ACT V.

SCENE I.-The Same.

Fields between Dartford

and Blackheath.

The King's Camp on one side. On the other, enter YORK attended, with drum and colours; his Forces at some distance.

York. From Ireland thus comes York, to claim

his right,

And pluck the crown from feeble Henry's head : Ring, bells, aloud; burn, bonfires, clear and bright, To entertain great England's lawful king.

Ah, sancta majestas! who would not buy thee

dear?

Let them obey, that know not how to rule;
This hand was made to handle nought but gold:
I cannot give due action to my words,
Except a sword, or sceptre, balance it.

A sceptre shall it have, have I a soul,

On which I'll toss the flower-de-luce of France.

Enter BUCKINGHAM.

Whom have we here? Buckingham, to disturb

me?

The king hath sent him, sure: I must dissemble. Buck. York, if thou meanest well, I greet thee

well.

York. Humphrey of Buckingham, I accept thy greeting.

Art thou a messenger, or come of pleasure?

Buck. A messenger from Henry, our dread
liege,

To know the reason of these arms in peace;
Or why thou,--being a subject as I am,—
Against thy oath and true allegiance sworn,
Shouldst raise so great a power without his leave,
Or dare to bring thy force so near the court.

York. [Aside.] Scarce can I speak, my choler is
so great.

O, I could hew up rocks, and fight with flint,
I am so angry at these abject terms;

And now, like Ajax Telamonius,

On sheep or oxen could I spend my fury.
I am far better born than is the king,

More like a king, more kingly in my thoughts;

But I must make fair weather yet awhile,

Till Henry be more weak, and I more strong1

1 But, York, dissemble till thou meet thy sons
Who now in arms expect their father's sight,
And not far hence I know they cannot be.

O Buckingham, I pr'ythee, pardon me,

That I have given no answer all this while :
My mind was troubled with deep melancholy.
The cause why I have brought this army hither,
Is, to remove proud Somerset from the king,
Seditious to his grace, and to the state.

Buck. That is too much presumption on thy

part;

But if thy arms be to no other end,

The king hath yielded unto thy demand:
The Duke of Somerset is in the Tower.

York. Upon thine honour, is he prisoner?
Buck. Upon mine honour, he is prisoner.
York. Then, Buckingham, I do dismiss my

powers.

Soldiers, I thank you all; disperse yourselves:
Meet me to-morrow in Saint George's field,
You shall have pay, and everything you wish.
And let my sovereign, virtuous Henry,
Command my eldest son, -nay, all my sons,
As pledges of my fealty and love;

I'll send them all, as willing as I live:
Lands, goods, horse, armour, anything I have
Is his to use, so Somerset may die.

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

Enter King HENRY, attended.

K. Hen. Buckingham, doth York inter.d no harm

to us,

That thus he marcheth with thee arm in arm ?

York. In all submission and humility,

York doth present himself unto your highness.

K. Hen. Then what intend these forces thou dost bring?

York. To heave the traitor Somerset from hence; And fight against that monstrous rebel, Cade, Who since I heard to be discomfited.

Enter IDEN, with CADE's head.

Iden. If one so rude, and of so mean condition, May pass into the presence of a king,

Lo, I present your grace a traitor's head,

The head of Cade, whom I in combat slew.

K. Hen. The head of Cade?-Great God, how just art Thou !

O, let me view his visage being dead,

That living wrought me such exceeding trouble. Tell me, my friend, art thou the man that slew him?

Iden. I was, an 't like your majesty.

K. Hen. How art thou called, and what is thy degree?

Iden. Alexander Iden, that's my name;

A poor esquire of Kent, that loves his king. Buck. So please it you, my lord, 't were not amiss,

He were created knight for his good service.
K. Hen. Iden, kneel down. [He kneels.] Rise
up a knight.

We give thee for reward a thousand marks;
And will, that thou henceforth attend on us.
Iden. May Iden live to merit such a bounty,
And never live but true unto his liege.

K. Hen. See, Buckingham! Somerset comes with the queen:

Go, bid her hide him quickly from the duke.

Enter Queen MARGARET and SOMERSET.

Q. Mar. For thousand Yorks he shall not hide his head,

But boldly stand, and front him to his face.
York. How now! is Somerset at liberty?
Then, York, unloose thy long-imprisoned thoughts,
And let thy tongue be equal with thy heart.
Shall I endure the sight of Somerset ?-

False king, why hast thou broken faith with me,
Knowing how hardly I can brook abuse?

King did I call thee? no, thou art not king;