Mess. My lord, a prize, a prize! here's the lord Say, which sold the town in France; he that made 5 us pay one-and-twenty fifteens, and one shilling to the pound, the last subsidy. Enter George Bevis, with the lord Say. Cade. Well, he shall be beheaded for it ten times. -Ah, thou say, thou serge, nay, thou buckram 10 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 presence, even the presence of 15 lord Mortimer, that I am the beson that must sweep the court clean of such filth as thou art. Thou hast most traitorously corrupted the youth of the realm, in erecting a grammar-school: and whereas, before, our fore-fathers had no other 20 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 proved to thy face, that thou hast men about thee, that usually talk of a noun, and a verb;25 and such abominable words, as no christian ear can endure to hear. Thou hast appointed justices of 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 30 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 myself, for example, that am a butcher. Say. You men of Kent, [gens. Dick. What say you of Kent? 35 And-seeing ignorance is Cade. Tut! when struck Say. Great men have re Those that I never saw, a Say. These cheeks are Cade. Give him a box make 'em red as Say. Long sitting to deter Hath made me full of sick Cade. Ye shall have a ho the help of a hatchet. Dick. Why dost thou a Say. The palsy, and no Cade. Nay, he nods at I'll be even with you. I' stand steadier on a pole, o and behead him. Say. Tell me, wherein Have I affected wealth, of Are my chests fill'd up wi Is my apparel sumptuous Whom have I injur'd, that These hands are freefrom g This breastfromharbouring O, let me live! 6 Cade. I feel remorse in but I'll bridle it; he shall pleading so well for his 40 he has a familiar under not o' God's name. Go, and strike off his head pre into his son-in-law's hous and strike off his head, and two poles hither. [will. 45 All. It shall be done. Say. Ah, countrymen! God should be so obdurat How would it fare with y 50 And therefore yet relent, Cade. Away with him, an [Exeu Say. Hear me but speak, and bear me where you The proudest peer of the head on his shoulders, unl there shall not a maid be m to me her maidenhead' e Say was the old word for silk; on this depends the series of degradation, serge to buckram. 2 Shakspeare is a little too early with this accusation. hanged because they could not claim the benefit of clergy. 4A footcloth wa which reached as low as his feet.. Dr. Johnson is inclined to think tha passage by chance, and would read: "When have I aught exacted at your the king, the realm, and you?" Mr. Steevens proposes to read, strenuously resolved to the utmost, to, &c. A familiar is a dæmon who Alluding to an ancient usage during the existence of the feudal at call. 7 "Bent t 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 1?. Cade. Marry, presently. All. O brave! Re-enter one with the heads. Will he conduct you through the heart of France, 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, we will ride through the streets; and, at 15 every corner, have them kiss 2.-Away. [Exeunt. SCENE VIII. Alarum, and retreat. Enter again Cade, and alt his rabblement. 10I see them lording it in London streets, 20 Cade. Up Fish-street! down Saint Magnus' corner! kill and knock down! throw them into Thames![A parley sounded. 25 What noise is this I hear? Dare any be so bold to sound retreat and parley, when I command them kill? Enter Buckingham, and old Clifford, attended. Know, Cade, we come ambassadors from the king Clif. What say ye, countrymen? will ye relent, 30 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 folflowers' 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, Shall have a thousand crowns for his reward. [Exeunt some of them. 35 Follow me, soldiers; we'll devise a mean To reconcile you all unto the king. SCENE IX. Kenelworth Castle. [Exeunt. 40 Sound trumpets. Enter King Henry, Queen Margaret, and Somerset, on the Terras. All. God save the king! God save the king! All. We'll follow Cade, we'll follow Cade. 160 K. Henry. Was ever king, that joy'd an earthly throne, And could command no more content than I? Enter Buckingham and Clifford. Or is he but retir'd to make him strong? yield; And humbly thus with halters on their necks A pun, perhaps alluding to the brown bills, or halberds, with which the commons were anciently armed. This fact is recorded by Holinshed, p. 634: " and as it were in a spite caused them in every street to kisse together." Q ૧૩ Soldiers 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, Mes. Please it your grace to be advertised, The duke of Somerset, whom he terms a traitor. K. Henry. Thus stands my state, 'twixt Cade and York distress'd; Like to a ship, that, having 'scap'd a tempest, I'll yield myself to prison willingly, drink in; and now the word sallet must serve me to feed on. Enter Iden, with Servants. Iden. Lord, who would live turmoiled in the 5 And may enjoy such quiet walks as these? [court, This small inheritance, my father left me, Contenteth me, and 's worth a monarchy. I seek not to wax great by others' waining; Or gather wealth, I care not with what envy; 10 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 scize me for a stray, for entering his fee-simple without leave. Ah, villain, thou wilt betray me, and get a 15 thousand crowns of the king for 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. 20 25 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 saucy terms? Cade. Brave thee? ay, 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 all as dead as a door-nail, I pray God, 30I may never cat grass more. K. Hen. In any case be not too rough in terms; For he is fierce, and cannot brook hard language. Buck. I will, my lord; and doubt not so to deal, 35 As all things shall redound unto your good. K. Henry. Come, wife, let's in, and learn tc govern better; For yet may England curse my wretched reign. SCENE X. A Garden in Kent. Enter Jack Cade. Iden. Nay, it shall ne'er be said, while England That Alexander Iden, an esquire of Kent, Thy leg a stick, compared with this truncheon; 45 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 lay'd 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 50 no longer. Wherefore, on a brick-wall have 1 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: 55 for, many a time, but for a sallet2, 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 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 the edge, or cut not out the burly-bon'd clown in chines of beef ere thou sleep in thy sheath, I beseech Jove on my knees, thou may'st be turn'd to 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, 2 A sallet, by That is, As for Gallowglasses and Kernes were two orces of foot soldiers among the Irish. corruption from caleta, a helmet, (says Skinner,) quia galea calata fuerunt. more words, whose pomp may answer words, and only words, I shall forbear them, and refer the rest to my sword. And 5 Iden. How much thou wrong'st me, heaven be my judge. [thee! Die, damned wretch, the curse of her that bare 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, 10 Leaving thy trunk for crows to feed upon. [Exit. SCENE I. Fields near Saint Albans. ACT V. Enter York, attended, with drum and colours. York, at a distance from his followers. FROM Ireland thus comes York, to claim his right, 20 And pluck the crown from feeble Henry's head: Seditious to his grace, and to the state. Buck. That is too much presumption on thy part: York. Upon thine honour, is he prisoner? Soldiers, I thank you all; disperse yourselves; Whom have we here? Buckingham, to disturb me? 35 well. Buck. York, I commend this kind submission: We twain will go into his highness' tent. Enter King Henry, and Attendants. K. Henry. Buckingham, doth York intend no 40 That thus he marcheth with thee arm in arm ? Buck.A messenger from Henry, our dread liege, York. Scarce can I speak, my choler is so great. On sheep and oxen could I spend my fury! More like a king, more kingly in my thoughts: York. To heave the traitor Somerset from hence; And fight against that monstrous rebel, Cade, Whom since I hear to be discomfited. Enter Iden, with Cade's head. Iden. If one so rude, and of so mean condition, 50 May pass into the presence of a king, Lo, I present your grace a traitor's head, The head of Cade, whom I in combat slew. K. Henry. The head of Cade?-Great God, how just art thou! "Till Henry be more weak, and I more strong.-550, let me view his visage being dead, O Buckingham, I pr'ythee pardon me, That living wrought me such exceeding trouble. 'I will make a votive offering of thee, and for that purpose hang thee over the tomb in which I purpose to have my body laid, when I am dead. That is, balance my hand. Qq4 A poor But boldly stand, and front him to his face. 15 20 York. We thank thee, Clifford: Say, what news with thee? Nay, do not fright us with an angry look: Clif. This is my king, York, I do not mistake; But thou mistak'st me much, to think I do :To Bedlam with him! is the man grown mad? K. Henry. Ay,Clifford; a bedlam and ambitious humour Makes him oppose himself against his king. Clif. He is a traitor; let him to the Tower, And crop away that factious pate of his. 2. Mar. He is arrested, but will not obey; His sons, he says, shall give their words for him. York. Will you not, sons? [serve. E. Plan. Ay, noble father, if our words will R. Plan. And if words will not, then our wea pons shall. [here! Clif. Why, what a brood of traitors have we York. Look in a glass, and call thy image so; I am thy king, and thou a false-heart traitor.Call hither to the stake my two brave bears', That, with the very shaking of their chains, 25 They may astonish these fell lurking curs: Bid Salisbury, and Warwick, come to me. Drums. Enter the Earls of Warwick and Salisbury, Clif. Are these thy bears? we'll bait thy bears to death, 30 35 York. Sirrah, call in my sons to be my bail.- To say, if that the bastard boys of York York. O blood-bespotted Neapolitan, Sce, where they come; I'll warrant, they'll make 45 And manacle the bear-ward in their chains, yourselves. If you oppose yourselves to match lord Warwick. Clif. Hence, heap of wrath, foul indigested lump, As crooked in thy manners as thy shape! York. Nay, we shall heat you thorougly anon. Clif. Take heed, lest by your heat you burn [to bow?K. Henry. Why,Warwick, hath thy knee forgot Old Salisbury, shame to thy silver hair, Thou mad mis-leader of thy brain-sick son! What, wilt thou on thy death-bed play the ruffian, And seck for sorrow with thy spectacles?Oh, where is faith? oh, where is loyalty? If it be banish'd from the frosty head, 50 Where shall it find a harbour in the earth? Wilt thou go dig a grave to find out war, And shame thine honourable age with blood? Why art thou old, and want'st experience? Or wherefore dost abuse it, if thou hast it? 55 For shame! in duty bend thy knee to me, That bows unto the grave with mickle age. Sal. My lord, I have consider'd with myself The title of this most renowned duke; And in my conscience do repute his grace 60 The rightful heir to England's royal seat. [me? K. Henry. Hast thou not sworn allegiance unto Sal. I have. The Nevils, carls of Warwick, had a bear and ragged staff for their cognizance. baiting was anciently a royal sport. 2 Bear K. Henry. |