CROAMER. Sir John Old-castle, Lord Cobham, in the King’s majesty’s name, I arrest ye of high treason.
COBHAM.
Treason, Master Croamer?
HARPOOLE.
Treason, Master Shrieve? sblood, what treason?
COBHAM.
Harpoole, I charge thee, stir not, but be quiet still.
Do ye arrest me, Master Shrieve, for treason?
BISHOP.
Yea, of high treason, traitor, heretic.
COBHAM.
Defiance in his face that calls me so.
I am as true a loyal gentleman
Unto his highness as my proudest enemy.
The King shall witness my late faithful service,
For safety of his sacred majesty.
BISHOP.
What thou art the king’s hand shall testify:
Shewt him, Lord Warden.
COBHAM.
Jesu defend me!
Is’t possible your cunning could so temper
The princely disposition of his mind,
To sign the damage of a loyal subject?
Well, the best is, it bears an antedate,
Procured by my absence, and your malice,
But I, since that, have shewd my self as true
As any churchman that dare challenge me.
Let me be brought before his majesty;
If he acquit me not, then do your worst.
BISHOP.
We are not bound to do king offices
For any traitor, schismatic, nor heretic.
The king’s hand is our warrant for our work,
Who is departed on his way for France,
And at Southhampton doth repose this night.
HARPOOLE. O that it were the blessed will of God, that thou and I were within twenty mile of it, on Salisbury plan! I would lose my head if ever thou broughtst thy head hither again.