_Suf._ Because here is a man accused of treason:   ·bac175· Pray God the Duke of York excuse himself! _York._ Doth any one accuse York for a traitor? _King._ What mean’st thou, Suffolk; tell me, what are these? _Suf._ Please it your majesty, this is the man That doth accuse his master of high treason:   ·bac180· His words were these: that Richard Duke of York Was rightful heir unto the English crown And that your majesty was an usurper. _King._ Say, man, were these thy words? _Hor._ An’t shall please your majesty, I never said nor   [bac185] thought any such matter: God is my witness, I am falsely accused by the villain. _Pet._ By these ten bones, my lords, he did speak them to me in the garret one night, as we were scouring my Lord of York’s armour.   ·bac190· _York._ Base dunghill villain and mechanical, I’ll have thy head for this thy traitor’s speech. I do beseech your royal majesty, Let him have all the rigour of the law. _Hor._ Alas, my lord, hang me, if ever I spake the   ·bac195· words. My accuser is my ’prentice; and when I did correct him for his fault the other day, he did vow upon his knees he would be even with me: I have good witness of this; therefore I beseech your majesty, do not cast away an honest man for a villain’s accusation.   ·bac200· _King._ Uncle, what shall we say to this in law? _Glou._ This doom, my lord, if I may judge:   [bac202] Let Somerset be regent o’er the French, Because in York this breeds suspicion: And let these have a day appointed them   ·bac205· For single combat in convenient place, For he hath witness of his servant’s malice: This is the law, and this Duke Humphrey’s doom.   [bac208] _Som._ I humbly thank your royal majesty. _Hor._ And I accept the combat willingly.   ·bac210· _Pet._ Alas, my lord, I cannot fight; for God’s sake, pity my case. The spite of man prevaileth against me. O   [bac212] Lord, have mercy upon me! I shall never be able to fight a blow. O Lord, my heart! _Glou._ Sirrah, or you must fight, or else be hang’d.   ·bac215· _King._ Away with them to prison; and the day of   [bac216] combat shall be the last of the next month. Come, Somerset, we’ll see thee sent away. [_Flourish. Exeunt._ SCENE IV. GLOUCESTER’S _garden_. _Enter_ MARGERY JOURDAIN, HUME, SOUTHWELL, _and_ BOLINGBROKE. _Hume._ Come, my masters; the duchess, I tell you, expects   [bad001] performance of your promises. _Boling._ Master Hume, we are therefore provided: will her ladyship behold and hear our exorcisms? _Hume._ Ay, what else? fear you not her courage.   [bad005] _Boling._ I have heard her reported to be a woman of an invincible spirit: but it shall be convenient, Master Hume, that you be by her aloft, while we be busy below; and so, I pray you, go, in God’s name, and leave us. [_Exit Hume._] Mother Jourdain, be you prostrate and grovel on the earth; [bad010] John Southwell, read you; and let us to our work. [bad011]