Compare 1577 edition: 1 2 When the duke had said, and looked that the people, whome he hoped that the maior had framed before, should after this proposition made, haue cried; King Richard, king Richard: all was husht and mute, and not one word answered therevnto. Wherewith the duke was maruellouslie abashed, and taking the maior neerer to him, with other that were about him priuie to that matter, said vnto them softlie. What meaneth this, that the people be so still? Sir (quoth the maior) percase they perceiue you not well. That shall we mend (quoth he) if that will helpe. And by & by somewhat lowder he rehersed to them the same mat|ter againe in other order, and other words, so well and ornatlie, and nathelesse so euidentlie and plaine, with voice, gesture, and countenance so comelie, and so conuenient, that euerie man much maruelled that heard him, and thought that they neuer had in their liues heard so euill a tale so well told [insomuch that he séemed as cunning an orator, as he, of whome the poet spake to his high praise & cõmendation, saieng:

Quaelibet eloquio causa fit apta suo.]

Compare 1577 edition: 1 But were it for woonder or feare,The election of K. Richard hardlie to be preferred. or that each looked that other should speake first: not one word was there answered of all the people that stood before, but all was as still as the midnight, not somuch as row|ning amongest them, by which they might seeme to commune what was best to do. When the maior saw this, he with other partners of that councell drew a|bout the duke, and said that the people had not béene accustomed there to be spoken vnto, but by the re|corder, which is the mouth of the citie, and happilie to him they will answer. With that the recorder, cal|led Fitz William, a sad man, & an honest,Fitz William recorder. which was so new come into that office, that he neuer had spo|ken to the people before, and loth was with that mat|ter to begin, notwithstanding thervnto commanded by the maior, made rehearsall to the commons of that the duke had twise rehearsed to them himselfe.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 But the recorder so tempered his tale, that he shewed euerie thing as the dukes words, and no part his owne. But all this noting no change made in the people, which alwaie after one stood as they had béene men amazed. Wherevpon the duke rowned vnto the maior and said; This is a maruellous obstinate si|lence: and therewith he turned vnto the people a|gaine with these words; Déere friends, we come to mooue you to that thing, which peraduenture we not so greatlie néeded, but that the lords of this realme, and the commons of other parties might haue suffi|ced, sauing that we such loue beare you, and so much set by you, that we would not gladlie doo without you, that thing in which to be partners is your weale and honor, which (as it séemeth) either you sée not, or weie not. Wherefore we require you giue vs an|swer one way or other, whether you be minded, as all the nobles of the realme be, to haue this noble prince, now protector, to be your king or not.