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Our safeties must be cared for, and it is 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 it: cheer thee, Tresilian

Here is 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.

Tresilian

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 honour, as it will 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.

Tresilian

How sir, to punish you, the minions to the King,

The jewels of his heart, his dearest loves?

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 is 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.

Tresilian

So, let them pass. Tresilian, now bethink thee.

Hum, Lord Chief Justice: methinks already

I am swelled more plump than erst I was.

Authority is a dish that feeds men fat,

An excellent delicate: yet best be wise,

No state is 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 will conceal myself:

Framing such subtle laws that janus-like

May with a double face salute them both.

I will search my brain and turn the leaves of law:

Wit makes us great, greatness keeps fools in awe.

My man there, ho! where is Nimble?

[Enter] Nimble

Nimble

As Nimble as an eel, sir. did ye call, sir?

Tresilian

Sir! look out some better phrase: salute again.

Nimble

I know no other, sir, unless you will be frenchified,

And let me lay the Monsieur to your charge, or sweet

Signior.

Tresilian

Neither. It is higher yet. Nimble, thou buckram

scribe, think once again.

Nimble

Neither sir: nor Monsieur: nor Signior. what should

I call him, trow? He is 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 will try

further. Has your Worship any employment for me?

Tresilian

Thou gross uncaput, no, thou speakest not yet.

Nimble

My mouth was open I am sure. if your Honour

would please to hear me.

Tresilian

Ha, Honour sayest thou? Ay, now thou hittest it,

Nimble.

Nimble

I knew I should wind about ye till I had your honour.

Tresilian

Nimble, bend thy knee.

The Lord chief justice of England speaks to thee.

Nimble

The Lord be praised! We shall have a flourishing

commonwealth, sir.

Tresilian

Peace, let me speak to thee.

Nimble

Yes, anything, so your honour pray not for me, I

care not; for now you are Lord Chief Justice, if ever

ye cry, Lord have mercy upon me, I shall hang for it,

sure!

Tresilian

No. Those fearful words shall not be pronounced

against thee, Nimble.

Nimble

Thank ye, my Lord. Nay, and you will stand