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and that sly Machiavel Tresilian,

(whom now the King elects for Lord Chief Justice)

Had all great hands in this conspiracy.

Lancaster

By blessed Mary I will confound them all.

York

Your spleen confounds yourself.

Lancaster

By Kingly Edward's soul, my royal father,

I will 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.

Lancaster

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?

Surrey

Some friend of theirs wanted my earldom sore.

Arundel

Perhaps my office of the admiralty,

If a better and more fortunate hand could govern it

I would it were none of mine,

Yet thus much can I say; and make my praise

No more than merit a wealthier prize

Did never yet take harbour 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-prized 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.

Lancaster

We will bleed together, warlike Arundel.

Cousin of Surrey, princely Edmund York

Let us think on some revenge: if we must die

Ten thousand 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 the 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?

Cheyney

Faith my Lord, his mind suits with his habit

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.

Cheyney

And see, his Grace himself is come to greet you.

By your leave there, room for my Lord Protector's Grace!

York & Lancaster

Health to your Grace.

Woodstock

I salute your healths, good brothers, pray pardon

Me, I will 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.

Lord Mayor

Your friends are great in London, good my Lord.

I will front all dangers, trust it on my word.

Woodstock

Thanks from my heart I swear. afore my God

I know not which way to bestow myself

The time is so busy and so dangerous too.

Why how now, brothers? how fares good John-of-Gaunt?

Thou art vexed I know; thou grievest, 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 it with princely Lancaster?

Lancaster

Sick Gloucester, sick. we all are weary

And fain we would lie down to rest ourselves

But that so many serpents lurk in the grass

We dare not sleep.

Woodstock

Enough, enough

Good brother, I have found out the disease.

When the head aches, the body is not healthful.

King Richard is wounded with a wanton humour,

Lulled and secured by flattering sycophants;

But it is not deadly yet, it may be cured.

Some