Page 504 - Shakespeare - Vol. 1

Say, man, were these thy words?

HORNER

And’t shall please your majesty, I never said nor [185] thought any such
matter. God is my witness, I am falsely accused by the villain.

PET ER

[holdin up his hands]
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. [190]

Y ORK

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 [195] 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. [200]

KING HENRY

Uncle, what shall we say to this in law?

GLOUCEST ER

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 [205]
For single combat in convenient place;
For he hath witness of his servant’s malice.
This is the law, and this Duke Humphrey’s doom.

[King Henry nods assent.]

SOMERSET

I humbly thank your royal majesty.