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King Henry the Sixth, I. iii
21

Suf. Please it your majesty, this is the man 184
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. 188

King. 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 falsely accused by the villain. 192

Pet. 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, 196
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.

Arm. Alas! my lord, hang me if ever I spake 200
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 204
I beseech your majesty, do not cast away an
honest man for a villain's accusation.

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

Hum. This doom, my lord, if I may judge. 208
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, 212
For he hath witness of his servant's malice.
This is the law, and this Duke Humphrey's doom.

[King. Then be it so. My Lord of Somerset,
We make your Grace lord regent o'er the French.] 216


193 bones: fingers
196 mechanical: plebeian
208 doom: judgment
210 in: in regard to
215, 216 Cf. n.