O, let me live!

548

Cade. I feel remorse in myself with his words: but I'l bridle it; he shall die, an it be but for pleading so well for his life. Away with him! he has a familiar under his tongue; he speaks not o'God's name. Go, take him away, I say, and strike off his head presently; and then break into his son-in-law's house, Sir James Cromer, and strike off his head, and bring them both upon two poles hither.

All. It shall be done.

Say. Ah, countrymen! if, when you make your prayers,

God should be so obdurate as yourselves,

560

How would it fare with your departed souls? And therefore yet relent, and save my life. Cade. Away with him, and do as I command ye. [Exeunt some, with Lord SAY. The proudest peer of the realm shall not wear a head on his shoulders, unless he pay me tribute; there shall not a maid be married, but she shall pay to me her maiden-head ere they have it: Men shall hold of me in capite; and we charge and command, that their wives be as free as heart can wish, or tongue can tell. Dick. My lord, when shall we go to Cheapside, and take up commodities upon our bills?

Cade. Marry, presently.

All. O brave!

Re-enter one with the Heads.

570

Cade. But is not this braver ?-Let them kiss one

another;

another; for they lov'd well, when they were alive. Now part them again, lest they consult about the giv ing up of some more towns in France. Soldiers, de fer the spoil of the city until night: for with these borne before us, instead of maces, we will ride through the streets; and, at every corner, have them kiss.— Away! [Exeunt.

SCÈNE VIII.

Southwark. Alarum, and Retreat. Enter again CADE, and all his Rabblement.

Cade. Up Fish-Street! down Saint Magnus' corner! kill and knock down! throw them into Thames ![A Parley sounded.

What noise is this I hear? Dare any be so bold to sound retreat or parley, when I command them kill?

Enter BUCKINGHAM, and Old CLIFFORD, attended.

Buck. Ay, here they be that dare, and will disturb thee:

Know, Cade, we come ambassadors from the king
Unto the commons, whom thou hast mis-led;

And here pronounce free pardon to them all,
That will forsake thee, and go home in peace. 595
Clif. What say ye, countrymen? will ye relent,
And yield to mercy, whilst 'tis offer'd you;
K

Or

Or let a rabble lead you to your deaths ?
Who loves the king, and will embrace his pardon,
Fling up his cap, and say-God save his majesty!
Who hateth him, and honours not his father,

Henry the fifth, that made all France to quake,
Shake he his weapon at us, and pass by.

All. God save the king! God save the king! 599 Cade. What, Buckingham, and Clifford, are ye so brave? And you, base peasants, do ye believe him? will you needs be hang'd with your pardons about your necks? Hath my sword therefore broke through London gates, that you should leave me at the White-Hart, in Southwark? I thought ye would never have given out these arms, 'till you had recover'd your ancient freedom: but you are all recreants, and dastards; and delight to live in slavery to the nobility. Let them break your backs with burdens, take your houses over your heads, ravish your wives and daughters before your faces: For me-I will make shift for one; and so-God's curse 'light upon you all! 613

All. We'll follow Cade, we'll follow Cade.
Clif. Is Cade the son of Henry the fifth,
That thus you do exclaim-you'll go with him?
Will he conduct you through the heart of France,
And make the meanest of you earls and dukes ?
Alas! he hath no home, no place to fly to;
Nor knows he how to live, but by the spoil,
Unless by robbing of your friends, and us.
Wer't not a shame, that, whilst you live at jar,

621

The

The fearful French, whom you late vanquished,
Should make a start o'er seas, and vanquish you?
Methinks, already, in this civil broil,

I see them lording it in London streets,
Crying-Villageois! unto all they meet.

Better, ten thousand base-born Cades miscarry,
Than you should stoop unto a Frenchman's mercy.
To France, to France, and get what you have lost;
Spare England, for it is your native coast:
Henry hath money, you are strong and manly;
God on our side, doubt not of victory.

631

All. A Clifford a Clifford we'll follow the king, and Clifford.

Cade. Was ever feather so lightly blown to and fro, as this multitude? the name of Henry the fifth hales them to an hundred mischiefs, and makes them leave me desolate. I see them lay their heads together, to surprise me my sword make way for me, for here is no staying. In despight of the devils and hell, have through the very midst of you! and heavens and honour be witness, that no want of resolution in me, but only my followers' base and ignominious treasons, makes me betake me to my heels.

[Exit.

Buck. What, is he fled? go some, and follow him And he, that brings his head unto the king, Shall have a thousand crowns for his reward.

i

[Exeunt some of them.

Follow me, soldiers; we'll devise a mean

To reconcile you all unto the king.

Kij

[Exeunt.

SCENE

SCENE IX.

Kenelworth-Castle. Sound Trumpets. Enter King HENRY, Queen MARGARET, and SOMERSET, on the Terras.

K. Henry. Was ever king, that joy'd an earthly

throne,

And could command no more content than I ?
No sooner was I crept out of my cradle,
But I was made a king, at nine months old:
Was never subject long'd to be a king,

As I do long and wish to be a subject.

Enter BUCKINGHAM, and CLIFFORD.

651

Buck. Health, and glad tidings, to your majesty! K. Henry. Why, Buckingham, is the traitor Cade surpris'd?

Or is he but retir'd to make him strong?

Enter below, Multitudes with Halters about their Necks.

Clif. He's fled, my lord, and all his powers do

yield;

And humbly thus with halters on their necks

Expect your highness' doom, of life, or death.

660

K. Henry. Then, heaven, set ope thy everlasting

gates,

To entertain my vows of thanks and praise!—
Soldiers, this day have you redeem'd your lives,

And