Page:The First Part of the True and Honorable Historie of the Life of Sir John Old-castle (1600).pdf/34

 Bish.Ah my good Lord, the state's abusde, And our decrees most shamefully prophande.

Har.How, or by whom?

Bish.Euen by this heretike, This Iew, this Traitor to your maiestie.

Cob.Prelate, thou liest, euen in thy greasie maw, Or whosoeuer twits me with the name, Of either traitor, or of heretike.

Har.Forbeare I say, and Bishop, shew the cause From whence this late abuse hath bin deriu'de,

Bish.Thus mightie King, by generall consent, A messenger was sent to cite this Lord, To make appearance in the consistorie, And comming to his house, a ruffian slaue, One of his daily followers, met the man, Who knowing him to be a parator, Assaults him first, and after in contempt Of vs, and our proceedings, makes him eate The written processe, parchment, seale and all: Whereby his maister neither was brought forth, Nor we but scornd, for our authoritie.

Har.When was this done?

Bish.At sixe a clocke this morning.

Har.And when came you to court?

Cob.Last night my Lord.

Har.By this it seemes, he is not guilty of it, And you haue done him wrong t'accuse him so.

Bish.But it was done my lord by his appointment, Or else his man durst ne're haue bin so bold.

Har.Or else you durst be bold, to interrupt, And fill our eares with friuolous complaints, Is this the duetie you do beare to vs? Was't not sufficient we did passe our word To send for him, but you misdoubting it, Or which is worse, intending to forestall Our regall power, must likewise summon him? This