K. Henry.
Bring in those traitors, whose aspiring minds
Thought to have triumph'd in our overthrow:
But now ye see, base villains, what success
Attends ill actions wrongfully attempted.
Sir Roger Acton, thou retain'st the name
Of knight, and shouldst be more discreetly temper'd
Than join with peasants; gentry is divine,
But thou hast made it more than popular^{5 note}.

Act.
Pardon, my lord, my conscience urg'd me to it.

K. Henry.
Thy conscience! then thy conscience is corrupt^{6 note}

Bev.
We meant no hurt unto your majesty,
But reformation of religion.

K. Henry.
Reform religion? was it that you sought?
I pray, who gave you that authority?
Belike then we do hold the scepter up,
And sit within the throne but for a cipher.
Time was, good subjects would make known their grief,
And pray amendment, not enforce the same,
Unless their king were tyrant; which I hope
You cannot justly say that Harry is.
What is that other?

Suf.
A malt-man, my lord,
And dwelling in Dunstable, as he says.

K. Henry.
Sirrah, what made you leave your barley-broth,
To come in armour thus against your king?

Mur.

Fie, paltry, paltry, to and fro, in and out upon occasion, what a world is this! Knighthood, my liege, 'twas knighthood brought me hither: they told me I had wealth enough to make my wife a lady.

K. Henry.
And so you brought those horses which we saw
Trapp'd all in costly furniture; and meant
To wear these spurs when you were knighted once.

Mur.
In and out upon occasion, I did.

K. Henry.
In and out upon occasion, therefore
You shall be hang'd, and in the stead of wearing
These spurs upon your heels, about your neck
They shall bewray your folly to the world.

Sir John.

In and out upon occasion, that goes hard.

Mur.

Fie, paltry, paltry, to and fro. Good my liege, a pardon; I am sorry for my fault.

K. Henry.
That comes too late. But tell me, went there none

Of this your late unnatural rebellion?
Speak, for I dare the uttermost you can.

Mur.
In and out upon occasion, I know you not.

K. Henry.
No! didst thou not say, that sir John Oldcastle
Was one with whom you purpos'd to have met?

Mur.
True, I did say so; but in what respect?
Because I heard it was reported so.

K. Henry.
Was there no other argument but that?

Act.
To clear my conscience ere I die my lord^{9 note},
I must confess we have no other ground
But only rumour, to accuse this lord;
Which now I see was merely fabulous.

K. Henry.
The more pernicious you to taint him then,
Whom you know was not faulty, yea or no.

Cob.
Let this, my lord, which I present your grace,
Speak for my loyalty; read these articles,
And then give sentence of my life or death.

K. Henry.
Earl Cambridge, Scroope, and Grey, corrupted
With bribes from Charles of France, either to win
My crown from me, or secretly contrive
My death by treason! Is it possible?

Cob.
There is the platform, and their hands, my lord,
Each severally subscribed to the same.

K. Henry.
Oh never-heard-of, base ingratitude!
Even those I hug within my bosom most,
Are readiest evermore to sting my heart.
Pardon me, Cobham, I have done thee wrong;
Hereafter I will live to make amends.
Is then their time of meeting so near hand?
We'll meet with them, but little for their ease,
If God permit. Go take these rebels hence,

Let them have martial law: but as for thee,
Friend to thy king and country, still be free. [Exeunt king Henry and Cobham.

Mur.
Be it more or less, what a world is this?
Would I had continued still of the order of knaves,
And ne'er sought knighthood, since it costs so dear:
Sir Roger, I may thank you for all.

Act.
Now 'tis too late to have it remedied,
I pr'ythee, Murley, do not urge me with it.

Hunt.
Will you away, and make no more to do?

Mur.
Fie, paltry, paltry, to and fro, as occasion serves:
If you be so hasty, take my place.

Hunt.
No, good sir knight, e'en take it yourself.

Mur.
I could be glad to give my betters place. [Exeunt.

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