'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. has a familiarl under his tongue; he speaks not ||' your backs with burdens, take your houses over #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, countrymen! if, when you make your *God should be so obdurate as yourselves, Dick. My lord, when shall we go to Cheapside, and take up commodities upon our bills? Cade. Marry, presently. 'All. O brave! 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 Re-enter Rebels, with the heads of Lord Say and king, and Clifford. 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 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. 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, Who hateth him, and honours not his father, 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 there⚫fore broke through London Gates, that you should 'leave me at the White Hart in Southwark? 1 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 6 (1) A dæmon who was supposed to attend at call. 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 [Exit. me to my heels. '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 And humbly thus, with halters on their necks, K. Hen. Then, heaven, set ope thy everlasting • And show'd how well you love your prince and ' 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 ar ostrich, and swallow my sword like a great pin, ere thou and I part. 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 stands, 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 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; Alexander Iden, an esquire of Kent, See if thou canst outface me with thy looks. Thy leg a stick, compar'd with this truncheon; And if mine arm be heaved in the air, *Cade. By my valour, the most complete cham*pion that ever I heard. Steel, thou turn the edge, or cut not out the burly-boned clown in 'chines of beef ere thou sleep in thy sheath, I be For yet may England curse my wretched reign.seech God on my knees, thou mayest be turned to [Exeunt.hob-nails. [They fight. Cade falls.] O, I am but SCENE X-Kent. Iden's garden. Enter Cade. *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 lay'd for me; 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,3 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 how 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, 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? 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 vanquished by famine, not by valour. [Dies. * Iden. How much thou wrong'st me, heaver be my judge. *Die, damned wretch, the curse of her that bare thee! 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 right, And pluck the crown from feeble Henry's head: '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 nought 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. 'Whom have we here? Buckingham, to disturb me? "The king hath sent him, sure: I must dissemble. 'Buck. York, if thou meanest well, I greet thee well. York. Humphrey of Buckingham, I accept thy greeting. 'Art thou a messenger, or come of pleasure? '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, 'Should'st raise so great a power without his leave, 'Or dare to bring thy force so near the court. York. Scarce can I speak, my choler is so great. 'O, I could hew up rocks, and fight with flint, I am so angry at these abject terms; . And now, like Ajax Telamonius, Enter King Henry, attended. 'K. Hen. Buckingham, deth 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 hence; 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 Čade, 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, 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 amiss you, my lord, 'twere not *He were created knignt for his good service. We give thee for reward a thousand marks; Iden. May Iden live to merit such a bounty, On sheep or oxen could I spend my fury! Aside. Go, bid her hide him quickly from the duke. 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, 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 Queen Margaret and Somerset. 'Q. Mar. For thousand Yorks he shall not hi-te his head, But boldly stand, and front him to his face. False king! why hast thou broken faith with me, 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-||* Thou mad misleader of thy brain-sick son!— 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 their bail. 'Clif. Health and all happiness to my lord the king! [Kneels. York. I thank thee, Clifford: Say, what news with thee? Nay, do not fright us with an angry look: '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 man grown mad? 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, And chop away that factious pate of his. Q. Mar. He is arrested, but will not obey; Edu. Ay, noble father, if our words will serve. Rich. And if words will not, then our weapons shall. 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 And manacle the bear-ward? in their chains, Rich. Oft have I seen a hot o'erweening cur As crooked in thy manners as thy shape! * 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. '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, 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, 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. Y. Clif. Foul stigmatic,4 that's more than thou canst tell. 'Rich, If not in heaven, you'll surely sup in hell. [Exeunt severally. sions. Enter Warwick. York. Nay, we shall heat you thoroughly anon. SCENE II.-Saint Albans. Alarums: ExcurClif. 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. 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! Hath made the wizard famous in his death. Sword, hold thy temper; heart, be wrathful still. * 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 !-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, *Whon 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 achieve *The silver livery of adviseds 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; (1) A dreadful wager; a tremendous stake. (5) Considerate. Enter Young Clifford. *Y. Clif. But that my heart's on future mischief set, * I would speak blasphemy ere bid you fly; *But fly you must; uncurable discomfit Reigns in the hearts of all our present parts.6 Away, for your relief! and we will live *To see their day, and them our fortune give: *Away, my lord, away! [Exeunt. 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;" 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. 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 |