Assure yourselves, will never be unkind: Mes. Please it your grace to be advertised, Is marching hitherward in proud array; The duke of Somerset, whom he terms a traitor. K. Hen. Thus stands my state, 'twixt Cade and York distress'd; Like to a ship that, having scaped 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; K. Hen. Come, wife, let's in, and learn to govern better; for yet may England curse my wretched reign. SORNE X.-KENT. IDEN's Garden. Enter CADE [Exeunt 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 layed 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 brick wall 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 dry, and bravely marching, it hath served me instead of a quart-pot to drink in; and now the 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? 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, And sends the poor well pleased from my gate 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 stands, That Alexander Iden, an esquire of Kent, Took odds to combat a poor famish'd man. Oppose thy steadfast-gazing eyes to mine, See if thou canst outface me with thy looks. Bet limb to limb, and thou art far the lesser; Thy hand is but a finger to my fist; Thy leg a stick, compared with this truncheon; My foot shall fight with all the strength thou hast; And if mine arm be heavèd in the air, Thy grave is digg'd already in the earth. 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 mayst 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. [traitor! Iden. Is't Cade that I have slain, that monstrous Sword, I will hallow thee for this thy deed, And hang thee o'er my tomb when I am dead: Ne'er shall this blood be wipèd from thy point; But thou shalt wear it as a herald's coat, To emblaze the honour that thy master got. 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 vanquish'd by famine, not by valour. [Dies. Iden. How much thou wrong'st me,heaven be my judga 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 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. 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. Fork. From Ireland thus comes York, to claim his And pluck the crown from feeble Henry's head: [right, Ring, bells, aloud; burn, bonfires, clear and bright, To entertain great England's lawful king. Ah, sancta majestas! who would not buy thee dear? Let them obey that know not how to rule; This hand was made to handle naught but gold: I cannot give due action to my words, Except a sword or sceptre balance it. A sceptre shall it have, have I a soul; On which I'll toss the flower-de-luce of France. Enter BUCKINGHAM. [Aside.] Whom have we here? Buckingham to disturb The king hath sent him, sure: I must dissemble. [me! Buck. York, if thou meanest well, I greet thee well. York. Humphrey of Buckingham, I accept thy greetArt thou a messenger, or come of pleasure? Ling. Buck. A messenger from Henry, our dread liege, I am so angry at these abject terms; On sheep or oxen could I spend my fury! [great Buck. That is too much presumption on thy part: York. Upon thine honour, is he prisoner? York. Then, Buckingham, I do dismiss my powers.Boldiers, I thank you all; disperse yourselves; Meet me to-morrow in St George's field, You shall have pay, and everything 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, anything 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. Enter KING HENRY, attended. K. Hen. Buckingham, doth York intend no harm to us, York doth present himself unto your highness. [bring? 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, [thou! K. Hen. The head of Cade?-Great God, how just art O, let me view his visage, being dead, That living wrought me such exceeding trouble Tell me, my friend, art thou the man that slew him?, Iden. I was, an 't like your majesty. 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 We give thee for reward a thousand marks; And never live but true unto his liege! [knight. K. Hen. See, Buckingham! Somerset comes with the Go, bid her hide him quickly from the duke. [queen; [head, Enter QUEEN MARGARET and SOMERSET, False king! why hast thou broken faith with me, Som. O monstrous traitor!-I arrest thee, York, York. Wouldst have me kneel? first let me ask of If they can brook I bow a knee to man.Sirrah, call in my sons to be my bail; [these, [Exit an Attendant. I know, ere they will have me go to ward, Shall be the surety for their traitor father. [Exit BUCK. Outcast of Naples, England's bloody scourge! Enter EDWARD and RICHARD PLANTAGENET, with forces. at one side; at the other, with forces also, old CLIFFORD and his Son. Bee where they come: I'll warrant they'll make it good. Q. Mar. And here comes Clifford, to deny their bail. Cif. [Kneels.] Health and all happiness to my lord the king! [thee! York. I thank thee, Clifford: say, what news with Clif. This is my king. York, I do not mistake; K. Hen. Ay, Clifford; a bedlam and ambitious humour Makes him oppose himself against his king. Clif He is a traitor; let him to the Tower, Q. Mar. He is arrested, but will not obey; Edw. Ay, noble father, if our words will serve. I am thy king, and thou a false-heart traitor.- Drums. Enter WARWICK and SALISBURY, with forces Rich. Oft have I seen a hot o'erweening cur If you oppose yourselves to match lord Warwick. York. Nay, we shall heat you thoroughly anon. Thou mad misleader of thy brain-sick son!- 0, where is faith? O, where is loyalty? K. Hen. Hast thou not sworn allegiance unto me? [oath1 K. Hen. Canst thou dispense with heaven for such an 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 murd'rous 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 York. Call Buckingham and all the friends thou hast, I am resolved 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 resolved to bear a greater storm Than any thou canst conjure up to-day; And that I'll write upon thy burgonet, Might I but know thee by thy household badge. War. Now, by my father's badge, old Nevil's crest, The rampant bear chain'd to the ragged staff, This day I'll wear aloft my burgonet, (As on a mountain-top the cedar shews, That keeps his leaves in spite of any storm,) Even to affright thee with the view thereof. Clif. And from thy burgonet I'll rend thy bear, And tread it under foot with all contempt, Despite the bear-ward that protects the bear. Y. Clif. And so to arms, victorious father, To quell the rebels and their 'complices. Rich. Fie charity, for shame! speak not in spite, For you shall sup with Jesu Christ to-night. [tell. Y. Clif. Foul stigmatic, that's more than thou canst Rich. If not in heaven, you'll surely sup in hell. [Exeunt severally. SCENE 11.-SAINT ALBANS. Alarums: Excursions. Enter WARWICK. War. Clifford of Cumberland, 'tis Warwick calls! And if thou dost not hide thee from the bear, Now, when the angry trumpet sounds alarm, And dead men's cries do fill the empty air,Clifford, I say, come forth and fight with me! Proud northern lord, Clifford of Cumberland, Warwick is hoarse with calling thee to arms. Enter YORK. How now, my noble lord? what, all a-foot? York. The deadly-handed Clifford slew my steed; But match to match I have encounter'd him, And made a prey for carrion kites and crows Even of the bonny beast he loved so well. 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, To cease-Wast thou ordain'd, dear father, And, in thy reverence and thy chair-days, thus stay. [By: Q. Mar. What are you made of? you'll not fight nor 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. [Alarum afar of If you be ta'en, we then should see the bottom Of all our fortunes: but if we haply scape, (As well we may, if not through your neglect,) We shall to London get; where you are loved; And where this breach, now in our fortunes made, May readily be stopp'd. Sal. Now, by my sword, well hast thou fought to-day, By the mass, so did we all.—I thank you, Richard: God knows how long it is I have to live; And it hath pleased him that three times to-day York. I know our safety is to follow them; EDMUND, Earl of Rutland, GEORGE, afterwards Duke of Clarence, RICHARD, afterwards Duke of Glocester, DUKE OF NORFOLK, MARQUIS OF MONTAGUE, EARL OF WARWICK, EARL OF PEMBROKE, LORD HASTINGS, LORD STAFFORD, SIR JOHN SOMERVILLE. Tutor to RUTLAND. Lieutenant of the Tower. A Nobleman. Two Keepers. his Sons. A Huntsman. of the DUKE OF YORK'S party. A Son that has killed his Father. A Father that has killed his Son. QUEEN MARGARET. LADY GREY, afterwards Queen to EDWARD IV Soldiers, and other Attendants on KING HENRY and SCENE,-During part of the Third Act, in FRANCE; during all the rest of the Play, in England. ACT I. SCENE I.-LONDON. The Parliament-House Drums. Some Soldiers of YORK's party break in. Then enter the DUKE OF YORK, EDWARD, RICHARD, NORFOLK, MONTAGUE, WARWICK, and others, with white roses in their hats. War. I wonder how the king escaped our hands. Charged our mai battle's front, and, breaking in, Edw. Lord Stafford's father, duke of Buckingham, Is either slain or wounded dangerous: I cleft his beaver with a downright blow; [Shewing his bloody sword Mont. And, brother, here's the earl of Wiltshire's blood, [To YORK, shewing his. Whom I encounter'd as the battles join'd. Rich. Speak thou for me, and tell them what I did. [Throwing down the DUKE OF SOMERSET'S head. York. Richard hath best deserved of all my sons.What, is your grace dead, my lord of Somerset? Norf. Such hope have all the line of John of Gaunt! Rich. Thus do I hope to shake king Henry's head. War. And so do I.-Vietorious prince of York, Before I see thee seated in that throne Which now the house of Lancaster usurps, I vow by heaven these eyes shall never close. This is the palace of the fearful king, And this the regal seat: possess it, York; For this is thine, and not king Henry's heirs'. York. Assist me then, sweet Warwick, and I will; For hither we have broken in by force. Norf. We'll all assist you; he that flies shall die. York. Thanks, gentle Norfolk-stay by me, my And, soldiers, stay, and lodge by me this night. [lords;War. And when the king comes, offer him no violence, Unless he seek to thrust you out by force. [They retire. York. The queen this day here holds her parliament, But little thinks we shall be of her council: By words or blows here let us win our right. Rich. Arm'd as we are, let's stay within this house. War. The bloody parliament shall this be call'd, Unless Plantagenet, duke of York, be king, And bashful Henry deposed, whose cowardice Bath made us by-words to our enemies. York. Then leave me not, my lords; be resolute; I mean to take possession of my right. War. Neither the king nor he that loves him best, The proudest he that holds up Lancaster, [WAR. leads YORK to the throne, who seats himself Flourish. Enter KING HENRY, CLIFFORD, NORTHUM BERLAND, WESTMORELAND, EXETER, and others, with red roses in their hats. K. Hen. My lords, look where the sturdy rebel sits, Even in the chair of state! belike he means (Back'd by the power of Warwick, that false peer) To aspire unto the crown, and reign as king.Earl of Northumberland, he slew thy father; [revenge And thine, lord Clifford; and you both have vow'd On him, his sons, his favourites, and his friends. North. If I be not, heavens be revenged on me! Clif. The hope thereof makes Clifford mourn in steel. West. What, shall we suffer this? let's pluck him My heart for anger burns, I cannot brook it. [down: K. Hen. Be patient, gentle earl of Westmoreland. Clif. Patience is for poltroons, and such as he: He durst not sit there, had your father lived. My gracious lord, here in the parliament Let us assail the family of York. North. Well hast thou spoken, cousin; be it so. K. Hen. Ah, know you not the city favours them, And they have troops of soldiers at their beck? Exe. But when the duke is slain, they'll quickly fly. K. Hen. Far be the thought of this from Henry's heart, To make a shambles of the parliament-house! Cousin of Exeter, frowns, words, and threats, Shall be the war that Henry means to use.- [They advance to the DUKE. Thou factious duke of York, descend my throne, And kneel for grace and mercy at my feet; I am thy sovereign. K. Hen. And shall I stand, and thou sit in my throne? York. It must and shall be so. Content thyself. War. Be duke of Lancaster, let him be king. West. He is both king and duke of Lancaster; And that the lord of Westmoreland shall maintain. War. And Warwick shall disprove it. You forget That we are those which chased you from the field, And slew your fathers, and with colours spread March'd through the city to the palace gates. North. Yes, Warwick, I remember it to my grief; And, by his soul, thou and thy house shall rue it. West. Plantagenet, of thee, and these thy sons, Clif. Urge it no more; lest that, instead of words, War. Poor Clifford! how I scorn his worthless threats! K. Hen. What title hast thou, traitor, to the crown? Thy father was, as thou art, duke of York; Thy grandfather, Roger Mortimer, earl of March: Who made the Dauphin and the French to stoop, War. Talk not of France, sith thou hast lost it all. Father, tear the crown from the usurper's head. Let's fight it out, and not stand cavilling thus. [fly. [speak. K. Hen. Peace thou! and give king Henry leave to War. Plantagenet shall speak first:-hear him, lords; And be you silent and attentive too, For he that interrupts him shall not live. [throne, K. Hen. Think'st thou that I will leave my kingly Wherein my grandsire and my father sat? No; first shall war unpeople this my realm; Ay, and their colours-often borne in France, And now in England, to our heart's great sorrowShall be my winding-sheet.-Why faint you, lords? My title's good, and better far than his. War. But prove it, Henry, and thou shalt be king. K. Hen. Henry the fourth by conquest got the crown. York. 'Twas by rebellion against his king. K. Hen. [Aside.] I know not what to say; my title's [Aloud.] Tell me, may not a king adopt an heir? [weak. York. What then? K. Hen. An if he may, then am I lawful king; York. He rose against him, being his sovereign, War. Suppose, my lords, he did it unconstrain'd, Think you 'twere prejudicial to his crown? Exe. No; for he could not so resign his crown, But that the next heir should succeed and reign. K. Hen. Art thou against us, duke of Exeter? Exe. His is the right, and therefore pardon me. York. Why whisper you, my lords, and answer not? Exe. My conscience tells me he is lawful king. [him. K. Hen. [Aside.] All will revolt from me, and turn to North. Plantagenet, for all the claim thou lay'st, Think not that Henry shall be so deposed. War. Deposed he shall be in despite of all. North. Thou art deceived: 'tis not thy southern power, Of Essex, Norfolk, Suffolk, nor of Kent,Which makes thee thus presumptuous and proud,Can set the duke up in despite of me. Clif King Henry, be thy title right or wrong, Lord Clifford vows to fight in thy defence: May that ground gape, and swallow me alive, K. Hen. O Clifford, how thy words revive my heart! [He stamps, and the Soldiers shew themselves. K. Hen. My lord of Warwick, hear me but one word; Let me for this my lifetime reign as king. York. Confirm the crown to me and to mine heirs, Clif. What wrong is this unto the prince your son? Clif. Come, cousin, let us tell the queen these news. West. Farewell, faint-hearted and degenerate king, In whose cold blood no spark of honour bides. North. Be thou a prey unto the house of York, And die in bands for this unmanly deed! Clif. In dreadful war mayst thou be overcome! Or live in peace, abandon'd and despised! [Exeunt NORTHUMBERLAND, CLIFFORD, and WESTMORELAND. War. Turn this way, Henry, and regard them not. Exe. They seek revenge, and therefore will not yield. K. Hen. Ah, Exeter! War. Why should you sigh, my lord? K. Hen. Not for myself, lord Warwick, but my son Whom I unnaturally shall disinherit. But, be it as it may:-I here entail The crown to thee and to thine heirs for ever; K. Hen. And long live thou, and these thy forward anger: K. Hen. Exeter, so will I. [Going [Going. Q. Mar. Nay, go not from me, I will follow thee. K. Hen. Be patient, gentle queen, and I will stay. Q. Mar. Who can be patient in such extremes? Ah, wretched man! would I had died a maid, And never seen thee, never borne thee son, Seeing thou hast proved so unnatural a father! Hath he deserved to lose his birthright thus? Hadst thou but loved him half so well as I, Or felt that pain which I did for him once, Or nourish'd him, as I did with my blood,—Thou wouldst have left thy dearest heart-blood there, Rather than made that savage duke thine heir, And disinherited thine only son. [son:- Prince. Father, you cannot disinherit me: If you be king, why should not I succeed? K. Hen. Pardon me, Margarets-pardon me, sweet The earl of Warwick and the duke enforced me. Q. Mar. Enforced thee! art thou king, and wilt be forced? I shame to hear thee speak. Ah, timorous wretch! The northern lords that have forsworn thy colours, Thus do I leave thee.-Come, son, let's away; K. Hen. Stay, gentle Margaret, and hear me speak. gone. |