Act IV
[Scene 1: London]
Enter Tresilian with writings, and a man with bags of money.

Tresilian
sirrah, are the bags sealed?

Servant
yes, my lord.

Tresilian
then take my keys; and lock the money in my study
safe. bar and make sure, I charge ye, so, be gone.

Servant
I will, my lord.

Tresilian
so, seven thousand pounds from Bedford, Buckingham and
Oxford shires, these blanks already have returned the
King. so then there is four for me and three for him; our
pains in this must needs be satisfied. good husbands
will make hay while the sun shines and so must we, for
thus conclude these times. so men be rich enough,
they are good enough. let fools make conscience how
they get their coin. I will please the King and keep me
in his grace, for princes' favours purchase land apace.
these blanks that I have scattered in the realm
shall double his revenues to the crown.
Enter Bushy and Scroope
Scroope
now, lord Tresilian, is this coin come yet?

Bushy
King Richard wants money, you are too slack,
Tresilian.

Tresilian
some shires have sent; and more, my lords, will
follow. these sealed blanks I now have turned to
bonds and these shall down to norfolk presently.
the choughs with much ado have signed and sealed,
and here is a secret note my men have sent
of all their yearly estates amounts unto,
and by this note I justly tax their bonds.
here is a fat whoreson in his russet slops
and yet may spend three hundred pounds by the year:
the third of which the hogs-face owes the King.
here is his bond for it, with his hand and seal
and so by this I will sort each several sum:
the thirds of all shall to King Richard come.
how like you this, my lords?

Scroope
most rare, Tresilian. hang them, cods-heads,
shall they spend money and King Richard lack it?

Bushy
are not their lives and lands and livings his?
then rack them thoroughly.

Tresilian
oh, my lords, I have set a trick afoot for ye; and
ye follow it hard and get the King to sign it, you will
be all Kings by it.

Bushy
the farming out the Kingdom? tush, Tresilian, it is
half granted already, and had been fully concluded,
had not the messenger returned so unluckily from the
Duke of Gloucester, which a little moved the King at his
uncle's stubborness. but to make all whole, we have
left that smooth-faced flattering Greene to follow
him close and he will never leave till he has done it,
I warrant ye.

Scroope
there is no question on it; King Richard will betake
himself to a yearly stipend, and we four by lease must
rent the Kingdom.
Enter Bagot
Bushy
rent it, ay rack it too, ere we forfeit our
leases, and we had them once. how now, Bagot, what
news?

Bagot
all rich and rare: the realm must be divided presently
and we four must farm it. the leases are a-making
and for seven thoudand pounds a month the Kingdom is our own,
boys.

Bushy
sfoot, let us differ for no price and it were
seventy thousand pounds a month we will make somebody pay for it.

Scroope
where is his highness?

Bagot
he will be here presently to seal the writings.
he is a little angry that the Duke comes not, but that
will vanish quickly. on with your soothest faces, ye
wenching rascals. humour him finely, and you are all
made by it.
Enter King Richard, Greene, and others
Bushy
see, see! he comes; and that flattering hound
Greene close at his elbow.

Scroope
come, come, we must all flatter if we mean
to live by it.

King
our uncle will not come, then?

Green
that was his answer, flat and resolute.

King
was ever subject so audacious?

Bagot
and can your grace, my lord, digest these wrongs?

King
yes, as a mother that beholds her child
dismembered by a bloody tyrant's sword.
I tell thee, Bagot, in my heart remains
such deep impressions of his churlish taunts
as nothing can remove the gall thereof
till with his blood mine eyes be satisfied.

Green
sfoot, raise powers, my lord, and fetch him
thence perforce.

King
I dare not, Greene, for whilst he keeps in the
country there is no meddling, he is so well beloved
as all the realm will rise in arms with him.

Tresilian
sfoot, my lord, an you would fain have him, I have a
trick shall fetch him from his house at plashey in
spite of all his favourites.

Green
let us have it, Tresilian, thy wit must help or all is
dashed else.

Tresilian
then thus, my lord: whiles the Duke securely revels
in the country, we will have some trusty friends disguise
themselves like masquers and this night ride down to plashey,
and in the name of some near-adjoining
friends, offer their sports to make him merry, which
he no doubt will thankfully accept. then in the masque
we will have it so devised (the dance being done and the
room voided) then upon some occasion single the Duke
alone, thrust him in a masquing suit, clap a vizard on
his face, and so convey him out of the house at
pleasure.

Scroope
how if he cry, and call for help?

Tresilian
what serves your drums but to drown his cries?
and, being in a masque, it will never be suspected.

Green
good, in faith, and to help it, my lord Lapoole,
the governor of calais, is new come over, who, with a
troop of soldiers closely ambushed in the woods, near
the house, shall shrowd themselves till the masque be
ended. then, the Duke being attached, he shall be
there ready to receive him, hurry him away to the
thames' side, where a ship shall be laid ready for his
coming, so clap him under hatches, hoist sails, and
secretly convey him out of the realm to calais, and so
by this means ye shall prevent all mischief, for neither
of your uncles nor any of the Kingdom shall know
what is become of him.

King
I like it well, sweet Greene; and by my crown
we will be in the masque ourself, and so shall you.
get horses ready, this night we will ride to plashey;
but see ye carry it close and secretly,
for whilst this plot is a-working for the Duke
I will set a trap for York and Lancaster.
go, Tresilian, let proclamations straight be sent
wherein thou shalt accuse the Dukes of treason,
and then attach, condemn, and close imprison them.
lest the commons should rebel against us
we will send unto the King of France for aid,
and in requital we will surrender up
our forts of guynes and calais to the french.
let crown and Kingdom waste, yea life and all,
before King Richard see his true friends fall.
give order our disguises be made ready,
and let Lapoole provide the ship and soldiers.
we will not sleep, by heaven, till we have seized him.

Bushy
(sfoot, urge our suit again, he will forget it
else.)

King
these traitors once surprised, then all is sure:
our Kingdom is quiet and your state is secure.

Green
most true, sweet King: and then your grace, as you
promised, farming out the Kingdom to us four shall
not need to trouble yourself with any business, this
old turkey-cock Tresilian shall look to the law, and
we will govern the land most rarely.

King
so, sir. the love of thee and these, my dearest
Greene, hath won King Richard to consent to that
for which all foreign Kings will point at us.
and of the meanest subject of our land
we shall be censured strangely, when they tell
how our great father toiled his royal person
spending his blood to purchase towns in France;
and we his son, to ease our wanton youth
become a landlord to this warlike realm,
rent out our Kingdom like a pelting farm
that erst was held, as fair as babylon,
the maiden conqueress to all the world.

Green
sfoot, what need you care what the world talks?
you still retain the name of King, and if any disturb
ye, we four comes presently from the four parts of the Kingdom,
with four puissant armies to assist you.

King
you four must be all then, for I think nobody else
will follow you, unless it be to hanging!

Green
why Richard, King Richard, will ye be as good as
your word, and seal the writings? sfoot, and thou
dost not and I do not join with thine uncles and turn
traitor, would I might be turned to a toadstool.

King
very well, sir. they did well to choose you for
their orator, that has King Richard's love and heart
in keeping. your suit is granted, sir. let us see the
writings.

All
they are here, my lord.

King
view them Tresilian, then we will sign and seal
them. look to your bargain, Greene, and be no loser,
for if ye forfeit or run behind hand with me, I swear
I will both imprison and punish ye soundly.

Green
forfeit, sweet King? 'sblood, I will sell their
houses ere I will forfeit my lease, I warrant thee.

King
if they be stubborn, do, and spare not. rack them
soundly and we will maintain it. remember ye not the
proviso enacted in our last parliament, that no statute,
were it never so profitable for the commonwealth
should stand in any force against our proceedings?

Green
it is true, my lord, then what should hinder ye to
accomplish anything that may best please your Kingly
spirit to determine?

King
true, Greene, and we will do it in spite of them.
is it just, Tresilian?

Tresilian
most just, my liege. these gentlemen here, sir
henry Greene, sir Edward Bagot, sir william Bushy, and
sir Thomas Scroope, all jointly here stand bound to
pay your majesty, or your deputy, wherever you remain,
seven thousand pounds a month for this your Kingdom; for which
your grace, by these writings, surrenders to their
hands: all your crown lands, lordships, manors, rents,
taxes, subsidies, fifteens, imposts, foreign customs,
staples for wool, tin, lead, and cloth; all forfeitures
of goods or lands confiscate, and all other
duties that is, shall, or may appertain to the King or
crown's revenues, and for non-payment of the sum or
sums aforesaid, your majesty to seize the lands and
goods of the said gentlemen above named, and their
bodies to be imprisoned at your grace's pleasure.

King
how like you that, Greene? believe me, if you fail,
I will not favour ye a day.

Green
I will ask no favour at your hands, sir.
ye shall have your money at your day, and then do your
worst, sir!

King
it is very good. set to your hands and seals.
Tresilian, we make you our deputy to receive this money.
look strictly to them, I charge ye.

Tresilian
if the money come not to my hands at the time
appointed, I will make them smoke for it.

Green
ay, ay, you are an upright justice, sir, we fear
ye not. here, my lord, they are ready, signed and
sealed.

Tresilian
deliver them to his majesty all together, as your
special deeds.

Omnes
we do, with humble thanks unto his majesty that
makes us tenants to so rich a lordship.

King
keep them, Tresilian; now will we sign and seal
to you. never had english subjects such a landlord.

Green
nor ever had english King such subjects as we four,
that are able to farm a whole Kingdom and pay him
rent for it.

King
look that ye do. we shall expect performance
speedily. there is your indenture, signed and sealed,
which as our Kingly deed we here deliver.

Green
thou never didst a better deed in thy life, sweet
bully, thou mayst now live at ease, we will toil for
thee, and send thy money in tumbling.

King
we shall see your care, sir.
reach me the map, we may allot their portions,
and part the realm amongst them equally.
you four shall here by us divide yourselves
into the nine and thirty shires and counties of my Kingdom, parted
thus: (come stand by me and mark those shires assigned
ye). Bagot, thy lot: betwixt the thames and sea thus
lies: Kent, Surrey, sussex, hampshire, berkshire,
wiltshire, dorsetshire, somersetshire, devonshire,
cornwall, those parts are thine as amply, Bagot, as
the crown is mine.

Bagot
all thanks, love, duty to my princely sovereign.

King
Bushy, from thee shall stretch his government
over these lands that lie in wales, together
with our counties of Gloucester, worcester, hereford,
shropshire, staffordshire and cheshire. there is thy lot.

Bushy
thanks to my King that thus hath honoured me.
sir Thomas Scroope, from trent to tweed thy lot
is parted thus: all Yorkshire, derbyshire, lancashire,
cumberland, westmoreland, and Northumberland.
receive thy lot, thy state and government.

Scroope
with faith and duty to your highness' throne.

King
now, my Greene, what have I left for thee?

Green
sfoot, and you will give me nothing, then goodnight
landlord! since ye have served me last, and I be not
the last shall pay your rent, never trust me!

King
I kept thee last to make thy part the greatest.
see here, sweet Greene:
these shires are thine, even from the thames to trent:
thou here shalt lie, in the middle of my land.

Green
that is best in the winter. is there any pretty
wenches in my government?

King
guess that by this: thou hast London, middlesex,
essex, suffolk, norfolk, cambridgeshire,
hertfordshire, bedfordshire, bucKinghamshire,
oxfordshire, northamptonshire; rutlandshire,
leicestershire, warwickshire, huntingdonshire,
and lincolnshire. there is your portion, sir.

Green
'slid, I will rule like a King amongst them,
and thou shalt reign like an emperor over us.

King
thus have I parted my whole realm amongst ye.
be careful of your charge and government.
and now to attach our stubborn uncles,
let warrants be sent down, Tresilian,
for Gaunt and York, Surrey and Arundel
whiles we this night at plashey suddenly
surprise plain Woodstock. being parted thus
we shall with greater ease arrest and take them.
your places are not sure while they have breath,
therefore pursue them hard: those traitors gone,
the staves are broke the people lean upon,
and you may guide and rule then at your pleasures.
away to plashey, let our masque be ready.
beware plain Thomas, for King Richard comes
resolved with blood to wash all former wrongs.

Exeunt

[Act IV, Scene 2: Plashey House, Essex]
Enter Woodstock and his Duchess, with a gentleman, Cheyney and others
Woodstock
the Queen so sick! come, come, make haste good
wife, thou wilt be belated, sure, it is night already!
on with thy cloak and mask! to horse, to horse!

Duchess of Gloucester
good troth, my lord I have no mind to ride.
I have been dull and heavy all this day,
my sleeps were troubled with sad dreams last night,
and I am full or fear and heaviness.
pray let me ride tomorrow.

Woodstock
what, and the Queen so sick? away for shame!
stay for a dream? thou hast dreamt I am sure ere this!

Duchess of Gloucester
never so fearful were my dreams till now.
had they concerned myself, my fears were past;
but you were made the object of mine eye
and I beheld you murdered cruelly.

Woodstock
ha, murdered?
alack, good lady, didst thou dream of me?
take comfort, then, all dreams are contrary.

Duchess of Gloucester
pray god it prove so, for my soul is fearful,
the vision did appear so lively to me.
methoughts as you were ranging through the woods
an angry lion with a herd of wolves
had in an instant round encompassed you;
when to your rescue, against the course of kind,
a flock of silly sheep made head against them,
bleating for help, against whom the forest King
roused up his strength, and slew both you and them.
this fear affrights me.

Woodstock
afore my god thou art foolish, I will tell thee all
thy dream. thou knowest last night we had some private
talk about the blanks the country is taxed withal,
where I compared the state (as now it stands,
meaning King Richard and his harmful flatterers)
unto a savage herd of ravening wolves,
the commons to a flock of silly sheep
who, whilst their slothful shepherd careless stood,
those forest thieves broke in, and sucked their blood.
and this thy apprehension took so deep
the form was portrayed lively in thy sleep.
come, come, it is nothing. what, are the horses ready?

Cheyney
they are, my lord.

Woodstock
where is the gentleman that brought this message?
where lies the Queen, sir?

Servant
at sheen, my lord: most sick, and so much altered
as those about her fear her sudden death.

Woodstock
forfend it heaven! away, make haste I charge ye.
what, weeping now? afore my god thou art fond!
come, come, I know thou art no augurer of ill.
dry up thy tears, this kiss, and part. farewell!

Duchess of Gloucester
that farewell from your lips to me sounds ill.
wherever I go, my fears will follow still.

Woodstock
see her to horseback, Cheyney.
Exeunt Duchess and the rest. Manet Woodstock
before my god, it is late,
and but the important business craves such haste,
she had not gone from plashey house tonight.
but woe is me the good Queen Anne is sick
and (by my soul) my heart is sad to hear it:
so good a lady, and so virtuous,
this realm for many ages could not boast of.
her charity hath stayed the commons' rage
that would ere this have shaken Richard's chair
or set all England on a burning fire.
and, before my god, I fear, when she is gone
this woeful land will all to ruin run.
Enter Cheney
how now, Cheyney! what, is thy lady gone yet?

Cheyney
she is, my lord, with much unwillingness,
and it is so dark I cannot blame her grace.
the lights of heaven are shut in pitchy clouds
and flakes of fire run tilting through the sky
like dim ostents to some great tragedy.

Woodstock
god bless good Anne-a-Beame. I fear her death
will be the tragic scene the sky foreshows us.
when Kingdoms change, the very heavens are
troubled.
pray god King Richard's wild behaviour
force not the powers of heaven to frown upon us.
my prayers are still for him. what thinkest thou,
Cheyney. may not plain Thomas live a time, to see
this state attain her former royalty?
before god I doubt it not. my heart is merry,
and I am suddenly inspired for mirth.
ha, what sport shall we have tonight, Cheyney?

Cheyney
I am glad to see your grace addicted so
for I have news of sudden mirth to tell ye
which, till I heard ye speak, I durst not utter:
we shall have a masque tonight, my lord.

Woodstock
ha, a masque sayest thou? what are they, Cheyney?

Cheyney
it seems, my lord, some country gentlemen,
to show their dear affection to your grace
proffer their sports this night to make you merry.
their drums have called for entrance twice already.

Woodstock
are they so near? I prithee let them enter.
tell them we do embrace their loves most kindly.
give order through the house that all observe them.
we must accept their loves, although the times
are no way suited now for masks and revels.
what, ho, within there!
Enter Servants
Servant
my lord?

Woodstock
prepare a banquet: call for lights and music. [Exit a Servant]
they come in love, and we will accept it so.
some sports does well, we are all too full of woe.
Enter Cheyney
Cheyney
they are come, my lord.

Woodstock
they all are welcome, Cheyney, set me a chair.
we will behold their sports in spite of care.
Flourish [of] cornets. Then a great shout and winding of horns. Then enter Cynthia
Cynthia
from the clear orb of our ethereal sphere
bright cynthia comes to hunt and revel here.
the groves of calydon and arden woods
of untamed monsters, wild and savage herds,
we and our knights have freed, and hither come
to hunt these forests, where we hear there lies
a cruel tusked boar, whose terror flies
through this large Kingdom, and with fear and dread
strikes her amassed greatness pale and dead.
and, having viewed from far these towers of stone,
we heard the people midst their joy and moan
extol to heaven a faithful prince and peer
that keeps a court of love and pity here.
reverend and mild his looks: if such there be
this state directs, great prince, that you are he;
and ere our knights to this great hunting go,
before your grace they would some pastime show
in sprightly dancing. thus they bade me say
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 treachery
nor thou, nor these thy flattering minions,
with all your strengths had wronged plain Woodstock
thus. but use your wills. your uncles Gaunt and
York will give you thanks for this; and the poor commons,
when they shall hear of these your unjust proceedings.

King
stop his mouth, I say, we will hear no more.

Woodstock
good heaven, forgive me, pray ye forbear awhile
I will speak but one word more, indeed I will.
some man commend me to my virtuous wife
tell her her dreams have taken effect indeed:
by wolves and lions now must Woodstock bleed.

King
deliver him to Lapoole. the ship lies ready.
convey him over to calais speedily,
there use him as we gave directions.
sound up your drums, our hunting sports are done,
and when you are past the house, cast by your habits
and mount your horses with all swiftest haste.
the boar is taken, and our fears are past.

Exeunt

[Act IV, Scene 3: Sheen House.]
Enter Crosby, Fleming, and Nimble
Crosby
come sirs, attend, my lord is coming forth.
the high Shrieves of Kent and Northumberland
with twenty gentlemen are all arrested
for privy whisperers against the state;
in which I know my lord will find some trick
to seize their goods, and then there is work for us.

Nimble
nay, there will be work for the hangman first; then
we rifle the goods, and my lord seizes the lands.
if these seven hundred whisperers that are taken come off
lustily, he will have the devil and all shortly.
Enter Tresilian, with the Shrieves of Kent and Northumberland, with Officers.
Fleming
see, see, they are coming.

Tresilian
call for a marshal there! commit the traitors.

Shrieve of Kent
we do beseech your honour hear us speak.

Tresilian
sir, we will not hear ye. the proof is too plain
against ye. becomes it you, sir, being Shrieve of
Kent, to stay the blanks King Richard sent abroad,
revile our messengers, refuse the charters,
and spurn like traitors against the King's decrees?

Shrieve of Kent
my lord: I plead our ancient liberties
recorded and enrolled in the King's crown office,
wherein the men of Kent are clear discharged
of fines, fifteens, or any other taxes:
forever given them by the conqueror.

Tresilian
you are still deceived: those charters were not sent
to abrogate your ancient privilege,
but for his highness' use they were devised
to gather and collect amongst his subjects
such sums of money as they well might spare,
and he in their defence must hourly spend.
is not the subjects' wealth at the King's will?
what, is he lord of lives and not of lands?
is not his high displeasure present death?
and dare ye stir his indignation so?

Shrieve of Northumberland
we are free-born, my lord, yet do confess
our lives and goods, are at the King's dispose:
but how, my lord, like to a gentle prince
to take or borrow what we best may spare;
and not, like bondslaves, force it from our hands.

Tresilian
presumptuous traitors, that will we try on you.
will you set limits to the King's high pleasure?
away to prison! seize their goods and lands.

Shrieve of Kent
much good may it do ye, my lord. the care is
taken; as good die there as here abroad be slain.

Shrieve of Northumberland
well, god forgive both you and us, my lord:
your hard oppressions have undone the state
and made all England poor and desolate.

Tresilian
why suffer ye their speech? to prison hie!
there let them perish, rot, consume, and die!
Exeunt [Officers] with the Shrieves
art thou there, Nimble?

Nimble
I am here, my lord. and since your lordship is now
employed to punish traitors, I am come to present myself unto you.

Tresilian
what, for a traitor?

Nimble
no, my lord, but for a discoverer of the strangest
traitor that was ever heard of, for by the plain
arithmetic of my capacity, I have found out the
very words a traitor spoke that has whistled treason.

Tresilian
how is that, whistle treason?

Nimble
most certain, my lord, I have a trick for it: if a
carman do but whistle, I will find treason in it,
I warrant ye.

Tresilian
thou art a rare statesman. Nimble, thou hast a
reaching head.

Nimble
I will put treason into any man's head, my lord, let
him answer it as he can. and then, my lord, we have
got a Schoolmaster, that teaches all the country to
sing treason, and like a villain he says:
god bless your lordship.

Tresilian
thou art a most strange discoverer. where are these
traitors?

Nimble
all in prison, my lord. mr ignorance, the Bailey of
dunstable, and i, have taken great pains about them.
besides, here is a note of seven hundred whisperers,
most on them sleepy knaves. we pulled them out of
bedfordshire.

Tresilian
let us see the note. seven hundred whispering traitors;
monstrous villains! we must look to these:
of all the sort these are most dangerous,
to stir rebellion against the King and us...
what are they, Crosby? are the rebels wealthy?

Crosby
fat choughs, my lord, all landed men. rich Farmers
Grasiers and such fellows, that having been but a
little pinched with imprisonment, begin already to
offer their lands for liberty.

Tresilian
we will not be nice to take their offers, Crosby,
their lands are better than their lives to us,
and without lands they shall not ransom lives.
go sirs, to terrify the traitors more,
ye shall have warrants straight to hang them all;
then if they proffer lands, and put in bail
to make a just surrender speedily,
let them have lives, and after, liberty.
but those that have not lands nor goods to pay,
let them be whipped, then hanged. make haste away.

Nimble
well, then: I see my whistler must be whipped: he
has but two calves to live on, and has lost them too.
and for my Schoolmaster, I will have him march about the
market place with ten dozen of rods at his girdle the
very day he goes a-feasting, and every one of his
scholars shall have a jerk at him. come, sirs.

Tresilian
away and leave us. here comes sir Edward Bagot.
Enter Bagot. Exeunt Nimble, [Crosby, and the others]
Bagot
right happily met, my lord Tresilian.

Tresilian
you are well returned to court, sir Edward,
to this sad house of sheen, made comfortless
by the sharp sickness of the good Queen Anne.

Bagot
King Richard is come and gone to visit her.
sad for her weak estate, he sits and weeps.
her speech is gone. only at sight of him
she heaved her hands and closed her eyes again,
and whether alive, or dead, is yet uncertain.
Enter Bushy
Tresilian
here comes sir william Bushy. what tidings, sir?

Bushy
the King is a widower, sir. fair Anne-a-Beame
hath breathed her last farewell to all the realm.

Tresilian
peace with her soul, she was a virtuous lady.
how takes King Richard this her sudden death?