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and wait an answer to return or stay.

Woodstock

nay, for heaven's pity let them come, I prithee.

pretty device, in faith! stand by, make room there!

stir, stir, good fellows, each man to his task!

we shall have a clear night, the moon directs

the masque.

Music. Enter King, Greene, Bushy, Bagot, like Diana's knights, led in by four other knights,

in green, with horns about their necks and boarspears in their hands.

Woodstock

ha, country sports say ye? before god it is courtly.

a general welcome, courteous gentlemen.

and when I see your faces, I will give each man more

particular. if your entertainment fail your merit,

I must ask pardon: my lady is from home

and most of my attendance waiting on her.

but we will do what we can to bid you welcome.

afore my god, it joys my heart to see

amidst these days of woe and misery

ye find a time for harmless mirth and sport.

but it is your loves, and we will be thankful for it.

ah, sirrah, ye come like knights to hunt the boar indeed;

and heaven he knows we had need of helping hands,

so many wild boars roots and spoil our lands

that England almost is destroyed by them.

I care not if King Richard heard me speak it:

I wish his grace all good, high heaven can tell,

but there is a fault in some, alack the day.

his youth is led by flatterers much astray.

but he is our King and god's great deputy,

and if ye hunt to have me second ye

in any rash attempt against his state,

afore my god, I will never consent unto it.

I ever yet was just and true to him,

and so will still remain, what is now amiss

our sins have caused, and we must bide heaven's will.

I speak my heart: I am plain Thomas still.

come, come, a hall, and music there! your dance being

done,

a banquet stands prepared to bid you welcome.

Music. They dance. Then a drum [heard] afar off; [and] enter Cheyney Woodstock

how now, Cheyney! is this banquet ready?

Cheyney

there is no time, I fear, for banqueting.

my lord, I wish your grace be provident,

I fear your person is betrayed, my lord.

the house is round beset with armed soldiers.

Woodstock ha, soldiers?

afore my god, the commons all are up, then.

they will rebel against the King, I fear me,

and flock to me to back their bold attempts.

go arm the household, Cheyney. Exit Cheyney

hear me, gentlemen.

before god I do not like this whispering.

if your intents be honest, show your faces.

King

guard fast the doors and seize him presently!

this is the cave, that keeps the tusked boar

that roots up England's vineyards uncontrolled.

Bagot, arrest him! if for help he cry

drown all his words, with drums, confusedly.

Woodstock

am I betrayed?

Bagot

ye cannot escape, my lord, the toils are pitched

and all your household fast in hold ere this.

Thomas of Woodstock: Duke of Gloucester,

earl of cambridge and of bucKingham,

I here arrest thee in King Richard's name

of treason to the crown, his state and realm.

Woodstock

I will put in bail, and answer to the law.

speak, is King Richard here?

All

no, no, my lord, away with him!

Woodstock

villains, touch me not!

I am descended of the royal blood, King Richard's uncle,

his grandsire's son; his princely father's brother.

becomes it princes to be led like slaves?

King

put on a vizard. stop his cries.

Woodstock

ha, who bids them so? I know that voice full

well.

afore my god, false men, King Richard is here!

turn thee, thou headstrong youth, and speak again!

by thy dead father's soul I charge thee hear me

so heaven may help me at my greatest need

as I have wished thy good and England's safety.

Bagot

you are still deceived, my lord, the King is

not here.

Bushy

on with his masquing suit, and bear him hence.

we will lead ye fairly to King Richard's presence.

Woodstock

nay, from his presence to my death you will lead me;

and I am pleased I shall not live to see

my country's ruin, and his misery.

thou hearest me well, proud King, and well mayst

boast that thou betrayedest me here so suddenly,

for had I known thy secret