seven half-penny loaves sold for a penny: the All God save your majesty ! Cade. I thank you, good people:-there shall 'be no money; all shall eat and drink on 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. 6 *W. Staff. But angry, wrathful, and inclin❜d to blood, If you go forward: therefore yield, or die. Staff. Villain, thy father was a plasterer; Cade. Marry, this:-Edmund Mortimer, earl of Married the duke of Clarence' daughter; Did he not? Cade. By her, he had two children at one birth. Cade. Nay, that I mean to do. Is not this at lamentable thing, that of the skin of an innocent lamb should be made parchment? that parchment, being scribbled o'er, should undo a man? Some say, the bee stings: but I say, 'tis the bee's wax, for I did but seal once to a thing, and I was neverThe elder of them, being put to nurse, mine own man since. How now? who's there? Enter some, bringing in the Clerk of Chatham. Cade. Ay, there's the question; but, I say, 'tls truc: Was by a beggar-woman stol'n away; And, ignorant of his birth and parentage, 'Became a bricklayer, when he came to age: Smith. The clerk of Chatham: he can writeHis son am I; deny it, if you can. and read, and east accompt. Cade. O monstrous! Smith. We took him setting of boys' copies. Smith. H'as a book in his pocket, with red let ters in't. 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 plain-dealing man? 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. Staff. And will you credit this basc drudge's words, *That speaks he knows not what? *All. Ay, marry, will we; therefore get ve gone. W. Staff. Jack Cade, the duke of York hath taught you this. *Cade. He lies, for I invented it myself. [Aside.] -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 Clerk. Sir, I thank God, I have been so wellmaimed, and fain to go with a staff, but that my brought up, that I can write my name. All. He hath confessed: away with him; he's 'villain and a traitor. a Cade. Away with him, I say; hang him with 'his pen and inkhorn about his neck. [Exeunt some with the Clerk. 'puissance holds it up. Fellow kings, I tell you, *All. No, no; and therefore we'll have his head. Assail them with the army of the king. 'Proclaim them traitors that are up with Cade; [Exeunt the two Staffords, and forces. *Cade. And you, that love the commons, follow me. Now show yourselves men, 'tis for liberty. Cade. But then are we in order, when we are Of hinds and peasants, rude and merciless; * most out of order. Come, march forward. 'Sir Humphrey Stafford and his brother's death [Exeunt.Hath given them heart and courage to proceed: 'All scholars, lawyers, courtiers, gentlemen, They call-false caterpillars, and intend their SCENE III-Another part of Blackheath, both the Staffords are slain. '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 'reward thee,-The Lent shall be as long again as 'it is; and thou shalt have a license to kill for a .'hundred lacking one. 'Dick. I desire no more. *Cade. And, to speak truth, thou deservedst no *less. This monument of the victory will I bear; * and the bodies shall be dragged at my horse' 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, break open the gaols, and let out the prisoners. *Cade. Fear not that, I warrant thee. Come, let's march towards London. [Exeunt. 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 * And makes it fearful and degenerate; Buck. What answer makes your grace to the 'rebel's supplication? *K. Hen. 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 cut them short, "Will parley with Jack Cade their general.'But stay, I'll read it over once again. *Q. Mar. Ah, barbarous villains! hath this lovely face l'd, like a wandering planet,' over me; *And could it not enforce them to relent, *That were unworthy to behold the same? ་ K. Hen. Lord Say, Jack Cade hath sworn to Say. Ay, but I hope your highness shall have his. Enter a Messenger. *K. Hen. How now! what news? why com'st thou in such haste? 'Mess. The rebels are in Southwark; Fly, my 'Jack Cade proclaims himself lord Mortimer, death. K. Hen. O graceless men! they know not what they do. Buck. My gracious 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. So might your grace's person be in danger; Enter another Messenger. * 2 Mess. Jack Cade hath gotten London-bridge; the citizens Fly and forsake their houses: The rascal people, thirsting after prey, To spoil the city and your royal court. *Join with the traitor; and they jointly swear, *Buck. Then linger not, my lord; away, take horse. *K. Hen. Come, Margaret; God, our hope, will succour us. * 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- The rebels have assay'd to win the Tower. 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. (1) Predominated irresistibly over my passions; as the planets over those born under their influence.* 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 to-wear a cloak, when honester men than thou go in gether in Smithfield. their hose and doublets. 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. 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 vet [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. *Dick. And work in their shirt too; as myself, Say. Nothing but this: 'Tis bona terra, mala 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 spirit, *Cade. Tut! when struck'st thou cne blow in * the field? * Say. Great men have reaching hands: oft have Those that I never saw, and struck them dead. *Say. These cheeks are pale for watching for *Cade. Give him a box on 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. 'Dick. Why dost thou quiver, man? 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, Enter George Bevis, with the Lord Say. 'Cade. Well, he shall be beheaded for it ten 'times.-Ah, thou say,2 thou serge, nay, thou buck'ram 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 ream, in erecting a grammar-school: and whereas, before, our fore-fathers 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-'and behead him. 'mill. It will be proved to thy face, that thou hast Say. Tell me, wherein I have offended 'most? 'men about thee, that usually talk of a noun, and Have I affected wealth or honour; speak? 'a verb; and such abominable words, as no Chris-* Are my chests fill'd up with extorted gold? 'tian ear can endure to hear. Thou hast appointed Is my apparel sumptuous to behold? 'justices of peace, to call poor men before them* Whom have I injur'd, that you seek my death? about matters that they were not able to answer. These hands are free from guiltless blood-shedMoreover, thou hast put them in prison; and be'cause they could not read, thou hast hanged them ;*This breast from harbouring foul deceitful 'when, indeed, only for that cause they have been 'most worthy to live. Thou dost ride on a foot-*O, let me live! 'cloth, dost thou not? Say. What of that? Cade. Marry, thou oughtest not to let thy horse* (1) A fifteen was the fifteenth part of all the moveables, or personal property, of each subject. (2) Say was a kind of serge. (3) i. e. They were hanged because they could not claim the benefit of clergy. * 6 ding, *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 (4) A foot-cloth was a kind of housing, which covered the body of the horse. (5) In consequence of. (6) i. e. These hands are free from shedding guiltless or innocent blood, *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. your backs with burdens, take your houses over * Say. Ah, countrymen! if, when you make your Will he conduct you through the heart of France, prayers, ye. And make the meanest of you earls and dukes? *God should be so obdurate as yourselves, Alas, he hath no home, no place to fly to; How would it fare with your departed souls? 'Nor knows he how to live, but by the spoil, And therefore yet relent, and save my life. Unless, by robbing of your friends, and us. *Cade. Away with him, and do as I command Wer't not a shame, that whilst you live at jar, [Exeunt some, with Lord Say. The fearful French, whom you late vanquished, "The proudest peer in the realm shall not wear a Should make a start o'er seas, and vanquish you? 'head on his shoulders, unless he pay me tribute;Methinks, already, in this civil broil, 'there shall not a maid be married, but she shall I see them lording it in London streets, 'pay to me her maidenhead ere they have it: Men Crying-Villageois! unto all they meet. 'shall hold of me in capite; and we charge and Better, ten thousand base-born Cades miscarry, 'command, that their wives be as free as heart can Than you should stoop unto a Frenchman's mercy. 'wish, or tongue can tell. To France, to France, and get what you have lost; Spare England, for it is your native coast: Henry hath money, you are strong and manly; God on our side, doubt not of victory. '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. 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 'Cade. But is not this braver ?-Let them kiss Fifth hales them to a hundred mischiefs, and makes one another, for they loved well, when they were them leave me desolate. I see them lay their alive. Now part them again, lest they consult heads together, to surprise me: my sword make about the giving up of some more towns in France. way for me, for here no staying.-In despite of 'Soldiers, defer the spoil of the city until night: the devils and hell, have through the very midst 'for with these borne before us, instead of maces,of you! and heavens and honour be witness, that 'will we ride through the streets; and, at every no want of resolution in me, but only my followers' 'corner, have them kiss.-Away! [Exeunt. base and ignominious treasons, makes me betake me to my heels. [Exit, 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. '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 here pronounce free pardon to them all, 'That will forsake thee, and go home in peace. Clif. What say ye, countrymen? will ye relent, 'And yield to mercy, whilst 'tis offer'd you; 'Or let a rabble 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 you believe him? will you needs be hanged with your pardons about your necks? Hath my sword there⚫fore 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 recovered your ancient freedom: but 'you are all recreants, and dastards; and delight 'to live in slavery to the nobility. Let them break (1) A dæmon who was supposed to attend at call, '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. 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 ma jesty! *K. Hen. Why, Buckingham, is the traitor, Cade, surpris'd? *Or is he but retir'd to make him strong? Enter, below, a great number of Cade's followers, 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, K. Hen. 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' And sends the poor well-pleased from my gate. *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 'The duke of Somerset, whom he terms a traitor. K. Hen. Thus stands my state, 'twixt Cade and York distress'd; '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 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, '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 * Like to a ship, that, having scap'd a tempest, That Alexander Iden, an esquire of Kent, Som, My lord, *I'll yield myself to prison willingly, *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, *As all things shall redound unto your good. K. Hen. Come, wife, let's in, and learn to govern better; For yet may England curse my wretched reign. st; Thy leg a stick, compar'd with this truncheon; hast; And if mine arm be heaved in the air, As for more words, whose greatness answers words, Thy grave is digg'd already in the earth. Let this my sword report what speech forbears. *Cade. By my valour, the most complete cham*pion 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 be'seech God on my knees, thou may'st be turned to [Exeunt.hob-nails. [They fight. 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'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? SCENE X.-Kent. Iden's garden. Enter Cade. 6 * 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 laid 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 noSword, I will hallow thee for this thy deed, * longer. Wherefore, on a brick-wall have I climbed And hang thee o'er my tomb, when I am dead: * into this garden; to see if I can eat grass, or pick Ne'er shall this blood be wiped from thy point; *a sallet another while, which is not amiss to cool But thou shalt wear it as a herald's coat," * a man's stomach this hot weather. And, I think, To emblaze the honour that thy master got. *this word sallet was born to do me good: for, "Cade. Iden, farewell; and be proud of thy vic* many a time, but for a sallet, my brain-pan had story; Tell Kent from me, she hath lost her best * been cleft with a brown bill; and, many a time,man, and exhort all the world to be cowards; for *when I have been dry, and bravely marching, it I, that never feared any, am vanquished by fam*hath served me instead of a quart pot to drink ine, not by valour. in; and now the word sallet must serve me to * feed on. Enter Iden, with Servants. [Dies. *Iden. How much thou wrong'st me, heaven be my judge. *Die, damned wretch, the curse of her that bare thee! 'Iden. Lord, who would live turmoiled in the And as I thrust thy body in with my sword, court, And may enjoy such quiet walks as these? "This small inheritance, my father left me, 'Contenteth me, and is worth a monarchy. 'I seek not to wax great by others' waning; 'Or gather wealth, I care not with what envy; 'Sufficeth, that I have maintains my state, Two orders of foot soldiers among the Irish. 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, 'Leaving thy trunk for crows to feed upon. [Exit, dragging out the body. (4) i. e. In supposing that I am proud of my vic Only just now. (3) A kind of helmet, Itory. VOL. II, U |