University of Virginia Library

[Act: 2d.]

Trumpetts sound
Enter King Richard Greene Baggott Busshey Scroope Trissillian and others
fflorish.
King:
Thus shall king Richard suite his princly trayne
dispight his vncles pryd. Imbrace vs gentlemen
Sr Thomas baggott. Busshey Greene & Scroope
yor youthes are fitting to or tender yeares
& such shall bewtifye or princly throne
feare not my vncles, nor ther proudest strength
for I will buckler ye against them all

Greē:
thankes deerest lord, lett me haue Richards loue
and like a Rocke vnmoud my state shall stand
scorneing the proudest peere that Rules the land

Bussh:
yor vncles seekes to over turne yor state
to Aw ye like a child. that they alone
may at ther pleasures thrust you from the throne/

Scroop:
as if the Sune were forced to delyne
before his dated tyme of darknes comes,

Bagg:
sweete king sett courage to Authoritye
and lett them knowe the powre of mat i e./

Greē:
may not the lyon Rore. because hees younge
what are yor vncles but as Elyphants
that sett ther aged bodyes to the oake
you are the oake against whose stocke they leane
fall frome them once, & then distroy them euer
be thou no stay king Richard to ther strength
but as a tyrant vnto teranaye
and soe confound them all eternally

Triss:
lawe must extend vnto seuerytye
when subiects dare to braue ther soueraigne

King:
Trissillian, thou art lord Cheife Iustice now
who should be learned in the lawes but thee
resolue vs therfore what thou thinkst of them/
that vnder title of protectorshipp
seeke to subuert ther king and soueraigne

Triss:
as of the kings rebellious enymies
as vnder minors of his sacred state
wt hin the greatest prince, or mightiest peere
Booke
that is a subiect to yor maiestie
is nothing less then treason capitall
and he a traytor that In deauors itt

King:
attaynt them then, arrest them & condemne them.

Greē:
hayle them toth blocke & cutt of all ther heads
& then king Richard. clayme the gouerment

King:
see it be done Tissillian speedely

Triss:
that course is all to rash my gracious lord

all:
to rash for what

Triss:
it must be done wt h greater pollicye
for feare the people rise in mutiny

King:
I thers the feare, the com̄ons loue them well
& all applaud the wylye Lancaster
the counterfeit relenting duke of yorke
to gether wt h or frettfull vncle woodstocke
wt h greater Reuerence then king Richards self
but tyme shall come, when we shall yoake ther necks
& make them bend to or obedience
how now what Readst thou Busshey

Bush:
the monument of English Cronicles [my lord]
contayneing acts & memorable deeds
of all yor ffamous predissessor kings

King:
what findst thou of them

Bush:
examples strang & wonderfull my lord
the end of treason euen in mightie persons
for heere tis sayd yor royall grandfather
although but young, and vnder gouerment
tooke the protector then, proud Mortimer
and on a gallowes (50) ffoote in higth
he hung hime for his pryd & trecherye

King:
why should or proud protector then presume
& we not punish hime, whose treasons vilder farr
then euer was rebellious mortimer
prethee read on examples such as these
will bring vs to or kingly Grandsiers speritt
whats next

Bush:
the battaile full of dread & doubtfull feare
was fought betwixt yor ffather & the ffrench

King:
Read on, we'le heare itt,

Bush:

Then the blacke prince Incouraging his souldiers, being in number
but ([7]750) gaue the onsett to the ffrench kings pvesant Armey,
w
c h were numberd to (68000) & in one howre gott the victory slewe (6000) of the ffrench souldiers. tooke prisoners of dukes
earles knights and gentlemen to the number (1700) and of the
Commone sorte (10000) soe the prissoners that were taken;
were twice so many as the englishmen were in number; besyds the
thrice Renowned prince tooke w
t h his owne hand king Iohn of ffrance and his sonne prisoners. this was calld the battayle of Poyteeres
& was fought on monday the (19)
t h of September (i 363) my lord

King:
A victory most strange & Admirable
neuer was conquest gott wt h such great odds
oh princly Edward had thy sonne such happ
such fortune & success to ffollowe hime,
his dareing vncles & rebellious peeres
durst not controule and gouerne as they doe
but these bright shineing Trophes shall awake me
and as we are his bodyes counterfeit
so will we be the Image of his mynd
and dye but wele attayne his vertious deeds:
what next Insues, good Busshey read the rest

Bush:
heere is sett downe, my princly Soueraigne
the certayne tyme & day when you were borne,

King:
or birthday saist thou. is that noted ther

Bush:
it is my lord

King:
prethee. lett me hear't
for therby hanges a secrett mistery
wc h yett or vncle strangly keepes from vs
on Busshey

Bush:
vppon the (3) of Aprill (1365) was lord Richard
sonne to the blacke prince: borne at Burdex

King:
stay: lett me thinke a while: Read it agen.

Bush:
vppon the (3d) of Aprill (1365) was lord Richard
sonne to the blacke prince borne at Burdex

King:
(1365.) what yeare is this.

Greē:
tis now my lord (1387)

King:
by that account the (3) of Aprill next
or age is numberd (22) yeares
oh trecherous men that haue deluded vs
we might haue claymd or right a twelue month since
shutt vp thy blooke good Busshey: Baggott Greene
king Richard In his throne will now be seene
this day Ile clayme my Right my kingdomes due
or vncles well shall knowe, they but intrud
for wc h we'le smyte ther basse Ingratitud

Bagg:
Edmond of Langly duke of yorke (my lord)
sent from the lord protector & the peeres
doth craue admittance to yor royall ≼sence

King:
or vncle Edmond so: weare it not hee
we would not speake wt h hime: but goe admitt hime:
woodstocke & Gaunt are stearne & troublesome
Enter. yorke
but yorke is gentle: myld & generous
& ther fore we admitt his conference.

Bagg:
he comes my lord

King:
me thinkes tis strange. my good & reuerent Vncle
you & the rest, should thus malinge against vs
& euery howre wt h rude & bitter taunts
abuse king Richard & his harmeless ffreends
we had a ffather. that once calld ye brother
A grandsier too. that titled you his sonne
but could they see. how you haue wrongd king Richard
ther ghosts would haunte ye: & in dead of night
fright all yor quiett sleepes wt h horred ffeeres,
I pray stand vp we honnor reuerent yeares
in meaner subiects, good vncle rise & tell vs,
what further mischeifes are ther now devisd
to tortur & afflict yor soueraigne wt h

yorke:
my royall lord. euen by my birth I sweare
my ffathers toombe & faith to heauen I owe
yor vncles thoughts are all most honorable
& to that end the good protector sends mee
to certifie yor sacred mat i e.
the peeres of england now are all assembled
to hould a parlament at westminster
& humbly craue yor highnes would be ther
to sitt in Counsell touching such affaires
as shall concearne yor Countries gouerment

King:
haue they soe soone procurd a parlament
wt h out or knowladg too: tis somewhat strange
yett say good vncle we will meete them straight

yorke:
the newes to all wilbe most wisht & wellcome
I take my leaue & to yor grace I sweare
as I am subiect loyall Iust & true
we'le nothing doe, to hurte the realme nor you

King:
we shall beleeue you vncle: goe attend hime—
Exit Yorke
yes we will meete them. but wt h such Intent
[Peticions [[illeg.]]: Mace/ fflorish]
as shall dismiss ther sodayne parlament
till we be pleasd to Sommon & direct itt
com sirs to westminster, attend or state
this day shall make you euer ffortunate
[Enter the queene dutches of gloster [Ireland] {fflorish}]
the (3) of Aprill. Busshy note the tyme
or Age accomplisht, crowne & kingdomes myne

Exeunt omnes
Enter Lancaster. (Arondell) Surrye. the queene, woodstock & his Dutches yorke meetes them In hast/
+ wood
now brother yorke; what sayes king Richard ha

yorke:
his highnes wilbe heere Imediatly

Wood:
goe Cussen Surrye greete the parlament
tell them the king is comeing, giue these petitians
toth knight & burgesses o'the lower house
sent from each seuerall sheere, of all the kingdome
these coppies I will keepe. & showe his highnes,
pray make hast

Surry:
I will my lord.
Exit Surrye

queen:
pittye king Richards youth most reuerent vncles
& in yor hye proceedings gently vse hime
thinke of his tender yeares, whats now amiss
his riper Iudgment shall make good & perfitt
to you & to the kingdomes benefitt

yorke:
Alacke sweete queene, you, and or lord the kinge
haue little cause to feare or Iust proceedings
we'le falle beneath his feete, & bend or knees
so he cast off those hatefull flatterers,
that dayely ruenate his state & kingdome

Wood:
goe in sweete ladyes comfort one another
this happie parlament shall make all euen
& plant Sure peace betwixt the king & Realme

quee:
may heauen direct yor wisdomes to prouide
[florish]
for englands honnor, & king Richards good

—[OMITTED]
yorke:
beleeue no less sweete queene attend hir highnes

Ex[OMITTED]
Arond:
the king is come my lords.

[OMITTED]
wood:
stand from the doore then, make way Cheney./

[«ff [OMITTED]s»he/]
(sound)
Enter King. Richard, Baggott Busshye Greene & Scroope, & others
Greē.
yonders yor vncles my lord

King:
I, wt h or playne protector.
full of complaynts sweete Greene. Ile wage my crowne

Bagg:
giue them faire words. & smouth a while
the toyles are pitcht & you may catch them quickly/

King:
why how now vncle, what disrobd a gayne
of all yor goulden ritch abilliments

Wood:
I, I good [my leege] I'me now in my tother hose,
Ime now my self, playne Thomas, & bith rood
in these playne hose, Ile doe the realme more good
then these that pill the poore. to Iett in gould,

King:
nay be not angry vncle

Wood:
be you then pleased good [cuss] to heare me speake
& view thy subiects sadd petitions.
see heere king Richard. whist thou liuest at ease
luling thy self in nice securytye
thy wronged kingdomes in a muteny
from euery prouince are the people come
wt h open mouthes exclaymeing on the wrongs
thou & these vpstarts haue Imposd on them
shame is descifard on thy pallace gate
confusione hangeth ore thy wretched head
mischeife is comeing & in stormes must fall
th'oppression of the poore, to heauen doth call

King:
well well good vncle these yor bitter taunts
a gainst my ffreends & me will one day Cease
but whats the reasone you haue sent for vs,

lanc:
to haue yor grace confirme this parlament
& sett yor hand to certayne Articles
most need full for yor state & kingdomes quiatt

King:
wher are those Articles

Arond:
the states & Burgises oth parlament
attend wt h duety to deliuer them.

york:
please you assend yor throne wele call them in/

King:
we'le aske a questione first, & then wele see them
for trust me reuerent vncles we haue sworne
we will not sitt vpon or royall throne
vntill this questione be resolud at full
reach me that paper Busshey; heere me princes
we had a strange petitione heere deliuerd vs
a poore mans sonne, his father being deseast
gaue him in charge vnto a Ritch mans hands
to keepe hime & the little land he had
till he attaynd to (2i) yeares,
the poore reuenew amounts but too (3) crownes
& yett th'insatiate churle denyes his right
& barrs hime of his faire Inheritance
tell me I pray. will not or english lawes
enforce this ritch man to resigne his due

Wood:
ther is no lett to barr it gratious soueraigne
a fore my god sweete prince it Ioyes my soule
to see yor grace in persone, thus to Iudg his cause

yorke:
such deeds as this. will make king Richard shiñe
a boue his famous predissessor kings
if thus he labour to establish right
[OMITTED] the poore man then had wrong, you all confess
[OMITTED] & shall haue right my leeidg to quitt his wronge
[OMITTED] then wood stocke giue vs right, for we are wrongd
[OMITTED] thou art the ritch, & we the poore mans sonñ.
[OMITTED] the Realmes of England. ffrance. & Ireland
are those (3) crownes thou yearely keepst from vs
ist not a wrong, when euery meanemans sonne
may take his birthright at the tyme expird
and we the princypall, being now attaynd
almost to (22) yeares of Age.
cannot be sufferd to enIoy or owne
nor peaceably possess or ffathers right

Wood:
was this the tricke sweete prince, alacke the day
you need not thus. haue doubled wt h yor ffreends
the right I hould, even wt h my harte I render
& wish yor grace, had claymd it long agoe
thadst rid mine age of mickell care & woe
& yett I thinke I haue not wrongd yor birthright
for if the tymes were searcht I gess yor grace
Is not so full of yeares, till Aprill next
but be it as it will: low heere king Richard
I thus yeild vp my sad protectorshipp
giues the Mace vp
a heauey burthen hast thou tayne from mee
long maist thou liue in peace & keepe thine owne
that trueth & Iustice may attend thy throne

King:
Then in the name of heauen we thus assend itt
& heere we clayme or faire Inheritance
of fruitfull england ffrance, & Ireland
+ [Superior lord of Scottland]. & the rights
belonging to or great Dominions
heere vncles take the crowne from Richards hand
& once more place it one or kingly head
this day we wilbe new Inthronished

Wood:
wt h all or harts my lord: Trompetts be readye

a florish
all:
Long liue king Richard of that name the second
the soueraigne lord of Englands antient rights

King:
we thanke ye all. so now we feele or self
or bodye could not fill this chaire till now
twas scanted to vs by protectorshipp
but now we lett ye knowe king Richard Rules
& will elect & chuse. place & displace
such officers as we or self shall like off
& first my lords, be cause yor age is such
as pittye twere, ye should be further prest
wt h waytye busines of the common weale
we heere dismiss ye from the counsell table
& will that you remayne not in or courte
deliuer vp yor staues, & heere ye Arondell
we doe discharge ye of the Admirallty
Scroope take his office, & his place in counsell

[OMITTED] Scroop:
I thanke yor highnes

[OMITTED] yorke:
heere take my staff good cussen. Yorke thus leaues thee
[OMITTED] thou leanst on staues that will at length deseaue thee

lanc:
ther ly the burthen of old Lancaster
& may he perish that succeeds my place

King:
so sir we will obserue yor humor.
Sr henry Greene succeed or vncle yorke—
and Busshey take the staff of lancaster

Bush:
I thanke yor grace: his cursses frights not mee
Ile keepe it to deffend yor mat i e.

Wood:
what transformatione doe myn eyes behould ([OMITTED]
as if the world, were topsye-turuy turnd
heere me king Richard.

King:
playne Thomas Ile not heare ye

Greeñ:
ye doe not well to moue his mat i e.

Wood:
hence flatterer, or by my soule Ile kill thee
shall england that so long was gouerned
by graue experience. of whiteheaded age
be subiect now. to rash vnskillfull boyes
then force the sune rune backeward to the east
lay Attlas burthen on a pigmis backe
appoynt the sea his tymes to ebb & flowe
and that as easly may be done as this.

King:
giue vp yor counsell staff, wele heare no more

Wood:
my staff king Richard, see cuss, heere it is
full (10) yeares space wt hin a princes hand
a souldier & a faithfull Counsellor.
this staff hath alwayes bene discreetly kept
nor shall the world. report an vpstart groome
did glory in the honnors woodstock lost
& therfore Richard, thus I seuer itt
ther lett hime take it, shiuerd crackt & brooke
as will the state of england be ere longe
by this reiecting trew nobillitye
farwell king Richard, Ile to plasshy Brothers
if ye ryd through essex call & see me
if once the pillers & supporters quayle
how can the strongest castle chuse but faile

all: lords:
& so will he ere long. com com letts leaue them

Bush:
I, I yor places are supplid sufficiently

Exeunt the[OMITTED] lords
Scroop:

old dooteing gray beards, fore god my lord had they not
bene yo
r vncles, Ile brooke my counsell staffe about ther heads [OMITTED]

Greē:

wele haue an Act for this: it shalbe henceforth counted hye trea«s[OMITTED]»
for any fellow w
t h a gray beard, to com wt hin (40) foote of the [OMITTED] court gates

Bagg:

I or a great bellied dublett, wele alter the kingdome ≼sent[OMITTED]

Greē:

pox ont wele not haue a beard amongst vs, wele sha[OMITTED]
country and the cittye too, shall we not Richard

King:
doe what ye will, wele sheild & Buckler ye
wele haue a guard of Archers to attend vs.
& they shall dayely wayte on vs & you
send proclemations straight in Richards name
t'abridg the lawes or late protector mayd
lett some be sent to seeke Trissillian foorth

Bagg:

seeke hime, hang him, he lurkes not farr off I war
rant [OMITTED] & this newes com abroad once ye shall haue hime heere per«s[OMITTED]»

King:
would he were com. his counsell would direct you well

Greē:
troth I thinke I shall troble my self but wt h a few «*» [OMITTED]
what cheere shall we haue to dinner king Richard[OMITTED]

King:
no matter what to day. wele mend it shortly [OMITTED]
the hall at westminster shalbe Inlargd, [OMITTED]
and only serue vs for a dyneing Rome [OMITTED]
wher in Ile dayly feast (10000) men [OMITTED]

Greeñ:
an excellent deuice, the commons has murmord a g[OMITTED]
a great while, & thers no such meanes as meate to stopp«*» [OMITTED]

Scroop:
sfoote make their gate wyder, letts first fetch ther mon[OMITTED]
& bid them to dinner after-wards

Greeñ:
Sblud & I were not a counsellor. I could fynd in «*» [OMITTED]
to dyne at a Tauerne to day, sweete kinge [OMITTED]
Shalls be merry [OMITTED]

[OMITTED]
we must haue money to buy new suits my lord
the fashione that we weare are groose & staile
wele goe sitt in counsell to deuise some new

[OMITTED]ll:
a speciall purpose to be thought vppon. it shalbe the first thing wele doe

[OMITTED]King:
com wantons come: if Gloster heare of this
hele say or counsell guides vs much amiss
dismiss the parlament or vncles calld
& tell the peeres it is or present plesure
that each man parts vnto his seuerall home
[Flourish]
when we are pleasd they shall haue sum̄ons sent
& wt h king Richard hould a parlament. sett forwarde,

Greeñ:
you of the counsell march before the kinge
I will support his Arme.

King:
gramarcy greene

Trumpetts sounds Exeunt omnes
Enter the Queene. the Dutches a Gloster the Dutches of Ireland and other mayds wt h shirts & bands & other lyneing
queen:
Tell me deere Aunt has Richard so forgott
the tipes of honnor and nobollitye
soe to disgrace his good & Reuerent vncles

Dutch: Gl:
maddam tis true. no sooner had he claymd
the full possessione of his gouerment
but my deere husband & his noble bretheren
were all dissmissed from the counsell table
banisht the courte. & euen before ther faces
ther offices. bestowd on seuerall groomes

Duch: Ire:
my husband Ireland. that vnloueing lord
god ∥don his amiss, he now is dead
king Richard was the cause he left my bead

queē:
no more good cussen could I worke the meanes
he should not so disgrace his deerest ffreends
alacke the day. though I am englands queene
I meete sadd howres & wake when others sleepe
he meetes content, but care wt h me must keepe
distressed pouerty, ore spreads the kingdome
In essex Surrye kent & middlesex
are (17000) poore & Indegent
wc h I haue numberd, & to help ther wants
my Iewells & my plaite are turnd to coyne
& shard amongst them, oh Royatous Richard
a heauey blame is thine for this distress
that dost allowe thy pooleing fflattereres
to guild them selues wt h others misseryes

[OMITTED]
[wrong not yor selfe wt h sorrow gentle queene]
[vnless that sorrow were a helping meanes]
[to cure the malady you sorrow for]

[OMITTED]
[the sighes I vent are not mine owne deere Aunt]
[I doe not sorrow in myne owne behalfe]
[nor now repent wt h peeuish frowardness]
[& wish I nere had seene this english shoare]
[but thinke me happie in king Richards loue]
[no, no, good Aunt this trobles not my soule]
[tis englands subiects sorrowe I sustayne]
[I feare they grudg a gaynst ther soueraigne]

[OMITTED]
[feare not that maddame, englands not mutenus]
[tis peopled all wt h subiects, not wt h out lawes]
[tho Richard much misled by fflatterers]
[neglects & throwes his septer carelessly]
[yett none dares robb hime of his kingly Rule]

[OMITTED]
[besyds yor vertious charity. faire queene]
[So gratiously hath wonne the com̄ons loue]
[as only you haue powre to stay ther Rigo«r[OMITTED]»]

[OMITTED]
[the wealth I haue shalbe the poores reueney]
[as sure as twere confirmd by parlament]
[this myne owne Industry, and (60) more]
[I dayly keepe at worke,) is all ther owne]
[the coyne I haue. I send them. would twere more]
[to satisfye my feares, or pay those Sum̄es]
[my wanton lord. hath forst from needy subiects]
[Ide wannt my self. goe lett those truncks be filld]
[wt h those or labours to releeue the poore]
[Enter, Cheney]
[lett them be carefully. distributed]
[for those that now shall wannt, wele worke agayne]
[woodstocke]
[& tell them ere too dayes, we shalbe furnisht]

[OMITTED]
[what is the courte remoueing, whether goes that truncke]

[OMITTED]
[tis the queenes charitye Sir, of needfull cloathing]
[to be distributed a mongst thee poore]

[OMITTED]
[why thers one blessing yett that england hath]
[a vertious queene. although a wanton kinge]
[good health sweete princes, beleeue me maddam,]
[you haue quicke vtterance for yor huswiferye]
[yor grace affords good peniworths sure, ye sell so fast]
[pray heauen yor gittings quyte yor swifte returne]

[OMITTED]
[amen for tis from heauen, I looke for recompence]

[OMITTED]
no doubt faire queene, the righteous powers will quyt you
for these religious deeds of charitye

Cheny:
but to my message

health to yor matie

(lnterlined text)

: maddame my lord the duke
Intreats yor grace prepare wt h hime to horse
he will this night ryd home to plasshy house

Duc: Glo:
maddame ye heare I'me sent for

quee:
then begone
leaue me alone in dessolatione

Dut: Ire:
adue good Aunt, Ile see ye shortly ther
king Richards kindred are not wellcome heere

quee:
will ye all leaue me then oh woe is me
I now am crownd a queene of misserye

Dutch: Gl:
wher didst thou leaue my husband Cheney speake

Cheny:
accompined wt h the dukes of yorke & lancaster
who as I guess Intends to ryd wt h hime
for wc h he wisht me hast yor graces ≼sence

Duch: Glo:
thou seest the passions of the queene are such
I may not too abruptly leaue hir highnes
but tell my lord, Ile see hime persently

quee:
sawst thou king Richard Cheney prethee tell me
what reuells keepes his flattering minions

Che:
they sitt in counsell to deuise strang fashions
& suite them selues in wyld & anticke habitts
such as this kingdome neuer yett beheld
frenche hose, Italian cloakes, & spanish hatts
polonian shoes, wt h pickes, a handfull longe
tyde to ther knees, wt h chaynes of pearle & gould
ther plumed topps fly waueing in the ayre
a cubitt hye aboue ther wanton heads
Trissillian wt h king Richard likewise sitts
deuiseing taxes, & strange shiftes for money
to build agayne the hall at westminster
to feast [& reuell] in, & when abroad they come
(400) Archers In a guard attends them.

queen:
oh certayne rueine of this famous kingdome
fonnd Richard. thou buildst a hall to feast in
and staruest thy wretched subiects to erect itt
A Florish
woe to those men that thus inclyne thy Soule [OMITTED]
to thes remorseless acts and deeds so fowle [OMITTED]
[OMITTED] Trompetts tell vs that king Richards coming
[OMITTED] Ile take my leaue faire queene, but creditt mee
[OMITTED] ere many dayes agen Ile vissett ye

[OMITTED] Duch: Ire:
Ile home to Langly, wt h my vncle Yorke
& ther lament alone my wretched state—

Exeunt both ye Dutchesse[OMITTED]
queen:
blest heauen conducte ye both. queene An alone
for Richards follyes still must sigth & grone.—
Exitt Queene