Q. Mar. Nay then, this spark will prove a raging

fire,

If wind and fuel be brought to feed it with.-
No more, good York ;-sweet Somerset, be still :—
Thy fortune, York, hadst thou been regent there,
Might happily have proved far worse than his.

York. What, worse than nought? nay, then a shame take all !

Som. And, in the number, thee, that wishest shame.

Car. My Lord of York, try what your fortune is. The uncivil kerns of Ireland are in arms,

And temper clay with blood of Englishmen :
To Ireland will you lead a band of men,
Collected choicely, from each county some,
And try your hap against the Irishmen ?
York. I will, my lord, so please his majesty.
Suf. Why, our authority is his consent,
And what we do establish, he confirms:
Then, noble York, take thou this task in hand.
York. I am content. Provide me soldiers, lords,
Whiles I take order for mine own affairs.

Suf. A charge, Lord York, that I will see per

formed.

But now return we to the false Duke Humphrey. Car. No more of him; for I will deal with him,

That henceforth he shall trouble us no more:
And so break off; the day is almost spent.
Lord Suffolk, you and I must talk of that event. 1
York. My Lord of Suffolk, within fourteen days
At Bristol I expect my soldiers,

For there I'll ship them all for Ireland.

Suf. I'll see it truly done, my Lord of York.

[Exeunt all but YORK.

York. Now, York, or never, steel thy fearful

thoughts,

And change misdoubt to resolution:

Be that thou hop'st to be, or what thou art Resign to death; it is not worth the enjoying. Let pale-faced fear keep with the mean-born man, And find no harbour in a royal heart.

Faster than spring-time showers comes thought on thought,

And not a thought but thinks on dignity.

My brain, more busy than the labouring spider,
Weaves tedious snares to trap mine enemies.
Well, nobles, well; 't is politicly done,

To send me packing with an host of men:

1 This is in place of the Queen's.

66

'Suffolk, remember what you have to do.

And you, Lord Cardinal, concerning Duke Humphrey
"T were good that you did see to it in time.
Come, let us go, that it may be performed."

I fear me, you but warm the starvéd snake.

Who, cherished in your breasts, will sting your

hearts.

'T was men I lacked, and you will give them me: I take it kindly; yet, be well assured,

You put sharp weapons in a madman's hands.
Whiles I in Ireland nourish a mighty band,

I will stir up in England some black storm,
Shall blow ten thousand souls to heaven, or hell;
And this fell tempest shall not cease to rage,
Until the golden circuit on my head,
Like to the glorious sun's transparent beams,
Do calm the fury of this mad-bred flaw.
And, for a minister of my intent,

I have seduced a headstrong Kentishman,
John Cade of Ashford,

To make commotion, as full well he can,
Under the title of John Mortimer.

In Ireland have I seen this stubborn Cade

Oppose himself against a troop of kerns;

And fought so long, till that his thighs with darts
Were almost like a sharp-quilled porpentine:
And, in the end being rescued, I have seen
Him caper upright, like a wild Morisco,
Shaking the bloody darts, as he his bells.
Full often, like a shag-haired crafty kern,

Hath he converséd with the enemy,
And undiscovered come to me again,
And given me notice of their villainies.
This devil here shall be my substitute;
For that John Mortimer, which now is dead,
In face, in gait, in speech, he doth resemble :
By this I shall perceive the commons' mind,
How they affect the house and claim of York.
Say, he be taken, racked, and torturéd,
I know, no pain they can inflict upon him
Will make him say, I moved him to those arms.
Say, that he thrive, as 't is great like he will,
Why, then from Ireland come I with my strength,
And reap the harvest which that rascal sowed
For, Humphrey being dead, as he shall be,
And Henry put apart, the next for me.

d;

[Exit.

SCENE II.-Bury. A Room in the Palace.

Enter certain Murderers, hastily.

1 Mur. Run to my Lord of Suffolk; let him know,

We have despatched the duke, as he commanded.

2 Mur. O that it were to do!-- What have we

done?

Didst ever hear a man so penitent?

1 Mur. Here comes my lord.

Enter SUFFOLK.

Suf. Now, sirs, have you despatched this thing? 1 Mur. Ay, my good lord, he's dead.

Suf. Why, that 's well said. Go, get you to my

house;

I will reward you for this venturous deed.
The king and all the peers are here at hand.
Have you laid fair the bed? Is all things well,
According as I gave directions?

1 Mur. 'Tis, my good lord.

Suf. Away, be gone.

Sound Trumpets.

[Exeunt Murderers.

Enter King HENRY, Queen

MARGARET, Cardinal BEAUFORT, SOMERSET,

Lords, and others.

K. Hen. Go, call our uncle to our presence

straight:

Say, we intend to try his grace to-day,

If he be guilty, as 't is publishéd.

Suf. I'll call him presently, my noble lord.

[Exit.

K. Hen. Lords, take your places; and, I pray

you all,