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Green

hale them to the block and cut off all their heads,

and then King Richard claim the government.

King

see it be done, Tresilian, speedily.

Tresilian

that course is all too rash, my gracious lord.

All

too rash for what?

Tresilian

it must be done with greater policy

for fear the people rise in mutiny.

King

ay, there is 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 readest thou, Bushy?

Bushy

the monument of english chronicles,

containing acts and memorable deeds

of all your famous predecessor Kings.

King

what findest thou of them?

Bushy

examples strange and wonderful, my lord.

the end of treason even in mighty persons:

for here it is said your royal grandfather

although but young, and under government,

took the protector then, proud mortimer,

and on a gallows fifty 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 is vilder far

than ever was rebellious mortimer's?

prithee read on. examples such as these

will bring us to our Kingly grandsire's spirit.

what is next?

Bushy

the battle full of dread and doubtful fear

was fought betwixt your father and the french.

Bushy

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

number. besides, the thrice renowned prince took with

his own hand King John of France and his son prisoners.

this was called the battle of poitiers, and

was fought on monday the nineteenth 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 will attain his virtuous deeds.

what next ensues, good Bushy? read the rest.

Bushy

here is set down, my princely sovereign,

the certain time and day when you were born.

King

our birthday sayest thou? is that noted there?

Bushy

it is, my lord.

King

prithee let me hear it,

for thereby hangs a secret mystery

which yet our uncle strangely keeps from us.

on, Bushy.

Bushy

upon the third of april 1365 was lord Richard, son to

the black prince, born at Bordeaux.

King

stay; let me think awhile. read it again.

Bushy

upon the third of april 1365 was lord Richard son to

the black prince born at Bordeaux.

King

1365? what year is this?

Green

it is now, my lord, 1387.

King

by that account, the third of april next

our age is numbered two and twenty years.

oh treacherous men that have deluded us,

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 will claim my right, my Kingdom's due.

our uncles well shall know they but intrude:

for which we will smite their base ingratitude.

[A knock within. Bagot to the door and returns]

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