Act IV, Scene iv

[Enter the KING with a supplication, and the QUEEN with Suffolk'shead, the DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM and the LORD SAY.]

QUEEN.:

Oft have I heard that grief softens the mind

And makes it fearful and degenerate;

Think therefore on revenge and cease to weep.

But who can cease to weep and look on this?

Here may his head lie on my throbbing breast;

But where's the body that I should embrace?

BUCKINGHAM.:

What answer makes your grace to the rebels'

supplication?

KING.:

I'll send some holy bishop to entreat;

For God forbid so many simple souls

Should perish by the sword! And I myself,

Rather than bloody war shall cut them short,

Will parley with Jack Cade their general.—

But stay, I'll read it over once again.

QUEEN.:

Ah, barbarous villains! hath this lovely face

Rul'd, like a wandering planet, over me,

And could it not enforce them to relent

That were unworthy to behold the same?

KING.:

Lord Say, Jack Cade hath sworn to have thy head.

SAY.:

Ay, but I hope your highness shall have his.

KING.:

How now, madam!

Still lamenting and mourning for Suffolk's death?

I fear me, love, if that I had been dead,

Thou wouldst not have mourn'd so much for me.

QUEEN.:

No, my love, I should not mourn, but die for thee.

[Enter a Messenger.]

KING.:

How now! what news? why com'st thou in such haste?

MESSENGER.:

The rebels are in Southwark; fly, my lord!

Jack Cade proclaims himself Lord Mortimer,

Descended from the Duke of Clarence' house,

And calls your grace usurper openly,

And vows to crown himself in Westminster.

His army is a ragged multitude

Of hinds and peasants, rude and merciless;

Sir Humphrey Stafford and his brother's death

Hath given them heart and courage to proceed.

All scholars, lawyers, courtiers, gentlemen,

They call false caterpillars, and intend their death.

KING.:

O graceless men! they know not what they do.

BUCKINGHAM.:

My gracious lord, retire to Killingworth

Until a power be rais'd to put them down.

QUEEN.:

Ah, were the Duke of Suffolk now alive,

These Kentish rebels would be soon appeas'd!

KING.:

Lord Say, the traitors hate thee;

Therefore away with us to Killingworth.

SAY.:

So might your grace's person be in danger.

The sight of me is odious in their eyes;

And therefore in this city will I stay

And live alone as secret as I may.

[Enter another Messenger.]

MESSENGER.:

Jack Cade hath gotten London bridge;

The citizens fly and forsake their houses.

The rascal people, thirsting after prey,

Join with the traitor, and they jointly swear

To spoil the city and your royal court.

BUCKINGHAM.:

Then linger not, my lord; away, take horse.

KING.:

Come Margaret; God, our hope, will succour us.

QUEEN.:

My hope is gone, now Suffolk is deceas'd.

KING.:

Farewell, my lord; trust not the Kentish rebels.

BUCKINGHAM.:

Trust nobody, for fear you be betray'd.

SAY.:

The trust I have is in mine innocence,

And therefore am I bold and resolute.

[Exeunt.]