* Cade. But then are we in order, when we are * most out of order. Come, march forward. Of hinds and peasants, rude and merciless; "Sir Humphrey Statford and his brother's death [Exeunt.Hath given them heart and courage to proceed: They call-fulse caterpillars, and intend their All scholars, lawyers, courtiers, gentlemen, SCENE III-Another part of Blackheath, Alarums. The two parties enter and fight, and both the Staffords are slain. 'Cade. Where's Dick, the butcher of Ashford? Dick. Here, sir. Cade. They fell before thee like sheep and oxen, and thou behavedst thyself as if thou hadst been in 'thine own slaughter-house: therefore thus will I 'reward thee,-The Lent shall be as long again as it is; and thou shalt have a license to kill for a "hundred lacking one. 'Dick. I desire no more. *Cade. And, to speak truth, thou deservedst no * less. This monument of the victory will I bear; *and the bodies shall be dragged at my horse' heels, * till I do come to London, where we will have the mayor's sword borne before us. * Dick. If we mean to thrive and do good, break open the gaols, and let out the prisoners. *Cade. Fear not that, I warrant thee. Come, let's march towards London. [Exeunt. SCENE IV.-London. A room in the palace. Enter King Henry, reading a supplication; the duke of Buckingham, and lord Say with him: at a distance, Queen Margaret, mourning over Suffolk's head. *Q. Mar. Oft have I heard-that grief softens the mind, * And makes it fearful and degenerate; *K. Hen. I'll send some holy bishop to entreat: 'For God forbid, so many simple souls Should perish by the sword; And I myself, 'Rather than bloody war shall cut them short, Will parley with Jack Cade their general.— 'But stay, I'll read it over once again. death. *K. Hen. O graceless men! they know not what they do. Buck. My gracious lord, retire to Kenelworth, 'Until a power be rais'd to put them down. * Q. Mar. Ah! were the duke of Suffolk now alive, These Kentish rebels would be soon appeas'd. Say. So might your grace's person be in danger; Enter another Messenger. * 2 Mess. Jack Cade hath gotten London-bridge; the citizens ceas'd. * K. Hen. Farewell, my lord; [To Lord Say.] trust not the Kentish rebels. *Buck. Trust nobody, for fear you be betray'd. Say. The trust I have is in mine innocence, 'And therefore am I bold and resolute. [Exeunt. SCENE V.-The same. Enter The Tower. Lord Scales, and others, on the Walls. Then enter certain Citizens, below. Scales. How now? is Jack Cade slain? 1 Cit. No, my lord, nor likely to be slain; for they have won the bridge, killing all those that withstand them: The lord mavor craves aid of your Q.Mar. Ah, barbarous villains! hath this honour from the Tower, to defend the city from lovely face Rul'd, like a wandering planet,' over me; *And could it not enforce them to relent, That were unworthy to behold the same? 'K. Hen. Lord Say, Jack Cade hath sworn to Say. Ay, but I hope your highness shall have his. the rebels. Scales. Such aid as I can spare, you shall com- The rebels have assav'd to win the Tower, his staff on London-stone. Cade. Now is Mortimer lord of this city. And here, sitting upon London-stone, I charge and com mand, 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-lord Mortimer. Enter a Soldier, running. Sold. Jack Cade! Jack Cade! [They kill him. * 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 to-wear a cloak, when honester men than thou go in gether in Smithfield. their hose and doublets. Cade. Come then, let's go fight with them: But, first, go and set London-bridge on fire; and, if you* can, burn down the Tower too. Come, let's away. [Exeunt. Alarum. *Dick. And work in their shirt too; as myself, 'Say. Nothing but this: 'Tis bona terra, mala SCENE VII.—The same. Smithfield. Cade. So, sirs:-Now go some and pull down the Savoy; others to the inns of court; down with them all. '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 vet. [Aside. Smith. Nay, John, it will be stinking law; for 'his breath stinks with eating toasted cheese. [Aside. 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, * 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 *shilling to the pound, the last subsidy. Cade. Away with him, away with him! he Say. Hear me but speak, and bear me where never. When have I aught exacted at your hands, Unless you be possess'd with devilish spirit, *Cade. Tut! when struck'st thou cne blow in * the field? * Say. Great men have reaching hands: oft have Those that I never saw, and struck them dead. hind folks? *Say. These cheeks are pale for watching for your good. *Cade. Give him a box on the ear, and that will make 'em red again. * Say. Long sitting to determine poor men's causes Hath made me full of sickness and diseases. 'Dick. Why dost thou quiver, man? Say. The palsy, and not fear, provoketh me. Enter George Bevis, with the Lord Say. 'Cade. Well, he shall be beheaded for it ten 'times.-Ah, thou say, thou serge, nay, thou buck'ram lord! now art thou within point-blank of our 'jurisdiction regal. What canst thou answer to my 'majesty, for giving up of Normandy unto mon'sieur 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-and behead him. mill. It will be proved to thy face, that thou hast 'men about thee, that usually talk of a noun, and 'a verb; and such abominable words, as no Chris'tian ear can endure to hear. Thou hast appointed justices of peace, to call poor men before them about matters that they were not able to answer. 'Moreover, thou hast put 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* (1) A fifteen was the fifteenth part of all the moveables, or personal property, of each subject. (2) Say was a kind of serge. (3) i. e. They were hanged because they could not claim the benefit of clergy. 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, Say. Tell me, wherein I have offended most? Whom have I injur'd, that you seek my death? 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 (4) A foot-cloth was a kind of housing, which covered the body of the horse. (5) In consequence of (6) i. e. These hands are free from shedding guiltless or innocent blood. has a familiar1 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. your backs with burdens, take your houses over * Say. Ah, countrymen! if, when you make your Will he conduct you through the heart of France, 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. And make the meanest of you earls and dukes? 'Dick. My lord, when shall we go to Cheapside,Spare England, for it is your native coast: ' and take up commodities upon our bills? Cade. Marry, presently. 'All. O brave! '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. SCENE VIII.-Southwark. Alarum. Enter Cade, and all his rabblement. *Cade. Up Fish-street! down Saint Magnus' corner! kill and knock down! throw them into Thames!-[A 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. 'Know, Cade, we come ambassadors from the king '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. Henry hath money, you are strong and manly; 'God on our side, doubt not of victory. '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 a 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 despite 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. [Erit, 6 'Buck. What, is he fled? go some, and follow And he, that brings his head unto the king, Follow me, soldiers; we'll devise a mean SCENE IX.-Kenelworth Castle. Enter King *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, Was never subject long'd to be a king, * Buck. Health, and glad tidings, to your ma- *K. Hen. Why, Buckingham, is the traitor, All. God save the king! God save the king! so brave?-And you, base peasants, do you be with halters about their necks. Clif. He's fled, my lord, and all his powers do yield; lieve him? will you needs be hanged with your Enter, below, a great number of Cade's followers, 'pardons about your necks? Hath my sword there'fore 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 (1) A damon who was supposed to attend at call. And humbly thus, with halters on their necks, 'Expect your highness' doom, of life, or death. 'K. Hen. Then, heaven, set ope thy everlasting gates, To entertain my vows of thanks and praise!- And show'd how well you love your prince and' And sends the poor well-pleased from my gate. country: 'Continue still in this so good a mind, Enter a Messenger. *Mess. Please it your grace to be advertised, The duke of York is newly come from Ireland: * And with a puissant and a mighty power, *Of Gallowglasses, and stout kernes,' * Is marching hitherward in proud array; *And still proclaimeth, as he comes along, His arms are only to remove from thee 'The duke of Somerset, whom he terms a traitor. *K. Hen. Thus stands my state, 'twixt Cade and York distress'd; Like to a ship, that, having scap'd a tempest, *Is straightway calm'd and boarded with a pirate: * But now is Cade driven back, his men dispers'd, And now is York in arms to second him.I pray thee, Buckingham, go forth and meet him; And ask him what's the reason of these arms. '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 cat no meat these five days; yet, come thou and thy five men, and if I do not leave you all eat grass more. as dead as a door nail, I pray God, I may never Iden. Nay, it shall ne'er be said, while England That Alexander Iden, an esquire of Kent, * Tell him I'll send duke Edmund to the Tower;-Thy hand is but a finger to my fist; I'll yield myself to prison willingly, * Or unto death, to do my country good. *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; Thy leg a stick, compar'd with this truncheon; 'My foot shall fight with all the strength tho hast; And if mine arm be heaved in the air, Cade. By my valour, the most complete cham Iden. Is't Cade that I have slain, that monstrous traitor? For yet may England curse my wretched reign. [Exeunt. SCENE X.-Kent. Iden's garden. Enter Cade. * Cade. Fie on ambition! fie on myself; that have a sword, and yet am ready to fainish! These five *days have I hid me in these woods; and durst not peep out, for all the country is laid for me; but now am I so hungry, that if I might have a leasc 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 tory; Tell Kent from me, she hath lost her best Cale. Iden, farewell; and be proud of thy vicbeen cleft with a brown bill; and, many a time, man, and exhort all the world to be cowards; for when I have been dry, and bravely marching, it, that never feared any, am vanquished by famhath served me instead of a quart pot to drink ne, not by valour. in; and now the word sallet must serve me to * feed on. Enter Iden, with Servants. Sword, I will hallow thee for this thy deed, [Dies. * Iden. How much thou wrong'st me," heaven be my judge. * Die, damned wretch, the curse of her that bare thee! Iden. Lord, who would live turmoiled in the* And as I thrust thy body in with my sword, 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, (1) Two orders of foot soldiers among the Irish. (2) Only just now. (3) A kind of helmet. VOL. 11. *So wish I, I might thrust thy soul to hell. Hence will I drag thee headlong by the heels Unto a dunghill, which shall be thy grave, And there cut off thy most ungracious head; 'Which I will bear in triumph to the king, 'Leaving thy trunk for crows to feed upon. [Exit, dragging out the body. (4) i. e. In supposing that I am proud of my vic Itory. U 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; "This hand was made to handle nought but gold: I cannot give due action to my words, 'Except a sword or sceptre balance it,í 'A sceptre shall it have, have I a soul; 'On which I'll toss the flower-de-luce of France. Enter Buckingham. Enter King Henry, attended. K. Hen. Buckingham, doth York intend no harm to us, 'That thus he marcheth with thee arm in arm? 'York. To heave the traitor Somerset from '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, 'Whom have we here? Buckingham to disturb me?O, let me view his visage, being dead, "York. Humphrey of Buckingham, I accept thy '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 why, thou-being a subject as I am,'Against thy oath and true allegiance sworn, 'Should'st raise so great a power without his leave, 'Or dare to bring thy force so near the court. York. Scarce can I speak, my choler is so great. 'O, I could hew up rocks, and fight with flint, 'I am so angry at these abject terms; 'But I must make fair weather yet a while, strong. Aside. 'O Buckingham, I pr'ythee, pardon me, 'Buck. That is too much presumption on thy 'But if thy arms be to no other end, powers my 'Soldiers, I thank you all disperse yourselves; (1) i, e. Balance my hand. "That living wrought me such exceeding trouble. 'K. Hen. How art thou call'd? and what is thy '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. 'We give thee for reward a thousand marks; 'Iden. May Iden live to merit such a bounty, 'Go, bid her hide him quickly from the duke. 'But boldly stand, and front him to his face. And not to grace an awful princely sceptre. If they can brook I bow a knee to man.*Sirrah, call in my sons to be my bail; [Exil an attendant, *I know, ere they will have me go to ward, (2) Custody, confinement. |