Cade. Nay, that I meane to do. Is not this a lamentable thing, that of the skin of an innocent Lambe should be made Parchment; that Parchment being scribeld ore, should vndoe a man. Some say the Bee stings, but I say, 'tis the Bees waxe: for I did but seale once to a thing, and I was neuer mine owne man since. How now? Who's there? Enter a Clearke.
Weauer. The Clearke of Chartam: hee can write and reade, and cast accompt
Cade. O monstrous
Wea. We tooke him setting of boyes Copies
Cade. Here's a Villaine
Wea. Ha's a Booke in his pocket with red Letters in't Cade. Nay then he is a Coniurer
But. Nay, he can make Obligations, and write Court hand
Cade. I am sorry for't: The man is a proper man of mine Honour: vnlesse I finde him guilty he shall not die. Come hither sirrah, I must examine thee: What is thy name? Clearke. Emanuell
But. They vse to writ it on the top of Letters: 'Twill go hard with you
Cade. Let me alone: Dost thou vse to write thy name? Or hast thou a marke to thy selfe, like a honest plain dealing man? Clearke. Sir I thanke God, I haue bin so well brought vp, that I can write my name
All. He hath confest: away with him: he's a Villaine and a Traitor
Cade. Away with him I say: Hang him with his Pen and Inke-horne about his necke.
Exit one with the Clearke
Enter Michael.
Mich. Where's our Generall? Cade. Heere I am thou particular fellow
Mich. Fly, fly, fly, Sir Humfrey Stafford and his brother are hard by, with the Kings Forces
Cade. Stand villaine, stand, or Ile fell thee downe: he shall be encountred with a man as good as himselfe. He is but a Knight, is a? Mich. No
Cade. To equall him I will make my selfe a knight, presently; Rise vp Sir Iohn Mortimer. Now haue at him. Enter Sir Humfrey Stafford, and his Brother, with Drum and Soldiers.
Staf. Rebellious Hinds, the filth and scum of Kent, Mark'd for the Gallowes: Lay your Weapons downe, Home to your Cottages: forsake this Groome. The King is mercifull, if you reuolt
Bro. But angry, wrathfull, and inclin'd to blood, If you go forward: therefore yeeld, or dye
Cade. As for these silken-coated slaues I passe not, It is to you good people, that I speake, Ouer whom (in time to come) I hope to raigne: For I am rightfull heyre vnto the Crowne
Staff. Villaine, thy Father was a Playsterer, And thou thy selfe a Sheareman, art thou not? Cade. And Adam was a Gardiner
Bro. And what of that? Cade. Marry, this Edmund Mortimer Earle of March, married the Duke of Clarence daughter, did he not? Staf. I sir
Cade. By her he had two children at one birth
Bro. That's false
Cade. I, there's the question; But I say, 'tis true: The elder of them being put to nurse, Was by a begger-woman stolne away, And ignorant of his birth and parentage, Became a Bricklayer, when he came to age. His sonne am I, deny it if you can
But. Nay, 'tis too true, therefore he shall be King
Wea. Sir, he made a Chimney in my Fathers house, & the brickes are aliue at this day to testifie it: therefore deny it not
Staf. And will you credit this base Drudges Wordes, that speakes he knowes not what
All. I marry will we: therefore get ye gone
Bro. Iacke Cade, the D[uke]. of York hath taught you this