PR
2867
Al
1908
COP. 2
K-tv;
^75 /
THE LIBRARY
OF
THE UNIVERSITY
OF CALIFORNIA
LOS ANGELES
PRINTED FOR THE MALONE SOCIETY BY
CHARLES WHITTINGHAM & CO.
AT THE CHISWICK
PRESS
THE LIFE OF
SIR JOHN OLDCASTLE
1600
THE MALONE SOCIETY
REPRINTS
1908
This reprint of the first quarto of Sir Jo/m Oldcastle,
1600, has been prepared by Percy Simpson and checked
by the General Editor.
Nov. 1908. W. W. Greg.
PR
Al
The following entry appears in the Stationers' Register: ^^^^ ;^
II August! [1600] ....
Entred for his copies vnder the handes of master vicars and the wardens. Thomas pavier
These iij copies ^[^^^
The first parte of the history of the life of Sir John oldcastell lord
Cobham.
Item the second and last parte of the history of Sir John oldcastell lord
Cobham with his martyrdom
Item ye history of the life and Deathe of Captaine Thomas Stucley,
with his Mariage to alexander Curtis his daughter, and his valiant
endinge of his life at the battell of Alcazar xviij'*
[Arber's Transcript, III. 169.]
The first part appeared in quarto, printed by V. S.,
i.e., Valentine Simmes, for Pavier, and bearing the date
1600. A second quarto, printed with some alterations
from the first, was issued with the addition of Shake-
speare's name as author. In this Pavier's name again
figured, but without mention of the printer: the date
given was likewise 1600, but it has been suggested that
this was not the real date of printing (see the Library,
ix. 113). The play was included among the additions
made to the third folio of Shakespeare's works in 1664.
This edition was printed from the second quarto, and
that in the fourth folio of 1685 from the previous folio.
The following allusions to the piece occur in Hens-
lowe's Diary in the accounts of the Admiral's men :
[fol. 65] this 16 of October [i5]99 Receved by me Thomas downton
of phillipp Henchlow to pay m' monday m"" drayton & m"" wilsson &
haythway for the first pte of the lyfe of S' Ihon Ouldcasstell & in earnest of
the Second pte for the vse of the compay ny ten pownd I say receved . lo"
• •••••••
Receved [by Samuel Rowley] of M' Hincheloe [between i and 8 Nov.
1599] for M"" Mundaye & the Reste of the poets at the playnge of
S"^ lohn oldcastell the ferste tyme as a gefte x^
[fol. 66*] Receued of m"^ Henchlow for the vse of the Company [between
19 and 26 Dec. 1599] to pay m"^ drayton for the second pte of S' Ihon
ould Casell foure pownd I say receud iiij
p me Thomas Downton
V
126,4880
[fol. 68] dd vnto the littell tayller at the apoyntment of Robert shawe
the 12 of marche 1599 [i.e. 1600] to macke thinges for the 2 pte of owld
castell some of xxx^
while in the accounts of Worcester's men we find :
[fol. 115] Lent vnto the companye the 17 of aguste 1602 to paye vnto
thomas deckers for new a dicyons in owldcastelle the some of . xxxx*
Lent vnto lohn ducke & lohn thayer the 21 [?] of aguste 1602 to bye
a sew^t for owld castell & a sewt & a dublet of satten the some of . xij"
Lent vnto lohn ducke to paye for the turckes head & ij wemens gownes
mackenge & fresh watr for owld castell & the merser bill & harey
chettell in earneste of a tragedie called [?] y*" 24 of aguste 1602 . 3" x^
[fol. 116] Lente vnto lohn thare the 7 of septmb^ 1602 to geue vnto
Thomas deckers for his adicions in owld castell the some of . . . x'
It should be remarked that Downton, Rowley, Shaw,
Thare and Duke were players representing the com-
panies; Freshwater was a tradesman. The original
authors paid were Anthony Munday, Michael Drayton,
Robert Wilson and Thomas Hathway. The first part
was delivered not later than 16 October, and performed
not later than 8 November 1599. Part II seems to
have been completed by 26 December 1599, but was
probably not acted before 12 March 1600. The first
part was published within the year. The players may
have succeeded in preventing the issue of Part II : they
stayed the publication of Patient Grissel on 18 March
1600. Probably at some date after the publication of
the 1600 quarto the Admiral's company parted with
their rights to Worcester's men. These, in August and
September 1602, employed Dekker on a revision of
the piece. It is possible that the work for which he
was paid fifty shillings was the amalgamation of the
two parts into a single play : there is no mention of
separate parts in these later entries. No edition of the
second part is known.
Of the first edition of Sir John Oldcastle copies are
vi
preserved in the British Museum (C. 34. 1. 2) and
Bodleian libraries. The former wants the title-page,
which has been supplied in facsimile. Both have been
used in the preparation of the present reprint. The
copies differ in certain readings, that in the British
Museum having an uncorrected sheet F, and that in
the Bodleian an uncorrected sheet G. The variants are
given below. The quarto is printed in an ordinary
roman type closely approximating in size to modern
Pica (20 11. = 83 mm.). The second quarto is much
commoner: copies are found in the British Museum
(C. 34. 1. I and C. 12. g. 23), Bodleian, Dyce, Trinity
College Cambridge, and other libraries. The type is
the same as that of the first quarto. Since the differ-
ences between the quartos are often of interest, a com-
plete list of the variant readings of the second is given
below. It has not been thought necessary to give more
than a few of the readings of the folios, since they do
not differ materially from those of the second quarto,
and are of no independent authority.
For the authorship Henslowe's Diary is first-rate
evidence, and though it does not necessarily follow that
the list of collaborators there given is exhaustive, there
is no reason in the present case to suppose that it is not.
The division of the shares assignable to the various
writers is, however, very obscure, the only clues appar-
ently being certain inconsistencies between various parts
of the play, for instance the substitution of Winchester
for Rochester in V. xi. The relation between the quartos
is interesting. The ' V. S.' quarto is proved to be the
earlier by the fact that its catchwords are sometimes
wrongly preserved in the other. With regard to the
alterations three points may be noticed : the disappear-
ance of certain dramatic touches of detail (e.g. line
vii
201/); a marked reduction in the number of oaths
(the statute against profanity in plays did not come into
force till 1 606) ; a few textual corrections (e.g. line 2408) .
In the present reprint the acts and scenes have been
marked in the margin according to the division adopted
by Malone in his edition of 1780, with the addition of
IV. V. Malone, printing from Q^, missed the exit
clearly indicated in Q^ at line 2022. It should be
noticed that there is a transposition of the text in
Act V. Lines 2289 to 2372 belong between lines 2147
and 2148.
List of Irregular and Doubtful Readings
OF THE First Quarto
(Including the variants between the British Museum and Bodleian copies)
(assign to Sumner.)
(heepskins, (ftieepskin's .?)
c.w. harp.
feruingmaan.
hue to
Con. (Aleman')
Con. (A I etna n)
od(old?)
arrant,
vs, [comma doubtful)
foureteenth {first e doubtful)
pound's [apostrophe doubtful)
fatisfied,
s.d. [belongs to 960)
thofe (of thofe)
firft (fifth .?)
c.w. where
cobh.
Harpoole, {the 1 doubtful)
prefently
Amen, (?)
Mault-men,(fo/«z«^z doubtful)
wee'l [apostrophe doubtful)
viii
22. e tha ka naues
name,
585.
58. enters
597-
76. them,
598
81. pe pufe
618.
83. ka naue,
623.
93. ynow,
646.
169, s'bloud [apostrophe doubtful)
651.
196. me,
687.
197 s.d. [belongs to ]
98)
729.
208. fhal.
776.
212. Suf
790.
246. liege.)
819.
270. ont.
843-
330. worfe
959
367. houfe.
978.
383. [not indented)
986.
477. Ente r (?)
1066
488. fir.
1165.
495, welcome
1181.
545. Harp
1183.
552. thee
1188.
562 c.w. harp.
1198.
584. [assign to Harpoole.)
1208.
:222.
:236.
:240.
[290,
[292.
[300.
:3o6.
:3o8.
^339-
^372-
'391-
[406.
[417.
[421.
[423.
[437-
1438.
[446.
449-
[450.
[475-
[497.
539-
569
572.
[581.
[618.
:64i
647-
[684.
[689.
694.
725.
728.
[730.
742.
747-
749-
:8o6.
1824.
825.
in't {apostrophe doubtful)
bofome, [comma doubtful)
mer- | cy vs (on vs)
Sir Old-caftle, what if he
come not lohn ? (B.M.)
fuppie {B.M.)
no walks within forty ( B.M.)
me that {B.M.)
thers {B.M.)
wench; {B.M.^)
f peede.
know (not know ?)
fr. lohn
kill man. {B.M.)
villainons
fworne, {B.M.)
yfaith, {B.M.)
hewill
me a alone. {B.M.)
beuer this {B.M.)
Fickle {B.M.)
Kenr {B.M.)
reft,
the
menSjCrowneswhen (B.M.)
c.w. with
boate, {Bodl.)
befide, {Bodl.)
hm
c.w. Har
bemore
Mur
Mar.
King, {Bodl.)
ynto {Bodl.)
felfe falfe {Bodl.)
prince your grace miftakes.
{Bodl.)
warres {B.M.)
rebellion, {Bodl.)
Mur,
thererefore
gentleman.
Peace he {Bodl.)
IX
1828-9. (''^'' I ^' beginning of these
lines — Bodl.)
1836. Croomes. (55<//.) (r^^^' Cro-
mer?')
1844. late, {Bodl.)
1846. art the {Bodl.)
1847. Shewt
1 85 1, royall (loyall)
1 87 1, god
1877. M Shrieue,
1879. whifpers
1939. O Idea, {period doubtful)
charitie,
Too'th
to'th
Harp
pound.
Harp
Bijh. {Old-ca.)
Roch
excellent,
to (fo)
me, oh (?)
{assign to Conjlable ?)
2242. foord-dayes,
2248. a bo-|mination
ome,
too
huy
left him thrice.
Club (possibly a line lost)
horrifon,
2408. Flowes (Folowes)
2439. imperfectoin
2440. inferts (infects?)
2448. Jleepes.
2449. men
2468. gate
2472. done,
2599. ^^'cr etly,
2620. boudy
2679. attained (attainted)
2687. Lordfhip,
2707. though
b
1940.
1952.
1999.
2013.
2031.
2045.
2058.
2105.
21 10.
2136.
2228.
2268
2277
2284
2303
2357
2393
Also the period at the end of the running title is wanting on D4,
E3, F4, G4, H2, I4 and Ki. As a rule speakers' names are only
followed by a period when abbreviated ; there is frequently no capital
to the prefixed yJr, and lohn is sometimes spelt Ihon.
Variant Readings of the Second Quarto
22. Downe with a kanaues
30. As they ore fightings enter
. . . Hereford^ his
38. ceremonies
53. Coflbon, her will Hue
56. company cry for clubs :
57-8. Gough and Herberts faction are
bufie about him. Enter the2. Judges,
65. Exit L, Herbert
66. SherifFe
76. of them.
80. Lord
83-7. omit bracket and s.d.
116. And tis
117. SherifiPe,
141 s.d. Bayliffe
162. Henry
176. Au
186. Hertford
200, me(my Lords) the Clergy doth
208. otnit ye . . . omit but
220. bene
226. divide after SufFolke,
237-8. one line
247. What if
268. My Lord, he cannot in
289. Bijh. I, I, fir
295. fo ye
324 s.d. omit three or
329. Oldman. I, houfe-keeping
332
334
337
command, That
and has fet downe an order
for our
man aske at doore for
342. can but crawle
344. at Shrewsbury battel,
346. omit second \.Q . . . omit that
347. omit is
358. filthy knaues.
362. they'l
363-5. omit s.d.
2,'J'J • omit O Lord,
385. your fir.
386-7. beggarly that you can fcarfe
giue a bit of bread at your doore :
389. omit amongft
395. omit yea,
help ye . . . omit yfaith,
396. mother: O God bee
402. Har, I, I am . . . youle
412. omit and Jhrowde himfelfe.
417. hates
420-3. divide as verse after God.
. . . comming, ... he be.
452. againft
477-8. one line, preceded by s.d.
48 1 . omit I
487. bhcke . . . the walke.
488. y'are
489. Po. Gramercy
492. omit Maijier
503. what ayle ye
505. came one to
510. robd
513. weel
518. a procefle . . . were he
522. if I cannot fpeak . . . omit my
523. omit if not,
524. bad
543. fcite
549. omit you
550. Zounds
552. thou know
553. I, on fir
566. omit this
576. omit but
579. till
580 s.d. omit he
584. omit of the
586. tis wholfome Rogue,
589. omit Sbloud
599. ye fhall . . . omit fo
603. omit s.d.
614. I do know
618. be w'ye . . . feruingman. Exit
620. omit God
623. hue and cry
625. omit for
630. omit which are
631. omit an honeft Conftable,
634. owzV come neere a Gods name,
635. y'are
641. Prieft, cal'd fir
643. omit he
645. is flie heere
654. good fir, and
657. mee, Doll.
659. omit the second y faith
665. ferke
683. Cuds bores ... He
686. Berlady
690 &c. Prieft or Pri. substituted
for Wrotham.
696. omit Ah
700. Cotsoll.
701. Zounds
709. omit to the Prieji
719. omit ifaith
720. maddeft . . . that ere
724. ferueth
732. omit Knight
733. omit efquires,
752. (Gentlemen)
758. Shenffe?
799. ali one:
803. omit the second and
804. omit the second and
823. omit out
823. flaxe, flaxe and flame.
825. Axletree
836. omit and
838 &c. King or Kin. or K.
substituted for Harry.
859. you,
876-7. omit s.d.
878. pretenfed
880. s.d. transferred to ^"jC).
896. bene
898. fcite
911. my Liege.
915. durft not . . . bene
927, 928. lines transposed.
944. Orwho's
953. ferch
959. s.d. transferred to 960.
966. euety
981. By fortune
003. fetch
015. perfwade you,
027. Chartres
042. s.d. placed after IO43.
056-7. bufmefle fhould | Let you
to be merry?
058. Yet this
067. among
1 19. in plaine
121. And haue bene highly fa-
uoured
125. traine laide to
136. one; O, heere
140-3. as prose.
142. words,
155. farwel. Exit
161. burthen'd
165. Y'are
167. difturbs
183. Exit
206. we are
omit I hope . . . omit for our
manhood, our bucklers, and
1207-8. witnefle: this little . . ,
before
XI
1 210. I'me
1226. burlady,
1240, vpon vs.
1 24 1, gold
1267. omit But
1297. Enter Prieji and
1304. knowft . . . omit fir lohn,
1306. haft: and I will
1307. ha bin,
1314. merrily come, merily
1321. I like not that, yon
1324. omit Ah
1326. leaue behind
1327. Exit.
1342. Sheriffes
1358. Exit Butler.
1 364. Enter Prie/i.
1365&C. Vn. substituted for^'wlohn.
1368. omit the first I fee
1377. omit drie
1382. it is:
1384. omit that were wont to
keepe this walke?
that villaine
1398. th'art
1399, think thou mightft
1407. do't.
1413. indeede h'as
1 414. in's . . . tell that he
1417. villainous
1425. Harry
1429. beene
1437. and they will
1444. God a mercy,
1447. God a mercy
1448. ha paide
1477. beene
1 48 1, omit Hee's
1495. omit s.d.
1496-7. one line, omit s.d.
1504. Enter Prieji.
1 SoS&ic. Fri. substituted for S'lrlohn.
1508. what? ye are
1 5 13. omit thou
1 5 14. Pri. More? what
15 19. Faith
1 52 1. ofFrings
1534. Pri. Sir, pay
1537 &c. King or Kin. substituted
for Harry in most speeches.
1539. Frenchmens
1540. kings
1546. carting's
1561. diuel giue ye . . . you haue
1592-3. A s they proffer .^enter Butler.,
and drawes his /word to part them.
1594. villaine . . . d'ye
1598. Pleafe your Maiefty, it's
1 610. omit by this light
1 61 1. Wrotham is.
1 62 1, omit therfore faue my life,
1622. me to dye,
1638. (?;«// of Wrootham
1640. An alarum^ enter King,
1 65 1, omit the second thy
1658. you
1672. world is
1684. Fie pualtry,
1689. omit none
1690. a part . . . s.d. precedes.
1695. omit caitiue
1696. among
1697. ^^^^
171 1, omit Bifhop, '
1 72 1, if he were,
1742. offered
1743. kin. Speake
1750. didft thou not
175 1, purpofed
1760. know was not faulty,
1767. Ift poflible?
1782. nere
1789. knight, eene tak't your felfe.
1798. omit the second to,
1800. you
1823. Sheriffe.
1824-5 s.d. Enter Harpoole and
OldcajUe. {after 1825.)
Xil
1826 &c. Cob. substituted for Old-
caftle.
1832-3. omit one of them &c,
1835. omit maiefties
1837. *""'' sbloud
1838. omitMX
1839. meof Treafon M. Sheriffe?
1847. Shew him
1862. atSouthampton
1863. omit it were . . . God, that
1864. miles
1865. omit euer
1867. omit my
1878-9. They both entreat for him.
1906-7. omit s.d.
1928. ye wrong me
1932. before Whitfontide.
1944. I my . . . s.d. omit the
1 95 1, omit And
All Englifh, no not
1956. withal
i960. Exit
1967. omit.
1972. your honor
1973. omit.
i<)'JS- °^'^ I warrant you,
before he'l go.
1978. Exit
1982. Liou.
1990. omit.
2000. it is . . . wil efcape.
2002. to you . . . omit of his highefle
moft honorable
2003. the Counfell, . . . omit yet
2004. oOTzV conforming. . . church.
2015. omit for if you do, you die:
2017-9. enough: and as for you,
lie bind you furely
2021. omit Harpoole.
2022. omit.
2023. feruingmen
2034. omit.
2035. omit Heare me my Lord,
2037. to get hence.
2043. divide as verse after libertie.
You part
2047. omit s.d.
2048. omit.
2049. Out you . . . Cobh. efcapes.
2058. omit Roch within.
2059. on
2062. divide as verse after fpeed.
For now's
2063. omit for me . . . omit away.
2071. on
2084. through
2103. winds
2105. then were it
21 10. And fo . . . in his
2 1 1 4-5 . The Kingjieps in vpon them
with his hordes.
21 19. the king,
2122. to
2130. But fomewhat
omit might Ifpeake my mind,
21 3 1, omit.
'2.\'^i. came verie neere
2135. omit.
2140. oynit s.d.
1\\1-T^. omit s.d.
2147. Exit.
2148. L. Cobham^
2149. y'are ... as is heere
2150. omit by the mafle
2154. omit In
2161. introth.
2163. although
2164. I prethee
2165. cleane fheets,
2167. nere layen
2186. although
2193. omit heere is heard . . . omit
great
2196. tell vs where
2203. omit is
2207. omit Lord Cobham
2210. Jiealing in his gowne.
2216. zounds
Xlll
22.1 'J. omit was
2221. fcape.
2222. omit A . . . omit aga'ine
11\1. farre-dayes,
2243. Who goes
ii\^. ope
2248-50. divide after oftler . . .
boies : . . . end,
2252-4. divide after ghe^i ? ... ha?
2256. divide after hzuG^
2258. the woman
2266. omit the . . . omit lord
2269. foreweare
2277. omit now the . . . too too
2281. bin
2283. omit villaine
2284. efcapt . . . omit out
2288. Exit
2290 &c. Pri. substituted for Sir
lohn.
2298. till . . . omit that you might,
2299. beene. . .o/«// 1 . . .Cobham.
2300. omit ile none of that,
2304. omit Faith fir lohn,
2308-10. omit to buy . . . fleece,
2310. & money we will haue I
warrant
2312. omit %.d.
2313. man, and nowe is rifling on
him,
2315. Enter the Irijhman with his
dead majier^ and rifles him.
2316. Irijh. Alas
2317. dy golde
2318. dee well, . . . kill dee,
2322. y'are . . . damn'd . . . kild
2324. omit Irifh
2325-7. omit firra . . . barke.
2325. dog, robs him
2328. my mefler
2329. fhain
2330. omit.
2332. omit maddc
2333. omit hey
2336. of the houfe . . . Irijhman.
2340. Faith fellow
2341. <?;wzVthatI may not difapoint,
2342. haue as much as
2344. tanke . . . omit de ftraw is
good bed for me.
2348. to
2349. omit.
2351. omit Ho,
2352. Vds hat
2357. omit Club Ho
2360. God a mercy . . . where is
2362. Tom's . . . omit O
2364. Vds hat
2365. yonders . . . abomination
2366. as was neuer
2367. Vds hat
2368. bin
2372. omit and lie . . . exeunt,
2373. Enter Cobham
2374 Sec. Coh. substituted for Oldc^.
2378. Rochefter.
2379-80. one line.
2385-6. one line.
2398-9. s.d. precedes 2398.
2408. Followes
2410. ore-flying
2427. Makes
2431-2. omit.
2433-4. one line.
2439. imperfection
2443. happen'd?
2448 s.d. Fal afleep.
2465. wood-kernes
2468. omit.
i\']Q. And which
2479. was knowne.
2498. were there
2500. omit.
2501. To Hartford with them,
where
2504. omit s.d.
2505. omit bijhop of
with Prieji., Doll., and
XIV
25 1 1 - 1 3' divide as verse after Irilh,
. . . fo,
2512. omit altogether
2513. omit Seemes to be
2515. be me . . . Lort Cobham,
2519&C. 'Pn. substituted for {\r\ohn.
25 1 9-2 1 . divide as verse after Eng-
lifti, . . . triall:
2519. omit my
2521. omit be decided by
2527. faires
2536. we Ihall beare
2540. omit.
2541. omit and his man^
2551. La. Cobham
2563-4. No, if we dye let this our
comfort bee,
2566. I, I, my
2569-71. omit.
2573. ^^^ i'UJO
2574. omit the second and
2577. vs to the
2581. lay waite
2585. you
2591. yon prifners
2594-5. fufpected for this murder ?
2598. Meane time
2620. bloody
2623. But how came your fharp
edgd kniues vnftieathd
2626. you
2638. Enter Conjiable with the
Irijhman^ Prieft^
2646. Lord,
2655. Rochefter. Deliuers them.
2659-61. omit foule . , . of this:
2661. Wer't not that the Law
2666. omit.
2676. omit And . . . deferu'd,
2676-7. Yet vpright law will not
hold you excufde,
2679. attainted
2682. omit he repents,
2685. Rochefter
2689-90. one line to liberty.
2690. omit paying their fees.
2691-4. omit.
2697. I giue thefe {Q^N Crownes.
omit more for them to drinke.
2697-8. omit s.d.
2699. and Cobham.
Chief Variants of the Folio Texts with a few
Conjectures of Malone
130.
Oldcaftle's
1 166.
unquiet
304-
golden ruddocks.
1364.
J oh n and Do 11. { M, — c f. 1 5 7 . )
452.
againft this
1446.
bower. {M. — cf. 2333.)
473-
take the vantage
1706.
Lord,
501.
In good health.
1755-
omit.
562.
marry is it.
1793-
it's impoflible
646.
Ale-m.
1836.
Cromer ?
651.
Ale-m.
1958.
Ellenor Rumming, {M.)
906.
whereby this matter
2069.
I Ser. And I {M.)
978.
of thofe
2120.
can furnifh ye;
1113.
the like,
2242.
two fair dayes.
Besides variants of this description there are also a number of passages
in the folios in which a single word has dropt out.
XV
List of Characters,
in the order of their entrance.
Lord Herbert.
GouGH, his man.
Lord Powis.
Davy "1 , .
r^ Y his men.
UwenJ
The Sheriff of Hereford.
a Bailiff.
The Mayor of Hereford.
a Sergeant.
two Judges of Assize.
The Duke of Suffolk.
The Bishop of Rochester.
Butler, (a gentleman of the Privy
Chamber. — Fol.)
Sir John, the parson of Wrotham.
Henry the Fifth, King of England.
The Earl of Huntington.
7 Soldiers! ,
ij f bea;ears,
old man J ^^
Sir John Oldcastle, Lord Cob-
ham.
Harpoole, his steward.
Clun, the Bishop's Sumner.
Butler to Lord Cobham.
a Constable of Kent.
an Aleman.
Doll, the parson's wench.
Sir Roger Acton
Bourne
Beverley
William Murley
the brewer of Dunftable
msur-
gents.
conspira-
tors.
s men.
Cinque
The Earlof Cambridge.^
Lord Scroop.
Sir Thomas Gray.
Chartres, agent of the
King of France.
Lady Cobham.
Lady Powis.
The Lord Warden of the
Ports.
Cromer, Sheriff of Kent,
three Servants of the Bishop.
The Lieutenant of the Tower.
MacChane, an Irishman.
Host of the Bell at St. Albans.
Robin, a drawer (?) at the Bell.
Club, a Lancashire carrier.
Kate Owdham, his niece.
The Ostler of the Bell.
The Mayor of St. Albans,
a Constable of St. Albans.
Officer of the Watch.
Sir Richard Lee.
two Servants of Sir Richard,
the Gaoler of St. Albans,
a Judge,
two Justices (of the Peace).
The Sheriff of Hereford's man, Officers and Townsmen; a messenger
(1. 172); attendants of the King, the Lord Warden and the Sheriff of
Kent; the Lieutenant of the Tower's guard; the Watch at St. Albans
and the Gaoler's men.
The Sumner is not named till 1. 1952, the Irishman not till 1. 2516;
Kate's name is given as Owdham, i.e. Oldham, at I. 2286.
XVI
^(T^^' Tliefirllparc c
Of the true and hono^^'^
rable hfftorfe , of the life of Sir
fohn Old^caflk^thegood
^ Lord Cobliam.
t/j it hath been lately aUedby the ri<rht
honor able the Earle of U^otlmjam
Lordhigh^dmirailof England his
Jeruants,
/ >
LONDON
Printed by V.S. for Thomas Pauicr, and are to be foldc at
his Ihop at the figne of the Catte and Parrots
ncae the Exchange.
Z ^ O 0.
Second Quarto '. A i recto (C. C54. 1. 1)
The Prologue.
[ He4oukfHlTttie(gent/enuft)preflxt
' Vponthe Argument vrehaue in hand^ .
Aiay breedefufpence^and wrongfully dijlttrh
\ The peaceful/ ejuiet of your fetied thmghtsi
)Toflop which fcruple^lct this hriefefuffi/e.
It u no pamperd glutton nvepre/ent.
Nor AgedCouncellor toyouthfuUjinney
Tu t one^who/e venue jhcne ah cue the refi,
AvjiitanttJ^artyr.andavertuouspeere,
Inwhofe true faith and hyaltieexprefi
'Unto his foueraigne^nd his countries weale:
ff^ejiriuetopay that tribute ofourLoue,
TourfauQurs merite Jet fair e Truth begracte.
Since forgdetrntetition former time defacte.
Ai
L
First Quarto : A i recto
,:i*.- ^iSa-Sh
The true and honorable Hiftorie^ of
th life of Sir lohn Oldcajlle^the
good Lord Cobliam.
Jh thie fight yenter the Sherife andtw o of his mer^
Sherjjfe.
!?^ Y Lorc!s,I charge yc in fiis HigfinelTcDaiTJC,
H To keepe the peace,vou,ancl your followers.
HerL. Good ]Vl.ShcrHFe,!ook vntoyourfclfv
To%v. Do fojfbr we liaue other bufincfTc.
^f rpjfer to fight agiiWe
- Sher. Will yc diRurbc the Judges, and the AHifeJ
Hcare the Kings proclamation, yc were beft.
Pow. Holdlhcn.ictshearcJt.
Berh. But be bricfcyVe were beft
Bay/. O yes.
'Dauy ColTonCjniake (hortcr O,or fhall marre your Yes.
Sny. Oyes. ^
Oven WhatihashernothingtofaybutOycs?
B4y, Oyes,
1>4, O rray,pycCofre plut dounc with her,down with het,
A PawefTc a Pawcflc.
^ottgh A Herbert a Hcrbcrt,and downc with Powellc.
Helter shelter agatne.
Sher. Hold, in the Kings name, hold.
€>n>ett DowBC c tha ka naucsnanie^ doivne»
A 5 h
First Quarto : A 3 recto
FACSIMILES BY HORACE HART, M.A., AT THE OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS
The firft part
Of the true 6c hono-
rable hiftory^of the Life of
Sir lohn Old^ca/lley the good
LordCobham.
J J it hath bene lately aBedhythe T^ht
honorable the Earle of 3\(otingham
Lord High t^dmiraHo/ England^
his Seruants.
Written by William Shakcfpcarc.
Lcndon printed for T. T.
i6oo.
-£tftST Quarto : A i recto (Bodl.)
The Prologue.
TH E douhtfuHTitle (Gentlemen) prefix f
f^pon the Argument we haue in hand,
May breedfulpence^ And wrongfully dt^ut Be
The peacefuli quiet of y our fetied thoughts :
To hop whiehfcruple^ let this breefefuffice.
It is no pamper d Glutton tveprefent.
Nor aged C ouncellour toyouthfuUJinne ;
But one, rphofe vtrtue/hone aboue the reliy
A 'valiant Martyr y and a <vertuom ?eere^
In vphofe true faith and loyalty expreB
Vruo his Soueraigne, and his Count ies weak ;
we firiue to pay that tribute of our loue
Yourfauours merit : Letfaire Truth begrac'd^
Since f or gd inuention former time dejacd.
A
Second Quarto : A r recto
JSg3S2E?SgHS
The true and honorable Hiftorie, of
the life of Sir lohn OU^Qajile^ the
good Lord Cobham.
In the fight. Enter the Sherijfe, and two of his men,
Shgrife,
Y Lords, I charge ye in his Highncdc narne^
To kcepc the peacc,you,and your followers,
//tfr.GoodM.Shcriffe, look vnto your ftlf,
Pojv.Do fojfor vie haue other bufincfle.
Proffer to fight agatne,
. Sher* Will ye difturbe the ludgcs, and the AHize ?
Hcarc the Kings proclamation, yc were beft.
Forv, Hold then, let's hcarc it.
f/er. But be brcefc, ye were beft.
'Bay/. O yes.
Dauy, Coffonejinake fhorter O,or flial marre your Yes.
Baj/l.Oycs,
Otvjn, What, has her nothing to fay, but O yes f
Bay.'O yes,
Dd. O nay,py cofle plut do wne with hir,down with hif.
A Parvefe^ a Paivejfe,
(jOHgh.K Herbert a Herbert^ and downewithJ't^w^jf/r,
Helter skelter Mgaine,
Sher, Hold,in the Kings name,hold,
Oivjn. Downc with a kanaues naaie,downe.
As ^*
Second Quarto : A 3 recto
The firft part
Ofthe true and hono-
rable hiftorie,of the life of Sir
yohn Old'Caflle^ the good
Lord Cobham.
As it hath been lately acted by the right
honorable the Earle of Notingham
Lord high Admirall of England his
feruants.
LONDON
Printed by V. S. for Thomas Pauier, and are to be folde at
his fhop at the figne of the Catte and Parrots
neere the Exchange.
1600.
.;' ''v
The Prologue.
He doubtful Title (Gentlemen) prefixt
Upon the Argument we haue in hand.,
May hreedejujpence^ and wrongfully difiurbe
The peacefull quiet of your Jet led thoughts:
To flop which fcruple, let this brief e fuffife.
It is no pamper d glutton we prejenty
Nor aged Councellor to youthfull finne^
But one, whofe vertue Jhone aboue the refl^
A valiant Martyr., and a vertuous peere.
In whofe true faith and loyaltie exprefi
Unto his foueraigne, and his countries weak:
We Jlriue to pay that tribute of our Loue^
Your fauours merit e^ let faire Truth be gractCy
Since forg^de inuention former time defacte.
lO
A2
The true and honorable Hiftorie, of
the life of Sir lohn O Idcajlle^ the
good Lord Cobham.
In the fight ^ enter the Sheriffe and two of his men.
Actl
sc. i
10
Sheriffe.
M^"""^""" Y Lords, I charge ye in his HighnefTe name,
To keepe the peace, you, and your followers.
Herb. Good M. Sheriffe, look vnto your felf.
Pow. Do fo, for we haue other bufineffe.
' Proffer to fight againe
Sher. Will ye difturbe the Judges, and the Affife ?
Heare the Kings proclamation, ye were beft.
Pow. Hold then, lets heare it.
Herb. But be briefe, ye were beft.
Bayl. O yes.
Dauy Coffone, make fhorter O, or fhall marre your Yes.
Bay. O yes.
Owen What, has her nothing to fay but O yes } -
Bay. O yes.
Da. O nay,pye Coffe plut downe with her, down with her,
A PawefTe a Paweffe.
Gough A Herbert a Herbert, and downe with Poweffe.
Helter skelter againe. 20
Sher. Hold, in the Kings name, hold.
Owen Downe e tha ka naues name, downe.
A3 In
The firfl part of
In this fight ^ the Bailiffe is knocked downe^ and the Sherifie
and the other runne away.
Herb. Powefle, I thinke thy Welfh and thou do fmart.
Pow. Herbert, I thinke my fword came neere thy heart.
Herb. Thy hearts beft bloud fhall pay the lofle of mine.
Gough A Herbert a Herbert.
Dauy A Pawefle a PawefTe.
30 yf J they are lifting their weapons^ enter the Maior of Here-
ford^ andhis Officers and Townes-men with clubhes.
Maior My Lords, as you are liege men to theCrowne,
True noblemen, and fubiects to the King,
Attend his HighnefTe proclamation,
Commaunded by the Judges of Aflife,
For keeping peace at this aflemblie.
Herb. Good M. Maior of Hereford be briefe.
Mai. Serieant, without the ceremonie of O yes.
Pronounce alowd the proclamation.
40 Ser. The Kings luftices, perceiuing what publique mif-
chiefe may enfue this priuate quarrel : in his maiefties name do
ftraightly charge and commaund all perfons, of what degree
foeuer, to depart this cittie of Hereford, except fuch as are
bound to giue attendance at this AfTife, and that no man pre-
fume to weare any weapon, efpecially welfh-hookes, forreft
billes.
Owen Haw, no pill nor wells hoog ? ha ?
Ma. Peace, and heare the proclamation.
^er. And that the Lord Poweffe do prefently difperfe and
50 difcharge his retinue, and depart the cittie in the Kings peace,
he and his followers, on paine of imprifonment.
Dauy Haw ? pud her Lord PawefTe in prifon, A Pawes
A PawefTe, cofTone Hue and tie with her Lord.
Gough A Herbert a Herbert.
In this fight the Lord Herbert is wounded., andfals to the ground^
the Maior and his company goe away crying clubbes^ Powejfe
runnes away., Gough and other of Herberts faction bufie them-
Jelues about Herbert: enters the two ludges in their roabes^
the
Jir John Old-caflle,
the Sheriffe and his Bailiffes afore them^ iffc.
1. lud. Where's the Lord Herbert? ishehurtorflaine? 60
Sher. Hee's here my Lord.
2. lud. How fares his Lordfhippe, friends?
Gough Mortally wounded, fpeechleffe, he cannot Hue.
1. lud. Conuayhim hence, let not his wounds take ayre,
And get him drefs'd with expedition, Ex. Her b.^ Gough
M. Maior of Hereford, M Shriue o'th fhire,
Commit Lord PowefTe to fafe cuftodie,
To anfwer the difturbance of the peace,
Lord Herberts perill, and his high contempt
Of vs, and you the Kings commifTioners, 70
See it be done with care and diligence.
Sher. Pleafe it your Lordfhip, my Lord PowefTe is gone,
Paft all recouery.
2. lud. Yet let fearch be made.
To apprehend his followers that are left.
Sher. There are fome of them, firs, lay hold on them,
Owen Of vs, and why? what has her done I pray you?
Sher. Difarme them Bailiffes.
Ma. Officers affift.
Dauy Heare youLor lhudge,what refibn is forthis ? 80
Owen CofTon pe pufe for fighting for our Lord ?
1. ludge Away with them.
Dauy Harg you my Lord, (fhitten ka naue,'
Owen Gough my Lorde Herberts man's a 5^/^ ^/
Dauy Ife Hue and tie in good quarrell. once al this
Owen Pray you do fhuftice, let awl be prefon.
Dauy Prifon no.
Lord fiiudge I wooll giue you pale, good fuerty.
2. Judge What Bale? what fuerties?
Dauy Her coozin ap Ries, ap Euan, ap Morrice, ap Mor- 90
gan, ap Lluellyn, ap Madoc, ap Meredith,
ap Griffen, ap Dauy, ap Owen ap Shinken Shones.
2 ludge. Two of the moft, fufficient are ynow,
Sher. And't pleafe your Lordihip thefe are al but one.
I. ludge.
The first part of
1 . ludge To layle with them, and the Lord Herberts men,
Weele talke with them, when the Affife is done. Exeunt.
Riotous, audacious, and vnruly Groomes,
Muft we be forced to come from the Bench,
To quiet brawles, which euery Conftable
100 In other ciuill places can fuppreffe?
2. ludge Whatwas the quarrel thatcaufde all this ftirre?
Sher. About religion (as I heard) my Lord.
Lord PowefTe detracted from the power of Rome,
Affirming WickHffes doctrine to be true,
And Romes erroneous : hot reply was made
By the lord Herbert, they were traytors all
That would maintaine it : Poweffe anfwered.
They were as true, as noble, and as wife
As he, that would defend it with their Hues,
no He namde for inftance fir lohn Old-caftle
The Lord Cobham : Herbert replide againe.
He, thou, and all are traitors that fo hold.
The lie was giuen, the feuerall factions drawne.
And fo enragde, that we could not appeafe it.
I. ludge This cafe concernes the Kings prerogatiue,
And's dangerous to the State and common wealth.
Gentlemen, luftices, mafter Maior, and mafter Shrieue,
It doth behoue vs all, and each of vs
In generall and particular, to haue care
120 For the fuppreffing of all mutinies.
And all affemblies, except fouldiers mufters
For the Kings preparation into France.
We heare of fecret conuenticles made.
And there is doubt of fome confpiracies.
Which may breake out into rebellious armes
When the King's gone, perchance before he go :
Note as an inftance, this one perillous fray.
What factions might haue growne on either part,
To the deftruction of the King and Realme,
130 Yet, in my confcience, fir lohn Old-caftle
Innocent
ftr lohn Old'Caflle,
Innocent of it, onely his name was vfde.
We therefore from his Highnefle giue this charge.
You maifter Maior, looke to your citizens,
You maifter Sherife vnto your fhire, and you
As luftices in euery ones precinct
There be no meetings. When the vulgar fort
Sit on their Ale-bench, with their cups and kannes,
Matters of ftate be not their common talke,
Nor pure religion by their lips prophande.
Let vs returne vnto the Bench againe, 140
And there examine further of this fray. Enter a Baily and
Sher. Sirs, haue ye taken the lord Powefle yet } a Serieant
Ba, No, nor heard of him.
Ser. No, hee's gone farre enough.
2. lu. They that are left behind, fhallanfwer all. Exeunt.
EnterSuffolkeyBiJhopofRochester^Butler^parJonoflVrotham. Act I
Suffolke Now my lord Bifhop, take free liberty ^^- »
To fpeake your minde: what is your fute to vs.?
Bijhop My noble Lord, no more than what you know.
And haue bin oftentimes inuefted with: 150
Grieuous complaints haue paft betweene the lippes
Of enuious perfons to vpbraide the Cleargy,
Some carping at the liuings which we haue.
And others fpurning at the ceremonies
That are of auncient cuftome in the church.
Amongft the which. Lord Cobham is a chiefe :
What inconuenience may proceede hereof.
Both to the King and to the common wealth.
May eafily be difcernd, when like a frenfie
This innouation fhall poflefTe their mindes. 160
Thefe vpftarts will haue followers to vphold
Their damnd opinion, more than Harry fhall
To vndergoe his quarrell gainft the French.
Suffolke What proofe is there againft them to be had.
That what you fay the law may iuftifie }
Bijhop They giue themfelues the name of Proteftants,
B And
The fir ft part of
And meete in fields and folitary groues.
fir Ihon Was euer heard (my Lord) the like til now ?
That theeues and rebells, s'bloud heretikes,
170 Playne heretikes, He ftand toote to their teeth,
Should haue to colour, their vile practifes,
A title of fuch worth, as Proteftant ? enter onewythaletter,
Suf. O but you must not fweare, it ill becomes
One of your coate, to rappe out bloudy oathes.
BiflD. Pardon him good my Lord, it is his zeale,
An honeft country prelate, who laments
To fee fuch foule diforder in the church.
Sir lohn Theres one they call him Sir lohn Old-caftle,
He has not his name for naught: for like a caftle
180 Doth he encompaffe them within his walls,
But till that caftle be fubuerted quite,
We ne're fhall be at quiet in the realme.
Bijh. That is our fute, my Lord, that he be tane,
And brought in queftion for his herefie,
Befide, two letters brought me out of Wales,
Wherin my Lord Herford writes to me,
What tumult and fedition was begun.
About the Lord Cobham, at the Sifes there,
For they had much ado to calme the rage,
190 And that the valiant Herbert is there flaine.
Suf. Afirethat muft be quencht; wel, fay no more.
The King anon goes to the counfell chamber.
There to debate of matters touching France :
As he doth pafTe by. He informe his grace
Concerning your petition : Mafter Butler,
If I forget, do you remember me,
But. I will my Lord. Offer himapurfe.
Bijh. Not for a recompence,
But as a token of our loue to you,
200 By me my Lords of the cleargie do prefent
This purfe, and in it full a thoufand Angells,
Praying your Lordfhip to accept their gift.
Suf
fir yohn Old'Caflle,
Suf. I thanke them, my Lord Bifhop, for their loue,
But will not take their mony, if you pleafe
To giue it to this gentleman, you may.
Bifi). Sir, then we craue your furtherance herein.
But. The beft I can my Lord of Rochefter.
Bijh. Nay, pray ye take it, truft me but you flial,
Jir lohn Were ye all three vpon New Market heath,
You fhould not neede ftraine curtfie who fhould ha'te, 210
Sir lohn would quickely rid ye of that care.
Suf The King is comming, feare ye not my Lord,
The very firft thing I will breake with him,
Shal be about your matter. Enter K. Harry and Hunting-
Har. My Lord of Suffolke, ton in talke.
Was it not faide the Cleargy did refufe
To lend vs mony toward our warres in France ?
Suf. It was my Lord, but very wrongfully.
Har. I know it was, for Huntington here tells me,
They haue bin very bountifull of late. 220
Suf. And ftill they vow my gracious Lord to be fo.
Hoping your maieftie will thinke of them.
As of your louing fubiects, and fuppreffe
All fuch malitious errors as begin
To fpot their calling, and difturb the church.
Har. God elfe forbid : why Suffolke, is there
Any new rupture to disquiet them }
Suf. No new my Lord, the old is great enough.
And fo increasing, as if not cut downe,
Will breede a fcandale to your royall ftate, 230
And fet your Kingdome quickely in an vproare,
The Kentifh knight. Lord Cobham, in defpight
Of any law, or fpirituall difcipline,
Maintaines this vpftart new religion ftill.
And diuers great affemblies by his meanes
And priuate quarrells, are commenft abroad.
As by this letter more at large my liege,
Is made apparant.
B 2 Har.
The first part of
Har. We do find it here,
240 There was in Wales a certaine fray of late,
Betweene two noblemen, but what of this ?
Followes it ftraight Lord Cobham muft be he
Did caufe the fame ? I dare be fworne (good knight)
He neuer dreampt of any fuch contention.
Bijh. But in his name the quarrell did begin,
About the opinion which he held (my liege.)
Har. How if it did ? was either he in place, ^
To take part with them, or abette them in it ?
If brabling fellowes, whofe inkindled bloud,
250 Seethes in their fiery vaines, will needes go fight.
Making their quarrells of fome words that pafst.
Either of you, or you, amongft their cuppes.
Is the fault yours, or are they guiltie of it.?
Suffolke With pardon of yourHighnefle(mydread lord)
Such little fparkes neglected, may in time
Grow to a mighty flame : but thats not all.
He doth befide maintaine a ftrange religion.
And will not be compelld to come to mafle.
BiJh. We do befeech you therefore gracious prince,
260 Without offence vnto your maiefly
We may be bold to vfe authoritie.
Harry As how.''
Bijhop To fummon him vnto the Arches,
Where fuch offences haue their punifhment.
Harry To anfwere perfonally, is that your meaning }
Bijhop It is, my lord.
Harry How if he appeale }
Bijhop He cannot (my Lord) in fuch a cafe as this.
Suffolke Not where Religion is the plea, my lord.
270 Harry I tooke it alwayes, that our felfe ftoode ont,
As a fufficient refuge, vnto whome
Not any but might lawfully appeale.
But weele not argue now vpon that poynt :
For fir lohn Old-caflle whom you accufe.
Let
ftr John Old'CaJlle.
Let me intreate you to difpence awhile
With your high title of preheminence. in/come.
Report did neuer yet condemne him fo,
But he hath alwayes beene reputed loyall:
And in my knowledge I can fay thus much,
That he is vertuous, wife, and honourable: 280
If any way his confcience be feduc'de.
To wauer in his faith: He fend for him.
And fchoole him priuately, if that ferue not,
Then afterward you may proceede againft him.
Butler, be you the meffenger for vs.
And will him prefently repaire to court, exeunt.
fir lohn How now my lord, why ftand you difcontent }
In footh, me thinkes the King hath well decreed.
Bi/hop Yea, yea, fir John, if he would keepe his word,
But I perceiue he fauours him fo much, 290
As this will be to fmall effect, I feare.
fir lohn Why then He tell you what y'arebeft to do:
If you fufpect the King will be but cold
In reprehending him, fend you a proceffe too
To ferue vpon him: fo you may be fure
To make him anfwer't, howfoere it fall.
Bi/hop And well remembred, I will haue it fo,
A Sumner fhall be fent about it ftrait Exit.
fir lohn Yea,doe fo,in themeane fpace this remaines
For kinde fir lohn of Wrotham honefl lacke. 300
Me thinkes the purfe of gold the Bifhop gaue.
Made a good fhew, it had a tempting looke,
Befhrew me, but my fingers ends do itch
To be vpon thofe rudduks: well, tis thus:
I am not as the worlde docs take me for:
If euer woolfe were cloathed in fheepes coate,
Then I am he, olde huddle and twang, yfaith,
A priefl in fhew, but in plaine termes, a theefe.
Yet let me tell you too, an honeft theefe.
One that will take it where it may be fparde, 310
B 3 And
The first part of
And fpend it freely in good fellowfhip.
I haue as many fliapes as Proteus had,
That ftill when any villany is done,
There may be none fufpect it was fir lohn.
Befides, to comfort me, for whats this life,
Except the crabbed bitternes thereof
Be fweetened now and then with lechery ?
I haue my Doll, my concubine as t'were.
To frollicke with, a lufty bounfing gerle.
320 But whilft I loyter here the gold, may fcape,
And that muft not be fo, it is mine owne, ;
Therefore He meete him on his way to court.
And fhriue him of it : there will be the fport. Exit.
Act I Enter three or four e poore people^JomeJouldiers^Jomeold men.
sc. iii I God help, God help, there's law for punifhing,
But theres no law for our necefiity :
There be more ftockes to fet poore foldiers in,
Than there be houfes to releeue them at.
Old man Faith, houfekeeping decayes in euery place,
330 Euen as Saint Peter writ, ftill worfe and worfe
4 Maifter maior of Rochefter has giuen commaunde-
ment, that none fhall goe abroade out of the parifh, and they
haue fet an order downe forfooth, what euery poore houfhol-
der muft giue towards our reliefe : where there befomeceafed
I may fay to you, had almoft as much neede to beg as we.
1 It is a hard world the while.
Old man If a poore man come to a doore to aske for Gods
fake, they aske him for a licence, or a certificate fromaluftice.
2 Faith we haue none, but what we beare vppon our bo-
340 dies, our maimed limbs, God help vs.
4 And yet, as lame as I am, He with the king into France,
if I can crawle but a fhip-boorde, I hadde rather be flaine in
France, than ftarue in England.
Olde man Ha, were I but as lufty as I was at the battell of
Shrewsbury, I would not doe as I do : but we are now come
to the good lord Cobhams, to the beft man to the poore that
is
fir yohn Old-caftle,
is in all Kent.
4 God blefTe him, there be but few fuch.
Enter Lord Cobham with Harfoole.
Cob. Thou peeuifh froward man, what wouldft thou haue ? 35°
Harp. This pride, this pride, brings all to beggarie,
I feru'de your father, and your grandfather,
Shew me fuch two men now : no, no.
Your backes, your backes, the diuell and pride,
Has cut the throate of all good houfekeeping.
They were the beft Yeomens mafters, that
Euer were in England.
Cob. Yea, except thou haue a crue of feely knaues.
And fturdy rogues, ftill feeding at my gate,
There is no hofpitalitie with thee. 360
Harp. They may fit at the gate well enough, but the diuell
of any thing you giue them, except they will eate ftones.
Co^.Tislongthenof fuch hungry knaues as you, pointing
Yea fir, heres your retinue, your guefts be come, to the
They know their howers I warrant you, beggars
Old. God blefTe your honour, God faue the good Lord
Cobham, and all his houfe.
Soul. Good your honour, beftow your blefl'ed almes,
Vpon poore men.
Cob. Now fir, here be your Almes knights. 370
Now are you as fafe as the Emperour.
Harp. My Almes knights : nay, th'are yours.
It is a fhame for you, and He ftand too't.
Your foolifii almes maintaines more vagabonds,
Then all the noblemen in Kent befide.
Out you rogues, you knaues, worke for your liuings,
Alas poore men, O Lord, they may beg their hearts out,
Theres no more charitie amongft men.
Then amongft fo many maftiffe dogges.
What make you here, you needy knaues.? 380
Away, away, you villaines.
l.Joul. I befeech you fir, be good to vs.
Cob.
The fir ft part of
Cohham Nay, nay, they know thee well enough, I thinke that
all the beggars in this land are thy acquaintance, goe beftowe
your almes, none will controule you fir.
Harp. What fhould I giue them ? you are growne fo beg-
garly, you haue fcarce a bitte of breade to giue at your doore :
you talkeofyour religion fo long, that you hauebanifhedcha-
ritie from amongft you, a man may make a flaxe fhop in your
390 kitchin chimnies, for any fire there is ftirring.
Cobham If thou wilt giue them nothing, fend them hence,
let them not ftand here fl:aruing in the colde.
Harp.V^ho I driue them hence? if I driue poore men from
your doore. He be hangd,I know not what I may come to my
felfe: yea, God help you poore knaues,yefee the world yfaith,
well, you had a mother : well, God be with thee good Lady,
thy foule'sat reft: ftiegaue more inftiirts and fmocks to poore
children, then you fpend in your houfe,& yet you liue a beg-
gar too.
400 Cobham Euen the worft deede that ere my mother did, was
in releeuing fuch a foole as thou.
HarpQole Yea, yea, I am a foole ftill, with all your wit you
will die a beggar, go too.
Cobham Go you olde foole, giue the poore people fome-
thing,go in poore men into the inner court, and take fuch alms
as there is to be had.
Souldier God blefl*e your honor.
Harpoole Hang you roags, hang you, theres nothing but
mifery amongft. you, you feare no law you. Exit.
410 Olde man God blefte you good maifter Rafe, God faue
your life, you are good to the poore ftill.
Enter the Lord P owes di/guifedj andjhrowdehimfelfe.
Cobham What fellow's yonder comes along the groue ?
Few pafl*engers there be that know this way:
Methinkes he ftops as though he ftayd for me.
And meant to ftirowd himfelfe amongft the bufties.
I know the Cleargie hate me to the death.
And my religion gets me many foes:
And
fir John Old-caflle,
And this may be fome defperate rogue,
Subornd to worke me mifchiefe : As it 420
Pleafeth God, if he come toward me, fure
He ftay his comming, be he but one man,
What foere he be : The Lord Powis comes on.
I haue beene well acquainted with that face.
Powis Well met my honorable lord and friend.
Cobham You are welcome fir, what ere you be,
But of this fodaine fir, I do not know you.
Powis I am one that wifheth well vnto your honor,
My name is Powes, an olde friend of yours.
Cobham My honorable lord, and worthy friend, 430
What makes your lordfhip thus alone in Kent,
And thus difguifed in this ftrange attire .''
Powis My Lord, an vnexpected accident.
Hath at this time inforc'de me to thefe parts :
And thus it hapt, not yet ful fiue dayes fince,
Now at the laft Aflife at Hereford,
It chanft that the lord Herbert and my felfe,
Mongft other things, difcourfing at the table,
To fall in fpeech about fome certaine points
Of Wickdiffes doctrine, gainft the papacie, 440
And the religion catholique, maintaind
Through the mofi: part of Europe at this day.
This wilfull teafty lord ftucke not to fay,
That Wickcliffe was a knaue, a fchifmatike,
His doctrine diuelifh and hereticall.
And what foere he was maintaind the fame,
was traitor both to God and to his country.
Being moued at his peremptory fpeech,
I told him, fome maintained thofe opinions.
Men, and truer fubiects then lord Herbert was : 450
And he replying in comparifons:
Your name was vrgde, my lord, gainft his chalenge.
To be a perfect fauourer of the trueth.
And to be fiiort, from words we fell to blowes,
C Our
The fir ft part of
Our feruants, and our tenants taking parts,
Many on both fides hurt : and for an houre
The broyle by no meanes could be pacified,
Vntill the ludges rifing from the bench.
Were in their perfons forc'de to part the fray.
460 Cobham I hope no man was violently flaine.
Powis Faith none 1 truft, but the lord Herberts felfe,
Who is in truth fo dangeroufly hurt,
As it is doubted he can hardly fcape.
Cobham I am fory, my good lord, of thefe ill newes.
Powis This is the caufe that driues me into Kent,
To fhrowd my felfe with you fo good a friend,
Vntill I heare how things do fpeed at home.
Cobham Your lordfhip is moft welcome vnto Cobham,
But I am very fory, my good lord,
470 My name was brought in quefi:ion in this matter,
Confidering I haue many enemies,
That threaten malice, and do lie in waite
To take aduantage of the fmallefl: thing.
But you are welcome, and repofe your lordfhip.
And keepe your felfe here fecret in my houfe,
Vntill we heare how the lord Herbert fpeedes :
Here comes my man. Enter Harpoole.
Sirra, what newes.''
Harpoole Yonders one maifi:er Butler of the priuie cham-
480 ber, is fent vnto you from the King.
Powis I pray God the lord Herbert be not dead, and the
King hearing whither I am gone, hath fent for me.
Cob. Comfort your felfe my lord, I warrant you.
Harpoole Fellow, what ailes thee } dooft thou quake } doft
thou fhake? doft thou tremble? ha.''
Cob. Peace you old foole, firra, conuey this gentleman
in the backe way, and bring the other into the walke.
Harpoole Come fir. you are welcome, if you loue my lorde.
Powis God haue mercy gentle friend. exeunt.
490 Cob. I thought as much, that it would not be long before I
heard
Jir yohn Old-caflle,
heard of fomething from the King, about this matter.
Enter Harpoole with Maijier Butler.
Harpoole Sir, yonder my lord walkes, you fee him,
He haue your men into the Celler the while.
Cobh. welcome good maifter Butler.
Butler Thankes, my good lord : his Maieftie dooth com-
mend his loue vntoyour lordlhip,and wils you to repairevn-
to the court.
Cobh. God blefle his Highnefle, and confound his enne-
mies, I hope his Maieftie is well. 500
Butler In health, my lord.
Cobh. God long continue it : mee thinkes you looke as
though you were not well, what ailes you fir ?
Butler Faith I haue had a foolifh odde mifchance, that an-
gers mee: comming ouer Shooters hill, there came a fellow to
me like a Sailer, and asked me money, and whilft I ftaide my
horfe to draw my purfe,he takes th'aduantage of a little banck
and leapes behind me,whippes my purfe away, and with a fo-
daine ierke I know not how, threw me at leaft three yards out
of my faddle. I neuer was fo robbed in all my life. 510
Cobh. I am very forie fir for your mifchance, wee will fend
our warrant foorth, to ftay fuch fufpitious perfons as fiial be
found, then maifter Butler, we wil attend you.
Butler I humbly thanke your lordfhip, I will attend you.
Enter the Sumner. Act II
Sum. I haue the law to warrant what I do, and though the -f^- '
Lord Cobham be a noble man, that difpenfes not with law,
I dareferue procefle were a fiue noble men, though we Sum-
ners make fometimes a mad flip in a corner with a prettie
wench, a Sumner muft not goe alwayes by feeing, a manne 520
may be content to hide his eies, where he may feele his profit :
well, this is my Lord Cobhams houfe,if I candeuife to fpeake
with him, if not. He clap my citation vpon's doore,fomylord
of Rochefter bid me, but me thinkes here comes one of his
men. Enter Harpoole.
Harp. Welcome good fellow, welcome, who wouldft thou
C 2 fpeake
The first part of
fpeake with ?
Sum. With my lord Cobham, I would fpeake, if thou be
one of his men.
530 Harp. Yes I am one of his men, but thou canft not fpeake
with my lord.
Sum. May I fend to him then?
Harp. He tel thee that, when I know thy errand.
Sum. I will not tel my errand to thee.
Harp. Then keepe it to thy felfe,and walke like a knaue as
thou cameft.
Sum. I tell thee my lord keepes no knaues, firra.
Harp. Then thou ferueft him not, I beleeue, what lord is thy
mafter }
540 Sum. My lord of Rochefter.
Harp. In good time, and what wouldft thou haue with my
lord Cobham }
Sum. I come by vertue of a procefTe, to afcite him to ap-
peare before my lord, in the court at Rochefter.
Harp afide. Wei, God grant me patience, I could eate this
conger. My lord is not at home, therefore it were good Sum-
ner you caried your procefTe backe.
Sum, Why, if he will not be fpoken withall, then will I
leaue it here, and fee you that he take knowledge of it.
550 Harp. Swounds you flaue, do you fetvp your bills here, go
to, take it downe againe,doeft thou know what thou doft,doft
thee know on whom thou ferueft procefTe.''
Sum. Yes marry doe I, Sir lohn Old-caftle Lord Cob-
ham.
Harp. I am glad thou knoweft him yet, and firra doft not
thou know, that the lord Cobham is a braue lord, that keepes
good beefe and beere in his houfe, and euery day feedes a
hundred poore people at's gate, and keepes a hundred tall fel-
lowes }
560 Sum. Whats that to my procefTe.?
Harp. Mary this fir, is this procefTe parchment.''
Sum. Yes mary.
harp.
fir John Old'Caflle.
Harp. And this feale waxe ?
Sum. It is fo.
Harp. Ifthisbe parchment, &thiswax,eate you this parch-
ment, and thiswaxe, or I will make parchment of your skinne,
and beate your braines into waxe : Sirra Sumner difpatch,
deuoure, firra deuoure.
Sum. I am my lord of Rochefters Sumner, I came to do my
office, and thou fhalt anfwere it. 570
Harp. Sirra, no railing, but betake you to your teeth, thou
fhalt eate no worfe then thou bringft with thee, thou bringft
it for my lord, and wilt thou bring my lord worfe then thou
wilt eate thy felfe ?
Sum. Sir, I brought it not my lord to eate.
Harp. O do you fir me now, all's one for that, but ile make
you eate it, for bringing it.
Sum. I cannot eate it.
Harp. Can you not ,'' sbloud ile beate you vntil you haue a
ftomacke. he beates him. 580
Sum. O hold, hold, good mafter feruing-man, I will eate it.
Harp. Be champping, be chawing fir, or Ile chaw you, you
rogue, the pureft of the hony.
Sum. Tough waxe, is the pureft of the hony.
Harp. O Lord fir, oh oh, he eates.
Feed, feed, wholfome rogue, wholfome.
Cannot you like an honeft Sumner walke with the diuell your
brother, to fetch in your Bailiffes rents, but you muft come to
a noble mans houfe with procefl'e } Sbloud if thy feale were as
broad as the lead that couersRochefter church, thou fhouldft 590
eate it.
Sum. O I am almoft choaked, I am almoft choaked.
Harp. Who's within there } wil you fiiame my Lord, is
there no beere in the houfe } Butler I fay.
But. Heere, here. Enter Butler.
Harp. Giue him Beere. he drinkes.
There, tough old fheepskins, bare drie meate.
Sum. O fir, let me go no further, Ile eate my word.
C 3 harp.
The first part of
Harp. Yea mary fir, fo I meane you fhall eate more then
600 your own word, for ile make you eate all thewords in the pro-
cefTe. Why you drab monger, cannot thefecrets of al the wen-
ches in a flieire ferue your turne, but you muft come hither
with a citation with a poxe ? Ile cite you. he has then done.
A cup of facke for the Sumner.
But. Here fir here.
Harp. Here flaue I drinke to thee.
Sum. I thanke you fir.
Harp. Now if thou findft thy ftomacke well, becaufe thou
fhalt fee my Lord keep's meate in's houfe, if thou wilt go in
610 thou fhalt haue a peece of beefe to thy break faft.
Sum. No I am very well good M. feruing-man, I thanke
you, very well fir.
Harp. I am glad on't, then be walking towards Rochefter to
keepe your ftomack warme : and Sumner, if I may know you
difl:urb a good wench within this Diocefie, if I do not make
thee eate her peticote, if there were four yards of Kentifh cloth
in't, I am a villaine.
Sum. God be with you M. feruingmaan.
Harp. Farewell Sumner. Enter Conftahle.
620 Con. God faue you M. Harpoole.
Harp. Welcome Confliable, welcom Conftable, what news
with thee.''
Con. And't pleafe you M. Harpoole, I am to make hue to
crie,for a fellow with one eie that has rob'd two Clothiers, and
am to craue your hindrance, for tofearch all fufpected places,
and they fay there was a woman in the company.
Harp. Haft thou bin at the Alehoufe, haft thou fought
there }
Con. I durft not fearch fir, in my Lord Cobhams libertie,
630 except I hadfome of his feruants, which arefor my warrant.
Harp. An honeft Conftable, an honeft Conftable, cal forth
him that keepes the Alehoufe there.
Con. Ho, who's within there.''
Ale man Who calls there, come neere a Gods name, oh is't
you
Jir jfohn Old-caflle,
you M. Conftable and M. Harpoole, you are welcome with
all myheart,what make you herefoearelythismorning?
Harp. Sirra,what ftrangers do you lodge, there is a robbery
done this morning, and we are to fearch for all fufpected per-
fons.
Aleman. Godsbores,! amforyfor't,yfaithfir I lodgeno bo- 640
dy but a good honeft mery prieft, they call him fir lohn a
Wrootham, and a handfome woman that is his neece, that he
faies he has fome fute in law for, and as they go vp & down to
London, fometimes they lie at my houfe.
Harp. What, is he here in thy houfe now?
Con. She is fir, I promife you fir he is a quiet man, and be-
caufe he will not trouble too many roomes, he makes the wo-
man lie euery night at his beds feete.
Harp. Bring her forth Conftable, bring her forth, let's fee
her, let's fee her. 650
Con. Dorothy, you muft come downe to M. Conftable.
Dol. Anon forfooth. Jhe enters.
Harp. Welcome fweete lafl"e, welcome.
Dol. I thank you good M. feruing-man, and mafter Con-
ftable alfo.
Harp. A plump girle by the mas, a plump girle, ha Dol ha,
wilt thou forfake the prieft, and go with me.
Con. A well faid M. Harpoole, you are a merrie old man
yfaith, yfaithyouwilneuerbeold: nowbythemacke,aprettie
wench indeed. 660
Harp. Ye old mad mery Conftable, art thou aduis'de of
that.-* ha, well faid Dol, fill fome ale here.
Dolaftde Oh if Iwift this old prieft would not fticke to me,
by loue I would ingle this old feruing-man.
Harp. Oh you old mad colt, yfaith lie feak you : fil all the
pots in the houfe there.
Con. Oh wel faid M. Harpoole, you are heart of oake when
all's done.
Harp. Ha Dol, thou haft a fweete paire of lippes by the
mafl!e. 670
Dol.
The fir ft part of
Doll Truely you are a moft fweet olde man, as euer I fawe,
by my troth, you haue a face, able to make any woman in loue
with you.
Harp. Fill fweete Doll, He drinke to thee.
Doll I pledge you fir,and thanke you therefore, and I pray
you let it come.
Harp, imbracing her Doll,canfl: thou loue me } a mad mer-
ry lafTe, would to God I had neuer feene thee.
Doll I warrant you you will not out of my thoughts this
680 tweluemonth, truely you are as full of fauour, as a man may
be. Ah thefe fweete grey lockes, by my troth, they are moft
louely.
Conftable Gods boores maifter Harpoole, I will haue one
bufle too.
Harp. No licking for you Conftable, hand off, hand off.
Conftable Bur lady I loue kifting as wel as you.
Doll Oh you are an od boie,you haue a wanton eie of your
owne : ah you fweet fugar lipt wanton, you will winne as ma-
ny womens hearts as come in your company. Enter Prieft,
690 Wroth. Doll, come hither. '
Harp. Prieft, ftie ftial not.
Doll He come anone, fweete loue.
Wroth. Hand off, old fornicator.
Harp. Vicar, He fit here in fpight of thee, is this fitte ftuffe
for a prieft to carry vp and downe with him }
Wrotham Ah firra, doft thou not know, that a good fellow
parfon may haue a chappel of eafe, where his parifti Church is
farre off".?
Harp. You whoorefon fton'd Vicar.
700 Wroth. You old ftale rufRn, you lion of Cotfwold.
Harp. Swounds Vicar, He geld you. fliesvponhim.
Conftable Keepe the Kings peace.
Doll Murder, murder, murder.
Ale man Holde, as you are men, holde, for Gods fake be
quiet : put vp your weapons, you drawe not in my houfe.
Harp. You whoorefon bawdy prieft.
Wroth.
Jir yohn Old-caflle.
Wroth. You old mutton monger.
Conjiable Hold fir John, hold.
Doll to the Priejl I pray thee fweet heart be quiet, I was but
fitting to drinke a pot of ale with him,euen as kinde a man as 710
euer I met with.
Harp. Thou art a theefe I warrant thee.
Wroth. Then I am but as thou haft beene in thy dayes,lets
not be afliamed of our trade, the King has beene a theefe him-
felfe.
Doll Come, be quiet, haft thou fped.?
Wroth. I haue wench, here be crownes ifaith.
Doll Come, lets be all friends then.
Conjiable Well faid miftris Dorothy ifaith.
Harp. Thou art the madft prieft that euer I met with. 720
Wroth. Giue me thy hand, thou art as good a fellow,
Iamafinger,a drinker,a bencher,a wencher,! can fay a mafl"e,
and kiflealafi^e: faith I haue a parlonage,and bicaufe I would
not be at too much charges, this wench ferues me for a fexton.
Harp. Well faid mad prieft, weele in and be friends, exeunt.
Enter fir Roger Acton^ master Bourne^ mafter Beuerley^ Act II
and William Murley the brewer ofDunftable. •f'^- "
Acton Now maifter Murley, I am well afi^urde
You know our arrant, and do like the caufe,
Being a man affected as we are.'^ 73°
Mu. Mary God dild ye daintie my deere, no mafter, good
fir Roger Acton Knight, maifter Bourne, and maifter Beuer-
ley efquires, gentlemen, and iuftices of the peace, no maifter I,
but plaine William Murly the brewer ofDunftable your ho-
neft neighbour, and your friend, if ye be men of my profefli-
on.
Beuerley Profefl'ed friends to Wickliffe, foes to Rome.
Murl. Hold by me lad, leane vpon that ftaffe good mai-
fter Beuerley, all of ahoufe,fay your mind, fay your mind.
Acton You know our faction now is growne fo great, 74°
Throughout the realme, that it beginnes to fmoake
Into the Cleargies eies, and the Kings eares,
D High
The first part of
High time it is that we were drawne to head,
Our generall and officers appoynted.
And warres ye wot will aske great ftore of coine.
Able to ftrength our action with your purfe,
You are elected for a colonell
Ouer a regiment of fifteene bands.
Murley Fuepaltriepaltrie,in and out, to and fro, be it more
750 or lefTe, vppon occafion,Lorde haue mercie vppon vs, what a
world is this ? Sir Roger Acton, 1 am but a Dunftable man, a
plaine brewer, ye know: will lufty Caualiering captaines gen-
tlemen come at my calling, goe at my bidding? Daintie my
deere, theile doe a dogge of waxe, a horfe of cheefe, a pricke
and a pudding, no, no, ye muft appoint fome lord or knight
at leaft to that place.
Bourne Why mafter Murley, you fhall be a Knight :
Were you not in election to be fhrieue?
Haue ye not paft all offices but that ?
760 Haue ye not wealth to make your wife a lady }
I warrant you, my lord, our Generall
Beftowes that honor on you at firft fight.
Murley Mary God dild ye daintie my deare :
But tell me, who fhalbe our Generall ?
Wheres the lord Cobham, fir lohn Old-caftle,
That noble almef-giuer, houfekeeper, vertuous, .
Religious gentleman .'' Come to me there boies.
Come to me there.
Acton Why who but he fhall be our Generall }
770 Murley And fiiall he knight me, and make me colonell }
Acton My word for that, fir William Murley knight.
Murley Fellow fir Roger Acton knight, all fellowes, I
meane in armes,how ftrong are we .'' how many partners ? our
enemies befide the King are mightie, be it more or lefl*e vpon
occafion, reckon our force.
Acton There are of vs, our friends, and followers,
Three thoufand and three hundred at the leaft.
Of northerne lads foure thoufand, befide horfe,
From
Jir John Old-cajlle.
From Kent there comes with fir lohn Old-caftle
Seauen thoufand, then from London iffue out, 780
Of maifters, feruants, ftrangers, prentices
Fortie odde thoufands into Ficket field,
Where we appoynt our fpeciall randeuous.
Murky Fue paltry paltry, in and out, to and fro. Lord haue
mercie vpon vs,what a world is this, wheres that Ficket fielde,
fir Roger?
Acton Behinde faint Giles in the field neere Holborne.
Murky Newgate, vp Holborne, S.Giles in the field, and to
Tiborne, an old faw : for the day, for the day ?
Acton On friday next the foureteenth day of January. 790
Murky Tyllievallie,truft me neuer if I haue any liking of
that day: fue paltry paltry, friday quoth a, difmall day, Chil-
dermafle day this yeare was friday.
Beuerky Naymaifter Murley, ifyou obferuefuch daies,
We make fome queftion of your conftancie,
All daies are like to men refolu'de in right.
Murky Say Amen, and fay no more, but fay, and hold ma-
tter Beuerley, friday next, and Ficket field, and William Mur-
ley, and his merry men fhalbe al one, I haue halfe a fcore iades
that draw my beere cartes, and euery iade fhall beare a knaue, 800
and euery knaue fhall weare a iacke,and euery iacke fiial haue
a fcull, and euery fcull Ihal fhew a fpeare,and euery fpeare (hal
kill a foe at Ficket field, at Ficket field, lohn and Tom, and
Dicke and Hodge, and Rafe and Robin, William & George,
and all my knaues fhall fight like men, at Ficket field on friday
next.
Bourne What fumme of money meane you to disburfe }
Murky It may be modeftly, decently, foberly, and hand-
fomely I may bring fiue hundreth pound.
Acton Fiue hundreth man } fiue thoufand's not enough, 810
A hundreth thoufand will not pay our men
Two months together, either come preparde
Like a braue Knight, and martiall Colonell,
In glittering golde, and gallant furniture,
D 2 Bringing
The fir ft part of
Bringing in coyne, a cart loade at the leaft,
And all your followers mounted on good horfe,
Or neuer come difgracefuU to vs all.
Beuerley Perchance you may be chofen Treafurer,
Tenne thoufand pound's the leaft that you can bring.
820 Murky Paltry paltry, in and out, to and fro, vponoccafion I
haue ten thoufand pound to fpend, and tenne too. And ra-
ther than the Biftiop fhall haue his will of mee for my confci-
ence, it fhall out all. Flame and flaxe, flame and flaxe, it was
gottewith waterand mault,and it fhal fliewith fire and gunne
powder. Sir Roger, a cart loade ofmonytil the axetree cracke,
my felfe and my men in Picket field on friday next : remem-
ber my Knighthoode, and my place : there's my hand He bee
there. Exit.
Acton See what Ambition may perfwade men to,
830 In hope of honor he will fpend himfelfe.
Bourne I neuer thought a Brewer halfe fo rich.
Beuerley Was neuer bankerout Brewer yet but one,
With vfing too much mault, too little water.
Acton Thats no fault in Brewers now-adayes :
Come, away about our bufinefle. exeunt.
Act II Enter K. Harry ^ Suffolke, Butler^ and Old-castle kneeling
i^' i" to the Kinp-.
Harry Tis not enough Lord Cobham to fubmit.
You muft forfake your grofle opinion,
840 The Bifhops find themfelues much iniured,
And though for fome good feruice you haue done.
We for our part are pleafde to pardon you.
Yet they will not fo foone be fatisfied,
Cobham My gracious Lord vnto your Maieftie,
Next vnto my God, I owe my life.
And what is mine, either by natures gift.
Or fortunes bountie, al is at your feruice.
But for obedience to the Pope of Rome,
I owe him none, nor fhall his fhaueling priefts
850 That are in England, alter my beliefe,
If
fir jfohn Old-cajlle,
If out of holy Scripture they can proue,
That I am in an errour, I will yeeld,
And gladly take inftruction at their hands,
But otherwife, I do befeech your grace,
My confcience may not be incroacht vpon.
Har. We would be loath to prefle our fubiects bodies.
Much lefle their foules, the deere redeemed part.
Of him that is the ruler of vs all,
Yet let me counfell ye, that might command.
Do not prefume to tempt them with ill words, 860
Nor fufFer any meetings to be had
Within your houfe, but to the vttermoft,
Difperfe the flockes of this new gathering feet.
Cobham My liege, if any breathe, that dares come forth,
And fay, my life in any of thefe points
Deferues th'attaindor of ignoble thoughts
Here ftand I, crauing no remorce at all,
But euen the vtmoft rigor may be fhowne.
Har. Let it fuffice we know your loyaltie.
What haue you there? 870
Coh. A deed of clemencie.
Your Highnefle pardon for Lord PowefTe life.
Which I did beg, and you my noble Lord,
Of gracious fauour did vouchfafe to grant.
Har. But yet it is not figned with our hand.
Cob. Not yet my Liege. one ready with -pen
Har. The fact, you fay, was done, and incke.
Not of prepenfed malice, but by chance.
Cob. Vpon mine honor fo, no otherwife.
Har. There is his pardon, bid him make amends, writes. 880
And cleanfe his foule to God for his offence.
What we remit, is but the bodies fcourge. Enter Bijhop.
How now Lord Bifhop ?
Bijhop luftice dread Soueraigne.
As thou art King, fo graunt I may haue iuftice.
Har. What meanes this exclamation, let vs know }
D 3 Bijhop
\
The firfl part of
Bijh. Ah my good Lord, the ftate's abufde,
And our decrees moft fhamefully prophande.
Har. How, or by whom ?
890 BiJh. Euen by this heretike.
This lew, this Traitor to your maieftie.
Cob. Prelate, thou Heft, euen in thy greafie maw,
Or whofoeuer twits me with the name.
Of either traitor, or of heretike.
Har. Forbeare I fay, and Bifhop, fhew the caufe
From whence this late abufe hath bin deriu'de,
BiJh. Thus mightie King, by generall confent,
A meftenger was fent to cite this Lord,
To make appearance in the confiftorie,
900 And comming to his houfe, a ruffian flaue,
One of his daily followers, met the man.
Who knowing him to be a parator,
AfTaults him firft, and after in contempt
Of vs, and our proceedings, makes him eate
The written procefle, parchment, feale and all :
Whereby his maifter neither was brought forth,
Nor we but fcornd, for our authoritie.
Har. When was this done?
BiJh. At fixe a clocke this morning.
910 Har. And when came you to court .^
Cob. Laft night my Lord.
Har. By this it feemes, he is not guilty of it,
And you haue done him wrong t'accufe him fo.
BiJh. But it was done my lord by his appointment,
Or elfe his man durft ne're haue bin fo bold.
Har. Or elfe you durft be bold, to interrupt.
And fill our eares with friuolous complaints,
Is this the duetie you do beare to vs?
Was't not fufficient we did paflls our word
920 To fend for him, but you mifdoubting it,
Or which is worfe, intending to foreftall
Our regall power, muft likewife fummon him ?
This
Jir John Old-caflle
This fauours of Ambition, not of zeale,
And rather proues, you malice his eftate,
Than any way that he offends the law.
Go to, we like it not, and he your officer,
That was imployde fo much amiffe herein,
Had his defert for being infolent : Enter Huntington
So Cobham when you pleafe you may depart.
Cob. I humbly bid farewell vnto my liege. Exit <^io
Har. Farewell, what's the newes by Huntington.?
Hunt. Sir Roger Acton, and a crue, my Lord,
Of bold feditious rebels, are in Armes,
Intending reformation of Religion.
And with their Army they intend to pitch.
In Picket field, vnlefTe they be repulft.
Har. So nere our prefence } dare they be fo bold ?
And will prowd warre, and eager thirft of bloud.
Whom we had thought to entertaine farre off,
Preffe forth vpon vs in our natiue boundes ,'' 9^0
Muft wee be forc't to hanfell our fharp blades
In England here, which we prepared for France.?
Well, a Gods name be it, what's their number? fay.
Or who's the chiefe commander of this rowt }
Hunt. Their number is not knowne, as yet (my Lord)
But tis reported Sir lohn Old-caftle
Is the chiefe man, on whom they do depend.
Har. How, the Lord Cobham .?
Hunt. Yes my gracious Lord.
Bijh. I could haue told your maieftie as much 950
Before he went, but that I faw your Grace
Was too much blinded by his flaterie.
Suf. Send poaft my Lord to fetch him backe againe.
But. Traitor vnto his country, how he fmooth'de.
And feemde as innocent as Truth it felfe .?
Har. I cannot thinke it yet, he would be falfe.
But if he be, no matter let him go,
Weele meet both him and them vnto their wo.
Bijhop
The first part of
Bijh. This falls out well, and at the laft I hope Exeunt
960 To fee this heretike die in a rope.
Act III Enter Earle of Cambridge^ Lord Scroope, Gray, and
s<:' i Chartres the French factor.
Scroop. Once more my Lord of Cambridge make reherfal,
How you do ftand intiteled to the Crowne,
The deeper fhall we print it in our mindes,
And euery man the better be refolu'de,
When he perceiues his quarrell to be iuft.
Cam. Then thus Lord Scroope, fir Thomas Gray, & you
Mounfieur de Chartres, agent for the French,
970 This Lionell Duke of Clarence, as I faid,
Third fonne of Edward (Englands King) the third
Had iflue Phillip his fole daughter and heyre.
Which Phillip afterward was giuen in marriage,
To Edmund Mortimer the Earle of March,
And by him had a fon cald Roger Mortimer,
Which Roger likewife had of his difcent,
Edmund, Roger, Anne, and Elianor,
Two daughters and two fonnes, but thofe three
Dide without iffue, Anne that did furuiue,
980 And now was left her fathers onely heyre.
My fortune was to marry, being too
By my grandfather of King Edwardes line.
So of his firname, I am calde you know,
Richard Plantagenet, my father was,
Edward the Duke of Yorke, and fon and heyre
To Edmund Langley, Edward the third's firft fonne.
Scroop So that itfeemes your claime comes by your wife.
As lawfull heyre to Roger Mortimer,
The fon of Edmund, which did marry Phillip
990 Daughter and heyre to Lyonell Duke of Clarence.
Cam. True, for this Harry, and his father both
Harry the firft, as plainely doth appeare.
Are falfe intruders, and vfurp the Crowne,
For when yong Richard was at Pomfret flaine,
In
Jir lohn Old-caftle.
In him the title of prince Edward dide,
That was the eldeft of king Edwards fonnes:
William of Hatfield, and their fecond brother,
Death in his nonage had before bereft:
So that my wife deriu'd from Lionell,
Third fonne vnto king Edward, ought proceede, looo
And take poflefTion of the Diademe
Before this Harry, or his father king,
Who fetcht their title but from Lancafter,
Forth of that royall line. And being thus.
What reafon ift but (he fhould haue her right?
Scroope I am refolu'de our enterprife is iuft.
Gray Harry fhall die, or elfe refigne his crowne.
Chart. Performe but that, and Charles the king of France
Shall ayde you lordes, not onely with his men,
But fend you money to maintaine your warres, loio
Fiue hundred thoufand crownes he bade me proffer.
If you can ftop but Harries voyage for France.
Scrope We neuer had a fitter time than now
The realme in fuch diuifion as it is.
Camb. Befides, you muft perfwade ye there is due,
Vengeance for Richards murder, which although
It be deferrde, yet will it fall at laft,
And now as likely as another time.
Sinne hath had many yeeres to ripen in.
And now the harueft cannot be farre off, 1020
Wherein the weedes of vfurpation.
Are to be cropt, and caft into the fire.
Scroope No more earle Cambridge, here I plight my faith.
To fet vp thee, and thy renowned wife.
Gray Gray will performe the fame, as he is knight.
Chart, And to affift ye, as I faid before.
Charters doth gage the honor of his king.
Scroope We lacke but now Lord Cobhams fellowfhip,
And then our plot were abfolute indeede.
Camb. Doubt not of him, my lord, his life's purfu'de 1030
E By
The fir ft part of
By th'incenfed Cleargy, and of late,
Brought in difpleafure with the king, aflures
He may be quickly wonne vnto our faction.
Who hath the articles were drawne at large
Of our whole purpofe ?
Gray That haue I my Lord.
Camb. We fhould not now be farre off from his houfe,
Our ferious conference hath beguild the way,
See where his caftle ftands, giue me the writing.
1040 When we are come vnto the fpeech of him,
Becaufe we will not ftand to make recount,
Of that which hath beene faide, here hefhall reade enter Cob.
Our mindes at large, and what we craue of him.
Scroope A ready way : here comes the man himfelfe
Booted and fpurrd, it feemes he hath beene riding.
Camb. Well met Lord Cobham.
Cobh. My lord of Cambridge }
Your honor is moft welcome into Kent,
And all the reft of this faire company.
1050 I am new come from London, gentle Lordes :
But will ye not take Cowling for your hoft.
And fee what entertainement it affordes.''
Camb. We were intended to haue beene your guefts :
But now this lucky meeting (hall fuffife
To end our bufineffe, and deferre that kindneffe.
Cobh. Bufineffe my lord } what bufineffe fhould you haue
But to be mery.-* we haue no delicates.
But this He promife you, a peece of venifon,
A cup of wine, and fo forth : hunters fare :
1060 And if you pleafe, weele ftrike the ftagge our felues
Shall fill our difhes with his wel-fed flefti.
Scroope That is indeede the thing we all defire.
Cobh. My lordes, and you ftiall haue your choice with me.
Camb. Nay but the ftagge which we defire to ftrike,
Liues not in Cowling: if you will confent.
And goe with vs, weele bring you to a forreft,
where
Jir yohn Old-caftle.
Where runnes a lufty hierd : amongft the which
There is a ftagge fuperior to the reft,
A ftately beaft, that when his fellows runne,
He leades the race, and beates the fullen earth, 1070
As though he fcornd it with his trampling hoofes,
Aloft he beares his head, and with his breaft,
Like a huge bulwarke counter-checkes the wind :
And when he ftandeth ftill, he ftretcheth forth
His prowd ambitious necke, as if he meant
To wound the firmament with forked homes.
Cobh. Tis pitty fuch a goodly beaft ftiould die.
Camh. Not fo, fir lohn, for he is tyrannous.
And gores the other deere, and will not keep
Within the limites are appointed him. 1080
Of late hees broke into a feueral.
Which doth belong to me, and there he fpoiles
Both corne and pafture, two of his wilde race
Alike for ftealth, and couetous incroatching,
Already are remou'd, if he were dead,
I ftiould not onely be fecure from hurt,
But with his body make a royall feaft.
Scroope How fay you then, will you firft hunt with vs ?
Cobh. Faith Lords, I like the paftime, where's the place ?
Camb. Perufe this writing, it will ftiew you all, 1090
And what occafion we haue for the fport. he reades
Cobh. Call yethis hunting,my lords? Isthistheftag
You faine would chafe, Harry our dread king ?
So we may make a banquet for the diuell.
And in the fteede of wholefome meate, prepare
A difti of poifon to confound our felues.
Camb. Why fo lord Cobham ? fee you not our claime }
And how imperioufly he holdes the crowne ?
Scroope Befides, you know your felfe is in difgrace,
Held as a recreant, and purfude to death. iioo
This will defend you from your enemies.
And ftablifti your religion through the land.
E 2 Cob.
The first part of
Cobh. Notorious treafon ! yet I will conceale afide
My fecret thoughts, to found the depth of it.
My lord of Cambridge, I doe fee your claime,
And what good may redound vnto the land.
By profecuting of this enterprife.
But where are men ? where's power and furniture
To order fuch an action ? we are weake,
1 1 10 Harry, you know's a mighty potentate.
Camb. Tut, we are ftrong enough, you are belou'de,
And many will be glad to follow you.
We are the light, and fome will follow vs :
Befides, there is hope from France : heres an embaflador
That promifeth both men and money too.
The commons likewife (as we heare) pretend
A fodaine tumult, we wil ioyne with them.
Cobh. Some likelihoode, I muft confefTe, to fpeede:
But how fhall I beleeue this is plaine truth }
1 1 20 You are (my lords) fuch men as Hue in Court,
And highly haue beene fauour'd of the king,
Efpecially lord Scroope, whome oftentimes
He maketh choice of for his bedfellow.
And you lord Gray are of his priuy councell ;
Is not this a traine to intrappe my life.''
Camb. Then perifh may my foule: what thinke youfo }
Scroope VVeele fweare to you.
Gray Or take the facrament.
Cobh. Nay you are noble men, and I imagine,
1 1 30 As you are honorable by birth, and bloud.
So you will be in heart, in thought, in word.
I craue no other teftimony but this.
That you would all fubfcribe, and fet your hands
Vnto this writing which you gaue to me.
Camb. With all our hearts : who hath any pen and inke }
Scroope My pocket fhould haue one : yea, heere it is.
Camb. Giue it me lord Scroope: there is my name.
Scroope And there is my name.
Gray
fir John Old'Caflle
Gray And mine.
Cobh. Sir, let me craue, 1140
That you would likewife write your name with theirs,
For confirmation of your maifters word.
The king of Fraunce.
Char. That will I noble Lord.
Cobh. So now this action is well knit together,
And I am for you : where's our meeting, lords.?
Camb. Here if you pleafe, the tenth of luly next.
Cobh. In Kent .'' agreed : now let vs in to fupper,
I hope your honors will not away to night.
Camb. Yes prefently, for I haue farre to ride, 1150
About folliciting of other friends.
Scroope And we would not be abfent from the court,
Left thereby grow fufpition in the king.
Cobh. Yet tafte a cup of wine before ye go.
Camb. Not now my lord, we thanke you : fo farewell.
Cob. Farewell my noble lordes : my noble lords ?
My noble villaines, bafe confpirators.
How can they looke his HighnefTe in the face,
Whome they fo clofly ftudy to betray.?
But ile not fleepe vntill I make it knowne. 1160
This head fhall not be burdned with fuch thoughts.
Nor in this heart will I conceale a deede
Of fuch impietie againft my king.
Madam, how now.? Enter Harpoole and the reji.
Lady cobh. You are welcome home, my Lord,
Why feeme ye fo difquiet in your lookes ?
What hath befalne you that difquiets your minde .?
Lady Po. Bad newes I am afraide touching my husband.
Cobh. Madam, not fo: there is your husbands pardon.
Long may ye liue, each ioy vnto the other. 1170
Powejfe So great a kindneffe as I knowe not howe to make
reply, my fenfe is quite confounded.
Cobh. Let that alone : and madam ftay me not.
For I muft backe vnto the court againe
E 3 With
The first part of
With all the fpeede I can : Harpoole, my horfe.
Lady Cob. Sofoone my Lord? what will you ride all night?
Cobham All night or day, it muft be fo, fweete wife,
Vrge me not why, or what my bufineiTe is.
But get you in : Lord PowefTe, beare with me,
1 1 80 And madam, thinke your welcome nere the worfe:
My houfe is at your vfe. Harpoole, away.
Harp. Shall I attend your lordfhip to the court?
Cobh, Yea fir, your gelding, mount you prefently exe.
Lady Cobh. I prythee Harpoole, lookevn to thy Lord,
I do not like this fodaine porting backe.
Powes Some earneft bufinefle is a foote belike,
What e're it be, pray God be his good guide.
Lady Po. Amen that hath fo highly vs befted.
Lady Co. Come madam, and my lord, weele hope the beft,
1 1 90 You fhall not into Wales till he returne.
Powejfe Though great occafion be we fhould departe, yet
madam willwe ftay to be refolude,of thisvnlooktfordoubtful
accident. Exeunt.
Act 111 Enter Murley and his men^prepared injomefilthy order for warre.
sc. It Murly. Come my hearts of flint, modeftly, decently, fo-
berly, and handfomly, no man afore his Leader, follow your
maflier, your Captaine, your Knight that fiial be, for the
honor of Meale-men, Millers, and Mault-men, dunne is the
mowfe, Dicke and Tom for the credite of Dunftable, ding
1200 downe the enemie to morrow, ye fhall not come into the field
like beggars, where be Leonard and Laurence my two loa-
ders. Lord haue mercievponvs, what a world is this? I would
giue a couple of fhillings for a dozen of good fethers for ye,
and forty pence for as many skarff^es to fet ye out withall,
frofl: and fnow, a man has no heart to fight till he be braue.
Dicke Mafter I hope we be no babes, for our manhood,
our bucklers, and our towne foote-balls can beare witnefTe :
and this lite parrell we haue fhall off, and wee'l fight naked a-
fore we runne away.
1 210 Tom. Nay, I am of Laurence mind for that, for he meanes
to
ftr yohn Old-caflle,
to leaue his life behind him, he and Leonard your two loaders
are making their wills becaufe they haue wiues, now we Ba-
chellers bid our friends fcramblefor our goods if we die : but
mafter, pray ye let me ride vpon Cutte.
Murly Meale and fait, wheat and mault, fire and tow, froft
and fnow, why Tom thou fhalt : let me fee, here are you, Wil-
liam and George are with my cart, and Robin and Hodge
holding my owne two horfes, proper men, handfom men, tall
men, true men.
Dicke But mafter, mafter, me thinkes you are a mad man, 1220
to hazard your owne perfon and a cart load of money too.
Tom. Yea, and maifter theres a worfe matter in't, if it be
as I heard fay, we go to fight againft all the learned Biftiops,
that ftiould giue vs their bleirmg,and if theycurfe vs,we ftiall
fpeede nere the better.
Dicke Nay bir lady,fome fay the King takes their part, and
mafter, dare you fight againft the King.''
Murly Fie paltry, paltry in and out, to and fro vpon occa-
fion, if the King be fo vnwife to come there, weele fight
with him too. 1230
Tom. What if ye ftiould kill the King.-*
Mur. Then weele make another.
Dicke Is that all, do ye not fpeake treafon ?
Mur. If we do, who dare trippe vs ? we come to fight for
our confcience, and for honor, little know you what is in my
bofome, looke here madde knaues, a paire of guilt fpurres.
Tom. A paire of golden fpurres .'' why do you not put them
on your heeles } your bofome' s no place for fpurres.
Mur. Bee't more or lefte vpon occafion. Lord haue mer-
cy vSjTom th'art a foole,and thou fpeakeft treafon to knight- 1240
hood, dare any weare golden or filuer fpurs til he be a knight.-"
no, I ftiall be knighted to morrow, and then they ftiall on: firs,
was it euer read in the church booke of Dunftable, that euer
mault man was made knight .''
Tom. No, but you are more, you are meal-man, maultman,
miller, corne-mafter and all.
Dicke
The firfl part of
Dicke Yea, and halfe a brewer too, and the diuell and
all for wealth, you bring more money with you, than all the
reft.
1250 Mur. The more's my honor, I fhal be a knight to morow,
let me fpofe my men, Tom vpon cutte, Dicke vpon hobbe,
Hodge vpon Ball, Raph vpon Sorell, and Robin vpon the
forehorfe.
Enter Acton^ Bourne^ and Beuerley.
Tern. Stand, who comes there?
Act. Al friends, good fellow.
Murl. Friends and fellowes indeede fir Roger.
Act. Why thus you fhew your felfe a Gentleman,
To keepe your day, and come fo well preparde,
1260 Your cart ftands yonder, guarded by your men,
Who tell me it is loaden well with coine,
What fumme is there }
Mur. Ten thoufand pound fir Roger, and modeftly, de-
cently, foberly, and handfomely, fee what I haue here againft
I be knighted.
Act. Gilt fpurs.^* tis well.
Mur. But where's our armie fir }
Act. Difperft in fundry villages about.
Some here with vs in Hygate, fome at Finchley,
i27oTotnam, Enfield, Edmunton, Newington,
Ifiington, Hogfdon, Pancredge, Kenzington,
Some neerer Thames, RatclifFe, Blackwall and Bow,
But our chiefs ftrength muft be the Londoners,
Which ere the Sunne to morrow fiiine.
Will be nere fiftie thoufand in the field.
Mur. Mary God dild ye daintie my deere, but vpon oc-
cafion fir Roger Acton, doth not the Kingknow of it, and ga-
ther his power againft vs.
Act. No, hee's fecure at Eltham.
1280 Mur. What do the Cleargie.''
Act. Feare extreamly, yet prepare no force.
Mur. In and out, to and fro, BuUie my boikin, we fliall
carry
Jir yohn Old-cajlle,
carry the world afore vs, I vow by my worfliippe, when I am
knighted, weele take the King napping, if he ftand on their
part.
Act. This night we few in Higate will repofe,
With the firft cocke weele rife and arme our felues,
To be in Picket fielde by breake of day.
And there expect our Generall.
Mur. Sir lohn Old-caftle, what if he come not ? 1290
Bourne Yet our action ftands,
Sir Roger Acton may fupply his place.
Mur. True M. Bourne, but who fhall make me knight ?
Beuer. He that hath power to be our Generall.
Act. Talke not of trifles, come let's away,
Our friends of London long till it be day. exeunt.
Enter fir lohn of Wrootham and Doll. Act III
Doll. By my troth, thou art as ielous a man as Hues. •f^- "i
Priest Canfl: thou blame me Doll, thou art my lands, my
goods, my iewels, my wealth, my purfe, none walks within xl. 1 300
miles of London, but a plies thee as truely,as the parifh does
the poore mans boxe.
Doll I am as true to thee, as theftone is in the wal,and thou
knoweft well enough fir lohn, I was in as good doing, when I
came to thee, as any wench neede to be : and therefore thou
haft tried me, that thou haft : by Gods body, I wil not be kept
as I haue bin, that I will not.
Priefi Doll, if this blade holde, theres not a pedler walkes
with a pack, but thou ftialt as boldly chufe of his wares, as with
thy ready mony in a Marchants ftiop, weele haue as good fil- 1 3 10
uer as the King coynes any.
Doll What is al the gold fpent you tooke the laft day from
the Courtier .''
Prieji Tis gone Doll,tis flown, merely come, merely gon,
he comes a horfe backe that muft pay for all, weele haue as
good meate, as mony can get, and as good gownes, as can be
bought for gold, be mery wench, the mault-man comes on
munday.
F Doll
The first part of
Doll You might haue left meatCobham, vntil you had bin
1320 better prouided for.
Prieji. No fweet Dol, no, I do not like that, yond old ruffian
is not for the prieft, I do not like a new cleark fhould come
in the old bel-frie.
Doll Ah thou art a mad prieft yfaith.
Prieft Come Doll, He fee thee fafe at fome alehoufe here
at Cray, and the next fheepe that comes fhall leaue his
fleece. exeunt.
Act III Enter the King, Suffolke and Butler.
ic. tv Kifjg ijj great haft. My lord of Suffolk, pofte away for life,
1330 And let our forces of fuch horfe and foote,
As can be gathered vp by any meanes.
Make fpeedy randeuow in Tuttle fields,
It muft be done this euening my Lord,
This night the rebells meane to draw to head
Neere Iflington, which if your fpeede preuent not.
If once they fhould vnite their feuerall forces,
Their power is almoft thought inuincible.
Away my Lord I will be with you foone.
Suf. I go my Soueraigne with all happie fpeede. exit
1 340 King Make hafte my lord of Suffolke as you loue vs,
Butler, pofte you to London with all fpeede.
Commaund theMaior,and fhrieues, on their alegiance,
The cittie gates be prefently fhut vp.
And guarded with a ftrong fufficient watch,
And not a man be fuffered to pafTe,
Without a fpeciall warrant from our felfe.
Command the Pofterne by the Tower be kept,
And proclamation on the paine of death.
That not a citizen ftirre from his doores,
1350 Except fuch as the Maiorand Shrieues fhall chufe.
For their owne guarde,and fafety of their perfons,
Butler away, haue care vnto my charge.
But. I goe my Soueraigne.
King Butler.
But.
Jir lohn Old-caflle,
But. My Lord.
King Goe downe by Greenewich, and command a boate,
At the Friers bridge attend my comming downe.
But. I will my Lord. exit
King It's time I thinke to looke vnto rebellion,
When Acton doth expect vnto his ayd, 1360
No lefle than fiftie thoufand Londoners,
Well, He to Weftminfter in this difguife.
To heare what newes is ftirring in thefe brawles.
Enter fir lohn.
Sir lohn Stand true-man faies a thiefe.
King Stand thiefe, faies a true man, how if a thiefe ?
Sir lohn Stand thiefe too.
King Then thiefe or true-man I fee I muft ftand, I fee how
foeuer the world wagges, the trade of theeuing yet will neuer
downe, what art thou .f" 1370
fir lohn A good fellow.
King So am I too, I fee thou doft know me.
fiir lohn. If thou be a good fellow, play the good fellowes
part, deliuer thy purfe without more adoe.
King I haue no mony.
fir lohn I muft make you find fome before we part, if you
haue no mony, you fhal haue ware, as many found drie blows
as your skin can carrie.
King Is that the plaine truth }
fir lohn Sirranomoreadoe,come,come,giuemethemony 1380
you haue,difpatch, I cannot ftand all day.
King Wel,ifthouwiltneedshaueit, theretis: iufttheprouerb,
one thiefe robs another, where the diuel are all my old theeues,
that were wont to keepe this walke } Falftaffe the villaine is fo
fat, he cannot get on's horfe, but me thinkes Poines and Peto
fhould be ftirring here abouts.
fir lohn How much is there on't of thy word .''
King A hundred pound in Angels, on my word,
The time has beene I would haue done as much
For thee, if thou hadft paft this way, as I haue now. 1390
F 2 fir
The fir ft part of
fir.Iohn Sirra, what art thou, thou feem'ft agentleman ?
King I am no lefle, yet a poore one now, for thou haft all
my mony.
Jir lohn From whence cam'ft thou?
King From the court at Eltham.
fir lohn Art thou one of the Kings feruants?
King Yes that I am, and one of his chamber.
fir lohn I am glad thou art no worfe, thou maift the better
fpare thy mony, & thinkft thou thou mightft get a poor thiefe
1400 his pardon if he ftiould haue neede.
King. Yes that I can.
fir lohn Wilt thou do fo much for me, when I fliall haue oc-
cafion }
King Yes faith will I, fo it be for no murther.
fiir lohn Nay, I am a pittifull thiefe, all the hurt I do a man, I
take but his purfe. He kill no man.
King Then of my word He do it.
fir lohn Giue me thy hand of the fame.
King There tis.
1 4 10 fir lohn Me thinks the King ftiould begoodtotheeues,be-
caufe he has bin a thiefe himfelfe, though I thinke now he be
turned true-man.
King Faith I haue heard indeed he has had an il name that
way in his youth, but how canft thou tell he has beene a
thiefe }
fir lohn How.^ becaufe he once robde me before I fell
to the trade my felfe, when that foule villainons guts, that
led him to all that rogery, was in's company there, that Fal-
ftafte.
1420 King afide. Well if he did rob thee then, thou art but euen
with him now He be fworne : thou knoweft not the king now,
I thinke, if thou faweft him?
fir lohn Not I yfaith.
King afide. So it ftiould feeme.
fir lohn Well, ifold King Henry had liu'de, this King that
is now, had made theeuing the beft trade in England.
King
Jir yohn Old-cajlk.
King Why fo?
Jir lohn Becaufe he was the chiefe warden of our compa-
ny, it's pittie that ere he fhould haue bin a King, he was fo
braue a thiefe, but firra, wilt remember my pardon if neede 143°
be?
King Yes faith will I.
fir lohn Wilt thou ? well then becaufe thou fhalt go fafe,
for thou mayeft hap (being fo earely) be met with againe, be-
fore thou come to Southwarke, if any man when he fhould
bid thee good morrow, bid thee ftand, fay thou but fir lohn,
and hewill let thee pafTe.
King Is that the word ? well then let me alone.
fir lohn Nay firra, becaufe I thinke indeede I fhall haue
fome occafion to vfe thee, & as thou comfl oft this way, I may 1440
light on thee another time not knowing thee, here, ile breake
this Angell, take thou halfe of it, this is a token betwixt thee
and me.
King. God haue mercy, farewell. exit
fir lohn O my fine golden flaues, heres for thee wench
yfaith, now Dol, we wil reuel in our beuer, this is a tyth pigge
of my vicaridge,God haue mercy neigbour Shooters hill, you
paid your tyth honeftly. Wei Ihearethere is a company of re-
belles vp againfl the King, got together in Picket field neere
Holborne, and as it is thought here in Kent, the King will be 1450
there to night in's owne perfon, well ile to the Kings camp,
and it fhall go hard, but if there be any doings, Ile make fome
good boote amongfl them. exit.
Banter King Henry ^ Suffolke^ Huntingtony and two Act IV
with lights. ^^- i
K. Hen. My Lords of Suffolke and of Huntington,
Who skouts it now } or who flands Sentinells }
What men of worth } what Lords do walke the round }
Suff. May it pleafe your HighnefTe.
K. Hen. Peace, no more of that, 1460
The King's afleepe, wake not his maieflie,
F 3 With
The fir ft part of
With termes nor titles, hee's at reft in bed,
Kings do not vfe to watch themfelues, they fleepe,
And let rebellion and confpiracie,
Reuel and hauocke in the common wealth,
Is London lookt vnto ?
Hunt. It is my Lord,
Your noble Vncle Exceter is there,
Your brother Gloucefter and my Lord of Warwicke,
1470 Who with the maior and the Aldermen,
Do guard the gates, and keepe good rule within,
The Earle of Cambridge, and fir Thomas Gray,
Do walke the Round, Lord Scroope and Butler skout,
So though it pleafe your maieftie to ieft.
Were you in bed, well might you take your reft,
K. Hen. I thank ye Lords, but you do know of old,
That I haue bin a perfect night-walker,
London you fay is fafely lookt vnto,
Alas poore rebels, there your ayd muft faile,
1480 And the Lord Cobham fir lohn Old-caftle,
Hee's quiet in Kent, Acton ye are deceiu'd.
Reckon againe, you count without your hoft,
To morrow you fhall giue account to vs.
Til when my friends, this long cold winters night.
How can we fpend? King Harry is a fleepe,
And al his Lords, thefe garments tel vs fo,
Al friends at footebal, fellowes all in field,
Harry, and Dicke, and George, bring vs a drumme,
Giue vs fquare dice, weele keepe this court of guard,
1490 For al good fellowes companies that come.
Wheres that mad prieft ye told me was in Armes,
To fight, as wel as pray, if neede required ?
Suff. Hees in the Camp, and if he knew of this,
I vndertake he would not be long hence.
Har. Trippe Dicke, Trippe George. they triple.
Hunt. I muft haue the dice.
What do we play at ? the play at dice.
Suff.
fir John Old'Caflle
Suff. Paflage if ye pleafe.
Hunt. Set round then, fo, at all.
Har. George, you are out. 1500
Giue me the dice, I pafle for twentie pound,
Heres to our luckie pafTage into France.
Hunt. Harry you paffe indeede for you fweepe all.
Suff. Afigne king Harry fhal fweepal in France, ent.firlohn
fir lohn Edge ye good fellowes, take a frefhgamfter in.
Har. Mafter Parfon .'' we play nothing butgold.?
fir lohn. Andfellow,! telthee that the prieft hath gold, gold ?
sbloud ye are but beggerly fouldiers to me, I thinke I haue
more gold than all you three.
Hunt. It may be fo, but we beleeue it not. 1510
Har. Set prieft fet, I paffe for all that gold.
fir lohn Ye pafTe indeede.
Harry Prieft., haft thou any more?
fir lohn Zounds what a queftion's that }
I tell thee I haue more then all you three.
At thefe ten Angells.
Harry. I wonder how thou comft by all this gold.
How many benefices haft thou prieft.''
fir lohn Yfaith but one, doft wonder how I come by gold ?
I wonder rather how poore fouldiers fhould haue gold, for 1520
He tell thee good fellow, we haue euery day tythes, offerings,
chriftnings, weddings, burialls : and you poore fnakes come
feldome to a bootie. He fpeake a prowd word, I haue but one
parfonage, Wrootham, tis better than the Bifhopprick of Ro-
chefter,theres nere a hill, heath, nor downe in all Kent, but tis
in my parifh, Barrham downe, Chobham downe. Gads hill,
Wrootham hill, Blacke heath, Cockes heath. Birchen wood,
all pay me ty the, gold quoth a. f* ye paffe not for that.
Suff. Harry ye are out, now parfon fhake the dice.
fir lohn. Set,fetIlecouerye, atal : Aplagueon'tlam out, 1530
thediuell,anddice,anda wench, who will truft them?
Suff. Saiftthoufo prieft? fet faire, at all for once.
Har. Out fir, pay all.
ftr lohn
The first part of
ftr lohn Sbloud pay me angel gold,
He none of your crackt French crownes nor piftolets,
Pay me faire angel gold, as I pay you.
Har. No crackt french crownes ? I hope to fee more crackt
french crownes ere long.
fir lohn Thou meaneft of French mens crownes, when the
1540 King is in France.
Hunt. Set round, at all.
ftr Ihon Pay all : this is fome lucke.
Har. Giue me the dice, tis I muft fhread the prieft :
At all fir John.
fir lohn The diuell and all is yours : at that : fdeath, what
calling is this ?
Suff. Well throwne Harry yfaith.
Har. He caft better yet,
fir lohn Then He be hangd. Sirra, haft thou not giuen thy
1550 foule to the diuell for cafting.-*
Har. I pafTe for all.
fir lohn Thou pafteft all that ere I playde withall :
Sirra, doft thou not cogge, nor foift, nor flurre }
Har. Set parfon, fet, the dice die in my hand :
When parfon, when } what can ye finde no more .''
Alreadie drie } waft you bragd of your ftore .''
fir Ihon Alls gone but that.
Hunt. What, halfe a broken angell 1
fir Ihon Why fir, tis gold.
1560 Har. Yea, and He couer it.
fir Ihon The diuell do ye good on't, I am blinde, yee haue
blowne me vp.
Har. Nay tarry prieft, ye ftiall not leaue vs yet,
Do not thefe peeces fit each other well ?
fir Ihon What if they do }
Har. Thereby beginnes a tale :
There was a thiefe, in face much like fir lohn.
But t'was not hee, that thiefe was all in greene.
Met me laft day on Blacke Heath, neere the parke,
with
fir yohn Old-caflle,
With him a woman, I was al alone, 1 570
And weaponlefTe, my boy had al my tooles,
And was before prouiding me a boate :
Short tale to make, fir lohn, the thiefe I meane,
Tooke a iuft hundreth pound in gold from me.
I ftorm'd at it, and fwore to be reueng'de
If ere we met, he like a lufty thiefe,
Brake with his teeth this Angel iuft in two,
To be a token at our meeting next,
Prouided, I fhould charge no Officer
To apprehend him, but at weapons point 1580
Recouer that, and what he had befide.
Well met fir John, betake ye to your tooles
By torch light, for mafter parfon you are he
That had my gold.
fir lohn Zounds I won't in play, in faire fquare play of the
keeper of Eltham parke, and that I will maintaine with this
poore whinyard, be you two honeft men to ftand and looke
vpon's, and let's alone, and take neither part.
Har. Agreede, I charge ye do not boudge a foot,
Sir lohn haue at ye. 1 590
fir lohn Souldier ware your skonce.
Here as they are ready tojirike^ enter Butler and dr awes his
weapon and Jieps betwixt them.
But. Hold villaines hold, my Lords, what do ye meane.
To fee a traitor draw againft the King.?
fir lohn The King! Gods wil, I am in a proper pickle.
Har. Butler what newes.? why doft thou trouble vs?
But. Pleafe it your Highnefi"e, it is breake of day.
And as I skouted neere to Iflington,
The gray ey'd morning gaue me glimmering, 1600
Of armed men comming downe Hygate hill,
Who by their courfe are coafting hitherward.
Har. Let vs withdraw, my Lords, prepare our troopes.
To charge the rebels, if there be fuch caufe.
For this lewd prieft this diuellifli hypocrite,
G That
The first part of
That is a thiefe, a gamfter, and what not,
Let him be hang'd vp for example fake.
fir lohn Not fo my gracious foueraigne, I confefle I am a
frayle man, flefh and bloud as other are: butfet myimperfecti-
1 6 1 o ons afide, by this light ye haue not a taller man, nor a truer fub-
iect to the Crowne and State, than fir lohn of VVrootham.
Har. Wil a true fubiect robbe his King?
fir lohn Alas twas ignorance and want, my gracious liege.
Har. Twas want of grace: why, you fhould be as fait
To feafon others with good document,
Your Hues as lampes to giue the people light.
As fhepheards, not as wolues to fpoile the flock,
Go hang hm Butler.
But. Didft thou not rob me?
1620 fir lohn I muft confefle I faw fome of your gold, but my
dread Lord, I am in no humor for death, therfore faue my life,
God will that finners Hue, do not you caufe me die, once in
their Hues the befl: may goe aftray, and if the world fay true,
your felfe (my liege) haue bin a thiefe.
Har. I confefl*e I haue.
But I repent and haue reclaimd my felfe.
fir lohn So will I do if you will giue me time.
Har. Wilt thou ? my lords, will you be his fuerties ?
Hunt. That when he robs againe, he fliall be hang'd.
1630 fir lohn I aske no more.
Har. And we will grant thee that,
Liue and repent, and proue an honefl: man.
Which when I heare, and fafe returne from France,
He giue thee Huing, till when take thy gold.
But fpend it better then at cards or wine.
For better vertues fit that coate of thine.
fir lohn Viuat Rex ^ currat lex^ my liege, if ye haue caufe
of battell, ye flial fee fir lohn of Wrootham beftirre himfelf in
your quarrel. exeunt.
Act IV After analarumenter Harry^Suffolk^Huntington^fir lohn^bring-
"' " ing forth Ac ton j Beuerly^ and Mur ley prif oners.
Har
fir lohn Old-caflle,
Har. Bring in thofe traitors, whofe afpiring minds, 1642
Thought to haue triumpht in our ouerthrow.
But now ye fee, bafe villaines, what fuccefTe
Attends ill actions wrongfully attempted.
Sir Roger Acton, thou retainft the name
Of knight, and fhouldft bemore difcreetly temperd,
Than ioyne with peafants, gentry is diuine,
But thou haft made it more then popular.
Act. Pardon my Lord, my confcience vrg'd me to it, 1650
Har. Thy confcience? then thy confcience is corrupt,
For in thy confcience thou art bound to vs.
And in thy confcience thou ftiouldft loue thy country,
Elfe what's the difference twixt a Chriftian,
And the vnciuil manners of the Turke.''
Beuer. We meant no hurt vnto your maiefty,
But reformation of Religion.
Har. Reforme Religion? was it that ye fought?
I pray who gaue you that authority?
Belike then we do hold the fcepter vp, 1660
And fit within the throne but for a cipher.
Time was, good fubiects would make knowne their griefe,
And pray amendment, not inforce the fame,
Vnleffe their King were tyrant, which I hope
You cannot iuftly fay that Harry is,
What is that other?
Suff. A mault-man my Lord,
And dwelling in Dunftable as he faies.
Har. Sirra what made you leaue your barly broth.
To come in armour thus againft your King? 1670
Mur. Fie paltry, paltry to and fro, in and out vpon occajfi-
on,whataworlde's this? knight-hood (my liege) twas knight-
hood brought me hither, they told me I had wealth enough
to make my wife a lady.
Har. And fo you brought thofe horfes which we faw,
Trapt all in coftly furniture, and meant
To weare thefe fpurs when you were knighted once.
G 2 Mur.
The fir ft part of
Mur. In and out vpon occafion I did.
Har. In and out vppon occafion, therefore you fhall be
1680 hang'd, and in the fted of wearing thefe fpurres vpon your
heeles, about your necke they fhall bewray your folly to the
world.
fir lohn In and out vpon ocafion, that goes hard.
Mur Fie paltry paltry, to and fro, good my liege a pardon,
I am fory for my fault.
Har. That comes too late: but tell me, went there none
Befide fir Roger Acton, vpon whom
You did depend to be your gouernour.''
Mar. None none my Lord, but fir lohn Old-caflle.
1690 Har. Beares he part in this confpiracie. enter BiJIoop
Act. We lookt my Lord that he would meet vs here.
Har. But did he promife you that he would come.
Act. Such letters we receiued forth of Kent.
Bijh. Where is myLord the King.? health to your grace,
Examining my Lord fome of thefe caitiue rebels,
It is a generall voyce amongfl them all.
That they had neuer come vnto this place.
But to haue met their valiant general.
The good Lord Cobham as they title him,
1700 Whereby, my Lord, your grace may now perceiue,
His treafon is apparant, which before
He fought to colour by his flattery.
Har. Now by my roialtie I would haue fworne.
But for his confcience, which I beare withall.
There had not liude a more true hearted fubiect.
BiJh. It is but counterfeit, my gracious lords,
And therefore may it pleafe your maieflie.
To fet your hand vnto this precept here.
By which weel caufe him forthwith to appeare,
1 710 And anfwer this by order of the law.
Har. Bifhop, not only that, but take commiflion,
To fearch, attach, imprifon, and condemne.
This mofl notorious traitor as you pleafe.
Bijh.
Jtr yohn Old-caflle,
Bijh. It fhall be done, my Lord, without delay :
So now I hold Lord Cobham in my hand,
That which (hall finifh thy difdained life.
Har. I thinke the yron age begins but now,
(Which learned poets haue fo often taught)
Wherein there is no credit to be giuen,
To either wordes, or lookes, or folemne oathes, 1720
For if there were, how often hath he fworne,
How gently tun'de the muficke of his tongue,
And with what amiable face beheld he me.
When all, God knowes, was but hypocrifie. enter Cobham.
Cob. Long life and profperous raigne vnto my Lord.
Har. Ah villaine, canft thou wifli profperitie,
Whofe heart includeth naught but treacherie .''
I do arreft thee here my felfe, falfe knight,
Of treafon capitall againft the ftate.
Cob. Of treafon mightie prince, your grace miftakes, 1730
I hope it is but in the way of mirth.
Har. Thy necke ftiall feele it is in earneft fhortly,
Darft thou intrude into our prefence, knowing
How haynoufly thou haft offended vs ?
But this is thy accuftomed deceit.
Now thou perceiuft thy purpofe is in vaine.
With fome excufe or other thou wilt come.
To cleere thy felfe of this rebellion.
Cob. Rebellion good my Lord, I know of none.
Har. If you deny it, here is euidence, 1740
See you thefe men, you neuer councelled,
Nor offerd them affiftance in their warres.
Cob. Speake firs, not one but all, I craue no fauour,
Haue euer I beene conuerfant with you,
Or written letters to incourage you.
Or kindled but the leaft or fmalleft part.
Of this your late vnnaturall rebellion }
Speake for I dare the vttermoft you can.
Mur, In and out vpon occafion I know you not.
G 3 Har.
The firfl part of
1750 Har. No, didft not fay that fir lohn Old-caftle,
Was one with whom you purpofde to haue met ?
Mur. True, I did fay fo, but in what refpect ?
Becaufe I heard it was reported fo.
Har. Was there no other argument but that ?
Act. To cleere my confcience ere I die my lord,
I muft confeffe, we haue no other ground
But only Rumor, to accufe this lord.
Which now I fee was merely fabulous.
Har. The more pernitious you to taint him then,
1760 Whome you knew not was faulty yea or no.
Cobh. Let this my Lord, which I prefent your grace
Speake for my loyalty, reade thefe articles.
And then giue fentence of my life or death.
Har. Earle Cambridge, Scroope, and Gray corrupted
With bribes from Charles of France, either to winne
My Crowne from me, or fecretly contriue
My death by treafon } Is this poffible }
Cobh. There is the platforme, and their hands, my lord,
Each feuerally fubfcribed to the fame.
1770 Har. Oh neuer heard of bafe ingratitude!
Euen thofe I hugge within my bofome moft,
Are readied euermore to fting my heart.
Pardon me Cobham, I haue done thee wrong,
Heereafter I will Hue to make amends.
Is then their time of meeting fo neere hand ?
Weele meete with them, but little for their eafe,
If God permit : goe take thefe rebells hence,
Let them haue martiall law : but as for thee.
Friend to thy king and country, ftill be free. Exeunt.
1780 Mur I. Be it more or lefle, what a world is this?
Would I had continued ftill of the order of knaues,
And neuer fought knighthood, fince it coftes
So deere : fir Roger, I may thanke you for all.
Acton Now tis too late to haue it remedied,
I prithee Murley doe not vrge me with it.
Hunt.
Jir John Old-caftle
Hunt. Will you away, and make no more to do ?
Murl. Fy paltry paltry, to and fro, as occafion ferues,
If you be fo hafty take my place.
Hunt. No good fir knight, you fliall begin in your hand.
Murl. I could be glad to giue my betters place. Exeunt. 179°
EnterBiJhopjlordJVarden^CroamertheShrieue^LadyCob.and Act IV
attendants. ■^^- "'
Bijhop I tell ye Lady, its not poflible
But you fhould know where he conueies himfelfe,
And you haue hid him in fome fecret place.
L,ady My Lord, beleeue me, as I haue a foule,
I know not where my lord my husband is.
Bijhop Go to, go to, ye are an heretike.
And will be forc'de by torture to confefTe,
If faire meanes will not ferue to make ye tell. 1800
Lady My husband is a noble gentleman.
And neede not hide himfelfe for anie fact
That ere I heard of, therefore wrong him not.
Bijhop Your husband is a dangerous fchifmaticke,
Traitor to God, the King, and common wealth,
And thererefore mafter Croamer fhrieue of Kent,
I charge you take her to your cuftodie.
And ceaze the goods of Sir lohn Old-caftle
To the Kings vfe, let her go in no more,
To fetch fo much as her apparell out, 18 10
There is your warrant from his maieftie.
L. War. Good my Lord Bifhop pacifie your wrath
Againft the Lady.
Biflj. Then let her confefTe
Where Old-caftle her husband is conceald.
L. War. I dare engage mine honor and my life,
Poore gentlewoman, fhe is ignorant.
And innocent of all his practifes,
If any euill by him be practifed.
Bijh. If my Lord Warden .'' nay then I charge you, 1820
That
The first part of
That all the cinque Ports whereof you are chiefe,
Be laid forthwith, that he efcape vs not,
Shew him his highnefTewarrantM.Shrieue.
L. War. I am foriefor the noble gentleman, EnterOld-ca-
^//^. Peace, he comes here, now do your office. Jllei^ Harp.
Old-caftle Harpoole what bufinefTe haue we here in hand ?
What makes the Bifhop and the ShirifFe here,
I feare my comming home is dangerous,
I would I had not made fuch hafte to Cobham.
1830 Harp. Be of good cheere my Lord, if they be foes weele
fcramble fhrewdly with them, if they be friends they are wel-
come : one of them (my Lord Warden) is your friend, but me
thinkes my ladie weepes, I like not that.
Croo. Sir lohn Old-caftle Lord Cobham, in the Kings
maiefties name, I arreft ye of high treafon.
Oldca. Treafon M. Croomes t
Harp. Treafon M. Shrieue, sbloud what treafon }
Oldca. Harpoole I charge thee ftirre not, but be quiet ftill.
Do ye arreft me M. Shrieue for treafon .f*
1 840 Bijh. Yea of high treafon, traitor, heretike.
Oldca. Defiance in his face that calls me fo,
I am as true a loyall gentleman
Vnto his highnefte, as my prowdeft enemie.
The King ftiall witnefle my late faithfull feruice,
For fafety of his facred maieftie.
Biflo. What thou art, the kings hand ftiall teftifie,
Shewt him Lord Warden.
Old. lefu defend me,
Is't poftible your cunning could fo temper
1850 The princely difpofition of his mind.
To figne the damage of a royall fubiect .''
Well, the beft is, it beares an antedate.
Procured by my abfence, and your malice.
But I, fince that, haue ftiewd my felfe as true.
As any churchman that dare challenge me.
Let me be brought before his maieftie,
If
Jir yohn Old-caflle.
If he acquite me not, then do your worft.
Bifl3. We are not bound to do kind offices
For any traitor, fchifmatike, nor heretike.
The kings hand is our warrant for our worke, i860
Who is departed on his way for France,
And at Southhampton doth repofe this night.
Harf. O that it were the blefled will of God, that thou
and I were within twenty mile of it, on Salisbury plaine! I
would lofe my head if euer thou broughtft thy head hither a-
gaine. afide.
Oldca. My Lord Warden o'th cinque Ports, & my Lord of
Rochefter, ye are ioynt Commiflioners, fauor me fo much,
On my expence to bring me to the king.
Bifli. What, to Southhampton.'' 1870
Oldca. Thither my god Lord,
And if he do not cleere me of al guilt,
And all fufpition of confpiracie.
Pawning his princely warrant for my truth:
I aske no fauour, but extreameft torture.
Bring me, or fend me to him, good my Lord,
Good my Lord Warden, M Shrieue, entreate.
Here the Lord Warden^ and Cromer vncouer to the Bijhop^ and
Jecretly whijpers with him.
Come hither lady, nay, fweet wife forbeare, 1880
To heape one forrow on anothers necke,
Tis griefe enough falfly to be accufde.
And not permitted to acquite my felfe.
Do not thou with thy kind refpectiue teares,
Torment thy husbands heart that bleedes for thee,
But be of comfort, God hath help in ftore,
For thofe that put afTured truft in him.
Deere wife, if they commit me to the Tower,
Come vp to London to your fifters houfe:
That being neere me, you may comfort me. 1890
One folace find I fetled in my foule,
That I am free from treafons very thought,
H Only
The fir ft part of
Only my confcience for the Gofpels fake,
Is caufe of all the troubles I fuftaine.
Lady. O my deere Lord, what fhall betide of vs?
You to the Tower, and I turnd out of doores,
Our fubftance ceaz'd vnto his highneffe vfe,
Euen to the garments longing to our backes.
Harp. Patience good madame, things at worft will mend,
1900 And if they doe not, yet our Hues may end.
Bijh. Vrge it no more, for if an Angell fpake,
I fweare by fweet faint Peters blefTed keyes,
Firft goes he to the Tower, then to the ftake.
Crom. But by your leaue, this warrant doth not ftretch
To imprifon her.
Bijhop No, turne her out of doores, L. Warden and
Euen as fhe is, and leade him to the Tower, Oldcajlle whijper.
With guard enough for feare of refcuing.
Lady O God requite thee thou bloud-thirfty man.
1 910 Oldca. May it not be my Lord of Rochefter?
Wherein haue I incurd your hate fo farre.
That my appeale vnto the King's denide-f*
Bijh. No hate of mine, but power of holy church,
Forbids all fauor to falfe heretikes.
Oldca. Your priuate malice more than publike power.
Strikes moft at me, but with my life it ends.
Harp. O that I had the Bifhop in that feare, afide
That once I had his Sumner by our felues.
Crom. My Lord yet graunt one fute vnto vs all,
1920 That this fame auncient feruing man may waite
Vpon my lord his mafter in the Tower.
Bijh. This old iniquitie, this heretike?
That in contempt of our church difcipline,
Compeld my Sumner to deuoure his procefle!
Old Ruffian paft-grace, vpftart fchifmatike.
Had not the King prayd vs to pardon ye.
Ye had fryed for it, ye grizild heretike.
Harp. Sbloud my lord Bifhop, ye do me wrong, I am nei-
ther
Jir John Old-caflle
ther heretike nor puritane, but of the old church, ile fweare,
drinke ale, kifle a wench, go to mafle, eate fifh all Lent, and faft 1930
fridaies with cakes and wine, fruite and fpicerie, fhriue me of
my old finnes afore Eafter, and beginne new afore whitfon-
tide.
Crom. A merie mad conceited knaue my lord.
Harp. That knaue was fimply put vpon the Bifhop.
Bijh. VVel, God forgiue him and I pardon him.
Let him attend his mafter in the Tower,
For I in charity wifh his foule no hurt.
Oldca. God bleffe my foule from fuch cold charitie,
BiJh. Too'th Tower with him, and when my leifureferues, 1940
I will examine him of Articles,
Looke my lord Warden as you haue in charge,
The Shriue performe his office.
L. Ward. Yes my lord. Enter the Sumner with
bookes.
BiJh. What bringft thou there .'' what? bookes of herefie.
Som. Yea my lord, heres not a latine booke,
No not fo much as our ladies Pfalter,
Heres the Bible, the teftament, the Pfalmes in meter,
The fickemans falue, the treafure of gladnefle, 1950
And al in Englifh, not fo much but the Almanack's Englifh.
BiJh. Away with them,to'th fire with them Clun,
Now fie vpon thefe vpftart heretikes,
Al Englifh, burne them, burne them quickly Clun.
Harp. But doe not Sumner as youle anfwere it, for I haue
there Englifh bookes my lord, that ile not part with for your
Bifhoppricke, Beuis of Hampton, Owleglaffe, the Frier and
the Boy, Ellen of Rumming, Robin hood, and other fuch
godly flories, which if ye burne, by this flefh ile make ye drink
their afhes in S. Margets ale. exeunt.
Enter the Bijhop of Rochefier with his men^ in Act IV
liuerie coates. ^<^' '^
I. Ser. Is it your honors pleafure we fhal flay,
Or come backe in the afternoone to fetch you. 1964
H 2 BiJh.
The first part of
Bijh, Now you haue brought me heere into the Tower,
You may go backe vnto the Porters Lodge,
And fend for drinke or fuch things as you want.
Where if I haue occafion to imploy you,
He fend fome officer to cal you to me.
1970 Into the cittie go not, I commaund you.
Perhaps I may haue prefent neede to vfe you.
2 We will attend your worfhip here without.
Bijh. Do fo, I pray you,
3 Come, we may haue a quart of wine at the Rofe at Bark-
ing, I warrant you, and come backe an hower before he be
ready to go.
I We muft hie vs then.
3 Let's away. exeunt,
Bijh. Ho, M. Lieftenant.
1980 Lieften, Who calls there?
Bijh. A friend of yours.
Lieften. Mylord of Rochefter, your honor's welcome.
Bijh. Sir heres my warrant from the Counfell,
For conference with fir lohn Old-caftle,
Vpon fome matter of great confequence.
Lieften. Ho, fir lohn.
Harp. Who calls there?
Lieften. Harpoole, tel Sir lohn, that my lord of Rochefter
comes from the counfell to conferre with him.
1990 Harp. I will fir.
Lief. I thinke you may as fafe without fufpition,
As any man in England as I heare,
For it was you moft labor'd his commitment.
Bijh. 1 did fir, and nothing repent it I afi"ure you.
Enter fir lohn Old-cafile.
M. Lieftenant I pray you giue vs leaue,
I muft conferre here with fir lohn a little.
Lief. With all my heart my lord.
Harp aftde. My lord be rulde by me, take this occafion
2000 while tis off^ered, and on my life your lordftiip flial efcape.
Old'Ca.
fir yohn Old'Caftle.
Old-ca. No more I fay, peace left he fhould fufpectit.
Bijh. Sir lohn I am come vnto you from the lords of his
highneffe moft honorable counfell, to know if yet you do re-
cant your errors, conforming you vnto the holy church.
Old-ca, My lord of Rochefter on good aduife,
I fee my error, but yet vnderftand me,
I meane not error in the faith I hold,
But error in fubmitting to your pleafure.
Therefore your lordftiip without more to do,
Muft be a meanes to help me to efcape. 2010
Bijh. What meanes? thou heretike?
Darft thou but lift thy hand againft my calling ?
ftr lohn No not to hurt you for a thoufand pound,
Harp. Nothing but to borrow your vpper garments a lit-
tle; not a word more, for if you do, you die: peace, for waking
thechildren, there, put them on, difpatch, my lord, the window
thatgoesout into the leads, is fure enough,! told you that be-
fore, there, make you ready, ile conuay him after, and bind
him furely in the inner roome.
Old-ca. This is wel begun, God fend vs happie fpeed, 2020
Hard fhift you fee men make in time of need: Harpoole.
Harp. Heere my Lord, come come away.
Enter feruing men againe. Act IV
I I maruell that my lord ftiould ftay fo long. ^^' ""
1 He hath fent to feeke vs, I dare lay my life.
. 3 We come in good time, fee where he is comming.
Harp. I befeech you good my lord of Rochefter, be fauo-
rable to my lord and maifter.
Old-ca. The inner roomes be very hot and clofe,
I do not like this ayre here in the Tower. 2030
Harp His cafe is hard my lord, you ftiall fafely get out of
the Tower, but I will downe vpon them, in which time get
you away.
Old-ca. Fellow thou troubleft me.
Harp. Heare me my Lord, hard vnder Iflington wait you
my comming, I will bring my Lady ready, with horfes
H 3 to
The first part of
to conuay you hence.
Old-ca. FelloWjgo back againevnto thy Lord and counfell
him.
2040 Harp. Nay my good lord of Rochefter, ile bring you to S.
Albons through the woods, I warrant you.
Old-ca. Villaine away.
Harp. Nay fince I am paft the Towers libertIe,thoupart'ft
not fo. he drawes.
Bijh. Clubbes, clubs, clubs.
1 Murther, murther murther.
2 Downe with him. they fight.
3 A villaine traitor.
Harp. You cowardly rogues. ftr John ejcapes.
2050 Enter Lief tenant and his men.
Lieft. Who is fo bold as dare to draw a fword,
So neare vnto the entrance of the Tower ?
I This ruffian feruant to fir lohn Old-caftle was like to
haue flaine my Lord.
Lieft. Lay hold on him.
Harp. Stand off if you loue your puddings.
Rochefter calls within.
Roch within. Help, help, help, M . Lieftenant help.
Lief. Who's that within.'' fome treafon in the Tower vpon
2060 mylife,looke in, who's that which calls.? enter Roch. hound.
Lief. Without your cloke my lord of Rochefter }
Harp. There, now it workes, then let me fpeed, for now is
the fitteft time for me to fcape away. exit
Lief. Why do you looke foghaftlyand affrighted?
Roch. Old-caftle that traitor and his man.
When you had left me to conferre with him,
Tooke, bound, and ftript me, as you fee,
And left me lying in his inner chamber.
And fo departed, and I
2070 Lief. And you! ne're fay, that the Lord Cobhams man
Did here fet vpon you like to murther you.
I And fo he did.
Roch.
fir John Old-cajlle.
Roch. It was vpon his mafter then he did,
That in the brawle the traitor might efcape.
Lief. Where is this Harpoole?
2 Here he was euen now.
Lief. Where can you tell ? they are both efcap'd,
Since it fo happens that he is efcap'de,
I am glad you are a witnefTe of the fame,
It might haue elfe beene laid vnto my charge, 2080
That I had beene confenting to the fact.
Roch. Come, fearch fhal be made for him with expedition,
thehauens laid that hefhall not efcape, and hue and crie conti-
nue thorough England, to find this damned dangerous here-
tike. exeunt.
Enter Cambridge^ Scroope^ and Gray, as in a chamber^ and Jet Act I
downeatatable, conjultingabout their treajon : King Harry ^'^- '
and Suffolke lifining at the doore.
Camb. In mine opinion, Scroope hath well aduifde,
Poifon will be the only apteft meane, 2090
And fitteft for our purpofe to difpatch him.
Gray But yet there may be doubt in their deliuery,
Harry is wife, therefore Earle of Cambridge,
I ludge that way not fo conuenient.
Scroop Whatthinkeyethenofthis,'' I am his bedfellow.
And vnfufpected nightly fleepe with him.
What if I venture in thofe filent houres.
When fleepe hath fealed vp all mortall eies.
To murder him in bed.'' how like ye that.''
Camb. Herein confifles no fafetie for your felfe, 2100
And you difclofde, what fliall become of vs.''
But this day (as ye know) he will aboord,
The wind fo faire, and fet away for France,
If as he goes, or entring in the fliip.
It might be done, then it were excellent.
Gray Why any of thefe, or if you will.
He caufe a prefent fitting of the Councell,
Wherein I will pretend fome matter of fuch weight.
As
The firfl part of
As needes muft haue his royall company,
21 10 And to difpatch him in the Councell chamber.
Camh. Tufh, yet I heare not any thing to purpofe,
I wonder that lord Cobham ftaies fo long,
His counfell in this cafe would much auaile vs.
They rife from the table ^ and the King ft ep
in to them J with his hordes.
Scroop What fhalwe rife thus, and determine nothing ?
Har. That were a fhame indeede, no, (it againe,
And you fhall haue my counfell in this cafe,
If you can find no way to kill this King,
2 1 20 Then you fhall fee how I can further ye,
Scroopes way by poifon was indifferent.
But yet being bed-fellow vnto the King,
And vnfufpected fleeping in his bofome.
In mine opinion, that's the likelier way.
For fuch falfe friends are able to do much.
And filent night is Treafon's fittefl friend.
Now, Cambridge in his fetting hence for France,
Or by the way, or as he goes aboord.
To do the deed, that was indifferent too,
2130 Yet fomewhat doubtful; might I fpeake my mind,
For many reafons needeleffe now to vrge.
Mary Lord Gray came fomething neare the point.
To haue the King at councell, and there murder him,
As Caefar was amongft his deareft friends :
None like to that, if all were of his mind.
Tell me oh tel me, you bright honors flaines,
For which of all my kindneffes to you.
Are ye become thus traitors to your king.?
And France muft haue the fpoile of Harries life ?
2140 All. Oh pardon vs dread lord. all kneeling.
Har. How, pardon yc} that were a finne indeed.
Drag them to death, which iuftly they deferue, they leade
And France fhall dearely buy this villany, them away.
So foone as we fet footing on her breaft,
God
ftr yohn Old'Caflle,
God haue the praife for our deliuerance,
And next, our thankes (Lord Cobham) is to thee,
True perfect mirror of nobilitie. exeunt.
Enter the hofte^ftr lohn Old-caftle^ and Harpoole. Act V
Hofte Sir, you are welcome to this houfe, to fuch as heere is ^^- '^'
with all my heart, but by the maffe 1 feare your lodging wilbe 2 1 50
the woorft, I haue but two beds, and they are both in a cham-
ber,and thecarierandhis daughter lies in theone,and you and
your wife muft lie in the other.
L. Cobh. In faith fir, for my felfe I doe not greatly pafle,
My wife is weary, and would be at reft.
For we haue traueld very far to day.
We muft be content with fuch as you haue.
Hofte But I cannot tell how to doe with your man.
Harpoole What, haft thou neuer an empty roome in thy
houfe for me.f* 2160
Hofte Not a bedde by my troth : there came a poore Irifti
man, and I lodgde him in the barne, where he has faire ftraw,
though he haue nothing elfe.
Harp. Well mine hofte, I pray thee helpe mee to a payre of
faire ftieetes, and He go lodge with him.
Hofte By the mafte that thou ftialt, a good payre of hem-
pen ftieetes, were neuer laine in: Come. exeunt.
Enter Constable, Maior, and Watch. Act V
Maior What haue you fearcht the towne? ^''- ^
Conft. All the towne fir, we haue not left a houfe vnfearcht 2 1 70
that vfes to lodge.
Maior Surely my lord of Rochefter was then deceiude,
Or ill informde of fir lohn Old-caftle,
Or if he came this way, hees paft the towne.
He could not elfe haue fcapt you in the fearch.
Conft. The priuy watch hath beene abroad all night.
And not a ftranger lodgeth in the towne
But he is knowne, onely a lufty prieft
We found in bed with a pretty wench,
I That
The firfl part of
2180 That fayes fhe is his wife, yonder at the fheeres:
But we haue chargde the hofte with his forth comming
To morow morning.
Maior What thinke you beft to do?
Conft. Faith maifter maior, heeres a few ftragling houfes be-
yond the bridge, and a little Inne where cariers vfe to lodge,
though I thinke furely he would nere lodge there: but weele
go fearch,& the rather, becaufe therecame notice to the towne
the laft night of an IrifK man, that had done a murder, whome
2 1 89 we are to make fearch for.
Maior Come I pray you, and be circumfpect. exeunt
Act V Conft. FirlT: befet the houfe, before you begin the fearch.
sc. vi Officer Content, euery man take a feuerall place.
heere is heard a great noyfe within.
Keepe, keepe, ftrike him downe there, downe with him.
Enter Const able with the Irijh man in Harpooles apparell.
Con. Come you villainous heretique, confefTe where your
maifter is.
Iriftf man Vat mefter.?
Maior Vat mefter, you counterfeit rebell, this ftiall not
2200 ferue your turne.
IriJh man Be fent Patrike I ha no mefter.
Con. VVheres the lord Cobham ftr lohn Old-caftle that
lately is efcaped out of the Tower.
Iriftj man Vat lort Cobham.?
Maior You counterfeit, this ftial not ferue you, weele tor-
ture you, weele make you to confeft*e where that arch-here-
tique Lord Cobham is: come binde him faft.
2208 IriJh man Ahone, ahone, ahone, a Cree.
Con. Ahone, you crafty rafcall.? exeunt.
Act V Lord Cobham comes out in his gowne ftealing.
ic. vti Cobh. Harpoole, Harpoole, I heare a maruelous noyfe a-
bout the houfe, God warant vs, I feare wee are purfued: what
Harpoole.
Harp, within. Who calles there?
Cobh. Tis I, doft thou not heare a noyfe about the houfe?
Harp.
Jir John Old-caflle,
Harp. Yes mary doe I, zwounds, 1 can not finde my hofe,
this Irifh rafcall that was lodgde with me all night, hath ftolne
myapparell,and has left me nothing but a lowfie mantle, anda
paire of broags. Get vp,get vp,and if the carier and his wench
be afleep, change you with them as he hath done with me, and 2220
fee if we can efcape.
A noyje againe heard about the houje^ a pretty while, then en- Act V
ter the Constable meetingHarpoole in the Irijh mans appar- ^<^' ^"'
rell.
Con. Stand clofe, heere comes the Irifh man that didde the
murther, by all tokens, this is he.
Maior And perceiuing the houfe befet, would get away:
ftand firra.
Harp. What art thou that bidft me ftand?
Con. I am the Officer, and am come to fearch for an Irifti 2230
man,fuch a villaine as thy felfe, that haftmurtheredaman this
laft night by the hie way.
Harp. Sbloud Conftable, art thou madde.'' am I an Irifh
man.-*
Maior Sirra, weele finde you an Irifh man before we part:
lay hold vpon him.
Con. Make him faft: O thou bloudy rogue!
Enter Lor dCobham and his lady in the carrier andwenches
apparrell.
Cobham What will thefe Oftlers fleepe all day? 2240
Good morow, good morow, Come wench, come,
Saddle, faddle, now afore God too foord-dayes, ha?
Con. Who comes there?
Maior Oh tis Lankafhire carier, let him pafTe.
Cobham What, will no body open the gates here?
Come, lets int ftable to looke to our capons.
The carrier calling.
Club calling Hofte, why oftler, zwookes, heres fuch a bo-
mination company of boies: a pox of this pigftie at the houfe
end, it filles all the houfe full of fleas, oftler, oftler. 2250
Oftler Who calles there, what would you haue?
I 2 Club
The first part of
Club Zwookes, do you robbe your ghefts? doe you lodge
rogues andflaues,and fcoundrels,ha?theyha ftolne our cloths
here: why oftler?
Ostler A murrein choake you, what a bawling you keepe.
Hojle How now, what woulde the carrier haue? looke vp
there.
Ostler They fay that the man and woman that lay by them
haue ftolne their clothes.
2260 Hoste What, are the ftrange folkes vp yet that came in
yefter night.''
Const. What mine hofte, vp fo early.?
Hoste What, maifter Maior, and maifter Conftable!
Maior We are come to feeke for fome fufpected perfons,
and fuch as heere we found, haue apprehended.
Enter theCarrier and Katein lord Cobhamand ladies apparell.
Con. Who comes heere.''
Club Who comes heere? a plague found ome, you bawle
quoth a, ods hat. He forzweare your houfe, you lodgde a fel-
2270 low and his wife by vs that ha runne away with our parrel,and
left vs fuch gew-gawes here, come Kate, come to mee, thowfe
dizeard yfaith.
Maior Mine hofte, know you this man.?
Hoste Yes maifter Maior, He giue my word for him, why
neibor Club, how comes this geare about.?
Kate Now a fowle ont, I can not make this gew-gaw ftand
on my head, now the lads and the lafTes won flowt me too too
Const. How came this man and woman thus attired?
Hoste Here came a man and woman hither this laft night,
2280 which I did take for fubftantiall people, and lodgde all in one
chamber by thefe folkes: mee thinkes, haue beene fo bolde to
change apparell,and gone away this morning ere they rofe.
Maior That was that villaine traitour Old-caftle, that thus
efcapedvs: make out huyand cry yet after him, keepe faft that
traiterous rebell his feruant there : farewell mine hofte.
Carier Come Kate Owdham, thou and Ife trimly dizard.
Kate Ifaith neame Club, Ife wot nere what to do, Ife be fo
flowted
Jir yohn Old-cajlle.
flowted and fo fhowted at: but byth mefle Ife cry. exeunt.
Enter Prieji and Doll. Act V
Jir lohn Come Dol, come, be mery wench, ^^- "
Farewell Kent, we are not for thee.
Be lufty my lafle, come for Lancafhire, 2292
We muft nip the Boung for thefe crownes.
Doll Why is all the gold fpent already that you had the o-
ther day?
fir lohn Gone Doll, gone, flowne, fpent, vanifhed, the diuel,
drinke and the dice, has deuoured all.
Doll You might haue left me in Kent, that you might, vntil
you had bin better prouided, I could haue ftaied at Cobham.
fir lohn No Dol, no, ile none of that, Kent's too hot Doll, 2300
Kent's too hot: the weathercocke of Wrotham will crow no
longer, we haue pluckt him, he has loft his feathers, I haue
prunde him bare, left him thrice, is moulted, is moulted, wech.
Doll Faith fir lohn, I might haue gone to feruice againe,
old maifter Harpoole told me he would prouide me a miftris.
fir lohn Peace Doll, peace, come mad wench, Ile make thee
an honeft woman, weele into Lancafhire to our friends, the
troth is, Ile marry thee, we want but a little mony to buy vs a
horfe, and to fpend by the way, the next ftieep that comes fhal
loofe his fleece, weele haue thefe crownes wench I warrant 2310
thee: ftay, who comes here ?fome I rifhvillaine me thinkes that
enter the Irijh man with his mafier fiaine.
has flaine a man, and drawes him out of the way to rifle him :
ftand clofe Doll, weele fee the end.
The IriJh man falls to rifle his mafter.
Alas poe mefter, S. Rifliard Lee, be faint Patricke is rob and
cut thy trote,for dee fliaine,and dy money,and dee gold ring,
be me truly is loue thee wel, but now dow be kil thee,bee fliit-
ten kanaue.
fir lohn. Stand firra, what art thou? 2320
/r/y^»?rt«.BefaintPatrickemefterisporeIrifman,isaleufter.
fir lohn Sirra, firra, you are a damned rogue, you haue kil-
led a man here, and rifled him of all that he has, sbloud you
I 3 rogue
The firfl part of
rogue delluer, or ile not leaue you fo much as an Irifh haire a-
boue your fhoulders, you whorfon Irifh dogge, firra vntrufTe
prefently, come ofFand difpatch, or by this crofTe ile fetch your
head off as cleane as a barke.
Irijhman. Wees me faint Patricke, Ife kill me mefter for
chaineand his ring, and nows be rob of all, mees vndoo.
2330 Prieji robs him.
fir lohn Auant you rafcal, go firra, be walking, come Doll
the diuel laughes, when one theefe robs another, come madde
wench, weele to faint Albons, and reuel in our bower, hey my
braue girle.
Doll O thou art old fir lohn, when all's done yfaith.
Act V Enter the hojie of the Bell^with the Iriflj man.
sc. Hi Irijhman Be me tro mefter is pore Irifman, is want ludging,
is haue no mony, is ftarue and cold, good mefter giue her some
meate, is famife and tie.
2340 Hoft Yfaith my fellow I haue no lodging, but what I keep
for my guefle, that I may not difapoint, as for meate thou ftialt
haue fuch as there is, & if thou wilt lie i n the barne, theres faire
ft raw, and roome enough.
Irijhman Is thanke my mefter hartily, de ftraw is good bed
for me.
Hoji Ho Robin.?
Robin Who calls,?
Hojl Shew this poore Iriftiman into the barne, go firra.
exeunt.
2350 Enter carrier and Kate.
Club. Ho, who's within here, who lookesto the horfes?
Gods hatte heres fine worke, the hens in the manger, and the
hogs in the litter, a bots found you all, heres a houfe well lookt
too yvaith.
Kate Mas goffe Club, Ife very cawd.
Club. Get in Kate, get in to fier and warme thee.
Club Ho lohn Hoftler.
Hojller What gaffer Club, welcome to faint Albons,
How does all our friends in Lancaftiire.?
Club.
fir John Old'Caftle
Club Well God haue mercie lohn, how does Tom, wheres 2360
he?
Hojiler O Tom is gone from hence, hees at the three
horfe-loues at Stony-ftratford, how does old Dick Dunne?
Club Gods hatte old Dunne has bin moyerd in a flough in
Brickhil-lane, a plague found it, yonder is fuch abhomination
weather as neuer was feene.
HoJller. Gods hat thiefe, haue one half pecke of peafe and
oates more for that, as I am lohn Oftler, hee has been euer as
good a iade as euer traueld.
Club Faith well faid old lacke, thou art the old lad ftil. 2370
Hojiler Come Gaffer Club, vnlode, vnlode, and get to fup-
per, and He rub dunne the while. Come. exeunt.
Enter fir lohn Old-cajile^and his Lady difguifde. Act V
Oldca. Come Madam, happily efcapt, here let vs (it, ^^' '■*■
This place is farre remote from any path.
And here awhile our weary limbs may reft,
To take refrefhing, free from the purfuite
Of enuious Winchefter.
Lady But where (my Lord,)
Shall we find reft for our difquiet minds? 2380
There dwell vntamed thoughts that hardly ftoupe,
To fuch abafement of difdained rags.
We were not wont to trauell thus by night,
Efpecially on foote.
Oldca. No matter loue.
Extremities admit no better choice.
And were it not for thee, fay froward time,
Impofde a greater taske, I would efteeme it
As lightly as the wind that blowes vpon vs,
But in thy fufferance I am doubly taskt, 2390
Thou waft not wont to haue the earth thy ftoole.
Nor the moift dewy grafle thy pillow, nor
Thy chamber to be the wide horrifon.
Lady How can it feeme a trouble, hauing you
A partner with me, in the worft I feele?
No
The first part of
No gentle Lord, your prefence would giue eafe
To death it felfe, fhould he now feaze vpon me,
Behold what my forefight hath vndertane heres bread and
For feare we faint, they are but homely cates, cheeje ^ a bottle,
2400 Yet faucde with hunger, they may feeme as fweete,
As greater dainties we were wont to tafte.
Oldca. Praife be to him whofe plentie fends both this,
And all things elfe our mortall bodies need.
Nor fcorne we this poore feeding, nor the ftate
We now are in, for what is it on earth.
Nay vnder heauen, continues at a ftay?
Ebbes not the fea, when it hath ouerflowne?
Flowes not darknes when the day is gone?
And fee we not fometime the eie of heauen,
2410 Dimmd with ouerflying clowdes: theres not that worke
Of carefull nature, or of cunning art,
(How ftrong, how beauteous, or how rich It be)
But falls in time to ruine: here gentle Madame,
In this one draught I wafh my forrow downe. drinkes.
Lady And I incoragde with your cheerefuU fpeech,
Wil do the like.
Oldca. Pray God poore Harpoole come.
If he fhould fall into the Bifhops hands.
Or not remember where we bade him meete vs,
2420 It were the thing of all things elfe, that now
Could breede reuolt in this new peace of mind.
Lady Feare not my Lord, hees witty to deuife,
And ftrong to execute a prefent fhift.
Oldca. That power be ftil his guide hath guided vs,
My drowfie eies waxe heauy, earely rifing.
Together with the trauell we haue had.
Make me that I could gladly take a nap.
Were I perfwaded we might be fecure.
Lady Let that depend on me, whilft you do fleepe,
2430 He watch that no misfortune happen vs.
Lay then your head vpon my lap fweete Lord,
And
Jir lohn Old-caflle
And boldly take your reft.
Oldca. I fhal deare wife,
Be too much trouble to thee.
Lady Vrge not that,
My duty binds me, and your loue commands.
I would I had the skil with tuned voyce.
To draw on fleep with fome fweet melodie,
But imperfectoin and vnaptnefTe too,
Are both repugnant, feare inferts the one, 2440
The other nature hath denied me vfe.
But what talke I of meanes to purchafe that,
Is freely hapned } fleepe with gentle hand.
Hath fhut his eie-liddes, oh victorious labour.
How foone thy power can charme the bodies {qv\.{q ?
And now thou likewife climbft vnto my braine.
Making my heauy temples ftoupe to thee.
Great God of heauen from danger keepe vs free, bothjleepes.
Enter fir Richard Lee^ and his men
Lee. A murder clofely done and in my ground .'' 2450
Search carefully, if any where it were.
This obfcure thicket is the likelieft place.
Jeruant. Sir I haue found the body ftiffe with cold.
And mangled cruelly with many wounds.
Lee Looke if thou knoweft him, turne his body vp,
Alacke it is my fon, my fonne and heire,
Whom two yeares fince, I fent to Ireland,
To practife there the difcipline of warre.
And comming home (for fo he wrote to me)
Some fauage hart, fome bloudy diuellifh hand, 2460
Either in hate, or thirfting for his coyne.
Hath here flucde out his bloud, vnhappy houre,
Accurfed place, but moft inconftant fate,
That hadft referude him from the bullets fire,
And fuffered him to fcape the wood-karnes fury,
Didft here ordaine the treafure of his life,
(Euen here within the armes of tender peace,
K And
The first part of
And where fecurity gate greateft hope)
To be confumde by treafons waftefuU hand ?
2470 And what is moft afflicting to my foule,
That this his death and murther fhould be wrought,
Without the knowledge by whofe meanes twas done,
1 Jeru. Not fo fir, I haue found the authors of it.
See where they fit, and in their bloudy fiftes,
The fatall inftruments of death and finne.
Lee luft iudgementof that power, whofe gracious eie,
Loathing the fight of fuch a hainous fact,
Dazeled their fenfes with benumming fleepe.
Till their vnhallowed treachery were knowne :
2480 Awake ye monfters, murderers awake.
Tremble for horror, blufh you cannot chufe.
Beholding this inhumane deed of yours.
Old. What meane you fir to trouble weary foules.
And interrupt vs of our quiet fleepe ?
Lee Oh diuellifli ! can you boaft vnto your felues
Of quiet fleepe, hauing within your hearts
The guilt of murder waking, that with cries
Deafes the lowd thunder, and follicites heauen.
With more than Mandrakes flireekes for your offence ?
2490 Lady Old. What murder? you vpbraidvs wrongfully.
Lee Can you deny the fact? fee you not heere.
The body of my fonne by you mif-done ?
Looke on his wounds, looke on his purple hew :
Do we not finde you where the deede was done ?
Were not your kniues fafl: clofed in your hands ?
Is not this cloth an argument befide.
Thus ftaind and fpotted with his innocent blood?
Thefe fpeaking characters, were nothing elfe
To pleade againfl: ye, would conuict you both.
2500 Bring them away, bereauers of my ioy.
At Hartford where the Sifes now are kept.
Their liues fliall anfwere for my fonnes loft life.
Old-cajlle As we are innocent, fo may we fpeede.
Lee
fir jfohn Old'Caflle,
Lee As I am wrongd, fo may the law proceede. exeunt.
Enter bifhop of Rochester ^ constable of S . AlbonSjWithftr lohn Act V
of Wrotham^ Doll his wench, and the Irifhman in Har- ^'^- ^
pooles ap par ell.
Bifhop What intricate confufion haue we heere?
Not two houres fince we apprehended one,
In habite Irifh, but in fpeech, not fo: 2510
And now you bring another, that in fpeech
Is altogether Irifh, but in habite
Seemes to be Englifh : yea and more than fo,
The feruant of that heretike Lord Cobham.
Irifhman Fait me be no feruant of the lord Cobhams,
Me be Mack Chane of Vlfter.
Bifhop Otherwife calld Harpoole of Kent, go to fir.
You cannot blinde vs with your broken Irifh.
fir lohn Truft me, my Lord Bifhop, whether Irifh,
Or Englifh, Harpoole or not Harpoole, that 2520
I leaue to be decided by the triall :
But fure I am this man by face and fpeech
Is he that murdred yong fir Richard Lee :
I met him prefently vpon the fact.
And that he fiew his maifter for that gold,
Thofe iewells, and that chaine I tooke from him.
Bifhop Well, our affaires doe call vs backe to London,
So that we cannot profecute the caufe
As we defire to do, therefore we leaue
The charge with you, to fee they be conuaide 2530
To Hartford Sife : both this counterfaite
And you fir lohn of Wrotham, and your wench,
For you are culpable as well as they.
Though not for murder, yet for felony.
But fince you are the meanes to bring to light
This graceleffe murder, you fhall beare with you.
Our letters to the ludges of the bench.
To be your friendes in what they lawfull may.
fir lohn I thanke your Lordfhip. 2539
K 2 Bifh.
The fir ft part of
Bijh. So, away with them. exeunt.
Act V Enter Gaoler and his man^ bringing forth Old castle.
^'' ^^ Gaoler Bring forth the prifoners, fee the court preparde,
The luftices are comming to the bench.
So, let him ftand, away, and fetch the reft. exeunt.
Old. Oh giue me patience to indure this fcourge,
Thou that art fountaine of that vertuous ftreame,
And though contempt, falfe "witnes, and reproch
Hang on thefe yron gyues, to preffe my life
As low as earth, yet ftrengthen me with faith,
2550 That I may mount in fpirite aboue the cloudes.
Enter Gaoler bringing in Lady Old-cajile., and Harpoole,
Here comes my lady, forow tis for her.
Thy wound is greeuous, elfe I fcoffe at thee.
What and poore Harpoole ! art thou ith bryars too }
Harp. Ifaith my Lord, I am in, get out how I can.
Lady Say (gentle Lord) for now we are alone,
And may conferre, fhall we confefTe in briefe.
Of whence, and what we are, and fo preuent
The accufation is commencde againft vs.''
2560 Old. Whatwill that helpe vs.'' being knowne,fweeteloue,
We fhall for herefie be put to death,
For fo they tearme the religion we profefTe.
No, if it be ordained we muft die.
And at this inftant, this our comfort be.
That of the guilt impofde, our foules are free.
Harp. Yea, yea my lord, Harpoole is fo refolude,
I wreake of death the lefTe, in that I die
Not by the fentence of that enuious prieft
The Bifhop of Rochefter, oh were it he,
2570 Or by his meanes that I fhould fuffer here,
It would be double torment to my foule.
Lady Well, be it then according as heauen pleafe.
Enter lord ludge^ two lujiices, Maior of Saint Albons^ lord
Powejfeandhis lady ^and old fir Richard Lee: the ludge
and luftices take their places.
ludge
fir yohn Old'Caflle,
ludge Now M. Maior, what gentleman is that,
You bring with you, before vs, and the bench ?
Maior The Lord Powes if it like your honor,
And this his Lady, trauelling toward Wales,
Who for they lodgde laft night within my houfe, 2580
And my Lord Bifhop did lay fearch for fuch.
Were very willing to come on with me.
Left for their fakes, fufpition we might wrong.
ludge We crie your honor mercy good my Lord,
Wilt pleafe ye take your place, madame your ladyfhip,
May here or where you will repofe your felfe,
Vntill this bufineffe now in hand be paft.
Lady Po. I will withdraw into fome other roome.
So that your Lordfhip, and the reft be pleafde.
ludge With all our hearts : attend the Lady there. 2590
LordPo. Wife, I haueeydeyondprifonersall this while.
And my conceit doth tel me, tis our friend.
The noble Cobham, and his vertuous Lady.
Lady Po. I think no lefTe, are they fufpected trow ye
For doing of this murder.''
Lord Po. What it meanes,
I cannot tell, but we fhall know anon,
Meane fpace as you pafte by them, ask the queftion,
But do it fecr etly, you be not feene.
And make fome figne that I may know your mind. 2600
Lady Po. My Lord Cobham, madam .'' as/lie pajfethouerthe
Old. NoCobha now, nor madam asyoulouevs, ftagebythe.
But lohn of Lancaftiire, and lone his wife.
Lady Po. Oh tel, what is it that our loue can do,
To pleafure you, for we are bound to you.
Oldca. Nothing but this, that you conceale our names.
So gentle lady paffe for being fpied.
LadyPo. MyheartIleaue,tobearepartofyourgriefe. exit.
ludge Call the prifoners to the barre : fir Richard Lee,
What euidence can you bring againft thefe people, 2610
To proue them guiltie of the murder done }
K 3 Lee.
The first part of
Lee. This bloudy towell, and thefe naked kniues,
Befide we found them fitting by the place,
Where the dead body lay within a bufh.
ludge What anfwer you why law fhould not proceed,
According to this euidence giuen in,
To taxe ye with the penalty of death ?
Old. That we are free from murders very thought,
And know not how the gentleman was ilaine.
2620 I lufi. How came this linnen cloth fo boudy then ?
Lady Cob. My husband hot with trauelling my lord,
His nofe guflit out a bleeding, that was it. (fheathde?
2 lufi. But wherefore were your fharpe edgde kniues vn-
Lady Cob. To cut fuch fimple victuall as we had.
ludge Say we admit this anfwer to thofe articles.
What made ye in fo priuate a darke nooke.
So far remote from any common path.
As was the thicke where the dead corpes was throwne }
Old. lournying my lord from London from the terme,
2630 Downe into Lancafhire where we do dwell,
And what with age and trauell being faint.
We gladly fought a place where we might reft.
Free from refort of other pafiengers.
And fo we ftrayed into that fecret corner.
ludge Thefe are but ambages to driue of time,
And linger luftice from her purpofde end.
But who are thefe ?
Enter the Confi able ^bringing in the Irijhman^fir John of
Wrotham^ and Doll.
2640 Confi. Stay Judgement, and releafe thofe innocents.
For here is hee, whofe hand hath done the deed,
For which they ftand indited at the barre,
This fauage villaine, this rude Irifti flaue.
His tongue already hath confeft the fact.
And here is witnes to confirme as much.
ftr John Yes my good Lords, no fooner had he flaine
His louing mafter for the wealth he had.
But
Jir yohn Old-cajlle.
But I vpon the inftant met with him,
And what he purchacde with the lofle of bloud :
With ftrokes I prefently bereau'de him of, 2650
Some of the which is fpent, the reft remaining,
I wilHngly furrender to the hands
Of old fir Richard Lee, as being his,
Befide my Lord ludge, I greet your honor,
With letters from my Lord of Winchefter. deliuers a letter.
Lee Is this the wolfe whofe thirfty throate did drinke
My deare fonnes bloud ? art thou the fnake
He cheriftit, yet with enuious piercing fting,
AfTaildft him mortally ? foule ftigmatike.
Thou venome of the country where thou liuedft, 2660
And peftilence of this : were it not that law
Stands ready to reuenge thy crueltie.
Traitor to God, thy mafter, and to me,
Thefe hands fhould be thy executioner.
ludge Patience fir Richard Lee, you fhall haue iuftice,
And he the guerdon of his bafe defert.
The fact is odious, therefore take him hence.
And being hangde vntil the wretch be dead.
His body after fhall be hangd in chaines,
Neare to the place, where he did act the murder. 2670
Irijh. Prethee Lord fhudge let me haue mine own clothes,
my ftrouces there, and let me be hangd ina with after mycun-
try, the Irifh fafhion. exit.
ludge Go to, away with him, and now fir lohn.
Although by you, this murther came to light.
And therein you haue well deferu'd, yet vpright law,
So will not haue you be excufde and quit.
For you did rob the Irifiiman, by which
You ftand attained here of felony,
Befide, you haue bin lewd, and many yeares 2680
Led a lafciuious vnbefeeming life.
ftr lohn Oh but my Lord, he repents,ifir lohn repents, and
he will mend.
ludge.
The firfl part of
ludge In hope thereof, together with the fauour,
My Lord of Winchefter intreates for you,
We are content you fhall be proued.
fir lohn I thanke your good Lordfhip,
ludge Thefe other falfly here, accufde, and brought
In perill wrongfully, we in like fort
2690 Do fet at liberty, paying their fees.
Lord Po. That office if it pleafe ye I will do,
For countries fake, becaufe I know them well.
They are my neighbours, therefore of my coft.
Their charges fhall be paide.
Lee. And for amends.
Touching the wrong vnwittingly I haue done.
There are a few crownes more for them to drinke. giues them
ludge. Your kindnesmeritespraife fir Richard Lee, apurfe.
Solet vs hence. exeunt allhutLord P owejfe andOldcaftle .
2700 Lord Po. But PowefTe ftill mufl flay,
There yet remaines a part of that true loue,
He owes his noble friend vnfatisfide,
And vnperformd, which firft of all doth bind me,
To gratulate your lordfhips fafe deliuery,
And then intreat, that (ince vnlookt for thus.
We here are met, your honor would vouchfafe.
To ride with me to Wales, where though my power,
(Though not to quittance thofe great benefites,
I haue receiud of you) yet both my houfe,
27 1 c My purfe, my feruants, and what elfe I haue,
Are all at your command, deny me not,
I know the Bifhops hate purfues ye fo.
As theres no fafety in abiding here.
Old. Tis true my Lord, and God forgiue him for it.
LordPo. Then let vs hence, you fhall be flraight prouided
Of lufty geldings, and once entred Wales,
Well may the Bifhop hunt, but fpight his face,
He neuer more (hall haue the game in chace. exeunt.
FINIS.
The M alone Society
AT a meeting held at University College on July 30, 1906,
Dr. Gregory Foster presiding, there was founded a
Society, with the name of the Malone Society, and as its
object the production of accurate copies of the best editions of
early plays, without prejudice to any further development of
scope which may be found advisable.
An organizing committee of five was appointed to draw up
rules for the Society, to receive applications for membership (at
an annual subscription of one guinea), to put work in hand,
and to report to a meeting of the Society to be convened at the
end of 06lober or beginning of November next.
The following is a list of the original promoters of the
Society :
F. S. Boas.
A. H. Bullen.
Henry Bradley.
Alois Brandl.
E. K. Chambers.
G. B. Churchill,
W. McN. Dixon.
Edward Dowden.
Oliver Elton.
Ewald FlUgel.
T. Gregory Foster.
C. M. Gayley.
Israel Gollancz.
H. F. Heath.
W. P. Ker.
Sidney Lee,
J. M, Manly,
A. W, Pollard,
Walter Raleigh,
Percy Simpson,
George Saintsbury,
G. Gregory Smith,
The first year's publications will be seleded from the follow-
ing list:
The Beauty of Women (Calisto and Melibaea). F*', n. d.
Wealth and Health. 4°, n. d.
St. John the Evangelist. 4°, n. d.
Damon and Pithias, by R. Edwards. 4*^, 1571.
Apius and Virginia, by R. B. 4°, 1575.
The Battle of Alcazar. 4'*, 1594.
Orlando Furioso. 4", 1594.
A Knack to Know an Honest Man. 4*^, 1596.
Sir John Oldcastle. 4°, 1 600.
The Weakest goeth to the Wall. 4*^', 1600.
King Leir and his Three Daughters. 4'^, 1 605.
Sir Thomas More. MS. Harley 7368.
The first subscription will cover till December 31, 1907.
The amount of work which it will be possible to issue to
members will, of course, largely depend on the number of sub-
scriptions, but it is hoped that it may be possible to issue on
an average one play for every twenty-five members, besides
carrying on the ordinary business of the Society and issuing
a fly-sheet dealing with matters likely to be of interest to
members.
All communications should be addressed to the Provisional
Honorary Secretary, W. W. Greg, Park Lodge, Wimbledon,
S.W.
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY
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