Page:The First Part of the True and Honorable Historie of the Life of Sir John Old-castle (1600).pdf/35

 This sauours of Ambition, not of zeale, And rather proues, you malice his estate, Than any way that he offends the law. Go to, we like it not, and he your officer, That was imployde so much amisse herein, Had his desert for being insolent: So Cobham when you please you may depart.

Cob.I humbly bid farewell vnto my liege.

Har.Farewell, what's the newes by Huntington?

Hunt.Sir Roger Acton, and a crue, my Lord, Of bold seditious rebels, are in Armes, Intending reformation of Religion. And with their Army they intend to pitch, In Ficket field, vnlesse they be repulst.

Har.So nere our presence? dare they be so bold? And will prowd warre, and eager thirst of bloud, Whom we had thought to entertaine farre off, Presse forth vpon vs in our natiue boundes? Must wee be forc't to hansell our sharp blades In England here, which we prepar'd for France? Well, a Gods name be it, what's their number? say, Or who's the chiefe commander of this rowt?

Hunt.Their number is not knowne, as yet (my Lord) But tis reported Sir Iohn Old-castle Is the chiefe man, on whom they do depend.

Har.How, the Lord Cobham?

Hunt.Yes my gracious Lord.

Bish.I could haue told your maiestie as much Before he went, but that I saw your Grace Was too much blinded by his flaterie.

Suf.Send poast my Lord to fetch him backe againe.

But.Traitor vnto his country, how he smooth'de, And seemde as innocent as Truth it selfe?

Har.I cannot thinke it yet, he would be false, But if he be, no matter let him go, Weele meet both him and them vnto their wo. Bishop