The Works of William Shakespeare [Cambridge Edition] [Vol. 5 of 9]Shakespeare, William
General
The Works of William Shakespeare [Cambridge Edition] [Vol. 5 of 9]
Shakespeare, William
English drama
_Glou._ Then, Saunder, sit there, the lyingest knave in [bba125]
Christendom. If thou hadst been born blind, thou mightst
as well have known all our names as thus to name the [bba127]
several colours we do wear. Sight may distinguish of colours,
but suddenly to nominate them all, it is impossible. My [bba129]
lords, Saint Alban here hath done a miracle; and would [bba130]
ye not think his cunning to be great, that could restore this [bba131]
cripple to his legs again? [bba132]
_Simp._ O master, that you could!
_Glou._ My masters of Saint Albans, have you not beadles
in your town, and things called whips? ·bba135·
_May._ Yes, my lord, if it please your grace. [bba136]
_Glou._ Then send for one presently.
_May._ Sirrah, go fetch the beadle hither straight. [bba138]
[_Exit an Attendant._
_Glou._ Now fetch me a stool hither by and by. Now, [bba139]
sirrah, if you mean to save yourself from whipping, leap ·bba140·
me over this stool and run away.
_Simp._ Alas, master, I am not able to stand alone:
You go about to torture me in vain.
_Enter a_ Beadle _with whips_.
_Glou._ Well, sir, we must have you find your legs.
Sirrah beadle, whip him till he leap over that same stool. ·bba145·
_Bead._ I will, my lord. Come on, sirrah; off with your
doublet quickly.
_Simp._ Alas, master, what shall I do? I am not able
to stand.
[_After the Beadle hath hit him once, he leaps over
the stool and runs away; and they follow and cry_, ‘A
miracle!’
_King._ O God, seest Thou this, and bearest so long? [bba150]
_Queen._ It made me laugh to see the villain run.
_Glou._ Follow the knave; and take this drab away. [bba152]
_Wife._ Alas, sir, we did it for pure need. [bba153]
_Glou._ Let them be whipped through every market-town, [bba154]
till they come to Berwick, from whence they came. [bba155]
[_Exeunt Wife, Beadle, Mayor, &c._
_Car._ Duke Humphrey has done a miracle to-day. [bba156]
_Suf._ True; made the lame to leap and fly away.
_Glou._ But you have done more miracles than I;
You made in a day, my lord, whole towns to fly. [bba159]
_Enter_ BUCKINGHAM.
_King._ What tidings with our cousin Buckingham? [bba160]
_Buck._ Such as my heart doth tremble to unfold.
A sort of naughty persons, lewdly bent,
Under the countenance and confederacy
Of Lady Eleanor, the protector’s wife,
The ringleader and head of all this rout, ·bba165·
Have practised dangerously against your state,
Dealing with witches and with conjurers:
Whom we have apprehended in the fact;
Raising up wicked spirits from under ground,
Demanding of King Henry’s life and death, ·bba170·
And other of your highness’ privy-council;
As more at large your grace shall understand.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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