The King was stung. He said sharply —

“Ye mannerless vagrants, is this your recognition of the royal boon I have promised?”

He said more, with angry voice and excited gesture, but it was lost in a whirlwind of laughter and mocking exclamations. ’John Hobbs’ made several attempts to make himself heard above the din, and at last succeeded — saying —

“Mates, he is my son, a dreamer, a fool, and stark mad — mind him not — he thinketh he is the King.”

“I am the King,” said Edward, turning toward him, “as thou shalt know to thy cost, in good time. Thou hast confessed a murder — thou shalt swing for it.”