No Fear Shakespeare: Henry VI, Part 2: Act 4 Scene 2

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Henry VI, Part 2

William Shakespeare

Original Text

Modern Text

SAWYER

Original Text

Modern Text

SAWYER

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Original Text	Modern Text
Enter BEVIS and JOHN HOLLAND with staves.	Enter BEVIS and JOHN HOLLAND with staves.
BEVIS Come, and get thee a sword, though made of a lath. They have been up these two days.	BEVIS Come, and get thee a sword, though made of a lath. They have been up these two days.
HOLLAND They have the more need to sleep now, then.	HOLLAND They have the more need to sleep now, then.
BEVIS I tell thee, Jack Cade the clothier means to dress 5 the commonwealth, and turn it, and set a new nap upon it.	BEVIS I tell thee, Jack Cade the clothier means to dress 5 the commonwealth, and turn it, and set a new nap upon it.
HOLLAND So he had need, for ’tis threadbare. Well, I say, it was never merry world in England since gentlemen came up.	HOLLAND So he had need, for ’tis threadbare. Well, I say, it was never merry world in England since gentlemen came up.
BEVIS 10 O miserable age! Virtue is not regarded in handicraftsmen.	BEVIS 10 O miserable age! Virtue is not regarded in handicraftsmen.
HOLLAND The nobility think scorn to go in leather aprons.	HOLLAND The nobility think scorn to go in leather aprons.
BEVIS Nay, more, the King’s Council are no good 15 workmen.	BEVIS Nay, more, the King’s Council are no good 15 workmen.
HOLLAND True, and yet it is said “Labor in thy vocation,” which is as much to say as “Let the magistrates be laboring men.” And therefore should we be magistrates.	HOLLAND True, and yet it is said “Labor in thy vocation,” which is as much to say as “Let the magistrates be laboring men.” And therefore should we be magistrates.
BEVIS 20 Thou hast hit it, for there’s no better sign of a brave mind than a hard hand.	BEVIS 20 Thou hast hit it, for there’s no better sign of a brave mind than a hard hand.
HOLLAND I see them, I see them! There’s Best’s son, the tanner of Wingham—	HOLLAND I see them, I see them! There’s Best’s son, the tanner of Wingham—
BEVIS He shall have the skins of our enemies to make 25 dog’s leather of.	BEVIS He shall have the skins of our enemies to make 25 dog’s leather of.
HOLLAND And Dick the butcher—	HOLLAND And Dick the butcher—
BEVIS Then is sin struck down like an ox, and iniquity’s throat cut like a calf.	BEVIS Then is sin struck down like an ox, and iniquity’s throat cut like a calf.
HOLLAND And Smith the weaver.	HOLLAND And Smith the weaver.
BEVIS 30 Argo, their thread of life is spun.	BEVIS 30 Argo, their thread of life is spun.
HOLLAND Come, come, let’s fall in with them.	HOLLAND Come, come, let’s fall in with them.
Drum. Enter CADE, DICK the butcher, SMITH the weaver, and a SAWYER, with infinite numbers, all with staves.	Drum. CADE, DICK the butcher, SMITH the weaver, and a SAWYER A sawyer is someone who saws timber. SAWYER
CADE We, John Cade, so termed of our supposed father—	CADE We, John Cade, so termed of our supposed father—
DICK , aside Or rather of stealing a cade of herrings.	DICK , aside Or rather of stealing a cade of herrings.
CADE 35 For our enemies shall fall before us, inspired with the spirit of putting down kings and princes— command silence.	CADE 35 For our enemies shall fall before us, inspired with the spirit of putting down kings and princes— command silence.
DICK Silence!	DICK Silence!
CADE My father was a Mortimer—	CADE My father was a Mortimer—
DICK , aside 40 He was an honest man and a good bricklayer.	DICK , aside 40 He was an honest man and a good bricklayer.
CADE My mother a Plantagenet—	CADE My mother a Plantagenet—
DICK , aside I knew her well; she was a midwife.	DICK , aside I knew her well; she was a midwife.
CADE My wife descended of the Lacys.	CADE My wife descended of the Lacys.
DICK , aside 45 She was indeed a peddler’s daughter, and sold many laces.	DICK , aside 45 She was indeed a peddler’s daughter, and sold many laces.
SMITH , aside But now of late, not able to travel with her furred pack, she washes bucks here at home.	SMITH , aside But now of late, not able to travel with her furred pack, she washes bucks here at home.
CADE Therefore am I of an honorable house.	CADE Therefore am I of an honorable house.
DICK , aside 50 Ay, by my faith, the field is honorable; and there was he born, under a hedge, for his father had never a house but the cage.	DICK , aside 50 Ay, by my faith, the field is honorable; and there was he born, under a hedge, for his father had never a house but the cage.
CADE Valiant I am—	CADE Valiant I am—
SMITH , aside He must needs, for beggary is valiant.	SMITH , aside He must needs, for beggary is valiant.
CADE 55 I am able to endure much—	CADE 55 I am able to endure much—
DICK , aside No question of that; for I have seen him whipped three market-days together.	DICK , aside No question of that; for I have seen him whipped three market-days together.
CADE I fear neither sword nor fire.	CADE I fear neither sword nor fire.
SMITH , aside He need not fear the sword, for his coat 60 is of proof.	SMITH , aside He need not fear the sword, for his coat 60 is of proof.
DICK , aside But methinks he should stand in fear of fire, being burnt i’ th’ hand for stealing of sheep.	DICK , aside But methinks he should stand in fear of fire, being burnt i’ th’ hand for stealing of sheep.
CADE Be brave, then, for your captain is brave and vows reformation. There shall be in England seven 65 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 palfrey go to grass. And when I am king, as king I will be—	CADE Be brave, then, for your captain is brave and vows reformation. There shall be in England seven 65 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 palfrey go to grass. And when I am king, as king I will be—
ALL 70 God save your Majesty!	ALL 70 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.	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 75 The first thing we do, let’s kill all the lawyers.	DICK 75 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 80 stings, but I say, ’tis the beeswax; for I did but seal once to a thing, and I was never mine own man since. How now? Who’s there?	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 80 stings, but I say, ’tis the beeswax; for I did but seal once to a thing, and I was never mine own man since. How now? Who’s there?
Enter a CLERK OF CHARTHAM, under guard.	Enter a CLERK OF CHARTHAM, under guard.
SMITH The clerk of Chartham. He can write and read and cast account.	SMITH The clerk of Chartham. He can write and read and cast account.
CADE 85 O, monstrous!	CADE 85 O, monstrous!
SMITH We took him setting of boys’ copies.	SMITH We took him setting of boys’ copies.
CADE Here’s a villain!	CADE Here’s a villain!
SMITH H’as a book in his pocket with red letters in ’t.	SMITH H’as a book in his pocket with red letters in ’t.
CADE Nay, then, he is a conjurer.	CADE Nay, then, he is a conjurer.
DICK 90 Nay, he can make obligations and write court hand.	DICK 90 Nay, he can make obligations and write court hand.
CADE I am sorry for ’t. The man is a proper man, of mine honor. Unless I find him guilty, he shall not die.—Come hither, sirrah; I must examine thee. 95 What is thy name?	CADE I am sorry for ’t. The man is a proper man, of mine honor. Unless I find him guilty, he shall not die.—Come hither, sirrah; I must examine thee. 95 What is thy name?
CLERK Emmanuel.	CLERK Emmanuel.
DICK They use to write it on the top of letters.—’Twill go hard with you.	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 100 name? Or hast thou a mark to thyself, like an honest, plain-dealing man?	CADE Let me alone.—Dost thou use to write thy 100 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.	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 105 and a traitor.	ALL He hath confessed. Away with him! He’s a villain 105 and a traitor.
CADE Away with him, I say! Hang him with his pen and inkhorn about his neck.	CADE Away with him, I say! Hang him with his pen and inkhorn about his neck.
One exits with the CLERK.	One exits with the CLERK.
Enter MICHAEL.	Enter MICHAEL.
MICHAEL Where’s our general?	MICHAEL Where’s our general?
CADE Here I am, thou particular fellow.	CADE Here I am, thou particular fellow.
MICHAEL 110 Fly, fly, fly! Sir Humphrey Stafford and his brother are hard by, with the King’s forces.	MICHAEL 110 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 he?	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 he?
MICHAEL 115 No.	MICHAEL 115 No.
CADE To equal him I will make myself a knight presently. He kneels. Rise up Sir John Mortimer. He rises. Now have at him!	CADE To equal him I will make myself a knight presently. He kneels. Rise up Sir John Mortimer. He rises. Now have at him!
Enter SIR HUMPHREY STAFFORD and his BROTHER, with a HERALD, DRUM, and SOLDIERS.	Enter SIR HUMPHREY STAFFORD and his BROTHER, with a HERALD, DRUM, and SOLDIERS.
STAFFORD Rebellious hinds, the filth and scum of Kent, 120 Marked for the gallows, lay your weapons down! Home to your cottages; forsake this groom. The King is merciful, if you revolt.	STAFFORD Rebellious hinds, the filth and scum of Kent, 120 Marked for the gallows, lay your weapons down! Home to your cottages; forsake this groom. The King is merciful, if you revolt.
BROTHER But angry, wrathful, and inclined to blood, If you go forward. Therefore yield, or die.	BROTHER But angry, wrathful, and inclined to blood, If you go forward. Therefore yield, or die.
CADE 125 As for these silken-coated slaves, I pass not. It is to you, good people, that I speak, Over whom, in time to come, I hope to reign, For I am rightful heir unto the crown.	CADE 125 As for these silken-coated slaves, I pass not. It is to you, good people, that I speak, Over whom, in time to come, I hope to reign, For I am rightful heir unto the crown.
STAFFORD Villain, thy father was a plasterer, 130 And thou thyself a shearman, art thou not?	STAFFORD Villain, thy father was a plasterer, 130 And thou thyself a shearman, art thou not?
CADE And Adam was a gardener.	CADE And Adam was a gardener.
BROTHER And what of that?	BROTHER And what of that?
CADE Marry, this: Edmund Mortimer, Earl of March, Married the Duke of Clarence’ daughter, did he not?	CADE Marry, this: Edmund Mortimer, Earl of March, Married the Duke of Clarence’ daughter, did he not?
STAFFORD 135 Ay, sir.	STAFFORD 135 Ay, sir.
CADE By her he had two children at one birth.	CADE By her he had two children at one birth.
BROTHER That’s false.	BROTHER That’s false.
CADE Ay, there’s the question. But I say ’tis true. The elder of them, being put to nurse, 140 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.	CADE Ay, there’s the question. But I say ’tis true. The elder of them, being put to nurse, 140 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.	DICK Nay, ’tis too true. Therefore he shall be king.
SMITH 145 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.	SMITH 145 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.
STAFFORD And will you credit this base drudge’s words, That speaks he knows not what?	STAFFORD And will you credit this base drudge’s words, That speaks he knows not what?
ALL Ay, marry, will we. Therefore get you gone.	ALL Ay, marry, will we. Therefore get you gone.
BROTHER Jack Cade, the Duke of York hath taught you this.	BROTHER Jack Cade, the Duke of York hath taught you this.
CADE He lies, aside 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 155 span-counter for French crowns, I am content he shall reign, but I’ll be Protector over him.	CADE He lies, aside 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 155 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 Saye’s head for selling the dukedom of Maine.	DICK And, furthermore, we’ll have the Lord Saye’s head for selling the dukedom of Maine.
CADE And good reason: for thereby is England mained 160 and fain to go with a staff, but that my puissance holds it up. Fellow kings, I tell you that that Lord Saye hath gelded the commonwealth and made it an eunuch; and, more than that, he can speak French, and therefore he is a traitor.	CADE And good reason: for thereby is England mained 160 and fain to go with a staff, but that my puissance holds it up. Fellow kings, I tell you that that Lord Saye hath gelded the commonwealth and made it an eunuch; and, more than that, he can speak French, and therefore he is a traitor.
STAFFORD 165 O, gross and miserable ignorance!	STAFFORD 165 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 counselor, or no?	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 counselor, or no?
ALL 170 No, no, and therefore we’ll have his head!	ALL 170 No, no, and therefore we’ll have his head!
BROTHER , to STAFFORD Well, seeing gentle words will not prevail, Assail them with the army of the King.	BROTHER , to STAFFORD Well, seeing gentle words will not prevail, Assail them with the army of the King.
STAFFORD Herald, away, and throughout every town Proclaim them traitors that are up with Cade, 175 That those which fly before the battle ends May, even in their wives’ and children’s sight Be hanged up for example at their doors.— And you that be the King’s friends, follow me.	STAFFORD Herald, away, and throughout every town Proclaim them traitors that are up with Cade, 175 That those which fly before the battle ends May, even in their wives’ and children’s sight Be hanged up for example at their doors.— And you that be the King’s friends, follow me.
The STAFFORDS, SOLDIERS, and HERALD exit.	The STAFFORDS, SOLDIERS, and HERALD exit.
CADE And you that love the Commons, follow me. 180 Now show 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.	CADE And you that love the Commons, follow me. 180 Now show 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 185 They are all in order and march toward us.	DICK 185 They are all in order and march toward us.
CADE But then are we in order when we are most out of order. Come, march forward.	CADE But then are we in order when we are most out of order. Come, march forward.
They exit.	They exit.