ACTON. Gilt spurs? tis well.
MURLEY. But where's your army, sir?
ACTON. Dispersed in sundry villages about: Some here with us in Highgate, some at Finchley, Totnam, Enfield, Edmunton, Newington, Islington, Hogsdon, Pancredge, Kensington; Some nearer Thames, Ratcliffe, Blackwall and Bow; But our chief strength must be the Londoners, Which, ere the Sun to morrow shine, Will be near fifty thousand in the field.
MURLEY. Mary, God dild ye, dainty my dear! but upon occasion, sir Roger Acton, doth not the King know of it, and gather his power against us?
ACTON. No, he's secure at Eltham.
MURLEY. What do the Clergy?
ACTON. Fear extremely, yet prepare no force.
MURLEY. In and out, to and fro, Bully my boikin, we shall carry the world afore us! I vow by my worship, when I am knighted, we'll take the King napping, if he stand on their part.
ACTON. This night we few in Highgate will repose. With the first cock we'll rise and arm our selves, To be in Ficket field by break of day, And there expect our General.
MURLEY. Sir John Old-castle? what if he come not?
BOURNE. Yet our action stands. Sir Roger Acton may supply his place.
MURLEY. True, Master Bourne, but who shall make me knight?
BEVERLY. He that hath power to be our General.
ACTON. Talk not of trifles; come, let's away. Our friends of London long till it be day.
[Exeunt.]
ACT III. SCENE III. A high road in Kent.
[Enter sir John of Wrotham and Doll.]
DOLL. By my troth, thou art as jealous a man as lives.
PRIEST. Canst thou blame me, Doll? thou art my lands, my goods, my jewels, my wealth, my purse. None walks within xl. miles of London, but a plies thee as truly as the parish does the poor man's box.
DOLL. I am as true to thee as the stone is in the wall; and thou knowest well enough, sir John, I was in as good doing, when I came to thee, as any wench need to be; and therefore thou hast tried me, that thou hast: by God's body, I will not be kept as I have been, that I will not.
PRIEST. Doll, if this blade hold, there's not a peddlar walks with a pack, but thou shalt as boldly choose of his wares, as with thy ready money in a Merchant's shop. We'll have as good silver as the King coins any.
DOLL. What, is all the gold spent you took the last day from the Courtier?
PRIEST. Tis gone, Doll, tis flown; merely come, merely gone: he comes a horse back that much pay for all. We'll have as good meat as money can get, and as good gowns as can be bought for gold. Be merry, wench, the malt-man comes on Monday.
DOLL. You might have left me at Cobham, until you had been better provided for.
PRIEST. No, sweet Doll, no: I do not like that. Yond old ruffian is not for the priest: I do not like a new clerk should come in the old belfry.
DOLL. Ah, thou art a mad priest, yfaith.
PRIEST. Come, Doll; I'll see thee safe at some alehouse here at Cray, and the next sheep that comes shall leave his fleece.
[Exeunt.]
ACT III. SCENE IV. Blackheath.
[Enter the King, Suffolk and Butler.]
KING. [In great haste.] My lord of Suffolk, post away for life, And let our forces of such horse and foot, As can be gathered up by any means, Make speedy rendezvous in Tuttle fields. It must be done this evening, my Lord; This night the rebels mean to draw to head Near Islington, which if your speed prevent not, If once they should unite their several forces, Their power is almost thought invincible. Away, my Lord; I will be with you soon.
SUFFOLK. I go, my Sovereign, with all happy speed.
[Exit.]
KING. Make haste, my lord of Suffolk, as you love us. Butler, post you to London with all speed; Command the Mayor and shrieves, on their allegiance, The city gates be presently shut up And guarded with a strong sufficient watch, And not a man be suffered to pass Without a special warrant from our self. Command the Postern by the Tower be kept, And proclamation, on the pain of death, That not a citizen stir from his doors, Except such as the Mayor and Shrieves shall choose For their own guard and safety of their persons. Butler, away; have care unto my charge.