Suffolk and others Prisoners.
Captain.
The gaudy, blabbing, and remorseful day
Is crept into the bosom of the sea:
And now loud howling wolves arouse the jades,
That drag the tragick melancholy night;
Who with their drowsie, slow, and flagging wings
Clip dead mens graves; and from their misty jaws
Breathe foul contagious darkness in the air.
Therefore bring forth the soldiers of our prize:
For whilst our Pinnace anchors in the Downs,
Here shall they make their ransom on the sand;
Or with their blood stain this discolour'd shore.
Master, this prisoner freely give I thee;
And thou, that art his mate, make boot of this:
The other, Walter Whitmore is thy share.
1 Gent.
What is my ransom, master, let me know.
Mast.
A thousand crowns, or else lay down your head.
Mate.
And so much shall you give, or off goes yours.
Whit.
What, think you much to pay two thousand crowns,
And bear the name and port of gentlemen?
Cut both the villains throats, for die you shall:
Nor can those lives, which we have lost in fight,
Be counter-pois'd with such a petty sum.
-- 264 --
1 Gent.
I'll give it, Sir, and therefore spare my life.
2 Gent.
And so will I, and write home for it straight.
Whit.
I lost mine eye in laying the prize aboard,
And therefore, to revenge it, shalt thou die;
[To Suffolk.
And so should these, if I might have my will.
Cap.
Be not so rash, take ransom, let him live.
Suf.
Look on my George, I am a gentleman;
Rate me at what thou wilt, thou shalt be paid.—
Whit.
And so am I; my name is Walter Whitmore.
How now? why start'st thou? what, doth death affright?
Suf.
Thy name affrights me, in whose sound is death.
A cunning man did calculate my birth,
And told me, that by Water I should die:
Yet let not this make thee be bloody-minded,
Thy name is Gualtier, being rightly sounded.
Whit.
Gaultier or Walter, which it is, I care not;
Ne'er yet did base Dishonour blur our name,
But with our sword we wip'd away the blot.
Therefore, when merchant-like I sell revenge,
Broke be my sword, my arms torn and defac'd,
And I proclaim'd a Coward through the world!
Suf.
Stay, Whitmore; for thy prisoner is a Prince;
The Duke of Suffolk, William de la Pole.
Whit.
The Duke of Suffolk muffled up in rags?
Suf.
Ay, but these rags are no part of the Duke.
Jove sometimes went disguis'd, and why not I?
Cap.
But Jove was never slain, as thou shalt be.
Suf.
Obscure and lowly swain, King Henry's blood,
The honourable blood of Lancaster,
Must not be shed by such a jaded groom:
Hast thou not kiss'd thy hand, and held my stirrop?
Bare-headed plodded by my foot-cloth mule,
And thought thee happy when I shook my head?
How often hast thou waited at my cup,
Fed from my trencher, kneel'd down at the board,
When I have feasted with Queen Margaret?
Remember it, and let it make thee crest-fal'n;
Ay, and allay this thy abortive pride.
How in our voiding lobby hast thou stood,
And duly waited for my coming forth?
-- 265 --
This hand of mine hath writ in thy behalf,
And therefore shall it charm thy riotous tongue.
Whit.
Speak, Captain, shall I stab the forlorn swain?
Cap.
First let my words stab him, as he hath me.
Suf.
Base slave, thy words are blunt; and so art thou.
Cap.
Convey him hence, and, on our long-boat's side,
Strike off his head.
Suf.
Thou dar'st not for thy own.
Cap.
Poole, Sir Poole? lord?
Ay, kennel—puddle—sink, whose filth and dirt
Troubles the silver Spring where England drinks:
Now will I dam up this thy yawning mouth,
For swallowing up the treasure of the Realm.
Thy lips, that kiss'd the Queen, shall sweep the ground;
And thou, that smil'dst at good Duke Humphry's death,
Against the senseless winds shalt grin in vain,
Who in contempt shall hiss at thee again.
And wedded be thou to the hags of hell,
For daring to affie a mighty lord
Unto the daughter of a worthless King,
Having nor Subject, Wealth, nor Diadem!
By devilish policy art thou grown great,
And, like ambitious Sylla, over-gorg'd
With gobbets of thy mother's bleeding heart.
By thee Anjou and Maine were sold to France;
The false revolting Normans, thorough thee,
Disdain to call us lord; and Picardie
Hath slain their Governors, surpriz'd our Forts,
And sent the ragged soldiers wounded home.
The princely Warwick, and the Nevils all,
(Whose dreadful swords were never drawn in vain)
As hating thee, are rising up in arms.
And now the House of York (thrust from the Crown)
By shameful murther of a guiltless King,
And lofty proud incroaching tyranny,
Burns with revenging fire; whose hopeful Colours
Advance a half-fac'd Sun striving to shine;
Under the which is writ, Invitis nubibus.
The Commons here in Kent are up in arms:
And to conclude, Reproach, and Beggary
-- 266 --
Is crept into the Palace of our King,
And all by thee. Away! convey him hence.—
Suf.
O, that I were a God, to shoot forth thunder
Upon these paultry, servile, abject drudges!
Small things make base men proud. This villain here,
Being captain of a pinnace, threatens more
Than Bargulus the strong Illyrian Pirate.(14) note
Drones suck not eagles blood, but rob bee-hives.
It is impossible that I should die
By such a lowly vassal as thy self.
Thy words move rage, and not remorse, in me:
I go of message from the Queen to France;
I charge thee waft me safely cross the channel.
Cap.
Walter—
Whit.
Come, Suffolk, I must waft thee to thy death.
Suf.
Pænæ gelidus timor occupat artus: it's thee I fear.(15) note
Whit.
Thou shalt have cause to fear, before I leave thee.
What, are ye daunted now? now will ye stoop?
1 Gent.
My gracious lord, intreat him; speak him fair.
Suf.
Suffolk's imperial tongue is stern and rough,
Us'd to command, untaught to plead for favour.
Far be it, we should honour such as these
With humble suit; no; rather let my head
Stoop to the block, than these knees bow to any,
Save to the God of heav'n, and to my King;
And sooner dance upon a bloody pole,
Than stand uncover'd to the vulgar groom.
True Nobility is exempt from fear:
More can I bear, than you dare execute.
Cap.
Hale him away, and let him talk no more;
Come, soldiers, shew what cruelty ye can.
-- 267 --
Suf.
That this my death may never be forgot,
Great men oft die by vile Bezonians.
A Roman sworder and Bandetto slave
Murther'd sweet Tully; Brutus' bastard hand
Stabb'd Julius Cæsar; savage Islanders
Pompey the Great: And Suffolk dies by Pirates.
[Exit Walter Whitmore with Suffolk.
Cap.
And as for these, whose ransom we have set,
It is our pleasure one of them depart;
Therefore come you with us, and let him go.
[Ex. Captain and the rest.
Manet the first Gent. Enter Whitmore, with the body.
Whit.
There let his head and liveless body lye,
Until the Queen his mistress bury it.
[Exit Whit.
1 Gent.
O barbarous and bloody spectacle!
His body will I bear unto the King:
If he revenge it not, yet will his friends;
So will the Queen, that living held him dear.
[Exit.
Scene 2
SCENE changes to Southwark.
Enter Bevis and John Holland.
Bevis.
Come, and get thee a sword though made of
a lath; they have been up these two days.
Hol.
They have the more need to sleep now then.
Bevis.
I tell thee, Jack Cade the clothier means to dress
the commonwealth, and turn it, and set a new nap upon
it.
Hol.
So he had need, for 'tis thread-bare. Well, I say,
it was never merry world in England since Gentlemen
came up.
Bevis.
O miserable age! virtue is not regarded in
handy-crafts men.
Hol.
The Nobility think scorn to go in leather aprons.
Bevis.
Nay more, the King's Council are no good
workmen.
-- 268 --
Hol.
True, and yet it is said, Labour in thy vocation;
which is as much as to say, let the magistrates be labouring
men; and therefore should we be magistrates.
Bevis.
Thou hast hit it; for there's no better sign of
a brave mind than a hard hand.
Hol.
I see them, I see them; there's Best's son, the
tanner of Wingham.
Bevis.
He shall have the skins of our enemies to make
dog's leather of.
Hol.
And Dick the butcher:—
Bevis.
Then is sin struck down like an ox, and iniquity's
throat cut like a calf.
Hol.
And Smith the weaver:—
Bevis.
Argo, their thread of life is spun.
Hol.
Come, come, let's fall in with them.
Drum. Enter Cade, Dick the butcher, Smith the weaver,
and a sawyer, 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 pedlar's daughter, and sold
many laces.
Weav.
But, now of late, not able to travel with her
furr'd pack, she washes bucks here at home.
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.
Weav.
A' must needs, for beggary is valiant.
-- 269 --
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.
Weav.
He need not fear the sword, for his coat is of
proof.
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-hoop'd
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
mony; all shall eat and drink upon 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 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 bee's wax; for I did but seal once to a thing, and
I was never my own man since. How now? who is
there?
Enter a Clerk.
Weav.
The clerk of Chatham; he can write and read,
and cast accompt.
Cade.
O monstrous!
Weav.
We took him setting boys copies.
Cade.
Here's a villain!
Weav.
He'as a book in his pocket with red letters
in't.
Cade.
Nay, then he's a conjurer.
Dick.
Nay, he can make obligations, and write Courthand.
-- 270 --
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 use to write it on the top of letters:(16) note
'twill go hard with you.
Cade.
Let me alone. Dost thou use to write thy
name? or hast thou a Mark to thy self 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's a villain
and a traitor.
Cade.
Away with him, I say: hang him with his pen
and inkhorn about his neck.
[Exit one with the Clerk.
Enter Michael.
Mich.
Where is our General?
Cade.
Here I am, thou particular fellow.
Mich.
Fly, fly, fly; Sir Humphry 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 a'?
Mich.
No.
Cade.
To equal him, I will make my self a Knight
presently; rise up, Sir John Mortimer. Now have at
him. Is there any more of them that be Knights?(17) note
-- 271 --
Mich.
Ay, his Brother.
Cade.
Then kneel down, Dick Butcher. Rise up, Sir
Dick Butcher. Now sound up the Drum.
Enter Sir Humphry Stafford, and young Stafford, with drum and soldiers.
Staf.
Rebellious hinds, the filth and skum 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.
Y. 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;
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.
Staf.
Villain, thy father was a plaisterer,
And thou thy self a shearman, art thou not?
Cade.
And Adam was a gardener.
Y. Staf.
And what of that?
Cade.
Marry, this.—Edmund Mortimer Earl of March
married the Duke of Clarence's daughter, did he not?
Staf.
Ay, Sir.
Cade.
By her he had two children at one birth.
Y. Staf.
That's false.
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;
And ignorant of his birth and parentage,
Became a bricklayer when he came to age:
His son am I; deny it, if you can.
Dick.
Nay, 'tis too true, therefore he shall be King.
Weav.
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 you gone.
Y. Staf.
Jack Cade, the Duke of York hath taught you
this.
-- 272 --
Cade.
He lies, for I invented it my self. Go to,
Sirrah, tell the King from me, that for his father's sake
Henry the Fifth (in whose time boys went to spancounter
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 maim'd,
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 common-wealth, and made it an eunuch; and
more than that, he can speak French, and therefore he is
a traytor.
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 the enemy, be a good counsellor or
no?
All.
No, no, and therefore we'll have his head.
Y. 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 battel ends,
May (even in their wives and childrens sight)
Be hang'd up for example at their doors;
And you, that be the King's friends, follow me.
[Exeunt the Two Staffords with their Train.
Cade.
And you, that love the Commons, follow me.
Now shew your selves men, 'tis for liberty.
We will not leave one lord, one gentleman;
Spare none, but such as go in clouted shoone,
For they are thrifty honest men, and such
As would (but that they dare not) take our parts.
Dick.
They are all in order, and march toward us.
Cade.
But then are we in order, when we are most out
of order. Come, march forward.
[Exeunt Cade and his party.
[Alarum to fight, wherein both the Staffords are slain.
-- 273 --
Re-enter Cade and the rest.
Cade.
Where's Dick, the butcher of Ashford?
Dick.
Here, Sir.
Cade.
They fell before thee like sheep and oxen, and
thou behaved'st thy self as if thou hadst been in thine
own slaughter-house; therefore thus I will 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 deserv'st no less. This
monument of the victory will I bear, and the bodies shall
be dragg'd at my horse's 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 goals, and let out the prisoners.
Cade.
Fear not that, I warrant thee. Come, let's
march towards London.
[Exeunt.
Scene 3
SCENE changes to Black-Heath.
Enter King Henry with a supplication, and Queen Margaret
with Suffolk's head, the Duke of Buckingham, and the Lord Say.
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 rebels
supplication?
K. Henry.
I'll send some holy Bishop to intreat;
For God forbid, so many simple souls
Should perish by the sword. And I my self,
Rather than bloody war should cut them short,
-- 274 --
Will parly 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 wandring Planet over me,
And could it not inforce them to relent,
That were unworthy to behold the same?
K. Henry.
Lord Say, Jack Cade hath sworn to have thy head.
Say.
Ay, but I hope, your Highness shall have his.
K. Henry.
How now, Madam?
Lamenting still, and mourning Suffolk's death?
I fear me, love, if that I had been dead,
Thou wouldest not have mourn'd so much for me.
Q. Mar.
My love, I should not mourn, but die for thee.
Enter a Messenger.
K. Henry.
How now? what news? why com'st thou in such haste?
Mes.
The rebels are in Southwark; fly, my lord:
Jack Cade proclaims himself lord Mortimer,
Descended from the Duke of Clarence' House,
And calls your Grace usurper openly,
And vows to crown himself in Westminster.
His army is a ragged multitude
Of hinds and peasants, rude and merciless:
Sir Humphry Stafford and his brother's death
Hath given them heart, and courage to proceed:
All scholars, lawyers, courtiers, gentlemen,
They call false caterpillars, and intend their death.
K. Henry.
O graceless men! they know not what they do.
Buck.
My gracious lord, retire to Killingworth,
Until a Power be rais'd to put them down.
Q. Mar.
Ah! were the Duke of Suffolk now alive,
These Kentish rebels should be soon appeas'd.
K. Henry.
Lord Say, the traitors hate thee,
Therefore away with us to Killingworth.
Say.
So might your Grace's person be in danger:
The sight of me is odious in their eyes;
-- 275 --
And therefore in this City will I stay,
And live alone as secret as I may.
Enter another Messenger.
2 Mes.
Jack Cade hath gotten London-bridge,
The citizens fly him, 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. Henry.
Come, Marg'ret, God our hope will succour
us.
Q. Mar.
My hope is gone, now Suffolk is deceas'd.
K. Henry.
Farewel, my lord; trust not to Kentish rebels.
Buck.
Trust no body, for fear you be betray'd.
Say.
The trust I have is in mine innocence,
And therefore am I bold and resolute.
[Exeunt.
Scene 4
SCENE changes to London.
Enter lord Scales upon the Tower walking. Then enter two or three Citizens below.
Scales.
How now? is Jack Cade slain?
1 Cit.
No, my lord, nor like to be slain:
for they have won the bridge, killing all those that withstand
them: the Lord Mayor craves aid of your Honour
from the Tower to defend the city from the rebels.
Scales.
Such aid, as I can spare, you shall command;
But I am troubled here with them my self.
The rebels have assay'd to win the Tower.
But get you into Smithfield, gather head,
And thither will I send you Matthew Goff.
Fight for your King, your country and your lives,
And so farewel, for I must hence again.
[Exeunt.
-- 276 --
Scene 5
SCENE changes to Cannon-Street.
Enter Jack Cade and the rest, and strikes his staff on London-Stone.
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 the first year of our Reign. And
now hence-forward it shall be treason for any that calls
me other than lord Mortimer.
Enter a soldier running.
Sol.
Jack Cade, Jack Cade!
Cade.
Knock him down there.
[They kill him.
Weav.
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 together in
Smithfield.
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 omnes.
Scene 6
SCENE changes to Smithfield.
Alarum. Matthew Goff is slain, and all the rest. Then
enter Jack Cade with his company.
Cade.
So, Sirs: Now go Some and pull down the
Savoy: others to the Inns of courts, down with
them all.
Dick.
I have a suit unto your lordship.
Cade.
Be it a lordship, thou shalt have it for that 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.
-- 277 --
Smith.
Nay, John, it will be stinking law, for his
breath stinks with eating toasted cheese.
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, unless
his teeth be pull'd out.
Cade.
And henceforward all things shall be in common.
Enter a Messenger.
Mes.
My lord, a prize, a prize! here's the lord Say
which sold the town in France; he that made us pay one
and twenty fifteens and one shilling to the pound, the last
subsidy.
Enter George with the lord Say.
Cade.
Well, he shall be beheaded for it ten times.—
Ah,(18) note thou Say, thou serge, nay, thou buckram lord,
now art thou within point-blank of our jurisdiction regal.
What canst thou answer to my Majesty for giving up of
Normandy unto Monsieur Basimecu, the Dauphin of
France? be it known unto thee by these presents, 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 traiterously 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 us'd; and contrary
to the King, his Crown and Dignity, thou hast
built a paper-mill. It will be prov'd to thy face that
thou hast men about thee, that usually talk of a Noun
and a Verb, and such abominable words, as no christian
ear can endure to hear. Thou hast appointed justices of
-- 278 --
the peace to call poor men before them, about matters
they were not able to answer. Moreover, thou hast put
them in prison; and because they could not read, thou
hast hang'd 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 ought'st not to let thy horse wear
a cloak, when honester men than thou go in their hose
and doublets.
Dick.
And work in their shirt too; as my self, for example,
that am a butcher.
Say.
You men of Kent,—
Dick.
What say you of Kent?
Say.
Nothing but this: 'Tis bona terra, mala gens.
Cade.
Away with him, away with him, he speaks latine.
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 thou art 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 never;
When have I ought exacted at your hands,
Kent to maintain, the King, the Realm and you?
Large gifts have I bestow'd on learned Clerks,
Because my Book preferr'd me to the King:
And seeing, Ignorance is the curse of God,
Knowledge the wing wherewith we fly to heav'n,
Unless you be possest with dev'lish spirits,
Ye cannot but forbear to murther me:
This tongue hath parlied unto foreign Kings
For your behoof.
Cade.
Tut, when struck'st thou one blow in the field?
Say.
Great men have reaching hands; oft have I struck
Those that I never saw, and struck them dead.
-- 279 --
George.
O monstrous coward! what, to come behind folks?
Say.
These cheeks are pale with watching for your Good.
Cade.
Give him a box o'th' ear, and that will make 'em red again.
Say.
Long sitting to determine poor mens Causes.
Hath made me full of sickness and diseases.
Cade.
Ye shall have a hempen caudle then, and the
help of a hatchet.
Dick.
Why dost thou quiver, man?
Say.
The palsie, and not fear, provokes me.
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, and behead him.
Say.
Tell me, wherein have I offended most?
Have I affected wealth or honour? speak.
Are my chests fill'd up with extorted gold?
Is my apparel sumptuous to behold?
Whom have I injur'd, that ye seek my death?
These hands are free from guiltless blood-shedding;
This breast from harb'ring foul deceitful thoughts.
O, let me live!—
Cade.
I feel remorse in my self 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 has a Familiar 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.
Say.
Ah, Country-men, if when you make your pray'rs,
God should be so obdurate as your selves,
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:
the proudest Peer of 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 me her maiden-head
-- 280 --
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.
Dick.
My lord, when shall we go to Cheapside, and
take up commodities upon our bills?
Cade.
Marry, presently.
All.
O brave!
Enter one with the heads.
Cade.
But is not this braver? Let them kiss one another;
for they lov'd 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 7
SCENE changes to Southwark.
Alarum, and Retreat. Enter again Cade, and all his Rabblement.
Cade.
Up Fish-street, down St. Magnus Corner, kill
and knock down; throw them into Thames.
[A Parley sounded.
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, attended.
Buck.
Ay, here they be that dare and will disturb thee:
Know, Cade, we come Ambassadors from the King
Unto the Commons, whom thou hast mis-led;
And here pronounce free pardon to them All,
That will forsake thee, and go home in peace.
Clif.
What say ye, Country-men, will ye relent,
And yield to mercy, whilst 'tis offer'd you,
-- 281 --
Or let a rabble lead you to your deaths?
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.
All.
God save the King! God save the King!
Cade.
What, Buckingham and Clifford, are ye so brave?
and you, base peasants, do ye believe 'em? will you needs
be hang'd with your pardons about your necks? hath my
sword therefore broke through London gates, that you
should leave me at the White-hart in Southwark? I thought,
you 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 your backs with burthens, take your
houses over your heads, ravish your wives and daughters
before your faces. For me, I will make shift for one,
and so God's curse light upon you all!
All.
We'll follow Cade, we'll follow Cade.
Clif.
Is Cade the son of Henry the fifth,
That thus you do exclaim, you'll go with him?
Will he conduct you through the heart of France,
And make the meanest of you Earls and Dukes?
Alas, he hath no home, no place to fly to:
Nor knows he how to live, but by the spoil;
Unless by robbing of your friends and us.
Were't not a shame, that, whilst you live at jar,
The fearful French, whom you late vanquished,
Should make a start o'er seas, and vanquish you?
Methinks, already in this civil broil
I see them lording it in London streets,
Crying, Villageois! unto all they meet.
Better, ten thousand base-born Cades miscarry;
Than you should stoop unto a Frenchman's mercy.
To France, to France, and get what you have lost;
Spare England, for it is your native Coast.
Henry hath mony, you are strong and manly:
God on our side, doubt not of victory.
-- 282 --
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 an hundred mischiefs, and makes them leave me desolate.
I see them lay their heads together to surprize me.
My sword make way for me, for here is no staying; in
despight 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 make 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,
Shall have a thousand crowns for his reward.
[Exeunt some of them.
Follow me, soldiers; we'll devise a mean
To reconcile you All unto the King.
[Exeunt omnes.
Scene 8
SCENE, the Palace at Killingworth.
Sound trumpets. Enter King Henry, Queen Margaret, and
Somerset on the Terras.
K. Henry.
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,
But I was made a King at nine months old:
Was never Subject long'd to be a King,
As I do long and wish to be a Subject.
Enter Buckingham and Clifford.
Buck.
Health, and glad tidings to your Majesty!
K. Henry.
Why, Buckingham, is the traitor Cade surpriz'd?
Or is he but retir'd to make him strong?
-- 283 --
Enter multitudes with halters about their necks.
Clif.
He's fled, my lord, and all his pow'rs do yield;
And humbly thus with halters on their necks
Expect your Highness' doom of life or death.
K. Henry.
Then, heav'n, set ope thy everlasting gates,
To entertain my vows of thanks and praise.
Soldiers, this day have you redeem'd your lives,
And shew'd how well you love your Prince and Country:
Continue still in this so good a mind,
And Henry, though he be unfortunate,
Assure your selves, will never be unkind:
And so with thanks, and Pardon to you all,
I do dismiss you to your several countries.
All.
God save the King! God save the King!
Enter Messenger.
Mes.
Please it your Grace to be advertised,
The Duke of York is newly come from Ireland;
And with a puissant and mighty pow'r
Of Gallow-glasses 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. Henry.
Thus stands my state 'twixt Cade and York distrest,
Like to a ship, that, having 'scap'd a tempest,
Is straitway calm'd and boarded with a pirate.(19) note
-- 284 --
But now is Cade driv'n back, his men dispers'd;
And now is York in arms to second him.
I pray thee, Buckingham, go and meet with him,
And ask him what's the reason of these arms:
Tell him, I'll send Duke Edmund to the Tower;
And, Somerset, we will commit thee thither,
Until his army be dismist from him.
Som.
My lord,
I'll yield my self to prison willingly,
Or unto death, to do my country good.
K. Henry.
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. Henry.
Come, wife, let's in, and learn to govern better,
For yet may England curse my wretched Reign.
[Exeunt.
Scene 9
SCENE, a Garden in Kent.
Enter Jack Cade.
Cade.
Fie on ambitions; fie on my self, 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 now
am I so hungry, that if I might have a lease of my life
for a thousand years, I could stay no longer. Wherefore
on a brick-wall have I climb'd 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 been cleft
with a brown bill; and many a time when I have been
dry, and bravely marching, it hath serv'd me instead of a
quart-pot to drink in; and now the word sallet must serve
me to feed on.
Enter Iden.
Iden.
Lord, who would live turmoiled in the Court,
And may enjoy such quiet Walks as these?
-- 285 --
This small inheritance, my father left me,
Contenteth me, and's worth a monarchy.
I seek not to wax Great by other's waining;
Or gather wealth, I care not with what envy;
Sufficeth, That I have maintains my state;
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 entring his fee-simple without leave. Ah
villain, thou wilt betray me and get a thousand crowns
of the King by carrying my head to him; but I'll make
thee eat iron like an ostridge, 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 spight of me the owner,
But thou wilt brave me with these sawcy terms?
Cade.
Brave thee? by the best blood that ever was
broach'd, and beard thee too. Look on me well, I have
eat no meat these five days, yet come thou and thy five
men, and if I do not leave you as dead as a door nail, I
pray God, I may never eat grass more.
Iden.
Nay, it shall ne'er be said while England stands,
That Alexander Iden an Esquire of Kent,
Took odds to combat a poor famish'd man.
Oppose thy stedfast gazing eyes to mine,
See, if thou canst out-face me with thy looks:
Set limb to limb, and thou art far the lesser:
Thy hand is but a finger to my fist,
Thy leg a stick compared with this truncheon.
My foot shall fight with all the strength thou hast;
And if mine arm be heaved in the air,
Thy grave is digg'd already in the earth:
As for more words, whose greatness answers words,
Let this my sword report what speech forbears.
Cade.
By my valour, the most complete champion
that ever I heard. Steel, if thou turn thine edge, or
cut not out the burly-bon'd Clown in chines of beef ere
-- 286 --
thou sleep in thy sheath, I beseech Jove on my knees
thou may'st be turned into hobnails.
[Here they fight.
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 unconquer'd soul of Cade
is fled.
Iden.
Is't Cade that I have slain, that monstrous traitor?
Sword, I will hallow thee for this thy deed,
And hang thee o'er my tomb, when I am dead.
Ne'er shall this blood be wiped from thy point,
But thou shalt wear it as a herald's coat,
T' emblaze the honour which thy master got.
Cade.
Iden, farewel, 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 fear'd 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,
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.
-- 287 --
Lewis Theobald [1733], The works of Shakespeare: in seven volumes. Collated with the Oldest Copies, and Corrected; With notes, Explanatory and Critical; By Mr. Theobald (Printed for A. Bettesworth and C. Hitch [and] J. Tonson [etc.], London) [word count] [S11201].
