An't please your majesty, here is my lord ma241yor and the sheriff of London to speak with your majesty.

Admit them to our presence.

3.3244Now, my good lord mayor of London, 245the cause of my sending for you at this time is to tell you 246of a matter which I have learned of my council. Herein 247I understand that you have committed my son to prison 248without our leave and licence. What, although he be a rude 249youth and likely to give occasion, yet you might have con250sidered that he is a prince, and my son, and not to be 251haled to prison by every subject.

May it please your majesty to give us leave to 253tell our tale?

Or else, God forbid, otherwise you might 255think me an unequal judge, having more affection to 256my son than to any rightful judgment.

Then I do not doubt but we shall rather deserve 258commendations at your majesty's hands than any anger.

Go to, say on.

Then, if it please your majesty, this night be261twixt two and three of the clock in the morning, my lord 262the young prince with a very disordered company came to 263the old tavern in Eastcheap, and whether it was that 264their music liked them not or whether they were over265come with wine, I know not, but they drew their swords, 266and into the street they went, and some took my lord the 267young prince's part and some took the other, but betwixt 268them there was such a bloody fray for the space of half an 269hour that neither watchmen nor any other could stay them 270'til my brother the sheriff of London and I were sent for, 271and at the last with much ado we stayed them, but it was 272long first, which was a great disquieting to all your loving 273subjects thereabouts. And then, my good lord, we knew not 274whether your grace had sent them to try us, whether we 275would do justice, or whether it were of their own volun276tary will or not, we cannot tell. And therefore in such a 277case we knew not what to do, but for our own safeguard we 278sent him to ward, where he wanteth nothing that is fit for 279his grace and your majesty's son. And thus most hum280bly beseeching your majesty to think of our answer.

Stand aside until we have further deliberated 282on your answer.

Ah, Harry, Harry, now thrice-accursed Harry, 285that hath gotten a son which with grief 286will end his father's days. 287O my son, a prince thou art, ay, a prince indeed -- 288and to deserve imprisonment! 289And well have they done, and like faithful subjects. 290[To Exeter and Oxford] Discharge them and let them go.

I beseech your grace, be good to my lord the 292young prince.

Nay, nay, 'tis no matter. Let him alone.

Perchance the mayor and the sheriff have 295been too precise in this matter.

No, they have done like faithful subjects. 297I will go myself to discharge them and let them go.