Glo.
Now, lords, my choler being over-blown
With walking once about the Quadrangle,
I come to talk of commonwealth affairs.
As for your spightful false objections,
Prove them, and I lye open to the law.
But God in mercy deal so with my soul,
As I in duty love my King and country.
But to the matter that we have in hand:
I say, my Sovereign, York is meetest man
To be your Regent in the realm of France.

Suf.
Before we make election, give me leave
To shew some reason of no little force,
That York is most unmeet of any man.

York.
I'll tell thee, Suffolk, why I am unmeet:
First, for I cannot flatter thee in pride;
Next, if I be appointed for the place,
My lord of Somerset will keep me here
Without discharge, mony, or furniture,
'Till France be won into the Dauphin's hands.
Last time, I danc'd attendance on his will,
'Till Paris was besieg'd, famish'd and lost.

War.
That I can witness, and a fouler fact
Did never traitor in the land commit.

Suf.
Peace, head-strong Warwick.

War.
Image of pride, why should I hold my peace? Enter Horner the Armorer, and his Man Peter.

Suf.
Because here is a man accus'd of treason.
Pray God the Duke of York excuse himself.

York.
Doth any one accuse York for a traitor?

K. Henry.
What mean'st thou, Suffolk? tell me, what are these?

Suf.
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.

K. Henry.
Say, man, were these thy words?

Arm.

An't shall please your Majesty, I never said nor thought any such matter; God is my witness, I am falsly accus'd by the villain.

Peter.

By these ten bones, my lord, he did speak them to me in the garret one night, as we were scow'ring my lord of York's armour.

York.
Base dunghil 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 rigor of the law.

Arm.

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.

K. Henry.
Uncle, what shall we say to this in law?

Glo.
This doom, my lord, if I may judge:
Let Somerset be Regent o'er the French,
Because in York this breeds suspicion.
And let these have a day appointed them
For single combat in convenient place;
For he hath witness of his servant's malice.
This is the law, and this Duke Humphry's doom.

Som.
I humbly thank your royal Majesty.

Arm.
And I accept the combat willingly.

Peter.

Alas, my lord, I cannot fight; for God's sake pity my case; the spight † ^noteof man prevaileth against me. O lord have mercy upon me, I shall never be able to fight a blow: O lord, my heart!

Glo.

Sirrah, or you must fight, or else be hang'd.

K. Henry.

Away with them to prison; and the day of combat shall be the last of the next month. Come Somerset, we'll see thee sent away.