KING EDWARD

Brother of Scotland, I do hold it hard, Seeing a league of truce was late confirmde Betwixt you and me, without displeasure offered, You should make such invasion in my land, The vows of kings should be as oracles, Not blemished with the stain of any breach, Chiefly where fealty and homage wills it. Gramercy, Musgrove, else it had gone hard. Cuddy, I'll quite thee well ere we two partly I wot well, Musgrove shall not loose his hire. As George a Green, I pray thee, Cuddy, Let me question thee, Much have I herd since I came to my crown, Many in manner of a proverb say, Were he as good as G. a Green, I would strike him sure: I pray thee tell me, Cuddy, canst thou inform me, What is that George a Green. Too well, why so, Warwick? Why, dares he strike and Earl? Why this is wondrous, my L. of Warwick, Soar do I long to see this George a Green. But leaving him, what shall we do, my Lord, For to subdue the rebels in the North? They are now marching up to Doncaster. Soft, who have we there? Aspiring traitor, how darest thou once Cast thine eyes upon thy Sovereign, That honoured thee with kindness and with favour? But I will make thee buy this treason deer. George a Green, now shall I hear news Certain what this Pinner is: Discourse it briefly, Cuddy, how it befell. But Cuddy, canst thou not tell Where I might give and grant some thing, That might please, & highly gratify the pinners thoughts? Cuddy, what is it? I think the man strives to be glorious. Well, George hath craved it, and it shall be granted, Which none but he in England should have got. Live Kendall, but as prisoner, So shalt thou end thy days within the tower. Nay, but ill come as it falls out now, I, ill come in deed, were it not for George a Green, But gentle king, for so you would aver, And Edwards betters, I falute you both, And here I vow by good Saint George, You will gain but little when your sums are counted. I soar do long to see this George a Green: And for because I never saw the North, I will forthwith go see it: And for that to none I will be known, We will disguise our selves and steal down secretly, Thou and I king James, Cuddy, and two or three, And make a merry journey for a month. Away then, conduct him to the tower. Come on king James my heart must needs be merry, If fortune make such havoc of our foes. Come on, king James, now we are Thus disguised, There is none (I know) will take us to be kings: I think we are now in Bradford, Where all the merry shoemakers dwell. Down with our staves? I pray thee, why so? But hear you sir, hath the king Granted you this custom? What were we best to do? Hearest thou, my friend? Because we are men of peace and travellers, We are content to trail our staves. Call you us, sir? We will hold up our staves. What is that? Go your ways and do it. Confirm it, you would say. Well, he hath done it for you, it is sufficient. Come, George, we will go to Grime, And have thy love. Which is thy old father, Cuddy? Ah old Musgrove, kneel up, It fits not such grey hairs to kneel. Godamercy, Musgrove, for this friendly gift, And for thou feldst a king with this same weapon, This blade shall here dub valiant Musgrove knight. Art thou her aged father? What sayest thou, George? Now George, it rest I gratify thy worth: And therefore here I do bequeathe to thee, In full possession half that Kendal hath, And what as Bradford holds of me in chief, I give it frankly unto thee for ever. Kneel down George. Dub thee a knight, George. What is that? Well, be it so George. George a Green, set down the king of Scots His ransom. Do it, the honor's thine. I crave no more. Now George a Green, I'll to thy house: and when I have supped, I'll go to Ask, And see if Jane a Barley be so fair, As good King James reports her for to be. And for the ancient custom of Veil staff, keep it Claim privilege from me: If any ask a reason why? or how? Say, English Edward veiled his staff to you. Yes sir, we are big enough, but here is a custom Kept, that none may pass his staff upon his neck, Unless he trail it at the weapons point. Sir, we are men of peace, and love to sleep In our whole skins, and therefore quietness is best. Do you hear my friends? and you be wise, Keep down your staves, For all the town will rise upon you. And wilt not give thy daughter unto George? What, is it a boy? what sayest thou to this Grime? Reply not, traitor. Tell me, Cuddy, whose deed of honour Won the victory against this rebel. To mend thy living take thou Meddellom castle, The hold of both: and if thou want living, complain, Thou shalt have more to maintain thine estate. George, which is thy love?