HENRY V

My Lord of Suffolk, Was it not said the Clergy did refuse To lend us money towards our wars in France? I know it was, for Huntington here tells me, They have been very bountiful of late. God else forbid: why Suffolk, is there Any new rupture to disquiet them? We do find it here, There was in Wales a certain fray of late, Between two noblemen, but what of this? Follows it straight Lord Cobham must be he Did cause the same? I dare be sworn (good knight) He never dreamt of any such contention. How if it did? was either he in place, To take partly with them, or abet them in it? If brabbling fellows, whose in kindled blood, Seethes in their fiery veins, will needs go fight, Making their quarrels of some words that passed, Either of you, or you, amongst their cups, Is the fault yours, or are they guilty of it? We would be loath to press our subjects bodies, Much less their souls, the deer redeemed partly, Of him that is the ruler of us all, Yet let me counsel you, that might command, Do not presume to tempt them with ill words, Nor suffer any meetings to be had Within your house, but to the uttermost, Disperse the flocks of this new gathering sect. Let it suffice we know your loyalty, What have you there? But yet it is not signed with our hand. The fact, you say, was done, Not of prepensed malice, but by chance. There is his pardon, bid him make amends, writes. And cleanse his soul to God for his offence, What we remit, is but the bodies scourge, Enter Bishop. How now Lord Bishop? What means this exclamation, let us know? How, or by whom? Forbear I say, and Bishop, show the cause From whence this late abuse hath been derived, When was this done? And when came you to court? By this it seems, he is not guilty of it, And you have done him wrong t'accuse him so. Or else you durst be bold, to interrupt, And fill our ears with frivolous complaints, Is this the duty you do bear to us? Was't not sufficient we did pass our word To send for him, but you misdoubting it, Or which is worse, intending to forestall Our 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, That was imployde so much amiss herein, Had his desert for being insolent: Enter Huntington So Cobham when you please you may depart. Farewell, what's the news by Huntington? So never 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 in our native bounds? Must we be forced to handsel our sharp blades In England here, which we prepared for France? Well, a Gods name be it, what's their number? say, Or who's the chief commander of this rout? How, the Lord Cobham? I cannot think it yet, he would be false, But if he be, no matter let him go, Weel meet both him and them unto their woe. Trip Dick, Trip George. they trip. George, you are out. Give me the dice, I pass for twenty pound, Heres to our lucky passage into France. Master Parson? we play nothing but gold? Set priest set, I pass for all that gold. Out sir, pay all. No cracked french crowns? I hope to see more cracked french crowns ere long. Give me the dice, 'tis I must shread the priest: At all sir John. I'll cast better yet. I pass for all. Set parson, set, the dice die in my hand: When parson, when? what can you find no more? Already dry? wast you bragd of your store? Yea, and I'll cover it. Nay tarry priest, you shall not leave us yet, Do not these pieces fit each other well? Thereby begins a tale: There was a thief, in face much Like sir John, But was not he, that thief was all in green, Met me last day on Black Heath, near the park, With him a woman, I was all alone, And weaponless, my boy had all my oo S, And was before providing me a boat: Short tale to make, sir John, the thief I mean, Took a joust hundredth pound in gold from me. I stormed at it, and be reueng'de If ere we met, he Like a , Brake with his teeth this ust in two, To be a token at our meeting next, Provided, I should charge no Officer To apprehend him, but at weapons point Recover that, and what he had beside. Well met sir John, betake you to your tools By torch light, for master parson you are he That had my gold. A greed, I charge you do not boudge a foot, Sir John have at you. Butler what news? why dost thou trouble us? Let us withdraw, my Lords, prepare our troops, To charge the rebels, if there be such cause, For this lawed priest this devilish hypocrite, That is a thief, a gamester, and what not, Let him be hanged up for example sake. Will a true subject rob his King? It want of grace: why, you should be as salt To season others with good document, Your lives as lamps to give the people light, As shepherd's, not as wolves to spoil the flock, Go hang him Butler. I confess I have, But I repent and have reclaimed my self. Wilt thou? my lords, will you be his sureties? And we will grant thee that, Live and repent, and prove and honest man, Which when I hear, and safe return from France, I'll give thee living, till when take thy gold, But spend it better then at cards or wine, For better virtues fit that coat of thine. Bring in those traitors, whose aspiring minds, Thought to have triumphed in our overthrow, But now you see, base villains, what success Attends ill actions wrongfully attempted. Sir Roger Acton, thou retainst the name Of knight, and shouldst be more discreetly tempered, Than join with peasants, gentry is divine, But thou hast made it more then popular. Thy conscience? then thy conscience is corrupt, For in thy conscience thou art bound to us, And in thy conscience thou shouldst love thy country, Else what S the difference betwixt a Christian, And the uncivil manners of the Turk? Reform Religion? was it that you sought? I pray who gave you that authority? Belike then we do hold the sceptre up, And fit within the throne but for a cipher, Time was, good subjects would make known their grief, And pray amendment, not enforce the same, Unless their King were tyrant, which I hope You cannot justly say that Harry is, What is that other? Sirrah what made you leave your barley broth, To come in armour thus against your King? And so you brought those horses which we saw, Trapped all in costly furniture, and meant To wear these spurs when you were knighted once. In and out upon occasion, therefore you shall be hanged, and in the stead of wearing these spurs upon your heals, about your neck they shall bewray your folly to the world. That comes too late: but tell me, went there none Beside sir Roger Acton, upon whom You did depend to be your governor? Bears he partly in this conspiracy. enter Bishop But did he promise you that he would come. Now by my ro altie I would have sworn, But for his conscience, which I bear withal, There had not lived a more true hearted subject. Bishop, not only that, but take commission, To search, attach, imprison, and condemn, This most notorious traitor as you please. I think the iron age begins but now, (Which learned poets have so often taught) Wherein there is no credit to be given, To either words, or looks, or solemn oaths, For if there were, how often hath he sworn, How gently tun'de the music of his tongue, And with what amiable face beheld he me, When all, God knows, was but hypocrisy. enter Cobham. Ah villain, canst thou wish prosperity, Whose heart includeth nought but treachery? I do arrest thee here my self, false knight, Of treason capital against the state. Thy neck shall feel it is in earnest shortly, Darest thou intrude into our presence, knowing How haynously thou hast offended us? But this is thy accustomed deceit, Now thou perceiust thy purpose is in vain, With some excuse or other thou wilt come, To clear thy self of this rebellion. If you deny it, here is evidence, See you these men, you never counseled, Nor offered them assistance in their wars No, didst not say that sir John Oldcastle, Was one with whom you purposed to have met? Was there no other argument but that? The more pernicious you to taint him then, Whom you knew not was faulty yea or no. Earl Cambridge, Scroop, and Grey corrupted With bribes from Charles of France, either to win My Crown from me, or secretly contrive My death by treason? Is this possible? O never herd of base ingratitude! Even those I hug within my bosom most, Are readiest evermore to sting my heart. Pardon me Cobham, I have done thee wrong, Hereafter I will live to make amends. Is then their time of meeting so near hand? Weel meet with them, but little for their ease, If God permit: go take these rebels hence, Let them have martial law: but as for thee, Friend to thy king and country, still be free. Exeunt. That were a shame indeed, no, fit again, And you shall have my counsel in this case, If you can find no way to kill this King, Then you shall see how I can further you, Scroopes way by poison was indifferent, But yet being bedfellow unto the King, And unsuspected sleeping in his bosom, In mine opinion, that's the likelier way, For such f lse friends are able to do much, And silent night is Treason's fittest friend, Now, Cambridge in his setting hence for France, Or by the way, or as he goes aboard, To do the deed, that was indifferent too, Yet somewhat doubtful; might I speak my mind, For many reasons needless now to urge. Marry Lord Grey came something near the point, To have the King at council, and there murder him, As Caesar was amongst his dearest friends: None Like to that, if all were of his mind. Tell me o tell me you right honours stains, For which of all my kindnesses to you, Are you become thus traitors to your king? And France must have the spoil of Harries life? How pardon you that were a sin indeed, Drag them to death, which justly they deserve, they lead them away. And France shall dearly buy this villainy, So soon as we set footing on her breast, God have the praise for our deliverance, And next, our thanks (Lord Cobham) is to thee, True perfect mirror of nobility. exeunt. As how? To answer personally, is that your meaning? How if he appeal? I took it always, that our self stood out, As a sufficient refuge, unto whom Not any but might lawfully appeal. But weel not argue now upon that point: For sir John Oldcastle whom you accuse, Let me entreat you to dispense awhile With your high title of pre-eminence. in scorn. Report did never yet condemn him so, But he hath always been reputed loyal: And in my knowledge I can say thus much, That he is virtuous, wise, and honourable: If any way his conscience be seduc'de, To waver in his faith: I'll send for him, And school him privately, if that serve not, Then afterwards you may proceed against him. Butler, be you the messenger for us, And will him presently repair to court. exeunt. 'Tis not enough Lord Cobham to submit. You must forsake your gross opinion, The Bishops find themselves much injured, And though for some good service you have done, We for our partly are pleased to pardon you, Yet they will not so soon be satisfied, Priest, hast thou any more? I wonder how thou comest by all this gold, How many benefices hast thou priest? My lord of Suffolk, post away for life, And let our forces of such horse and foot, As can be gathered up by any means, Make speedy randeuow in Tuttle fields, 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 unite their several forces, Their power is almost thought invincible, Away my Lord I will be with you soon. Make haste my lord of Suffolk as you love us, Butler, post you to London with all speed. Command the Mayor, and shrieves, on their allegiance, The city gates be presently shut up, And guarded with a strong sufficient watch, And not a man be suffered to pass, Without a special warrant from our self. Command the Postern by the Tower be kept, And procl mansion 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 unto my charge. Butler. Go down by Greenwich, and command a boat, At the Friars bridge attend my coming down. It's time I think to look unto rebellion, When Acton does expect unto his aid, No less then fifty thousand Londoners, Well, I'll to Westminster in this disguise, To hear what news is stirring in these brawls. Stand thief, says a true man, how if a thief? Then thief or trueman I see I must stand, I see how soever the world wags, the trade of thieving yet will never down, what art thou? So am I too, I see thou dost know me. I have no money. Is that the plain truth? Well, if thou wilt needs have it, there 'tis: joust the proverb, one thief robs another, where the devil are all my old thieves, that were wont to keep this walk? Falstaff the villain is so fat, he cannot get on's horse, but me thinks Poines and Peto should be stirring here about. A hundred pound in Angels, on my word, The time has been I would have done as much For thee, if thou hadst passed this way, as I have now. I am no less, yet a poor one now, for thou hast all my money. From the court at Eltham. Yes that I am and one of his chamber. Yes faith will I, so it be for no murder. Then of my word I'll do it. There 'tis. Faith I have herd indeed he has had and ill name that way in his youth, but how canst thou tell he has been a thief? Well if he did rob thee then, thou art but even with him now I'll be sworn: thou knowest not the king now, I think, if thou sawest him? So it should seem. Why so? Yes faith will I. Is that the word? well then let me alone. Yes that I can. God have mercy, farewell. exit My Lords of Suffolk and of Huntington, Who scouts it now? or who stands Sentinels? What men of worth? what Lords do walk the round? Peace, no more of that, The King's asleep, wake not his majesty, With terms nor titles, he's at rest in bed, Kings do not use to watch themselves, they sleep, And let rebellion and conspiracy, Revel and havoc in the common wealth, Is London looked unto? I thank you Lords, but you do know of old, That I have been a perfect nightwalker, London you say is safely looked unto, Alas poor rebels, there your aid must fail, And the Lord Cobham sir John Oldcastle, He's quiet in Kenned, Acton you are deceived, Reckon again, you count without your host, To morrow you shall give account to us, Till when my friends, this long cold winter's night, How can we spend? King Harry is a sleep, And all his Lords, these garments tell us so, All friends at footebal, fellows all in field, Harry, and Dick, and George, bring us a drum, Give us square dice, weel keep this court of guard, For all good fellows companies that come. Where that mad priest you told me was in Arms, To fight, as well as pray, if need required?