIS DAY, MY SLEEPS WERE TROUBLED WITH SAD DREAMS LAST NIGHT, AND I AM FULL OR FEAR AND HEAVINESS. PRAY LET ME RIDE TOMORROW. WOOD. WHAT, AND THE QUEEN SO SICK? AWAY FOR SHAME! STAY FOR A DREAM? THOU'ST DREAMT I'M SURE ERE THIS! DUCH. NEVER SO FEARFUL WERE MY DREAMS TILL NOW. HAD THEY CONCERNED MYSELF, MY FEARS WERE PAST; BUT YOU WERE MADE THE OBJECT OF MINE EYE AND I BEHELD YOU MURDERED CRUELLY. WOOD. HA, MURDERED? ALACK, GOOD LADY, DIDST THOU DREAM OF ME? TAKE COMFORT, THEN, ALL DREAMS ARE CONTRARY. DUCH. PRAY GOD IT PROVE SO, FOR MY SOUL IS FEARFUL, THE VISION DID APPEAR SO LIVELY TO ME. METHOUGHT AS YOU WERE RANGING THROUGH THE WOODS AN ANGRY LION WITH A HERD OF WOLVES HAD IN AN INSTANT ROUND ENCOMPASSED YOU; WHEN TO YOUR RESCUE, GAINST THE COURSE OF KIND, A FLOCK OF SILLY SHEEP MADE HEAD AGAINST THEM, BLEATING FOR HELP, GAINST WHOM THE FOREST KING ROUSED UP HIS STRENGTH, AND SLEW BOTH YOU AND THEM. THIS FEAR AFFRIGHTS ME. WOOD. AFORE MY GOD THOU'RT FOOLISH, I'LL TELL THEE ALL THY DREAM. THOU KNOW'ST LAST NIGHT WE HAD SOME PRI- VATE TALK ABOUT THE BLANKS THE COUNTRY'S TAXED WITHAL, WHERE I COMPARED THE STATE (AS NOW IT STANDS, MEANING KING RICHARD AND HIS HARMFUL FLATTERERS) UNTO A SAVAGE HERD OF RAVENING WOLVES, THE COMMONS TO A FLOCK OF SILLY SHEEP WHO, WHILST THEIR SLOTHFUL SHEPHERD CARELESS STOOD, THOSE FOREST THIEVES BROKE IN, AND SUCKED THEIR BLOOD. AND THIS THY APPREHENSION TOOK SO DEEP THE FORM WAS PORTRAYED LIVELY IN THY SLEEP. COME, COME, TIS NOTHING. WHAT, ARE THE HORSES READY? CHEY. THEY ARE, MY LORD. WHERE LIES THE QUEEN, SIR? GENT. AT SHEEN, MY LORD: MOST SICK, AND SO MUCH ALTERED AS THOSE ABOUT HER FEAR HER SUDDEN DEATH. WOOD. FORFEND IT HEAVEN! AWAY, MAKE HASTE I CHARGE YE. WHAT, WEEPING NOW? AFORE MY GOD THOU'RT FOND! COME, COME, I KNOW THOU ART NO AUGURER OF ILL. DRY UP THY TEARS, THIS KISS, AND PART. FAREWELL! DUCH. THAT FAREWELL FROM YOUR LIPS TO ME SOUNDS ILL. WHERE'ER I GO, MY FEARS WILL FOLLOW STILL. WOOD. SEE HER TO HORSEBACK, CHEYNEY. (EXEUNT DUCHESS AND THE REST; MANET WOODSTOCK. 'FORE MY GOD, TIS LATE, AND BUT TH' IMPORTANT BUSINESS CRAVES SUCH HASTE, SHE HAD NOT GONE FROM PLASHEY HOUSE TONIGHT. BUT WOE IS ME THE GOOD QUEEN ANNE IS SICK AND (BY MY SOUL) MY HEART IS SAD TO HEAR IT: SO GOOD A LADY, AND SO VIRTUOUS, THIS REALM FOR MANY AGES COULD NOT BOAST OF. HER CHARITY HATH STAYED THE COMMONS' RAGE THAT WOULD ERE THIS HAVE SHAKEN RICHARD'S CHAIR OR SET ALL ENGLAND ON A BURNING FIRE. (ENTER CHEYNEY. AND, 'FORE MY GOD, I FEAR, WHEN SHE IS GONE THIS WOEFUL LAND WILL ALL TO RUIN RUN. HOW NOW, CHEYNEY! WHAT, IS THY LADY GONE YET? CHEY. SHE IS, MY LORD, WITH MUCH UNWILLINGNESS, AND TIS SO DARK I CANNOT BLAME HER GRACE. THE LIGHTS OF HEAVEN ARE SHUT IN PITCHY CLOUDS AND FLAKES OF FIRE RUN TILTING THROUGH THE SKY LIKE DIM OSTENTS TO SOME GREAT TRAGEDY. WOOD. GOD BLESS GOOD ANNE A BEAME. I FEAR HER DEATH WILL BE THE TRAGIC SCENE THE SKY FORESHOWS US... WHEN KINGDOMS CHANGE, THE VERY HEAVENS ARE TROUBLED. PRAY GOD KING RICHARD'S WILD BEHAVIOR FORCE NOT THE POWERS OF HEAVEN TO FROWN UPON US. MY PRAYERS ARE STILL FOR HIM. WHAT THINK'ST THOU, CHEYNEY. MAY NOT PLAIN THOMAS LIVE A TIME, TO SEE THIS STATE ATTAIN HER FORMER ROYALTY? FORE GOD I DOUBT IT NOT. MY HEART IS MERRY, AND I AM SUDDENLY INSPIRED FOR MIRTH. CHEY. I'M GLAD TO SEE YOUR GRACE ADDICTED SO FOR I HAVE NEWS OF SUDDEN MIRTH TO TELL YE WHICH, TILL I HEARD YE SPEAK, I DURST NOT UTTER: WE SHALL HAVE A MASK TONIGHT, MY LORD. WOOD. HA, A MASK SAY'ST THOU? WHAT ARE THEY, CHEYNEY? CHEY. IT SEEMS, MY LORD, SOME COUNTRY GENTLEMEN, TO SHOW THEIR DEAR AFFECTION TO YOUR GRACE PROFFER THEIR SPORTS THIS NIGHT TO MAKE YOU MERRY. THEIR DRUMS HAVE CALLED FOR ENTRANCE TWICE ALREADY. WOOD. ARE THEY SO NEAR? I PRITHEE LET THEM ENTER. TELL THEM WE DO EMBRACE THEIR LOVES MOST KINDLY. GIVE ORDER THROUGH THE HOUSE THAT ALL OBSERVE THEM. (EXIT CHEYNEY. WE MUST ACCEPT THEIR LOVES, ALTHOUGH THE TIMES ARE NO WAY SUITED NOW FOR MASKS AND REVELS. WHAT, HO, WITHIN THERE! (ENTER SERVANTS. SERV. MY LORD? WOOD. PREPARE A BANQUET: CALL FOR LIGHTS AND MUSIC. THEY COME IN LOVE, AND WE'LL ACCEPT IT SO. SOME SPORT DOES WELL, WE'RE ALL TOO FULL OF WOE. (ENTER CHEYNEY. CHEY. THEY'RE COME, MY LORD. WOOD. THEY ALL ARE WELCOME, CHEYNEY, SET ME A CHAIR. WE WILL BEHOLD THEIR SPORTS IN SPITE OF CARE. CORNETS SOUND A FLOURISH, THEN A GREAT SHOUT AND WINDING OF HORNS. THEN ENTERS CYNTHIA. CYNTH. FROM THE CLEAR ORB OF OUR ETHEREAL SPHERE BRIGHT CYNTHIA COMES TO HUNT AND REVEL HERE. THE GROVES OF CALYDON AND ARDEN WOODS OF UNTAMED MONSTERS, WILD AND SAVAGE HERDS, WE AND OUR KNIGHTS HAVE FREED, AND HITHER COME TO HUNT THESE FORESTS, WHERE WE HEAR THERE LIES A CRUEL TUSKED BOAR, WHOSE TERROR FLIES THROUGH THIS LARGE KINGDOM, AND WITH FEAR AND DREAD STRIKES HER AMASSED GREATNESS PALE AND DEAD. AND, HAVING VIEWED FROM FAR THESE TOWERS OF STONE, WE HEARD THE PEOPLE MIDST THEIR JOY AND MOAN EXTOL TO HEAVEN A FAITHFUL PRINCE AND PEER THAT KEEPS A COURT OF LOVE AND PITY HERE. THIS STATE DIRECTS, GREAT PRINCE, THAT YOU ARE HE; AND ERE OUR KNIGHTS TO THIS GREAT HUNTING GO, BEFORE YOUR GRACE THEY WOULD SOME PASTIME SHOW IN SPRIGHTLY DANCING. THUS THEY BADE ME SAY AND WAIT AN ANSWER TO RETURN OR STAY. WOOD. NAY, FOR HEAVEN'S PITY LET THEM COME, I PRITHEE. PRETTY DEVICE, I' FAITH! STAND BY, MAKE ROOM THERE! STIR, STIR, GOOD FELLOWS, EACH MAN TO HIS TASK! WE SHALL HAVE A CLEAR NIGHT, THE MOON DIRECTS THE MASK. MUSIC; ENTER KING RICHARD, GREENE, BUSHY, BAGOT, LIKE DIANA'S KNIGHTS LED IN BY 4 OTHER KNIGHTS IN GREEN, WITH HORNS ABOUT THEIR NECKS AND BOARSPEARS IN THEIR HANDS. WOOD. HA, COUNTRY SPORTS SAY YE? 'FORE GOD TIS COURTLY. A GENERAL WELCOME, COURTEOUS GENTLEMEN. AND WHEN I SEE YOUR FACES, I'LL GIVE EACH MAN MORE PARTICULAR. IF YOUR ENTERTAINMENT FAIL YOUR MERIT, I MUST ASK PARDON: MY LADY IS FROM HOME AND MOST OF MY ATTENDANTS WAITING ON HER. BUT WE'LL DO WHAT WE CAN TO BID YOU WELCOME. AFORE MY GOD, IT JOYS MY HEART TO SEE AMIDST THESE DAYS OF WOE AND MISERY YE FIND A TIME FOR HARMLESS MIRTH AND SPORT. BUT TIS YOUR LOVES, AND WE'LL BE THANKFUL FOR'T. AH, SIRRAH, YE COME LIKE KNIGHTS TO HUNT THE BOAR INDEED; AND HEAVEN HE KNOWS WE HAD NEED OF HELPING HANDS, SO MANY WILD BOARS ROOT AND SPOIL OUR LANDS THAT ENGLAND ALMOST IS DESTROYED BY THEM... I CARE NOT IF KING RICHARD HEARD ME SPEAK IT: I WISH HIS GRACE ALL GOOD, HIGH HEAVEN CAN TELL, BUT THERE'S A FAULT IN SOME, ALACK THE DAY. HIS YOUTH IS LED BY FLATTERERS MUCH ASTRAY. BUT HE'S OUR KING AND GOD'S GREAT DEPUTY, AND IF YE HUNT TO HAVE ME SECOND YE IN ANY RASH ATTEMPT AGAINST HIS STATE, AFORE MY GOD, I'LL NE'ER CONSENT UNTO IT. I EVER YET WAS JUST AND TRUE TO HIM, AND SO WILL STILL REMAIN, WHAT'S NOW AMISS OUR SINS HAVE CAUSED ... AND WE MUST BIDE HEAVEN'S I SPEAK MY HEART: I AM PLAIN THOMAS STILL. COME, COME, A HALL, AND MUSIC THERE! YOUR DANCE BEING DONE, A BANQUET STANDS PREPARED TO BID YOU WELCOME. MUSIC; THEN THEY DANCE. ENTER CHEYNEY. WOOD. HOW NOW, CHEYNEY! IS THIS BANQUET READY? CHEY. THERE IS NO TIME, I FEAR, FOR BANQUETTING. MY LORD, I WISH YOUR GRACE BE PROVIDENT, I FEAR YOUR PERSON IS BETRAYED, MY LORD. THE HOUSE IS ROUND BESET WITH ARMED SOLDIERS. (A DRUM AFAR OFF. WOOD. HA, SOLDIERS? AFORE MY GOD, THE COMMONS ALL ARE UP, THEN. THEY WILL REBEL AGAINST THE KING, I FEAR ME, AND FLOCK TO ME TO BACK THEIR BOLD ATTEMPTS. GO ARM THE HOUSEHOLD, CHEYNEY. (EXIT CHEYNEY. HEAR ME, GENTLEMEN... FORE GOD I DO NOT LIKE THIS WHISPERING. IF YOUR INTENTS BE HONEST, SHOW YOUR FACES. KING. GUARD FAST THE DOORS AND SEIZE HIM PRESENTLY! THIS IS THE CAVE, THAT KEEPS THE TUSKED BOAR THAT ROOTS UP ENGLAND'S VINEYARDS UNCONTROLLED. BAGOT, ARREST HIM! IF FOR HELP HE CRY DROWN ALL HIS WORDS, WITH DRUMS, CONFUSEDLY. WOOD. AM I BETRAYED? BAGOT. YE CANNOT SCAPE, MY LORD, THE TOILS ARE PITCHED AND ALL YOUR HOUSEHOLD FAST IN HOLD ERE THIS. THOMAS OF WOODSTOCK: DUKE OF GLOSTER, EARL OF CAMBRIDGE AND OF BUCKINGHAM, I HERE ARREST THEE IN KING RICHARD'S NAME OF TREASON TO THE CROWN, HIS STATE AND REALM. WOOD. I'LL PUT IN BAIL, AND ANSWER TO THE LAW. SPEAK, IS KING RICHARD HERE? ALL. NO, NO, MY LORD, AWAY WITH HIM! WOOD. VILLAINS, TOUCH ME NOT! I AM DESCENDED OF THE ROYAL BLOOD, KING RICHARD'S UNCLE, HIS GRANDSIRE'S SON; HIS PRINCELY FATHER'S BROTHER. BECOMES IT PRINCES TO BE LED LIKE SLAVES? KING. PUT ON A VIZARD. STOP HIS CRIES. WOOD. HA, WHO BIDS THEM SO? I KNOW THAT VOICE FULL WELL. TURN THEE, THOU HEADSTRONG YOUTH, AND SPEAK AGAIN! BY MY DEAD FATHER'S SOUL I CHARGE THEE HEAR ME SO HEAVEN MAY HELP ME AT MY GREATEST NEED AS I HAVE WISHED THY GOOD AND ENGLAND'S SAFETY. BAGOT. YOU'RE STILL DECEIVED, MY LORD, THE KING'S NOT HERE. BUSH. ON WITH HIS MASKING SUIT, AND BEAR HIM HENCE. WE'LL LEAD YE FAIRLY TO KING RICHARD'S PRESENCE. WOOD. NAY, FROM HIS PRESENCE TO MY DEATH YOU'LL LEAD ME; AND I AM PLEASED I SHALL NOT LIVE TO SEE MY COUNTRY'S RUIN, AND HIS MISERY. THOU HEAR'ST ME WELL, PROUD KING, AND WELL MAYST BOAST THAT THOU BETRAYED'ST ME HERE SO SUDDENLY, FOR HAD I KNOWN THY SECRET TREACHERY NOR THOU, NOR THESE THY FLATTERING MINIONS, WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTHS HAD WRONGED PLAIN WOODSTOCK THUS. BUT USE YOUR WILLS... YOUR UNCLES GAUNT AND YORK WILL GIVE YOU THANKS FOR THIS; AND THE POOR COM- MONS, WHEN THEY SHALL HEAR OF THESE YOUR UNJUST PRO- CEEDINGS... KING. STOP'S MOUTH, I SAY, WE'LL HEAR NO MORE. WOOD. GOOD HEAVEN, FORGIVE ME, PRAY YE FORBEAR A WHILE I'LL SPEAK BUT ONE WORD MORE, INDEED I WILL. SOME MAN COMMEND ME TO MY VIRTUOUS WIFE TELL HER HER DREAMS HAVE TA'EN EFFECT INDEED: BY WOLVES AND LIONS NOW MUST WOODSTOCK BLEED. KING. DELIVER HIM TO LAPOOLE. THE SHIP LIES READY. CONVEY HIM O'ER TO CALAIS SPEEDILY, THERE USE HIM AS WE GAVE DIRECTIONS. SOUND UP YOUR DRUMS, OUR HUNTING SPORTS ARE DONE, AND WHEN YE'RE PAST THE HOUSE, CAST BY YOUR HABITS AND MOUNT YOUR HORSES WITH ALL SWIFTEST HASTE. THE BOAR IS TAKEN, AND OUR FEARS ARE PAST. SOUND; EXEUNT OMNES; ENTER CROSBY, FLEMING AND NIMBLE. CROSB. COME SIRS, ATTEND, MY LORD IS COMING FORTH. THE HIGH SHRIEVES OF KENT AND NORTHUMBERLAND WITH 20 GENTLEMEN ARE ALL ARRESTED FOR PRIVY WHISPERERS AGAINST THE STATE; IN WHICH I KNOW MY LORD WILL FIND SOME TRICK NIMB. NAY, THERE WILL BE WORK FOR THE HANGMAN FIRST; THEN WE RIFLE THE GOODS, AND MY LORD SEIZES THE LANDS. IF THESE 700 WHISPERERS THAT ARE TAKEN COME OFF LUSTILY, HE'LL HAVE THE DEVIL AND ALL SHORTLY. ENTER TRESILIAN, WITH THE SHRIEVES OF KENT AND NORTHUMBERLAND, WITH OFFICERS. FLEM. SEE, SEE, THEY'RE COMING. TRES. CALL FOR A MARSHAL THERE! COMMIT THE TRAITORS. SHRIEVES. WE DO BESEECH YOUR HONOR HEAR US SPEAK. TRES. SIR, WE'LL NOT HEAR YE. THE PROOF'S TOO PLAIN AGAINST YE. BECOMES IT YOU, SIR, BEING SHRIEVE OF KENT, TO STAY THE BLANKS KING RICHARD SENT ABROAD, REVILE OUR MESSENGERS, REFUSE THE CHARTERS, AND SPURN LIKE TRAITORS GAINST THE KING'S DECREES? S.-KENT. MY LORD: I PLEAD OUR ANCIENT LIBERTIES RECORDED AND ENROLLED IN THE KING'S CROWN OFFICE, WHEREIN THE MEN OF KENT ARE CLEAR DISCHARGED OF FINES, FIFTEENS, OR ANY OTHER TAXES: FOREVER GIVEN THEM BY THE CONQUEROR. TRES. YOU'RE STILL DECEIVED: THOSE CHARTERS WERE NOT SENT TO ABROGATE YOUR ANCIENT PRIVILEGE, BUT FOR HIS HIGHNESS' USE THEY WERE DEVISED TO GATHER AND COLLECT AMONGST HIS SUBJECTS SUCH SUMS OF MONEY AS THEY WELL MIGHT SPARE, AND HE IN THEIR DEFENSE MUST HOURLY SPEND. IS NOT THE SUBJECT'S WEALTH AT THE KING'S WILL? WHAT, IS HE LORD OF LIVES AND NOT OF LANDS? IS NOT HIS HIGH DISPLEASURE PRESENT DEATH? AND DARE YE STIR HIS INDIGNATION SO? S.-NOR. WE ARE FREEBORN, MY LORD, YET DO CONFESS OUR LIVES AND GOODS, ARE AT THE KING'S DISPOSE: BUT HOW, MY LORD, LIKE TO A GENTLE PRINCE TO TAKE OR BORROW WHAT WE BEST MAY SPARE; AND NOT, LIKE BONDSLAVES, FORCE IT FROM OUR HANDS. TRES. PRESUMPTUOUS TRAITORS, THAT WILL WE TRY ON YOU. WILL YOU SET LIMITS TO THE KING'S HIGH PLEASURE? AWAY TO PRISON! SEIZE THEIR GOODS AND LANDS. S.-KENT. MUCH GOOD MAY IT DO YE, MY LORD. THE CARE IS S.-NOR. WELL, GOD FORGIVE BOTH YOU AND US, MY LORD: YOUR HARD OPPRESSIONS HAVE UNDONE THE STATE AND MADE ALL ENGLAND POOR AND DESOLATE. TRES. WHY SUFFER YE THEIR SPEECH? TO PRISON HIE! THERE LET THEM PERISH, ROT, CONSUME, AND DIE! (EXEUNT WITH THE SHRIEVES. ART THOU THERE, NIMBLE? NIMB. I AM HERE, MY LORD. AND SINCE YOUR LORDSHIP IS NOW EMPLOYED TO PUNISH TRAITORS, I AM COME TO PRESENT MY- SELF UNTO YOU. TRES. WHAT, FOR A TRAITOR? NIMB. NO, MY LORD, BUT FOR A DISCOVERER OF THE STRANGEST TRAITOR THAT WAS EVER HEARD OF... FOR BY THE PLAIN ARETCHMATICKE OF MY CAPACITY, I HAVE FOUND OUT THE VERY WORDS A TRAITOR SPOKE THAT HAS WHISTLED TREASON. TRES. HOW IS THAT, WHISTLE TREASON? NIMB. MOST CERTAIN, MY LORD, I HAVE A TRICK FOR'T: IF A CARMAN DO BUT WHISTLE, I'LL FIND TREASON IN'T, I WARRANT YE. TRES. THOU'RT A RARE STATESMAN. NIMBLE, THOU'ST A REACHING HEAD. NIMB. I'LL PUT TREASON INTO ANY MAN'S HEAD, MY LORD, LET HIM ANSWER IT AS HE CAN. AND THEN, MY LORD, WE HAVE GOT A SCHOOLMASTER, THAT TEACHES ALL THE COUNTRY TO SING TREASON, AND LIKE A VILLAIN HE SAYS: GOD BLESS YOUR LORDSHIP. TRES. THOU'RT A MOST STRANGE DISCOVERER. WHERE ARE THESE TRAITORS? NIMB. ALL IN PRISON, MY LORD. MR IGNORANCE, THE BAILEY OF DUNSTABLE, AND I, HAVE TAKEN GREAT PAINS ABOUT THEM. BESIDES, HERE'S A NOTE OF 700 WHISPERERS, MOST ON THEM SLEEPY KNAVES. WE PULLED THEM OUT OF BEDFORDSHIRE. TRES. LET'S SEE THE NOTE. 700 WHISPERING TRAITORS; MONSTROUS VILLAINS! WE MUST LOOK TO THESE: OF ALL THE SORT THESE ARE MOST DANGEROUS, TO STIR REBELLION GAINST THE KING AND US... WHAT ARE THEY, CROSBY? ARE THE REBELS WEALTHY? CROSS. FAT CHOUGHS, MY LORD, ALL LANDED MEN. RICH FARMERS GRAZIERS AND SUCH FELLOWS, THAT HAVING BEEN BUT A LITTLE PINCHED WITH IMPRISONMENT, BEGIN ALREADY TO TRES. WE'LL NOT BE NICE TO TAKE THEIR OFFERS, CROSBY, THEIR LANDS ARE BETTER THAN THEIR LIVES TO US, AND WITHOUT LANDS THEY SHALL NOT RANSOM LIVES. GO SIRS, TO TERRIFY THE TRAITORS MORE, YE SHALL HAVE WARRANTS STRAIGHT TO HANG THEM ALL; THEN IF THEY PROFFER LANDS, AND PUT IN BAIL TO MAKE A JUST SURRENDER SPEEDILY, LET THEM HAVE LIVES, AND AFTER, LIBERTY. BUT THOSE THAT HAVE NOT LANDS NOR GOODS TO PAY, LET THEM BE WHIPPED, THEN HANGED. MAKE HASTE AWAY. NIMB. WELL, THEN: I SEE MY WHISTLER MUST BE WHIPPED: HE HAS BUT 2 CALVES TO LIVE ON, AND HAS LOST THEM TOO. AND FOR MY SCHOOLMASTER, I'LL HAVE HIM MARCH ABOUT THE MARKET PLACE WITH 10 DOZEN OF RODS AT'S GIRDLE THE VERY DAY HE GOES AFEASTING, AND EVERY ONE OF HIS SCHOLARS SHALL HAVE A JERK AT HIM. COME, SIRS. TRES. AWAY AND LEAVE US. HERE COMES SIR EDWARD BAGOT. EXIT NIMBLE AND THERE ENTER BAGOT. MANET TRESILIAN. BAGOT. RIGHT HAPPILY MET, MY LORD TRESILIAN. TRES. YOU'RE WELL RETURNED TO COURT, SIR EDWARD, TO THIS SAD HOUSE OF SHEEN, MADE COMFORTLESS BY THE SHARP SICKNESS OF THE GOOD QUEEN ANNE. BAGOT. KING RICHARD'S COME AND GONE TO VISIT HER. SAD FOR HER WEAK ESTATE, HE SITS AND WEEPS. HER SPEECH IS GONE... ONLY AT SIGHT OF HIM SHE HEAVED HER HANDS AND CLOSED HER EYES AGAIN, AND WHETHER ALIVE, OR DEAD, IS YET UNCERTAIN. (ENTER BUSHY. TRES. HERE COMES SIR WILLIAM BUSHY. WHAT TIDINGS, SIR? BUSH. THE KING'S A WIDOWER, SIR. FAIR ANNE A BEAME HATH BREATHED HER LAST FAREWELL TO ALL THE REALM. TRES. PEACE WITH HER SOUL, SHE WAS A VIRTUOUS LADY. HOW TAKES KING RICHARD THIS HER SUDDEN DEATH? BUSH. FARES LIKE A MADMAN: RENDS HIS PRINCELY HAIR, BEATS HIS SAD BREAST, FALLS GROVELLING ON THE EARTH ALL CARELESS OF HIS STATE, WISHING TO DIE AND EVEN IN DEATH TO KEEP HER COMPANY. AMIDST THIS HEAT OF PASSION, WEEPING COMES HIS AUNT THE DUCHESS, WOODSTOCK'S HAPLESS WIFE, WITH TENDER LOVE AND COMFORT, AT SIGHT OF WHOM HIS GRIEFS AGAIN REDOUBLED, CALLING TO MIND THE LADY'S WOEFUL STATE, AS YET ALL IGNORANT OF HER OWN MISHAP. HE TAKES HER IN HIS ARMS, WEEPS ON HER BREAST, AND WOULD HAVE THERE REVEALED HER HUBSAND'S FALL AMIDST HIS PASSIONS, HAD NOT SCROOPE AND GREENE BY VIOLENCE BORNE HIM TO AN INWARD ROOM; WHERE STILL HE CRIES TO GET A MESSENGER TO SEND TO CALAIS TO REPRIEVE HIS UNCLE. BAGOT. I DO NOT LIKE THOSE PASSIONS. IF HE REVEAL THE PLOT WE ALL SHALL PERISH. WHERE IS THE DUCHESS? BUSH. WITH MUCH ADO WE GOT HER LEAVE THE PRESENCE WITH AN INTENT IN HASTE TO RIDE TO PLASHEY. TRES. SHE'LL FIND SAD COMFORTS THERE. WOULD ALL WERE WELL. A 1000 DANGERS ROUND ENCLOSE OUR STATE. BAGOT. AND WE'LL BREAK THROUGH, MY LORD, IN SPITE OF FATE. COME, COME, BE MERRY, GOOD TRESILIAN. HERE COMES KING RICHARD, ALL GO COMFORT HIM. (ENTER THE KING AND SCROOPE. SCROO. MY DEAREST LORD, FORSAKE THESE SAD LAMENTS. NO SORROWS CAN SUFFICE TO MAKE HER LIVE. KING. THEN LET SAD SORROW KILL KING RICHARD TOO, FOR ALL MY EARTHLY JOYS WITH HER MUST DIE AND I AM KILLED WITH CARES ETERNALLY. FOR ANNE A BEAME IS DEAD, FOREVER GONE! SHE WAS TOO VIRTUOUS TO REMAIN WITH ME, AND HEAVEN HATH GIVEN HER HIGHER DIGNITY. OH, GOD, I FEAR, EVEN HERE BEGINS OUR WOE: HER DEATH'S BUT CHORUS TO SOME TRAGIC SCENE THAT SHORTLY WILL CONFOUND OUR STATE AND REALM. SUCH SAD EVENTS BLACK MISCHIEFS STILL ATTEND, AND BLOODY ACTS, I FEAR, MUST CROWN THE END. BAGOT. PRESAGE NOT SO, SWEET PRINCE, YOUR STATE IS STRONG. YOUR YOUTHFUL HOPES WITH EXPECTATION CROWNED. LET NOT ONE LOSS SO MANY COMFORTS DROWN. KING. DESPAIR AND MADNESS SEIZE ME. OH, MY DEAR WHAT LOSS CAN BE COMPARED TO SUCH A QUEEN? DOWN WITH THIS HOUSE OF SHEEN, GO RUIN ALL! PULL DOWN HER BUILDINGS, LET HER TURRETS FALL! FOREVER LAY IT WASTE AND DESOLATE THAT ENGLISH KING MAY NEVER HERE KEEP COURT, BUT TO ALL AGES LEAVE A SAD REPORT, WHEN MEN SHALL SEE THESE RUINED WALLS OF SHEEN AND SIGHING SAY, HERE DIED KING RICHARD'S QUEEN. FOR WHICH WE'LL HAVE IT WASTED LIME AND STONE TO KEEP A MONUMENT OF RICHARD'S MOAN. OH, TORTURING GRIEF! BUSH. OH, DEAR MY LIEGE, ALL TEARS FOR HER ARE VAIN OBLATIONS, HER QUIET SOUL RESTS IN CELESTIAL PEACE: WITH JOY OF THAT, LET ALL YOUR SORROWS CEASE. KING. SEND POST TO CALAIS AND BID LAPOOLE FORBEAR ON PAIN OF LIFE, TO ACT OUR SAD DECREE. FOR HEAVEN'S LOVE, GO, PREVENT THE TRAGEDY. WE HAVE TOO MUCH PROVOKED THE POWERS DIVINE AND HERE REPENT THY WRONGS, GOOD UNCLE WOODSTOCK; THE THOUGHT WHEREOF CONFOUNDS MY MEMORY. IF MEN MIGHT DIE WHEN THEY WOULD POINT THE TIME, THE TIME IS NOW KING RICHARD WOULD BE GONE; FOR AS A FEARFUL THUNDERCLAP DOTH STRIKE THE SOUNDEST BODY OF THE TALLEST OAK, YET HARMLESS LEAVES THE OUTWARD BARK UNTOUCHED, SO IS KING RICHARD STRUCK. COME, COME LET'S GO. MY WOUNDS ARE INWARD. INWARD BURNS MY WOE. (EXEUNT OMNES. ACTUS QUINTUS. ENTER LAPOOLE WITH A LIGHT, AFTER HIM THE 2 MURDERERS. LAP. COME SIRS, BE RESOLUTE. THE TIME SERVES WELL TO ACT THE BUSINESS YOU HAVE TA'EN IN HAND. THE DUKE IS GONE TO REST, THE ROOM IS VOIDED, NO EAR CAN HEAR HIS CRIES, BE FEARLESS BOLD AND WIN KING RICHARD'S LOVE, WITH HEAPS OF GOLD. ARE ALL YOUR INSTRUMENTS FOR DEATH MADE READY? 1ST-M. ALL FIT TO'TH THE PURPOSE. SEE, MY LORD, HERE'S FIRST A TOWEL WITH WHICH WE DO INTEND TO STRANGLE HIM; BUT IF HE STRIVE AND THIS SHOULD CHANCE TO FAIL, DOWN LIKE AN OX, AND AFTER CUT'S THROAT. HOW LIKE YE THIS? LAP. NO, WOUND HIM NOT, IT MUST BE DONE SO FAIR AND CUNNINGLY AS IF HE DIED A COMMON NATURAL DEATH, FOR SO WE MUST GIVE OUT TO ALL THAT ASK. 2ND-M. THERE IS NO WAY THEN, BUT TO SMOTHER HIM. LAP. I LIKE THAT BEST; YET ONE THING LET ME TELL YE: THINK NOT YOUR WORK CONTRIVED SO EASILY AS IF YOU WERE TO MATCH SOME COMMON MAN. BELIEVE ME, SIRS, HIS COUNTENANCE IS SUCH, SO FULL OF DREAD AND LORDLY MAJESTY, MIXED WITH SUCH MILD AND GENTLE HAVIOR AS WILL (EXCEPT YOU BE RESOLVED AT FULL) STRIKE YOU WITH FEAR EVEN WITH HIS PRINCELY LOOKS. 1ST-M. NOT AND HE LOOKED AS GRIM AS HERCULES, AS STERN AND TERRIBLE AS THE DEVIL HIMSELF! LAP. TIS WELL RESOLVED. RETIRE YOURSELVES AWHILE, STAY IN THE NEXT WITHDRAWING CHAMBER THERE AND WHEN OCCASION SERVES, I'LL CALL YE FORTH. 2ND-M. DO BUT BECKON WITH YOUR FINGER, MY LORD, AND LIKE VULTURES WE COME FLYING AND SEIZE HIM PRESENTLY. (EXEUNT 2 MURDERERS. LAP. DO SO... NOW BY MY FAIREST HOPES, I SWEAR THE BOLDNESS OF THESE VILLAINS TO THIS MURDER MAKES ME ABHOR THEM AND THE DEED FOREVER. HORROR OF CONSCIENCE, WITH THE KING'S COMMAND FIGHTS A FELL COMBAT IN MY FEARFUL BREAST. THE KING COMMANDS HIS UNCLE HERE MUST DIE. AND MY SAD CONSCIENCE BIDS THE CONTRARY AND TELLS ME THAT HIS INNOCENT BLOOD THUS SPILT HEAVEN WILL REVENGE. MURDER'S A HEINOUS GUILT, A 7 TIMES CRYING SIN. ACCURSED MAN, THE FURTHER THAT I WADE IN THIS FOUL ACT MY TROUBLED SENSES ARE THE MORE DISTRACT, CONFOUNDED AND TORMENTED PAST MY REASON. BUT THERE'S NO LINGERING: EITHER HE MUST DIE OR GREAT KING RICHARD VOWS MY TRAGEDY. THEN TWIXT TWO EVILS TIS GOOD TO CHOOSE THE LEAST: LET DANGER FRIGHT FAINT FOOLS, I'LL SAVE MINE OWN AND LET HIM FALL TO BLACK DESTRUCTION. (HE DRAWS THE CURTAINS. I'LL CALL THE MURDERERS IN... SOUND MUSIC THERE, TO ROCK HIS SENSES IN ETERNAL SLUMBERS. (MUSIC. SLEEP, WOODSTOCK, SLEEP. THOU NEVER MORE SHALT WAKE. THIS TOWN OF CALAIS SHALL FOREVER TELL, WITHIN HER CASTLE WALLS PLAIN THOMAS FELL. (EXIT LAPOOLE. THUNDER AND LIGHTNING. ENTER THE GHOST OF THE BLACK PRINCE. 1ST-GHO. NIGHT HORROR AND TH' ETERNAL SHRIEKS OF DEATH INTENDED TO BE DONE THIS DISMAL NIGHT HATH SHOOK FAIR ENGLAND'S GREAT CATHEDRAL, AND FROM MY TOMB ELATE AT CANTERBURY THE GHOST OF EDWARD THE BLACK PRINCE IS COME TO STAY KING RICHARD'S RAGE, MY WANTON SON. THOMAS OF WOODSTOCK, WAKE! THY BROTHER CALLS THEE. THOU ROYAL ISSUE OF KING EDWARD'S LOINS, THOU ART BESET WITH MURDER, RISE AND FLY. IF HERE THOU STAY, DEATH COMES AND THOU MUST DIE. STILL DOST THOU SLEEP? OH, I AM NAUGHT BUT AIR! HAD I THE VIGOR OF MY FORMER STRENGTH WHEN THOU BEHELDST ME FIGHT AT CRECY FIELD WHERE, HAND TO HAND, I TOOK KING JOHN OF FRANCE AND HIS BOLD SONS MY CAPTIVE PRISONERS, I'D SHAKE THESE STIFF SUPPORTERS OF THY BED AND DRAG THEE FROM THIS DULL SECURITY. OH, YET FOR PITY WAKE! PREVENT THY DOOM! THY BLOOD UPON MY SON WILL SURELY COME, FOR WHICH, DEAR BROTHER WOODSTOCK, HASTE AND FLY, PREVENT HIS RUIN AND THY TRAGEDY. WOOD. OH! (THUNDER; EXIT GHOST. ENTER EDWARD THE THIRD'S GHOST. 2ND-GHO. SLEEP'ST THOU SO SOUNDLY AND PALE DEATH SO NIGH? THOMAS OF WOODSTOCK, WAKE, MY SON, AND FLY! THY WRONGS HAVE ROUSED THY ROYAL FATHER'S GHOST AND FROM HIS QUIET GRAVE KING EDWARD'S COME TO GUARD THY INNOCENT LIFE, MY PRINCELY SON, BEHOLD ME HERE: SOMETIME FAIR ENGLAND'S LORD. 7 WARLIKE SONS I LEFT, YET BEING GONE NO ONE SUCCEEDED IN MY KINGLY THRONE, RICHARD OF BORDEAUX, MY ACCURSED GRANDCHILD, AND NOW YOUR LIVES AND ALL WOULD RUINATE: MURDERS HIS GRANDSIRE'S SONS: HIS FATHER'S BROTHERS: BECOMES A LANDLORD TO MY KINGLY TITLES, RENTS OUT MY CROWN'S REVENUES, RACKS MY SUBJECTS THAT SPENT THEIR BLOODS WITH ME IN CONQUERING FRANCE, BEHELD ME RIDE IN STATE THROUGH LONDON STREETS AND AT MY STIRRUP LOWLY FOOTING BY 4 CAPTIVE KINGS TO GRACE MY VICTORY. YET THAT NOR THIS HIS RIOTOUS YOUTH CAN STAY TILL DEATH HATH TA'EN HIS UNCLES ALL AWAY. THOU FIFTH OF EDWARD'S SONS, GET UP AND FLY! HASTE THEE TO ENGLAND, CLOSE AND SPEEDILY! THY BROTHERS YORK AND GAUNT ARE UP IN ARMS, GO JOIN WITH THEM: PREVENT THY FURTHER HARMS. THE MURDERERS ARE AT HAND: AWAKE, MY SON! THIS HOUR FORTELLS THY SAD DESTRUCTION. (EXIT GHOST. WOOD. OH, GOOD ANGELS, GUIDE ME, STAY THOU BLESSED SPIRIT, THOU ROYAL SHADOW OF MY KINGLY FATHER, RETURN AGAIN! I KNOW THY REVERENT LOOKS. WITH THY DEAR SIGHT ONCE MORE RECOMFORT ME, PUT BY THE FEAR MY TREMBLING HEART FORTELLS AND HERE IS MADE APPARENT TO MY SIGHT BY DREAMS AND VISIONS OF THIS DREADFUL NIGHT. UPON MY KNEES I BEG IT. HA! PROTECT ME, HEAVEN! THE DOORS ARE ALL MADE FAST! TWAS BUT MY FANCY: ALL'S WHIST AND STILL, AND NOTHING HERE APPEARS BUT THE VAST CIRCUIT OF THIS EMPTY ROOM. THOU BLESSED HAND OF MERCY, GUIDE MY SENSES! AFORE MY GOD, METHOUGHT AS HERE I SLEPT I DID BEHOLD IN LIVELY FORM AND SUBSTANCE MY FATHER EDWARD AND MY WARLIKE BROTHER BOTH GLIDING BY MY BED ... AND CRIED TO ME TO LEAVE THIS PLACE, TO SAVE MY LIFE, AND FLY... LIGHTEN MY FEARS, DEAR LORD. I HERE REMAIN A POOR OLD MAN, THRUST FROM MY NATIVE COUNTRY KEPT AND IMPRISONED IN A FOREIGN KINGDOM. IF I MUST DIE, BEAR RECORD, RIGHTEOUS HEAVEN, HOW I HAVE NIGHTLY WAKED FOR ENGLAND'S GOOD, AND YET TO RIGHT HER WRONGS WOULD SPEND MY BLOOD. SEND THY SAD DOOM, KING RICHARD: TAKE MY LIFE. I WISH MY DEATH MIGHT EASE MY COUNTRY'S GRIEF. LAP. (WE ARE PREVENTED: BACK RETIRE AGAIN, HE'S RISEN FROM HIS BED. WHAT FATE PRESERVES HIM?) MY LORD, HOW FARE YOU? WOOD. THOU CANST NOT KILL ME VILLAIN! GOD'S HOLY ANGEL GUARDS A JUST MAN'S LIFE AND WITH HIS RADIANT BEAMS AS BRIGHT AS FIRE WILL GUARD AND KEEP HIS RIGHTEOUS INNOCENCE. I AM A PRINCE. THOU DAR'ST NOT MURDER ME. LAP. YOUR GRACE MISTAKES, MY LORD... WOOD. WHAT ART THOU, SPEAK! LAP. LAPOOLE, MY LORD, THIS CITY'S GOVERNOR. WOOD. LAPOOLE, THOU ART KING RICHARD'S FLATTERER. OH, YOU JUST GODS! RECORD THEIR TREACHERY, JUDGE THEIR FOUL WRONGS, THAT UNDER SHOW OF FRIENDSHIP BETRAYED MY SIMPLE, KIND, INTENDIMENTS! MY HEART MISGAVE IT WAS NO TIME FOR REVELS WHEN YOU, LIKE MASKERS, CAME, DISGUISED, TO PLASHEY JOINED WITH THAT WANTON KING TO TRAP MY LIFE, FOR THAT, I KNOW'S THE END HIS MALICE AIMS AT. THIS CASTLE, AND MY SECRET SENDING HITHER IMPORTS NO LESS. THEREFORE I CHARGE YE TELL ME: EVEN BY THE VIRTUE OF NOBILITY, AND PARTLY, TOO, ON THAT ALLEGIANCE THOU OW'ST THE OFFSPRING OF KING EDWARD'S HOUSE, IF AUGHT THOU KNOW'ST TO PREJUDICE MY LIFE, THOU PRESENTLY REVEAL, AND MAKE IT KNOWN. LAP. NAY, GOOD MY LORD, FORBEAR THAT FOND SUSPICION. WOOD. I TELL THEE, POOLE: THERE IS NO LESS INTENDED. WHY AM I SENT THUS FROM MY NATIVE COUNTRY, BUT HERE AT CALAIS TO BE MURDERED? AND THAT LAPOOLE, CONFOUNDS MY PATIENCE. THIS TOWN OF CALAIS WHERE I SPENT MY BLOOD TO MAKE IT CAPTIVE TO THE ENGLISH KING, BEFORE WHOSE WALLS GREAT EDWARD LAY ENCAMPED WITH HIS 7 SONS ALMOST FOR 14 MONTHS; WHERE THE BLACK PRINCE, MY BROTHER, AND MYSELF THE PEERS OF ENGLAND, AND OUR ROYAL FATHER, FEARLESS OF WOUNDS, NE'ER LEFT TILL IT WAS WON, AND WAS'T TO MAKE A PRISON FOR HIS SON? OH, RIGHTEOUS HEAVENS, WHY DO YOU SUFFER IT? THERE IS NO HURT INTENDED, CREDIT ME, ALTHOUGH AWHILE YOUR FREEDOM BE ABRIDGED. I KNOW THE KING: IF YOU WOULD BUT SUBMIT AND WRITE YOUR LETTERS TO HIS MAJESTY, YOUR RECONCILEMENT MIGHT BE EASILY WROUGHT. WOOD. FOR WHAT SHOULD I SUBMIT, OR ASK HIS MERCY? HAD I OFFENDED, WITH ALL LOW SUBMISSION I'D LAY MY NECK UNDER THE BLOCK BEFORE HIM AND WILLINGLY ENDURE THE STROKE OF DEATH. BUT IF NOT SO, WHY SHOULD MY FOND ENTREATIES MAKE MY TRUE LOYALTY APPEAR LIKE TREASON? NO, NO, LAPOOLE, LET GUILTY MEN BEG PARDONS. MY MIND IS CLEAR... AND I MUST TELL YE, SIR, PRINCES HAVE HEARTS LIKE POINTED DIAMONDS THAT WILL IN SUNDER BURST AFORE THEY BEND, AND SUCH LIVES HERE! THOUGH DEATH KING RICHARD SEND, YET FETCH ME PEN AND INK, I'LL WRITE TO HIM NOT TO ENTREAT, BUT TO ADMONISH HIM THAT HE FORSAKE HIS FOOLISH WAYS IN TIME AND LEARN TO GOVERN LIKE A VIRTUOUS PRINCE: CALL HOME HIS WISE AND REVERENT COUNCILLORS, THRUST FROM HIS COURT THOSE CURSED FLATTERERS THAT HOURLY WORK THE REALM'S CONFUSION. THIS COUNSEL IF HE FOLLOW MAY IN TIME PULL DOWN THOSE MISCHIEFS THAT SO FAST DO CLIMB. LAP. HERE'S PEN AND PAPER, MY LORD, WILL'T PLEASE YE WRITE? WOOD. ANON I WILL: SHUT TO THE DOORS AND LEAVE ME. GOODNIGHT, LAPOOLE, AND PARDON ME I PRITHEE THAT MY SAD FEAR MADE QUESTION OF THY FAITH. MY STATE IS FEARFUL, AND MY MIND WAS TROUBLED EVEN AT THY ENTRANCE, WITH MOST FEARFUL VISIONS; WHICH MADE MY PASSIONS MORE EXTREME AND HASTY. OUT OF MY BETTER JUDGMENT I REPENT IT, AND WILL REWARD THY LOVE. ONCE MORE, GOODNIGHT. LAP. GOOD REST UNTO YOUR GRACE, (I MEAN IN DEATH. THIS DISMAL NIGHT, THOU BREATH'ST THY LATEST BREATH... HE SITS TO WRITE, I'LL CALL THE MURDERERS IN TO STEAL BEHIND ... AND CLOSELY STRANGLE HIM.) (EXIT LAPOOLE. WOOD. SO HELP ME HEAVEN, I KNOW NOT WHAT TO WRITE, MY METHOD IS TOO PLAIN, TO GREET A KING. I'LL NOTHING SAY TO EXCUSE OR CLEAR MYSELF, FOR I HAVE NOTHING DONE THAT NEEDS EXCUSE; BUT TELL HIM PLAIN, THOUGH HERE I SPEND MY BLOOD. (ENTER BOTH THE MURDERERS. I WISH HIS SAFETY ... AND ALL ENGLAND'S GOOD. 1ST-M. CREEP CLOSE TO HIS BACK, YE ROGUE, BE READY WITH THE TOWEL, WHEN I HAVE KNOCKED HIM DOWN, TO STRANGLE HIM. 2ND-M. DO IT QUICKLY WHILST HIS BACK IS TOWARDS YE, YE DAMNED VILLAIN; IF THOU LETT'ST HIM SPEAK BUT A WORD, WE SHALL NOT KILL HIM. 1ST M. I'LL WATCH HIM FOR THAT, DOWN OF YOUR KNEES AND CREEP, YE RASCAL. WOOD. HAVE MERCY, GOD! MY SIGHT O' THE SUDDEN FAILS ME. I CANNOT SEE MY PAPER, MY TREMBLING FINGERS WILL NOT HOLD MY PEN. A THICK CONGEALED MIST O'ERSPREADS THE CHAMBER. I'LL RISE AND VIEW THE ROOM. 1ST-M. NOT TOO FAST FOR FALLING! (STRIKES HIM. WOOD. WHAT VILLAIN HAND HATH DONE A DEED SO BAD, TO DRENCH HIS BLACK SOUL IN A PRINCE'S BLOOD? 1ST-M. DO YE PRATE, SIR? TAKE THAT AND THAT. ZOUNDS, PUT THE TOWEL ABOUT'S THROAT AND STRANGLE HIM QUICKLY, YE SLAVE, OR BY THE HEART OF HELL, I'LL FELL THEE TOO. 2ND-M. TIS DONE, YE DAMNED SLAVE. PULL YE DOG, AND PULL THY SOUL TO HELL IN DOING IT, FOR THOU HAST KILLED THE TRUEST SUBJECT, THAT EVER BREATHED IN ENGLAND. 1ST-M. PULL, ROGUE, PULL! THINK OF THE GOLD WE SHALL HAVE FOR DOING IT, AND THEN LET HIM, AND THEE, GO TO THE DEVIL TOGETHER. BRING IN THE FEATHER BED ... AND ROLL HIM UP IN THAT TILL HE BE SMOTHERED AND STIFLED, AND LIFE AND SOUL PRESSED OUT TOGETHER. QUICKLY, YE HELLHOUND! 2ND-M. HERE HERE, YE CANNIBAL. ZOUNDS HE KICKS AND SPRAWLS. LIE ON'S BREAST, YE VILLAIN! 1ST-M. LET HIM SPRAWL AND HANG. HE'S SURE ENOUGH FOR SPEAKING. PULL OFF THE BED NOW, SMOOTH DOWN HIS HAIR AND BEARD. CLOSE HIS EYES ... AND SET HIS NECK RIGHT: MAN WAS MURDERED NOW? (ENTER LAPOOLE. LAP. WHAT, IS HE DEAD? 2ND-M. AS A DOORNAIL, MY LORD. WHAT WILL YE DO WITH HIS BODY? LAP. TAKE IT UP GENTLY, LAY HIM IN HIS BED. THEN SHUT THE DOOR, AS IF HE THERE HAD DIED. 1ST-M. IT CANNOT BE PERCEIVED OTHERWISE, MY LORD. NEVER WAS MURDER DONE WITH SUCH RARE SKILL. AT OUR RETURN WE SHALL EXPECT REWARD, MY LORD. LAP. TIS READY TOLD. BEAR IN THE BODY, THEN RETURN AND TAKE IT. (EXEUNT WITH THE BODY. WITHIN THERE HO! SOLD. MY LORD? LAP. DRAW ALL! BE READY WITH YOUR WEAPONS, SOLDIERS. GUARD THE ROOM. THERE'S 2 FALSE TRAITORS ENTERED THE DUKE'S CHAMBER, PLOTTING TO BEAR HIM THENCE, BETRAY THE CASTLE, DELIVER UP THE TOWN AND ALL OUR LIVES TO THE FRENCH FORCES THAT ARE HARD AT HAND TO SECOND THEIR ATTEMPTS. THEREFORE STAND CLOSE, AND AS THEY ENTER, SEIZE THEM PRESENTLY. OUR WILL'S YOUR WARRANT: USE NO FURTHER WORDS BUT HEW THEM STRAIGHT IN PIECES WITH YOUR SWORDS. SOLD. I WARRANT YE, MY LORD, AND THEIR SKINS WERE SCALED WITH BRASS, WE HAVE SWORDS WILL PIERCE THEM. COME, SIRS, BE READY. (ENTER THE TWO MURDERERS. 1ST-M. COME, YE MICHING RASCAL, THE DEED'S DONE AND ALL THINGS PERFORMED RARELY. WE'LL TAKE OUR REWARD, STEAL CLOSE OUT O' THE TOWN, BUY US FRESH GELDINGS, SPUR CUT AND RIDE TILL WE ARE PAST ALL DANGER, I WARRANT THEE. LAP. GIVE THEIR REWARD THERE! QUICK I SAY! SOLD. DOWN WITH THE TRAITORS! KILL THE VILLAINS! MURDERERS. HELL AND THE DEVIL! ZOUNDS! HOLD, YE RASCALS! (THEY KILL THE MURDERERS. LAP. DRAG HENCE THEIR BODIES, HURL THEM IN THE SEA: THE BLACK REWARD OF DEATH'S A TRAITOR'S PAY. (EXEUNT SOLDIERS WITH THEIR BODIES. SO, THIS WAS WELL PERFORMED. NOW WHO BUT WE CAN MAKE REPORT OF WOODSTOCK'S TRAGEDY? ONLY HE DIED A NATURAL DEATH AT CALAIS: THROUGH EUROPE'S KINGDOMS WILL BE HARDLY CENSURED. HIS HEADSTRONG UNCLES, YORK AND LANCASTER, ARE UP, WE HEAR, IN OPEN ARMS AGAINST HIM; THE GENTLEMEN AND COMMONS OF THE REALM MISSING THE GOOD OLD DUKE, THEIR PLAIN PROTECTOR, BREAK THEIR ALLEGIANCE TO THEIR SOVEREIGN LORD AND ALL REVOLT UPON THE BARONS' SIDES; TO HELP WHICH HARM, I'LL O'ER TO ENGLAND STRAIGHT, AND WITH TH' OLD TROOPS OF SOLDIERS TA'EN FROM CALAIS, I'LL BACK KING RICHARD'S POWER, FOR SHOULD HE FAIL (AND HIS GREAT UNCLES GET THE VICTORY) HIS FRIENDS ARE SURE TO DIE; BUT IF HE WIN, THEY FALL, AND WE SHALL RISE, WHILST RICHARD'S KING. (EXEUNT; DRUMS, MARCH WITHIN. ENTER TRESILIAN AND NIMBLE WITH ARMOR. TRES. THESE PROCLAMATIONS WE HAVE SENT ABROAD, WHEREIN WE HAVE ACCUSED THE DUKES OF TREASON, WILL DAUNT THEIR PRIDE AND MAKE THE PEOPLE LEAVE THEM. I HOPE NO LESS, AT LEAST. WHERE ART THOU, NIMBLE? NIMB. SO LOADEN WITH ARMOR, I CANNOT STIR, MY LORD. TRES. WHOSE DRUMS WERE THOSE THAT BEAT EVEN NOW? NIMB. KING RICHARD'S DRUMS, MY LORD: THE YOUNG LORDS ARE PRESSING SOLDIERS. TRES. OH, AND DO THEY TAKE THEIR PRESS WITH WILLINGNESS? NIMB. AS WILLING AS A PUNK, THAT'S PRESSED ON A FEATHER BED, THEY TAKE THEIR PRESSING APIECE WITH GREAT PATIENCE. MARRY, THE LORDS NO SOONER TURN THEIR BACKS, BUT THEY RUN AWAY LIKE SHEEP, SIR. TRES. THEY SHALL BE HANGED LIKE DOGS FOR'T. WHAT, DARE THE SLAVES REFUSE THEIR SOVEREIGN? NIMB. THEY SAY THE PROCLAMATION'S FALSE, MY LORD; AND THEY'LL NOT FIGHT AGAINST THE KING'S FRIENDS. TRES. SO, I FEARED AS MUCH, AND SINCE TIS COME TO THIS I MUST PROVIDE BETIMES AND SEEK FOR SAFETY, FOR NOW THE KING AND OUR AUDACIOUS PEERS ARE GROWN TO SUCH A HEIGHT OF BURNING RAGE AS NOTHING NOW CAN QUENCH THEIR KINDLED IRE BUT OPEN TRIAL, BY THE SWORD AND LANCE; NIMBLE, OUR SOLDIERS RUN, THOU SAY'ST? NIMB. AY, BY MY TROTH, MY LORD. AND I THINK TIS OUR BEST COURSE TO RUN AFTER THEM, FOR IF THEY RUN NOW, WHAT WILL THEY DO WHEN THE BATTLE BEGINS? IF WE TARRY HERE AND THE KING'S UNCLES CATCH US, WE ARE SURE TO BE HANGED... MY LORD, HAVE YE NO TRICK OF LAW TO DEFEND US? NO DEMUR OR WRIT OF ERROR TO REMOVE US? TRES. NIMBLE, WE MUST BE WISE. NIMB. THEN LET'S NOT STAY TO HAVE MORE WIT BEATEN INTO OUR HEADS, I LIKE NOT THAT, MY LORD. TRES. I AM A MAN FOR PEACE, AND NOT FOR WAR. NIMB. AND YET THEY SAY YOU HAVE MADE MORE WRANGLING I' THE LAND THAN ALL THE WARS HAVE DONE THESE 7 YEARS. TRES. THIS BATTLE WILL REVENGE THEIR BASE EXCLAIMS. BUT HEAR'ST THOU, NIMBLE, I'LL NOT BE THERE TODAY. ONE MAN AMONGST SO MANY IS NO MAIM, THEREFORE I'LL KEEP ALOOF, TILL ALL BE DONE. IF GOOD, I STAY; IF BAD, AWAY I RUN. NIMBLE, IT SHALL BE SO. I'LL NEITHER FIGHT NOR DIE; BUT, THUS RESOLVED, DISGUISE MYSELF AND FLY. (EXIT TRESILIAN. NIMB. TIS THE WISEST COURSE, MY LORD. AND I'LL GO PUT OFF MINE ARMOR THAT I MAY RUN LUSTILY TOO. (EXIT NIMBLE. ENTER WITH DRUM AND COLORS, YORK, LANCASTER, ARUNDEL, SURREY, WITH THE DUCHESS OF GLOSTER AND SOLDIERS AND CHEYNEY. LANC. GO TO OUR TENTS, DEAR SISTER, CEASE YOUR SORROWS. WE WILL REVENGE OUR NOBLE BROTHER'S WRONGS AND FORCE THAT WANTON TYRANT TO REVEAL THE DEATH OF HIS DEAR UNCLE: HARMLESS WOODSTOCK, SO TRAITOROUSLY BETRAYED. YORK. ALACK, GOOD MAN, IT WAS AN EASY TASK TO WORK ON HIM, HIS PLAINNESS WAS TOO OPEN TO THEIR VIEW. HE FEARED NO WRONG BECAUSE HIS HEART WAS TRUE. GOOD SISTER, CEASE YOUR WEEPING. THERE'S NONE HERE BUT ARE AS FULL OF WOE AND TOUCHED AS NEAR. CONDUCT AND GUARD HER, CHEYNEY, TO THE TENT. ON ALL THEIR HEADS THAT HAVE PROCURED HIS HARMS, STRUCK FROM THE TERROR OF OUR THREATENING ARMS. DUCH. MAY ALL THE POWERS OF HEAVEN ASSIST YOUR HANDS, AND MAY THEIR SINS SIT HEAVY ON THEIR SOULS THAT THEY IN DEATH, THIS DAY, MAY PERISH ALL THAT TRAITOROUSLY CONSPIRED GOOD WOODSTOCK'S FALL. (EXEUNT CHEYNEY AND THE DUCHESS. LANC. IF HE BE DEAD, BY GOOD KING EDWARD'S SOUL WE'LL CALL KING RICHARD TO A STRICT ACCOUNT FOR THAT AND FOR HIS REALM'S MISGOVERNMENT. YOU PEERS OF ENGLAND, RAISED IN RIGHTEOUS ARMS HERE TO RE-EDIFY OUR COUNTRY'S RUIN, JOIN ALL YOUR HEARTS AND HANDS NEVER TO CEASE TILL WITH OUR SWORDS WE WORK FAIR ENGLAND'S PEACE. (DRUMS. ARUND. MOST PRINCELY LANCASTER, OUR LAND AND LIVES ARE TO THESE JUST PROCEEDINGS EVER VOWED. SURREY. THOSE FLATTERING MINIONS THAT O'ERTURN THE STATE THIS DAY IN DEATH SHALL MEET THEIR ENDLESS FATE! YORK. NEVER SUCH VIPERS WERE ENDURED SO LONG TO GRIP, AND EAT THE HEARTS OF ALL THE KINGDOM. LANC. THIS DAY SHALL HERE DETERMINATE ALL WRONGS. THE MEANEST MAN TAXED BY THEIR FOUL OPPRESSIONS SHALL BE PERMITTED FREELY TO ACCUSE, AND RIGHT THEY SHALL HAVE TO REGAIN THEIR OWN; OR ALL SHALL SINK TO DARK CONFUSION. (DRUMS SOUND WITHIN. YORK. HOW NOW, WHAT DRUMS ARE THESE? (ENTER CHEYNEY. CHEY. TO ARMS, MY LORDS, THE MINIONS OF THE KING ARE SWIFTLY MARCHING ON TO GIVE YE BATTLE. LAN. THEY MARCH TO DEATH THEN, CHEYNEY. DARE THE TRAITORS PRESUME TO BRAVE THE FIELD WITH ENGLISH PRINCES? WORK. WHERE IS KING RICHARD? HE WAS RESOLVED BUT LATELY TO TAKE SOME HOLD OF STRENGTH, AND SO SECURE HIM. CHEY. KNOWING THEIR STATES WERE ALL SO DESPERATE, IT SEEMS THEY HAVE PERSUADED OTHERWISE, FOR NOW HE COMES WITH FULL RESOLVE TO FIGHT. LAPOOLE THIS MORNING IS ARRIVED AT COURT TO BACK THIS NOW INTENDED ENTERPRISE. LANC. THOSE NEW SUPPLIES HAVE SPURRED THEIR FORWARD HOPES AND THRUST THEIR RESOLUTIONS BOLDLY ON TO MEET WITH DEATH AND SAD DESTRUCTION. YORK. THEIR DRUMS ARE NEAR. JUST HEAVEN, DIRECT THIS DEED AND AS OUR CAUSE DESERVES, OUR FORTUNES SPEED. ENTER WITH DRUM AND COLORS, THE KING, GREENE, BUSHY, BAGOT, SCROOPE, LAPOOLE AND SOLDIERS. THEY MARCH ABOUT ALL. KING. ALTHOUGH WE COULD HAVE EASILY SURPRISED, DISPERSED AND OVERTHROWN YOUR REBEL TROOPS THAT DRAW YOUR SWORDS AGAINST OUR SACRED PERSON, THE HIGHEST GOD'S ANOINTED DEPUTY, BREAKING YOUR HOLY OATHS TO HEAVEN AND US: YET OF OUR MILD AND PRINCELY CLEMENCY WE HAVE FORBORNE; THAT BY THIS PARLIAMENT WE MIGHT BE MADE PARTAKER OF THE CAUSE THAT MOVED YE RISE IN THIS REBELLIOUS SORT. LANC. HAST THOU, KING RICHARD, MADE US INFAMOUS? BY PROCLAMATIONS FALSE AND IMPUDENT HAST THOU CONDEMNED US IN OUR ABSENCE TOO AS MOST NOTORIOUS TRAITORS TO THE CROWN? BETRAYED OUR BROTHER WOODSTOCK'S HARMLESS LIFE, AND SOUGHT BASE MEANS TO PUT US ALL TO DEATH? AND DOST THOU NOW PLEAD DOTISH IGNORANCE WHY WE ARE BANDED THUS IN OUR DEFENSE? GREEN. METHINKS YOUR TREASONS TO HIS MAJESTY, RAISING HIS SUBJECTS GAINST HIS ROYAL LIFE, SHOULD MAKE YE BEG FOR MERCY AT HIS FEET. KING. YOU HAVE FORGOTTEN, UNCLE LANCASTER, HOW YOU IN PRISON MURDERED CRUELLY A FRIAR CARMELITE BECAUSE HE WAS TO BRING IN EVIDENCE AGAINST YOUR GRACE OF MOST UNGRACIOUS DEEDS AND PRACTICES. LANC. AND YOU, MY LORD, REMEMBER NOT SO WELL THAT BY THAT CARMELITE AT LONDON ONCE, WHEN AT A SUPPER, YOU'D HAVE POISONED US... YORK. FOR SHAME, KING RICHARD, LEAVE THIS COMPANY THAT LIKE DARK CLOUDS OBSCURE THE SPARKLING STARS OF THY GREAT BIRTH, AND TRUE NOBILITY. ARUND. YIELD TO YOUR UNCLES. WHO BUT THEY SHOULD HAVE BAGOT. YIELD FIRST YOUR HEADS, AND SO HE SHALL BE SURE TO KEEP HIS PERSON AND HIS STATE SECURE. KING. AND BY MY CROWN, IF STILL YOU THUS PERSIST YOUR HEADS AND HEARTS ERE LONG SHALL ANSWER IT. ARUND. NOT TILL YE SEND FOR MORE SUPPLIES FROM FRANCE, FOR ENGLAND WILL NOT YIELD YE STRENGTH TO DO IT. YORK. THOU WELL MAYST DOUBT THEIR LOVES THAT LOST THEIR HEARTS. UNGRACIOUS PRINCE, CANNOT THY NATIVE COUNTRY FIND MEN TO BACK THIS DESPERATE ENTERPRISE? LANC. HIS NATIVE COUNTRY! WHY, THAT IS FRANCE MY LORDS! AT BORDEAUX WAS HE BORN, WHICH PLACE ALLURES AND TIES HIS DEEP AFFECTIONS STILL TO FRANCE. RICHARD IS ENGLISH BLOOD: NOT ENGLISH BORN. THY MOTHER TRAVAILED IN UNHAPPY HOURS WHEN SHE, AT BORDEAUX, LEFT HER HEAVY LOAD. THE SOIL IS FAT FOR WINES, NOT FIT FOR MEN, AND ENGLAND NOW LAMENTS THAT HEAVY TIME. HER ROYALTIES ARE LOST: HER STATE MADE BASE; AND THOU NO KING, BUT LANDLORD NOW BECOME TO THIS GREAT STATE THAT TERRORED CHRISTENDOM. KING. I CANNOT BROOK THESE BRAVES. LET DRUMS SOUND DEATH, AND STRIKE AT ONCE TO STOP THIS TRAITOR'S BREATH. BAGOT. STAY, MY DEAR LORD; AND ONCE MORE HEAR ME, PRINCES. THE KING WAS MINDED, ERE THIS BRAWL BEGAN, TO COME TO TERMS OF COMPOSITION. LANC. LET HIM REVOKE THE PROCLAMATIONS, CLEAR US OF ALL SUPPOSED CRIMES OF TREASON, REVEAL WHERE OUR GOOD BROTHER GLOSTER KEEPS, AND GRANT THAT THESE PERNICIOUS FLATTERERS MAY BY THE LAW BE TRIED, TO QUIT THEMSELVES OF ALL SUCH HEINOUS CRIMES ALLEGED AGAINST THEM, AND WE'LL LAY DOWN OUR WEAPONS AT THY FEET. KING'S-MEN. PRESUMPTUOUS TRAITORS! LORD'S-MEN. TRAITORS! KING. AGAIN WE DOUBLE IT: REBELLIOUS TRAITORS! TRAITORS TO HEAVEN AND US. DRAW ALL YOUR SWORDS AND FLING DEFIANCE TO THOSE TRAITOROUS LORDS. KING'S-MEN. LET OUR DRUMS THUNDER AND BEGIN THE FIGHT. (EXEUNT OMNES; ALARUM. ENTER GREENE, AND CHENEY MEETS HIM ARMED. CHEY. STAND, TRAITOR! FOR THOU CANST NOT SCAPE MY SWORD. GREEN. WHAT VILLAIN FRONTS ME WITH THE NAME OF TRAITOR? WAS'T THOU, FALSE CHEYNEY? NOW BY KING RICHARD'S LOVE I'LL TILT THY SOUL OUT FOR THAT BASE REPROACH. I WOULD THY MASTER AND THE LATE PROTECTOR WITH BOTH HIS TREACHEROUS BROTHERS, GAUNT AND YORK, WERE ALL OPPOSED, WITH THEE, TO TRY THESE ARMS: I'D SEAL'T ON ALL YOUR HEARTS. (ALARUM. CHEY. THIS SHALL SUFFICE TO FREE THE KINGDOM FROM THY VILLAINIES. (THEY FIGHT. ENTER ARUNDEL. ARUN. THOU HUNT'ST A NOBLE GAME, RIGHT WARLIKE CHEYNEY: CUT BUT THIS ULCER OFF, THOU HEAL'ST THE KINGDOM. YIELD THEE, FALSE TRAITOR, MOST DETESTED MAN THAT SETT'ST KING RICHARD GAINST HIS REVERENT UNCLES TO SHED THE ROYAL BLOOD AND MAKE THE REALM WEEP FOR THEIR TIMELESS DESOLATION. CAST DOWN THY WEAPONS, FOR BY THIS MY SWORD WE'LL BEAR THEE FROM THIS PLACE, ALIVE OR DEAD. GREEN. COME BOTH THEN. I'LL STAND FIRM AND DARE YOUR WORST. HE THAT FLIES FROM IT, BE HIS SOUL ACCURSED! ARUN. SO MAY THE FOES OF ENGLAND FALL IN BLOOD. MOST DESOLATE TRAITOR! UP WITH HIS BODY, CHEYNEY, AND HALE IT TO THE TENT OF LANCASTER. (ENTER KING, BAGOT, BUSHY, SCROOPE AND SOLDIERS. CHEY. STAND FIRM, MY LORD. HERE'S RESCUE. ARUN. COURAGE, THEN! WE'LL BEAR HIS BODY HENCE IN SPITE OF THEM. (THEY FIGHT. TO THEM ENTER LANCASTER, YORK, AND SURREY, AND BEAT THEM ALL AWAY. MANET THE KING. KING. OH, PRINCELY YOUTH, KING RICHARD'S DEAREST FRIEND! WHAT HEAVY STAR THIS DAY HAD DOMINANCE TO CUT OFF ALL THY FLOWERING YOUTHFUL HOPES? PROSPER, PROUD REBELS! AS YOU DEALT BY HIM HARDHEARTED UNCLES, UNRELENTING CHURLS, THAT HERE HAVE MURDERED ALL MY EARTHLY JOYS! HOW I'LL REVENGE THY TIMELESS TRAGEDY ON ALL THEIR HEADS THAT DID BUT LIFT A HAND TO HURT THIS BODY, THAT I HELD SO DEAR EVEN BY THIS KISS AND BY MY CROWN I SWEAR... (ALARUM; ENTER BAGOT, BUSHY, AND SCROOPE TO THE KING. BAGOT. AWAY, MY LORD! STAND NOT TO WAIL HIS DEATH. THE FIELD IS LOST; OUR SOLDIERS SHRINK AND FLY: LAPOOLE IS TAKEN PRISONER BY THE LORDS. HIE TO THE TOWER. THERE IS NO HELP IN SWORDS. SCROO. STILL TO CONTINUE WAR WERE CHILDISHNESS. THEIR ODDS A MOUNTAIN, OURS A MOLEHILL IS. BUSH. LET'S FLY TO LONDON, AND MAKE STRONG THE TOWER. LOUD PROCLAMATIONS POST THROUGHOUT THE CAMP WITH PROMISE OF REWARD TO ALL THAT TAKE US. GET SAFETY FOR OUR LIVES, MY PRINCELY LORD. IF HERE WE STAY, WE SHALL BE ALL BETRAYED. KING. OH, MY DEAR FRIENDS, THE FEARFUL WRATH OF HEAVEN SITS HEAVY ON OUR HEADS FOR WOODSTOCK'S DEATH. BLOOD CRIES FOR BLOOD; AND THAT ALMIGHTY HAND PERMITS NOT MURDER UNREVENGED TO STAND. COME, COME, WE YET MAY HIDE OURSELVES FROM WORLDLY STRENGTH, BUT HEAVEN WILL FIND US OUT, AND STRIKE AT LENGTH. EACH LEND A HAND TO BEAR THIS LOAD OF WOE THAT ERST KING RICHARD LOVED AND TENDERED SO. (EXEUNT OMNES; ALARUM. ENTER TRESILIAN DISGUISED AND NIMBLE. TRES. WHERE ART THOU, NIMBLE? NIMB. AS LIGHT AS A FEATHER, MY LORD. I HAVE PUT OFF MY SHOES, THAT I MIGHT RUN LUSTILY. THE BATTLE'S LOST AND THEY'RE ALL PRISONERS. WHAT SHALL WE DO, MY LORD? YONDER'S A DITCH. WE MAY RUN ALONG THAT AND NE'ER BE SEEN, I WARRANT YE. TRES. I DID SUSPECT NO LESS; AND SO TIS FALLEN: THE DAY IS LOST; AND DASHED ARE ALL OUR HOPES. KING RICHARD'S TAKEN PRISONER BY THE PEERS. OH, THAT I WERE UPON SOME STEEPY ROCK WHERE I MIGHT TUMBLE HEADLONG TO THE SEA BEFORE THOSE CRUEL LORDS DO SEIZE ON ME! MIGHT CREEP INTO ANY HOLE I' THE HOUSE AND I CARED NOT... TRES. COME, NIMBLE, TIS NO TIME TO USE DELAY. I'LL KEEP ME IN THIS POOR DISGUISE AWHILE AND SO, UNKNOWN, PROLONG MY WEARY LIFE IN HOPE KING RICHARD SHALL CONCLUDE MY PEACE. (SOUND RETREAT. HARK, HARK, THE TRUMPETS CALL THE SOLDIERS BACK, RETREAT IS SOUNDED, NOW THE TIME SERVES FIT AND WE MAY STEAL FROM HENCE. AWAY GOOD NIMBLE. NIM. NAY, STAY MY LORD! 'SLID, AND YE GO THAT WAY, FARE- WELL; BUT AND YOU'LL BE RULED BY ME, I HAVE THOUGHT OF A TRICK THAT YE SHALL SCAPE THEM ALL MOST BRAVELY... TRES. BETHINK THYSELF, GOOD NIMBLE. QUICKLY, MAN! NIMB. I'LL MEDITATE, MY LORD; AND THEN I'M FOR YE. (NOW, NIMBLE, SHOW THYSELF A MAN OF VALOR. THINK OF THY FORTUNES. TIS A HANGING MATTER IF THOU CON- CEAL HIM. BESIDES THERE'S A 1000 MARKS FOR HIM THAT TAKES HIM, WITH THE DUKE'S FAVORS, AND FREE PARDON. BESIDES HE'S BUT A COWARD. HE WOULD NE'ER HAVE RUN FROM THE BATTLE ELSE. ST. TANTONY, ASSIST ME, I'LL SET UPON HIM PRESENTLY.) MY LORD, I HAVE THOUGHT UPON THIS TRICK: I MUST TAKE YE PRISONER. TRES. HOW PRISONER? NIMB. THERE'S NO WAY TO SCAPE ELSE. THEN MUST I CARRY YE TO THE KING'S UNCLES, WHO PRESENTLY CONDEMN YE, FOR A TRAITOR, SEND YE AWAY TO HANGING ... AND THEN 'GOD BLESS MY LORD TRESILIAN.' TRES. WILT THOU BETRAY THY MASTER, VILLAIN? NIMB. AY, IF MY MASTER BE A VILLAIN. YOU THINK TIS NOTHING FOR A MAN TO BE HANGED FOR HIS MASTER? YOU HEARD NOT THE PROCLAMATION? TRES. WHAT PROCLAMATION? NIMB. OH, SIR, ALL THE COUNTRY'S FULL OF THEM, THAT WHO- SOEVER SEES YOU, DOES NOT PRESENTLY TAKE YE, AND BRING YE TO THE LORDS, SHALL BE HANGED FOR HIS LABOR. THEREFORE NO MORE WORDS, LEST I RAISE THE WHOLE CAMP UPON YE. YE SEE ONE OF YOUR OWN SWORDS OF JUSTICE HEAD OFF AND SAVE THE HANGMAN A LABOR. TRES. O, VILLAIN! NIMB. NO MORE WORDS. AWAY, SIR! (EXEUNT. SOUND A RETREAT, THEN A FLOURISH. ENTER WITH VICTORY LANCASTER, YORK, CHEYNEY, ARUNDEL, SURREY AND SOLDIERS WITH LAPOOLE, BUSHY, AND SCROOPE PRISONERS. DRUM, COLORS. LANC. THUS PRINCELY EDWARD'S SONS, IN TENDER CARE OF WANTON RICHARD AND THEIR FATHER'S REALM, HAVE TOILED TO PURGE FAIR ENGLAND'S PLEASANT FIELD OF ALL THOSE RANCOROUS WEEDS THAT CHOKED THE GROUNDS AND LEFT HER PLEASANT MEADS LIKE BARREN HILLS. WHO IS'T CAN TELL US WHICH WAY BAGOT FLED? ARUN. SOME SAY TO BRISTOWE, TO MAKE STRONG THE CASTLE. LANC. SEE THAT THE PORT'S BELAYED. HE'LL FLY THE LAND, FOR ENGLAND HATH NO HOLD CAN KEEP HIM FROM US. HAD WE TRESILIAN HANGED, THEN ALL WERE SURE. WHERE SLEPT OUR SCOUTS THAT HE ESCAPED THE FIELD? CHEY. HE FLED, THEY SAY, BEFORE THE FIGHT BEGAN. (FLOURISH WITHIN. LANC. OUR PROCLAMATIONS SOON SHALL FIND HIM FORTH, THE ROOT AND GROUND OF ALL THESE VILD ABUSES. (ENTER NIMBLE, WITH TRESILIAN, BOUND AND GUARDED. LANC. HOW NOW, WHAT GUARD IS THAT? WHAT TRAITOR'S THERE? NIMB. THE TRAITOR NOW IS TA'EN. I HERE PRESENT THE VILLAIN, AND IF YE NEEDS WILL KNOW HIS NAME, GOD BLESS MY LORD TRESILIAN. CHEY. TRESILIAN, MY LORD, ATTACHED AND APPREHENDED BY HIS MAN! NIMB. YES, AND IT PLEASE YE, MY LORD, TWAS I THAT TOOK HIM. I WAS ONCE A TRAMPLER IN THE LAW AFTER HIM, AND I THANK HIM HE TAUGHT ME THIS TRICK, TO SAVE MYSELF FROM HANGING. LAN. THOU'RT A GOOD LAWYER AND HAST REMOVED THE CAUSE FROM THYSELF FAIRLY. NIMB. I HAVE REMOVED IT WITH A HABIS CORPUS; AND THEN I TOOK HIM WITH SURSSERARIS, AND BOUND HIM IN THIS BOND TO ANSWER IT. NAY, I HAVE STUDIED FOR MY LEARNING, I CAN TELL YE, MY LORD. THERE WAS NOT A STONE BETWEEN EVERY MORNING. ARUN. WHAT MOVED THEE, BEING HIS MAN, TO APPREHEND HIM? NIMB. PARTLY FOR THESE CAUSES: FIRST, THE FEAR OF THE PROCLAMATION, FOR I HAVE PLODDED IN PLOWDEN AND CAN FIND NO LAW...