Henry VI, Part II by William Shakespeare
Act 4 - Scene 4
London. The palace.
Lord Say : Ay, but I hope your highness shall have his.
Messenger : The rebels are in Southwark; fly, my lord!
[p]Jack Cade proclaims
himself Lord Mortimer,
[p]Descended from the Duke of Clarence'
house,
[p]And calls your grace usurper openly
[p]And vows to crown
himself in Westminster.
[p]His army is a ragged multitude
[p]Of hinds
and peasants, rude and merciless:
[p]Sir Humphrey Stafford and his
brother's death
[p]Hath given them heart and courage to
proceed:
[p]All scholars, lawyers, courtiers, gentlemen,
[p]They call
false caterpillars, and intend their death.
Lord Say : So might your grace's person be in danger.
[p]The sight of me is
odious in their eyes;
[p]And therefore in this city will I stay
[p]And
live alone as secret as I may.
Messenger : Jack Cade hath gotten London bridge:
[p]The citizens fly and forsake
their houses:
[p]The rascal people, thirsting after prey,
[p]Join with
the traitor, and they jointly swear
[p]To spoil the city and your
royal court.
Lord Say : The trust I have is in mine innocence,
[p]And therefore am I bold and
resolute.
Previous: Act 4 - Scene 3
Next: Act 4 - Scene 5



