Page:The First Part of the True and Honorable Historie of the Life of Sir John Old-castle (1600).pdf/13

 Innocent of it, onely his name was vsde. We therefore from his Highnesse giue this charge. You maister Maior, looke to your citizens, You maister Sherife vnto your shire, and you As Iustices in euery ones precinct There be no meetings. When the vulgar sort Sit on their Ale-bench, with their cups and kannes, Matters of state be not their common talke, Nor pure religion by their lips prophande. Let vs returne vnto the Bench againe, And there examine further of this fray. Enter a Baily and a Serieant Sher.Sirs, haue ye taken the lord Powesse yet?

Ba.No, nor heard of him.

Ser.No, hee's gone farre enough.

2. Iu.They that are left behind, shall answer all.

Suffolke.Now my lord Bishop, take free liberty To speake your minde: what is your sute to vs?

Bishop.My noble Lord, no more than what you know, And haue bin oftentimes inuested with: Grieuous complaints haue past betweene the lippes Of enuious persons to vpbraide the Cleargy, Some carping at the liuings which we haue, And others spurning at the ceremonies That are of auncient custome in the church. Amongst the which, Lord Cobham is a chiefe: What inconuenience may proceede hereof, Both to the King and to the common wealth, May easily be discernd, when like a frensie This innouation shall possesse their mindes. These vpstarts will haue followers to vphold Their damnd opinion, more than Harry shall To vndergoe his quarrell gainst the French.

Suffolke.What proofe is there against them to be had, That what you say the law may iustifie?

Bishop.They giue themselues the name of Protestants, And