Enter PETER, and other Petitioners. First Petit. My masters, let's stand close: my lord Protector will come this way by and by, and then we may deliver our supplications in the quill. Sec. Petit. Marry, the Lord protect him, for he's a good man! Jesu bless him! Peter. Here 'a comes, methinks, and the him. I'll be the first, sure. Enter SUFFOLK and QUEEN. queen with Sec. Petit. Come back, fool; this is the Duke of Suffolk, and not my lord Protector. for Suf. How now, fellow ! wouldst any thing with me? 10 First Petit. I pray, my lord, pardon me; I took ye my lord Protector. Q. Mar. For my lord Protector! Are your supplications to his lordship? Let me see them :-what is thine? First Petit. Mine is, an 't please your Grace, against John Goodman, my lord cardinal's man, for keeping my house, and lands, and wife and all, from me. Suf. Thy wife too! that's some wrong, indeed.What's yours? What's here! [reads] “Against the Duke 20 of Suffolk, for enclosing the commons of Melford."-How now, sir knave! Sec. Petit. Alas, sir, I am but a poor petitioner of our whole township. Peter. [presenting his petition] Against my master, Thomas Horner, for saying that the Duke of York was rightful heir to the crown. Q. Mar. What say'st thou? did the Duke of York say he was rightful heir to the crown? Peter. That my master was? no, forsooth: my master 30 said that he was; and that the king was an usurper. Suf. Who is there? [Enter Servant.]-Take this fellow in, and send for his master with a pursuivant presently. We'll hear more of your matter before the king. [Exit Servant with PETER. Q. Mar. And as for you, that love to be protected Under the wings of our Protector's Grace, Begin your suits anew, and sue to him. [Tears the supplications. Away, base cullions !—Suffolk, let them go. All. Come, let's be gone. [Exeunt Petitioners. 40 His champions are the prophets and apostles; Are brazen images of canonized saints. I would the college of the cardinals Would choose him Pope, and carry him to Rome, That were a state fit for his holiness. Suf. Madam, be patient: as I was cause Your highness came to England, so will I In England work your Grace's full content. Q. Mar. Beside the haught Protector, have we Beaufort 50 60 The imperious churchman, Somerset, Buckingham, Suf. And he of these that can do most of all Q. Mar. Not all these lords do vex me half so much She bears a duke's revenues on her back, So, let her rest: and, madam, list to me; Yet must we join with him and with the lords, Will make but little for his benefit. So, one by one, we'll weed them all at last, 70 80 90 K. Hen. For my part, noble lords, I care not which; 100 Or Somerset or York, all's one to me. York. If York have ill demean'd himself in France, Then let him be denay'd the regentship. Som. If Somerset be unworthy of the place, Let York be regent; I will yield to him. War. Whether your Grace be worthy, yea or no, Ĉar. Ambitious Warwick, let thy betters speak. Why Somerset should be preferr'd in this. Q. Mar. Because the king, forsooth, will have it so. Glo. Madam, I am Protector of the realm; Grace Suf. Resign it, then, and leave thine insolence. Car. The commons hast thou rackt; the clergy's bags Are lank and lean with thy extortions. Som. Thy sumptuous buildings, and thy wife's attire, Have cost a mass of public treasury. Buck. Thy cruelty in execution Upon offenders hath exceeded law, And left thee to the mercy of the law. Q. Mar. Thy sale of offices and towns in France— 120 130 Give me my fan: what, minion! can ye not? [She gives the DUCHESS a box on the ear. I cry you mercy, madam; was it you? Duch. Was 't I! yea, I it was, proud Frenchwoman : Could I come near your beauty with my nails, I'ld set my ten commandments in your face. K. Hen. Sweet aunt, be quiet; 'twas against her will. Duch. Against her will! good king, look to 't in time; She'll hamper thee, and dandle thee like a baby: Enter GLOSTER. 140 [Exit. 150 Glo. Now, lords, my choler being over-blown I come to talk of commonwealth affairs. Suf. Before we make election, give me leave York. I'll tell thee, Suffolk, why I am unmeet: 160 |