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Enter York Bagot

he comes, my lord.

King

methinks it is 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 you 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 honour 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 honourable.

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?

without our knowledge too? it is somewhat strange.

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 will 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 third of april, Bushy, note the time,

our age accomplished, crown and Kingdom is mine.

Exeunt

Act II, Scene 2: Westminster]

Flourish [of trumpets]. Enter Lancaster, Arundel, Surrey: The Queen and Duchess of Gloucester: Woodstock [with] petitions and the mace: Cheyney. York meets them in haste.

Woodstock

Now, brother York, what says King Richard, ha?

York

his highness will be here immediately.

Woodstock

go, cousin Surrey, greet the parliament,

tell them the King is coming, give these petitions

to the knights and burgesses of the lower house,

sent from each several shire of all the Kingdom.

these copies I will keep, and show his highness.

pray make haste.

Surrey

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 is now amiss

his riper judgment shall make good and perfect

to you, and to the Kingdom's benefit.

York

alack, sweet Queen. you and our lord the King

have little cause to fear our just proceedings.

we will fall beneath his feet, and bend our knees

so he cast off those hateful flatterers

that daily ruinate his state and Kingdom.

Woodstock

go in, sweet ladies, comfort one another.

this happy parliament shall make all even

and plant sure peace betwixt the King and realm.

may heaven direct your wisdoms to provide

for England's honour and King Richard's good.

York

believe no less, sweet Queen. attend her highness.

Flourish [of trumpets]. Exeunt [Queen and Duchess]

Arundel

the King is come, my lords.

Woodstock

stand from the door then: make way, Cheyney.

[Trumpets] sound a flourish. Enter King, Bagot, Bushy, Greene, Scroope and others.

Green

yonder is your uncles, my lord.

King

ay, with our plain protector!

full of complaints, sweet Greene, I will 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 abiliments?

Woodstock

ay, ay, good coz, I am now in my tother hose,

I am now myself, plain Thomas, and by the rood

in these plain hose I will do the realm more good

than these that pill the poor, to jet in gold.

King

nay, be not angry, uncle.

Woodstock

be you then