WIFE. Ah, good Lord! come not near, good husband; only charge him, charge him! Ah, good God! help, help!
Enter PRINCE JOHN, the BISHOP OF ELY, the
PRIOR OF YORK, with others. All stay.
JOHN. What tumult have we here? who doth resist
The king's writs with such obstinate contempt?
WIFE. This kneve.
WAR. This rebel.
JOHN. How now, Little John,
Have you no more discretion than you show?
ELY. Lay hold, and clap the traitor by the heels.
LIT. JOHN. I am no traitor, my good Lord of Ely
First hear me, then commit me, if you please.
JOHN. Speak, and be brief.
LIT. JOHN. Here is a little box,
Containing all my gettings twenty year,
Which is mine own, and no man's but mine own:
This they would rifle, this I do defend,
And about this we only do contend.