Tom, the Cobler, with infinite numbers.
Cade.
We John Cade, so term'd of our supposed
Father—
Dick.
(Or rather of stealing a cade of herrings.)
Cade.
For our enemies shall fall before us, inspired
with the spirit of putting down kings and princes—
command silence.
Dick.
Silence.
Cade.
My father was a Mortimer.
Dick.
(He was an honest man and a good bricklayer.)
Cade.
My mother a Plantagenet.
Dick.
(I knew her well, she was a midwife.)
Cade.
My wife descended of the Lacies.
Dick.
(She was indeed a pedlars daughter, and sold
many laces.)
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.
Cobler.
(A' must needs, for beggary is valiant.)
Cade.
I am able to endure much.
Dick.
(No question of that; for I have seen him
whipt three market days together.)
Cade.
I fear neither sword nor fire.
Cobler.
(He need not fear the sword, for his coat
is of proof.)
-- 35 --
Dick.
(But methinks he should stand in fear of fire,
being burnt i' th' hand for stealing of sheep.)
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 three hooped
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 palfrey 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 upon my score; and
I will apparel them all in one livery, that they 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 the skin of an innocent lamb
should be made parchment—that parchment being
scribbled over, should undo a man? Some say the
bee stings, but I say 'tis bee's wax; for I did but seal
once to a thing, and I never was my own man since.
How now? who is there?
Enter a Clerk.
Cobler.
The clerk of Chatham; he can write and
read and cast accompts.
Cade.
O monstrous!
Cobler.
We took him setting boys' copies.
Cade.
Here's a villain!
Cobler.
He has a book in his pocket with red
letters in't.
Cade.
Nay then he's a conjuror.
-- 36 --
Dick.
Nay, he can make obligations and write
court-hand.
Cade.
I am sorry for't: the man is a proper man,
of mine honour; unless I find him guilty, he shall
not die. Come hither, sirrah, I must examine thee;
what is thy name?
Clerk.
Emanuel.
Dick.
They used 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 honest
plain-dealing man?
Clerk.
Sir, I thank God I have been so well brought
up, that I can write my name.
All.
He hath confest; away with him; he is a
villain and a traitor.
Cade.
Away with him, I say: hang him with his
pen and ink-horn about his neck.
[Exit one with the Clerk.
Enter Smith the Weaver.
Weaver.
Where is our general?
Cade.
Here I am, thou particular fellow.
Weaver.
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 encounter'd with a man as good as himself.
He is but a knight, is he?
Weaver.
No.
Cade.
To equal him, I will make myself a knight
presently.—Rise up Sir John Mortimer. Now have
at him.
[Exeunt tumultuously.
-- 37 --
John Herman Merivale [1817], Richard, Duke of York; or, the contention of York and Lancaster. (As altered from Shakspeare's Three Parts of Henry VI.) In five acts. As it is performed at the Theatre Royal, Drury-Lane (Published by Richard White [etc.], London) [word count] [S41100].
