_Queen._ Beside the haughty protector, have we Beaufort   [bac066] The 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 these that can do most of all   ·bac070· Cannot do more in England than the Nevils: Salisbury and Warwick are no simple peers. _Queen._ Not all these lords do vex me half so much As that proud dame, the lord protector’s wife. She sweeps it through the court with troops of ladies,   [bac075] More like an empress than duke Humphrey’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:   [bac079] Shall I not live to be avenged on her?   ·bac080· Contemptuous base-born callet as she is, She vaunted ’mongst her minions t’other day, The very train of her worst wearing gown Was better worth than all my father’s lands, Till Suffolk gave two dukedoms for his daughter.   ·bac085· _Suf._ Madam, myself have limed a bush for her, And placed a quire of such enticing birds, That she will light to listen to the lays,   [bac088] And never mount to trouble you again. So, let her rest: and, madam, list to me;   ·bac090· For I am bold to counsel you in this. Although we fancy not the cardinal,   [bac092] Yet must we join with him and with the lords, Till we have brought Duke Humphrey in disgrace. As for the Duke of York, this late complaint   ·bac095· Will make but little for his benefit. So, one by one, we’ll weed them all at last,   [bac097] And you yourself shall steer the happy helm.   [bac098] _Sound a Sennet. Enter the_ KING, DUKE HUMPHREY of Gloucester, CARDINAL BEAUFORT, BUCKINGHAM, YORK, SOMERSET, SALISBURY, WARWICK, _and the_ DUCHESS OF GLOUCESTER. _King._ For my part, noble lords, I care not which;   [bac099] Or Somerset or York, all’s one to me.   ·bac100· _York._ If York have ill demean’d himself in France, Then let him be denay’d the regentship.   [bac102] _Som._ If Somerset be unworthy of the place, Let York be regent; I will yield to him. _War._ Whether your grace be worthy, yea or no,   ·bac105· Dispute not that: York is the worthier. _Car._ Ambitious Warwick, let thy betters speak. _War._ The cardinal’s not my better in the field.   [bac108] _Buck._ All in this presence are thy betters, Warwick. _War._ Warwick may live to be the best of all.   ·bac110· _Sal._ Peace, son! and show some reason, Buckingham, Why Somerset should be preferred in this. _Queen._ Because the king, forsooth, will have it so. _Glou._ Madam, the king is old enough himself To give his censure: these are no women’s matters.   [bac115] _Queen._ If he be old enough, what needs your grace To be protector of his excellence? _Glou._ Madam, I am protector of the realm; And, at his pleasure, will resign my place.