Roch. At six o'clock this morning.
K. Henry. And when came you to court ?
Coh. Last night, my liege.
K. Henry. By tnis, it seems he is not guilty of it,
And you have done nim wrong to accuse him so.
Boch. But it was done, my lord, by his appointment ;
Or else his man durst not have been so bold.
K. Henry. Or else you durst not be bold to interrupt
And fill our ears with Mvolous complaints.
Is this the duty you do bear to us ?
Was't not sufficient we did i)as8 our word
To send for him, but you, misdoubting it.
Or, which is worse, intending to forestall
Oiur regal power, must likewise summon him ?
This savours of ambition, not of zeal ;
And rather proves you malice his estate.
Than any way that he offends the law.
Go to, we like it not ; and he your officer
Had his desert for being insolent.
That was employed so much amiss herein.
So, Cobham, when you please, you may depart.
Cob. I humbly bid farewell unto my hege. \JExit Cobham.
Enter HXTNTINOTON.
K. Henry. Parewell. What is the news by Huntington ?
Htm. Sir Roger Acton, and a crew, my loro,
Of bold seditious rebels, are in arms.
Intending * reformation of religion.
And with their army they intend to pitch
In Picket-field, unless they be repulsed.
K. Henry. So near our presence ? Dare they be so bold ?
And will proud war and eager thirst of blood.
Whom we had thought to entertain far off.
Press forth upon us m our native bounds ?
Most we be forced to handsel our sharp blades
In England here, which we prepared for Eranoe ?
WelL a God's name be it. What's their number, say.
Or wWs the chief commander of this rout ?t
Hvn. Their number is not known as yet, my lord ;
But, 'tis reported, Sir John Oldcastle
Is the chief man on whom they do depend.
JT. Henry. How ! the Lord Cobham ?
Hun. Yes, my gracious lord.
Boch. I could have told your majesty as much
Before he went, but that I saw your grace
Was too much blinded by his flattersr.
8vf. Send post, my lord, to fetch him back again.
Bid. Traitor unto his country, how he smooth'd^
And seem'd as innocent as truth itself !
* J. e. pretending. t J. «• rabblc-ront, body
t How sabmissive and datifal he appeared.
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128 FIB8T PABT OF [aot HI.
K. Senry. I cannot think it ^et he would be CUse ;
But if he be. no matter ;— let him go :
We'll meet both him and them unto their woe.
[Exewwt King ELensy, Suffolk, Huntikoton',
and BUTLEB.
Roch. This falls out well ; and at the last I hope
To see this heretic die in a rope. {ExU,
ACT ni.
SCENE I.—J» Avenue leading to LOBD CoBHAic's Souee in
Kent.
Enter the Earl qf Cambbidge, Lobd Scboofb, Sib Thomas
Gbet, and Ohabtbbs.
Scroope. Once more^ my lord of Cambridge, make rehearsal
How you do stand entitled to the crown :
The deeper shall we print it in our minds,
And every man the better be resolved.
When heperoeives his quarrel to be just
Cam, Then thus, Lord Scroope, Sir Thomas Grey, and you.
Monsieur de Chartres, agent for tne French :
This Lionel, duke of Clarence (as I said),
Third son of Edward, England's king, the third.
Had issue, Philip, his sole daughter and heir ;
Which Philip afterward was given in marriage
To Edmund Mortimer, the earl of March,
And by him had a son called Boger Mortimer ;
Which Boger likewise had of his descent,
Edmund and Boger, Anne and Eleanor,
Two daughters and two sons : but of those, three
Died without issue. Anne, that did survive,
And now was left her other's only heir.
My fortune was to many ; being too,
By my grandfather, of KiiiK Edward's line :
So of his surname, 1 am caH'cL you know,
Bichard Plantagenet : my fatner was
Edward the duke of York, and son and heir
To Edmund Langley, Edward the Third's fifth son.
Scroope. So that it seems your claim comes by your wife,
As lawful heir to Boger Mortimer,
The son of Edmund, which did marnr Philip,
Daughter and heir to Lionel duke of Clarence.
Cam. True ; for this Harry, and his father both,
Harry the Fourth, as plainly doth appear.
Are raise intruders^ and usurp the crown.
For when young Bichard was at Pomfret slain.
In him the title of Prince Edward died.
That was the eldest of King Edward's sons.
William of Hatfield, and their second brother.
dbyGoogk
m€mSfE h] BIB JOHN OIDCASTLS. 129
Death in his nonage had before bereft :
So that my wife, derived from Lionel,
Third son unto King Edward, ought proceed,*
And take possession of the diadem.
Bef ore this Harry, or his father king.
Who fetch their title but from Lancaster,
Fourth of that royal line. And being thus.
What reason is't, but she should have her right?
Scroope. I am resolvedf our enterprise is just.
Orey. Harry shall die, or else resini his crown.
Char. Perform but that, and Charles the king of France
Shall aid you, lords, not only with his men,
But send vou money to maintain your wars.
Five hundred thousand crowns he bade me proffer,
If you can stop but Harry's voyage for France.
Scroone, We never had a fitter time than now,
The realm in such division as it is.
Cam. Besides, you must persuade ^rou, there is due
Yengeance for Bichard's murder, wmch although
It be deferred, yet it will fall at last.
And now as likely as another time.
Sin hath had many years to ripen in ;
And now the harvest cannot be far off,
Wherein the weeds of usurpation
Are to be cropp'd, and cast into the fire.
Scroope. No more. Earl Cambridge ; here I plight my faith
To set up thee and tny renowned wife.
Oretf. Grey will perform the same, as he is -knight.
Char. And, to assist ye, as I said before,
Chartres doth 'gage the honour of his king.
Scroope. We lack but now Lord Cobham*s followship.
And then our plot were absolute indeed.
Cam. Doubt not of him, my lord ; his life pursued
By the incensed clergy, and of late
Brought in displeasure with the king, assures
He uAj be quickly won unto our faction.
AVho lubth tne articles were drawn at large
Of our whole purpose ?
Orejf. That have I, my lord.
Cam. We should not now be far off firom his house.
Our serious conference hath beguiled the way ;
See where his castle stands. Give me the writing ;
When we are come unto the speech of him.
Because we will not stand to make recount
Of that which hath been said, here l?e shall read
Our minds at large, and what we crave of him.
JEnter LOJBD CoBHAM.
Scroope. A ready way. Here comes the man himself.
Booted and spurr'd ; it seems he hath been riding.
Cam. Well met. Lord Cobham.
* Precede. t /. e. convinced.
VOL. V. K
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130 FIB8T PABT OP [ACT in.
Coh. My lord of Cambridge !
Your honour is most welcome into Kent,
And all the rest of this fair company.
I am new come from London, gentle lords :
But will ye not take Cowling* for your host,
And see what entertainment it affords ?
Cam. We were intended to have been your guests :
But now this lucky meeting shall suffice
To end our business, and defer that kindness.
Coh. Business, my lord ? what business should letf
You to be merry ? We have no delioates :
Yet this PU promise you ; a piece of venison,
A cup of wine, and so forth^ hunters' feure :
And if you please, we'll struce the stag ourselves
Shall fill our dishes with his well-fed flesh.
Scroope. That is indeed the thing we all desire.
Cob. My lords, and you shall have vour choice with me.
Cam. Nay, but the stag which we desire to strike,
laves not in Cowling : if you will consent.
And go with us, we'll bring you to a forest
Where nms a lusty herd ; among the which
There is a stag superior to the rest,
A stately beast, that, when his fellows run,
He leads the race, and beats the sullen earth,
As though he scom'd it with his trampling hoofe ;
Alofb he bears his head, and with his breast^
Like a huge bulwark, counterchecks the wmd :
And, when he standeth still, he stretcheth forth
His proud ambitious neck, as if he meant
To wound the firmament with forked horns.
Coh. 'TIS pity such a goodly beast should die.
Cam. Not so. Sir John ; for he is tyrannous,
And ^ores the other deer, and will not keep
Withm the limits are appointed him.
Of late he's broke into a several,!
Which doth belong to me, and there he spoils
Both com and pasture. Two of his wild race.
Alike for stealth and covetous encroaching.
Already are removed ; if he were dead,
I should not only be secure from hurt.
But with lus body make a royal feast.
Scroope. How say you ikeu ? will you first hunt with us ?
Coh. \Faith, lords, t like the pastime : where's the place ?
Cam. Peruse this writing, it will show you all,
And what occasion we have for the sport. [PreseiUs a paper,
Coh. \readi\. Call ye this hunting, my lords P Is this the crtiag
You fain would chase, Harry, our most dread king ?
So we may make a banquet for the devil ;
And, in the stead of wholesome meat, prepare
A dish of poison to confound ourselves.
* The name of Lord Cobham*8 seat. f I. e. hinder yoa.
t Portions of common land assigned for a time to particalar proprietcMrs
dbyGoogk
SCENE I.l SIB JOHN OLDCASTLE. 181
Cam. Wliy so, Lord Cobham ? See you not our claim ?
And how impenously he holds the crown ?
Scroope. Besides, you know yourself is in disgrace,
Held as a recreant, and pursued to death.
This will defend you from your enemies,
And 'stablish your rehgion through the land.
Cob. Notorious treason ! yet I will conceal
My secret thoughts, to sound the depth of it. [Aside,
My lord of Cambridge, I do see your claim,
And what good may redound unto the land.
By prosecuting of tnis enterprise.
But where are men ? where s power and furniture
To order such an action ? We are weak ;
Harry, you know, is a mighty potentate.
Cam. Tut, we are strong enough ; you are beloved.
And many will be glad to follow vou ;
We are the like, and some will follow us :
Nay, there is hope from France : here's an ambassador
That promiseth both men and money too.
The commons likewise, as we hear, pretend*
A sudden tumult 5 we will join with them.
Cob. Some likelihood, I must confess, to speed :
But how shall I beUeve this in plain truth ?
You are, my lords, such men as live in court.
And have been highly favoured of the king.
Especially Lord Scroope, whom oftentimes
He maketh choice of for his bed-fellow :
And yoUj Lord Grey^ are of his privy council :
Is not this a train laid to entrap my life ?
Cam. Then perish may my soul ! What, think you so ?
Scroope. We'll swear to you.
Ghrey. Or take the sacrament.
Cob. Nay, you are noblemen, and I imagine,
As you are honourable by birth, and bloo^
So you will be in heart, in thought, in word.
I crave no other testimony but this : ,
That you would all subscribe, and set your hands
Unto this writing which you ^e to me.
Cam. With all our hearts : Who hath any pen and ink ?
Scroope. My pocket should have one: O, here it is.
Cam. Give it me. Lord Scroope. There is my name.
Scroope. And there is my name.
Cfrep. And mine.
Cob. Sir, let me crave
That you would likewise write your name with theirs,
For confirmation of your master's words,
The king of France.
Char. That will I, noble lord.
Cob. So now this action is well knit together.
And I am for you : where's our meeting, lords ?
Cam, Here, if you please, the tenth of July next.
* I.e. intend.
K 2
dbyGoogk
132 FIB8T PART OF [aCT IIL
Coh. In Kent ? agreed. Now let us in to supper,
I hope your honours will not away to-night
Cam. Yes, presently, for I have far to ride.
About sohciting of other friends.
Scroope. And we would not be absent from the court,
Lest thereby grow suspicion in the king.
Cob. Yet taste a cup of wine before ye go.
Cam. Not now, my lord, we thank you ; so farewell
{Exeunt SCBOOFB, Gbey, CAMBRIDGE, and ChaBTBES.
Coh. Farewell, my noble lords.— My noble lords !
My noble villains, base conspirators !
How can they look his highness in the fooe,
Whom they so closely study to betray ?
But ril not sleep until I make it known :
This head shall not be burthen'd with such thoughts.
Nor in this heart will I conceal a deed
Of such impiety against my king.
Madam, how now?
UiUer Lady Cobham, Lobd Powis, Lady Powis, and
Habpool.
L. Coh. You're welcome home, my lord :
"Why seem you so imquiet in your looks ?
W^mit hath befall'n you that custurbs your mind?
L. Fow. Bad news, I am afraid, touching my husband.
Cob. Madam, not so ; there is your huslMUKTS pardon :
Long may ye hve, each joy unto the other.
Z. Fow. So great a kindness, as I know not how
To make reply ;— my sense is quite confounded.
Cob. Let that alone; and, madam^ stay me not.
For I must back unto the court again.
With all the speed I can : Harpool, mv horse.
L. Cob. So soon, my lord ? what, will you ride all night ?
Cob. All night or day ; it must be so, sweet wife.
Urge me not why, or what my business is,
But get you in.— Lord Powis, bear with me ;
And. madsun, think your welcome ne'er the w(»rse ;
My nouse is at your use. Harpool, away.
ICar. Shall I attend your lordship to me court ?
Cob. Yea, Sir ; your gelding mount you presently.
[Exit Cobham.
L. Cob. I pr'y thee. Harpool, look unto tiiy lord ;
I do not like this sudden posting back. [Exit Habpool.
Fow. Some earnest busmess is afoot bdike ;
Whate'er it be, prav God be his ^ood guide.
L. Fow. Amen, that hath so highly us bestead.
L. Cob. Come, madam, and my lord, we'll hope the best ;
You shall not into Wales till he return.
Fow. Though great occasion be we should depart.
Yet, madam, willwe stay to be resolved
Of uiis unlooked-for, doubtful accident. lExeuni.
dbyGoogk
8CENB II.] 8IE JOHN OLDCA8TLE. 133
SCSNE II.— A Road near Sighgate.
JSfUer MUBLEY and his Followers.
Mur. Come, my hearts of flint, modestly, decently, soberly,
and handsomely; no man afore his leader: follow your master,
your captain, your knight that shall be, for the honour of meal-
men, millers, and malt-men. Dun is the mouse.* Dick and
Tom, for the credit of Dunstable, dine down the enemv to-mor-
row. Ye shall not come into the fiela like beggars. . Where be
Leonard and Lawrence, mv two loaders? Lord have mercy
upon us, what a world is this ! 1 would give a couple of shil-
lings for a dozen of good feathers for you, and forty pence for as
many scarfs to set you out withaL frost and snow, a man has
no heart to fight till he be brave.
IHck. Master, we are no babes, our town foot-balls can bear
witness : this Httle 'parol we have, shaU off, and we'll fight naked
before we run away.
Tom. Najr, I'm of Lawrence' mind for that, for he means to
leaye his life behind him ; he and Leonard, your two loaders, are
making their wills, because they have wives ; and we bachelors
bid our friends scramble for our goods if we die. But, master,
pray ye let me ride upon Cut.
Mur. Meal and salt, wheat and malt, fire and tow, frost anciL
snow; why Tom thou shalt. Let me see, here are you : WilUam
and George are with my cart, and Eobin and Hodge holding my
own two Horses ; proper men, handsome men, tall men, true men.
Dick. But master, master : methinks you are mad to hazard
your own person, and a cart-load of money too.
Tom. Yea, and master, there's a worse matter in't : if it be,
as I heard say, we eo to fight against all the learned bishops.
that should sive us tneir blessing : and if they curse us, we shall
speed ne'er the better.
Dick. Nay by'r lady, some say the king takes their part; and,
master, dare you fight against the king ?
Mur. "Fye, paltry, paltry, in and out, to and fro wpon occasion ;
if the kingbe so unwise to come there, we'll fig^t with him too.
Tom. What, if you should kill the king ?
Mur. Then well make another.
Dick, Is that all ? do you not speak treason ?
Mur, If we do. who dare trip us ? we come to fight for our
oonsdence, and for honour. Little know you what is in my
bosom ; look here, mad knaves, a pair of gilt spurs.
Tom, A pair of golden spurs ? Why do you not put them on
your heels r Your bosom s no place for spurs.
Mur. Be't more or less upon occasion, Lord have mercy upon
us. Tom, thou'rt a fool, and thou speakest treason to knight-
hood. Dare any wear gold or silver spurs, till he be a knignt ?
No, I shall be knighted to-morrow, and then they shall on. Sirs,
was it ever read in the church-book of Dunstable, that ever malt,
man was made knight ?
• A proverbial saying of no fixed import.
• Digitized by VjOOQiC
1S4 FIBST PART OF [ACT III.
Tom. No, but you are more: you are mealman, maltman,
miller, corn-master, and alL
Dick. Tea, and half a brewer too^ and the devil and all for
wealth : you bring more money with you than all the rest.
Mur. The more's my honour ; I shall be a knight to-morrow.
Let me 'spoee* my men ; Tom upon Cut, Dick upon Hob, Hodge
upon Ball, Balph upon Sorrel, and Bobin upon the fore-horse.
Snter AoTON, BoiTBif, and Beybblet.
Tom. Stand ; who comes there ?
Act. All ftiends, good fellow.
Mur. Friends ana fellows indeed. Sir Roger.
Act. Why, thus you show yourself a gentleman.
To keep your day, and come so well prepared.
Your cart stands yonder guarded by your men.
Who tell me it is loaden well with coin.
What sum is there ?
Mur. Ten thousand nound. Sir Eoger ; and modestly, de-
cently, soberly, and handsomely, see what I have here against I
be knighted.
Act. Gilt spurs ? 'Tis well.
Mur. AYhere's our army. Sir ?
Act. Dispersed in sundry villages about ;
Some here with us in Highgate, some at Finchley,
Tot'nam, Enfield, Edmonton, Newington,
Islington, Hogsdon,t PancraSj Kensington ;
Some nearer Thames. Ratcliff, Blackwall, and Bow :
But our chief strength must be the Londoners,
Which, ere the sun to-morrow shine
Will be near fifty thousand in the field.
Mur. Marry, God dild ye, dainty my dear ; but upon occasion.
Sir Boger Acton, doth not the kmg know of it, and gather his
power against us ?
Act. ISO, he's secure at Eltham.
Mur. What do the clergy ?.
Act. They fear extremely, yet prepare no force.
Mur. In and out, to and fro, bully my boykin, we shall cany
the world afore us. I vow, by my worship, when I am knightei
we'll take the king napping, if he stand on their part.
Act. This night we few m Highgate will repose ;
With the first cock well rise ana arm ourselves,
To be in Ficket-field by break of day.
And there expect our general. Sir John Oldcastle.
Mur. What if he comes not ?
Bourn. Yet our action' stands ;
Sir Roger Acton may supply his place.
Mur. True, Master Bourn ; but who shall make me knight ?
£ev. He that hath power to be our general.
Act. Talk not of trifles ; come let us away ;
Our friends of London long till it be day. lE^eutU,
* Dispose. t Hozton.
dbyGoogk
•CBNX IT.] SIR JOHK OLDCjLSTLB. 185
SCENE III. - A High-road in Kent
Enter SiB JOHN and DoLL.
DoU. By my troth, thou art as jealous a man as llyes.
Sir John. Canst thou blame me, Doll ? thou art my lands, my
goods, my jewels, my wealth, my purse: none walks within rorty
miles of London, but 'a plies thee as truly as the parish does the
poor man's box.
Doll. I am as true to thee as the stone is. in the wall ; and
thou know'st well enough 1 was in as good doing when I came
to thee, as any wench need to be ; and therefore tnou hast tried
me, that thou hast : and I will not be kept as I have been, that
I will not
, Sir John. Boll, if this blade hold, there's not a pedlar walks
with a pack, but thou shalt as boldly choose of his wares, as with
thy ready money in a merchant's shop : we'll have as good silver
as the king coins anv.
JDoU. What, is all the gold spent you took the last day from
the eourtier ?
Sir John. Tis gone, Doll, tis flown ; merrily come, merrily
gone. He comes a horseback that must pay for all : we'll have
as good meat as money can get, and as good gowns as can be
bought for gold: be merry, wench, the maltman comes on
Monday.
Doll. You might have left me at Cobham, until you had been
better provided for.
Sir John. No. sweet Doll, no ; I like not that. Ton old ruf-
fian is not for the priest : I do not like a new clerk should come
in the old belfry.
Doll. Thou art a mad priest, i* faith.
1^ John. Come DoU, I'll see thee safe at some ale-house here
st Cray ; and the next sheep that comes shall leave behind his
fleece. [Exeunt.
SCENE IV.'-Blackheath.
Enter KiNa Hbney disguised, SUFFOLK, and BuTLEB.
K. Senrsf, My lord of Suffolk, post away for life,
And let our forces of such horse and foot
As can be gathered up by any meansi
Make speeav rendezvous in Tothill-nelds.
It must be done this evening, my lord ;
This night the rebels mean to draw to head
Near Islington ; which if your speed prevent not^
If once they should unito their several forces,
Their power is almost thought invincible.
Away, my lord, I will be with you soon.
Siif. 1 go, my sovereign, with all hanpy speed.
K. Henry. Make haste, my lord of Suffolk, as you love us.
[Exit Suffolk.
Butler, post you to London with all speed :
Command the mayor and sheriffs, on their allegiance,
The city gates be presently shut up.
dbyGoogk
135 KBST PAET OF UCT UT4
And guarded with a strong sufficient watch ;
And not a man be suffered to pass
Without a special warrant from ourself.
Command the postern by the Tower be kept,
And proclamation, on the pain of death.
That not a citizen stir from his doors.
Except such as the mayor and shrieves shall choose
For their own guard, and safety of their persons.
Butler away, have care imto my charge.
But. I go, my sovereign.
K. Eenry. Butler.
But My lord.
K. Eenry. Go down by Greenwich, and command a boat
At the Friars-bridge attend my coming down.
But. I wUl, my lord. lExU BuTLBB.
K. Men. Irs Ume, I think, to look unto rebellion.
When Acton doth exi)ect unto his aid
No less than fifty thousand Londoners.
Well, I'll to Westminster in this disguise.
To hear what news is stirring in these brawla.
Enter SiB JoHN cmd DoLL.
Sir John, Stand true man, says a thief.
K. Kenry. Stand thie^ says a true man : how if a thief?
Sir John. Stand thief too.
K. Eewry. Then thief or true man, I must stand^ I see. How«
soever the world wags, the trade of thieving yet will never down.
What art thou?
Sir John. A good fellow.
K. Eenry. So I am too ; I see thou dost know me.
Sir John. If thou be a good fellow, play the good fellow's
part ; deliver thy purse without more ado.
K. Eenry. I have no money.
Sir John. I must make you find some before we part If you
have no money, you shall have ware ; as many sound blows as
your skin can carry.
K. Eenry. Is that the plain truth ?
Sir John. Sirrah, no more ado; oome, come, give me the
moneyyou have. Despatch, I cannot stand all day.
K. Eenry. Well, if thou wilt needs have it there it is. Just
the proverb, one thief robs another. Where tne devil are all my
old thieves ? Falstaff that villain is so fat, he cannot get on
his horse; but methinks Poins and Peto should be soning
hereabouts.
Sir John. How much is there on*t, o* thy word?
K. Eenry. A hundred pound in angels, on my word.
The time has been I would have done as much
For thee, if thou hadst pasa'd this way, as I
Have now.
Sir John, Sirrah, what art thou P thou seem'st a gentleman P
K. Eenry, I am no less ; yet a poor one now, for thou hast all
my money.
Sir John, From whence oam'st thou ?
dbyGoogk
SGfilrE IT.] 8IE JOHN 0LBCA8TLB. 187
K, Henry, Prom the court at Eltham.
Sir John. Art thou one of the king's servants ?
K. Henry, Yes, that I am, and one of his chamber.
Sir John. I am glad thou'rt no worse ; thou mayst the better
s^re thy money : and think you thou mightst get a poor thief
his pardon, if he should have need ?
K. Henry. Tes, that I can.
Sir John, Wilt thou do so much for me, when I shall have
occasion? *
K. Henry, Yes, 'faith will I, so it be for no murder.
Sir John. Nay, I am a pitiful* thief ; all the hurt I do a man,
I take but his purse. Til kill no man.
K. Henry. Then, on my word V\\ do't.
Sir John. Give me thy hand on the same.
K. Henry. There 'tis.
Sir John. Methinks the king should be good to thieves, be-
cause he has been a thief himself although I think now ne be
turned a true man.
K. Henry. 'Faith. I have heard indeed he has had an ill name
that way in his youth ; but how canst thou tell that he has been
a thief?
Sir John, How ? because he once robb'd me before I fell to
the trade myself, when that foul villainous guts^hat led him to
all that roguery, was in his oompanv there, that JPalstaff.
K, Henry. Well, if he did rob thee then, thou art but even
with him now, I'll be sworn. \_Aside.'\ Thouknowest not the
king now, I think, if thou sawest him ?
Sir John. Not 1, i' faith.
K. Henry. So it should seem. [Aside.