Thomas of Woodstock: Conclusion

Contest-winning entry By Frederick Carrigg
[Mr. Carrigg's writing in brackets]

Arundel
What moved thee, being his man, to apprehend him?

Nimble
Partly for these causes: first, the fear of the proclamation,
for I have plodded in Plowden and can find no law [says
a 'prentice must hang for his master's plotting; second,
for fear of pecuniary peine, for ploughing through the
Penals shows neither peccatum nor peccadill can pay a
man a thousand marks!; and lastly, i'faith, for love of thee,
my noble lords-- for this lawyer's a traitor and plotter of
treason.

Surrey
Is he also a whistler of treason?

Nimble
Ay, my lord, and a whisperer and a grumbler withal

Lancaster
Let him whistle his way to the gallows!
Tresilian, thus judged, let Nimble be
Thy most scholarly executioner;
Find him an oak tree and let it be done.

Exeunt Surrey and Nimble with Tresilian under guard.

Lancaster
Now to the matter of our suit for peace:
Where is our nephew and miscreant King?

Arundel
I fear we are but galled in this matter:
The King's not taken, but fled to London.

Lancaster
Then 'tis there anon we stand against him
--With the aid of these depressed favourites:
Bushy, our shrewd upstart landlord of Wales,
Tom Scroope, short-lived lord of our northern lands,
Lapoole, erstwhile governor of Calais,
Engaoled shall be until we have our day.

Exeunt Arundel with Bushy, Scroope and Lapoole under guard.

Lancaster
My son, Duke of Hereford, we shall bring
To set our cause plainly before the King.
'Tis best determined at Westminster Hall
If Richard shall stand or Richard shall fall.

Enter the Duchess of Gloucester with York.

Cheyney
Here comes Gloucester's widowed duchess, my lord.

Duchess of Gloucester
Which man has slain my beloved Woodstock,
One of these thou carry'st from the field?
Is the truth known of the murderer's name?
An the truth lie hidden, for ill or good,
England herself must share my widowhood.

Cheyney
Tresilian is dispatched, my lady;
His conspirators are to prison bound,
But the villain who struck the fatal blow
We do not know, nor are we like to know.

Duchess of Gloucester
The bringer of this blight remains alive?
Thou sever'est branches that the tree might thrive.

Lancaster
Peace, dear madam, you will be satisfied
When Bolingbroke shall petition Richard;
But our brother cautioned wisdom and care
And deference to Edward's reigning heir.
If it be but God's will this strife to mend
Thomas of Woodstock will have his revenge.

Cheyney
Truly my master counselled forbearance.
The hour he was taken, I warrant,
His thoughts were both of you and of England;
And 'tis said that e'en the man betrayed him
He forgave and bid a sweet goodnight.

Duchess of Gloucester
Will no night of mine again be as sweet?
Just today I dreamt in another sleep
The lion unclothed was naught but a sheep,
timid and tamed from a tower come down
To kneel to a wolf and hand him a crown;
Then wolf after wolf, a rose in each hand,
Pillaged the forest 'til no tree could stand.

Cheyney
And my lord would tell you 'twas but a dream!
Better to think of his goodly spirit
That henceforth will lighten thy troubled sleep,
And pray God his passing helps to ensure
Brighter days now, and the future's secure.

York
Good lady, I shall to Plashy with you,
Then London to see thy prayers answered true.

Lancaster
Let this ground be hallowed to Woodstock's name,
And to all men else who speak and wear plain.
Only when honesty leads the career
Are we fit to lead, to stand and see clear;
Only through plainness and truth dare we lay
The fate of the Crown on this field this day.]

    FINIS

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