*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 Stafford and his brother's death [Exeunt.Hath given them heart and courage to proceed: All scholars, lawyers, courtiers, gentlemen, They call-false caterpillars, and intend their *K. Hen. O graceless men! they know not what they do. SCENE III-Another part of Blackheath, both the Staffo:ds 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; *Think therefore on revenge, and cease to weep. * But who can cease to weep, and look on this? *Here may his head lie on my throbbing breast: *But where's the body that I should embrace? 'Buck. What answer makes your grace to the 'rebel's supplication? *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. Q. Mar. Ah, barbarous villains! hath this 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 have thy head. Say. Ay, but I hope your highness shall have his. K. Hen. How now, madam? Still Lamenting, and mourning for Suffolk's death? I fear, my love, if that I had been dead, Thou wouldest not have mourn'd so much for me. Q. Mar. No, my love, I should not mourn, but die for thee. Enter a Messenger. * K. Hen. How now! what news? why com'st thou in such haste? 'Mess. The rebels are in Southwark; Fly, my lord! 'Jack Cade proclaims himself lord Mortimer, (1) Predominated irresistibly over my passions; as the planets over those born under their influence. death. 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. K. Hen. Lord Say, the traitors hate thee, 'Therefore away with us to Kenelworth. Say. So might your grace's person be in danger; The sight of me is odious in their eyes: And therefore in this city will I stay, And live alone as secret as I may. Enter another Messenger. * 2 Mess. Jack Cade hath gotten London-bridge; the-citizens Fly and forsake their houses: The rascal people, thirsting after prey, * Join with the traitor; and they jointly swear, To spoil the city and your royal court. *Buck. Then linger not, my lord; away, take horse. *K. Hen. Come, Margaret; God, our hope, will succour us. * Q. Mar. My hope is gone, now Suffolk is deceas'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. The Tower. Enter 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 withhonour from the Tower, to defend the city from stand them: The lord mayor craves aid of your the rebels. Scales. Such aid as I can spare, you shall command; The rebels have assay'd to win the Tower. 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 lord Mortimer. Enter a Soldier, running. Sold. Jack Cade! Jack Cade! Cade. Knock him down there. [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. *Dick. And work in their shirt too; as myself, ་ Dick. What say you of Kent? 'Say. Nothing but this: "Tis bona terra, mala gens. Cade. Away with him, away with him! he SCENE VII.-The same. Smithfield. Alarum. them all. Dick. I have a suit unto your lordship. 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 yet. [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. Say. Hear me but speak, and bear me where you will. Kent, in the commentaries Cæsar writ, Is term'd the civil'st place of all this isle: Sweet is the country, because full of riches; The people liberal, valiant, active, wealthy; Which makes me hope you are not void of pity. 'I sold not Maine, I lost not Normandy; Yet, to recover them, would lose my life. *Justice with favour have I always done; Prayers and tears have mov'd me, gifts could John. Then we are like to have biting statutes,* * unless his teeth be pulled out. Aside. * 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 shilling to the pound, the last subsidy. never. When have I aught exacted at your hands, Unless you be possess'd with devilish spirit, * Cade. Tut! when struck'st thou one blow in * the field? * Say. Great men have reaching hands: oft have *Say. These cheeks are pale for watching for *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? Enter George Bevis, with the Lord Say. 'Cade. Well, he shall be beheaded for it ten 'times.-Ah, thou say,2 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: Say. The palsy, and not fear, provoketh me. and whereas, before, our fore-fathers had no other Cade. Nay, he nods at us; as who should say, 'books but the score and the tally, thou hast caused I'll be even with you. I'll see if his head will 'printing to be used; and, contrary to the king,stand steadier on a pole, or no: Take him away, 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 ;* This breast from harbouring foul deceitful 'when, indeed, only for that cause they have been 'most worthy to live. Thou dost ride on a foot-* O, let me live! 'cloth, dost thou not? Clif. Is Cade the son of Henry the Fifth, That thus you do exclaim-you'll go with him? 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, ye. * Cade. Away with hun, and do as I command [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 All. God save the king! God save the king! (1) A dæmon who was supposed to attend at call. Henry hath money, you are strong and manly; 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. [Exit, · 'Buck. What, is he fled? go some, and follow him; And he, that brings his head unto the king, Follow me, soldiers; we'll devise a mean *K. Hen. Was ever king that joy'd an earthly *And could command no more content than I? Enter Buckingham and Clifford. *K. Hen. Why, Buckingham, is the traitor, * Or is he but retir'd to make him strong? with halters about their necks. Clif. He's fled, my lord, and all his powers do To entertain my vows of thanks and praise!- "And show'd how well you love your prince and 'Continue still in this so good a mind, Enter a Messenger. Mess. Please it your grace to be advertised, * Like to a ship, that, having scap'd a tempest, I pray thee, Buckingham, go forth and meet him; *I'll yield myself to prison willingly, * * 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, Cade. Brave thee? ay, by the best blood that Iden. Nay, it shall ne'er be said, while England That Alexander Iden, an esquire of Kent, stands, Took odds to combat a poor famish'd man. See if thou canst outface me with thy looks. 'Oppose thy steadfast-gazing eyes to mine, 'Set limb to limb, and thou art far the lesser; Thy hand is but a finger to my fist; ་ Thy leg a stick, compar'd with this truncheon; 'My foot shall fight with all the strength thou hast; And if mine arm be heaved in the air, *Cade. By my valour, the most complete cham- *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 famish! These five days have I hid me in these woods; and durst not peep out, for all the country is laid for me; but Iden. Is't Cade that I have slain, that monstrous now am I so hungry, that if I might have a lease * of my life for a thousand years, I could stay no Sword, I will hallow thee for this thy deed, traitor? * longer. Wherefore, on a brick-wall have I climbed And hang thee o'er my tomb, when I am dead: * into this garden; to see if I can eat grass, or pick Ne'er shall this blood be wiped from thy point; a sallet another while, which is not amiss to cool But thou shalt wear it as a herald's coat, * a man's stomach this hot weather. And, I think, To emblaze the honour that thy master got. *this word sallet was born to do me good: for, 'Cade. Iden, farewell; and be proud of thy vicmany a time, but for a sallet, my brain-pan had * been cleft with a brown bill; and, many a time, man, and exhort all the world to be cowards; for 'tory; Tell Kent from me, she hath lost her best *when I have been dry, and bravely marching, itI, that never feared any, am vanquished by fam* hath served me instead of a quart pot to drinkine, not by valour. *in; and now the word sallet must serve me to * * feed on. Enter Iden, with Servants. [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? Two orders of foot soldiers among the Irish. VOL. IJ. *So wish I, I might thrust thy soul to hell. tory. 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 'And pluck the crown from feeble Henry's head: Enter King Henry, attended. 'K. Hen. Buckingham, doth York intend no 'That thus he marcheth with thee arm in arm? 'York. To heave the traitor Somerset from 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, 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 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; 'And now, like Ajax Telamonius, On sheep or oxen could I spend my fury! 'I am far better born than is the king; 'More like a king, more kingly in my thoughts: 'But I must make fair weather yet a while, 'Till Henry be more weak, and I more strong. "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, Aside. Go, bid her hide him quickly from the duke. 'O Buckingham, I pr'ythee, pardon me, My mind was troubled with deep melancholy. 'Buck. That is too much presumption on 'But if thy arms be to no other end, powers : 'Soldiers, I thank you all disperse yourselves; my his head, 'But boldly stand, and front him to his face. thyWhich dar'st not, no, nor canst not rule a traitor. 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. (1) i. e. Balance my hand. *If they can brook I bow a knee to man.- [Exit an attendant. I know, ere they will have me go to ward,2 (2) Custody, confinement. |