Henry VI, Part 2 Translation Act 4, Scene 2
Enter GEORGE BEVIS and JOHN HOLLAND
BEVIS
Come, and get thee a sword, though made of a lath;they have been up these two days.
BEVIS
Come and get yourself a sword, even though it's made of wood. They've been rebelling these past two days.
HOLLAND
They have the more need to sleep now, then.
HOLLAND
They have more reason to sleep now, then.
BEVIS
I tell thee, Jack Cade the clothier means to dressthe commonwealth, and turn it, and set a new nap upon it.
BEVIS
I am telling you, Jack Cade the cloth worker means to clothe and reform the commonwealth, turn it upside down, and give it a smooth finish.
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So he had need, for 'tis threadbare. Well, I say itwas never merry world in England since gentlemen came up.
HOLLAND
He really needs to, since it's worn-out. Well, I say that England has never been as good as in the old days, ever since gentlemen came into fashion.
BEVIS
O miserable age! Virtue is not regarded in handicrafts-men.
BEVIS
Oh, it's a miserable time! Virtue is not valued in handicraft workers.
HOLLAND
The nobility think scorn to go in leather aprons.
HOLLAND
The nobility consider it lowly to wear leather aprons like working men.
BEVIS
Nay, more, the king's council are no good workmen.
BEVIS
No, it's even worse. The king's council are not good working men.
HOLLAND
True; and yet it is said, labour in thy vocation; which is as much to say as, let the magistrates be labouring men; and therefore should we be magistrates.
HOLLAND
True! And yet it is said that each man must do his own job. Which is as much to say the magistrates should be working men. So we should be magistrates.
BEVIS
Thou hast hit it; for there's no better sign of abrave mind than a hard hand.
BEVIS
You have hit the nail on the head, because there is no better sign of a fine mind than a hand toughened by manual labor.
HOLLAND
I see them! I see them! There's Best's son, thetanner of Wingham,—
HOLLAND
I see them, I see them! There's Best's son, the craftsman of Wingham—
BEVIS
He shall have the skin of our enemies, to makedog's-leather of.
BEVIS
He'll make gloves out of the skin of our enemies!
HOLLAND
And Dick the Butcher,—
HOLLAND
And Dick the Butcher—
BEVIS
Then is sin struck down like an ox, and iniquity'sthroat cut like a calf.
BEVIS
He'll shoot down sin like an ox, and cut the throat of injustice like a calf.
HOLLAND
And Smith the weaver,—
HOLLAND
And Smith, the weaver—
BEVIS
Argo, their thread of life is spun.
BEVIS
So, their fate is determined.
HOLLAND
Come, come, let's fall in with them.
HOLLAND
Come, come, let's join them!
Drum. Enter CADE, DICK the Butcher, SMITH the Weaver, and a Sawyer, with infinite numbers
CADE
We John Cade, so termed of our supposed father,—
CADE
We John Cade, named after our supposed father—
DICK
[Aside] Or rather, of stealing a cade of herrings.
DICK
[To himself] Or rather, because he stole a barrel of herrings.
CADE
For our enemies shall fall before us, inspired withthe spirit of putting down kings and princes,—Command silence.
CADE
Our enemies will fall before us, since we're inspired to put down kings and noblemen—tell everyone to be quiet.
DICK
Silence!
DICK
Be quiet!
CADE
My father was a Mortimer,—
CADE
My father was a Mortimer—
DICK
[Aside] He was an honest man, and a goodbricklayer.
DICK
[To himself] 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
[To himself] I knew her well, she was a midwife.
CADE
My wife descended of the Lacies,—
CADE
My wife descended from the Lacys—
DICK
[Aside] She was, indeed, a pedler's daughter, andsold many laces.
DICK
[So only SMITH can hear him] Indeed, she was a pedlar's daughter and sold many laces.
SMITH
[Aside] But now of late, not able to travel with herfurred pack, she washes bucks here at home.
SMITH
[So only DICK can hear him] But recently, she is not able to travel with her pedlar's pack, so she washes her laundry here at home.
CADE
Therefore am I of an honourable house.
CADE
So I come from an honorable house.
DICK
[Aside] Ay, by my faith, the field is honourable;and there was he borne, under a hedge, for hisfather had never a house but the cage.
DICK
[To himself] Yes, indeed, the field is honorable. In fact he was born in a field, under a hedge, since his father never had a house but only a cage.
CADE
Valiant I am.
CADE
I am brave.
SMITH
[Aside] A' must needs; for beggary is valiant.
SMITH
[To himself] Yes, he must be. Since being a beggar is brave.
CADE
I am able to endure much.
CADE
I am able to endure much.
DICK
[Aside] No question of that; for I have seen himwhipped three market-days together.
DICK
[To himself] There is no question of that, because I have seen him whipped at the market three days in a row.
CADE
I fear neither sword nor fire.
CADE
I am not afraid of sword or fire.
SMITH
[Aside] He need not fear the sword; for his coat is ofproof.
SMITH
[So only DICK can hear him] He is not afraid of the sword, because his coat is so that it serves as an impenetrable armor.
DICK
[Aside] But methinks he should stand in fear offire, being burnt i' the hand for stealing of sheep.
DICK
[So only SMITH can hear him] But I think that he should be afraid of fire, since he was branded on the hand for stealing sheep.
CADE
Be brave, then; for your captain is brave, and vows reformation. There shall be in England seven 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, because your captain is brave and he promises you major changes. There will be seven halfpenny loaves of bread sold for a penny in England; the three-hooped pot shall have ten hoops; and I will make it a crime to drink weak beer. Everything in the country will be a common resource. My riding horse will go to graze on Cheapside. And when I am king, because I will be king—
ALL
God save your majesty!
ALL
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 will be no money. Everyone will eat and drink on me, and I will dress them all in one uniform, so that they may get on like brothers and worship me, their lord.
DICK
The first thing we do, let's kill all the lawyers.
DICK
The first thing we'll do is 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 stings: but I say, 'tis the bee's wax; for I did but seal once to a thing, and I was never mine own man since. How now! Who's there?
CADE
No, that's my plan. Isn't it a miserable thing, that the skin of an innocent lamb is made into parchment? And that parchment is written on and then condemns a man? Some say that the bee stings, but I say it's the bee's sealing wax, because I put my name on a document once and I haven't been my own person ever since. What's this? Who's there?
Enter some, bringing forward the Clerk of Chartham
SMITH
The clerk of Chartham: he can write and read andcast accompt.
SMITH
The clerk of Chartham. He can write and read and add up accounts.
CADE
O monstrous!
CADE
Oh, how unnatural!
SMITH
We took him setting of boys' copies.
SMITH
We found him preparing written exercises for schoolboys.
CADE
Here's a villain!
CADE
Here's a villain!
SMITH
Has a book in his pocket with red letters in't.
SMITH
He has a book in his pocket with the saints' days printed in red.
CADE
Nay, then, he is a conjurer.
CADE
Ah, well, then he is a magician.
DICK
Nay, he can make obligations, and write court-hand.
DICK
No, he can draw up legal bonds and write legal documents.
CADE
I am sorry for't: the man is a proper man, of minehonour; unless I find him guilty, he shall not die.Come hither, sirrah, I must examine thee: what is thy name?
CADE
I am sorry for that. The man is a fine man, by my honor. Unless I find him guilty, he won't die. Come here, sir, I must question you. What's your name?
CLERK
Emmanuel.
CLERK
Emmanuel.
DICK
They use to write it on the top of letters: 'twillgo hard with you.
DICK
They used to write it on the top of letters. It will be worse with you.
CADE
Let me alone. Dost thou use to write thy name? Orhast thou a mark to thyself, like an honestplain-dealing man?
CADE
Leave me alone. Do you usually write your name? Or do you sign your name with a mark, like an honest simple man?
CLERK
Sir, I thank God, I have been so well brought upthat 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 villainand a traitor.
ALL
He has confessed it! Take him away! He's a villain and a traitor.
CADE
Away with him, I say! Hang him with his pen andink-horn about his neck.
CADE
Take him away, I say! Hang him with his pen and inkwell around his neck.
Exit one with the Clerk
Enter MICHAEL
MICHAEL
Where's our general?
MICHAEL
Where is our general?
CADE
Here I am, thou particular fellow.
CADE
Here I am, man.
MICHAEL
Fly, fly, fly! Sir Humphrey Stafford and hisbrother are hard by, with the king's forces.
MICHAEL
Run, run run! Sir Humphrey Stafford and his brother are close with the king's armies.
CADE
Stand, villain, stand, or I'll fell thee down. Heshall be encountered with a man as good as himself:he is but a knight, is a'?
CADE
Wait, villain, wait! Or I'll stop you. He's picking a fight with a man as good as himself. He's nothing but a knight, right?
MICHAEL
No.
MICHAEL
No, nothing but a knight.
CADE
To equal him, I will make myself a knight presently.
CADE
To match him, I'll make myself into a knight right now.
Kneels
CADE
Rise up Sir John Mortimer.
CADE
Stand up, Sir John Mortimer.
Rises
CADE
Now have at him!
CADE
Now, let's have him!
Enter SIR HUMPHREY and WILLIAM STAFFORD, with drum and soldiers
SIR HUMPHREY
Rebellious hinds, the filth and scum of Kent, Mark'd for the gallows, lay your weapons down; Home to your cottages, forsake this groom: The king is merciful, if you revolt.
SIR HUMPHREY
Rebellious peasants, the filth and scum of Kent, ready for the gallows—put your weapons down. Go home to your cottages; abandon this servant Cade. The king will have mercy, if you surrender.
WILLIAM STAFFORD
But angry, wrathful, and inclined to blood,If you go forward; therefore yield, or die.
WILLIAM STAFFORD
But if you are angry, mad, and bloodthirsty, and if you go ahead, you'll either surrender or you'll die.
CADE
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
I don't care for these slaves with silk coats on. It is to you, good people, that I speak. I hope to rule over you in time to come, because I am the rightful heir to the crown!
SIR HUMPHREY
Villain, thy father was a plasterer;And thou thyself a shearman, art thou not?
SIR HUMPHREY
Villain, your father was a plasterer. And you yourself are a man who shears wool, aren't you?
CADE
And Adam was a gardener.
CADE
And Adam was a gardener.
WILLIAM STAFFORD
And what of that?
WILLIAM STAFFORD
So what?
CADE
Marry, this: Edmund Mortimer, Earl of March.Married the Duke of Clarence' daughter, did he not?
CADE
So this: Edmund Mortimer, Earl of March married the Duke of Clarence's daughter, didn't he?
SIR HUMPHREY
Ay, sir.
SIR HUMPHREY
Yes, sir.
CADE
By her he had two children at one birth.
CADE
He had twins with her.
WILLIAM STAFFORD
That's false.
WILLIAM STAFFORD
That's not true.
CADE
Ay, there's the question; but I say, 'tis true: The elder of them, being put to nurse, Was by a beggar-woman stolen 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
Yes, that's the question. But I say that it is true. The elder of them was given to the nurse to be breastfed, and the baby was stolen away by a beggar woman. He didn't know about his birth or parentage and so he became a bricklayer when he grew up. I am his son. Deny it if you can.
DICK
Nay, 'tis too true; therefore he shall be king.
DICK
No, it's too true! So he should be king.
SMITH
Sir, he made a chimney in my father's house, andthe bricks are alive at this day to testify it;therefore deny it not.
SMITH
Sir, he built a chimney in my father's house and the bricks are still there today to testify it. So don't deny it.
SIR HUMPHREY
And will you credit this base drudge's words,That speaks he knows not what?
SIR HUMPHREY
And will you believe the words of this lowly slave that doesn't know what he is talking about?
ALL
Ay, marry, will we; therefore get ye gone.
ALL
Yes, we will. So go away!
WILLIAM STAFFORD
Jack Cade, the Duke of York hath taught you this.
WILLIAM STAFFORD
Jack Cade, the Duke of York has told you to do this.
CADE
[Aside] He lies, 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 span-counter for French crowns, I am content he shall reign; but I'll be protector over him.
CADE
[To himself] He's wrong, since I made it up myself. [Aloud] Go, sir, tell the king from me that for his father's sake—Henry the Fifth, in whose time boys fought the French—I am happy that he's king. But I'll be his protector.
DICK
And furthermore, we'll have the Lord Say's head forselling the dukedom of Maine.
DICK
And moreover, we'll have the Lord Say's head for selling the dukedom of Maine.
CADE
And good reason; for thereby is England mained, and fain to go with a staff, but that my puissance holds it up. Fellow kings, I tell you that that Lord Say 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 for good reason. Because of him, England is now maimed, obliged to walk with a staff, and only my power holds it up. Fellow kings, I tell you that Lord Say has castrated the commonwealth and made it an eunuch. And worse than that, he can speak French, and therefore he is a traitor.
SIR HUMPHREY
O gross and miserable ignorance!
SIR HUMPHREY
Oh, utter and pitiable 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 counsellor, or no?
CADE
No, answer if you can. The French are our enemies. You can leave after I ask you this: can someone who speaks the language of the enemy be a good counselor, or not?
ALL
No, no; and therefore we'll have his head.
ALL
No, no; and so we'll have his head!
WILLIAM STAFFORD
Well, seeing gentle words will not prevail,Assail them with the army of the king.
WILLIAM STAFFORD
Well, since peaceable words won't work, attack them with the king's army.
SIR HUMPHREY
Herald, away; and throughout every town Proclaim them traitors that are up with Cade; That those which fly before the battle ends May, even in their wives' and children's sight, Be hang'd up for example at their doors: And you that be the king's friends, follow me.
SIR HUMPHREY
Messenger, go and proclaim in every town that those who are fighting alongside Cade are traitors. And announce that those who try to run away before the battle ends may be hanged at their own doors as an example, even in the sight of their wives and children. All of you that fight for the king, follow me!
Exeunt WILLIAM STAFFORD and SIR HUMPHREY, and soldiers
CADE
And you that love the commons, follow me. 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 common people, follow me! Now show yourselves, men; this fight is for freedom. We won't spare one lord or one gentleman. Don't spare anyone but people who wear patched shoes, because they are respectable honest men and would be on our side, if they dared.
DICK
They are all in order and march toward us.
DICK
They are all in order for battle and are marching towards us!
CADE
But then are we in order when we are mostout of order. Come, march forward.
CADE
But we are most ordered when we are out of order and rebellious. Come, let's march forward!
Exeunt
