SCENE V. KING HENRY VI. Scales. Such aid as I can spare, you shall com- But I am troubled here with them myself, SCENE VI. The same. buckram lord! now art thou within point blank of our jurisdiction regal. What canst thou answer to my majesty, for giving up of Normandy unto monsieur Basimecu, the dauphin of France? Be it known unto thee, by these presence, even the presence of lord Mortimer, that I am the besom that must sweep the court clean of such filth as thou art. Thou hast most traitorously corrupted the youth of the realm, in erecting a grammar-school: and whereas, before, our fore-fathers had no other books but the score and the tally, thou hast caused printing to be used; and, contrary to the king, his crown and dignity, thou hast built a paper-mill. It will be proved to thy face, that thou hast men about thee, that usually talk of a noun, and a verb; such abominable words, as no Christian ear can endure to hear. Thou hast appointed justices of peace, to call poor men before them about matters they Moreover, thou hast put were not able to answer. lord Mortimer. Enter JACK CADE, and his Followers. He strikes his staff on London-stone. Cade. Now is Mortimer lord of this city. And here, sitting upon London-stone, I charge and command, that, of the city's cost, the pissing-conduit run nothing but claret wine this first year of our reign. And now, henceforward, it shall be treason for any that calls me other than Enter a Soldier, running. Sold. Jack Cade! Jack Cade! [They kill him. Cade. Knock him down there. Smith. If this fellow be wise, he'll never call you Jack Cade more; I think, he hath a very fair warning. Dick. My lord, there's an army gathered together in Smithfield. Cade. Come then, let's go fight with them: But, first, go and set London-bridge on fire; and, if you Come, let's away. can, burn down the Tower too. [Exeunt. Cade. So, sirs: Now go some and pull down the Savoy; others to the inns of court; down with them all. Dick. I have a suit unto your lordship. and them in prison; and because they could not read, thou hast hanged them; when, indeed, only for that cause they have been most worthy to live. Thou dost ride on a foot-cloth, dost thou not? Say. What of that? Cade. Marry, thou oughtest not to let thy horse wear a cloak, when honester men than thou go in their hose and doublets. Dick. And work in their shirt too; as myself, for example, that am a butcher. Say. You men of Kent, Dick. What say you of Kent? Say. Hear me but speak, and bear me where you Kent, in the commentaries Cæsar writ, Cade. Be it a lordship, thou shalt have it for that Prayers and tears have mov'd me, gifts could never. word Dick. Only, that the laws of England may come out of your mouth. John. Mass, 'twill be sore law then; for he was thrust in the mouth with a spear, and 'tis not whole [Aside. yet Smith. Nay, John, it will be stinking law; for bis breath stinks with eating toasted cheese. [Astde. Cade. I have thought upon it, it shall be so. Away, burn all the records of the realm; my mouth shall be the parliament of England. John. Then we are like to have biting statutes, [Aside. unless his teeth be pulled out. Cade. And henceforward all things shall be in common. Enter a Messenger. Mess. My lord, a prize, a prize! here's the lord Say, which sold the towns in France; he that made us pay one and twenty fifteens, and one shillag to the pound, the last subsidy. Enter GEORGE BEVIS, with the LORD SAY. Cade. Well, he shall be beheaded for it ten When have I aught exacted at your hands, Cade. Tut! when struck'st thou one blow in the field? Say. Great men have reaching hands: oft have Those that I never saw, and struck them dead. Say. These cheeks are pale for watching for your Cade. Give him a box o'the ear, and that will make 'em red again. Say. Long sitting to determine poor men's causes Dick. Why dost thou quiver, man? Say. The palsy, and not fear, provoketh me. Cade. Nay, he nods at us; as who should say, I'll be even with you. I'll see if his head will stand steadier on a pole, or no: Take him away, and behead him. Say. Tell me, wherein I have offended most? Have I affected wealth, or honour; speak? Are my chests fill'd up with extorted gold? Is my apparel sumptuous to behold? Whom have I injur'd, that ye seek my death? These hands are free from guiltless blood-shedding, This breast from harbouring foul deceitful thoughts. O, let me live! Cade. I feel remorse in myself with his words: but I'll 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, 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 in 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 maidenhead 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 Rebels, with the heads of LORD SAY and his Son-in-law. Cade. But is not this braver?- Let them kiss one another, for they loved well, when they were alive. Now part them again, lest they consult about the giving up of some more towns in France. Soldiers, defer the spoil of the city until night: for with these borne before us, instead of maces, will we ride through the streets; and, at every corner, have them kiss. - Away! [Exeunt. Alarum. Enter CADE, and all his Rabblement. Cade. Up Fish-street! down Saint Magnus' corner! kill and knock down! throw them into Thames!- [4 parley sounded, then a retreat.] 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, with Forces. Buck. Ay, here they be that dare and will disturb thee: Know, Cade, we come ambassadors from the king Clif. What say ye, countrymen? will ye relent, And yield to mercy, whilst 'tis offer'd you; 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! Cade. What, Buckingham, and Clifford, are ye so brave? And you, base peasants, do ye believe him? will you needs be hanged 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 recovered 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 soGod's curse light upon you all! 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, 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. All. A Clifford a Clifford! we'll follow thi king, and Clifford. Cade. Was ever feather so lightly blown to fro, as this multitude? the name of Henry the fifth hales them to an hundred mischiefs, and makes the leave me desolate. I see them lay their heads gether, to surprize me: my sword make way for my for here is no staying. In despight of the devil and hell, have through the very midst of you! and heavens and honour be witness, that no want of res lution in me, but only my followers' base and igus minious treasons, makes me betake me to my heels 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. [Exeunt some of the Follow me, soldiers; we'll devise a mean To reconcile you all unto the king. [Ema SCENE IX. — Kenelworth Castle. Enter KING HENRY, QUEEN MARGARET, and SOMERSET, on the terrace of the Castle. K. Hen. 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, Enter BUCKINGHAM and CLIFFORD, Buck. Health, and glad tidings, to your majesty! K. Hen. Why, Buckingham, is the traitor Cade surpriz❜d? Or is he but retir'd to make him strong? Enter, below, a great number of CADE's Followers, with halters about their necks. Caf. He's fled, my lord, and all his powers do yield; And humbly thus, with halters on their necks, To entertain my vows of thanks and praise! - Mess. Please it your grace to be advertised, The duke of Somerset, whom he terms a traitor.' Like to a ship, that having 'scap'd a tempest, I'll yield myself to prison willingly, K. Hen. In any case, be not too rough in terms; For he is fierce, and cannot brook hard language. Buck. I will, my lord; and doubt not so to deal, As all things shall redound unto your good. K. Hen. Come, wife, let's in, and learn to govern better; For yet may England curse my wretched reign. [Exeunt. SCENE X.-Kent. Iden's Garden. Cade. Fye on ambition! fye on myself; that have a sword, and yet am ready to famish! These five days have I hid me in these woods; and durst not peep out, for all the country is lay'd for me; but Low I am so hungry, that if I might have a lease of my life for a thousand years, I could stay no longer. Wherefore, on a brick-wall have I climbed into this garden; to see if I can eat grass, or pick a sallet another while, which is not amiss to cool a man's stomach this hot weather. And, I think, this word sallet was born to do me good: for, many a time, but for a sallet, my brain-pan had been cleft with a brown bill; and, many a time, when I have been dry, and bravely marching, it hath served me instead of a quart-pot to drink in; And now the word sallet must serve me to feed on. Enter IDEN, with Servants. Iden. Lord, who would live turmoiled in the court, And may enjoy such quiet walks as these? This small inheritance, my father left me, Contenteth me, and is worth a monarchy. I seek not to wax great by others' waning; Or gather wealth, I care not with what envy; Sufficeth, that I have maintains my state, And sends the poor well pleased from my gate. Cade. Here's the lord of the soil come to seize me for a stray, for entering his fee-simple without leave. Ah, villain, thou wilt betray me, and get a thousand crowns of the king for carrying my head to him; but I'll make thee eat iron like an ostrich, and swallow my sword like a great pin, ere thou and I part. Iden. Why, rude companion, whatsoe'er thou be, I know thee not; Why then should I betray thee? Is't not enough, to break into my garden, And, like a thief, to come to rob my grounds, Climbing my walls in spite of me the owner, But thou wilt brave me with these saucy terms? Cade. Brave thee? ay, by the best blood that ever was broached, and beard thee too. Look on me well: I have eat no meat these five days: yet, come thou and thy five men, and if I do not leave you all as dead as a door nail, I pray God, I may never eat grass more. Iden. Nay, it shall ne'er be said, while England stands, That Alexander Iden, an esquire of Kent, Cade. By my valour, the most complete champion that ever I heard. - Steel, if thou turn the edge, or cut not out the burley-boned clown in chines of beef ere thou sleep in thy sheath, I beseech God on my knees, thou mayest be turned to hobnails. [They fight. CADE falls.] O, I am slain! famine, and no "other, hath slain me: let ten thousand devils come against me, and give me but the ten meals I have lost, and I'd defy them all. Wither, garden; and be henceforth a burying place to all that do dwell in this house, because the unconquered soul of Cade is fled. Iden. Is't Cade that I have slain, that monstrous traitor? Sword, I will hallow thee for this thy deed, But thou shalt wear it as a herald's coat, Cade. Iden, farewell; and be proud of thy victory: Tell Kent from me, she hath lost her best man, and exhort all the world to be cowards; for I, that never feared any, am vanquished by famine, not by valour. [Dies. Iden. How much thou wrongst me, heaven, be my judge, Die, damned wretch, the curse of her that bare thee! ACT V. And pluck the crown from feeble Henry's head: On which I'll toss the flower-de-luce of France. powers. York. Upon thine honour, is he prisoner? Buck. Upon mine honour, he is. prisoner. York. Then, Buckingham, I do dismiss my Soldiers, I thank you all; disperse yourselves; Meet me to-morrow in Saint George's field, You shall have pay, and every thing you wish. And let my sovereign, virtuous Henry, Command my eldest son, - nay, all my sons, As pledges of my fealty and love, I'll send them all as willing as I live; Lands, goods, horse, armour, any thing I have Is his to use, so Somerset may die. Buck. York, I commend this kind submission: We twain will go into his highness' tent. Enter KING HENRY, attended. K. Hen. Buckingham, doth York intend no harm to us, That thus he marcheth with thee arm in arm? York. In all submission and humility, York doth present himself unto your highness. K. Hen. Then what intend these forces thou dost bring? York. To heave the traitor Somerset from hence; And fight against that monstrous rebel, Cade, Who since I heard to be discomfited. Enter IDEN, with CADE's head. Iden. If one so rude, and of so mean condition, O, let me view his visage being dead, degree? Iden. Alexander Iden, that's my name; We give thee for reward a thousand marks; Go, bid her hide him quickly from the duke, AcTV SCENE 1. Enter QUEEN MARGARET and SOMERSET. Q. Man. For thousand Yorks he shall not hide But boldly stand, and front him to his face. Which dar'st not, no, nor canst not rule a traitor. Soma. O monstrous traitor!- I arrest thee, York, York. Would'st have me kneel? first let me ask If they can brook I bow a knee to man. — [Exit an Attendant. York. O blood-bespotted Neapolitan, Enter EDWARD and RICHARD PLANTAGENET, with See, where they come; I'll warrant they'll make it Q. Mar. And here comes Clifford, to deny their Cif. Health and all happiness to my lord the king! Nay, do not fright us with an angry look: Cf. This is my king, York, I do not mistake; Makes him oppose himself against his king. Q. Mar. He is arrested, but will not obey; Edw. Ay, noble father, if our words will serve. Rich. And if words will not, then our weapons shall. Clif. Why, what a brood of traitors have we here! Clif. Are these thy bears? we'll bait thy bears to And manacle the bear-ward in their chains, If you oppose yourselves to match lord Warwick. York. Nay, we shall heat you thoroughly anon. K. Hen. Why, Warwick, hath thy knee forgot to bow? Old Salisbury, shame to thy silver hair, Sal. My lord, I have consider'd with myself Sal. I have. K. Hen. Canst thou dispense with heaven for Sal. It is great sin, to swear unto a sin; Q. Mar. A subtle traitor needs no sophister. York. Call Buckingham, and all the friends thou I am resolv'd for death, or dignity. Clif. The first I warrant thee, if dreams prove true. War. You were best to go to bed, and dream again, To keep thee from the tempest of the field. Clif. I am resolv'd to bear a greater storm, |