And never mount to trouble you again.
So, let her rest : and, madam, list to me;
For I am bold to counsel you in this.
Although we fancy not the cardinal,
Yet must we join with him and with the lords,
Till we have brought Duke Humphrey in disgrace.
As for the Duke of York, this late complaint
Will make but little for his benefit.
So, one by one, we 'll weed them all at last,
And you yourself shall steer the happy helm.
Sound a sennet. Enter the King, DUKE HUMPHREY

of Gloucester, CARDINAL BEAUFORT, BUCKINGHAM,
YORK, SOMERSET, SALISBURY, Warwick, and the
DUCHESS OF GLOUCESTER.

King. For my part, noble lords, I care not which; Or Somerset or York, all's one to me.

York. If York haveilldemean'd himself in France, Then let him be denay'd the regentship.

Som. If Somerset be unworthy of the place, Let York be regent; I will yield to him.

War. Whether your grace be worthy, yea or no, Dispute not that: York is the worthier.

Car. Ambitious Warwick, let thy betters speak.
War. The cardinal's not my better in the field.
BUCK. All in this presence are thy betters,

Warwick.
War. Warwick may live to be the best of all.
SAL. Peace, son! and show

reason, Buckingham, Why Somerset should be preferred in this.

QUEEN. Because the king, forsooth, will have it so.

some

Glou. Madam, the king is old enough himself To give his censure : these are no women's matters.

QUEEN. If he be old enough, whatneeds your grace To be protector of his excellence ?

Glou. Madam, I am protector of the realm ; And, at his pleasure, will resign my place.

Sur. Resign it then and leave thine insolence. Since thou wert king—as who is king but thou?The commonwealth hath daily run to wreck; The Dauphin hath prevail'd beyond the seas; And all the peers and nobles of the realm Have been as bondmen to thy sovereignty. Car. The commons hast thou rack'd; the

clergy's bags Are lank and lean with thy extortions. Som. Thy sumptuous buildings and thy wife's

attire
Have cost a mass of public treasury.

Buck. Thy cruelty in execution
Upon offenders hath exceeded law
And left thee to the mercy of the law.

QUEEN. Thy sale of offices and towns in France,
If they were known, as the suspect is great,
Would make thee quickly hop without thy head.

[Exit GLOUCESTER. The Queen drops her fan. Give me my fan: what, minion! can ye not?

[She gives the DUCHESS a box on the ear. I cry you mercy, madam ; was it you?

Duch. Was't I! yea, I it was, proud French

woman:

Could I come near your beauty with my nails,

I'ld set my ten commandments in

your

face. KING. Sweet aunt, be quiet; 'twas against her

will. Duch. Against her will! good king, look to't

in time; She'll hamper thee, and dandle thee like a baby : Though in this place most master wear no breeches, She shall not strike Dame Eleanor unrevenged.

[Exit. Buck. Lord cardinal, I will follow Eleanor, And listen after Humphrey, how he proceeds: She's tickled now; her fume needs no spurs, She'll gallop far enough to her destruction.

[Exit

.
Re-enter GLOUCESTER.
Glou. Now, lords, my choler being over-blown
With walking once about the quadrangle,
I come to talk of commonwealth affairs.
As for your spiteful false objections,
Prove them, and I lie open to the law:
But God in mercy so deal with my soul,
As I in duty love my king and country!
But, to the matter that we have in hand:
I say, my sovereign, York is meetest man
To be your regent in the realm of France.

Sur. Before we make election, give me leave
To show some reason, of no little force,
That York is most unmeet of any man.

YORK. I'll tell thee, Suffolk, why I am unmeet: First, for I cannot flatter thee in pride;

Next, if I be appointed for the place,
My Lord of Somerset will keep me here,
Without discharge, money, or furniture,
Till France be won into the Dauphin's hands :
Last time, I danced attendance on his will
Till Paris was besieged, famish'd, and lost.

WAR. That can I witness; and a fouler fact
Did never traitor in the land commit.

Sur. Peace, headstrong Warwick !
War. Image of pride, why should I hold my peace?
Enter HORNER the Armourer, and his

man PETER, guarded. Suf. Because here is a man accused of treason: Pray God the Duke of York excuse himself!

YORK. Doth any one accuse York for a traitor?
KING. What mean'st thou, Suffolk; tell me,

what are these?
Sur. Please it your majesty, this is the man
That doth accuse his master of high treason:
His words were these: that Richard Duke of

York
Was rightful heir unto the English crown
And that your majesty was an usurper.

KING. Say, man, were these thy words?

HOR. In't shall please your majesty, I never said nor thought any such matter : God is my witness, I am falsely accused by the villain.

Pet. By these ten bones, my lords, he did speak them to me in the garret one night, as we were scouring my Lord of York's armour.

YORK. Base dunghill villain and mechanical,
I'll have thy head for this thy traitor's speech.
I do beseech your royal majesty,
Let him have all the rigour of the law.

Hor. Alas, my lord, hang me, if ever spake the words. My accuser is my 'prentice; and when I did correct him for his fault the other day, he did vow upon his knees he would be even with me : I have good witness of this; therefore I beseech your majesty, do not cast away an honest man for a villain's accusation.

King. Uncle, what shall we say to this in law ?

Glou. This doom, my lord, if I may judge:
Let Somerset be regent o’er the French,
Because in York this breeds suspicion:
And let these have a day appointed them
For single combat in convenient place,
For he hath witness of his servant's malice:
This is the law, and this Duke Humphrey's doom.

Som. I humbly thank your royal majesty.
Hor. And I accept the combat willingly.

Pet. Alas, my lord, I cannot fight; for God's sake, pity my case. The spite of man prevaileth against

O Lord, have mercy upon me! I shall never be able to fight a blow. O Lord, my heart !

Glou. Sirrah, or you must fight, or else be hang'd.

KING. Away with them to prison; and the day of combat shall be the last of the next month. Come, Somerset, we'll see thee sent away.

[Flourish. Exeunt.

me.