Cade. My father was a Mortimer,— Dick. [Aside] He was an honest man, and a good bricklayer.

Cade. My mother a Plantagenet,—

Dick. [Aside.] I knew her well, she was a midwife. Cade. My wife descended of the Lacies,

Dick. [Aside.] She was, indeed, a pedler's daughter, and sold many laces.

Smith. [Aside. But now of late, not able to travel with her fürred pack, she washes bucks here at home. Cade. Therefore am I of an honourable house. Dick. [Aside.] Ay, by my faith, the field is honourable; and there was he born, under a hedge; for his father had never a house but the cage.

Cade. Valiant I am.

Smith. [Aside.]'A must needs; for beggary is valiant. Cade. I am able to endure much.

Dick. [Aside.] No question of that; for I have seen him whipped three market-days together.

Cade. I fear neither sword nor fire.

Smith. [Aside.] He need not fear the sword, for his coat is of proof.

Dick. Aside.] But methinks he should stand in fear of fire, being burnt i' the hand for stealing of sheep.

Cade. Be brave, then; for your captain is brave, and vows reformation. There shall be in England seven halfpenny loaves sold for a penny: the three-hooped pot shall have ten hoops; and I will make it felony to drink small beer: all the realm shall be in common, and in Cheapside shall my pakrey go to grass. And when I am king, (as king I will be,)

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. Cade. Nay, that I mean to do. Is not this a 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 never mine own man since.-How now? who's there?

Enter some, bringing in the Clerk of Chatham. Smith. The clerk of Chatham: he can write and read, and cast accompt.

Cade. O monstrous!

Smith. We took him setting of boys' copies.
Cade. Here's a villain!

Smith. H'as a book in his pocket, with red letters in 't.
Cade. Nay, then he is a conjurer.

Dick. Nay, he can make obligations, and write courthand.

Cade. I am sorry for 't: the man is a proper man, on mine honour; unless I find him guilty, he shall not die-Come hither, sirrah, I must examine thee: what is thy name?

Clerk. Emmanuel.

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?

Clerk. Sir, I thank God, I have been so well brought up, that I can write my name.

All. He hath confessed: away with him; he's a villain and a traitor.

Cade. Away with him, I say: hang him with his pen and inkhorn about his neck.

[Exeunt some with the Clerk. Enter MICHAEL.

Mich. Where's our general? Cade. Here I am, thou particular fellow. Mich. Fly, fly, fly! Sir Humphrey Stafford and his brother are hard by, with the king's forces.

Cade. Stand, villain, stand, or I'll fell thee down. He shall be encountered with a man as good as himself: he is but a knight, is 'a?

Home to your cottages, forsake this groom :The king is merciful, if you revolt.

W. Staf. But angry, wrathful, and inclined to blood, If you go forward; therefore yield or die.

Cade. As for these silken-coated slaves, I pass not: It is to you, good people, that I speak, O'er whom, in time to come, I hope to reign; For I am rightful heir unto the crown.

Staf. Villain, thy father was a plasterer; And thou thyself a shearman,--art thou not? Cade. And Adam was a gardener.

W. Staf. And what of that?

Cade. Marry, this:-Edmund Mortimer, earl of March, Married the duke of Clarence' daughter,-did he not? Staf. Ay, Sir.

Cade. By her he had two children at one birth.
W. Staf. That's false.

Cade. Ay, there's the question; but I say 'tis true:
The elder of them, being put to nurse,
Was by a beggar-woman stol'n away;
And, ignorant of his birth and parentage,
Became a bricklayer when he came to age:
His son am I; deny it, if you can.

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.

Staf. And will you credit this base drudge's words, That speaks he knows not what?

All. Ay, marry, will we; therefore get ye gone. W. Stof. Jack Cade, the duke of York hath taught you this.

Cade. Aside. He lies, for I invented it myself. -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 maimed, and fain to go with a staff, but that my puissance holds it up. Fellow kings, I tell you that that lord Say hath gelded the commonwealth, and made it a eunuch; and more than that, he can speak French, and therefore he is a traitor.

Staf. O gross and miserable ignorance!

Cade. Nay, answer, if you can: the Frenchmen are our enemies; go to then, I ask but this,-can he that speaks with the tongue of an enemy be a good counsellor, or no?

All. No, no; and therefore we'll have his head.
W. Staf. Well, seeing gentle words will not prevail,
Assail them with the army of the king.

Staf. Herald, away; and throughout every town
Proclaim them traitors that are up with Cade;
That those which fly before the battle ends
May, even in their wives' and children's sight,
Be hang'd up for example at their doors:-
And you, that be the king's friends, follow me.

[Exeunt the two STAFFORDS and forces.
Cade. And you, that love the commons, follow me.-
Now shew yourselves men; 'tis for liberty.
We will not leave one lord, one gentleman:
Spare none but such as go in clouted shoon;
For they are thrifty honest men, and such

As would (but that they dare not) take our parts. Dick. They are all in order, and march towards us. Cade. But then are we in order, when we are most out of order. Come, march forward. [Exeunt.

SCENE III.-Another Part of BLACKHEATH. Alarums. The two parties enter and fight, and 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 licence to kill for a hundred, lacking one. Dick. I desire no more.

Cade. And, to speak truth, thou deservest no less. This monument of the victory will I bear; [Puts on Sir II. STAFFORD's armour.] 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 jails, and let out the prisoners.

Cade. Fear not that, I warrant thee.-Come, let's march towards London. [Exeunt.

Think therefore on revenge, and cease to weep,
But who can cease to weep and look on this?
Here may his head lie on my throbbing breast:
But where's the body that I should embrace?
Buck. What answer makes your grace to the rebels'
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 Ruled 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 have thy head.

Say. Ay, but I hope your highness shall have his.
K. Hen. How now, Madam? Sell

Lamenting and mourning for Suffolk's death?

I fear, my love, if that I had been dead,
Thou wouldst not have mourn'd so much for me.

Q. Mar. No, my love; I should not mourn, but die for [thee.

Enter a Messenger.

K. Hen. How now! what news? why com'st thou

in such haste?

Mes. The rebels are in Southwark; fly, my lord!
Jack Cade proclaims himself lord Mortimer,
Descended from the duke of Clarence' house;
And calls your grace usurper openly,
And vows to crown himself in Westminster.
His army is a ragged multitude

Of hinds and peasants, rude and merciless:
Sir Humphrey Stafford and his brother's death
Hath given them heart and courage to proceed:
All scholars, lawyers, courtiers, gentlemen,
They call false caterpillars, and intend their death.
K. Hen. O graceless men! they know not what they
Buck. My gracious lord, retire to Killingworth, [do.
Until a power be raised to put them down.

Q. Mar. Ah! were the duke of Suffolk now alive, These Kentish rebels would be soon apprised. K. Hen. Lord Say, the traitors hate thee,

Therefore away with us to Killingworth.

Say. So might your grace's person be in danger; The sight of me is odious in their eyes:. And therefore in this city will I stay,

And live alone as secret as I may.

Enter another Messenger.

Enter LORD SCALES and others, on the walls. Then enter certain Citizens, belone.

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 command; But I am troubled here with them myself: The rebels have assay'd to win the Tower. But get you to Smithfield, and gather head, And thither I will send you Matthew Gough: Fight for your king, your country, and your lives: And so farewell, for I must hence again.

[Exeunt.

Enter JACK CADE and his followers. He strikes his staff on London-stone.

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 clart wine th's first year of our reign. And now, henceforward, it shall be treason for any that calls me other than lord Mortimer.

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 Cide more; I think he hath a very fair warning. Dick. My lord, there's an army gathered together in Smithfield.

Code. 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.

SCENE VII.-The same. Smithfield.

Alarum. Enter, on one side, CADE and his compony: on the other, Citizens, and the KING's forces, headed by MATTHEW GOUGH. They fight: the Citizens are routed, and MATTHEW GOUGH is slain.

Cade. So, Sirs :--Now go some and pull down the Savoy; others to the inns of court; down with them all. Dick. I have a suit into your lordship.

Cade. Be it a lordship, thou shalt have it for that word.

Dick. Only, that the laws of England may come out of your mouth.

John. [Aside.] Mass, 'twill be sore law then; for he was thrust in the mouth with a spear, and 'tis not whole yet.

Smith. [Aside.] Nay, John, it will be stinking law; for his breath stinks with eating toasted cheese.

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. [Aside.] Then we are like to have biting statutes, unless his teeth be pulled out.

Cade. And henceforward all things shall be in com

mon.

Enter a Messenger.

Mes. 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.

Enter GEORGE BEVIS, with the LORD SAY. Cade. Well, he shall be beheaded for it ten times.Ay, thou say, thou serge, nay, thou buckram 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 realm, in erecting a grammar-school: and whereas, before, our forefathers 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-mill. It will be proved to thy face that thou hast men about thee that usually talk of a noun and a verb, and such abominable words, as no Christian car can endure to hear. Thou hast appointed justices of peace, to call poor men before them about matters they were not able to answer. Moreover, thou hast put them in prison; and because they could not read, thou hast hanged them; when, indeed, only for that cause they have been most worthy to live. Thou dost ride on a footcloth, dost

thou not?

Say. What of that?

Cade. Marry, thou oughtest not to let thy horse wear a cloak, when honester men than thou go in their hose!

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, val'ant, 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 moved me, gifts could never.
When have I aught exacted at your hands,
Kent to maintain, the king, the realm, and you?
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,--

Code. 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 beh'nd 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, Hath made me full of sickness and diseases.

Cade. Ye shall have a hempen caule then, and the pap or 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 I have offended most?

Have I affected wealth or honour? speak.
Are my chests fill'd up with extorted gold?

Is my apparel sumptuous to behold?

Whom have I injured, that ye seek my death?
These hands are free from guiltless blood-shedding.
This breast from harbouring foul deceitful thoughts.
O, 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; 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.

ers,

Say. Ah, countrymen! if when you make your prayGod 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!

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 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 strects; 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 [4 parley sounded, then a retreat.] What noise is this I hear? Dare any he 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 yo 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 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 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.
Were'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 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' base and ignominious treasons, makes me betake me to my heels. [Lzit.

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.[Exeun' some of them. Follow me, soldiers; we'll devise a mean To reconcile you all unto the king. [Exeunt.

SCENE IX.-Killingworth 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 mouths 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 surOr is he but retired to make him strong? Enter, below, a great number of CADE's followers, with halters about their necks.

[prised?

Cf. He's filed, 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 shew'd how well you love your prince and country: Continue still in this so good a mind,

And Henry, though he be unfortunate,

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

Mes. 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;

Like to a ship that, having scaped a tempest,
Is straightway calm'd, and boarded with a pirate:
But now is Cade driven back, his men dispersed;
And now is York in arms to second him.-

I pray thee, Buckingham, go forth and meet him;
And ask him what's the reason of these arms.
Tell him I'll send duke Edmund to the Tower;-
And, Somerset, we will commit thee thither
Until his army be dismiss'd from him.

Som. My lord,

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.
Set 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 arin be heaved in the air,

Thy grave is digg'd already in the earth.
As for more words, whose greatness answers words,
Let this my sword report what speech forbears.

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 wiped 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 judge. 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.

York. 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. [ne? 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?

[ing.

Buck. A messenger from Henry, our dread liege, To know the reason of these arms in peace; Or why thou,-being a subject as I am,Against thy oath and true allegiance sworn, Shouldst raise so great a power without his leave, Or dare to bring thy force so near the court. York. [Aside.] Scarce can I speak, my choler is so 0, I could hew up rocks and fight with flint,

I am so angry at these abject terms;

And now, like Ajax Telamonius,

On sheep or oxen could I spend my fury!
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.
[Aloud.] O Buckingham, I prythee, 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.

[21 cat.

Buck. That is too much presumption on thy part: But if thy arms be to no other end, The king hath yielded unto thy demand; The duke of Somerset is in the Tower. York. Upon thine honour, is he prisoner? Buck. Upon mine honour, he is prisoner.

York. Then, Buckingham, I do dismiss my powers.Soldiers, 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,
That thus he marcheth with thee arm in arm?
York. In all submission and humility,

York doth present himself unto your highness. [bring?
K. Hen. Then what intend these forces thou dost
York. To heave the traitor Somerset from hence;
And fight against that monstrous rebel, Cade,
Who since I heard to be discomfited.

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.

[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.

[knight.

K. Hen. Iden, kneel down. [He kneels.] Rise up a 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 Go, bid her hide him quickly from the duke.

Enter QUEEN MARGARET and SOMERSET.

[queen;

[head,

Q. Mar. For thousand Yorks he shall not hide his
But boldly stand, and front him to his face.
York. How now! is Somerset at liberty?
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. 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,
They'll pawn their swords for my enfranchisement.
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. [Exit Buck.
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 their bail. Clif. [Kneels.] Health and all happiness to my lord the king!

York. I thank thee, Clifford: say, what news with
Nay, do not fright us with an angry look: [thee?
We are thy sovereign, Clifford, kneel again;
For thy mistaking so, we pardon thee.

Clif. This is my king. York, I do not mistake;
But thou mistak'st me much, to think I do:-
To Bedlam with him! is the mangrown mad?

K. Hen. Ay, Clifford ; a bedlamand ambitious humour
Makes him oppose himself against his king.
Cf. He is a traitor; let him to the Tower,

And chop away that factious pate of his.

Q. Mar. He is arrested, but will not obey;
His sons, he says, shall give their words for him.
York. Will you not, sons?

Edw. Ay, noble father, if our words will serve.
Rich. And if words will not, then our weapons shall
Cf. 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-ward 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 cried:
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,

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 consider'd 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
Sal. It is great sin to swear unto a sin;

[oath?

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,