Page 496 - Shakespeare - Vol. 1

Yet I do find it so: for, to be plain,
They (knowing Dame Eleanor’s aspiring humour)
Have hired me to undermine the duchess
And buzz these conjurations in her brain.
They say, ‘A crafty knave does need no broker’: [100]
Yet am I Suffolk and the cardinal’s broker.
Hume, if you take not heed, you shall go near
To call them both a pair of crafty knaves.
Well, so it stands: and thus, I fear, at last
Hume’s knavery will be the duchess’ wrack, [105]
And her attainture will be Humphrey’s fall.
Sort how it will, I shall have gold for all.

Exit.

Scene III IT

Enter three or four Petitioners, [Peter] the Armourer’s Man being one.

FIRST PETITIONER

My masters, let’s stand close; my Lord Protector will come this way by and
by, and then we may deliver our supplications in the quill.

SECOND PETITIONER

Marry, the Lord protect him, for he’s a good man, Jesu bless him. [5]

Enter Suffolk and Queen [Margaret, and they take him for Duke
Humphrey and give him their writings].

PET ER

Here a comes, methinks, and the queen with him. I’ll be the first, sure.

SECOND PETITIONER

Come back, fool! This is the Duke of Suffolk and not my Lord Protector.

SUFFOLK

How now, fellow; would’st anything with me? [10]

FIRST PETITIONER

I pray my lord pardon me: I took ye for my Lord Protector.