Cade. My wife descended of the Lacies,— Dick. She was, indeed, a pedlar's daughter, and sold many laces. [Aside. 'Smith. But, now of late, not able to travel with 'her furred pack, she washes bucks here at home. [Aside. "Cade. Therefore am I of an honourable house. Dick. Ay, by my faith, the field is honourable; and there was he born, under a hedge; for his father had never a house, but the cage. *Cade. Valiant I am. [Aside. *Smith. 'A must needs; for beggary is valiant. Cade. I am able to endure much. [Aside. Dick. No question of that; for I have seen him whipped three market days together. Cade. I fear neither sword nor fire. [Aside. Smith. He need not fear the sword, for his coat is of proof. [Aside. Dick. But, methinks, he should stand in fear of fire, being burnt i'the hand for stealing of sheep. [Aside. Cade. Be brave then; for your captain is brave, and vows reformation. There shall be, in England, seven half-penny loaves sold for a penny: the threehooped pot shall have ten hoops; and I will make it felony, to drink small beer: all the realm shall be in common, and in Cheapside shall my palfry go to grass. And, when I am king, (as king I will be) All. God save your majesty ! "Cade. I thank you, good people:-there shall be no money; all shall eat and drink on my score; and I will apparel them all in one livery, that they may agree like brothers, and worship me their lord. 'Dick. The first thing we do, let's kill all the 'lawyers. Cade. Nay, that I mean to do. Is not this a lamentable thing, that of the skin of an innocent lamb should be made parchment? that parchment, being scribbled o'er, should undo a man? Some say, the bee stings but I say, 'tis the bee's wax, for I did but seal once to a thing, and I was never mine own man since. How now; who's there? Enter some, bringing in the Clerk of Chatham. Smith. The clerk of Chatham: he can write and read, and cast accompt. Cade. O monstrous! Smith. We took him setting of boys' copies. Smith. H'as a book in his pocket, with red letters in't. Cade. Nay, then he is a conjurer. Dick. Nay, he can make obligations, and write court-hand. Cade. I am sorry for't: the man is a proper man, ' on mine honour; unless I find him guilty, he shall 'not die,-Come hither, sirrah, I must examine 'thee: What is thy name? Clerk. Emmanuel. Dick. They use to write it on the top of letters ;"Twill go hard with you. 'Cade. Let me alone :-Dost thou use to write thy name? or hast thou a mark to thyself, like an ho'nest plain-dealing man? Clerk. Sir, I thank God, I have been so well brought up, that I can write my name. All. He hath confessed: away with him; he's a 'villain, and a traitor. 'Cade. Away with him, I say: hang him with his ' pen and inkhorn about his neck. [Exeunt some with the Clerk. Enter MICHAEL. • Mich. Where's our general? 'Cade. Here I am, thou particular fellow. Mich. Fly, fly, fly! sir Humphrey Stafford and ' his brother are hard by, with the king's forces. 'Cade. Stand, villain, stand, or I'll fell thee down: "He shall be encountered with a man as good as him'self: He is but a knight, is 'a? 'Mich. No. Cade. To equal him, I will make myself a knight presently; Rise up sir John Mortimer. Now have ' at him. Enter Sir HUMPHREY STAFFORD and WILLIAM his Brother, with Drum and Forces. *Staf. Rebellious hinds, the filth and scum of Kent, Mark'd for the gallows,-lay your weapons down, Home to your cottages, forsake this groom;The king is merciful, if you revolt. *W. Staf. But angry, wrathful, and inclin'd to blood, * If you go forward: therefore yield, or die. Cade. As for these silken-coated slaves, I pass not; 8 It is to you, good people, that I speak, * O'er whom, in time to come, I hope to reign; * For I am rightful heir unto the crown. 6 Staf. Villain, thy father was a plasterer; And thou thyself, a shearman, Art thou not? Cade. And Adam was a gardener. W. Staf. And what of that? Cade. Marry, this:-Edmund Mortimer, earl of March, Married the duke of Clarence' daughter; Did he not? Staf. Ay, sir. Cade. By her, he had two children at one birth. "Cade. Ay, there's the question; but, I say, 'tis true : 'The elder of them, being put to nurse, 'Was by a beggar-woman stol'n away; Dick. Nay, 'tis too true; therefore he shall be king. Smith. Sir, he made a chimney in my father's house, and the bricks are alive at this day to testify it; therefore, deny it not. *Staf. And will you credit this base drudge's words, * That speaks he knows not what? *All. Ay, marry, will we; therefore get ye gone. W. Staf. Jack Cade, the duke of York hath taught you this. Cade. He lies, for I invented it myself. [Aside.] -Go to, sirrah, Tell the king from me, that-for his father's sake, Henry the fifth, in whose time boys went to span-counter for French crowns-I am content he shall reign; but I'll be protector over him. 'Dick. And, furthermore, we'll have the lord 'Say's head, for selling the dukedom of Maine. Cade. And good reason; for thereby is England 'maimed, and fain to go with a staff, but that my puissance holds it up. Fellow kings, I tell you, 'that that lord Say hath gelded the commonwealth, ' and made it an eunuch: and more than that, he can speak French, and therefore he is a traitor. Staf. O gross and miserable ignorance! 'Cade. Nay, answer, if you can: The Frenchmen are our enemies: go to then, I ask but this; Can he, 'that speaks with the tongue of an enemy, be a good 'counsellor, or no? * All. No, no; and therefore we'll have his head. * W. Staf. Well, seeing gentle words will not prevail, * Assail them with the army of the king. 'Staf. Herald, away: and, throughout every town, • Proclaim them traitors that are up with Cade; That those, which fly before the battle ends, May, even in their wives' and children's sight, Be hang'd up for example at their doors:And you, that be the king's friends, follow me. [Exeunt the Two STAFFORDS; and Forces. * Cade. And you, that love the commons, follow me. * Now show yourselves men, 'tis for liberty. 8 Shoes. |