SCENE IV.-London. A room in the palace. Enter King HENRY, reading a supplication: the Duke of BUCKINGHAM, and Lord SAY with him; at a distance, Queen MARGARET, mourning over SUFFOLK's head. Q. Mar. Oft have I heard-that grief softens the mind, And makes it fearful and degenerate; K. Hen. I'll send some holy bishop to entreat: Q. Mar. Ah, barbarous villains! hath this lovely face Rul'd, like a wandering planet, over me; K. Hen. Lord Say, Jack Cade hath sworn to have thy head. Say. Ay, but I hope, your highness shall have his. K. Hen. How now, madam? Still Lamenting, and mourning for Suffolk's death? I fear, my love, if that I had been dead, Thou wouldest not have mourn'd so much for me. Q. Mar. No, my love, I should not mourn, but die for thee. Enter a Messenger. K. Hen. How now! what news? why com'st thou in such haste? Mess. The rebels are in Southwark; Fly, my lord! Jack Cade proclaims himself lord Mortimer, Of hinds and peasants, rude and merciless: K. Hen. O graceless men! they know not what they do. Buck. My racious lord, retire to Kenelworth, Until a power be rais'd to put them down. Q. Mar. Ah! were the duke of Suffolk now alive, These Kentish rebels would be soon appeas'd. K. Hen. Lord Say, the traitors hate thee, Therefore away with us to Kenelworth. Say. Somight 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. Enter another Messenger. 2 Mess. Jack Cade hath gotten London-bridge; the citizens Fly and forsake their houses: The rascal people, thirsting after prey, K. Hen. Come, Margaret; God, our hope, Q. Mar. My hope is gone, now Suffolk is deceas'd. K. Hen. Farewell, my lord; [To Lord Say.] trust not the Kentish rebels. Buck. Trust nobody, for fear you be betray'd. Say. The trust I have is in mine innocence, And therefore am I bold and resolute. [Exeunt. SCENE V.-The same. The Tower. Enter Lord SCALES, and Others, on the walls. Then enter certain Citizens, below. Scales. How now? is Jack Cade slain? 1 Cit. No, my lord, nor likely 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 com- But I am troubled here with them myself, [Exeunt. SCENE VI.-The same. Cannon Street. Enter JACK CADE, and his followers. He 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 this first year of our reign. And now, henceforward, it shall be treason for any that calls me other than -lord Mortimer. 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 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. SCENE VII.-The same. Smithfield. Alarum. Enter, on one side, CADE and his Company; on the other, Citizens, and the King's Forces, headed by MATTHEW GOUGH. They fight; the Citizens are routed, and MATTHEW GOUGH is slain. Cade. So, sirs:-Now, go some and pull down the Savoy; others to the inns of court; 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. [Aside. Smith. Nay, John, it will be stinking law; for his breath stinks with eating toasted cheese. Aside. 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 pulled out. Aside. Cade. And henceforward all things shall be in common. Enter a Messenger. Mess. My lord, a prize, a prize! here's the lord Say, which sold the towns in France; he that made us pay one-and-twenty fifteens, and one shilling to the pound, the last subsidy. Eater GEORGE BEVIS, 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 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 besoin 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 graminar-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 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, Unless, you be possess'd with devilish spirits, Cade. Tut! when struck'st thou one blow in 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 be hind folks? Say. These cheeks are pale for 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 discases. 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. 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 I have offended most? Whom have I injur'd, that ye seek my death? O, let me live! Cade. I feel remorse in myself 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, countrymen! your prayers, 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 Lord Say and his Son-in-law. Cade. But is not this braver ?-Let them kiss one another, for they loved 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 VIII.-Southwark. Alarum. Enter CADE, and all his Rabblement. Cade. Up Fish-street! down Saint Magnus' corner! kill and knock down! throw them into Thames!-A parley sounded, then a retreat.] 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, with Forces. | Know, Cade, we come ambassadors from the Unto the commons, whom thou hast misled; And yield to mercy, whilst 'tis offer'd you; Fling up his cap, and say-God save his ma 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 hanged with your pardons about your necks? Hath my sword therefore broke through London Gates, that ye should leave me at the White Hart in Southwark? I thought, ye 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 burdens, take your houses over your heads, ravish your wives and daughters before your faces: For me,-I will make shift for one; and soGod's curse 'light upon you all! All. We'll follow Cade, we'll follow Cade. To France, to France, and get what you have Spare England, for it is your native coast: 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 Buck. Ay, here they be, that dare and will make way for me, for here is no staying.—In disturb thee: despight of the devils and hell, have through the SCENE IX.-Kenelworth Castle. Enter King HENRY, Queen MARGARET, and SOMERSET, on the terrace of the castle. 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, surpris'd? Or is he but retir'd to make him strong? Enter, below, agreat number of CADE's Followers, with halters about their necks. Clif. He's fled, my lord, and all his powers yield; do And humbly thus, with halters on their necks, Expect your highness' doom, of life, or death. K. Hen. Then, heaven, set ope thy everlasting gates, To entertain my vows of thanks and praise !- Continue still in this so good a mind, Enter a Messenger. Mess. Please it your grace to be advértised, Is marching hitherward in proud array ; Like to a ship, that, having scap'd a tempest, Cade. Fye on ambition! fye 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 no longer. Wherefore, on a brickwall 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 stead of a quart-pot to drink in; and now the dry and bravely marching, it hath served me in word sallet must serve me to feed on. Enter IDEN, with Servants. Iden. Lord, who would live turmoiled in the court, And may enjoy such quiet walks as these? 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 thousand crowns of the king for 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? Climbing my walls in spite of me the owner, But thou wilt brave me with these saucy terms? Cade. Brave thee? ay, 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, and if I do not leave you all 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, Thy leg a stick, compared with this truncheon; My foot shall fight with all the strength thou hast; And if my arm be heaved in the air, 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-boned clown in chines of beef ere thou sleep in thy sheath, I beseech God on my knees, thou mayest be turned to hobnails. They fight. Cade falls.] 0, 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 unconquered 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, 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 with my sword, [Exit, dragging out the body. ACT V. SCENE I.-The same. Fields between Dartford 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 claim his right, And pluck the crown from feeble Henry's head: Ring, bells, aloud; burn, bonfires, clear and bright, To entertain great England's lawful king. Let them obey, that know not how to rule; Enter BUCKINGHAM. Whom have we here? Buckingham, to disturb me? The king hath sent him, sure: I must dissemble. Buck. York, if thou meanest well, I greet thee well. York. Humphrey of Buckingham, I accept thy greeting. Art thou a messenger, or come of pleasure? Buck. A messenger from Henry, our dread liege, To know the reason of these arms in peace; Or why, thou-being a subject as I am,— Against thy oath and true allegiance sworn, Should'st raise so great a power without his leave, Or dare to bring thy force so near the court. York. Scarce can I speak, my choler is so great. O, I could hew up rocks, and fight with flint, I am so angry at these abject terms; But I must make fair weather yet awhile, Till Henry be more weak, and I more strong. Aside. |