CADE
Up Fish Street! Down Saint Magnus’ Corner! Kill and knock down! Throw them into Thames! What noise is this I hear? Dare any be so bold to sound retreat or parley when I command them kill?
BUCKINGHAM
Ay, here they be that dare and will disturb .
Know, Cade, we come ambassadors from the King
Unto the commons, whom misled,
And here pronounce free pardon to them all
That will forsake and go home in peace.
CLIFFORD
What say , countrymen? Will relent
And yield to mercy whilst offered you,
Or let a rebel 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 so brave? And you, base peasants, do believe him? Will you needs be hanged with your pardons about your necks? my sword therefore broke through London gates, that you should leave me at the White Hart in Southwark? I thought 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!
CLIFFORD
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 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 seas and vanquish you?
already in this civil broil
I see them lording it in London streets,
Crying “Villiago!” 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 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 an 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 middest 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.
BUCKINGHAM
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.
BUCKINGHAM
Follow me, soldiers; we’ll devise a mean
To reconcile you all unto the King.