Cade. By my valour, the most complete champion that ever I heard.-Steel, if thou turn the edge, or cut not out the burly-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 filed. Iden. Is 't Cade that I have slain, that monstrous traitor? Sword, I will hallow thee for this thy deed, 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 wrong'st me, heaven be my judge. Die, damned wretch, the curse of her that bare thee! And as I thrust thy body in with my sword, [Exit, dragging out the Body. ACT V. SCENE I. The same. Fields between Dartford and Blackheath. The King's Camp on one side. On the other, enter YORK attended, with Drum and Colours: his Forces at some distance. York. From Ireland thus comes York, to claim his right, And pluck the crown from feeble Henry's head: Ring, bells, aloud; burn, bonfires, clear and bright, To entertain great England's lawful king. Ah, sancta majestas! who would not buy thee. dear? Let them obey, that know not how to rule; Whom have we here? Buckingham, to disturb me? The king hath sent him, sure: I must dissemble. Buck. York, if thou meanest well, I greet thee well. York. Humphrey of Buckingham, I accept thy greeting. Art thou a messenger, or come of pleasure? Buck. A messenger from Henry, our dread liege, To know the reason of these arms in peace; Or dare to bring thy force so near the court. so great. O, I could hew up rocks, and fight with flint, I am so angry at these abject terms; Aside. On sheep or oxen could I spend my fury! But I must make fair weather yet a while, Till Henry be more weak, and I more strong. Aside. O Buckingham, I pr'ythee, pardon me, Buck. That is too much presumption on thy part: But if thy arms be to no other end, York. Upon thine honour, is he prisoner? 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 afl 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 That thus he marcheth with thee arm in arm? Enter IDEN, with CADE'S Head. Iden. If one so rude and of so mean condition, May pass into the presence of a king, Lo, I present your grace a traitor's head, The head of Cade, whom I in combat slew. K. Hen. The head of Cade ?-Great God, how just art thou! O, let me view his visage being dead, That living wrought me such exceeding trouble. Tell me, my friend, art thou the man that slew him? Iden. I was, an 't like your majesty. K. Hen. How art thou call'd? and what is thy degree? Iden. Alexander Iden, that's my name; A poor esquire of Kent, that loves his king. Buck. So please it you, my lord, 'twere not amiss He were created knight for his good service. K. Hen. Iden, kneel down; [He kneels.] Rise up a knight. We give thee for reward a thousand marks; And will, that thou henceforth attend on us. Iden. May Iden live to merit such a bounty, And never live but true unto his liege! K. Hen. See, Buckingham! Somerset comes with the queen: Go, bid her hide him quickly from the duke. Enter QUEEN MARGARET and SOMERSET. Q. Mar. For thousand Yorks he shall not hide his head, But boldly stand, and front him to his face. And let thy tongue be equal with thy heart. False king! why hast thou broken faith with me, That gold must round engirt these brows of mine; And with the same to act controlling laws. Of capital treason 'gainst the king and crown : Obey, audacious traitor; kneel for grace. York. Would'st have me kneel? first let me ask of these, If they can brook I bow a knee to man.- To ment. Q. Mar. Call hither Clifford; bid him come amain, [Exit BUCKINGHAM. say, that if the bastard boys of York Shall be the surety for their traitor father. York. O blood-bespotted Neapolitan, Outcast of Naples, England's bloody scourge; The sons of York, thy betters in their birth, Shall be their father's bail: and bane to those That for my surety will refuse the boys. Enter EDWARD and RICHARD PLANTAGENET, with Forces, at one side; at the other, with Forces also, Old CLIFFORD and his Son. See, where they come; I'll warrant they'll make it good. Q. Mar. And here comes Clifford, to deny their bail. Clif. Health and all happiness to my lord the king! [Kneels. York. I thank thee, Clifford: say, what news with thee? Nay, do not fright us with an angry look; Clif. This is my king, York, I do not mistake; VOL. V. N |