[Act 4, Scene 2]
Enter Beuis, and Iohn Holland.
Beuis.
Come and get thee a sword, though made of a
Lath, they haue bene vp these two dayes.
Hol.
They haue the more neede to sleepe now then.
Beuis.
[2185]
I tell thee,
Iacke Cade the Cloathier, meanes to
dresse the Common‑wealth and turne it, and set a new
nap vpon it.
Hol.
So he had need, for 'tis thred‑bare. Well, I say,
it was neuer merrie world in England, since Gentlemen
[2190]
came vp.
Beuis.
O miserable Age: Vertue is not regarded in
Handy‑crafts men.
Hol.
The Nobilitie thinke scorne to goe in Leather
Aprons.
Beuis.
[2195]
Nay more, the Kings Councell are no good
Workemen.
Hol.
True: and yet it is said, Labour in thy Vocati
on: which is as much to say, as let the Magistrates be la
bouring men; and therefore should we be Magistrates.
Beuis.
[2200]
Thou hast hit it: for there's no better signe of a
braue minde, then a hard hand.
Hol.
I see them, I see them: There's
Bests Sonne, the
Tanner of Wingham.
Beuis.
Hee shall haue the skinnes of our enemies, to
[2205]
make Dogges Leather of.
Hol.
And Dicke the Butcher.
Beuis.
Then is sin strucke downe like an Oxe, and ini
quities throate cut like a Calfe.
Hol.
And Smith the Weauer.
Beu.
[2210]
Argo, their thred of life is spun.
Hol.
Come, come, let's fall in with them.
Drumme. Enter Cade, Dicke Butcher, Smith the Weauer,
and a Sawyer, with infinite numbers.
Cade.
Wee
Iohn Cade, so tearm'd of our supposed Fa
ther.
But.
Or rather of stealing a Cade of Herrings.
Cade.
[2215]
For our enemies shall faile before vs, inspired
with the spirit of putting down Kings and Princes. Com
mand silence.
But.
Silence.
Cade.
My Father was a
Mortimer.
But.
[2220]
He was an honest man, and a good Bricklayer.
Cade.
My mother a
Plantagenet.
Butch.
I knew her well, she was a Midwife.
Cade.
My wife descended of the
Lacies.
But.
She was indeed a Pedlers daughter, & sold many
[2225]
Laces.
Weauer.
But now of late, not able to trauell with her
furr'd Packe, she washes buckes here at home.
Cade.
Therefore am I of an honorable house.
But.
I by my faith, the field is honourable, and there
[2230]
was he borne, vnder a hedge: for his Father had neuer a
house but the Cage.
Cade.
Valiant I am.
Weauer.
A must needs, for beggery is valiant.
Cade.
I am able to endure much.
But.
[2235]
No question of that: for I haue seene him whipt
three Market dayes together.
Cade.
I feare neither sword, nor fire.
Wea.
He neede not feare the sword, for his Coate is of
proofe.
But.
[2240]
But me thinks he should stand in feare of fire, be
ing burnt i'th hand for stealing of Sheepe.
Cade.
Be braue then, for your Captaine is Braue, and
Vowes Reformation. There shall be in England, seuen
halfe peny Loaues sold for a peny: the three hoop'd pot,
[2245]
shall haue ten hoopes, and I wil make it Fellony to drink
small Beere. All the Realme shall be in Common, and in
Cheapside shall my Palfrey go to grasse: and when I am
King, as King I will be.
All.
God saue your Maiesty.
Cade.
[2250]
I thanke you good people. There shall bee no
mony, all shall eate and drinke on my score, and I will
apparrell them all in one Liuery, that they may agree like
Brothers, and worship me their Lord.
But.
The first thing we do, let's kill all the Lawyers.
Cade.
[2255]
Nay, that I meane to do. Is not this a lamenta
ble thing, that of the skin of an innocent Lambe should
be made Parchment; that Parchment being scribeld ore,
should vndoe a man. Some say the Bee stings, but I say,
'tis the Bees waxe: for I did but seale once to a thing, and
[2260]
I was neuer mine owne man since. How now? Who's
there?
Enter a Clearke.
Weauer.
The Clearke of Chartam: hee can write and
reade, and cast accompt.
Cade.
O monstrous.
Wea.
[2265]
We tooke him setting of boyes Copies.
Cade.
The second Part of Henry the Sixt.
Cade.
Here's a Villaine.
Wea.
Ha's a Booke in his pocket with red Letters in't
Cade.
Nay then he is a Coniurer.
But.
Nay, he can make Obligations, and write Court
[2270]
hand.
Cade.
I am sorry for't: The man is a proper man of
mine Honour: vnlesse I finde him guilty, he shall not die.
Come hither sirrah, I must examine thee: What is thy
name?
Clearke.
[2275]
Emanuell.
But.
They vse to writ it on the top of Letters: 'Twill
go hard with you.
Cade.
Let me alone: Dost thou vse to write thy name?
Or hast thou a make to thy selfe, like a honest plain dea
[2280]
ling man?
Clearke.
Sir I thanke God, I haue bin so well brought
vp, that I can write my name.
All.
He hath confest: away with him: he's a Villaine
and a Traitor.
Cade.
[2285]
Away with him I say: Hang him with his Pen
and Inke‑horne about his necke.
Exit one wth the Clearke
Enter Michael.
Mich.
Where's our Generall?
Cade.
Heere I am thou particular fellow.
Mich.
Fly, fly, fly, Sir
Humfrey Stafford and his brother
[2290]
are hard by, with the Kings Forces.
Cade.
Stand villaine, stand, or Ile fell thee downe: he
shall be encountred with a man as good as himselfe. He
is but a Knight, is a?
Mich.
No.
Cade.
[2295]
To equall him I will make my selfe a knight pre
sently; Rise vp Sir
Iohn Mortimer. Now haue at him.
Enter Sir Humfrey Stafford, and his Brother,
with Drum and Soldiers.
Staff.
Rebellious Hinds, the filth and scum of Kent,
Mark'd for the Gallowes: Lay your Weapons downe,
Home to your Cottages: forsake this Groome.
[2300]
The King is mercifull, if you reuolt.
Bro.
But angry, wrathfull, and inclin'd to blood,
If you go forward: therefore yeeld, or dye.
Cade.
As for these silken‑coated slaues I passe not,
It is to you good people, that I speake,
[2305]
Ouer whom (in time to come)I hope to raigne:
For I am rightfull heyre vnto the Crowne.
Staff.
Villaine, thy Father was a Playsterer,
And thou thy selfe a Sheareman, art thou not?
Cade.
And
Adam was a Gardiner.
Bro.
[2310]
And what of that?
Cade.
Marry, this
Edmund Mortimer Earle of March,
married the Duke of
Clarence daughter, did he not?
Staff.
I sir.
Cade.
By her he had two children at one birth.
Bro.
[2315]
That's false.
Cade.
I, there's the question; But I say, 'tis true:
The elder of them being put to nurse,
Was by a begger‑woman stolne away,
And ignorant of his birth and parentage,
[2320]
Became a Bricklayer, when he came to age.
His sonne am I, deny it if you can.
But.
Nay, 'tis too true, therefore he shall be King.
Wea.
Sir, he made a Chimney in my Fathers house,&
the brickes are aliue at this day to testifie it: therefore
[2325]
deny it not.
Staf.
And will you credit this base Drudges Wordes,
that speakes he knowes not what.
All.
I marry will we: therefore get ye gone.
Bro.
Iacke Cade, the
D.
Duke
of York hath taught you this.
Cade.
[2330]
He lyes, for I inuented it my selfe. Go too Sir
rah, tell the King from me, that for his Fathers sake
Hen
ry
the fift, (in whose time, boyes went to Span‑counter
for French Crownes) I am content he shall raigne, but Ile
be Protector ouer him.
Butcher.
[2335]
And furthermore, wee'l haue the Lord
Sayes
head, for selling the Dukedome of
Maine.
Cade
And good reason: for thereby is England main'd
And faine to go with a staffe, but that my puissance holds
it vp. Fellow‑Kings, I tell you, that that Lord
Say hath
[2340]
gelded the Commonwealth, and made it an Eunuch: &
more then that, he can speake French, and therefore hee is
a Traitor.
Staf.
O grosse and miserable ignorance.
Cade.
Nay answer if you can: The Frenchmen are our
[2345]
enemies: go too then, I ask but this: Can he that speaks
with the tongue of an enemy, be a good Councellour, or
no?
All.
No, no, and therefore wee'l haue his head.
Bro.
Well, seeing gentle words will not preuayle,
[2350]
Assaile them with the Army of the King.
Staf.
Herald away, and throughout euery Towne,
Proclaime them Traitors that are vp with
Cade,
That those which flye before the battell ends.
May euen in their Wiues and Childrens sight,
[2355]
Be hang'd vp for example at their doores:
And you that be the Kings Friends follow me.
Exit.
Cade.
And you that loue the Commons, follow me:
Now shew your selues men, 'tis for Liberty.
We will not leaue one Lord, one Gentleman:
[2360]
Spare none, but such as go in clouted shooen,
For they are thrifty honest men, and such
As would (but that they dare not) take our parts.
But.
They are all in order, and march toward vs.
Cade.
But then are we in order, when we are most out
[2365]
of order. Come, march forward.
[Act 4, Scene 7]
Alarums. Mathew Goffe is slain, and all the rest.
Then enter Iacke Cade, with his Company.
Cade.
So sirs: now go some and pull down the Sauoy:
Others to'th Innes of Court, downe with them all.
But.
[2475]
I haue a suite vnto your Lordship.
Cade.
Bee it a Lordshippe, thou shalt haue it for that
word.
But.
Onely that the Lawes of England may come out
of your mouth.
Iohn.
[2480]
Masse 'twill be sore Law then, for he was thrust
in the mouth with a Speare, and 'tis not whole yet.
Smith.
Nay
Iohn, it wil be stinking Law, for his breath
stinkes with eating toasted cheese.
Cade.
I haue thought vpon it, it shall bee so. Away,
[2485]
burne all the Records of the Realme, my mouth shall be
the Parliament of England.
Iohn.
Then we are like to haue biting Statutes
Vnlesse his teeth be pull'd out.
Cade.
And hence‑forward all things shall be in Com
[2490]
mon.
Enter a Messenger.
Mes.
My Lord, a prize, a prize, heeres the Lord
Say,
which sold the Townes in France. He that made vs pay
one and twenty Fifteenes, and one shilling to the pound,
the last Subsidie.
Enter
The second Part of Henry the Sixt.
Enter George, with the Lord Say.
Cade.
[2495]
Well, hee shall be beheaded for it ten times:
Ah thou Say, thou Surge, nay thou Buckram Lord, now
art thou within point‑blanke of our Iurisdiction Regall.
What canst thou answer to my Maiesty, for giuing vp of
Normandie vnto Mounsieur
Basimecu, the Dolphine of
[2500]
France? Be it knowne vnto thee by these presence, euen
the presence of Lord
Mortimer, that I am the Beesome
that must sweepe the Court cleane of such filth as thou
art: Thou hast most traiterously corrupted the youth of
the Realme, in erecting a Grammar Schoole: and where
[2505]
as before, our Fore‑fathers had no other Bookes but the
Score and the Tally, thou hast caused printing to be vs'd,
and contrary to the King, his Crowne, and Dignity, thou
hast built a Paper‑Mill. It will be prooued to thy Face,
that thou hast men about thee, that vsually talke of a
[2510]
Nowne and a Verbe, and such abhominable wordes, as
no Christian eare can endure to heare. Thou hast appoin
ted Iustices of Peace, to call poore men before them, a
bout matters they were not able to answer. Moreouer,
thou hast put them in prison, and because they could not
[2515]
reade, thou hast hang'd them, when (indeede) onely for
that cause they have beene most worthy to live. Thou
dost ride in a foot‑cloth, dost thou not?
Say.
What of that?
Cade.
Marry, thou ought'st not to let thy horse weare
[2520]
a Cloake, when honester men then thou go in their Hose
and Doublets.
Dicke.
And worke in their shirt to, as my selfe for ex
ample, that am a butcher.
Say.
You men of Kent.
Dic.
[2525]
What say you of Kent.
Say.
Nothing but this: 'Tis
bona terra, mala gens.
Cade.
Away with him, away with him, he speaks La
tine.
Say.
Heare me but speake, and beare mee wher'e you
will:
[2530]
Kent, in the Commentaries
Cæsar writ,
Is term'd the ciuel'st place of all this Isle:
Sweet is the Covntry, because ful of Riches,
The People Liberall, Valiant, Actiue, Wealthy,
Which makes me hope you are not void of pitty.
[2535]
I sold not
Maine, I lost not
Normandie,
Yet to recouer them would loose my life:
Iustice with fauour haue I alwayes done,
Prayres and Teares haue mou'd me, Gifts could neuer.
When haue I ought exacted at your hands?
[2540]
Kent to maintaine, the King, the Realme and you,
Large gifts haue I bestow'd on learned Clearkes,
Because my Booke preferr'd me to the King.
And seeing Ignorance is the curse of God,
Knowledge the Wing wherewith we flye to heaven.
[2545]
Vnlesse you be possest with diuellish spirits,
You cannot but forbeare to murther me:
This Tongue hath parlied vnto Forraigne Kings
For your behoofe.
Cade.
Tut, when struck'st thou one blow in the field?
Say.
[2550]
Great men haue reaching hands: oft haue I struck
Those that I neuer saw, and strucke them dead.
Geo.
O monstrous Coward! What, to come behinde
Folkes?
Say.
These cheekes are pale for watching for your good
Cade.
Giue him a box o'th'eare, and that wil make 'em
[2555]
red againe.
Say.
Long sitting to determine poore mens causes,
Hath made me full of sicknesse and diseases.
Cade.
Ye shall haue a hempen Candle then, & the help
of hatchet.
Dicke.
[2560]
Why dost thou quiuer man?
Say.
The Palsie, and not feare prouokes me.
Cade.
Nay, he noddes at vs, as who should say, Ile be
euen with you. Ile see if his head will stand steddier on
a pole, or no: Take him away, and behead him.
Say.
[2565]
Tell me: wherein haue I offended most
?
Haue I affected wealth, or honor? Speake.
Are my Chests fill'd vp with extorted Gold?
Is my Apparrell sumptuous to behold?
Whom haue I injur'd, that ye seeke my death?
[2570]
These hands are free from guiltlesse bloodshedding,
This breast from harbouring foule deceitfull thoughts.
O let me liue.
Cade.
I feele remorse in my selfe with his words: but
Ile bridle it: he shall dye, and it bee but for pleading so
[2575]
well for his life. Away with him, he has a Familiar vn
der his Tongue, he speakes not a Gods name. Goe, take
him away I say, and strike off his head presently, and then
breake into his Sonne in Lawes house, Sir
Iames Cromer,
and strike off his head, and bring them both vppon two
[2580]
poles hither.
All.
It shall be done.
Say.
Ah Countrimen: If when you make your prair's,
God should be so obdurate as your selues:
How would it fare with your departed soules,
[2585]
And therefore yet relent, and saue my life.
Cade.
Away with him, and do as I command ye: the
proudest Peere in the Realme, shall not weare a head on
his shoulders, vnlesse he pay me tribute; there shall not
a maid be married, but she shall pay to me her Mayden
[2590]
head ere they haue it: Men shall hold of mee in Capite.
And we charge and command, that their wiues be as free
as heart can wish, or tongue can tell.
Dicke.
My Lord,
When shall we go to Cheapside, and take up commodi
[2595]
ties vpon our billes?
Cade.
Marry presently.
All.
O braue.
Enter one with the heads.
Cade.
But is not this brauer:
Let them kisse one another: For they lou'd well
[2600]
When they were aliue. Now part them againe,
Least they consult about the giuing vp
Of some more Townes in France. Soldiers,
Deferre the spoile of the Citie vntill night:
For with these borne before vs, in steed of Maces,
[2605]
Will we ride through the streets, & at euery Corner
Haue them kisse. Away.
Exit
[Act 4, Scene 8]
Alarum, and Retreat. Enter againe Cade,
and all his rabblement.
Cade.
Vp Fish‑streete, downe Saint Magnes corner,
kill and knocke downe, throw them into Thames:
Sound a parley.
What noise is this I heare
?
[2610]
Dare any be so bold to sound Retreat or Parley
When I command them kill?
o
Enter
The second Part of Henry the Sixt.
Enter Buckingham, and old Clifford.
Buc.
I heere they be, that dare and will disturb thee:
Know
Cade, we come Ambassadors from the King
Vnto the Commons, whom thou hast misled,
[2615]
And heere pronounce free pardon to them all,
That will forsake thee, and go home in peace.
Clif.
What say ye Countrimen, will ye relent
And yeeld to mercy, whil'st 'tis offered you,
Or let a rabble leade you to your deaths.
[2620]
Who loues the King, and will imbrace his pardon,
Fling vp his cap, and say, God saue his Maiesty.
Who hateth him, and honors not his Father,
Henry the fift, that made all France to quake,
Shake he his weapon at vs, and passe by.
All.
[2625]
God saue the King, God saue the King.
Cade.
What Buckingham and Clifford are ye so braue?
And you base Pezants, do ye beleeue him, will you needs
be hang'd with your Pardons about your neckes
? Hath
my sword therefore broke through London gates, that
[2630]
you should leaue me at the White‑heart in Southwarke.
I thought ye would neuer haue giuen out these Armes til
you had recouered your ancient
Fteedome
Freedome
. But you are
all Recreants and Dastards, and delight to liue in slauerie
to the Nobility. Let them breake your backes with bur
[2635]
thens, take your houses ouer your heads, rauish your
Wiues and Daughters before your faces. For me, I will
make shift for one, and so Gods Cursse light vppon you
all.
All.
Wee'l follow
Cade,
[2640]
Wee'l follow
Cade.
Clif.
Is
Cade the sonne of
Henry the fift,
That thus you do exclaime you'l go with him.
Will he conduct you through the heart of France,
And make the meanest of you Earles and Dukes?
[2645]
Alas, he hath no home, no place to flye too:
Nor knowes he how to liue, but by the spoile,
Vnlesse by robbing of your Friends, and vs.
Wer't not a shame, that whilst you liue at iarre,
The fearfull French, whom you late vanquished
[2650]
Should make a start ore‑seas, and vanquish you?
Me thinkes alreadie in this ciuill broyle,
I see them Lording it in London streets,
Crying
Villiago vnto all they meete.
Better ten thousand base‑borne
Cades miscarry,
[2655]
Then you should stoope vnto a Frenchmans mercy.
To France, to France, and get what you haue lost:
Spare England, for it is your Natiue Coast:
Henry hath mony, you are strong and manly:
God on our side, doubt not of Victorie.
All.
[2660]
A Clifford, a Clifford,
Wee'l follow the King, and Clifford.
Cade.
Was euer Feather so lightly blowne too & fro,
As this multitude? The name of Henry the fift, hales them
to an hundred mischiefes, and makes them leaue mee de
[2665]
solate. I see them lay their heades together to surprize
me. My sword make way for me, for heere is no staying:
in despight of the diuels and hell, haue through the verie
middest of you, and heauens and honor be witnesse, that
no wan to resolution in mee, but onely my Followers
[2670]
base and ignominious treasons, makes me betake mee to
my heeles.
Exit
Buck.
What, is he fled? Go some and follow him,
And he that brings his head vnto the King,
Shall haue a thousand Crownes for his reward.
Exeunt some of them.
[2675]
Follow me souldiers, wee'l deuise a meane,
To reconcile you all vnto the King.
Exeunt omnes.
[Act 4, Scene 10]
Enter Cade.
Cade.
Fye on Ambitions: fie on my selfe, that haue a
sword, and yet am ready to famish. These fiue daies haue
I hid me in these Woods, and durst not peepe out, for all
the Country is laid for me: but now am I so hungry, that
[2730]
if I might haue a Lease of my life for a thousand yeares, I
could stay no longer. Wherefore on a Bricke wall haue
I climb'd into this Garden, to see if I can eate Grasse, or
picke a Sallet another while, which is not amisse to coole
a mans stomacke this hot weather: and I think this word
[2735]
Sallet was borne to do me good: for many a time but for
a Sallet, my braine‑pan had bene cleft with a brown Bill;
and many a time when I haue beene dry, & brauely mar
ching, it hath serued me insteede of a quart pot to drinke
in: and now the word Sallet must serue me to feed on.
Enter Iden.
Iden.
[2740]
Lord, who would liue turmoyled in the Court,
And may enioy such quiet walkes as these?
This small inheritance my Father left me,
Contenteth me, and worth a Monarchy.
I seeke not to waxe great by others warning,
[2745]
Or gather wealth I care not with what enuy:
Sufficeth, that I haue maintaines my state,
And sends the poore well pleased from my gate.
Cade.
Heere's the Lord of the soile come to seize me
for a stray, for entering his Fee‑simple without leaue. A
[2750]
Villaine, thou wilt betray me, and get a 1000. Crownes
of the King by carrying my head to him, but Ile make
thee eate Iron like an Ostridge, and swallow my Sword
like a great pin ere thou and I part.
Iden.
Why rude Companion, whatsoere thou be,
[2755]
I know thee not, why then should I betray thee?
Is't not enough to breake into my Garden,
And like a Theefe to come to rob my grounds:
Climbing my walles inspight of me the Owner,
But thou wilt braue me with these sawcie termes?
Cade.
[2760]
Braue thee? I by the best blood that ever was
broach'd, and beard thee to. Looke on mee well, I haue
eate no meate these fiue dayes, yet come thou and thy
fiue men, and if I doe not leaue you all as dead as a doore
naile, I pray God I may never eate grasse more.
Iden.
[2765]
Nay, it shall nere be said, while England stands,
That
Alexander Iden an Esquire of Kent,
Tooke oddes to combate a poore famisht man.
Oppose thy stedfast gazing eyes to mine,
See if thou canst out‑face me with thy lookes:
[2770]
Set limbe to limbe, and thou art farre the lesser:
Thy hand is but a finger to my fist,
Thy legge a sticke compared with this Truncheon,
My foote shall fight with all the strength thou hast,
And if mine arme be heaued in the Ayre,
[2775]
Thy graue is digged already in the earth:
As for words, whose greatnesse answer's words,
Let this my sword report what speech forbeares.
Cade.
By my Valour: the most compleate Champi
on that euer I heard. Steele, if thou turne the edge, or
[2780]
cut not out the burly bon'd Clowne in chines of Beefe,
ere thou sleepe in thy Sheath, I beseech Ioue on my knees
thou mayst be turned to Hobnailes.
Heere they Fight.
O I am slaine, Famine and no other hath slaine me, let ten
thousand diuelles come against me, and giue me but the
[2785]
ten meales I haue lost, and I'de defie them all. Wither
Garden, and be henceforth a burying place to all that do
dwell in this house, because the unconquered soule of
Cade is fled.
Iden.
Is't
Cade that I haue slain, that monstrous traitor?
[2790]
Sword, I will hallow thee for this thy deede,
And hang thee o're my Tombe, when I am dead.
Ne're shall this blood be wiped from thy point,
But thou shalt weare it as a Heralds coate,
To emblaze the Honor that thy Master got.
Cade.
[2795]
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 neuer feared any,
am vanquished by Famine, not by Valour.
Dyes.
Id.
How much thou wrong'st me, heauen be my iudge;
[2800]
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 soule to hell.
Hence will I dragge thee headlong by the heeles
Vnto a dunghill, which shall be thy graue,
[2805]
And there cut off thy most vngracious head,
Which I will beare in triumph to the King,
Leaving thy trunke for Crowes to feed upon.
Exit.
Enter Yorke, and his Army of Irish, with
Drum and Colours.
Yor.
From Ireland thus comes York to claim his right,
And plucke the Crowne from feeble
Henries head.
[2810]
Ring Belles alowd, burne Bonfires cleare and bright
To entertaine great Englands lawfull King.
Ah
Santa Maiestas! who would not buy thee deere?
Let them obey, that knowes not how to Rule.
This hand was made to handle nought but Gold.
[2815]
I cannot giue due action to my words,
Except a Sword or Scepter ballance it.
A Scepter shall it haue, haue I a soule,
On which Ile tosse the Fleure‑de‑Luce of France.
Enter Buckingham.
Whom haue we heere
? Buckingham to disturbe me?
[2820]
The king hath sent him sure: I must dissemble.
Buc.
Yorke, if thou meanest wel, I greet thee well.
Yor.
Humfrey of Buckingham, I accept thy greeting.
Art thou a Messenger, or come of pleasure.
Buc.
A Messenger from
Henry, our dread Liege,
[2825]
To know the reason of these Armes in peace.
Or why, thou being a Subiect, as I am,
Against thy Oath, and true Allegeance sworne,
Should raise so great a power without his leaue?
Or dare to bring thy Force so neere the Court?
Yor.
[2830]
Scarse can I speake, my Choller is so great.
Oh I could hew up Rockes, and fight with Flint,
I am so angry at these abiect tearmes.
And now like
Aiax Telamonius,
On Sheepe or Oxen could I spend my furie.
[2835]
I am farre better borne then is the king:
More like a King, more Kingly in my thoughts.
But I must make faire weather yet a while,
Till
Henry be more weake, and I more strong.
Buckingham, I prethee pardon me,
[2840]
That I haue giuen no answer all this while:
My minde was troubled with deepe Melancholly.
The cause why I haue brought this Armie hither,
o2
Is
The second Part of Henry the Sixt.
Is to remoue proud Somerset from the King,
Seditious to his Grace, and to the State.
Buc.
[2845]
That is too much presumption on thy part:
But if thy Armes be to no other end,
The King hath yeelded vnto thy demand:
The Duke of Somerset is in the Tower.
Yorke.
Vpon thine Honor is he Prisoner?
Buck.
[2850]
Vpon mine Honor he is Prisoner.
Yorke.
Then Buckingham I do dismisse my Powres.
Souldiers, I thanke you all: disperse your selues:
Meet me to morrow in
S.
Saint
Georges Field,
You shall haue pay, and euery thing you wish.
[2855]
And let my Soueraigne, vertuous
Henry,
Command my eldest sonne, nay all my sonnes,
As pledges of my Fealtie and Loue,
Ile send them all as willing as I liue:
Lands, Goods, Horse, Armor, any thing I haue
[2860]
Is his to vse, so Somerset may die.
Buc.
Yorke, I commend this kinde submission,
We twaine will go into his Highnesse Tent.
Enter King and Attendants.
King.
Buckingham, doth Yorke intend no harme to vs
That thus he marcheth with thee arme in arme?
Yorke.
[2865]
In all submission and humility,
Yorke doth present himselfe vnto your Highnesse.
K.
Then what intends these Forces thou dost bring?
Yor.
To heaue the Traitor Somerset from hence,
And fight against that monstrous Rebell
Cade,
[2870]
Who since I heard to be discomfited.
Enter Iden with Cades head.
Iden.
If one so rude, and of so meane condition
May passe into the presence of a King:
Loe, I present your Grace a Traitors head,
The head of
Cade, whom I in combat slew.
King.
[2875]
The head of
Cade? Great God, how iust art thou?
Oh let me view his Visage being dead,
That liuing wrought me such exceeding trouble.
Tell me my Friend, art thou the man that slew him?
Iden.
I was, an't like your Maiesty.
King.
[2880]
How art thou call'd? And what is thy degree?
Iden.
Alexander Iden, that's my name,
A poore Esquire of Kent, that loues his King.
Buc.
So please it you my Lord, 'twere not amisse
He were created Knight for his good seruice.
King.
[2885]
Iden, kneele downe, rise vp a Knight:
We giue thee for reward a thousand Markes,
And will, that thou henceforth attend on vs.
Iden.
May
Iden liue to merit such a bountie,
And neuer liue but true vnto his Liege.
Enter Queene and Somerset.
K.
[2890]
See Buckingham, Somerset comes with th'Queene,
Go bid her hide him quickly from the Duke.
Qu.
For thousand Yorkes he shall not hide his head,
But boldly stand, and front him to his face.
Yor.
How now? is Somerset at libertie?
[2895]
Then Yorke vnloose thy long imprisoned thoughts,
And let thy tongue be equall with thy heart.
Shall I endure the sight of Somerset
?
False King, why hast thou broken faith with me,
Knowing how hardly I can brooke abuse?
[2900]
King did I call thee? No: thou art not King:
Not fit to gouerne and rule multitudes,
Which dar'st not, no nor canst not rule a Traitor.
That Head of thine doth not become a Crowne:
Thy Hand is made to graspe a Palmers staffe,
[2905]
And not to grace an awefull Princely Scepter.
That Gold, must round engirt these browes of mine,
Whose Smile and Frowne, like to
Achilles Speare
Is able with the change, to kill and cure.
Heere is a hand to hold a Scepter vp,
[2910]
And with the same to acte controlling Lawes:
Giue place: by heauen thou shalt rule no more
O're him, whom heauen created for thy Ruler.
Som.
O monstrous Traitor! I arrest thee Yorke
Of Capitall Treason 'gainst the King and Crowne:
[2915]
Obey audacious Traitor, kneele for Grace.
York.
Wold'st haue me kneele? First let me ask of thee,
If they can brooke I bow a knee to man:
Sirrah, call in my sonne to be my bale:
I know ere they will haue me go to Ward,
[2920]
They'l pawne their swords of my infranchisement.
Qu.
Call hither
Clifford, bid him come amaine,
To say, if that the Bastard boyes of Yorke
Shall be the Surety for their Traitor Father.
Yorke.
O blood‑bespotted Neopolitan,
[2925]
Out‑cast of
Naples, Englands bloody Scourge,
The sonnes of Yorke, thy betters in their birth,
Shall be their Fathers baile, and bane to those
That for my Surety will refuse the Boyes.
Enter Edward and Richard.
See where they come, Ile warrant they'l make it good.
Enter Clifford.
Qu.
[2930]
And here comes
Clifford to deny their baile.
Clif.
Health, and all happinesse to my Lord the King.
Yor.
I thanke thee
Clifford: Say, what newes with thee?
Nay, do not fright vs with an angry looke:
We are thy Soueraigne
Clifford, kneele againe;
[2935]
For thy mistaking so, We pardon thee.
Clif.
This is my King Yorke, I do not mistake,
But thou mistakes me much to thinke I do,
To Bedlem with him, is the man growne mad.
King.
I Clifford, a Bedlem and ambitious humor
[2940]
Makes him oppose himselfe against his King.
Clif.
He is a Traitor, let him to the Tower,
And chop away that factious pate of his.
Qu.
He is
atrested
arrested
, but will not obey:
His sonnes (he sayes) shall giue their words for him.
Yor.
[2945]
Will you not Sonnes?
Edw.
I Noble Father, if our words will serue.
Rich.
And if words will not, then our Weapons shal.
Clif.
Why what a brood of Traitors haue we heere?
Yorke.
Looke in a Glasse, and call thy Image so.
[2950]
I am thy King, and thou a false‑heart Traitor:
Call hither to the stake my two braue Beares,
That with the very shaking of their Chaines,
They may astonish these fell‑lurking Curres,
Bid Salsbury and Warwicke come to me.
Enter the Earles of Warwicke, and
Salisbury.
Clif.
[2955]
Are these thy Beares? Wee'l bate thy Bears to death,
And manacle the Berard in their Chaines,
If thou dar'st bring them to the bayting place.
Rich.
Oft haue I seene a hot ore‑weening Curre,
Run backe and bite, because he was with‑held,
[2960]
Who being suffer'd with the Beares fell paw,
Hath clapt his taile, betweene his legges and cride,
And such a peece of seruice will you do,
If
The second Part of Henry the Sixt.
If you oppose your selues to match Lord Warwicke.
Clif.
Hence heape of wrath, foule indigested lumpe,
[2965]
As crooked in thy manners, as thy shape.
Yor.
Nay we shall heate you thorowly anon.
Clif.
Take heede least by your heate you burne your
selues:
King.
Why Warwicke, hath thy knee forgot to bow?
Old Salsbury, shame to thy siluer haire,
[2970]
Thou mad misleader of thy brain‑sicke sonne,
What wilt thou on thy death‑bed play the Russian?
And seeke for sorrow with thy Spectacles
?
Oh where is Faith? Oh, where is Loyalty?
If it be banisht from the frostie head,
[2975]
Where shall it finde a harbour in the earth?
Wilt thou go digge a graue to finde out Warre,
And shame thine honourable Age with blood?
Why art thou old, and want'st experience?
Or wherefore doest abuse it, if thou hast it?
[2980]
For shame in dutie bend thy knee to me,
That bowes vnto the graue with mickle age.
Sal.
My Lord, I haue considered with my selfe
The Title of this most renowned Duke,
And in my conscience, do repute his grace
[2985]
The rightfull heyre to Englands Royall feate.
King.
Hast thou not sworne Allegeance vnto me?
Sal.
I haue.
Ki.
Canst thou dispense with heauen for such an oath?
Sal.
It is great sinne, to sweare vnto a sinne:
[2990]
But greater sinne to keepe a sinfull oath:
Who can be bound by any solemne Vow
To do a murd'rous deede, to rob a man,
To force a spotlesse Virgins Chastitie,
To reaue the Orphan of his Patrimonie,
[2995]
To wring the Widdow from her custom'd right,
And haue no other reason for this wrong,
But that he was bound by a solemne Oath?
Qu.
A subtle Traitor needs no Sophister.
King.
Call Buckingham, and bid him arme himselfe.
Yorke.
[3000]
Call Buckingham, and all the friends thou hast,
I am resolu'd for death and dignitie.
Old Clif.
The first I warrant thee, if dreames proue true
War.
You were best to go to bed, and dreame againe,
To keepe thee from the Tempest of the field.
Old Clif.
[3005]
I am resolu'd to beare a greater storme,
Then any thou canst coniure vp to day:
And that Ile write vpon thy Burgonet,
Might I but know thee by thy housed Badge.
War.
Now by my Fathers badge, old
Neuils Crest,
[3010]
The rampant Beare chain'd to the ragged staffe,
This day Ile weare aloft my Burgonet,
As on a Mountaine top, the Cedar shewes,
That keepes his leaues inspight of any storme,
Euen io affright thee with the view thereof.
Old Clif.
[3015]
And from thy Burgonet Ile rend thy Beare,
And tread it vnder foot with all contempt,
Despight the Bearard, that protects the Beare.
Yo. Clif.
And so to Armes victorious Father,
To quell the Rebels, and their Complices.
Rich.
[3020]
Fie, Charitie for shame, speake not in spight,
For you shall sup with Iesu Christ to night.
Yo Clif.
Foule stygmaticke that's more then thou
canst tell.
Ric.
If not in heauen, you'l surely sup in hell.
Exeunt
