Enter Horner the armourer and his man Peter, guarded.
SUFFOLK.
Because here is a man accused of treason.
Pray God the Duke of York excuse himself!
YORK.
Doth anyone accuse York for a traitor?
KING HENRY.
What mean’st thou, Suffolk? Tell me, what are these?
SUFFOLK.
Please it your majesty, this is the man
That doth accuse his master of high treason.
His words were these: that Richard, Duke of York
Was rightful heir unto the English crown,
And that your majesty was an usurper.
KING HENRY.
Say, man, were these thy words?
HORNER.
An ’t shall please your majesty, I never said nor thought any such matter. God is my witness, I am falsely accused by the villain.
PETER.
By these ten bones, my lords, he did speak them to me in the garret one night as we were scouring my Lord of York’s armour.
YORK.
Base dunghill villain and mechanical,
I’ll have thy head for this thy traitor’s speech!—
I do beseech your royal majesty,
Let him have all the rigour of the law.
HORNER.
Alas, my lord, hang me if ever I spake the words. My accuser is my prentice; and when I did correct him for his fault the other day, he did vow upon his knees he would be even with me. I have good witness of this, therefore I beseech your majesty, do not cast away an honest man for a villain’s accusation.