Henry VI, Part 2
Shakescleare Translation

Henry VI, Part 2 Translation Act 4, Scene 2

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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. 

HOLLAND

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