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Act 4, Scene 7
Henry VI, Part 2 Translation Act 4, Scene 8
Alarum and retreat. Enter CADE and all his rabblement
CADE
Up Fish Street! Down Saint Magnus' Corner! Killand knock down! Throw them into Thames!
CADE
Let's go up Fish Street! Down Saint Magnus' Corner! Kill and knock everything down! Throw them into the Thames!
Sound a parley
CADE
What noise is this I hear? Dare any be so bold tosound retreat or parley, when I command them kill?
CADE
What's that noise? Does anyone dare to sound a retreat or ask for negotiation, when I commanded them to fight?
Enter BUCKINGHAM and CLIFFORD, attended
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BUCKINGHAM
Ay, here they be that dare and will disturb thee: Know, Cade, we come ambassadors from the king Unto the commons whom thou hast misled; And here pronounce free pardon to them all That will forsake thee and go home in peace.
BUCKINGHAM
Yes, we're here to dare and disturb you. Cade, you should know that we are ambassadors from the king to the commoners, whom you have misled. We offer a free pardon to all of them that will abandon you and go home in peace.
CLIFFORD
What say ye, countrymen? Will ye relent, And yield to mercy whilst 'tis offer'd you; Or let a rebel lead you to your deaths? Who loves the king and will embrace his pardon, Fling up his cap, and say 'God save his majesty!' Who hateth him and honours not his father, Henry the Fifth, that made all France to quake, Shake he his weapon at us and pass by.
CLIFFORD
What do you say, countrymen? Will you stop and surrender to the mercy that is offered to you, or let a rebel lead you to your deaths? Whoever loves the king and will accept his pardon, throw your cap in the air and say "God save his majesty!"Whoever hates him and doesn't honor his father, Henry the Fifth—who made all of France shake—shake your weapon in defiance and pass us by.
ALL
God save the king! God save the king!
ALL
God save the king! God save the king!
CADE
What, Buckingham and Clifford, are ye so brave? And you, base peasants, do ye believe him? Will you needs be hanged with your pardons about your necks? Hath my sword therefore broke through London gates, that you should leave me at the White Hart in Southwark? I thought ye would never have given out these arms till you had recovered your ancient freedom: but you are all recreants and dastards, and delight to live in slavery to the nobility. Let them break your backs with burthens, take your houses over your heads, ravish your wives and daughters before your faces: for me, I will make shift for one; and so, God's curse light upon you all!
CADE
Are Buckingham and Clifford so bold? And you, lowly peasants, do you believe him? Will you be hanged with your pardons around your necks? Has my sword broke through London gates so you should leave me at the White Hart in Southwark? I thought you would never have given up these weapons until you have regained your ancient freedom. But you are all deserters and cowards, and want to live like slaves to the nobility. Let them break your backs with burdens, take your houses over your heads, rape your wives and daughters in front of you. I, on the other hand, will look out for myself. and so, God's curse on you all!
ALL
We'll follow Cade, we'll follow Cade!
ALL
We'll follow Cade, we'll follow Cade!
CLIFFORD
Is Cade the son of Henry the Fifth, That thus you do exclaim you'll go with him? Will he conduct you through the heart of France, And make the meanest of you earls and dukes? Alas, he hath no home, no place to fly to; Nor knows he how to live but by the spoil, Unless by robbing of your friends and us. Were't not a shame, that whilst you live at jar, The fearful French, whom you late vanquished, Should make a start o'er seas and vanquish you? Methinks already in this civil broil I see them lording it in London streets, Crying 'Villiago!' unto all they meet. Better ten thousand base-born Cades miscarry Than you should stoop unto a Frenchman's mercy. To France, to France, and get what you have lost; Spare England, for it is your native coast; Henry hath money, you are strong and manly; God on our side, doubt not of victory.
CLIFFORD
Is Cade the son of Henry the Fifth? Is that why you scream that you will follow him? Will he take you through the heart of France and make the most humble of you earls and dukes? No, he has no home and no place to run to, and he doesn't know how to live except by plundering—stealing from your friends and us. Wouldn't it be a shame if while you're rebelling, the terrible French, whom you have recently crushed, were to suddenly invade and crush you? I think that I can already see them in this civil war, taking over London streets, screaming "Foreigners!" at everyone they meet. It would be better if ten thousand lowly-born Cades should die, rather than leaving you at the mercy of the French. To France, to France, and go get what you have lost. Spare England, because it is your native country. Henry has money, you are strong and manly, and God is on our side, so don't doubt that we'll win.
ALL
A Clifford! A Clifford! We'll follow the king and Clifford.
ALL
To Clifford! To Clifford! We'll follow the king and Clifford.
CADE
Was ever feather so lightly blown to and fro as this multitude? The name of Henry the Fifth hales them to an hundred mischiefs, and makes them leave me desolate. I see them lay their heads together to surprise me. My sword make way for me, for here is no staying. In despite of the devils and hell, have through the very middest of you? And heavens and honour be witness, that no want of resolution in me. But only my followers' base and ignominious treasons, makes me betake me to my heels.
CADE
Was there ever a feather blown back and forth as lightly as this crowd? The name of Henry the Fifth moves them and makes them abandon me. I can see them putting their heads together to capture me. Make way for me, my sword, since I'm not staying here. In spite of the devils and hell, I'll cut my way through the middle of the crowd. Heavens and honor be witness that I'm running not because I'm a coward, but only because the lowly and humiliating desertion of my followers make me run away from here.
Exit
BUCKINGHAM
What, is he fled? Go some, and follow him;And he that brings his head unto the kingShall have a thousand crowns for his reward.
BUCKINGHAM
Has he run away? Go, some of you, and follow him. Whoever brings his head to the king will have a reward of thousand crowns.
Exeunt some of them
BUCKINGHAM
Follow me, soldiers: we'll devise a meanTo reconcile you all unto the king.
BUCKINGHAM
Follow me, soldiers. We'll come up with a way to reconcile you all with the king.
Exeunt
