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  • 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    Not Peer Reviewed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)

    Alarum, and Retreat. Enter againe Cade,
    and all his rabblement.
    2775Cade. Vp Fish-streete, downe Saint Magnes corner,
    kill and knocke downe, throw them into Thames:
    Sound a parley.
    What noise is this I heare?
    Dare any be so bold to sound Retreat or Parley
    2780When I command them kill?
    o Enter
    142The second Part of Henry the Sixt.
    Enter Buckingham, and old Clifford.
    Buc. I heere they be, that dare and will disturb thee:
    Know Cade, we come Ambassadors from the King
    Vnto the Commons, whom thou hast misled,
    2785And heere pronounce free pardon to them all,
    That will forsake thee, and go home in peace.
    Clif. What say ye Countrimen, will ye relent
    And yeeld to mercy, whil'st 'tis offered you,
    Or let a rabble leade you to your deaths.
    2790Who loues the King, and will imbrace his pardon,
    Fling vp his cap, and say, God saue his Maiesty.
    Who hateth him, and honors not his Father,
    Henry the fift, that made all France to quake,
    Shake he his weapon at vs, and passe by.
    2795All. God saue the King, God saue the King.
    Cade. What Buckingham and Clifford are ye so braue?
    And you base Pezants, do ye beleeue him, will you needs
    be hang'd with your Pardons about your neckes? Hath
    my sword therefore broke through London gates, that
    2800you should leaue me at the White-heart in Southwarke.
    I thought ye would neuer haue giuen out these Armes til
    you had recouered your ancient Freedome. But you are
    all Recreants and Dastards, and delight to liue in slauerie
    to the Nobility. Let them breake your backes with bur-
    2805thens, take your houses ouer your heads, rauish your
    Wiues and Daughters before your faces. For me, I will
    make shift for one, and so Gods Cursse light vppon you
    all.
    All. Wee'l follow Cade,
    2810Wee'l follow Cade.
    Clif. Is Cade the sonne of Henry the fift,
    That thus you do exclaime you'l go with him.
    Will he conduct you through the heart of France,
    And make the meanest of you Earles and Dukes?
    2815Alas, he hath no home, no place to flye too:
    Nor knowes he how to liue, but by the spoile,
    Vnlesse by robbing of your Friends, and vs.
    Wer't not a shame, that whilst you liue at iarre,
    The fearfull French, whom you late vanquished
    2820Should make a start ore-seas, and vanquish you?
    Me thinkes alreadie in this ciuill broyle,
    I see them Lording it in London streets,
    Crying Villiago vnto all they meete.
    Better ten thousand base-borne Cades miscarry,
    2825Then you should stoope vnto a Frenchmans mercy.
    To France, to France, and get what you haue lost:
    Spare England, for it is your Natiue Coast:
    Henry hath mony, you are strong and manly:
    God on our side, doubt not of Victorie.
    2830All. A Clifford, a Clifford,
    Wee'l follow the King, and Clifford.
    Cade. Was euer Feather so lightly blowne too & fro,
    as this multitude? The name of Henry the fift, hales them
    to an hundred mischiefes, and makes them leaue mee de-
    2835solate. I see them lay their heades together to surprize
    me. My sword make way for me, for heere is no staying:
    in despight of the diuels and hell, haue through the verie
    middest of you, and heauens and honor be witnesse, that
    no want of resolution in mee, but onely my Followers
    2840base and ignominious treasons, makes me betake mee to
    my heeles. Exit
    Buck. What, is he fled? Go some and follow him,
    And he that brings his head vnto the King,
    Shall haue a thousand Crownes for his reward.
    2845 Exeunt some of them.
    Follow me souldiers, wee'l deuise a meane,
    To reconcile you all vnto the King. Exeunt omnes.
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