Richard, in the midst of this rapture, laughed wistfully, with arms outspread as to embrace his people, and when they saw this they cried out anew: “God save the King!—Long live the King!—Long live the King!”—And those that were nigh kissed his stirrups and his saddlecloth.
“Mes amis!” he said, and they that saw his lips move began to beat upon that tumult with: “Peace!—Peace!—The King speaks!—Peace!” till the shouting died as the wind drops, and but for a solitary voice cast up fitful now and again, there was stillness.
“What will ye?” Richard cried. "I am here. I have taken Reason and Conscience to be my counsellors:—
'And Reason shall reckon with you if I reign anywhile,
And judge you by this day as ye have deserved.'"
And when they had heard the words of Long Will's Vision, they laughed, and not a few wept for joy.
“Persuade him that he come to us,” whispered John Ball.
“Do thou,” Wat retorted, uneasy. “Thou hast a softer tongue and more learning. Cursed be these fools!”
“Let one speak!” said the King, “and say what the people will have.”
There was pause, rustle, a craning of necks to see.
Jack Straw shook as with an ague fit. Wat Tyler started uncertain, looked at John Ball, and drew back.