a cloak, when honester men than thou go in their hose and doublets. 8

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, mala gens. Cade. Away with him,away with him! he speaks Latin. Say. Hear me but speak, and bear me where you will. Kent, in the commentaries Cæsar writ,

Is term'd the civil'st place of all this isle :
Sweet is the country, because full of riches;
The people liberal, valiant, active, wealthy;
Which makes me hope you are not void of pity.
I sold not Maine, I lost not Normandy;
Yet, to recover them, would lose my life.
Justice with favour have I always done;

Prayers and tears have mov'd me, gifts could never.
When have I aught exacted at your hands,
Kent to maintain, the king, the realm, and you 29
Large gifts have I bestow'd on learned clerks,
Because my book preferr'd me to the king:
And-seeing ignorance is the curse of God,
Knowledge the wing wherewith we fly to heaven,-
Unless you be possess'd with devilish spirits,
You cannot but forbear to murder me.

This tongue hath parley'd unto foreign kings
For your behoof,-

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 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

[7] A foot-cloth was a kind of housing, which covered the body of the horse, and almost reached the ground. It was sometimes made of velvet, and bordered with gold lace. MAL.

[8] This is a reproach truly characteristical. Nothing gives so much of fence to the lower ranks of mankind, as the sight of superfluities merely ostentatious. JOHNS.

[9] I am inclined to think Kent slipped into this passage by chance, and would read.When have I aught exacted at your hands,

But to maintain the king, the realm, and you?

JOHNS

Hath make 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.

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 have I offended most? Have I affeced wealth, or honour; speak?

Are my chests fill'd up with extorted gold?
Is my apparel sumptuous to behold?

Whom have I injur'd, that ye seek my death?
These hands are free from guiltless blood-shedding,
This breast from harbouring foul deceitful thoughts.
Q, 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 2 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, country men! if when you make your prayers,

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?3

[1] This sentiment is not merely designed as an expression of ferocious triumph, but to mark the eternal enmity which the vulgar bear to those of more liberal education and superior rank. The vulgar are always ready to depreciate the talents which they behold with envy, and insult the eminence which they despair to reach STEEV.

[2] A familiar is a demon who was supposed to attend at call. STEEV'

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 lov'd 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.

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 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 hanged 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

[3] Perhaps this is an equivoque alluding to the brown bills, or halberds, with which the commons were anciently armed. PERCY.

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 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,

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 ?
Alas, he hath no home, no place to fly to;
Nor knows he how to live, but by the spoil,
Unless by robbing of your friends, and us.
Wer't not a shame, that whilst you live at jar,
The fearful French, whom you late vanquished,
Should make a start o'er seas, and vanquish you?
Methinks, already, in this civil broil,

I see them lording it in London streets,
Crying-Villageois! unto all they meet.

Better, ten thousand base-born Cades miscarry,
Than you should stoop unto a Frenchman's mercy.
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.

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 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 ; 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?

No sooner was I crept out of my cradle,
But I was made a king, at nine months old :
Was never subject long'd to be a king,

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.

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 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 country:
Continue still in this so good a mind,

And Henry, though he be infortunate,
Assure yourselves, will never be unkind :
And so, with thanks, and pardon to you all,
I do dismiss you to your several countries.
All. God save the king! God save the king!
Enter a Messenger.

Mess. Please it your grace to be advértised,
The duke of York is newly come from Ireland:
And with a puissant and a mighty power,
Of Gallowglasses, and stout Kernes, 4
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;

[4] These were two orders of foot-soldiers among the Irish. STEEV,