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Tresilian

I did suspect no less; and so it is fallen:

the day is lost; and dashed are all our hopes.

King Richard is taken prisoner by the peers.

oh, that I were upon some steepy rock

where I might tumble headlong to the sea

before those cruel lords do seize on me!

Nimble

oh that I were transformed into a mouse, that i

might creep into any hole in the house and I cared

not.

Tresilian

come, Nimble, it is no time to use delay.

I will keep me in this poor disguise awhile

and so, unknown, prolong my weary life

in hope King Richard shall conclude my peace. Sound Retreat

hark, hark, the trumpets call the soldiers back,

retreat is sounded, now the time serves fit

and we may steal from hence. away good Nimble.

Nimble

nay, stay my lord! 'slid, and ye go that way, farewell;

but and you will be ruled by me, I have thought of

a trick that ye shall escape them all most bravely.

Tresilian

bethink thyself, good Nimble. quickly, man!

Nimble

I will meditate, my lord; and then I am for ye.

(now, Nimble, show thyself a man of valour. think

of thy fortunes. it is a hanging matter if thou conceal him.

besides there is a thousand marks for him that

takes him, with the Duke's favours, and free pardon.

besides he is but a coward. he would never have run

from the battle else. saint tantony, assist me, I will

set upon him presently.)

my lord, I have thought upon this trick:

I must take ye prisoner.

Tresilian how prisoner?

Nimble

there is no way to escape else. then must I carry

ye to the King's uncles, who presently condemns ye, for

a traitor, sends ye away to hanging, and then

"god bless my lord Tresilian."

Tresilian

wilt thou betray thy master, villain?

Nimble

ay, if my master be a villain. you think it is

nothing for a man to be hanged for his master? you

heard not the proclamation?

Tresilian

what proclamation?

Nimble

oh, sir, all the country is full of them, that whosoever

sees you, does not presently take ye, and bring

ye to the lords, shall be hanged for his labour.

therefore no more words, lest I raise the whole camp

upon ye. ye see one of your own swords of justice

drawn over ye. therefore go quietly lest I cut your

head off and save the hangman a labour.

Tresilian o, villain!

Nimble

no more words. away, sir! Exeunt

Act V, Scene 6: Open country]

Sound a retreat then a flourish, [and] enter with Drums and Colours Lancaster, Cheyney, Arundel, Surrey and Soldiers, with Lapoole, Bushy, and Scroope [as] prisoners.

Lancaster

thus princely Edward's sons, in tender care

of wanton Richard and their father's realm,

have toiled to purge fair England's pleasant field

of all those rancorous weeds that choked the grounds

and left her pleasant meads like barren hills.

who is it can tell us which way Bagot fled?

Arundel

some say to Bristowe, to make strong the castle.

Lancaster

see that the port is belayed. he will fly the land,

for England hath no hold can keep him from us.

had we Tresilian hanged, then all were sure.

where slept our scouts that he escaped the field?

Cheyney

he fled, they say, before the fight began.

Lancaster

our proclamations soon shall find him forth,

the root and ground of all these vild abuses.

Enter Nimble, with Tresilian, bound and guarded Lancaster

how now, what traitor is

there?

Nimble

the traitor now is taken.

I here present the villain,

and if ye needs will know his name,

god bless my lord Tresilian.

Cheyney

Tresilian, my lord, attached and apprehended by

his man!

Nimble

yes, and it please ye, my lord, it was I that took

him. I was once a trampler in the law after him, and

I thank him he taught me this trick, to save myself

from hanging.

Lancaster

thou art a good lawyer and hast removed the cause

from thyself fairly.

Nimble

I have removed it with a habeas corpus; and then I

took him with surssararis, and bound him in this bond

to answer it. nay, I have studied for my learning, I

can tell ye, my lord. there was not a stone between

Westminster hall and temple bar but I have