Suffolk, and others, prisoners.
Cap. note
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 tragic melancholy night;
Who, with their drowsy, slow and flagging wings,
Clip note dead men's 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 discoloured note shore.
Master, this prisoner freely give I thee;
And thou that art his mate, make boot of this;
note
The other, Walter Whitmore, is thy share.
First 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.
Cap. note
What, think you much to pay two thousand note crowns,
And bear the name and port of gentlemen?
Cut both the villains' throats note; for die you shall: note
The lives of those which we have lost in fight
-- 180 --
Be note counterpoised with such a petty sum! note
First Gent.
I'll give it, sir; and therefore spare my life.
Sec. 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 Suf. note
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 note; 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 note thou? what, doth death affright note?
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 Gaultier, being rightly sounded.
Whit.
Gaultier or Walter, which it is, I care not:
Never note yet did base dishonour blur our name,
But with our sword we wiped away the blot;
Therefore, when merchant-like I sell revenge,
Broke be my sword, my arms torn and defaced,
note
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. note
The Duke of Suffolk muffled up in rags!
Suf.
Ay, but these rags are no part of the duke:
Jove sometime went disguised, and why not I? note
Cap.
But Jove was never slain, as thou shalt be.
Suf.
Obscure and lowly note swain, King Henry's blood note,
-- 181 --
The honourable note blood of Lancaster,
Must not be shed by such a jaded note groom.
Hast thou not kiss'd thy hand and held my stirrup?
Bare-headed note 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-fall'n,
Ay, and allay this thy abortive pride;
How in our voiding lobby hast thou stood
And duly waited for my coming forth?
This hand of mine note hath writ in thy behalf
And therefore shall it charm thy riotous tongue.
Whit.
Speak, captain, shall I stab the forlorn swain note? note
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 darest not, for thy note own.
Cap.
Yes, Pole.
Suf.
Pole! note
Cap.
Pool! Sir Pool! lord! note
Ay note, 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 note the treasure of the realm:
Thy lips that kiss'd the queen shall sweep the ground;
And thou that smiledst at good Duke Humphrey's death
-- 182 --
Against the senseless winds shalt note grin in vain,
Who in contempt shall hiss at thee again:
And wedded be thou to the hags of hell,
For daring to affy a mighty lord
Unto the daughter of a worthless king,
Having neither note subject, wealth, nor diadem.
By devilish policy art thou grown great
And, like ambitious Sylla, overgorged note
With gobbets of thy mother's bleeding note heart.
By thee Anjou and Maine were sold to France,
The false revolting Normans thorough thee
Disdain to call us lord, and Picardy
Hath slain their governors, surprised 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 note rising up in arms:
And now the house of York, thrust from the crown
By shameful murder of a guiltless king
And lofty proud encroaching note tyranny,
Burns with revenging fire; whose hopeful colours
Advance our note half-faced 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
Is note 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 paltry, servile, abject drudges!
Small things make base men proud: this villain here,
Being captain of a pinnace, threatens note more
Than Bargulus note the strong Illyrian pirate.
Drones suck not eagles' blood but rob bee-hives:
-- 183 --
It is impossible that I should note die
By such a lowly vassal as thyself.
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 note, Suffolk, I must waft thee to thy death.
Suf.
Gelidus note timor occupat artus: it is note thee I fear.
Whit. note
Thou shalt have cause to fear before I leave thee.
What, are ye daunted now? now will ye stoop?
First Gent.
My gracious lord, entreat him, speak him fair.
Suf.
Suffolk's imperial tongue is stern and rough,
Used 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 heaven and to my king;
And sooner dance upon a bloody pole
Than stand uncover'd to the note vulgar groom.
True note nobility is exempt from fear note:
More can I bear than you dare execute.
Cap.
Hale him away, and let him talk no more.
Suf.
Come, soldiers, show what cruelty ye note can note,
That this my death may never be forgot!
Great men oft die by vile bezonians:
A Roman sworder and banditto note slave
Murder'd sweet Tully; Brutus' bastard note hand
Stabb'd Julius Cæsar; savage islanders note
-- 184 --
Pompey the Great; and Suffolk dies by pirates.
[Exeunt note Whitmore and others 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.
[Exeunt all but the First Gentleman.
Re-enter Whitmore with Suffolk's body. note
Whit. note
There let his head and lifeless note body lie,
Until the queen his mistress bury it.
[Exit. note
First 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 note with the body.
note
Scene II. [Footnote:
Blackheath. note
Enter George Bevis note and John Holland.
Bevis. note
Come, and get thee a sword, though made of a
lath: they have been up these two days.
Holl. note
They have the more need to sleep now, then.
Bevis. note
I tell thee, Jack Cade the clothier means to
dress the commonwealth, and turn it, and set a new nap
upon it.
Holl. note
So he had need, for note 'tis threadbare. Well, I say it
was never merry note world in England since gentlemen came up.
-- 185 --
Bevis.
O miserable age! virtue is not regarded in
handicrafts-men.
Holl.
The nobility think scorn to go in leather aprons.
Bevis.
Nay, more, the king's council are no good workmen.
Holl.
True; and yet it is said, labour in thy vocation;
which is as much to say as, note 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.
Holl.
I see them! I see them! There's Best's son,
the tanner of Wingham,—
Bevis.
He shall have the skin of our enemies, to make
dog's-leather of.
Holl.
And Dick the butcher,—
Bevis.
Then is sin struck down like an ox, and iniquity's
throat cut like a calf.
Holl.
And Smith note the weaver,—
Bevis.
Argo, their thread of life is spun.
Holl.
Come, come, let's fall in with them.
Drum. Enter note Cade, Dick Butcher, Smith the Weaver, and a Sawyer, with infinite numbers.
Cade.
We John Cade, so termed of our supposed
father,—
note
Dick. note [Aside]
Or rather, of stealing a cade of herrings.
Cade.
For note our enemies shall fall note before us, inspired note
with the spirit of putting down kings and princes note,—Command note
silence.
Dick.
Silence!
Cade.
My father was a Mortimer,—
-- 186 --
Dick. [Aside]
He was an honest man, and a good
bricklayer.
Cade.
My mother a Plantagenet,—
Dick. [Aside]
I knew her well; she was a midwife.
Cade.
My wife descended of the Lacies,—
Dick. [Aside]
She was, indeed, a pedler's daughter,
and sold many laces.
Smith. note [Aside]
But now of late, not able to travel with
her furred pack, she washes bucks here at home.
Cade.
Therefore am I of an honourable house.
Dick. [Aside]
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.
Smith. [Aside]
A' must needs; for beggary is valiant.
Cade.
I am able to endure much.
Dick. [Aside]
No question of that; for I have seen
him whipped three market-days together.
Cade.
I fear neither sword nor fire.
Smith. [Aside]
He need not fear the sword; for his
notecoat is of proof.
Dick. [Aside]
But methinks he should stand in fear of
fire, being burnt i' the 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 palfry go to grass: and when I am king, as king I
notewill be,—
All.
God save your majesty!
Cade.
I thank you, good people: there shall be no
money; all shall eat and drink on note 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.
-- 187 --
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? note Some say the bee stings: but I say,
'tis the bee's note wax; for I did but seal once to a thing, and I
was never mine note own man since. How now! who's note there?
Enter some note, bringing forward the Clerk of Chatham note.
Smith.
The clerk of note Chatham: he can write and read
and cast accompt.
Cade.
O monstrous!
Smith.
We took him setting of boys' copies.
Cade.
Here's a villain!
Smith.
Has note a book in his pocket with red letters in't.
Cade.
Nay, then, he is note a conjuror.
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.
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 honest note 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 note a villain
and a traitor.
-- 188 --
Cade.
Away with him, I say! hang him with his pen
and ink-horn about his neck.
[Exit one note with the Clerk.
Enter note Michael.
Mich.
Where's note 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 himself: he is
but a knight, is a'?
Mich.
No.
Cade.
To equal him, I will make myself a knight presently note.
[Kneels note] Rise up Sir John Mortimer. [Rises note] Now
have at him! note
Enter note Sir Humphrey Stafford and his Brother, note with drum and soldiers.
note
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 note.
Bro. note
But angry, wrathful, and inclined to blood,
If you go forward; therefore yield, or die.
Cade.
As for these silken-coated slaves, I pass not note:
It is to you, good people, that I speak,
Over whom, in time to come, I hope to reign;
-- 189 --
For I am rightful heir unto the crown.
Staf.
Villain, thy father was a plasterer;
And thou thyself a shearman, art thou not?
Cade.
And Adam was a gardener.
Bro.
And what of that?
Cade.
Marry, this: Edmund note Mortimer, Earl of March,
Married the Duke of Clarence' note daughter, did he not?
Staf.
Ay, sir.
Cade.
By her he had two children at one birth.
Bro.
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 stolen 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.
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 note gone.
Bro.
Jack Cade, the Duke of York hath taught you this.
Cade. [Aside note]
He lies, for I invented it myself.
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
mained note, and fain to go with a staff, but that my puissance
-- 190 --
holds it up. Fellow kings, I tell you that that note 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 note be a good counsellor,
or no?
All.
No, no; and therefore we'll have his head.
Bro.
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 note you that be the king's friends, follow me.
[Exeunt note the two Staffords, and soldiers.
Cade.
And you that love the commons, follow me.
Now show yourselves men; tis note for liberty.
We will note not leave one lord, one gentleman:
Spare none but such as go in clouted shoon note;
For they are thrifty honest men and such
As would, but that they dare not, take our parts.
Dick.
They are note all in order and march toward note us.
Cade.
But then are we in order when we are most out
of order. Come, march forward. note
[Exeunt. note
-- 191 --
note
Scene III. [Footnote:
Another part of Blackheath. note
Alarums note to the fight, wherein both the Staffords are slain. Enter note 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 behavedst thyself as if thou hadst been in thine own
slaughter-house: therefore thus will I note reward thee, the Lent
shall be as long again note as it is; and thou shalt have a license
to kill for a hundred lacking one note.
Dick.
I desire no more.
Cade.
And, to speak truth, thou deservest no less. This
monument of the victory will I bear [putting on Sir Humphrey's
brigandine note]; and the bodies shall be dragged at my
horse note 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, note break open
the gaols note and let out the prisoners.
Cade.
Fear not that, I warrant thee. Come, let's
march towards London.
[Exeunt.
-- 192 --
note
Scene IV. [Footnote:
London. The palace. note
Enter note the King with a supplication, and the Queen with Suffolk's head note, the Duke of Buckingham and the Lord Say.
Queen.
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?
King.
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 note cut them short,
Will parley with Jack Cade their general:
But stay, I'll read it over once again.
Queen.
Ah, barbarous villains! hath this lovely face
Ruled, like a wandering planet, over me,
And could it not enforce them to relent,
That were unworthy to behold the same?
King.
Lord Say, Jack Cade hath sworn to have thy head.
Say.
Ay, but I hope your highness shall have his.
King.
How now, madam!
Still lamenting note and mourning for note Suffolk's death?
I fear me, love, note if that I had been dead,
Thou wouldest not note have mourn'd so much for me.
-- 193 --
Queen.
No, my note love, I should not mourn, but die for thee.
Enter a Messenger.
King.
How now! what news? why comest thou in such haste?
Mess.
The rebels are in Southwark; fly, my lord!
Jack Cade proclaims himself Lord Mortimer,
Descended from the Duke of Clarence' note 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 Humphrey 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.
King.
O graceless men! they know not what they do.
Buck.
My gracious lord, retire to Killingworth note,
Until a power be raised to put them down.
Queen.
Ah, were the Duke of Suffolk now alive,
These Kentish rebels would note be soon appeased!
King.
Lord Say, the traitors hate note thee note;
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;
And therefore in this city will I stay
And live alone as secret as I may note.
Enter another Messenger.
note
Mess.
Jack Cade hath gotten London bridge note:
-- 194 --
The citizens fly note and forsake their houses note:
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.
King.
Come, Margaret; God, our hope, will succour us.
Queen.
My hope is gone, now Suffolk is deceased.
King.
Farewell, my lord: trust not the note Kentish rebels.
Buck.
Trust nobody, for fear you be note betray'd.
Say.
The trust I have is in mine innocence,
And therefore am I bold and resolute.
[Exeunt.
note
Scene V. [Footnote:
London. The Tower. note
Enter Lord Scales upon the Tower, walking. Then enter note two or three Citizens below.
Scales.
How now! is Jack Cade slain?
First Cit. note
No, my lord, nor likely note 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 note.
Scales.
Such aid as I can spare you shall command;
But I am troubled here with them myself;
The rebels have assay'd to win the Tower.
But get you to Smithfield and gather note head,
And thither I will note send you Matthew Goffe note;
-- 195 --
Fight for your king, your country and your lives;
And so, farewell, for I must hence again note.
[Exeunt.
note.
Scene VI [Footnote:
London. Cannon Street. note
Enter note Jack Cade and the rest, and strikes his staff note 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 this note first year of our reign. And now henceforward
it shall be treason for any that calls me other than Lord
Mortimer. note
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 ye note 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. note
[Exeunt. note
-- 196 --
note
Scene VII. [Footnote:
London. Smithfield. note
Alarums. Matthew Goffe 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 court note; 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.
note
Holl. note [Aside]
Mass, 'twill be sore law, then; for he was
thrust in the mouth with a spear, and 'tis not whole yet.
note
Smith. [Aside]
Nay, John, it will be stinking law; for
his breath stinks with eating note 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.
note
Holl. note [Aside]
Then we are note like to have biting statutes,
unless his teeth be pulled out.
Cade.
And henceforward all things shall be in common.
Enter a Messenger.
note
Mess.
My lord, a prize, a prize! here's the Lord Say,
which sold the towns note in France; he that made us pay one and
twenty fifteens, and one shilling to the pound, the last subsidy.
Enter George Bevis note, with the Lord Say.
Cade.
Well, he shall be beheaded for it ten times. Ah,
thou say, thou serge, nay, thou buckram lord! now art thou
-- 197 --
within point-blank note of our jurisdiction regal. What canst
thou answer to my majesty for giving note up of Normandy unto
Mounsieur note Basimecu, the dauphin of France? Be it known
unto thee by these presence note, 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 forefathers 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-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 Christian ear can endure
to hear. Thou hast appointed justices of peace note, to call poor
men before them about matters they were not able to answer.
Moreover, thou hast put them in prison; and because they note
could not read, thou hast hanged them; when, indeed, only
for that cause they have been most worthy to live. Thou
dost ride in note a foot-cloth, dost thou not?
Say.
What of that?
Cade.
Marry, thou oughtest 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 myself, for example,
that am a butcher.
Say.
You men of Kent,—
Dick.
What note say you of Kent? note
Say.
Nothing but this; 'tis note ‘bona terra, mala gens.’
Cade.
Away with him, away with him! he speaks Latin.
Say.
Hear me but speak, and bear me where note 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 note of riches;
-- 198 --
The people liberal, valiant, active, wealthy note;
Which makes me hope you are note not void of pity.
I sold not Maine, I lost not Normandy,
Yet note, to recover them, would lose my life.
Justice with favour have I always done;
Prayers and tears have moved me, gifts could never.
When have I aught exacted at your hands,
But to maintain the king, the realm and you? note
Large gifts have I bestow'd on learned clerks,
Because my book note preferr'd me to the king,
And seeing ignorance is the curse of God,
Knowledge the wing wherewith we fly to heaven,
Unless you be possess'd with devilish spirits,
You note cannot but forbear to murder me:
This tongue hath parley'd unto foreign kings
For your behoof,— note
Cade.
Tut note, when struck'st note thou one blow in the field?
Say.
Great men have reaching hands: oft have I struck
Those that I never note saw and struck them dead.
Geo.
O monstrous coward! what, to come behind folks?
Say.
These cheeks are pale for note watching for your good.
Cade.
Give him a box o' 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.
Cade.
Ye shall have a hempen caudle note then and the
help of hatchet note.
Dick.
Why dost thou quiver, man?
-- 199 --
Say.
The palsy note, and not fear, provokes note 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 injured, that ye seek my death?
These hands are free from guiltless blood-shedding,
This breast from harbouring foul deceitful thoughts.
O, let me live!
Cade. [Aside]
I feel remorse in myself with his words;
but I'll bridle it: he shall die, an note it be but for pleading so
well for his life note. Away with him! he has a familiar under his
tongue; he speaks note not note o' note 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 note Cromer, and strike
off his head, and bring them both upon two poles hither.
All.
It shall be done.
Say.
Ah, countrymen! if when you make your 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 note some with Lord Say.
The proudest peer in the note 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 note 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.
-- 200 --
Dick.
My lord, when shall we go to Cheapside and
take up commodities upon our bills?
Cade.
Marry, presently.
All.
O, brave!
Re-enter note one with the heads.
Cade.
But is not this braver note? Let them kiss one another,
for they loved well when they were alive note. 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! note
[Exeunt. note
note
Scene VIII. [Footnote:
Southwark. note
Alarum and retreat. Enter note Cade and all his rabblement.
Cade.
Up Fish Street! down Saint Magnus' note Corner!
kill and knock down! throw them into Thames! Sound
a parley. note] What noise is this I hear? Dare any be so bold
to sound retreat or parley, when I command them kill? note
Enter Buckingham and old Clifford, attended note.
Buck.
Ay, here note they be that dare and will disturb thee:
Know, Cade, we come ambassadors from the king
Unto the commons whom thou hast misled;
And here pronounce free pardon to them all
-- 201 --
That will forsake thee and go home in peace.
Clif.
What say ye, countrymen? will ye relent note,
And yield to mercy whilst 'tis offer'd you;
Or let a rebel note 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 him note? will you needs
be hanged with your pardons about your necks? Hath my
sword therefore broke through London gates, that you
should leave me at the White Hart note in Southwark? I
thought ye note would never have given out note 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!
note
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?
-- 202 --
Methinks already in this civil broil
I see them lording it in London streets,
Crying ‘Villiago note!’ 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 money note, 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
an 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. note In despite
of the devils and hell, have through the very middest note of
you! and heavens and honour be witness that no want of
resolution in me, but only my followers' base and ignominious
treasons, makes note 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. note
-- 203 --
note
Scene IX. [Footnote:
Kenilworth Castle. note
Sound trumpets. Enter King, Queen, and Somerset, on the terrace. note
King.
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 old Clifford. note
Buck.
Health and glad tidings to your majesty!
King.
Why, Buckingham, is the traitor Cade surprised?
Or is he but retired to make him strong?
Enter, below, multitudes, note with halters about their necks.
Clif.
He is note fled, my lord, and all his powers do yield;
And humbly thus, with halters on their necks,
Expect your highness' doom, of life or death.
King.
Then, heaven, set ope thy everlasting gates,
To entertain my vows of thanks and praise!
Soldiers, this day have you redeem'd your lives
And show'd how well you love your prince and country:
Continue still in this so good a mind,
And Henry, though he be infortunate note,
Assure yourselves, will never be unkind:
And so, with thanks and pardon to you all,
-- 204 --
I do dismiss you to your several countries note.
note
All.
God save the king! God save the king!
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 note power
Of note gallowglasses and stout note kernes note
Is marching hitherward in proud array,
And still proclaimeth, as he comes along,
His arms note are only to remove from thee
The Duke of Somerset, whom he terms a traitor.
King.
Thus stands my state, 'twixt Cade and York distress'd;
Like to a ship that, having 'scaped a tempest
Is straightway calm'd note and boarded with a pirate:
But now is Cade driven back, his men dispersed note;
And now is York in arms to second him.
I pray thee, Buckingham, go note and meet him note,
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 hither,
Until his army be dismiss'd from him.
Som.
My lord,
I'll yield myself to prison willingly,
Or unto death, to do my country good.
King.
In any case, be not too rough in terms;
-- 205 --
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.
King.
Come, wife, let's in, and learn to govern better;
For note yet may England curse my wretched reign.
[Flourish. note Exeunt.
note
Scene X. [Footnote:
Kent. Iden's garden. note
Enter Cade. note
Cade.
Fie on ambition note! fie on myself, that have a
sword, and yet am ready to famish! These five days have I
hid me in these note woods and durst not peep out, for all the
country is laid for me; but now am I so note hungry that if I
might have a lease of my life for a thousand years I could
stay no longer. Wherefore, on note 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 note
had been cleft with a brown bill; and many a time,
when I have been dry and bravely note marching, it hath served
me instead of a quart pot to drink in; and now the word
‘sallet’ must serve me to feed on.
Enter Iden. note
Iden.
Lord, who would live turmoiled in the court,
And may enjoy such quiet walks as these?
-- 206 --
This small inheritance my father left me
Contenteth me, and note worth a monarchy.
I seek not to wax great by others' waning note,
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 entering his fee-simple without leave. note Ah, note
villain, thou wilt betray me, and get a thousand note crowns of
the king by 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,
note
But thou wilt brave me with these saucy terms?
Cade.
Brave thee! ay, note by the best blood that ever was
broached, and beard thee too. Look on me well: I have
eat no meat these five days; yet, come thou and thy five
men note, and if I do not leave you all note 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 note of Kent,
Took odds to combat a poor famish'd man.
Oppose thy steadfast-gazing note eyes to mine,
See if thou canst outface me with thy looks:
Set limb to limb, and thou art far the lesser;
Thy hand is but a finger to my fist,
-- 207 --
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 words note, whose greatness answers words, note
Let this my sword report what note speech forbears.
Cade.
By my valour, the most complete champion that
ever I heard! Steel, if thou turn the edge note, or cut not out
the burly-boned clown in chines note of beef ere thou sleep in
thy sheath, I beseech God note on my knees thou mayst be
turned to hobnails.
[Here they fight. note Cade falls.
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'ld defy them all. Wither,
garden; and be henceforth a burying-place to all that do
dwell in this house, because the unconquered soul of Cade
is fled.
Iden.
Is't Cade that I have slain, that monstrous traitor?
Sword, I will hallow thee note 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,
To emblaze the honour that note thy master got.
Cade.
Iden, farewell, 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 feared 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 note with my sword,
-- 208 --
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 note thy most ungracious head;
Which I will bear in triumph to the king,
Leaving thy trunk for crows to feed upon.
[Exit. note
William Aldis Wright [1863–1866], The works of William Shakespeare edited by William George Clark... and John Glover [and William Aldis Wright] (Macmillan and Co., London) [word count] [S10701].
