*God should be so obdurate as yourselves, *How would it fare with your departed souls? *And therefore yet relent, and save my life. *Cade. Away with him, and do as I command ye. [Exeunt some, with Lord Say. The proudest peer in the realm shall not wear a head on his shoulders, unless he pay me tribute; 'there shall not a maid be married, but she shall pay to me her maidenhead ere they have it: Men '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? Cade. Marry, presently. 'All. O brave! 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 you all! 'All. We'll follow Cade, we'll follow Cade. Clif. Is Cade the son of Henry the Fifth, I see them lording it in London streets, you All. A Clifford a Clifford! we'll follow the Re-enter Rebels, with the heads of Lord Say and king, and Clifford. his son-in-law. 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 surprise me: my sword make way for me, for here is no staying.-In despite 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' [Exeunt.base and ignominious treasons, makes me betake [Exit. me to my heels. Enter 'Buck. What, is he fled? go some, and follow him; • 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 6 corner, have them kiss.--Away! SCENE VIII.-Southwark. Alarum. 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? Cliff 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 сар, 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. your All. God save the king! God save the king! Cade. What, Buckingham, and Clifford, are ye 'so brave?-And you, base peasants, do ye be'lieve him? will you needs be hanged with 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. And he, that brings his head unto the king, Follow me, soldiers; we'll devise a mean 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? *No sooner was I crept out of my cradle, Was never subject long'd to be a king, * But I was made a king, at nine months old: *As I do long and wish to be a subject. 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, a great number of Cade's followers, with halters about their necks. *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. * Like to a ship, that, having scap'd a tempest, * I pray thee, Buckingham, go forth and meet him; *I'll yield myself to prison willingly, *K. Hen. In any case, be not too rough in terms; *For yet may England curse my wretched reign. And sends the poor well-pleased from my gate. Iden. Why, rude companion, whatsoe'er thou be, 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 That Alexander Iden, an esquire of Kent, 6 Thy leg a stick, compar'd with this truncheon; My foot shall fight with all the strength thou hast; And if mine arm be heaved in the air, Thy grave is digg'd already in the earth. As for more words, whose greatness answers words, *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 beseech God on my knees, thou mayest be turned to [Exeunt.hob-nails. [They fight. Cade falls.] O, I am ten thousand devils come against me, and give slain! famine, and no other, hath slain me : let 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. SCENE X.-Kent. Iden's garden. Enter Cade. * Enter Iden, with Servants. Iden. Is't Cade that I have slain, that monstrous Sword, I will hallow thee for this thy deed, Cade. Iden, farewell; and be proud of thy vic- 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, *So wish I, I might thrust thy soul to hell. (4) i. e. In supposing that I am proud of my vic Itory. U is so great. 'O, I could hew up rocks, and fight with flint, I am so angry at these abject terms; On sheep or oxen could I spend my fury! Aside. 'I am far better born than is the king; 'More like a king, more kingly in my thoughts: • But I must make fair weather yet a while, Till Henry be more weak, and I more strong. 'O Buckingham, I pr'ythee, pardon me, 'That I have given no answer all this while; My mind was troubled with deep melancholy. 'The cause why I have brought this army hither, Is-to remove proud Somerset from the king, 'Seditious to his grace, and to the state. Buck. That is too much presumption on thy But if thy arms be to no other end, powers. Soldiers, I thank you all: disperse yourselves; 'Meet me to-morrow in Saint George's field, You shall have pay, and every thing you wish. *And let my sovereign, virtuous Henry, * Command my eldest son,-nay, all my sons, * As pledges of my fealty and love, *I'll send them all as willing as I live; * Lands, goods, horse, armour, any thing I have *Is his to use, so Somerset may die. Buck. York, I commend this kind submission: "We twain will go into his highness' tent. (1) i. e. Balance my hand. Enter King Henry, attended. 'K. Hen. Buckingham, doth York intend no harm to 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. And fight against that monstrous rebel, Cade, Enter Iden, with Cade's head. 'Iden. If one so rude, and of so mean condition, 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. Hen. The head of Cade?-Great God, how just art thou! O, let me view his visage, being dead, 'K. Hen. How art thou call'd? and what is thy degree? • Iden. Alexander Iden, that's my name; A poor esquire of Kent, that loves his king. *Buck. So please it you, my lord, 'twere not amiss *He were created knight for his good service. 'K. Hen. Iden, kneel down. [He kneels.] Rise up a knight. 'We give thee for reward a thousand marks; And will, that thou henceforth attend on us. Iden. May Iden live to merit such a bounty, And never live but true unto his liege! 'K. Hen. See, Buckingham! Somerset comes. with the queen; 'Go, bid her hide him quickly from the duke. Enter Queen Margaret and Somerset. 'Q. Mar. For thousand Yorks he shall not hide his head, But boldly stand, and front him to his face. Then, York, unloose thy long-imprison'd thoughts, And let thy tongue be equal with thy heart. Shall I endure the sight of Somerset ? False king! why hast thou broken faith with me, Knowing how hardly I can brook abuse? King did I call thee? no, thou art not king; 'Not fit to govern and rule multitudes, 'Which dar'st not, no, nor canst not rule a traitor. That head of thine doth not become a crown; Thy hand is made to grasp a palmer's staff, And not to grace an awful princely sceptre. That gold must round engirt these brows of mine; Whose smile and frown, like to Achilles' spear, 'Is able with the change to kill and cure. Here is a hand to hold a sceptre up, And with the same to act controlling laws. Give place; by heaven, thou shalt rule no more 'O'er him, whom heaven created for thy ruler. 'Som. O monstrous traitor!-I arrest thee, York,. Of capital treason 'gainst the king and crown: *Obey, audacious traitor; kneel for grace. *York. Would'st have me kneel? first let me ask of these, *If they can brook I bow a knee to man.*Sirrah, call in my sons to be my bail; [Exit an attendant. * I know, ere they will have me go to ward,2 (2) Custody, confinement. *They'll pawn their swords for my enfranchise- || ment. 'Q. Mar. Call hither Clifford; bid him come amain, To say, if that the bastard boys of York *Shall be the surety for their traitor father. * York. O blood-bespotted Neapolitan, *Outcast of Naples, England's bloody scourge! The sons of York, thy betters in their birth, 'Shall be their father's bail; and bane to those That for my surety will refuse the boys. Enter Edward and Richard Plantagenet, with forces, at one side; at the other, with forces also, Old Clifford and his son. *See, where they come; I'll warrant they'll make it good. *Q. Mar. And here comes Clifford, to deny 'Clif. Health and all happiness to my lord the Nay, do not fright us with an angry look: Thou mad misleader of thy brain-sick son!* What, wilt thou on thy death-bed play the ruffian, * And seek for sorrow with thy spectacles? *O, where is faith? O, where is loyalty? * If it be banish'd from the frosty head, * 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? * For shame! in duty bend thy knee to me, * That bows unto the grave with mickle age. *Sal. My lord, I have considered with myself The title of this most renowned duke; *And in my conscience do repute 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. Clif. This is my king, York, I do not mistake; * Makes him oppose himself against his king. Edw. Ay, noble father, if our words will serve. *Clif. Why, what a brood of traitors have we here! * 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, *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-ward2 in their chains, "If thou dar'st bring them to the baiting-place. *Rich. Oft have I seen a hot o'erweening cur *Run back and bite, because he was withheld; *Who, being suffer'd with the bear's fell paw, *Hath clapp'd his tail between his legs, and cry'd: *And such a piece of service will you do, 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 thoroughly anon. *Clif. Take heed, lest by your heat you burn yourselves. *K. Hen. Why, Warwick, hath thy knee forgot to bow? * Old Salisbury,-shame to thy silver hair, (1) The Nevils, earls of Warwick, had a bear and ragged staff for their crest. (2) Bear-keeper. '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 again, To keep thee from the tempest of the field. Clif. I am resolv'd to bear a greater storm, crest, The rampant bear chain'd to the ragged staff, Clif. And from thy burgonet I'll rend thy bear, canst tell. Clifford, I say, come forth and fight with me! "How now, my noble lord? what, all a-foot? York. The deadly-handed Clifford slew my steed; 'But match to match I have encountered him, 'And made a prey for carrion kites and crows 'Even of the bonny beast he lov'd so well. Enter Clifford. 'War. Of one or both of us the time is come. *Meet I an infant of the house of York, *Into as many gobbets will I cut it, *As wild Medea young Absyrtus did: *In cruelty will I seek out my fame. Come, thou new ruin of old Clifford's house; [Taking up the body. 6 As did Æneas old Anchises bear, So bear I thee upon my manly shoulders; * But then Æneas bare a living load, *Nothing so heavy as these woes of mine. [Exit. Enter Richard Plantagenet and Somerset, fight ing, and Somerset is killed. Rich. So, lie thou there; York. Hold, Warwick, seek thee out some other For, underneath an ale-house' paltry sign, chace, For I myself must hunt this deer to death. The Castle in Saint Albans, Somerset War. Then, nobly, York; 'tis for a crown thou Sword, hold thy temper; heart, be wrathful still: 'York. With thy brave bearing should I be in love, 'But that thou art so fast mine enemy. Clif. Nor should thy prowess want praise and esteem, 'But that 'tis shown ignobly, and in treason. York. So let it help me now against thy sword, As I in justice and true right express it! *Priests pray for enemies, but princes kill. [Exit. Alarums: Excursions. Enter King Henry, Queen Margaret, and others, retreating. 'Q. Mar. Away, my lord! you are slow; for shame, away! *K. Hen. Can we outrun the heavens? good Margaret, stay. * Q. Mar. What are you made of? you'll not fight, nor fly: *Now is it manhood, wisdom, and defence, To give the enemy way and to secure us By what we can, which can no more but fly. Clif. My soul and body on the action both![Alarum afar off.. York. A dreadful lay !I-address thee instantly. *If you be ta'en, we then should see the bottom [They fight, and Clifford falls. Of all our fortunes: but if we haply 'scape Clif. La fin couronne les œuvres. [Dies. *(As well we may, if not through your neglect,) 'York. Thus war hath given thee peace, for* We shall to London get; where you are lov'd; *And where this breach, now in our fortunes made, thou art still. 'Peace with his soul, heaven, if it be thy will!* May readily be stopp'd. Enter Young Clifford. [Exit. *Y. Clif. Shame and confusion! all is on the rout; *Fear frames disorder, and disorder wounds * Where it should guard. O war, thou son of hell, *Whom angry heavens do make their minister, *Throw in the frozen bosoms of our part * Hot coals of vengeance!--Let no soldier fly: *He that is truly dedicate to war, *Hath no self-love; nor he, that loves himself, * Hath not essentially, but by circumstance, *The name of valour.-O, let the vile world end, [Seeing his dead father. *And the premised2 flames of the last day *Knit earth and heaven together! *Now let the general trumpet blow his blast, * Particularities and petty sounds *To cease !3----Wast thou ordain'd, dear father, *To lose thy youth in peace, and to achieve4 *The silver livery of advised5 age; *And, in thy reverence, and thy chair-days, thus *To die in ruffian battle?-Even at this sight, My heart is turn'd to stone: and, while 'tis mine, *It shall be stony. York not our old men spares; *No more will I their babes: tears virginal *Shall be to me even as the dew to fire; *And beauty, that the tyrant oft reclaims, * Shall to my flarning wrath be oil and flax. *Henceforth, I will not have to do with pity: SCENE III.-Fields near Saint Albans. Alarum: Retreat. Flourish; then enter York, Richard Plantagenet, Warwick, and Soldiers, with drum and colours. ⚫ York. Of Salisbury, who can report of him; *That winter lion, who, in rage, forgets *Aged contusions and all brush of time ;7 *And, like a gallant in the brow of youth,8 *Repairs him with occasion? this happy day *Is not itself, nor have we won one foot, If Salisbury be lost. 'Rich. My noble father, Three times to-day I holp him to his horse, Three times bestrid him, thrice I led him off, Persuaded him from any further act: But still, where danger was, still there I met him; *And like rich hangings in a homely house, So was his will in his old feeble body. *But, noble as he is, look where he comes |