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 presence, even the presence of lord Mortimer, that I am the besom that must sweep the court clean of such filth as thou art. Thou hast most traitorously corrupted the youth of the realm, in erecting a grammar-school: 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 papermill. 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, 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 hanged them; when, indeed, only for that cause they have been most worthy to live. Thou dost ride on a foot-cloth,t 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 say you of Kent? Say. Nothing but this: 'Tis bona terra, male gens. Cade. Away with him, away with him! he speaks Latin." Say. Hear me but speak, and bear me where Kent, in the commentaries Cæsar writ, never. When have I aught exacted at your hands, Unless you be possess'd with devilish spirits, 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. Geo. O monstrous coward! what, to come behind folks? Say. These cheeks are pale fort watching for your good. Cade. Give him a box o'the ear, and that will make 'em red again. I. e. They were hanged because they could not claim the benefit of the clergy. A foot cloth was a kind of housing, which covered the body of the horse. In consequence of. | Say. Long sitting to determine poor men's causes Hath made me full of sickness and diseases. Cade. Ye shall have a hempen caudle then, and the pap of a hatchet. Dick. Why dost thou quiver, man? Say. The palsy, and not fear, provoketh me. I'll be even with you. I'll see if his head will Cade. Nay, he nods at us; as who should say, stand steadier on a pole, or no: Take him away, and behead him. Have I affected wealth, or honour; speak? but I'll bridle it; he shall die, an it be but for ye. All. It shall be done. Say. Ah, countrymen! if when you make God should be so obdurate as yourselves, Dick. My lord, when shall we go to Cheapside, and take up commodities upon our bills? Cade. Marry, presently. All. O brave! Re-enter Rebels, with the Heads of Lords SAY and his Son-in-law. Cade. But is not this braver?-Let them kiss SCENE VIII.-Southwark. into Thames. What noise is this I hear? Dare any he so bold [A Parley sounded, then a Retreat. to sound retreat or parley, when I command them kill? * I. c. These hands are free from shedding guiltless of innocent blood. + A demon who was supposed to attend at call. Enter BUCKINGHAM, and old CLIFFORD, with Forces. 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 misled; And yield to mercy whilst 'tis offer'd you; [jesty! Fling up his cap, and say-God save his maWho 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? 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, ye would never have given out these arms, till you had recover'd 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 burdens, 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 yon 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! carry, Spare England, for it is your native coast: Henry hath money, 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 a 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, makes me betake me to my heels. [Exit. Buck. What, is he fled! Go some, and follow him; SCENE IX.-Kenelworth Castle. Enter King HENRY, Queen MARGARET, and SOMERSET, on the Terrace of the Custle. K. Hen. Was ever king, that joy'd an earthly throne, And could command no more content than I? Enter BUCKINGHAM and CLIFFORD. Buck. Health, and glad tidings, to your majesty! K. Hen. Why, Buckingham, is the traitor, Cade, surprized? Or is he but retired to make him strong? Enter, below, a great number of CADE'S Fol lowers, with Halters about their Necks. Clif. He's 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. K. Hen. Then, heaven, set ope thy ever lasting 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, 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 power, Of Gallowglasses, and stout Kernes*, Is marching hitherward in proud array; And still proclaimeth, as he comes along, His arms are only to remove from thee [tor. The duke of Somerset, whom he terms a trai K. Hen. Thus stands my state, 'twixt Cade and York distress'd; Like to a ship, that, having escaped a tempest, Is straightway calm'd, and boarded with a [persed; pirate: But now is Cade driven back, his men dis- arms. I'll yield myself to prison willingly, K. Hen. In any case, be not too rough in terms; [guage. For he is fierce, and cannot brook hard lan Two orders of foot soldiers among the Irish. Buck. I will, my lord; and doubt not so to deal As all things shall redound unto your good. For yet may England curse my wretched SCENE X.-Kent.-IDEN's Garden. Enter CADE. Cade. Fie on ambition! Fie on myself; that have a sword, and yet am ready to famish! These five days have I hid me in these woods; and durst not peep out, for all the country is layed 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 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, had been cleft with a brown bill; and, many a time, when I have been dry, and bravely marching, it hath served me instead of a quartpot to 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 And may enjoy such quiet walks as these, | And if mine arm be heaved in the air, Iden. Is't Cade that I have slain, that mon- Sword, I will hallow thee, for this thy deed. 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 fear'd any, am vanquish'd 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 And as I thrust thy body in with my sword, [Exit, dragging out the Body. ACT V. Cade. Here's the lord of the soil come to seize me for a stray, for entering his fee-simple without leave. Ah, villain, thou wilt betray me, and get a thousand crowns of the king for carrying my head to him; but I'll SCENE I-The same.-Fields between Dartmake 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 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, I may never eat grass more. ford and Blackheath. The King's Camp on one side.-On the other, enter YORK attended, with Drum and Colours: his Forces at some distance. York. From Ireland thus comes York, to And pluck the crown from feeble Henry's head: I dear? cannot give due action to my words, Iden. Nay, it shall ne'er be said, while Eng-A sceptre shall it have, have I a soul; Except a sword, or sceptre balance it.t land stands, That Alexander Iden, an esquire of Kent, Thy leg a stick, compared with this truncheon; hast; A kind of helmet. On which I'll toss the flower-de-luce of France. Whom have we here? Buckingham to disturb [ble. The king hath sent him, sure: I must dissemBuck. York, if thou meanest well, I greet thee well. In supposing that I am proud of my victory. + Balance my hand. York. Humphrey of Buckingham, I accept thy greeting, Art thou a messenger, or come of pleasure? To know the reason of these arms in peace; Or dare to bring thy force so near the court. O, I could hew up rocks, and fight with flint, On sheep or oxen could I spend my fury! O Buckingham, I pr'ythee, pardon me, [part Is to remove proud Somerset from the king, powers. Soldiers, I thank you all; disperse yourselves; And let my sovereign, virtuous Henry, Buck. York, I commend this kind submis sion: We twain will go into his highness' tent. Enter King HENRY, attended. K. Hen. How art thou call'd? and what is Iden. Alexander Iden, that's my name; amiss He were created knight for his good service. We give thee for reward a thousand marks; K. Hen. See, Buckingham! Somerset comes Go, bid her hide him quickly from the duke. Q. Mar. For thousand Yorks he shall not And let thy tongue be equal with thy heart. King did I call thee? no, thou art not king; That head of thine doth not become a crown; Whose smile and frown, like to Achilles' spear, more O'er him, whom heaven created for thy ruler. York, Of capital treason 'gainst the king and crown: York. Would'st have me kneel? first let me If they can brook I bow a knee to man. K. Hen. Buckingham, doth York intend to Sirrah, call in my sons to be my bail; harm us, That thus he marcheth with thee arm in arm? York. In all submission and humility, York doth present himself unto your highness. K. Hen. Then what intend these forces thou dost bring? York. To heave the traitor Somerset from hence; And fight against that monstrous rebel, Cade, Who since I heard to be discomfited. Enter IDEN, with CADE'S Head. K. Hen. The head of Cade?-Great God, how O, let me view his visage being dead, Iden. I was, an't like your majesty. [Exit an ATTENDANT. I know, ere they will have me go to ward," They'll pawn their swords for my enfranchise ment. Q. Mar. Call hither Clifford; bid him come To say, if that the bastard boys of York See, where they come; I'll warrant they'll Q. Mar. And here comes Clifford, to deny their bail. * Custody, confinement. Clif. Health and all happiness to my lord the king! [Kneels. York. I thank thee, Clifford : Say, what news with thee? Nay, do not fright us with an angry look: We are thy sovereign, Clifford, kneel again; For thy mistaking so, we pardon thee. 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. Hen. 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 chop away that factious pate of his. Q. Mar. He is arrested, but will not obey; His sons, he says, shall give their words for him. York. Will you not, sons? Edw. Ay, noble father, if our words will serve. York. Look in a glass, and call thy image 80; [tor.1 am thy king, and thou a false-heart traiCall hither to the stake my two brave bears,* That, with the very shaking of their chains, They may astonish these fell lurking curs; Bid Salisbury, and Warwick, come to me. Drums. Enter WARWICK and SALISBURY, with Forces. Clif. Are these thy bears? we'll bait thy bears to death, And manacle the bear-ward in their chains, If thou dar'st bring them to the baitingplace. Rich. Oft have I seen a hot o'erweening cur Run back and bite, because he was withheld: And such a piece of service will you do, wick. Clif. Hence, heap of wrath, foul indigested lump, As crooked in thy manners as thy shape! York. Nay, we shall heat you thoroughly anon. got to bow? Old Salisbury,-shame to thy silver hair, And seek for sorrow with thy spectacles? The Nevils, earls of Warwick, had a bear and ragged staff for their crest. + Bear-keeper. Sal. My lord, I have consider'd with my self The title of this most renowned duke; And in my conscience do repnte his grace The rightful heir to England's royal seat. K. Hen. Hast thou not sworn allegiance unto me? Sal. I have. K. Hen. Canst thou dispense with heaven for such an oath? Sal. It is great sin, to swear unto a sin; But greater sin, to keep a sinful oath. Who can be bound by any solemn vow To do a murderous deed, to rob a man, To force a spotless virgin's chastity, To reave the orphan of his patrimony, To wring the widow from her custom'd right; And have no other reason for this wrong, But that he was bound by a solemn oath? Q. Mar. A subtle traitor needs no sophister. K. Hen. Call Buckingham, and bid him arm himself. York. Call Buckingham, and all the friends thou hast, I am resolv'd for death, or dignity. Clif. The first I warrant thee, if dreams prove true. War. You were best to go to bed, and dream To keep thee from the tempest of the field. again, Clif. I am resolv'd to bear a greater storm, Than any thou canst conjure up to-day; And that I'll write upon thy burgonet, Might I but know thee by thy household badge. War. Now, by my father's badge, old Ne- This day I'll wear aloft my burgonet,* bear, Clif. And from thy burgonet I'll rend thy Despight the bear-ward that protects the And tread it under foot with all contempt, bear. And if thou dost not hide thee from the bear, Now, when the angry trumpet sounds alarm, And dead men's cries do fill the empty air,Clifford, I say, come forth and fight with me! Proud northern lord, Clifford of Cumberland, Warwick is hoarse with calling thee to arms. |