Elean. It is enough, I'll think upon the questions: Here, Hume, take this reward; make merry, man, [Exit Eleanor. Dame Eleanor gives gold to bring the witch: And from the great and new-made Duke of Suffolk; They (knowing Dame Eleanor's aspiring humour) They say, a crafty knave does need no broker; [Exit. SCENE. changes to an Apartment in the Palace. Enter three or four Petitioners, Peter the Armourer's man being one. 1 Pet. "M Y mafters, let's ftand close; my lord Protector will come this way by and by, and then we may deliver our fupplications in the quill. 2 Pet. Marry, the Lord protect him, for he's a good man, Jefu blefs him! Enter Enter Suffolk, and Queen. 1 Pet. Here a' comes, methinks, and the Queen with him: I'll be the first, sure. 2 Pet. Come back, fool, this is the Duke of Suffolk, and not my lord Protector. Suf. How now, fellow, would't any thing with me? 1 Pet. I pray, my lord, pardon me; I took ye for my lord Protector. Q. Mar. To my lord Protector. [reading] Are your fupplications to his lordship? let me fee them; what is thine? 1 Pet. Mine is, an't please your Grace, against John Goodman, my lord Cardinal's man, for keeping my house and lands, and wife, and all from me. Suf. Thy wife too? that's fome wrong, indeed, What's yours? what's here? [Reads.] Against the Duke of Suffolk, for inclofing the Commons of Long Melford. How now, Sir Knave? 2 Pet. Alas, Sir, I am but a poor petitioner of our whole Township. Suf. reads.] Against my mafier, Thomas Horner, for faying, that the Duke of York was rightful heir to the Crown. Q. Mar. What! did the Duke of York say, he was rightful heir to the Crown? Peter. That my mistress was? no, forfooth; my master said, that he was; and that the King was an ufurper. Suf. Who is there? -Take this fellow in, and fend for his mafter with a pursuivant, presently; we'll hear more of your matter before the King. [Exit Peter guarded. Q. Mar. And as for you, that love to be protected Under the wings of our Protector's Grace, Begin your fuits anew, and fue to him. [Tears the fupplications. Away, bafe cullions: Suffolk, let them go. All. Come, let's be gone.. [Exeunt Petitioners. Q. Mar. Q. Mar. My lord of Suffolk, fay, is this the guife? To number Ave Maries on his beads; Suf. Madam, be patient; as I was the cause Q. Mar. Befide the proud Protector, have we Beauford Th' imperious Churchman; Somerset, Buckingham, And grumbling York; and not the least of these But can do more in England, than the King. Suf. And he of thefe, that can do moft of all, Cannot do more in England than the Nevills; Salisb'ry and Warwick are no fimple Peers. Q. Mar. Not all these lords do vex me half fo much, As that proud Dame, the lord Protector's wife: She fweeps it through the Court with troops of ladies, More like an Emprefs than Duke Humphry's wife. Strangers in Court do take her for the Queen; She bears a Duke's revenues on her back, And in her heart she scorns our poverty. Shall Shall I not live to be aveng'd on her? very Was better worth than all my father's lands; Yet muft we join with him and with the lords, So, one by one, we'll weed them all at laft; K. Henry. For my part, noble Lords, I care not which, Or Somerset, or York, all's one to me. York. If York have ill demean'd himself in France, Then let him be deny'd the Regentfhip. Som. If Somerfet be unworthy of the Place, Let York be Regent, I will yield to him. War. Whether your Grace be worthy, yea or no, Čar. Ambitious Warwick, let thy Betters fpeak. Sal. Peace, Son; and fhew fome reafon, Buckingham, Why Somerfet fhould be preferr'd in this. Q. Mar. Because the King, forfooth, will have it fo. Glo. Madam, the King is old enough himself To give his Cenfure: these are no woman's matters. Q. Mar. Q. Mar. If he be old enough, what needs To be Protector of his Excellence? your Grace Glo. Madam, I am Protector of the Realm; Suf. Refign it then, and leave thine infolence. Car. The Commons haft thou rack'd; the Clergy's bags Are lank and lean with thy extortions. Som. Thy fumptuous buildings, and thy wife's attire, Have coft a mass of publick treasury. Buck. Thy cruelty in execution Q.Mar. Thy fale of offices and towns in France, [Exit Glo. Give me my fan; what, minion? can ye not? [She gives the Dutchess a box on the ear. I cry you mercy, Madam; was it you? Elean. Was't I? yea, I it was, proud French-woman: Could I come near your beauty with my nails, I'd fet my ten commandments in your face. K. Henry. Sweet aunt, be quiet; 'twas against her will. She'll hamper thee and dandle thee like a baby: [Exit Eleanor, Buck. Lord Cardinal, I'll follow Eleanor, And liften after Humphry, how he proceeds: She's tickled now, her fume can need no fpurs; She'll gallop faft enough to her deftruction. [Exit Buckingham. Re-enter |