首页 >出版文学> The Life of Thomas Telford>第1章
  TheActorsNamesintheHistoryofSirJohnOldcastle。
  KingHenrytheFifth。
  SirJohnOld—castle,LordCobham。
  Harpoole,ServanttotheLordCobham。
  LordHerbert,withGoughhisman。
  LordPowis,withOwenandDavyhismen。
  TheMayorofHereford,andSheriffofHerefordshire,withBailiffsandServants。
  TwoJudgesofAssize。
  TheBishopofRochesterandClunhisSumner。
  SirJohntheParsonofWrotham,andDollhisConcubine。
  TheDukeofSuffolk。
  TheEarlofHuntington。
  TheEarlofCambridge。
  LordScroopandLordGrey。
  ChartrestheFrenchAgent。
  SirRogerActon。
  SirRichardLee。
  M。Bourn,M。Beverly,andMurleytheBrewerofDunstable,rebels。
  M。Butler,GentlemanofthePrivyChamber。
  LadyCobhamandLadyPowis。
  Cromer,SheriffofKent。
  LordWardenoftheCinquePorts。
  LieutenantoftheTower。
  TheMayor,Constable,andGaolerofS。Albans。
  AKentishConstableandanAle—man。
  Soldiersandoldmenbegging。
  DickandTom,servantstoMurley。
  AnIrishman。
  AnHost,Hostler,aCarrierandKate。
  THEPROLOGUE。
  ThedoubtfulTitle(Gentlemen)prefixtUpontheArgumentwehaveinhand,Maybreedsuspence,andwrongfullydisturbThepeacefulquietofyoursettledthoughts。
  Tostopwhichscruple,letthisbriefsuffice:
  Itisnopamperedgluttonwepresent,NoragedCounsellortoyouthfulsin,Butone,whosevirtueshoneabovetherest,AvaliantMartyrandavirtuouspeer;
  InwhosetruefaithandloyaltyexpressedUntohissovereign,andhiscountry’sweal,WestrivetopaythattributeofourLove,Yourfavoursmerit。LetfairTruthbegraced,Sinceforgedinventionformertimedefaced。
  ACTI。SCENEI。Hereford。Astreet。
  [EnterLordHerbert,LordPowis,Owen,Gough,Davy,andseveralotherfollowersofthelordsHerbertandPowis;
  theyfight。Inthefight,entertheSheriffandtwoofhismen。]
  SHERIFF。
  MyLords,IchargeyeinhisHighness’name,Tokeepthepeace,you,andyourfollowers。
  HERBERT。
  GoodMasterSheriff,lookuntoyourself。
  POWIS。
  Doso,forwehaveotherbusiness。
  [Profertofightagain。]
  SHERIFF。
  WillyedisturbtheJudges,andtheAssize?
  HeartheKing’sproclamation,yewerebest。
  POWIS。
  Holdthen,let’shearit。
  HERBERT。
  Butbebrief,yewerebest。
  BAILIFF。
  Oyes!
  DAVY。
  Cousin,makeshorterO,orshallmaryourYes。
  BAILIFF。
  Oyes!
  OWEN。
  What,hashernothingtosaybutOyes?
  BAILIFF。
  Oyes!
  DAVY。
  Onay!pyeCosseplutdownwithher,downwithher!
  APawesse!aPawesse!
  GOUGH。
  AHerbert!aHerbert!anddownwithPowis!
  [Helterskelteragain。]
  SHERIFF。
  Hold,intheKing’sname,hold。
  OWEN。
  Downi’thaknave’sname,down。
  [Inthisfight,theBailiffisknockeddown,andtheSheriffandtheotherrunaway。]
  HERBERT。
  Powesse,IthinkthyWelshandthoudosmart。
  POWIS。
  Herbert,Ithinkmyswordcamenearthyheart。
  HERBERT。
  Thyheart’sbestbloodshallpaythelossofmine。
  GOUGH。
  AHerbert!aHerbert!
  DAVY。
  APawesse!aPawesse!
  [Astheyareliftingtheirweapons,entertheMayorofHereford,andhisOfficersandTowns—menwithclubs。]
  MAYOR。
  MyLords,asyouareliegementotheCrown,Truenoblemen,andsubjectstotheKing,AttendhisHighness’proclamation,CommandedbytheJudgesofAssize,Forkeepingpeaceatthisassembly。
  HERBERT。
  GoodMasterMayorofHerefordbebrief。
  MAYOR。
  Sergeant,withouttheceremonyofOyes,Pronouncealoudtheproclamation。
  SERVANT。
  TheKing’sJustices,perceivingwhatpublicmischiefmayensuethisprivatequarrel,inhismajesty’snamedostraightlychargeandcommandallpersons,ofwhatdegreesoever,todepartthiscityofHereford,exceptsuchasareboundtogiveattendanceatthisAssize,andthatnomanpresumetowearanyweapon,especiallywelsh—hooks,forestbills——
  OWEN。
  Haw,nopillnorwellshoog?ha?
  MAYOR。
  Peace,andheartheproclamation。
  SERVANT。
  AndthattheLordPowessedopresentlydisperseanddischargehisretinue,anddepartthecityintheKing’speace,heandhisfollowers,onpainofimprisonment。
  DAVY。
  Haw?pudherLordPawesseinprison?APawes!
  APawesse!cossoneliveandtiewithherLord。
  GOUGH。
  AHerbert!aHerbert!
  [InthisfighttheLordHerbertiswounded,andfallstotheground;theMayorandhiscompanygoaway,cryingclubs;
  Powesserunsaway;GoughandotherofHerbert’sfactionbusythemselvesaboutHerbert;enterthetwoJudgesintheirrobes,theSheriffandhisBailiffsaforethem,&c。]
  FIRSTJUDGE。
  Where’stheLordHerbert?ishehurtorslain?
  SHERIFF。
  He’shere,myLord。
  SECONDJUDGE。
  HowfareshisLordship,friends?
  GOUGH。
  Mortallywounded,speechless;hecannotlive。
  FIRSTJUDGE。
  Conveyhimhence;letnothiswoundstakeair,Andgethimdressedwithexpedition。
  [Ex。Herbert&Gough。]
  MasterMayorofHereford,MasterShrieveo’theshire,CommitLordPowessetosafecustody,Toanswerthedisturbanceofthepeace,LordHerbert’speril,andhishighcontemptOfus,andyoutheKing’scommissioners。
  Seeitbedonewithcareanddiligence。
  SHERIFF。
  PleaseityourLordship,myLordPowesseisgonePastallrecovery。
  SECONDJUDGE。
  Yetletsearchbemade,Toapprehendhisfollowersthatareleft。
  SHERIFF。
  Therearesomeofthem。Sirs,layholdofthem。
  OWEN。
  Ofus?andwhy?whathasherdone,Iprayyou?
  SHERIFF。
  Disarmthem,Bailiffs。
  MAYOR。
  Officers,assist。
  DAVY。
  Hearyou,Lorshudge,whatressonisforthis?
  OWEN。
  CossonpepuseforfightingforourLord?
  FIRSTJUDGE。
  Awaywiththem。
  DAVY。
  Hargyou,myLord。
  OWEN。
  GoughmyLordHerbert’sman’sashittenkanave。
  DAVY。
  Iseliveandtieingoodquarrel。
  OWEN。
  Prayyoudoshustice;letallbepreson。
  DAVY。
  Prison!no。
  Lordshudge,Iwoolgiveyoupale,goodsuerty。
  SECONDJUDGE。
  WhatBail?whatsureties?
  DAVY。
  HercoozinapRies,apEvan,apMorris,apMorgan,apLluellyn,apMadoc,apMeredith,apGriffen,apDavy,apOwen,apShinkenShones。
  SECONDJUDGE。
  Twoofthemostsufficientareynow。
  SHERIFF。
  And’tpleaseyourLordship,theseareallbutone。
  FIRSTJUDGE。
  ToJailwiththem,andtheLordHerbert’smen;
  We’lltalkwiththem,whentheAssizeisdone。
  [Exeunt。]
  Riotous,audacious,andunrulyGrooms,MustwebeforcedtocomefromtheBench,Toquietbrawls,whicheveryConstableInothercivilplacescansuppress?
  SECONDJUDGE。
  Whatwasthequarrelthatcausedallthisstir?
  SHERIFF。
  Aboutreligion,asIheard,myLord。
  LordPowessedetractedfromthepowerofRome,AffirmingWickliffe’sdoctrinetobetrue,AndRome’serroneous。HotreplywasmadeBythelordHerbert,theyweretraitorsallThatwouldmaintainit:Powesseanswered,Theywereastrue,asnoble,andaswiseAshe,thatwoulddefenditwiththeirlives;
  HenamedforinstancesirJohnOld—castleTheLordCobham:Herbertrepliedagain,"He,thou,andallaretraitorsthatsohold。"
  Theliewasgiven,theseveralfactionsdrawn,Andsoenraged,thatwecouldnotappeaseit。
  FIRSTJUDGE。
  ThiscaseconcernstheKing’sprerogative,And’sdangeroustotheStateandcommonwealth。
  Gentlemen,Justices,masterMayor,andmasterShrieve,Itdothbehooveusall,andeachofusIngeneralandparticular,tohavecareForsuppressingofallmutinies,Andallassemblies,exceptsoldiers’mustersFortheKing’spreparationintoFrance。
  Wehearofsecretconventiclesmade,Andthereisdoubtofsomeconspiracies,WhichmaybreakoutintorebelliousarmsWhentheKing’sgone,perchancebeforehego:
  Noteasaninstance,thisoneperilousfray;
  Whatfactionsmighthavegrownoneitherpart,TothedestructionoftheKingandRealm。
  Yet,inmyconscience,sirJohnOld—castle,Innocentofit,onlyhisnamewasused。
  We,therefore,fromhisHighnessgivethischarge:
  You,masterMayor,looktoyourcitizens;
  You,masterSheriff,untoyourshire;andyouAsJustices,ineveryone’sprecinct,Therebenomeetings。WhenthevulgarsortSitontheirAle—bench,withtheircupsandcans,Mattersofstatebenottheircommontalk,Norpurereligionbytheirlipsprofaned。
  LetusreturnuntotheBenchagain,Andthereexaminefurtherofthisfray。
  [EnteraBailiffandaServant。]
  SHERIFF。
  Sirs,haveyetakenthelordPowesseyet?
  BAILIFF。
  No,norheardofhim。
  SERVANT。
  No,he’sgonefarenough。
  SECONDJUDGE。
  Theythatareleftbehindshallanswerall。
  [Exeunt。]
  ACTI。SCENEII。Eltham。Anantechamberinthepalace。
  [EnterSuffolk,BishopofRochester,Butler,parsonofWrotham。]
  SUFFOLK。
  Now,mylordBishop,takefreelibertyTospeakyourmind:whatisyoursuittous?
  BISHOP。
  MynobleLord,nomorethanwhatyouknow,Andhavebeenoftentimesinvestedwith:
  GrievouscomplaintshavepastbetweenthelipsOfenviouspersonstoupbraidtheClergy,Somecarpingatthelivingswhichwehave,AndothersspurningattheceremoniesThatareofancientcustominthechurch。
  Amongstthewhich,LordCobhamisachief:
  Whatinconveniencemayproceedhereof,BothtotheKingandtothecommonwealth,Mayeasilybediscerned,whenlikeafrenzyThisinnovationshallpossesstheirminds。
  Theseupstartswillhavefollowers,toupholdTheirdamnedopinion,morethanHarryshallToundergohisquarrelgainsttheFrench。
  SUFFOLK。
  Whatproofisthereagainstthemtobehad,Thatwhatyousaythelawmayjustify?
  BISHOP。
  TheygivethemselvesthenameofProtestants,Andmeetinfieldsandsolitarygroves。
  SIRJOHN。
  Waseverheard,myLord,theliketilnow?
  Thatthievesandrebels——sblood,heretics,Plainheretics,I’llstandtoothtotheirteeth——
  Shouldhave,tocolourtheirvilepractices,AtitleofsuchworthasProtestant?
  [Enteronewithaletter。]
  SUFFOLK。
  O,butyoumustnotswear;itillbecomesOneofyourcoattorapoutbloodyoaths。
  BISHOP。
  Pardonhim,goodmyLord,itishiszeal;
  Anhonestcountryprelate,wholamentsToseesuchfouldisorderinthechurch。
  SIRJOHN。
  There’sone——theycallhimSirJohnOld—castle——
  Hehasnothisnamefornaught:forlikeacastleDothheencompassthemwithinhiswalls;
  Buttillthatcastlebesubvertedquite,Wene’ershallbeatquietintherealm。
  BISHOP。
  Thatisnotoursuit,myLord,thathebeta’en,Andbroughtinquestionforhisheresy。
  Beside,twolettersbroughtmeoutofWales,WhereinmyLordHerefordwritestome,Whattumultandseditionwasbegun,AbouttheLordCobhamattheSisesthere,(Fortheyhadmuchadothecalmtherage),AndthatthevaliantHerbertisthereslain。
  SUFFOLK。
  Afirethatmustbequenched。Well,saynomore,TheKinganongoestothecounselchamber,TheretodebateofmatterstouchingFrance:
  Ashedothpassby,I’llinformhisgraceConcerningyourpetition:MasterButler,IfIforget,doyourememberme。
  BUTLER。
  Iwill,myLord。
  [Offerhimapurse。]
  BISHOP。
  Notforarecompence,Butasatokenofourlovetoyou,BymemyLordsoftheclergydopresentThispurse,andinitfullathousandAngels,PrayingyourLordshiptoaccepttheirgift。
  SUFFOLK。
  Ithankthem,myLordBishop,fortheirlove,Butwillnottaketheymoney;ifyoupleaseTogiveittothisgentleman,youmay。
  BISHOP。
  Sir,thenwecraveyourfurtheranceherein。
  BUTLER。
  ThebestIcan,myLordofRochester。
  BISHOP。
  Nay,prayyetakeit;trustmebutyoushall。
  SIRJOHN。
  ——WereyealltheeuponNewMarketheath,Youshouldnotneedstraincurtseywhoshouldha’t;
  SirJohnwouldquicklyridyeofthatcare。
  SUFFOLK。
  TheKingiscoming。Fearyenot,myLord;
  TheveryfirstthingIwillbreakwithhimShallbeaboutyourmatter。
  [EnterKingHenryandHuntingtonintalk。]
  KING。
  MyLordofSuffolk,WasitnotsaidtheClergydidrefuseTolendusmoneytowardourwarsinFrance?
  SUFFOLK。
  Itwas,myLord,butverywrongfully。
  KING。
  Iknowitwas,forHuntingtonheretellsme,Theyhavebeenverybountifuloflate。
  SUFFOLK。
  Andstilltheyvow,mygraciousLord,tobeso,HopingyourmajestywillthinkofthemAsofyourlovingsubjects,andsuppressAllsuchmaliciouserrorsasbeginTospottheircalling,anddisturbthechurch。
  KING。
  Godelseforbid:why,Suffolk,isthereAnynewrupturetodisquietthem?
  SUFFOLK。
  Nonew,myLord;theoldisgreatenough,Andsoincreasingas,ifnotcutdown,Willbreedascandaltoyourroyalstate,AndsetyourKingdomquicklyinanuproar。
  TheKentishknight,LordCobham,indespiteOfanylaw,orspiritualdiscipline,Maintainsthisupstartnewreligionstill,AnddiversgreatassembliesbyhismeansAndprivatequarrelsarecommencedabroad,Asbythislettermoreatlarge,myliege,Ismadeapparent。
  KING。
  Wedofindithere:
  TherewasinWalesacertainfrayoflate,Betweentwonoblemen,butwhatofthis?
  Followsitstraight,LordCobhammustbeheDidcausethesame?Idarebesworn,goodknight,Heneverdreamtofanysuchcontention。
  BISHOP。
  Butinhisnamethequarreldidbegin,Abouttheopinionwhichheheld,myliege。
  KING。
  Howifitdid?waseitherheinplace,Totakepartwiththem,orabettheminit?
  Ifbrablingfellows,whoseinkindledblood,Seethesintheirfieryveins,willneedsgofight,MakingtheirquarrelsofsomewordsthatpastEitherofyou,oryou,amongsttheircups,Isthefaultyours,oraretheyguiltyofit?
  SUFFOLK。
  WithpardonofyourHighness,mydreadlord,Suchlittlesparks,neglected,mayintimeGrowtoamightflame:butthat’snotall;
  Hedoth,beside,maintainastrangereligion,Andwillnotbecompelledtocometomass。
  BISHOP。
  Wedobeseechyou,therefore,graciousprince,Withoutoffenceuntoyourmajesty,Wemaybeboldtouseauthority。
  KING。
  Ashow?
  BISHOP。
  TosummonhimuntotheArches,Wheresuchoffenceshavetheirpunishment。
  KING。
  Toanswerpersonally?isthatyourmeaning?
  BISHOP。
  Itis,mylord。
  KING。
  How,ifheappeal?
  BISHOP。
  Hecannot,myLord,insuchacaseasthis。
  SUFFOLK。
  NotwhereReligionistheplea,mylord。
  KING。
  Itookitalways,thatourselfstoodout,Asasufficientrefuge,untowhomNotanybutmightlawfullyappeal。
  Butwe’llnotarguenowuponthatpoint。
  ForSirJohnOld—castle,whomyouaccuse,LetmeentreatyoutodispenceawhileWithyourhightitleofpre—eminence。
  [Inscorn。]
  Reportdidneveryetcondemnhimso,Buthehathalwaysbeenreputedloyal:
  AndinmyknowledgeIcansaythusmuch,Thatheisvirtuous,wise,andhonourable。
  Ifanywayhisconsciencebeseduced,Towaverinhisfaith,I’llsendforhim,Andschoolhimprivately;ifthatservenot,Thenafterwardyoumayproceedagainsthim。
  Butler,beyouthemessengerforus,Andwillhimpresentlyrepairtocourt。
  [Exeunt。]
  SIRJOHN。
  Hownow,mylord,whystandyoudiscontent?
  Insooth,methinkstheKinghathwelldecreed。
  BISHOP。
  Yea,yea,sirJohn,ifhewouldkeephisword;
  ButIperceivehefavourshimsomuch,Asthiswillbetosmalleffect,Ifear。
  SIRJOHN。
  Why,then,I’lltellyouwhaty’arebetstodo:
  IfyoususpecttheKingwillbebutcoldInreprehendinghim,sendyouaprocesstooToserveuponhim:soyoumaybesureTomakehimanswer’t,howsoe’eritfall。
  BISHOP。
  Andwellremembered!Iwillhaveitso。
  ASumnershallbesentaboutitstraight。
  [Exit。]
  SIRJOHN。
  Yea,doso。InthemeanspacethisremainsForkindsirJohnofWrotham,honestJack。
  MethinksthepurseofgoldtheBishopgaveMadeagoodshow;ithadatemptinglook。
  Beshrewme,butmyfingers’endstoitchTobeuponthoserudduks。Well,tisthus:
  Iamnotastheworlddoestakemefor;
  Ifeverwolfwereclothedinsheep’scoat,ThenIamhe,——oldhuddleandtwang,yfaith,Apriestinshow,butinplaintermsathief。
  Yet,letmetellyoutoo,anhonestthief,Onethatwilltakeitwhereitmaybespared,Andspenditfreelyingoodfellowship。
  IhaveasmanyshapesasProteushad,Thatstill,whenanyvillainyisdone,TheremaybenonesuspectitwassirJohn。
  Besides,tocomfortme,——forwhat’sthislife,Exceptthecrabbedbitternessthereof,Besweetenednowandthenwithlechery?——
  IhavemyDoll,myconcubine,astwere,Tofrolicwith,alustybouncinggirl。
  ButwhilstIloiterhere,thegoldmayscape,Andthatmustnotbeso。Itismineown;
  Therefore,I’llmeethimonhiswaytocourt,Andshrivehimofit:therewillbethesport。
  [Exit。]
  ACTI。SCENEIII。Kent。AnoutercourtbeforelordCobham’shouse。
  [Enterthreeorfourpoorpeople:somesoldiers,someoldmen。]
  FIRST。
  Godhelp!Godhelp!there’slawforpunishing,Butthere’snolawforournecessity:
  Therebemorestockstosetpoorsoldiersin,Thantherebehousestorelievethemat。
  OLDMAN。
  Faith,housekeepingdecaysineveryplace,EvenasSaintPeterwrit,stillworseandworse。
  FOURTH。
  MastermayorofRochesterhasgivencommandment,thatnoneshallgoabroadoutoftheparish;andtheyhavesetanorderdownforsooth,whateverypoorhouseholdermustgivetowardsourrelief:wheretherebesomeceased,Imaysaytoyou,hadalmostasmuchneedtobegaswe。
  FIRST。
  Itisahardworldthewhile。
  OLDMAN。
  IfapoormancometoadoortoaskforGod’ssake,theyaskhimforalicense,oracertificatefromaJustice。
  SECOND。
  Faithwehavenonebutwhatwebearuponourbodies,ourmaimedlimbs,Godhelpus。
  FOURTH。
  Andyet,aslameasIam,I’llwiththekingintoFrance,ifIcancrawlbutashipboard。IhadratherbeslaininFrance,thanstarveinEngland。
  OLDMAN。
  Ha,wereIbutaslustyasIwasatthebattleofShrewbury,IwouldnotdoasIdo:butwearenowcometothegoodlordCobham’s,tothebestmantothepoorthatisinallKent。
  FOURTH。
  Godblesshim!therebebutfewsuch。
  [EnterLordCobhamwithHarpoole。]
  COBHAM。
  Thoupeevish,frowardman,whatwouldstthouhave?
  HARPOOLE。
  Thispride,thispride,bringsalltobeggary。
  Iservedyourfather,andyourgrandfather;
  Showmesuchtwomennow!
  No!No!Yourbacks,yourbacks,thedevilandpride,Hascutthethroatofallgoodhousekeeping。——
  TheywerethebestYeomens’masters,ThateverwereinEngland。
  COBHAM。
  Yea,exceptthouhaveacrewofseelyknavesAndsturdyroguesstillfeedingatmygate,Thereisnohospitalitywiththee。
  HARPOOLE。
  Theymaysitatthegatwellenough,butthedevilofanythingyougivethem,excepttheywilleatstones。
  COBHAM。
  Tislong,then,ofsuchhungryknavesasyou。
  [Pointingtothebeggars。]
  Yea,sir,here’syourretinue;yourguestsbecome。
  Theyknowtheirhours,Iwarrantyou。
  OLDMAN。
  Godblessyourhonour!GodsavethegoodLordCobhamAndallhishouse!
  SOLDIER。
  Goodyourhonour,bestowyourblessedalmsUponpoormen。
  COBHAM。
  Now,sir,herebeyourAlmsknights。NowareyouAssafeastheEmperour。
  HARPOOLE。
  MyAlmsknights!nay,th’areyours。
  Itisashameforyou,andI’llstandtoo’t;
  Yourfoolishalmsmaintainsmorevagabonds,ThanallthenoblemeninKentbeside。
  Out,yourogues,youknaves!workforyourlivings!——
  Alas,poormen!OLord,theymaybegtheirheartsout,There’snomorecharityamongstmenthanamongstSomanymastiffdogs!——Whatmakeyouhere,Youneedyknaves?Away,away,youvillains。
  SECONDSOLDIER。
  Ibeseechyou,sir,begoodtous。
  COBHAM。
  Nay,nay,theyknowtheewellenough。Ithinkthatallthebeggarsinthislandarethyacquaintance。Gobestowyouralms;nonewillcontrolyou,sir。
  HARPOOLE。
  WhatshouldIgivethem?youaregrownsobeggarly,youhavescarceabitofbreadtogiveatyourdoor。Youtalkofyourreligionsolong,thatyouhavebanishedcharityfromamongstyou;amanmaymakeaflaxshopinyourkitchenchimneys,foranyfirethereisstirring。
  COBHAM。
  Ifthouwiltgivethemnothing,sendthemhence:letthemnotstandherestarvinginthecold。
  HARPOOLE。
  Who!Idrivethemhence?IfIdrivepoormenfromyourdoor,I’llbehanged;IknownotwhatImaycometomyself。Yea,Godhelpyou,poorknaves;yeseetheworld,yfaith!Well,youhadamother:well,Godbewiththee,goodLady;thysoul’satrest。Shegavemoreinshirtsandsmockstopoorchildren,thanyouspendinyourhouse,&yetyouliveabeggartoo。
  COBHAM。
  Eventheworstdeedthateremymotherdidwasinrelievingsuchafoolasthou。
  HARPOOLE。
  Yea,yea,Iamafoolstill。Withallyourwityouwilldieabeggar;gotoo。
  COBHAM。
  Go,youoldfool;givethepoorpeoplesomething。Goin,poormen,intotheinnercourt,andtakesuchalmsasthereistobehad。
  SOLDIER。
  Godblessyourhonor。
  HARPOOLE。
  Hangyou,rogues,hangyou;there’snothingbutmiseryamongstyou;youfearnolaw,you。
  [Exit。]
  OLDMAN。
  Godblessyou,goodmasterRafe,Godsaveyourlife;
  youaregoodtothepoorstill。
  [EntertheLordPowisdisguised,andshroudhimself。]
  COBHAM。
  Whatfellow’syondercomesalongthegrove?
  Fewpassengerstherebethatknowthisway:
  Methinkshestopsasthoughhestayedforme,Andmeanttoshroudhimselfamongstthebushes。
  IknowtheClergyhatemetothedeath,Andmyreligiongetsmemanyfoes:
  Andthismaybesomedesperaterogue,subornedToworkmemischief。——AsitpleasethGod!
  Ifhecometowardme,sureI’llstayhiscoming——
  Behebutoneman——whatso’erhebe。
  [TheLordPowiscomeson。]
  Ihavebeenwellacquaintedwiththatface。
  POWIS。
  Wellmet,myhonorablelordandfriend。
  COBHAM。
  Youarewelcome,sir,whatereyoube;
  Butofthissudden,sir,Idonotknowyou。
  POWIS。
  Iamonethatwishethwelluntoyourhonor;
  MynameisPowis,anoldfriendofyours。
  COBHAM。
  Myhonorablelord,andworthyfriend,WhatmakesyourlordshipthusaloneinKent,Andthusdisguisedinthisstrangeattire?
  POWIS。
  MyLord,anunexpectedaccidentHathatthistimeinforc’dmetotheseparts;
  Andthusithapt:——Notyetfullfivedayssince,NowatthelastAssizeatHereford,ItchancedthatthelordHerbertandmyself,Mongstotherthings,discoursingatthetable,DidfallinspeechaboutsomecertainpointsOfWickliffe’sdoctrinegainstthepapacyAndthereligioncatholique,maintainedThroughthemostpartofEuropeatthisday。
  ThiswilfulteastylordstucknottosayThatWickliffewasaknave,aschismatic,Hisdoctrinedevilishandheretical,Andwhatsoe’erhewasmaintainedthesame,WastraitorbothtoGodandtohiscountry。
  Beingmovedathisperemptoryspeech,Itoldhimsomemaintainedthoseopinions,Men,andtruersubjectsthanlordHerbertwas:
  Andhereplyingincomparisons,Yournamewasurged,mylord,gainsthischallenge,Tobeaperfectfavourerofthetruth。
  Andtobeshort,fromwordswefelltoblows,Ourservantsandourtenantstakingparts——
  Manyonbothsideshurt——andforanhourThebroilbynomeanscouldbepacified,UntiltheJudges,risingfromthebench,Wereintheirpersonsforcedtopartthefray。
  COBHAM。
  Ihopenomanwasviolentlyslain。
  POWIS。
  Faith,none,Itrust,butthelordHerbert’sself,Whoisintruthsodangerouslyhurt,Asitisdoubtedhecanhardlyscape。
  COBHAM。
  Iamsorry,mygoodlord,oftheseillnews。
  POWIS。
  ThisisthecausethatdrivesmeintoKent,Toshroudmyselfwithyou,sogoodafriend,UntilIhearhowthingsdospeedathome。
  COBHAM。
  YourlordshipismostwelcomeuntoCobham;
  ButIamverysorry,mygoodlord,Mynamewasbroughtinquestioninthismatter,ConsideringIhavemanyenemies,Thatthreatenmalice,anddolieinwaitTotakeadvantageofthesmallestthing。
  Butyouarewelcome:andreposeyourlordship,Andkeepyourselfheresecretinmyhouse,UntilwehearhowthelordHerbertspeeds。
  Herecomesmyman。
  [EnterHarpoole。]
  Sirra,whatnews?
  HARPOOLE。
  Yonder’sonemasterButleroftheprivychamber,issentuntoyoufromtheKing。
  POWIS。
  IprayGodthelordHerbertbenotdead,AndtheKing,hearingwhitherIamgone,Hathsentforme。
  COBHAM。
  Comfortyourselfmylord,Iwarrantyou。
  HARPOOLE。
  Fellow,whatailsthee?doostthouquake?dostthoushake?dostthoutremble?ha?
  COBHAM。
  Peace,youoldfool!Sirra,conveythisgentlemaninthebackway,andbringtheotherintothewalk。
  HARPOOLE。
  Come,sir;youarewelcome,ifyoulovemylord。
  POWIS。
  Godhavemercy,gentlefriend。
  [Exeunt。]
  COBHAM。
  Ithoughtasmuch:thatitwouldnotbelong,BeforeIheardofsomethingfromtheKingAboutthismatter。
  [EnterHarpoolewithMasterButler。]
  HARPOOLE。
  Sir,yondermylordwalks,youseehim;
  I’llhaveyourmenintotheCellarthewhile。
  COBHAM。
  Welcome,goodmasterButler。
  BUTLER。
  Thanks,mygoodlord:hisMajestydothcommendHisloveuntoyourlordship,Andwillsyoutorepairuntothecourt。
  COBHAM。
  GodblesshisHighness,andconfoundhisenemies!
  IhopehisMajestyiswell。
  BUTLER。
  Inhealth,mylord。
  COBHAM。
  Godlongcontinueit!MethinksyoulookAsthoughyouwerenotwell:whatailsyou,sir?
  BUTLER。
  Faith,Ihavehadafoolishoddmischance,Thatangersme:comingoverShootershill,TherecameafellowtomelikeaSailor,Andaskedmemoney;andwhilstIstayedmyhorseTodrawmypurse,hetakesth’advantageofAlittlebankandleapsbehindme,whipsMypurseaway,andwithasuddenjerk,Iknownothow,threwmeatleastthreeyardsOutofmysaddle。IneverwassorobbedInallmylife。
  COBHAM。
  Iamverysorry,sir,foryourmischance。Wewillsendourwarrantforth,tostaysuchsuspiciouspersonsasshallbefound。Then,masterButler,wewillattendyou。
  BUTLER。
  Ihumblythankyourlordship,Iwillattendyou。
  ACTII。SCENEI。Thesame。
  [EntertheSumner。]
  SUMNER。
  IhavethelawtowarrantwhatIdo;andthoughtheLordCobhambeanobleman,thatdispensesnotwithlaw:Idareserveprocesswereafivenoblemen。
  ThoughweSumnersmakesometimesamadslipinacornerwithaprettywench,aSumnermustnotgoalwaysbyseeing:amanmaybecontenttohidehiseyes,wherehemayfeelhisprofit。Well,thisismyLordCobham’shouseifIcandevisetospeakwithhim;ifnot,I’llclapmycitationupon’sdoor:somylordofRochesterbidme。Butmethinksherecomesoneofhismen。
  [EnterHarpoole。]
  HARPOOLE。
  Welcome,goodfellow,welcome;whowouldstthouspeakwith?
  SUMNER。
  WithmylordCobhamIwouldspeak,ifthoubeoneofhismen。
  HARPOOLE。
  Yes,Iamoneofhismen,butthoucanstnotspeakwithmylord。
  SUMNER。
  MayIsendtohimthen?
  HARPOOLE。
  I’lltelltheethat,whenIknowthyerrand。
  SUMNER。
  Iwillnottellmyerrandtothee。
  HARPOOLE。
  Thenkeepittothyself,andwalklikeaknaveasthoucamest。
  SUMNER。
  Itellthee,mylordkeepsnoknaves,sirra。
  HARPOOLE。
  Thenthouservesthimnot,Ibelieve:whatlordisthymaster?
  SUMNER
  MylordofRochester。
  HARPOOLE。
  Ingoodtime!AndwhatwouldstthouhavewithmylordCobham?
  SUMNER。
  Icome,byvirtueofaprocess,toascitehimtoappearbeforemylordinthecourtatRochester。
  HARPOOLE。
  [Aside。]Well,Godgrantmepatience!Icouldeatthisconger。Mylordisnotathome;thereforeitweregood,Sumner,youcarriedyourprocessback。
  SUMNER。
  Why,ifhewillnotbespokenwithal,thenwillIleaveithere;andseeyouthathetakeknowledgeofit。
  HARPOOLE。
  Swounds,youslave,doyousetupyourbillshere!goto;
  takeitdownagain。Doestthouknowwhatthoudost?
  Dostthouknowonwhomthouservestprocess?
  SUMNER。
  Yes,marry,doI;SirJohnOld—castle,LordCobham。
  HARPOOLE。
  Iamgladthouknowesthimyet:and,sirra,dostnotthouknow,thatthelordCobhamisabravelord,thatkeepsgoodbeefandbeerinhishouse,andeverydayfeedsahundredpoorpeopleat’sgate,andkeepsahundredtallfellows?
  SUMNER。
  What’sthattomyprocess?
  HARPOOLE。
  Marry,this,sir!isthisprocessparchment?
  SUMNER。
  Yes,marry。
  HARPOOLE。
  Andthissealwax?
  SUMNER。
  Itisso。
  HARPOOLE。
  Ifthisbeparchment,&thiswax,eatyouthisparchmentandthiswax,orIwillmakeparchmentofyourskin,andbeatyourbrainsintowax:SirraSumner,dispatch;devour,sirra,devour。
  SUMNER。
  IammylordofRochester’sSumner;Icametodomyoffice,andthoushaltanswerit。
  HARPOOLE。
  Sirra,norailing,butbetakeyoutoyourteeth。Thoushalteatnoworsethanthoubringstwiththee:thoubringstitformylord,andwiltthoubringmylordworsethanthouwilteatthyself?
  SUMNER。
  Sirra,Ibroughtitnotmylordtoeat。
  HARPOOLE。
  O,doyousirmenow?all’soneforthat:butI’llmakeyoueatit,forbringingit。
  SUMNER。
  Icannoteatit。
  HARPOOLE。
  Canyounot?sbloodI’llbeatyouuntilyouhaveastomach。
  [Hebeatshim。]
  SUMNER。
  Ohold,hold,goodmasterserving—man!Iwilleatit。
  HARPOOLE。
  Bechamping,bechawing,sir;orI’llchawyou,yourogue!thepurestofthehoney!Toughwaxisthepurestofthehoney。
  SUMNER。
  OLord,sir!oh!oh!
  [Heeats。]
  HARPOOLE。
  Feed,feed!wholesome,rogue,wholesome!Cannotyou,likeanhonestSumner,walkwiththedevilyourbrother,tofetchinyourBailiffs’rents,butyoumustcometoanobleman’shousewithprocess?Sblood!ifthysealwereasbroadastheleadthatcoversRochesterchurch,thoushouldsteatit。
  SUMNER。
  O,Iamalmostchoked!Iamalmostchoked!
  HARPOOLE。
  Who’swithinthere?willyoushamemyLord?istherenobeerinthehouse?Butler!Isay。
  [EnterButler。]
  BUTLER。
  Here,here。
  HARPOOLE。
  GivehimBeer。
  [Hedrinks。]
  There;tougholdsheepskin’sbare,drymeat。
  SUMNER。
  Osir,letmegonofurther;I’lleatmyword。
  HARPOOLE。
  Yea,marry,sit!soImean:youshalleatmorethanyourownword,forI’llmakeyoueatallthewordsintheprocess。
  Why,youdrabmonger,cannotthesecretsofallthewenchesinashireserveyourturn,butyoumustcomehitherwithacitation?withapox!I’llciteyou。[Hehasthendone。]A
  cupofsackfortheSumner。
  BUTLER。
  Here,sir,here。
  HARPOOLE。
  Here,slave,Idrinktothee。
  SUMNER。
  Ithankyou,sir。
  HARPOOLE。
  Nowifthoufindstthystomachwell——becausethoushaltseemyLordkeep’smeatin’shouse——ifthouwiltgoin,thoushalthaveapieceofbeeftothebreakfast。
  SUMNER。
  No,Iamverywell,goodMasterserving—man,Ithankyou;verywellsir。
  HARPOOLE。
  Iamgladon’t。ThenbewalkingtowardsRochestertokeepyourstomachwarm;andSumner,ifImayknowyoudisturbagoodwenchwithinthisDiocese;ifIdonotmaketheeeatherpetticoat,iftherewerefouryardsofKentishclothin’t,Iamavillain。
  SUMNER。
  Godbewithyou,Masterserving—man。
  [Exit。]
  HARPOOLE。
  Farewell,Sumner。
  [EnterConstable。]
  CONSTABLE。
  GodsaveyouMasterHarpoole。
  HARPOOLE。
  Welcome,Constable,welcome,Constable;whatnewswiththee?
  CONSTABLE。
  And’tpleaseyou,MasterHarpoole,Iamtomakehueandcry,forafellowwithoneeyethathasrobbedtwoClothiers,andamtocraveyourhindrance,fortosearchallsuspectedplaces;andtheysaytherewasawomaninthecompany。
  HARPOOLE。
  HastthoubeenattheAlehouse?hastthousoughtthere?
  CONSTABLE。
  Idurstnotsearch,sir,inmyLordCobham’sliberty,exceptI
  hadsomeofhisservants,whichareformywarrant。
  HARPOOLE。
  AnhonestConstable!anhonestConstable!CallforthhimthatkeepstheAlehousehere。
  CONSTABLE。
  Ho!who’swithinthere?
  [EnterAle—man。]
  ALEMAN。
  Whocallsthere?comenearaGod’sname!Oh,is’tyou,MasterConstableandMasterHarpoole?youarewelcomewithallmyheart。Whatmakeyouheresoearlythismorning?
  HARPOOLE。
  Sirra,whatstrangersdoyoulodge?thereisarobberydonethismorning,andwearetosearchforallsuspectedpersons。
  ALEMAN。
  God’sbores!Iamsorryfor’t:yfaith,sir,Ilodgenobodybutagoodhonestmerrypriest,——theycallhimsirJohnaWrotham——
  andahandsomewomanthatishisniece,thathesayshehassomesuitinlawfor;andastheygoup&downtoLondon,sometimestheylieatmyhouse。
  HARPOOLE。
  What,ishehereinthyhousenow?
  ALEMAN。
  Sheis,sir。Ipromiseyou,sir,heisaquietman;andbecausehewillnottroubletoomanyrooms,hemakesthewomanlieeverynightathisbed’sfeet。
  HARPOOLE。
  Bringherforth!Constable,bringherforth!let’sseeher,let’sseeher。
  ALEMAN。
  Dorothy,youmustcomedowntoMasterConstable。
  DOLL。
  Anon,forsooth。
  [Sheenters。]
  HARPOOLE。
  Welcome,sweetlass,welcome。
  DOLL。
  Ithankyou,goodMasterserving—man,andmasterConstablealso。
  HARPOOLE。
  Aplumpgirlbythemass,aplumpgirl!Ha,Doll,ha!
  Wiltthouforsakethepriest,andgowithme?
  CONSTABLE。
  A!wellsaid,MasterHarpoole;youareamerryoldman,yfaith。Yfaith,youwillneverbeold。Now,bythemack,aprettywenchindeed!
  HARPOOLE。
  YeoldmadmerryConstable,artthouadvisedofthat。Ha,wellsaid,Doll!fillsomealehere。
  DOLL。
  [Aside。]Oh,ifIwistthisoldpriestwouldnotsticktome,byJove,Iwouldinglethisoldserving—man。
  HARPOOLE。
  Ohyouoldmadcolt!yfaith,I’llfeakyou!fillallthepotsinthehousethere。
  CONSTABLE。
  Oh,wellsaid,MasterHarpoole!youareheartofoakwhenall’sdone。
  HARPOOLE。
  Ha,Doll,thouhastasweetpairoflips,bythemass。
  DOLL。
  Trulyyouareamostsweetoldman,aseverIsaw;bymytroth,youhaveaface,abletomakeanywomaninlovewithyou。
  HARPOOLE。
  Fill,sweetDoll;I’lldrinktothee。
  DOLL。
  ’Ipledgeyou,sir,andthankyoutherefore,AndIprayyouletitcome。’
  HARPOOLE。
  [Embracingher。]Doll,canstthouloveme?Amadmerrylass!wouldtoGodIhadneverseenthee!
  DOLL。
  Iwarrantyou,youwillnotoutofmythoughtsthistwelvemonth;trulyyouareasfulloffavour,asamanmaybe。
  Ah,thesesweetgreylocks!bymytroth,theyaremostlovely。
  CONSTABLE。
  Godboores,masterHarpoole,Iwillhaveonebusstoo。
  HARPOOLE。
  Nolickingforyou,Constable!handoff,handoff!
  CONSTABLE。
  Burlady,Ilovekissingaswellasyou。
  DOLL。
  Oh,youareanoddboy;youhaveawantoneyeofyourown!
  ah,yousweetsugarlippedwanton,youwillwinasmanywomen’sheartsascomeinyourcompany。
  [EnterPriest。]
  WROTHAM。
  Doll,comehither。
  HARPOOLE。
  Priest,sheshallnot。
  DOLL。
  I’llcomeanon,sweetlove。
  WROTHAM。
  Handoff,oldfornicator。
  HARPOOLE。
  Vicar,I’llsithereinspiteofthee。Isthisfitstuffforapriesttocarryupanddownwithhim?
  WROTHAM。
  Ah,sirra,dostthounotknowthatagoodfellowparsonmayhaveachapelofease,wherehisparishChurchisfaroff?
  HARPOOLE。
  YouwhoresonstonedVicar!
  WROTHAM。
  Youoldstaleruffin!youlionofCotswold!
  HARPOOLE。
  Swounds,Vicar,I’llgeldyou!
  [Fliesuponhim。]
  CONSTABLE。
  KeeptheKing’speace!
  DOLL。
  Murder!murder!murder!
  ALEMAN。
  Hold!asyouaremen,hold!forGod’ssakebequiet!Putupyourweapons;youdrawnotinmyhouse。
  HARPOOLE。
  Youwhoresonbawdypriest!
  WROTHAM。
  Youoldmuttonmonger!
  CONSTABLE。
  Hold,sirJohn,hold!
  DOLL。
  [TothePriest。]Ipraythee,sweethear,bequiet。Iwasbutsittingtodrinkapotofalewithhim,evenaskindamanaseverImetwith。
  HARPOOLE。
  Thouartathief,Iwarrantthee。
  WROTHAM。
  ThenIambutasthouhastbeeninthydays。Let’snotbeashamedofourtrade;theKinghasbeenathiefhimself。
  DOLL。
  Come,bequiet。Hastthousped?
  WROTHAM。
  Ihave,wench:herebecrowns,yfaith。
  DOLL。
  Come,let’sbeallfriendsthen。
  CONSTABLE。
  Wellsaid,mistressDorothy,yfaith。
  HARPOOLE。
  ThouartthemaddestpriestthateverImetwith。
  WROTHAM。
  Givemethyhand,thouartasgoodafellow。Iamasinger,adrinker,abencher,awencher!Icansayamass,andkissalass!Faith,Ihaveaparsonage,andbecauseIwouldnotbeattoomuchcharges,thiswenchservesmeforasexton。
  HARPOOLE。
  Wellsaid,madpriest,we’llinandbefriends。
  [Exeunt。]
  ACTII。SCENEII。London。AroomintheAxeInn,withoutBishop—gate。
  [EntersirRogerActon,masterBourne,masterBeverly,andWilliamMurleythebrewerofDunstable。]
  ACTON。
  Now,masterMurley,IamwellassuredYouknowourarrant,anddolikethecause,Beingamanaffectedasweare。
  MURLEY。
  Mary,Goddildye,daintymydear!nomaster,goodsirRogerActonKnight,masterBourne,andmasterBeverlyesquires,gentlemen,andjusticesofthepeace——nomasterI,butplainWilliamMurley,thebrewerofDunstable,yourhonestneighbour,andyourfriend,ifyebemenofmyprofession。
  BEVERLY。
  ProfessedfriendstoWickliffe,foestoRome。
  MURLEY。
  Holdbyme,lad;leanuponthatstaff,goodmasterBeverly:allofahouse。Sayyourmind,sayyourmind。
  ACTON。
  Youknowourfactionnowisgrownsogreat,Throughouttherealm,thatitbeginstosmokeIntotheClergy’seyes,andtheKing’sear。
  Hightimeitisthatweweredrawntohead,Ourgeneralandofficersappointed;
  Andwars,yewot,willaskgreatstoreofcoin。
  Abletostrengthouractionwithyourpurse,YouareelectedforacolonelOveraregimentoffifteenbands。
  MURLEY。
  Fue,paltry,paltry!inandout,toandfro!beitmoreorless,uponoccasion。Lordhavemercyuponus,whataworldisthis!SirRogerActon,IambutaDunstableman,aplainbrewer,yeknow:willlustyCavalieringcaptains,gentlemen,comeatmycalling,goatmybidding?Daintymydear,they’lldoagodofwax,ahorseorcheese,aprickandapudding。No,no,yemustappointsomelord,orknightatleast,tothatplace。
  BOURNE。
  Why,masterMurley,youshallbeaKnight:
  Wereyounotinelectiontobeshrieve?
  Haveyenotpastallofficesbutthat?
  Haveyenotwealthtomakeyourwifealady?
  Iwarrantyou,mylord,ourGeneralBestowsthathonoronyouatfirstsight。
  MURLEY。
  Mary,Goddildye,daintymydear!
  Buttellme,whoshallbeourGeneral?
  Where’sthelordCobham,sirJohnOld—castle,Thatnoblealms—giver,housekeeper,virtuous,Religiousgentleman?Cometomethere,boys,Cometomethere!
  ACTON。
  Why,whobutheshallbeourGeneral?
  MURLEY。
  Andshallheknightme,andmakemecolonel?
  ACTON。
  Mywordforthat:sirWilliamMurley,knight。
  MURLEY。
  FellowsirRogerActon,knight,allfellows——Imeaninarms——howstrongarewe?howmanypartners?OurenemiesbesidetheKingaremight:beitmoreorlessuponoccasion,reckonourforce。
  ACTON。
  Thereareofus,ourfriends,andfollowers,Threethousandandthreehundredattheleast;
  Ofnorthernladsfourthousand,besidehorse;
  >FromKenttherecomeswithsirJohnOld—castleSeventhousand;thenfromLondonissueout,Ofmasters,servants,strangers,prentices,FortyoddthousandsintoFicketfield,Whereweappointourspecialrendezvous。
  MURLEY。
  Fue,paltry,paltry,inandout,toandfro!Lordhavemercyuponus,whataworldisthis!Where’sthatFicketfield,sirRoger?
  ACTON。
  BehindsaintGilesinthefieldnearHolborne。
  MURLEY。
  Newgate,upHolborne,S。Gilesinthefield,andtoTiborne:anoldsaw。Fortheday,fortheday?
  ACTON。
  OnFridaynext,thefourteenthdayofJanuary。
  MURLEY。
  Tyllievallie,trustmeneverifIhaveanylikingofthatday!fue,paltry,paltry!Friday,quotha!Dismalday!
  ChildermassdaythisyearwasFriday。
  BEVERLY。
  Nay,masterMurley,ifyouobservethedays,Wemakesomequestionofyourconstancy。
  Alldaysareliketomenresolvedinright。
  MURLEY。
  SayAmen,andsaynomore;butsay,andhold,masterBeverly:Fridaynext,andFicketfield,andWilliamMurley,andhismerrymenshallbeallone。Ihavehalfascorejadesthatdrawmybeercarts,Andeveryjadeshallbearaknave,Andeveryknaveshallwearajack,Andeveryjackshallhaveaskull,Andeveryskullshallshewaspear,AndeveryspearshallkillafoeAtFicketfield,atFicketfield。
  JohnandTom,andDickandHodge,AndRafeandRobin,William&George,Andallmyknavesshallfightlikemen,AtFicketfieldonFridaynext。
  BOURNE。
  Whatsumofmoneymeanyoutodisburse?
  MURLEY。
  Itmaybemodestly,decently,soberly,andhandsomelyImaybringfivehundredpound。
  ACTON。
  Fivehundred,man!fivethousand’snotenough!
  AhundredthousandwillnotpayourmenTwomonthstogether。EithercomepreparedLikeabraveKnight,andmartialColonel,Inglitteringgold,andgallantfurniture,Bringingincoinacartloadatheleast,Andallyourfollowersmountedongoodhorse,Ornevercomedisgracefultousall。
  BEVERLY。
  PerchanceyoumaybechosenTreasurer。
  Tenthousandpound’stheleastthatyoucanbring。
  MURLEY。
  Paltry,paltry!inandout,toandfro,uponoccasionI
  havetenthousandpoundtospend,andtentoo。AndratherthantheBishopshallhavehiswillofmeformyconscience,itshalloutall。Flameandflax,flameandflax!itwasgotwithwaterandmalt,anditshallflywithfireandgunpowder。SirRoger,acartloadofmoneytilltheaxetreecrack,myselfandmymeninFicketfieldonFridaynext:remembermyKnighthood,andmyplace。There’smyhand;I’llbethere。
  [Exit。]
  ACTON。
  SeewhatAmbitionmaypersuademento,Inhopeofhonorhewillspendhimself。
  BOURNE。
  IneverthoughtaBrewerhalfsorich。
  BEVERLY。
  WasneverbankeroutBreweryetbutone,Withusingtoomuchmalt,toolittlewater。
  ACTON。
  That’snofaultinBrewersnow—adays。
  Come,away,aboutourbusiness。
  [Exeunt。]
  ACTII。SCENEIII。Anaudience—chamberinthepalaceatEltham。
  [EnterKingHenry,Suffolk,Butler,andOld—castlekneelingtotheKing。]
  KING。
  Tisnotenough,LordCobham,tosubmit;
  Youmustforsakeyourgrossopinion。
  TheBishopsfindthemselvesmuchinjured,Andthough,forsomegoodserviceyouhavedone,Weforourpartarepleasedtopardonyou,Yettheywillnotsosoonbesatisfied。
  COBHAM。
  MygraciousLord,untoyourMajesty,NextuntomyGod,Iowemylife:
  Andwhatismine,eitherbynature’sgift,Orfortune’sbounty,allisatyourservice。
  But,forobediencetothePopeofRome,Iowehimnone,norshallhisshavelingpriestsThatareinEnglandaltermybelief。
  IfoutofholyScripturetheycanprove,ThatIaminanerrorIwillyield,Andgladlytakeinstructionattheirhands;
  Butotherwise,Idobeseechyourgrace,Myconsciencemaynotbeencroachedupon。
  KING。
  Wewouldbeloathtopressoursubjects’bodies,Muchlesstheirsouls,thedearredeemedpartOfhimthatistherulerofusall;
  Yetletmecounselye,thatmightcommand:
  Donotpresumetotemptthemwithillwords,NorsufferanymeetingstobehadWithinyourhouse,buttotheuttermost,Dispersetheflocksofthisnewgatheringsect。
  COBHAM。