ARKCODEX
Act IV, Scene 5
1A park near Middleham Castle in Yorkshire.
2Enter Gloucester, Lord Hastings, and Sir William Stanley.
3GloucesterNow, my Lord Hastings and Sir William Stanley,
Leave off to wonder why I drew you hither,
Into this chiefest thicket of the park.
Thus stands the case: you know our king, my brother,
Is prisoner to the bishop here, at whose hands
He hath good usage and great liberty,
And, often but attended with weak guard,
Comes hunting this way to disport himself.
I have advertised him by secret means
That if about this hour he make his way
Under the colour of his usual game,
He shall here find his friends with horse and men
To set him free from his captivity.
4Enter King Edward and a Huntsman with him.
5HuntsmanThis way, my lord; for this way lies the game.
6King EdwardNay, this way, man: see where the huntsmen stand.
Now, brother of Gloucester, Lord Hastings, and the rest,
Stand you thus close, to steal the bishop’s deer?
7GloucesterBrother, the time and case requireth haste:
Your horse stands ready at the park-corner.
8King EdwardBut whither shall we then?
9HastingsTo Lynn, my lord,
And ship from thence to Flanders.
10GloucesterWell guess’d, believe me; for that was my meaning.
11King EdwardStanley, I will requite thy forwardness.
12GloucesterBut wherefore stay we? ’tis no time to talk.
13King EdwardHuntsman, what say’st thou? wilt thou go along?
14HuntsmanBetter do so than tarry and be hang’d.
15GloucesterCome then, away; let’s ha’ no more ado.
16King EdwardBishop, farewell: shield thee from Warwick’s frown;
And pray that I may repossess the crown. Exeunt.