Usher. If it be, as we are let to understand,
My lord the king hath given them general pardon.
Queen. So he hath, and they, like honest men, are gone homeward, or at least the most part of them, but worst[448] in mine opinion is their haps, that tarry longest.
T. M. (seeing them). But peace, here is the king's mother; she can do much with the king. I'll treat her to beg my pardon of the king wisely. I'll go to her. Humbly unto your worships, a poor captain, Thomas Miller, requesting your favourable bequest, touching the permission of destray, towards the said Captain Miller, which in blunt and flat terms is nominated, Sursum cordum, alias dictus hangum meum, from which place of torment God us all deliver, and grant us to be merciful while we live here together. Now, sir, understanding your worship is the king's mother, lamentably in the behalf before spoken, to stand between me and the gallows, or to beg my pardon, in which you shall not only save a proper, handsome, tall fellow and a stout captain, but also you shall purchase the prayers of all the ale-wives in the town for saving a malt-worm and a customer to help away their strong ale.
Queen. What means the fellow by all this eloquence?
Usher. It seems he fears he shall be hanged,
And therefore craves your grace's favour
In his behalf.
Queen. Alas, poor fellow!
He seemeth to be a starken idiot. Good fellow,
If thou wilt go beg thy pardon of the king,
I will speak for thee.
T. M. Will you, in faith, and I will give you a tawdry[449] love.
Usher. Madam, here comes an unruly crew; let's be gone.
[Exeunt Queen-Mother and Usher. Manet T. Miller.
Enter Jack Straw, Wat Tyler, Parson Ball, Nobs.
J. S. The king and his nobles think they may sleep in quiet,
Now they have given us a little holy water at the court.
But there's no such matter; we be no such fools,
To be babbled out with words, and after come to hanging.
Wat, do the thing thou com'st for;
If thou wilt be ruled by me, we'll not leave it so.