Henry VI, Part II by William Shakespeare
Act 4 - Scene 8
Southwark.
Jack Cade : Up Fish Street! down Saint Magnus' Corner! Kill
[p]and knock down!
throw them into Thames!
[p][Sound a parley]
[p]What noise is this I
hear? Dare any be so bold to
[p]sound retreat or parley, when I
command them kill?
All : God save the king! God save the king!
Jack Cade : What, Buckingham and Clifford, are ye so brave? And
[p]you, base
peasants, do ye believe him? will you
[p]needs be hanged with your
pardons about your necks?
[p]Hath my sword therefore broke through
London gates,
[p]that you should leave me at the White Hart
in
[p]Southwark? I thought ye would never have given out
[p]these arms
till you had recovered your ancient
[p]freedom: but you are all
recreants and dastards,
[p]and delight to live in slavery to the
nobility. Let
[p]them break your backs with burthens, take
your
[p]houses over your heads, ravish your wives and
[p]daughters
before your faces: for me, I will make
[p]shift for one; and so, God's
curse light upon you
[p]all!
All : We'll follow Cade, we'll follow Cade!
All : A Clifford! a Clifford! we'll follow the king and Clifford.
Jack Cade : Was ever feather so lightly blown to and fro as this
[p]multitude? The
name of Henry the Fifth hales them
[p]to an hundred mischiefs, and
makes them leave me
[p]desolate. I see them lay their heads together
to
[p]surprise me. My sword make way for me, for here is
[p]no
staying. In despite of the devils and hell, have
[p]through the very
middest of you? and heavens and
[p]honour be witness, that no want of
resolution in me.
[p]but only my followers' base and
ignominious
[p]treasons, makes me betake me to my heels.
Previous: Act 4 - Scene 7
Next: Act 4 - Scene 9



