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down: he shall be encounter'd with a man as good as himself: he is but a knight, is 'a?

Mich. No.

Cade. To equal him 1 will make myself a knight presently; rise up Sir John Mortimer. Now have at him.

Enter Sir HUMPHREY STAFFORD, and WIL-
LIAM his Brother, with Drum and Forces.
Staf. 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.

W. Staf. But angry, wrathful, and inclined
to blood,

If you go forward: therefore yield, or die.

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 haug'd up for example at their doors :-
And you, that be the king's friends, follow

me.

[Exeunt the two STAFFORDS and Forces. 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.

Dick. They are all in order, and march to-
wards us.

Cade. But then are we in order, when we are

Cade. As for these silken-coated slaves, 1 most out of order. Come, march forward.
pass not;

It is to you, good people, that I speak,
O'er whom, in time to come, I hope to reign;
For I am rightful heir unto the crown.

Staf. Villain, thy father was a plasterer;
And thou thyself a shearman, art thou not?
Cade. And Adam was a gardener.
W. Staf. And what of that?
Cade. Marry, this :-Edmund Mortimer,
of March,

earl

Married the duke of Clarence's daughter; he not?

Staf. Ay, Sir.

birth.

did

[Exeunt.

SCENE III.-Another part of Blackheath.
Alarums.-The two Parties enter, and fight,
and both the STAFFORDS are slain.
Cade. Where's Dick, the butcher of Ashford ?
Dick. Here, Sir.

Cade. They fell before thee like sheep and oxen, and thou behavedst thyself as if thou hadst been in thine own slaughter-house : therefore thus will I reward thee,-The Lent shall be as long again as it is; and thou shalt

Cade. By her he had two children at one have a licence to kill for a hundred, lacking

W. Staf. That's false.

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.

Dick. Nay, 'tis too true; therefore he shall
be king.

Smith. Sir, he made a chimney in my father's house, and the bricks are alive at this day to testify it; therefore, deny it not.

Staf. And will you credit this base drudge's words,

That speaks he knows not what?

All. Ay, marry, will we; therefore get ye

gone.

W. Staf. Jack Cade, the duke of York hath taught you this.

Cade. He lies, for I invented it myself. [Aside.]-Go to, Sirrah, tell the king from me, that for his father's sake, Henry the Fifth, in whose times boys went to span-counter for French crowns, I am content he shall reign; but I'll be protector over him.

one.

Dick. I desire no more.

Cade. And to speak truth, thou deservest no less. This monument of the victory will bear; and the bodies shall be dragg'd at my horse' heels, till I do come to London, where we will have the mayor's sword borne before

us.

Dick. If we mean to thrive and do good, break open the jails, and let out the prisoners. Cade. Fear not that, I warrant thee. Come, let's march towards London.

[Exeunt.

SCENE IV.-London.-A Room in the

Palace.

Enter King HENRY, reading a Supplica-
tion; the duke of BUCKINGHAM, and Lord
SAY with him: at a distance, Queen MAR-
GARET, mourning over SUFFOLK's head.
Q. Mar. Oft have I heard-that grief softens
the mind,
And makes it fearful and degenerate;
Think therefore
weep.

on revenge, and cease to

But who can cease to weep, and look on this ? Dick. And, furthermore, we'll have the Here may his head lie on my throbbing breast: lord Say's head, for selling the dukedom of But where's the body that I should embrace? Maine. Buck. What answer makes your grace to the

treat:

Cade. And good reason; for thereby is Eng-rebel's supplication? land maim'd, and fain to go with a staff, but K. Hen. I'll send some holy bishop to enthat my puissance holds it up. Fellow kings, I tell you, that that lord Say hath gelded the commonwealth, and made it a eunuch; and more than that, he can speak French, and therefore he is a traitor.

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For God forbid, so many simple souls
Should perish by the sword! And I myself,
Rather than bloody war shall cut them short,
Will parley with Jack Cade their general.-
But stay, I'll read it over once again.

Q. Mar. Ah! barbarous villains! Hath this
lovely face,
Rul'd like a wandering planet over me : +
And could it not enforce them to relent,
That were unworthy to behold the same?
K. Hen. Loid Say, Jack Cade hath sworn to
have thy head.

Say. Ay, but I hope your highness shall have

his.

• Shoes.

+ Predominated irresistibly over my passions; the planets over those born under their influence.

K. Hen. How now, madam? Still Lamenting and mourning for Suffolk's death? I fear, my love, if that I had been dead,

Thou would'st not have mourn'd so much for me.

SCENE VI.-The same.-Cannon Street. Enter JACK CADE and his Followers.-He strikes his Staff on London-stone. Cade. Now is Mortimer lord of this city. and command, that of the city's cost, the pis sing-conduit run nothing but claret wine this first year of our reign. And now, henceforward it shall be treason for any that calls me other than lord Mortimer.

Q. Mar. No, my love, I should not mourn And here, sitting upon London-stone, I charge but die for thee.

Enter a MESSENGER.

Why

K. Hen. How now! What news ?
comest thou in such haste?
Mes. The rebels are in Southwark; Fly, my
lord !

Jack Cade proclaims himself Lord Mortimer,
Descended from the duke of Clarence' house;
And calls your grace usurper openly,
And vows to crown himself in Westminster.
His army is a ragged multitude

Of hinds and peasants, rude and merciless :
Sir Humphrey Stafford and his brother's death
Hath given them heart and courage to pro-
ceed :

All scholars, lawyers, courtiers, gentlemen,
They call false caterpillars, and intend their
death.

K. Hen, O graceless men !-They know not what they do.

Buck. My gracious lord, retire to Kenelworth,

Until a power be raised to put them down.
Q. Mar. Ah! were the duke of Suffolk now
alive,

These Kentish rebels would be soon appeased.
K. Hen. Lord Say, the traitors bate thee,
Therefore away with us to Kenelworth.
Say. So might your grace's person be in
danger :

The sight of me is odious in their eyes:
And therefore in this city, will I stay,
And live alone as secret as I may.

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SCENE V.-The same.-The Tower. Enter Lord SCALES, and others, on the Walls. -Then enter certain CITIZENS below. Scales. How now? Is Jack Cade slain? 1 Cit. No, my lord, nor likely to be slain; for they have won the bridge, killing all those that withstand them: the lord mayor craves aid of your honour from the Tower, to defend the city from the rebels.

Scales. Such aid as I can spare, you shall command;

But I am troubled here with them myself;
The rebels have assay'd to win the Tower.
But get you to Smithfield, and gather head,
And thither I will send you Matthew Gough:
Fight for your king, your country, and your
lives;

And so farewell, for I must hence again.

[Exeunt.

Enter a SOLDIER, running.
Sold. Jack Cade! Jack Cade!
Cade. Knock him down there.

[They kill him. Smith. If this fellow be wise, he'll never call you Jack Cade more; I think he hath a very fair warning.

Dick. My lord, there's an army gather'd together in Smithfield.

Cade. Come then, let's go fight with them: but first, go and set London-bridge on fire; and, if you can, burn down the Tower too. Come, let's away. [Exeunt.

SCENE VII.-The same.-Smithfield. Alarum.-Enter, on one side, CADE and his Company; on the other, Citizens and the King's Forces, headed by MATTHEW GOUGH. -They fight; the Citizens are routed, and MATTHEW GOUGH is slain.

Cade. So, Sirs :-Now go some and pull down the Savoy; others to the inns of court; down with them all.

Dick. I have a suit unto your lordship. Cade. Be it a lordship, thou shalt have it for that word.

Dick. Only that the laws of England may come out of your mouth.

John. Mass, 'twill be sore law then; for he was thrust in the mouth with a spear, and 'tis not whole yet.

Smith. Nay, John, it will be stinking law; for his breath stinks with eating toasted cheese. [A side. Cade. I have thought upon it, it shall be so. mouth shall be the parliament of England. Away, burn all the records of the realm; my

John. Then we are like to have biting statutes, unless his teeth be pull'd out. [Aside. Cade. And hencefoward all things shall be in common.

Enter a MESSENGER.

Mes. My lord, a prize, a prize! Here's the lord Say, which sold the towns in France; he that made us pay one and twenty fifteens, and one shilling to the pound, the last subsidy.

Enter GEORGE BEVIS, with the Lord SAY.

Cade. Well, he shall be beheaded for it ten times.-Ah! thou say, thou serge, nay, thou blank of our jurisdiction regal. What canst thou buckram lord! Now art thou within point answer to my majesty, for giving up of Normandy unto monsieur Basimecu, the dauphin of France ? Be it known unto thee by these presence of lord Mortimer, that I am the besom that must sweep the court clean of such filth as thou art. Thou hast most traitorously corrupted the youth of the realm, in erecting a grammarschool: and whereas, before, our forefathers had no other books but the score and the tally, thou hast caused printing to be used; and, contrary to the king, his crown and dignity, thou hast built a paper-mill. It will be proved to thy face, that thou hast men about thee, that usually talk of a noun and a verb; and such abomina

A fifteen was the fifteenth part of all the moveables or personal property, of each subject. + Say was a kind of sorge.

ble words, as no Christian ear can endure to | but I'll bridle it; he shall die, an it be but for hear. Thou hast appointed justices of peace, to pleading so well for his life. Away with him! call poor men before them about matters they he has a familiar under his tongue; he speaks were not able to answer. Moreover, thou hast not o' God's name. Go, take him away I say, put them in prison; and, because they could and strike off his head presently: and then break not read, thou hast hanged them; when, in into his son-in-law's house, Sir James Cromer, deed, only for that cause they have been most aud strike off his head, and bring them both upon worthy to live. Thou dost ride on a foot-cloth, two poles hither. dost thou not?

Say. What of that?

Cade. Marry, thou oughtest not to let thy horse wear a cloak, when honester men than thou go in their hose and doublets.

Dick. And work in their shirt too; as myself, for example, that am a butcher.

Say. You men of Kent,—
Dick. What say you of Kent?

Say. Nothing but this: 'Tis bona terra, mala
gens.

Cade. Away with him, away with him! he speaks Latin.

Say. Hear me but speak, and bear me where
you will.

Kent, in the commentaries Cæsar writ,
Is termi'd the civil'st place of all this isle :
Sweet is the country, because full of riches;
The people liberal, valiant, active, wealthy;
Which makes me hope you are not void
pity.

of

I sold not Maine, I lost not Normandy;
Yet, to recover them, would lose my life.
Justice with favour have I always done;
Prayers and tears have mov'd me, gifts could

never.

When have I aught exacted at your hands,
Kent to maintain, the king, the realm, and you?
Large gifts have I bestow'd on learned clerks,
Because my book preferr'd me to the king:
And-seeing ignorance is the curse of God,
Knowledge the wing wherewith we fly to hea-

ven,

Unless you be possess'd "h devilish spirits,
You cannot but forbear to murder me.
This tongue hath parleys unto foreign kings
For your behoof,-

Cade. Tut! When struck'st thou one blow in the field?

Say. Great men have reaching hands: oft have
I struck

Those that I never saw, and struck them dead.
Geo. O monstrous coward! what, to come be-
hind folks?

Say. These cheeks are pale for watching for your good.

Cade. Give him a box o'the ear, and that will make 'em red again.

Say. Long sitting to determine poor men's

causes

Hath made me full of sickness and diseases. Cade. Ye shall have a hempen caudle then, and the pap of a hatchet.

Dick. Why dost thou quiver, man?

Say. The palsy, and not fear, provoketh me. Cade. Nay, he nods at us; as who should say, I'll be even with you. I'll see if his head will stand steadier on a pole, or no: Take him away, and behead him.

Say. Tell me, wherein I have offended most?
Have I affected wealth, or honour; Speak?
Are my chests fill'd up with extorted gold?
Is my apparel sumptuous to behold?
Whom have I injured, that ye seek iny death?
These hands are free from guiltless

blood

shedding, §

thoughts.

This breast from harbouring foul deceitful

O let me live!

All. It shall be done.

Say. Ah! countrymen, if, when you make your
prayers,

God should be so obdurate as yourselves,
How would it fare with your departed souls!
And therefore yet relent, and save my life.
Cade. Away with him, and do as I command
ye.
[Exeunt some with Lord SAY.
The proudest peer in the realm shall not wear
a head on his shoulders, unless he pay me
tribute; there shall not a maid be married,
but she shall pay to me her maidenhead ere
they have it: men shall hold of me in capite;
and we charge and command that their wives
be as free as heart can wish, or tongue can
tell.

Dick. My lord, when shall we go to Cheapside, and take up commodities upon our bills? Cade. Marry, presently.

All. O brave!

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relent,

And yield to mercy whilst 'tis offer'd you;
Or let a rabble lead you to your deaths?
Who loves the king, and will embrace his
pardon,

Fling up his cap, and say-God save his ma-
jesty!

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.

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 hang'd with

Cade. I feel remorse in myself with his words: your pardous about your necks? Hath my sword

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therefore broke through London gates, that you should leave me at the White Hart in Southwark? I thought ye would never have given out freedom: but you are all recreants and dagarms, till you had recover'd your ancient

these

A demon who was supposed to attend at call. This piece of barbarity is recorded by Holtins! +2.

tards; and delight to live in slavery to the nobility. Let them break your backs with burdens, take your houses over your heads, ravish your wives and daughters before your faces: For me, I'll make shift for one and so-God's curse light upon you all!

All. We'll follow Cade, we'll follow Cade.
Clif. Is Cade the son of Henry the Fifth,
That thus you do exclaim you'll go with him?
Will be 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.
Wer'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-Villageois! 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 bath money, you are strong and manly; God on our side, doubt not of victory.

All. A Clifford ! A 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 a 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 despight of the devils and hell have through the very midst 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.

[Exit. Buck. What, is he fled! Go some, and follow him;

And he that brings his head unto the king,
Shail have a thousaud crowns for his reward-
[Exeunt some of them.
Follow me, soldiers; we'll devise a mean
To reconcile you all unto the king. [Exeunt.

SCENE IX.-Kenelworth Castle. Enter King HENRY, Queen MARGARET, and SOMERSET, on the Terrace of the Castle. K. Hen. Was ever king, that joy'd an earthly throne,

And could command no more content than 1 ?
No sooner was I crept out of my cradle,
But I was made a king at nine mouths old:
Was never subject long'd to be a king,
As I do long and wish to be a subject.

Enter BUCKINGHAM and CLIFFORD. Buck. Health and glad tidings to your majesty!

K. Hen. Why, Buckingham, is the traitor
Cade surprized?

Or is he but retired to make him strong?
Enter below, a great number of CADE'S Fol-
lowers, with Halters, about their Necks.
Clif. He's fled, my lord, and all his powers

do yield;

And humbly thus with halters on their necks, Expect your highness' doom, of life or death. K. Hen. Then, heaven, set ope thy everlasting gates,

To entertain my vows of thanks and praise !— Soldiers, this day have you redeem'd your lives, And show'd how well you love your prince and

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Assure yourselves, will never be unkiud :
And so, with thanks, and pardon to you all,
I do dismiss you to your several countries.
All. God save the king! God save the king!
Enter a MESSENGER.

Mess. Please it your grace to be advertised,
The duke of York is newly come from Ireland :*
And with a puissant and a mighty power
Of gallowglasses and stout kernes,
Is marching hitherward in proud array;
And still proclaimeth, as he comes along,
His arms are only to remove from thee
The duke of Somerset, whom he terms a traitor.
K. Hen. Thus stands my state, 'twixt Cade
and York distress'd;

Like to a ship, that, having escaped a tempest, Is straightway calm'd, and boarded with a pirate: But now is Cade driven back, his men dis

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Cade. Fie on ambition! Fie on myself; that have a sword, and yet am ready to famish These five days have I hid me in these woods; and durst not peep out, for all the country is layed for me; but now am I so hungry, that if I might have a lease of my life for a thousand years, I could stay no longer. Wherefore, on a brick-wall have I climbed into this garden; to see if I can eat grass, or pick a sallet another while, which is not amiss to cool a man's stomach this hot weather. And I think this word sallet was born to do me good for many a time, but for a sallet,+ my brain-pan had been cleft with a brown bill; and many a time, when I have been dry, and bravely marching, it hath serv'd me instead of a quart. pot to drink in; and now the word sallet must serve me to feed on.

Enter IDEN, with Servants.

Iden. Lord, who would live turmoiled in the

court,

And may enjoy such quiet walks as these!
This small inheritance, my father left me,
Contenteth me, and is worth a monarchy.
I seek not to wax great by other's waining;
Or gather wealth, I care not with what envy ;
Sufficeth, that I have maintains my state,
And sends the poor well pleased from my
gate.

Cade. Here's the lord of the soil come to seize me for a stray, for entering his fee-simple without leave. Ah! villain thou wilt betray me, and get a thousand crowns of the king for carrying my head to him; but I'll make thee eat iron like on ostridge, and swallow my sword like a great pin, ere thou and I part Iden.

Why, rude companion, whatsoe'er thou be,

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dear.

I know thee not; why then should I betray | To entertain great England's lawful king.
13't not enough to break into my garden, [thee? Ah! sancta majestas! who would not buy thee
And, like a thief, to come to rob my grounds,
Climbing my walls, in spite of me the owner,
But thou wilt brave me with these saucy

terms?

Cade. Brave thee? Ay, by the best blood that ever was broach'd, and beard thee too. Look on me well? I have eat no meat these five days; yet, come thou and thy five men, and if I do not leave you all as dead as a door-nail, I pray God I may never cat grass

more.

Let them obey, that know not how to rule;
This hand was made to handle naught but gold:
I cannot give due action to my words,
Except a sword, or sceptre balance it.
A sceptre shall it have, have I a soul;
On which I'll toss the flower-de-luce of France.
Enter BUCKINGHAM.

Whom have we bere? Buckingham to disturb

me?

Iden. Nay, it shall ne'er be said, while Eng-The king bath sent him, sure: I must dissemble. Buck. York, if thou meanest well, I greet thee well.

land stands,

That Alexander Iden, an esquire of Kent,
Took odds to combat a poor famish'd man.
Oppose thy steadfast-gazing eyes to mine,
See if thou canst outface me with thy looks.
Set limb to limb, and thou art far the lesser ;
Thy hand is but a finger to my fist;
Thy leg a stick, compared with this truncheon;
My foot shall fight with all the strength thou
And if mine arm be heaved in the air, [hast;
Thy grave is digg'd already in the earth.
As for more words, whose greatness answers
words,

Let this my sword report what speech forbears. Cade. By my valour, the most complete champion that ever I heard.-Steel, if thou turn the edge, or cut not out the burly-boned clown in chines of beef ere thou sleep in thy sheath, I beseech God on my knees, thou may'st be turn'd to hobnails. [They fight, CADE falls.] Oh! am slain! Famiue, and no other, hath slain me: let ten thousand devils come against me, and give me but the ten meals I have lost, and I'd defy them all. Wither, garden; and be henceforth a burying place to all that do dwell in this house, because the unconquer'd soul of Cade is fled.

Iden. Is't Cade that I have slain, that monstrous traitor?

Sword, I will hallow thee for this thy deed.
And bang thee o'er my tomb when I am
dead:

Ne'er shall this blood be wiped from thy point;
But thou shalt wear it as a herald's coat,
To emblaze the honour that thy master got.

Cade. Iden, farewell; and be proud of thy victory: Tell Kent from me, she hath lost her best man, and exhort all the world to be cowards; for I, that never fear'd any, am vanquish'd by famine, not by valour. [Dies. Iden. How much thou wrong'st met heaven be my judge.

Die, damned wretch, the curse of her that bare

thee I

And as I thrust thy body in with my sword,
So wish I, I might thrust thy soul in hell.
Hence will I drag thee headlong by the heels
Unto a dunghill which shall be thy grave,
And there cut off thy most ungracious head;
Which I will bear in triumph to the king,
Leaving thy trunk for crows to feed upon.
[Exit, dragging out the Body.

ACT V.

SCENE 1.-The same.-Fields between Dartford and Blackheath.

The King's Camp on one side.-On the other, enter YORK attended, with Drum and Colours; his Forces at some distance, York. From Ireland thus comes York, to claim his right,

And pluck the crown from feeble Henry's head: Ring, bells, aloud; burn, bonfires, clear and bright,

How he was to hang a sword over his own tomb after be was dead, is not very clear.

In supposing that I am proud of my victory.

York. Humphrey of Buckingham, I accept thy greeting,

Art thou a messenger or come of pleasure?
Buck. A messenger, from Henry, our dread
liege,
To know the reason of these arms in peace
Or why theu, being a subject as I ain,
Against thy oath and true allegiance sworn,
Shouldst raise so great a power without his
leave,

Or dare to bring thy force so near the court. York. [Aside.] Scarce can I speak, my choler is so great.

Aside.

Oh! I could hew up rocks, and fight with flint,
I am so angry at these abject terms;
And now, like Ajax Telamonius,
On sheep or oxen could I spend my fury!
I am far better born than is the king;
More like a bing, more kingly in my thoughts:
But I must make fair weather yet a while,
Till Henry be more weak, and I more strong.
O Buckingham, I pr'ythee, pardon me,
That I have given no answer all this while;
My mind was troubled with deep melancholy.
The cause why I have brought this army hither,
Is-to remove proud Somerset from the king,
Seditious to his grace, and to the state.
Buck. That is too much presumption on thy
part :

But if thy arms be to no other end,
The king hath yielded unto thy demand;
The duke of Somerset is in the Tower.
York. Upon thine honour, is he prisoner?
Buck. Upon mine honour, he is prisoner.
York. Then, Buckingham, I do dismiss my
powers.-

Soldiers, I thank you all; disperse yourselves;
Meet me to-morrow, in Saint George's field,
You shall bave pay, and every thing you wish.-
And let my sovereign, virtuous Henry,
Command my eldest son, nay, all my sons,
As pledges of my fealty and love,
I'll send them afl as willing as I live;
Lands, goods, horse, armour, any thing I have
Is his to use, so Somerset may die.

Buck. York, I commend this kind submission: We twain will go into bis highness' tent.

Enter King HENRY, attended.

K. Hen. Buckingham, doth York intend to harm us,

That thus he marcheth with thee arm in arm?
York. In all submision and humility,
York doth present himself unto your highness.
K. Hen. Then what intend these forces thou
dost bring?

York. To heave the traitor Somerset from hence;

And fight against that monstrous rebel, Cade,
Who since I heard to be discomfited.

Enter IDEN, with CADE's lead.
May pass into the presence of a king,
Iden. If one so rude, and of so mean condition,
Lo, I present your grace a traitor's head,
The head of Cade, whom I in combat slew.

Balance my hand.

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