Internet Shakespeare Editions

Toolbox




Jump to line
Through Line Number
Help on texts
About this text
Print this page

About this text

  • Title: Henry VI, Part 2 (Folio 1, 1623)

    • Copyright Internet Shakespeare Editions. This text may be freely used for educational, non-proift purposes; for all other uses contact the Coordinating Editor.
    Author: William Shakespeare
    Not Peer Reviewed

    Henry VI, Part 2 (Folio 1, 1623)

    140The second Part of Henry the Sixt.
    And makes it fearefull and degenerate,
    2535Thinke therefore on reuenge, and cease to weepe.
    But who can cease to weepe, and looke on this.
    Heere may his head lye on my throbbing brest:
    But where's the body that I should imbrace?
    Buc. What answer makes your Grace to the Rebells
    2540Supplication?
    King. Ile send some holy Bishop to intreat:
    For God forbid, so many simple soules
    Should perish by the Sword. And I my selfe,
    Rather then bloody Warre shall cut them short,
    2545Will parley with Iacke Cade their Generall.
    But stay, Ile read it ouer once againe.
    Qu. Ah barbarous villaines: Hath this louely face,
    Rul'd like a wandering Plannet ouer me,
    And could it not inforce them to relent,
    2550That were vnworthy to behold the same.
    King. Lord Say, Iacke Cade hath sworne to huae thy
    head.
    Say. I, but I hope your Highnesse shall haue his.
    King. How now Madam?
    2555Still lamenting and mourning for Suffolkes death?
    I feare me (Loue) if that I had beene dead,
    Thou would'st not haue mourn'd so much for me.
    Qu. No my Loue, I should not mourne, but dye for
    thee.
    2560Enter a Messenger.

    King. How now? What newes? Why com'st thou in
    such haste?
    Mes. The Rebels are in Southwarke: Fly my Lord:
    Iacke Cade proclaimes himselfe Lord Mortimer,
    2565Descended from the Duke of Clarence house,
    And calles your Grace Vsurper, openly,
    And vowes to Crowne himselfe in Westminster.
    His Army is a ragged multitude
    Of Hindes and Pezants, rude and mercilesse:
    2570Sir Humfrey Stafford, and his Brothers death,
    Hath giuen them heart and courage to proceede:
    All Schollers, Lawyers, Courtiers, Gentlemen,
    They call false Catterpillers, and intend their death.
    Kin. Oh gracelesse men: they know not what they do.
    2575Buck. My gracious Lord, retire to Killingworth,
    Vntill a power be rais'd to put them downe.
    Qu. Ah were the Duke of Suffolke now aliue,
    These Kentish Rebels would be soone appeas'd.
    King. Lord Say, the Traitors hateth thee,
    2580Therefore away with vs to Killingworth.
    Say. So might your Graces person be in danger.
    The sight of me is odious in their eyes:
    And therefore in this Citty will I stay,
    And liue alone as secret as I may.

    2585Enter another Messenger.

    Mess. Iacke Cade hath gotten London-bridge.
    The Citizens flye and forsake their houses:
    The Rascall people, thirsting after prey,
    Ioyne with the Traitor, and they ioyntly sweare
    2590To spoyle the City, and your Royall Court.
    Buc. Then linger not my Lord, away, take horse.
    King. Come Margaret, God our hope will succor vs.
    Qu. My hope is gone, now Suffolke is deceast.
    King. Farewell my Lord, trust not the Kentish Rebels
    2595Buc. Trust no body for feare you betraid.
    Say. The trust I haue, is in mine innocence,
    And therefore am I bold and resolute. Exeunt.

    Enter Lord Scales vpon the Tower walking. Then enters
    two or three Citizens below.

    2600Scales. How now? Is Iacke Cade slaine?
    1. Cit. No my Lord, nor likely to be slaine:
    For they haue wonne the Bridge,
    Killing all those that withstand them:
    The L. Maior craues ayd of your Honor from the Tower
    2605To defend the City from the Rebels.
    Scales. Such ayd as I can spare you shall command,
    But I am troubled heere with them my selfe,
    The Rebels haue assay'd to win the Tower.
    But get you to Smithfield, and gather head,
    2610And thither I will send you Mathew Goffe.
    Fight for your King, your Countrey, and your Liues,
    And so farwell, for I must hence againe. Exeunt

    Enter Iacke Cade and the rest, and strikes his
    staffe on London stone.

    2615Cade. Now is Mortimer Lord of this City,
    And heere sitting vpon London Stone,
    I charge and command, that of the Cities cost
    The pissing Conduit run nothing but Clarret Wine
    This first yeare of our raigne.
    2620And now henceforward it shall be Treason for any,
    That calles me other then Lord Mortimer.
    Enter a Soldier running.
    Soul. Iacke Cade, Iacke Cade.
    Cade. Knocke him downe there. They kill him.
    2625But. If this Fellow be wise, hee'l neuer call yee Iacke
    Cade more, I thinke he hath a very faire warning.
    Dicke. My Lord, there's an Army gathered together
    in Smithfield.
    Cade. Come, then let's go fight with them:
    2630But first, go and set London Bridge on fire,
    And if you can, burne downe the Tower too.
    Come, let's away. Exeunt omnes.

    Alarums. Mathew Goffe is slain, and all the rest.
    Then enter Iacke Cade, with his Company.
    2635Cade. So sirs: now go some and pull down the Sauoy:
    Others to'th Innes of Court, downe with them all.
    But. I haue a suite vnto your Lordship.
    Cade. Bee it a Lordshippe, thou shalt haue it for that
    word.
    2640But. Onely that the Lawes of England may come out
    of your mouth.
    Iohn. Masse 'twill be sore Law then, for he was thrust
    in the mouth with a Speare, and 'tis not whole yet.
    Smith. Nay Iohn, it wil be stinking Law, for his breath
    2645stinkes with eating toasted cheese.
    Cade. I haue thought vpon it, it shall bee so. Away,
    burne all the Records of the Realme, my mouth shall be
    the Parliament of England.
    Iohn. Then we are like to haue biting Statutes
    2650Vnlesse his teeth be pull'd out.
    Cade. And hence-forward all things shall be in Com-
    mon. Enter a Messenger.
    Mes. My Lord, a prize, a prize, heeres the Lord Say,
    which sold the Townes in France. He that made vs pay
    2655one and twenty Fifteenes, and one shilling to the pound,
    the last Subsidie.
    Enter
    About
    Contact us
    Content quality
    Site guide
    © Internet Shakespeare Editions
    Copyright details
    Privacy policy
    This site is supported by:
    University of Victoria
    Friends of the ISE
    SSHRC