ACT V.

_Enter_ ERASTUS _and_ PERSEDA.

ERASTUS.

Perseda, these days are our days of joy: What could I more desire than thee to wife? And that I have: or than to govern Rhodes? And that I do, thanks to great Soliman.

PERSEDA.

And thanks to gracious heav'ns, that so Brought Soliman from worse to better; For though I never told it thee till now, His heart was purpos'd once to do thee wrong.

ERASTUS.

Ay, that was before he knew thee to be mine; But now, Perseda, let's forget old griefs, And let our studies wholly be employ'd To work each other's bliss and heart's delight.

PERSEDA.

Our present joys will be so much the greater, When as we call to mind forepassed griefs: So sings the mariner upon the shore. When he hath pass'd the dangerous time of storms; But if my love will have old griefs forgot, They shall lay buried in Perseda's breast.

_Enter_ BRUSOR _and_ LUCINA.

ERASTUS.

Welcome, lord Brusor.

PERSEDA.

And Lucina too.

BRUSOR.

Thanks, lord governor.

LUCINA.

And thanks to you, madam.

ERASTUS.

What hasty news brings you so soon to Rhodes? Although to me you never come too soon.

BRUSOR.

So it is, my lord, that upon great affairs, Importuning health and wealth of Soliman, His highness by me entreateth you, As ever you respect his future love, Or have regard unto his courtesy, To come yourself in person, and visit him, Without inquiry what should be the cause.

ERASTUS.

Were there no ships to cross the seas withal, Mine arms should frame me[419] oars to cross the seas; And, should the seas turn tide to force me back, Desire should frame me wings to fly to him. I go, Perseda: thou must give me leave.

PERSEDA.

Though loth, yet Soliman's command prevails.

LUCINA.

And, sweet Perseda, I will stay with you From Brusor my beloved; and I'll want[420] him, Till he bring back Erastus unto you.

ERASTUS.

Lord Brusor, come; 'tis time that we were gone.

BRUSOR.

Perseda, farewell; be not angry, For that I carry thy beloved from thee; We will return with all speed possible. And thou, Lucina, use Perseda so, That for my carrying of Erastus hence She curse me not; and so farewell to both.

[_Exeunt._

PERSEDA.

Come, Lucina, let's in; my heart is full. [_Exeunt._

_Enter_ SOLIMAN, LORD MARSHAL, _the Two Witnesses,_ _and Janissaries_.

SOLIMAN.

Lord Marshal, see you handle it cunningly: And, when Erastus comes, our perjur'd friend, See he be condemned by martial law; Here will I stand to see, and not be seen.

MARSHAL.

Come, fellows, see when this matter comes in question You stagger not: and, Janissaries, See that your strangling cords be ready.

SOLIMAN.

Ah, that Perseda were not half so fair, Or that Soliman were not so fond, Or that Perseda had some other love, Whose death might save my poor Erastus' life.

_Enter_ BRUSOR _and_ ERASTUS.

See where he comes, whom though I dearly love, Yet must his blood be spill'd for my behoof: Such is the force of marrow-burning[421] love.

MARSHAL.

Erastus, lord governor of Rhodes, I arrest you in the king's name.

ERASTUS.

What thinks Lord Brusor of this strange arrest? Hast thou entrapp'd me to this treachery? Intended, well I wot, without the leave Or licence of my lord, great Soliman.

BRUSOR.

Why then appeal to him, where thou shalt know, And be assur'd, that I betray thee not.

SOLIMAN.

Yes, thou and I, and all of us betray him. [_Aside._

MARSHAL.

No, no; in this case no appeal shall serve.

ERASTUS.

Why, then, to thee or unto any else I here protest by heav'ns unto you all, That never was there man more true or just, Or in his deeds more loyal and upright, Or more loving or more innocent, Than I have been to gracious Soliman, Since first I set my feet on Turkish land.

SOLIMAN.

Myself would be his witness, if I durst; But bright Perseda's beauty stops my tongue.

[_Aside._

MARSHAL.

Why, sirs, why face to face express you not The treasons you reveal'd to Soliman?

1 WITNESS.

That very day Erastus went from hence, He sent for me into his cabinet, And for that man that is of my profession.

ERASTUS.

I never saw them, I, until this day.

1 WITNESS.

His cabin door fast shut, he first began To question us of all sorts of fireworks; Wherein when we had fully resolved him What might be done, he, spreading on the board A huge heap of our imperial coin; All this is yours, quoth he, if you consent To leave great Soliman and serve in Rhodes.

MARSHAL.

Why, that was treason--but onward with the rest.

_Enter_ PISTON.

PISTON.

What have we here? my master before the Marshal?

[_Aside._

1 WITNESS.

We said not ay, nor durst we say him nay, Because we were already in his gallies; But seem'd content to fly with him to Rhodes: With that he purs'd the gold, and gave it us. The rest I dare not speak, it is so bad.

ERASTUS.

Heav'ns, hear you this, and drop[422] not vengeance on them?

2 WITNESS.

The rest and worse will I discourse in brief-- Will you consent, quoth he, to fire the fleet, That lies hard by us here in Bosphorus? For be it spoke in secret here, quoth he, Rhodes must no longer bear the Turkish yoke. We said the task might easily be perform'd, But that we lack'd such drugs to mix with powder, As were not in his gallies to be got. At this he leap'd for joy, swearing and promising, That our reward should be redoubled. We came a-land, not minding to return, And as our duty and allegiance bound us, We made all known unto great Soliman; But ere we could summon him a-land, His ships were past a-kenning[423] from the shore: Belike he thought we had betray'd his treasons.

MARSHAL.

That all is true, that here you have declar'd, Both lay your hands upon the Alcoran.

1 WITNESS.

Foul death betide me, if I swear not true!

2 WITNESS.

And mischief light on me, if I swear false!

SOLIMAN.

Mischief and death shall light upon you both.

[_Aside._

MARSHAL.

Erastus, thou see'st what witness hath produc'd against thee: What answer'st thou unto their accusation?

ERASTUS.

That these are Sinons, and myself poor Troy.

MARSHAL.

Now it resteth I appoint thy death; Wherein thou shalt confess, I'll favour thee, For that thou wert belov'd of Soliman: Thou shalt forthwith be bound unto that post, And strangled, as our Turkish order is.

PISTON.

Such favour send all Turks, I pray God. [_Aside._

ERASTUS.

I see this train was plotted, ere I came: What boots complaining, where's no remedy? Yet give me leave, before my life shall end, To moan Perseda, and accuse my friend.

SOLIMAN.

O unjust Soliman! O wicked time! Where filthy lust must murder honest love. [_Aside._

MARSHAL.

Despatch, for our time limited is past.

ERASTUS.

Alas, how can he but be short, whose tongue Is fast tied with galling sorrow? Farewell, Perseda; no more but that for her: Inconstant Soliman, no more but that for him: Unfortunate Erastus, no more but that for me: Lo, this is all; and thus I leave to speak.

[_Then they strangle him._

PISTON.

Marry, sir, this is A fair warning for me to get me gone.

[_Exit_ PISTON.

SOLIMAN.

O, save his life, if it be possible; I will not lose him for my kingdom's worth. Ah, poor Erastus! art thou dead already? What bold presumer durst be so resolved For to bereave Erastus' life from him, Whose life to me was dearer than mine own? Was't thou? and thou?--Lord Marshal, bring them hither; And at Erastus' hand let them receive The stroke of death, whom they have spoil'd of life. What, is thy hand too weak? then mine shall help To send them down to everlasting night, To wait upon thee through eternal shade; Thy soul shall not go mourning hence alone: Thus die, and thus; for thus you murther'd him.

[_Then he kills the two Janissaries that_ _killed_ ERASTUS.

But soft! methinks he is not satisfied: The breath doth murmur softly from his lips, And bids me kill those bloody witnesses, By whose treachery Erastus died. Lord Marshal, hale them to the tower's top, And throw them headlong down into the valley; So let their treasons with their lives have end.

1 WITNESS.

Yourself procur'd us.

2 WITNESS.

Is this our hire?

[_Then the_ MARSHAL _bears them to the tower-top_.

SOLIMAN.

Speak not a word, lest in my wrathful fury I doom you to ten thousand direful torments! And, Brusor, see Erastus be interr'd With honour in a kingly sepulchre: Why, when, Lord Marshal?[424] Great Hector's son, Although his age did plead for innocence, Was sooner tumbled from the fatal tower, Than are those perjur'd wicked witnesses.

[_Then they are both tumbled down._

Why, now Erastus' ghost is satisfied: Ay, but yet the wicked judge survives, By whom Erastus was condemned to die. Brusor, as thou lov'st me, stab too the[425] Marshal, Lest he detect us unto the world, By making known our bloody practices; And then will thou and I hoist sail to Rhodes, Where thy Lucina and my Perseda lives.

BRUSOR.

I will, my lord. Lord Marshal, it is his highness' pleasure, That you commend him to Erastus' soul.

[_Then he kills the_ MARSHAL.

SOLIMAN.

Here ends my dear Erastus' tragedy, And now begins my pleasant comedy; But if Perseda understand these news, Our scene will prove but tragicomical.

BRUSOR.

Fear not, my lord, Lucina plays her part, And wooes apace in Soliman's behalf.

SOLIMAN.

Then, Brusor, come; and with some few men Let's sail to Rhodes with all convenient speed: For, till I fold Perseda in mine arms, My troubled ears are deaf'd with love's alarms.

[_Exeunt._

_Enter_ PERSEDA, LUCINA, _and_ BASILISCO.

PERSEDA.

Now, Signer Basilisco, which like you, The Turkish or our nation best?

BASILISCO.

That which your ladyship will have me like.

LUCINA.

I am deceiv'd, but you were circumcis'd?

BASILISCO.

Indeed, but I was little cut in the prepuce.[426]

PERSEDA.

What means made you to steal back to Rhodes?

BASILISCO.

The mighty pinky-ey'd,[427] brand-bearing god, To whom I am so long true servitor, When he espied my weeping floods of tears For your depart, he bad me follow him: I follow'd him; he with his firebrand Parted the seas, and we came over dryshod.

LUCINA.

A matter not unlikely: but how chance[th], Your Turkish bonnet is not on your head?

BASILISCO.

Because I now am Christian again, And that by natural means; for, as The old canon says very prettily, _Nihil est tam naturale, quod eo modo colligatum est_, And so forth: so I became a Turk to follow her: To follow her, am now return'd a Christian.

_Enter_ PISTON.

PISTON.

O lady and mistress, weep and lament, And wring your hands; for my master Is condemn'd and executed.

LUCINA.

Be patient, sweet Perseda; the fool but jests.

PERSEDA.

Ah no; my nightly dreams foretold me this, Which, foolish woman! fondly I neglected. But say, what death died my poor Erastus?

PISTON.

Nay, God be prais'd, his death was reasonable; He was but strangled.

PERSEDA.

But strangled? ah, double death to me: But say, wherefore was he condemn'd to die?

PISTON.

For nothing but high treason.

PERSEDA.

What treason, or by whom was he condemn'd?

PISTON.

'Faith, two great knights of the post swore upon The Alcoran, that he would have fir'd the Turks' fleet.

PERSEDA.

Was Brusor by?

PISTON.

Ay.

PERSEDA.

And Soliman?

PISTON.

No; but I saw where he stood, To hear, and see the matter well convey'd.

PERSEDA.

Accursed Soliman! profane Alcoran! Lucina, came thy husband to this end, To lead a lamb unto the slaughter-house? Hast thou for this, in Soliman's behalf, With cunning words tempted my chastity? Thou shalt aby for both your treacheries. It must be so. Basilisco, dost thou love me? speak.

BASILISCO.

Ay, more than I love either life or soul: What, shall I stab the emperor for thy sake?

PERSEDA.

No, but Lucina; if thou lov'st me, kill her.

[_Then_ BASILISCO _takes a dagger, and feels_ _upon the point of it_.

BASILISCO.

The point will mar her skin.

PERSEDA.

What, dar'st thou not? Give me the dagger then-- There's a reward for all thy treasons past.

[_Then_ PERSEDA _kills_ LUCINA.

BASILISCO.

Yet dare I bear her hence to do thee good.

PERSEDA.

No; let her lie, a prey to rav'ning birds; Nor shall her death alone suffice for his, Rhodes now shall be no longer Soliman's: We'll fortify our walls, and keep the town, In spite of proud, insulting Soliman. I know the lecher hopes to have my love; And first Perseda shall with this hand die, Than yield to him, and live in infamy.

[_Exeunt. Manet_ BASILISCO.

BASILISCO.

I will ruminate: Death, which the poets Feign to be pale and meagre, hath depriv'd Erastus' trunk from breathing vitality: A brave cavalier, but my approved foeman. Let me see: where is that Alcides, surnam'd Hercules, The only clubman of his time? Dead. Where is the eldest son of Priam, That Abraham-colour'd Trojan? Dead. Where is the leader of the myrmidons, That well-knit Achilles? Dead. Where is that furious Ajax, the son of Telamon, Or that fraudful squire of Ithaca, i-clipp'd Ulysses? Dead. Where is tipsy Alexander, that great cup-conqueror, Or Pompey, that brave warrior? Dead. I am myself strong, but I confess Death to be stronger: I am valiant, but mortal; I am adorn'd with nature's gifts, A giddy goddess, that now giveth, and anon taketh; I am wise, but quiddits will not answer death: To conclude in a word: to be captious, virtuous, ingenious, Are[428] to be nothing, when it pleaseth Death to be envious. The great Turk, whose seat is Constantinople, Hath beleaguer'd Rhodes, whose chieftain is a woman. I could take the rule upon me; But the shrub is safe when the cedar shaketh. I love Perseda, as one worthy; But I love Basilisco, as one I hold more worthy-- My father's son, my mother's solace, my proper self. 'Faith, he can do little, that cannot speak; And he can do less, that cannot run away: Then, sith man's life is as a glass, and a filip may crack it, Mine is no more, and a bullet may pierce it; Therefore I will play least in sight. [_Exit._

_Enter_ SOLIMAN _and_ BRUSOR, _with Janissaries_.

SOLIMAN.

The gates are shut; which proves that Rhodes revolts, And that Perseda is not Soliman's. Ah, Brusor! see where thy Lucina lies, Butcher'd despitefully without the walls.

BRUSOR.

Unkind Perseda, couldst thou use her so? And yet we us'd Perseda little better.

SOLIMAN.

Nay, gentle Brusor, stay thy tears a while, Lest with thy woes thou spoil my comedy, And all too soon be turn'd to tragedies. Go, Brusor, bear her to thy private tent, Where we at leisure will lament her death, And with our[429] tears bewail her obsequies; For yet Perseda lives for Soliman.-- Drum, sound a parley.--Were it not for her I would sack the town, ere I would sound a parley.

[_The drum sounds a parley._ PERSEDA _comes_ _upon the walls in man's apparel._ BASILISCO _and_ PISTON [_also_] _upon the walls_.

PERSEDA.

At whose entreaty is this parley sounded?

SOLIMAN.

At our entreaty; therefore yield the town.

PERSEDA.

Why, what art thou, that boldly bidd'st me yield?

SOLIMAN.

Great Soliman, lord of all the world.

PERSEDA.

Thou art not lord of all: Rhodes is not thine.

SOLIMAN.

It was and shall be, maugre who says no.

PERSEDA.

I, that say no, will never see it thine.

SOLIMAN.

Why, what art thou, that dar'st resist my force?

PERSEDA.

A gentleman and thy mortal enemy, And one that dares thee to the single combat.

SOLIMAN.

First tell me, doth Perseda live or no?

PERSEDA.

She lives to see the wreck of Soliman.

SOLIMAN.

Then I will combat thee, whate'er thou art.

PERSEDA.

And in Erastus' name I'll combat thee; And here I promise thee on my Christian faith, Then will I yield Perseda to thy hands, That, if thy strength shall overmatch my right, To use as to thy liking it shall seem best. But ere I come to enter single fight, First let my tongue utter my heart's despite; And thus my tale begins: Thou wicked tyrant! Thou murderer! accursed homicide! For whom hell gapes, and all the ugly fiends Do wait for to receive thee in their jaws! Ah, perjur'd and inhumane Soliman! How could thy heart harbour a wicked thought Against the spotless life of poor Erastus? Was he not true? would thou hadst been as just! Was he not valiant? would thou hadst been as virtuous! Was he not loyal? would thou hadst been as loving? Ah, wicked tyrant! in that one man's death Thou hast betray'd the flower of Christendom. Died he, because his worth obscured thine? In slaught'ring him thy virtues are defam'd: Didst thou misdo him in hope to win Perseda? Ah, foolish man! therein thou art deceiv'd: For though she live, yet will she ne'er live thine; Which to approve I'll come to combat thee.

SOLIMAN.

Injurious, foul-mouth'd knight, my wrathful arm Shall chastise and rebuke these injuries. [_Then_ PERSEDA _comes down to_ SOLIMAN, [_with_] BASILISCO _and_ PISTON.

PISTON.

Ay, but hear you, are you so foolish to fight with him?

BASILISCO.

Ay, sirrah; why not, as long as I stand by?

SOLIMAN.

I'll not defend Erastus' innocence, But thee in maintaining Perseda's beauty. [_Then they fight._ SOLIMAN _kills_ PERSEDA.

PERSEDA.

Ay, now I lay Perseda at thy feet; But with thy hand first wounded to the death: Now shall the world report that Soliman Slew Erastus in hope to win Perseda, And murder'd her for loving of her husband.

SOLIMAN.

What, my Perseda! all that have I done: Yet kiss me, gentle love, before thou die.

PERSEDA.

A kiss I grant thee, though I hate thee deadly.

SOLIMAN.

I lov'd thee dearly, and accept thy kiss. Why didst thou love Erastus more than me? Or why didst thou not give Soliman a kiss Ere this unhappy time? Then hadst thou liv'd.

BASILISCO.

Ah! let me kiss thee too, before I die.

SOLIMAN.

Nay, die thou shalt for thy presumption, For kissing her whom I do hold so dear. [_Then_ SOLIMAN _kills_ BASILISCO.

PISTON.

I will not kiss her, sir; but give me leave To weep over her; for, while she liv'd, She lov'd me dearly, and I loved her.

SOLIMAN.

If thou didst love her, villain, as thou sayest,[430] Then wait on her thorough eternal night. [_Then_ SOLIMAN _kills_ PISTON. Ah, Perseda! how shall I mourn for thee? Fair-springing rose, ill-pluck'd before thy time! Ah, heav'ns! that hitherto have smil'd on me, Why do you unkindly low'r on Soliman? The loss of half my realms, nay, crown's decay, Could not have prick'd so near unto my heart, As doth the loss of my Perseda's life. And with her life I likewise lose my love; And with her love my heart's felicity: Ev'n for Erastus' death the heav'ns have plagued me; Ah, no, the heav'ns did never more accurse me, Than when they made me butcher of my love. Yet justly how can I condemn myself, When Brusor lives that was the cause of all?-- Come, Brusor, help to lift her body up: Is she not fair?

BRUSOR.

Ev'n in the hour of death.

SOLIMAN.

Was she not constant?

BRUSOR.

As firm as are the poles whereon heav'n lies.

SOLIMAN.

Was she not chaste?

BRUSOR.

As is Pandora's or Diana's thoughts.

SOLIMAN.

Then tell me, his treasons set aside, What was Erastus in thy opinion?

BRUSOR.

Fair-spoken, wise, courteous, and liberal; Kind even to his foes, gentle, and affable; And, all in all, his deeds heroical.

SOLIMAN.

Ah! was he so? how durst thou then, ungracious councillor, First cause me murder such a worthy man, And after tempt so virtuous a woman? Be this therefore the last that e'er thou speak. Janissaries, take him straight unto the block; Off with his head, and suffer him not to speak.

[_Exit_ BRUSOR.

And now, Perseda, here I lay me down, And on thy beauty still contemplate, Until mine eyes shall surfeit by my gazing. But stay, let me see what paper is this.

[_Then he takes up a paper, and reads in it_ _as followeth--_

Tyrant, my lips were sauc'd[431] with deadly poison, To plague thy heart that is so full of poison.

What, am I poison'd? Then, Janissaries, Let me see Rhodes recover'd ere I die. Soldiers, assault the town on ev'ry side; Spoil all, kill all; let none escape your fury.

[_Sound an alarm to the fight._

Say, Captain, is Rhodes recovered again?

CAPTAIN.

It is, my lord, and stoops to Soliman.

SOLIMAN.

Yet that allays the fury of my pain, Before I die, for doubtless die I must. Ay, fates, injurious fates have so decreed: For now I feel the poison 'gins to work, And I am weak, ev'n to the very death; Yet something more contentedly I die, For that my death was wrought by her device Who, living, was my joy, whose death my woe. Ah, Janissaries! now dies your emperor, Before his age hath seen his mellow'd years; And, if you ever lov'd your emperor, Affright me not with sorrows and laments: And, when my soul from body shall depart, Trouble me not; but let me pass in peace, And in your silence let your love be shown. My last request, for I command no more, Is that my body with Perseda's be Interr'd, where my Erastus lies entomb'd, And let one epitaph contain us all. Ah! now I feel the paper told me true; The poison is dispers'd through ev'ry vein, And boils, like Ætna, in my frying guts. Forgive me, dear Erastus, my unkindness; I have reveng'd thy death with many deaths: And, sweet Perseda, fly not Soliman, When as my gliding ghost shall follow thee With eager mood thorough eternal night. And now pale death sits on my panting soul, And with revenging ire doth tyrannise, And says: for Soliman's too much amiss This day shall be the period of my bliss.

[_Then_ SOLIMAN _dies, and they carry him forth_ _with silence. Exeunt omnes_.

_Enter_ CHORUS.

FORTUNE.

I gave Erastus woe and misery Amidst his greatest joy and jollity.

LOVE.

But I that have power in earth and heav'n above, Stang them both with never-failing love.

DEATH.

But I bereft them both of love and life.

LOVE.

Of life, but not of love; for ev'n in death Their souls are knit, though bodies be disjoin'd: Thou didst but wound their flesh, their minds are free, Their bodies buried, yet they honour me.

DEATH.

Hence, foolish Fortune! and thou, wanton Love! Your deeds are trifles, mine of consequence.

FORTUNE.

I give world's happiness and woe's increase.

LOVE.

By joining persons, I increase the world.

DEATH.

By wasting all I conquer all the world: And now, to end our difference at last, In this last act note but the deeds of Death. Where is Erastus now, but in my triumph? Where are the murtherers, but in my triumph? Where's judge and witness, but in my triumph? Where's false Lucina, but in my triumph? Where's fair Perseda, but in my triumph? Where's Basilisco, but in my triumph? Where's faithful Piston, but in my triumph? Where's valiant Brusor, but in my triumph? And where's great Soliman, but in my triumph? Their loves and fortune ended with their lives, And they must wait upon the car of death. Pack, Love and Fortune! play in comedies: For powerful Death best fitteth tragedies.

LOVE.

I go, yet Love shall never yield to Death.

[_Exit_ LOVE.

DEATH.

But Fortune shall; for when I waste the world, Then times' and kingdoms' fortunes shall decay.

FORTUNE.

Meantime will Fortune govern, as she may.

[_Exit_ FORTUNE.

DEATH.

Ay, now will Death, in his most haughty pride, Fetch his imperial car from deepest hell, And ride in triumph through the wicked world; Sparing none but sacred Cynthia's friend,[432] Whom death did fear, before her life began: For holy fates have grav'n it in their tables, That Death shall die, if he attempt her end, Whose life is heav'n's delight, and Cynthia's friend.

[_Exit._

FOOTNOTES:

[419] [Old copy, _mine_.]

[420] [Dispense with him.]

[421] [Old copy, _morrow burning_.]

[422] [Old copy, _drops_.]

[423] [Distinguishing, discerning.]

[424] [An exclamation of impatience, because the witnesses are not despatched.]

[425] [Old copy, _in the_.]

[426] [Old copy, _porpuse_; but there is no reason to suppose that the speaker was intended to blunder.]

[427] [Old copy, _pinck-anyed_. See Nares and Halliwell _in v._]

[428] [Old copy, _or_.]

[429] [Old copy, _her_.]

[430] [Old copy, _said'st_.]

[431] Old copy, _Sawst_.

[432] [Queen Elizabeth.]

LIFE AND DEATH

OF

JACK STRAW.

_EDITIONS._

_The Life and Death of Iack Straw, a notable Rebell in_ _England: who was kild in Smithfield by the Lord Maior of London. Printed at London by Iohn Danter, and are to be solde by William Barley at his shop in Gratious-street ouer against Leaden-Hall, 1593._ [In the colophon, 1594.] 4°. Black letter.

_The Life and Death of Iacke Straw.... Printed at London for Thomas Pauyer, and are to be sold at his shop at the entering into the Exchange._ 1604. 4°.

Both these editions are of the highest rarity, the copy of the former in the Garrick Collection being the only one which has occurred to notice, and of the latter, the Malone and Heber copies being all that seem to be known.

This not ill-written drama, which is built on the familiar historical episode of Wat Tyler, as narrated in the chronicles, is chiefly in blank verse, but occasionally in rhyme, and consists of four acts only. Mr Collier does not appear to notice it in his "Dramatic Annals." It is now reprinted for the first time.

There are passages in "The Life and Death of Jack Straw" which lead us to suspect that it might prove to be an early work of some distinguished dramatist; it is a question if it was ever revised after its original composition, as it bears many marks of carelessness and inexperience.

DRAMATIS PERSONÆ.[433]

THE KING [RICHARD II.] ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY. LORD TREASURER. SECRETARY OF STATE. THE EARL OF SALISBURY. SIR JOHN MORTON, _Governor of Rochester_. SIR JOHN NEWTON. LORD MAYOR OF LONDON [WALWORTH.] JACK STRAW, _a rebel_. WAT TYLER, _a rebel_. TOM MILLER, _the clown_. JOHN BALL, _a parson_. HOB CARTER, _a rustic_. NOBS, _a boy_. _A Bishop._ _A Fleming._ _Messenger._ THE QUEEN-MOTHER.

THE LIFE AND DEATH

OF

JACK STRAW.

FOOTNOTES:

[433] [Not in the old copies.]

ACTUS PRIMUS.

COLLECTOR, JACK STRAW.

COLL. Now such a murmuring to rise, upon so trifling a thing, In all my life never saw I before: And yet I have been officer this seven year and more. The Tiler and his wife are in a great rage, Affirming their daughter to be under age.

J. S. Art thou the collector of the king's task?[434]

COLL. I am, Jack Straw;[435] why dost thou ask?

J. S. Because thou goest beyond the commission of the king; We grant to his highness pleasure in everything. Thou hast thy task-money for all that be here, My daughter is not fourteen years old, therefore she goes clear.

COLL. And because thou sayest so, I should believe thee?

J. S. Choose whether thou wilt or no, thou gettest no more of me; For I am sure thy office doth not arm thee with such authority, Thus to abuse the poor people of the country. But chiefest of all, vile villain as thou art, To play so unmanly and beastly a part, As to search my daughter thus in my presence!

COLL. Why, base villain, wilt thou teach me what to do? Wilt thou prescribe me mine office, and what belongs thereto? [_Offers to strike him._

J. S. What, villain, dost strike me? I swear by the rood, As I am Jack Straw, thou shalt buy it with thy blood. There lie, and be well paid for thy pain.

[_Throws him on the ground._

COLL. O help, help, the king's officer is slain!

[_Dies._

_Enter_ PARSON BALL, WAT TYLER, NOBS, TOM MILLER _the clown_.

W. T. How now, Jack Straw, doth anybody abuse thee?

J. S. Alas, Wat! I have killed the king's officer in striking rashly.

T. M. A small matter to recover a man that is slain: Blow wind in his tail, and fetch him again?

PAR. Content thee, 'tis no matter, and Jack Straw, God-a-mercy, Herein thou hast done good service to thy country: Were all inhuman slaves so served as he, England would be civil, and from all such dealings free.

NOBS. By Gog's blood, my master, we will not put up this so quietly; We owe God a death, and we can but die: And though the fairest end of a rebel is the gallows, Yet, if you will be ruled by me, We'll so deal of ourselves as we'll revenge this villainy.

J. S. The king, God wot, knows not what's done by[436] such poor men as we, But we'll make him know it, if you will be ruled by me. Here's Parson Ball, an honest priest, and tells us that in charity We may stick together in such quarrels honestly.

T. M. What, is he an honest man? The devil he is! he is the parson of the town; You think there's no knavery hid under a black gown? Find him in a pulpit but twice in the year, And I'll find him forty times in the ale-house tasting strong beer.

PAR. Neighbours, neighbours! the weakest now-a-days goes to the wall; But mark my words, and follow the counsel of John Ball. England is grown to such a pass of late, That rich men triumph to see the poor beg at their gate. But I am able, by good Scripture, before you to prove That God doth not this dealing allow nor love. But when Adam delved, and Eve span, Who was then a gentleman? Brethren, brethren, it were better to have this community, Than to have this difference in degrees: The landlord his rent, the lawyer his fees. So quickly the poor man's substance is spent, But merrily with the world it went, When men ate berries of the hawthorn-tree: And thou help me, I'll help thee: There was no place for surgery, And old men knew not usury. Now 'tis come to a woful pass, The widow, that hath but a pan of brass, And scarce a house to hide her head; Sometimes no penny to buy her bread, Must pay her landlord many a groat, Or 'twill be pulled out of her throat. Brethren mine, so might I thrive, As I wish not to be alive, To see such dealings with extremity, The rich have all, the poor live in misery: But follow the counsel of John Ball. I promise you, I love ye all; And make division equally Of each man's goods indifferently, And rightly may you follow arms To rid you from these civil harms.

J. S. Well said, parson, so may it be, As we purpose to prefer thee: We will have all the rich men displaced, And all the bravery of them defaced; And as rightly as I am Jack Straw, In spite of all the men of law, Make thee Archbishop of Canterbury And Chancellor of England, or I'll die. How sayest thou, Wat, shall it be so?

W. T. Ay, Jack Straw, or else I'll bide many a foul blow. It shall be no other but he, That thus favours the commonalty. Stay we no longer prating here, But let us roundly to this gear. 'Tis more than time that we were gone, We'll be lords, my masters, every one.

T. M. And I, my masters, will make one, To fight when all our foes be gone; Well shall they see, before we'll lack, We'll stuff the gallows till it crack.

J. S. I hope we shall have men enou', To aid us herein, Wat; how thinkest thou?

PAR. Tag and rag, thou needst not doubt.

W. T. But who shall be captain of the rout?

PAR. That shall you two, for all our Kentish men.

J. S. Fellow-captain, welcome, let's about it.

W. T. Agreed, fellow-captain; to London.

[_Exeunt all but Nobbs._

NOBBS. Here's even work towards for the hangman: did you ever see such a crew. After so bad a beginning, what's like to ensue? Faith, even the common reward for rebels, Swingledom. Swangledom, you know as well as I. But what care they? ye hear them say they owe God a death, and they can but die. 'Tis dishonour for such as they to die in their bed, And credit to caper under the gallows, all save the head; And yet, by my fay, the beginning of this riot May chance cost many a man's life, before all be at quiet: And i' faith I'll be amongst them, as forward as the best, And if ought fall out but well, I shall shift amongst the rest, And being but a boy, may hide me in the throng. Tyburn, stand fast; I fear you will be loden, ere it be long. [_Exit._

_Enter_ LORD TREASURER, LORD ARCHBISHOP, _and_ SECRETARY, _with others_.

L. T. And yet, Lord Archbishop, your grace doth know That, since the latest time of parliament, Wherein this task was granted to the king By general consent of either house, To help his wars, which he intends to France, For wreak and just recovery of his right, How slow their payment is in every place, That better a king not to command at all, Than be beholding to ungrateful minds.

ARCH. Lord Treasurer, it seemeth strange to me, That, being won with reason and regard Of true-succeeding prince, the common sort Should be so slack to give, or grudge the gift That is to be employed for their behoof. Hard and unnatural be the thoughts of theirs That suck the milk, and will not help the well. The king himself, being now but young of age, If things should fall out otherwise than well, The blame doth fall upon the councillor. And if I take my aim not all awry, The Multitude, a beast of many heads, Of misconceiving and misconstruing minds, Reputes this last benevolence to the king, Given at high court of parliament, A matter more required for private good, Than help or benefit of commonweal, Wherein how much they wrong the better sort, My conscience beareth witness in the cause. SEC. My lords, because your words not worthless are, Because they stand on reason's surest ground, And tend unto the profit of the king, Whose profit is the profit of the land. You give me leave, in reverence to the cause, To speak my mind touching this question: When such as we do see the people's hearts, Expressed as far as time will give them leave, With heartiness of their benevolence, Methinks it were for others' happiness, That hearts and purses should together go: Misdeem not, good my lords, of this my speech, Sith well I wot the noble and the slave, And all, do live but for a commonweal, Which commonweal, in other terms, is the king's.

MESSENGER. The Justices and Sheriffs of Kent Sends greetings to your Honours here by me.

[_Delivers a letter._

ARCH. My lords,[437] this brief doth openly unfold A dangerous task to us and all our trains, With speed let us impart the news Unto my lord the king, the fearful news That, whilst the flame doth but begin, Sad policy may serve to quench the fire: The Commons now are up in Kent; let us not Suffer this first attempt too far.

TREAS. My friend, what power have they assembled in the field?

MESS. My lord, a twenty thousand men or thereabout.

SEC. See here the peril, that was late foreseen, Ready to fall on this unhappy land! What barbarous minds for grievance more than needs Unnaturally seek wreak on[438] their lord, Their true, anointed prince, their lawful king; So dare this blind, unshamefac'd multitude Lay violent hands, they wot not why nor where But be thou still, as best becometh thee, To stand in quarrel with thy natural liege, The sun may sometimes be eclips'd with clouds, But hardly may the twinkling stars obscure, Or put him out, of whom they borrow light.

[_Exeunt._

_Enter_ JACK STRAW, WAT TYLER, HOB CARTER, TOM MILLER, _and_ NOBS.

J. S. Ay, marry, Wat, this is another matter; methinks the world is changed of late, Who would live like a beggar, and may be in this estate?

W. T. We are here four captains just, Jack Straw, Wat Tyler, Hob Carter, and Tom Miller: Search me all England, and find four such captains, and by Gog's blood, I'll be hanged.

NOBS. So you will be nevertheless, I stand in great doubt. [_Aside._

H. C. Captain Straw and Captain Tyler, I think I have brought a company of Essex men for my train, That will never yield, but kill, or else be slain.

T. M. And for a little captain I have the advantage of you all, For while you are fighting, I can creep into a quart pot, I am so small.

NOBS. But, masters, what answer made Sir John Morton at Rochester? I heard say he would keep the castle still for the King's use?

J. S. So he did, till I fetch'd him out by force; and I have his wife and children pledges for his speedy return from the king, to whom he is gone with our message.

T. M. Let him take heed he bring a wise answer to our worships, or else his pledges goes to the pot.

H. C. Captain Straw, how many men have we in the field?

J. S. Marry, Captain Carter, about fifty thousand men.

H. C. Where shall we pitch our tents to lie in safety?

J. S. Marry, Hob, upon Blackheath beside Greenwich, there we'll lie; And if the king will come thither to know our pleasure, so it is; if not, I know what we'll do.

W. T. Gog's blood, Jack, have we the cards in our hands? Let's take it upon us, while we have it.

[_Exeunt, except_ NOBS.

NOBS. Ay, marry, for you know not how long you shall hold it, Fifty thousand men they have already in arms that will draw together; If we hang together as fast, some of us shall repent it. [EXIT.

_Enter the_ QUEEN-MOTHER, _the_ COUNTY[439] OF SALISBURY, _and a_ GENTLEMAN-USHER.

Q. M. This strange, unwelcome, and unhappy news, Of these unnatural rebels and unjust, That threaten wrack unto this wretched land; Ay me, affrights my woman's 'mazed mind, Burdens my heart, and interrupts my sleep, That now, unless some better tidings come Unto my son, their true anointed king, My heavy heart, I fear, will break in twain, Surcharged with a heavy load of thoughts.

E. OF S. Madam, your grace's care in this I much commend, For, though your son, my lord the king, be young. Yet he will see so well unto himself, That he will make the proudest rebel know What 'tis to move or to displease a king; And though his looks bewray such lenity,[440] Yet at advantage he can use extremity: Your grace may call to mind that, being a king, He will not put up any injury, Especially of base and common men, Which are not worthy but with reverence To look into the princely state of kings. A king sometimes will make a show of courtesy, Only to fit a following policy: And it may be the king determines so, That he will try, before he trust, a foe.

USHER. True, madam; for your grace's son the King Is so well ruled by divers of his peers, As that I think the proudest foe he hath Shall find more work than he will take in hand, That seeks the downfal of his Majesty. I hope the Council are too wise for that, To suffer rebels in aspiring pride, That purpose treason to the prince and state. In good time see where my lord the king Doth come, accompanied with the Bishop and Lord Treasurer.

KING. I marvel much, my lords, what rage it is That moves my people, whom I love so dear, Under a show of quarrel good and just, To rise against us thus in mutinies, With threat'ning force against our state and us: But if it be, as we are given to know By letters and by credible report, A little spark hath kindled all this fire, Which must be quench'd with circumspect regard, Before we feel the violence of the flame. Meanwhile, sweet lady mother, be content, And think their malice shall not injure you; For we have tools to crop and cut them off, Ere they presume to touch our royal self, And thus resolve, that you secure shall be, What hard mishap soever fall to me.

_Enter_ MESSENGER.

MES. Health and good hap befall your Majesty!

USHER. My lord, here is a messenger from Kent, That craves access unto your Majesty.

KING. Admit him near, for we will hear him speak: 'Tis hard, when 'twixt the people and the king Such terms of threats and parlies must be had! Would any gentleman or man of worth Be seen in such a cause, without offence Both to his God, his country, and his prince, Except he were enforced thereunto?

QUEEN. I cannot think so good a gentleman As is that knight, Sir John Morton I mean, Would entertain so base and vile a thought: Nor can it sink into my woman's head That, were it not for fear or policy, So true a bird would file so fair a nest; But here he comes. O, so my longing mind Desires to know the tidings he doth bring.

_Enter_ SIR JOHN MORTON.

MOR. The Commons of Kent salute your Majesty, And I am made their unhappy messenger: My lord, a crew of rebels are in field, And they have made commotions late in Kent, And drawn your people to a mutiny; And if your grace see not to it in time, Your land will come to ruin by their means. Yet may your grace find remedy in time, To qualify their pride, that thus presume.

BISHOP. Who are the captains of this rebel rout, That thus do rise 'gainst their anointed king? What, be they men of any worth, or no? If men of worth, I cannot choose but pity them.

MOR. No, my good lord, They be men of no great account, for they Be none but tilers, thatchers, millers, and such like, That in their lives did never come in field, Before this mutiny did call them forth; And for security of my back-return, Upon this message which I showed the king, They keep my wife and children for a pledge, And hold me out from forth my castle at Rochester, And swore me there to come unto your Majesty; And, having told you their minds, I hope your grace will pardon me for all: In that I am enforced thereunto.

KING. How many men have they assembled in the field?

MOR. I think, my lord, about twenty thousand men; But, if your grace would follow my advice, Thus would I deal with these rebellious men: I would find time to parley with some of them, And know what in their minds they do intend, For being armed with such treacherous thoughts, They may perform more than your grace expects.

KING. With speed return to those unnatural men, And see, Sir John, you greet them thus from us: Tell them that we ourselves will come to them, To understand their meaning and their minds; And tell them, if they have any evil sustained, Ourselves will see sufficient recompense: Go, good Sir John, and tell them upon the Thames Ourselves will meet with them, there to confer Concerning their avail;[441] do so, Sir John, And kindly recommend us to them all.

MOR. We shall fulfil your grace's mind in this; And thus I take my _congé_ of your majesty, Wishing your grace thrice Nestor's years to reign, To keep your land, and guard your royal train.

QUEEN. Farewell, good knight, and as thou darest, Remember them, though they forget themselves.

[_Exit_ MORTON.

BISHOP. Your grace herein is very well advised. With resolution fitting your degree, Your grace must show yourself to be a king, And rule like God's vicegerent here on earth, The looks of kings do lend both life and death, And when a king doth set down his decree, His sentence should be irrevocable. Your grace herein hath shown your princely mind, In that you hate to prey on carrion flesh; Such prey befits not kings to prey upon, That may command and countermand their own. I hope, my lord, this message so will prove, That public hate will turn to private love. And therefore I say, my lord, you have answered well, The task was given your grace by Act of Parliament, And you have reason to demand your due.

KING. My lord, I hope we shall not need to fear To meet those men, that thus do threaten us. We will, my lord to-morrow meet with them, And hear, my lord, what 'tis that they demand. Mother, your grace shall need to take no care, For you shall in our Tower of London stay Till we return from Kent to you again. My lord, see everything prepared for us; And, mother, thus I leave your majesty, You to the Tower, and I must hence to Kent.

TREAS. My lord, if so you please, take my advice herein, That speaks in love and duty to your grace: I shall in every matter privilege Your majesty and all your lordly train. I mean against your manor of Greenwich town, And so amidst the stream may hover safe, Meanwhile they send some few and chosen men, To give your grace to understand their minds, And thus, my lords, I have adventured To show your majesty my mind herein. [_Exeunt._

FOOTNOTES:

[434] [Tax.]

[435] [Old copy, _Tyler_; but he is not on the stage.]

[436] [_i.e._, To such poor men.]

[437] [Letter.]

[438] Old copy, _upon_.

[439] _i.e._, Earl.

[440][Softness or gentleness.]

[441] [Interest, advantage.]

ACTUS SECUNDUS.

_Enter_ TOM MILLER, _with a goose_.

T. M. It is good to make provision; for peradventure We shall lack victuals, and we lie in camp On Blackheath long. And, in faith, as long as this goose lasts we'll not starve: And as many good fellows as will come To the eating of her, come, and welcome. For, in faith, I came lightly by her, And lightly come, lightly gone. We captains are Lords within ourselves, and if The world hold out, we shall be kings shortly.

[_Enter_ NOBS, _and cut away the goose while he_ _talketh, leave the head behind him,[442] and exit_.

T. M. The rest of my fellow-captains are gone Before to Greenwich to meet the king: That comes to know our minds, And while they be about it: I'll make good cheer with my goose here-- What! is the goose flown away without her head?

[_Exit._

_Re-enter_ TOM MILLER, _with_ JACK STRAW, WAT TYLER, HOB CARTER, SIR JOHN MORTON, _and their crew_.[443]

J. S. Here's a stir more than needs; What means the king thus to abuse us? And make us run about [at] his pleasure, and to no end? He promised us to meet us on the water, And by [our] Lady, as soon as we came at the waterside, He fair and flat turns his barge, and away he goes to London. I tell thee, Wat, we will not put up this abuse.

W. T. By Gog's blood, Captain Straw, we will Remove our camp, and away to London roundly, And there we'll speak with him, or we'll Know why we shall not.

J. S. God a-mercy, Wat; and ere we have done. We will be lords every one.

HOB. Gentle Jack Straw, In one line let us draw, And we'll not leave a man of law, Nor a paper worth a haw, And make him worse than a daw, That shall stand against Jack Straw.

MOR. Methinks you might do well to answer the king, in the name of the whole company: some dozen or twenty men for the nonce, that may deliver the minds of you all in few words.

J. S. Sir John Morton, you are an ass to tell us what we have to do; Hold your prating, you were best.

W. T. I tell thee, Sir John, thou abusest us; But let's to London as fast as we can. [_Exeunt._

_Enter_ KING, ARCHBISHOP, TREASURER, SECRETARY, SIR JOHN NEWTON, _and_ SPENCER, _a_ _bargeman_.

KING. My lords, If all our men are come unto the shore, Let us return again into the town. These people are not to be talk'd withal, Much less with reason to be ordered, That so unorderly, with shrieks[444] and cries, Make show as though they would invade us all. I have not heard, nor read of any king, So ungently of his people entertained.

[_Exeunt_ KING _and his train, save_ NEWTON _and_ SPENCER.

SPEN. Sir John, what was the cause the king returned so soon, And with such haste so quickly took the shore?

NEW. Bargeman, the king had reason for the same, I warrant thee he was not ill-advised.

SPEN. I think he meant to have commenced some talk With that unruly crew.

NEW. He meant so, indeed, Spencer; but you heard how it fell out?

SPEN. Not well; I held my stern so hard.

NEW. 'Twas thus; the king and all his company, Being rowed with oars so far as Greenwich town, It was a world to see what troops of men, Like bees that swarm about the honeyhive, 'Gan strew the gravel ground and sandy plain, That filled the air with cries and fearful noise; And from the water did an echo rise, That pierced the ears of our renowned king: Affrighting so his heart with strong conceit Of some unhappy, grievous stratagem, That (trust me) with my ears I heard him say, He thought they would have all, like spaniels, Ta'en water desp'rately, and boarded him. So did they all i-fare like frantic men, That time he thought to speed away apace, And take the best advantage of the place.

SPEN. Indeed I could not greatly blame his majesty, Myself was not so scared this seven years: Methought there was sufficient months enough, At highest tide t' have drawen the Thames dry.

NEW. Spencer, ere it flow thrice at London bridge, London, I fear, will hear of worser news.

[_Exeunt_ AMBO.

_Enter_ JACK STRAW, WAT TYLER, HOB CARTER, TOM MILLER, NOBS, MORTON, _and Southwarkmen_.

SOUTH. Neighbours, you that keep the gates, let the king's liege people in, or we must be fain to aid them with balls of wildfire, or some other device; for they have spoiled all Southwark, let out all the prisoners, broke up the Marshalsea and the King's Bench, and made great havoc in the borough here.

Therefore, I pray you, let them in.

W. T. Porter, open the gate; if thou lovest thyself, or thine own life, open the gate.

T. M. You have a certain spare goose came in to be roasted: She is enough by this. [_Exeunt all but_ MORTON.

MOR. What means these wretched miscreants, To make a spoil of their own countrymen? Unnatural rebels: whatsoe'er By foreign foes may seem no whit so strange, As Englishmen to trouble England thus. Well may I term it incest to the land, Like that foul lawless force and violence, Which Cyniras did offer to his child. O happy time, from all such troubles free, What now, alas, is like to be the end Of this attempt, but that so long as they Are glutted all with blood, they bathe therein.

[_Exit._

_Enter_ NOBS _with a Fleming_.

Sirrah, here it is set down by our captains That as many of you as cannot say bread and cheese In good and perfect English, ye die for it: And that was the cause so many strangers Did die in Smithfield. Let us hear You say bread and cheese.

FLEM. _Broed[445] and keyse._ [_Exeunt both._

FOOTNOTES:

[442] [Old copy, _behind him, with them and Morton_; but Morton does not enter till a little later.]

[443] [This direction is very imperfectly given in the old copy.]

[444] [Old copy, _strike_.]

ACTUS TERTIUS.

_Enter_ KING, LORD MAYOR, SIR JOHN NEWTON, _Two Sergeants, with Guard and Gentlemen_.

K. Sir Newton and Lord Mayor, This wrong that I am offered, This open and unnatural injury, A king to be thus hardly handled Of his own people, and no other foes, But such as have been brought up and bred in his Own bosom: nourished with his tender care. To be thus robbed of honour and of friends; Thus daunted with continual frights and fears; Haled on to what mishap I cannot tell; More hard mishap than had of like been mine. Had I not marked been to be a king.

L. MAYOR. It shall become your grace, most gracious lord, To bear the mind in this afflicted time, As other kings and lords hath done before, Armed with sufferance and magnanimity: The one to make you resolute for chance, The other forward in your resolution. The greatest wrong this rout hath done your grace, Amongst a many other wicked parts, Is in frighting your worthy lady mother, Making foul slaughter of your noblemen, Burning up books and matters of records, Defacing houses of hostelity:[446] Saint John's in Smithfield, the Savoy, and such like, And beating down, like wolves, the better sort. The greatest wrong in my opinion is, That in honour doth your person touch, I mean they call your majesty to parley, And overbear you with a multitude, As if you were a vassal, not a king. O wretched minds of vile and barbarous men, For whom the heavens have secret wreak in store. But, my lord (with reverence and with pardon too), Why comes your grace into Smithfield near the crew, Unarm'd and guarded with so small a train?

K. If clemency may win their raging minds To civil order, I'll approve it first. They shall perceive I come in quiet wise, Accompanied with the Lord Mayor here alone, Besides our guard that doth attend on us.

L. MAYOR. May it please your grace That I shall raise the streets, to guard your majesty Through Smithfield as you walk? KING. No, Lord Mayor, 'twill make them more outrageous, And be a mean to shed a world of blood: I more account the blood of Englishmen than so. But this is the place I have appointed them To hear them speak, and have adventured To come among this foul, unruly crew. And lo, my lord, see where the people comes!

_Enter_ JACK STRAW, WAT TYLER, TOM MILLER, PARSON BALL, _and_ HOB CARTER.

J. S. My masters, this is the king, come away, 'Tis he that we would speak withal.

KING. Newton, desire that one may speak for all, To tell the sum of their demand at full.

NEW. My masters, you that are th' especial men, His majesty requires you all by me, That one may speak and tell him your demand; And gently here he lets you know by me, He is resolved to hear him all at large.

KING. Ay, good my friends, I pray you heartily, Tell us your minds as mildly as you can; And we will answer you so well to all, As you shall not mislike in anything.

J. S. We come to revenge your officer's ill-demeanour, And though we have killed him for his knavery, Now we be gotten together, we will have wealth and liberty. [_Cry all: Wealth and liberty!_

KING. It is enough; believe me, if you will; For as I am your true-succeeding prince, I swear by all the honour of my crown, You shall have liberty and pardon all, As God hath given it and your lawful king. W. T. Ere we'll be pinch'd with poverty, To dig our meat and victuals from the ground, That are as worthy of good maintenance, As any gentleman your grace doth keep, We will be kings and lords within ourselves, And not abide the pride of tyranny.

KING. I pray thee, fellow, what countryman art thou?

W. T. It skills not much; I am an Englishman.

BALL. Marry, sir, he is a Kentishman, and hath been my scholar ere now.

MAYOR. Little good manners hath the villain learned, To use his lord and king so barbarously. [_Aside._

KING. Well, people, ask you any more, Than to be free and have your liberty?

[_Cry all: Wealth and liberty!_

KING. Then take my word, I promise it to you all. And eke my general pardon now forthwith, Under seal and letters patents to perform the same. Let every man betake him to his home, And with what speed our clerks can make dispatch, Your pardons and your letters patents Shall be forthwith sent down in every shire.

H. C. Marry, I thank your grace. Hob Carter and the Essex men will home Again; and we take your word.

KING. We believe you all, and thank you all; And presently we will commandment give, That all this business may be quickly ready.

[_Exeunt_ KING _and his Train_.

J. S. I tell thee, Wat, this is not that that I would have; I come for more than to be answered thus; And if the Essex men will needs be gone, Content: let them go suck their mams at home. I came for spoil, and spoil I'll have.

W. T. Do what thou wilt, Jack, I will follow thee.

NOBS. How, and if it be to the gallows? [_Aside._

W. T. Why, that is the worst.

NOBS. And, i' faith, that is, sure; but, if you will be ruled by me, Trust not to his pardon, for you die, every mother's son, But (captains) [we] go forward as we have begun.

BALL. My masters, the boy speaks wisely. I have read this in Cato, _Ad consilium antiquum voceris_: Take good counsel, while it is given.

J. S. Content, boy, we will be ruled by thee.

[_Exeunt omnes except_ NOBS.

_Enter_ TOM MILLER _to burn papers_.

NOBS. Why, how now, Captain Miller, I perceive You take no care which way the world goes?

T. M. I' faith, Nobs, I have made a bonfire here Of a great many of bonds and indentures, And obligations; faith, I have been amongst The ends of the court, and among the records; And all that I saw either in the Guild-Hall Or in any other place, I have set fire on them. But where hast thou been?

NOBS. I have been With our captains, Straw and Tyler, at Saint John's In Smithfield; but, sirrah, I can tell you news! Captain Carter is gone home, and all our Essexmen, And I fear we shall all be hanged. Therefore, Look you to yourself, for I will look to myself.

[_Exit._

T. M. Well, if we shall be hanged, it is but a folly to be sorry, But go to it with a good stomach. Riddle me a riddle, what's this, I shall be hanged, I shall not be hanged.

[_Here he tries it with a staff._[447]

_Enter_ LADY-MOTHER _and_ GENTLEMAN-USHER, _unseen by_ MILLER.

QUEEN. What doth that fellow?

USHER. It seemeth, madam, he disputeth with himself Whether he shall be hanged or no.

QUEEN. Alas, poor soul! simple enough, God wot! And yet not so simple as a great many of his company.

USHER. If it be, as we are let to understand, My lord the king hath given them general pardon.

QUEEN. So he hath, and they, like honest men, are gone homeward, or at least the most part of them, but worst[448] in mine opinion is their haps, that tarry longest.

T. M. (_seeing them_). But peace, here is the king's mother; she can do much with the king. I'll treat her to beg my pardon of the king wisely. I'll go to her. Humbly unto your worships, a poor captain, Thomas Miller, requesting your favourable bequest, touching the permission of destray, towards the said Captain Miller, which in blunt and flat terms is nominated, _Sursum cordum, alias dictus hangum meum_, from which place of torment God us all deliver, and grant us to be merciful while we live here together. Now, sir, understanding your worship is the king's mother, lamentably in the behalf before spoken, to stand between me and the gallows, or to beg my pardon, in which you shall not only save a proper, handsome, tall fellow and a stout captain, but also you shall purchase the prayers of all the ale-wives in the town for saving a malt-worm and a customer to help away their strong ale.

QUEEN. What means the fellow by all this eloquence?

USHER. It seems he fears he shall be hanged, And therefore craves your grace's favour In his behalf.

QUEEN. Alas, poor fellow! He seemeth to be a starken idiot. Good fellow, If thou wilt go beg thy pardon of the king, I will speak for thee.

T. M. Will you, in faith, and I will give you a tawdry[449] love.

USHER. Madam, here comes an unruly crew; let's be gone.

[_Exeunt_ QUEEN-MOTHER _and_ USHER. _Manet_ T. MILLER.

_Enter_ JACK STRAW, WAT TYLER, PARSON BALL, NOBS.

J. S. The king and his nobles think they may sleep in quiet, Now they have given us a little holy water at the court. But there's no such matter; we be no such fools, To be babbled out with words, and after come to hanging. Wat, do the thing thou com'st for; If thou wilt be ruled by me, we'll not leave it so.

W. T. _Rantara!_ have at all, my boys!

T. M. Sayest thou so, my heart, then farewell my pardon: For I'll do as ye do; hang together for company.

BALL. Neighbours and friends, never yield, But fight it lustily in the field: For God will give you strength and might, And put your enemies to flight: To stand against them day and night, For, of my honesty, your quarrel's right.

T. M. O Parson Ball, before you all, If all fall out not well, By following thy counsel; And that by listening to thy talk, To the gallows we do walk: Parson Ball, I will tell thee, And swear it of mine honesty, Thou shalt be hanged as well as we.

J. S. Peace! here comes the king, I trow.

_Enter the_ KING, MAYOR, _and_ NEWTON, _bearing a sword_.

KING. What company be those, Newton, we do see? Be they[450] of those that promised us to part?

NEW. Even part of those, my good and gracious lord, That promised your highness to depart.

KING. Why, then, I see they stand not to their words, And sure they should not break it so with me, That have so carefully remembered them: This is a part of great ingratitude.

MAYOR. And it like your majesty, the Essex men With far more better minds have parted company, And every man beta'en him to his home. The chiefest of these rebels be of Kent, Of base degree and worse conditions all, And vowed, as I am given to understand, To nothing but to havoc and to spoil.

KING. Lord Mayor, if it be so, I wot It is a dangerous and unnatural resolution. I pray thee, Newton, go and speak with them; Ask them what more it is that they require.

[NEWTON _goes to the rebels_.

NEW. My masters, you that be the chiefest of the rout, The king entreats you kindly here by me To come and speak with him a word or two.

J. S. Sirrah, if the king would anything with us, Tell him the way is indifferent[451] to meet us.

NEW. You are too many to be talked withal; Besides you owe a duty to your prince.

J. S. Sirrah, give me the sword thou wearest there; Becomes it thee to be armed in my presence?

NEW. Sir, I wear my weapon for mine own defence, And by your leave will wear it yet a while.

J. S. What, wilt thou, villain? give it me, I say.

KING. Newton, give it him, if that be all the matter;

Here take it, and much good do it thee.

[_The King gives him the sword._

J. S. Villain, I say, give me the sword thou bearest up, For that's the thing I tell thee I affect.

NEW. This sword belongs unto my lord the king. Tis none of mine, nor shalt thou have the same. Proud rebel, wert but thou and I alone, Thou durst not ask it thus boldly at my hand, For all the wealth this Smithfield doth contain.

J. S. By him that died for me, I will not dine, Till I have seen thee hanged or made away.

KING. Alas, Lord Mayor! Newton is in great danger, And force cannot prevail amongst the rout.

MAYOR. Old Rome, I can remember I have read, When thou didst flourish for virtue and for arms, What magnanimity did abide in thee! Then, Walworth, as it may become thee well, Deserve some honour at thy prince's hand, And beautify this dignity of thine With some or other act of consequence!

[_Aside. Advances._

Villain, I say, whence comes this rage of thine? How darest thou, a dunghill bastard born, To brave thy sovereign and his nobles thus? Villain, I do arrest thee in my prince's name! Proud rebel as thou art, take that withal;

[_Here he stabs him._

Learn thou, and all posterity after thee, What 'tis, a servile slave to brave a king! Pardon, my gracious lord; for this my act Is service done to God and to yourself.

KING. Lord Mayor, for thy valiant act in this, And noble courage in the king's behalf, Thou shalt perceive us not to be ungrateful.

ALL THE REBELS. Our captain is slain, our captain is slain!

KING. Fear you not, people, for I am your king, And I will be your captain and your friend.

NEW. Pleaseth your grace for to withdraw yourself; These rebels then will soon be put to foil.

[_Exeunt all but the_ MAYOR _and two Sergeants_.

Mayor. Soldiers, take heart to you, and follow me; It is our God that gives the victory. Drag this accursed villain through the streets, To strike a terror to the rebels' hearts. London will give you power and arms, And God will strengthen you, and daunt your foes: Fill Smithfield full of noise and joyful cries, And say aloud, _God save our noble prince!_

[_Exeunt._

FINIS ACTUS TERTIUS.

FOOTNOTES:

[445] [Old copy, _Brocke_.]

[446] [Old copy, _hostillitie_.]

[447] [The divining rod. See "Popular Antiquities of Gr. Britain," iii. 286.]

[448] [Old copy, _worse_.]

[449] [Query, a blunder (of course intended) for _towardly_.]

[450] [Old copy, _them_.]

[451] [_i.e._, The fair and impartial way is.]

ACTUS QUARTUS.

_Enter_ KING, LORD MAYOR, MORTON, NEWTON, _and Noblemen_.

KING. Lord Mayor and well-beloved friends, Whose readiness in aid of us and ours Hath given just trial of your loyalty And love you bear to us and to our land: Sith by the help and mighty hand of God These foul, unnatural broils are quieted, And this unhappy tumult well appeased: Having, as law and duty binds us to, Given both due praise and sacrifice of thanks Unto our God, from whom this goodness comes: Let me now to your counsel recommend, And to your sad[452] opinions generally, The end of all these great and high affairs, This mighty business that we have in hand. And that I may in brief unfold my mind, My lords, I would not yet--but mercy should-- Against the law in this hard case prevail; And as I gave my word unto you all That, if they then had left their mutiny, Or rather had let fall their wrongful arms, Their pardon then should have been general, So will I not; yet God forbid I should (Though law, I know, exact it at my hands) Behold so many of my countrymen All done to death and strangled in one day, The end is this: that of that careless rout, That hath so far unnaturally rebelled, The chief offenders may be punished: And thus you know my mind, and so, my lords, Proceed, I pray you, and no otherwise.

NEW. Sith mercy in a prince resembleth right The gladsome sunshine in a winter's day, Pleaseth your grace to pardon me to speak: When all the hope of life and breathing here Be ta'en from all this rout in general, If then at instant of the dying hour, Your grace's honourable pardon come, To men half-dead, who lie killed in conceit:[453] Then, think I, it will be more gracious, Than if it offered were so hastily: When thread of life is almost fret in twain, To give it strength breeds thanks and wonder too.

MAYOR. So many as are ta'en within the city Are fast in hold, to know your grace's will.

KING. There is but one or two in all the rout, Whom we would have to die for this offence, Especially that by name are noted men. One is a naughty and seditious priest; They call him Ball, as we are let to know, A person more notorious than the rest. But this I do refer to your dispose.

N. Pleaseth your grace, they have been rid[454] apace, Such special men as we could possibly find, And many of the common rout among; And yet survives this Ball, that cursed priest, And one Wat Tyler, leader of the rest; Whose villanies and outrageous cruelties Have been so barbarously executed: The one with malice of his traitorous taunts, The other with the violence of his hands, That gentle ruth nor mercy hath no ears To hear them speak, much less to pardon them.

KING. It is enough; I understand your minds; And well I wot, in causes such as these, Kings may be found too full of clemency. But who are those that enter in this place?

_Enter some of the Rebels, led to execution._

NEW. Pleaseth it your grace, these be the men Whom law hath worthily condemn'd to die, Going to the place of execution. The foremost is that Ball, and next to him Wat Tyler, obstinate rebels both; For all the rest are of a better mould, Whose minds are softer than the foremost twain: For, being common soldiers in the camp, Were rather led with counsel of the rest, Descrying better to be pitied.

KING. Morton, to those condemned men we see Deliver this, a pardon to them all, Excepting namely those two foremost men, I mean the priest and him they call Wat Tyler. To all the rest free pardon we do send, And give the same to understand from us.

_The King's Pardon delivered by_ SIR JOHN MORTON _to the Rebels_.

_My friends and unhappy countrymen, whom the laws of England have worthily condemned unto death for your open and unnatural rebellion against your lawful sovereign and anointed prince, I am sent unto you from the king's most excellent majesty, to give you to understand that, notwithstanding this violence which you have offered to yourselves, in running furiously into the danger of the law, as mad and frantic men upon an edged sword: yet, notwithstanding, I say, that you have gathered rods to scourge your own selves, following desperately your lewd and misgoverned heads, which have haled you on to this wretched and shameful end, which is now imminent over you all, that must in strangling cords die like dogs, and finish your lives in this miserable, reproachful sort, because ye would not live like men: but far unlike yourselves, unlike Englishmen, degenerate from your natural obedience and nature of your country, that by kind bringeth forth none such, or at least brooketh none such, but spits them out for bastards_ _and recreants: notwithstanding, I say, this torment wherein ye now live, looking every hour to suffer such a shameful and most detestable death, as doth commonly belong to such horrible offenders, yet it hath pleased the king of his accustomed goodness to give you your lives, and freely to forgive you your faults, sending by me general pardon to you all, excepting one only accursed and seditious priest, that so far swerved from the truth and his allegiance to his prince, and one Wat Tyler, whose outrage hath been noted so outrageous in all his actions as, for ensample to all Englishmen hereafter, his majesty hath thought good to account him and this parson (first stirrers in this tumult and unnatural rebelling) the greatest offenders that now live to grieve his majesty; and thus I have delivered the message of the king, which is in effect general pardon to you all, and a sentence of death unto the two arch rebels, John Ball and Wat Tyler. For which great grace, if you think yourselves anything bound to his highness (as infinitely you are), let it appear as far forth hereafter as you may, either by outward signs of duty, or inward loyalty of hearts expressed: and to begin the same, in sign of your thankfulness, say all, God save the king!_

CRY ALL. _God save the king!_

W. T. Well, then, we know the worst; He can but hang us, and that is all. Were Jack Straw alive again, And I in as good possibility as ever I was, I would lay a surer trump Ere I would lose so fair a trick.

BALL. And what I said in time Of our business, I repent not; And if it were to speak again, Every word should be a whole sermon, So much I repent me! MORT. Away with the rebels; suffer them not to speak. His words are poison in the ears of the people. Away, villain, stain to thy country and thy calling!

W. T. Why, Morton, are you so lusty, with a pox? I pulled you out of Rochester Castle by the poll!

MORT. And in recompense I will help to set your head on a pole.

W. T. Pray you, let's be poll'd first!

MORT. Away with the rebels. [_Exeunt_ REBELS.

MORT. [_returning to the king_]. As gave your grace in charge, I have delivered Your highness' pleasure amongst the prisoners, And have proclaimed your grace's pardon 'mongst them all, Save only those two unnatural Englishmen-- O, might I say no English nor men!-- That Ball and Tyler, cursed rebels both, Whom I commanded to be executed; And in your highness' name have freed all the rest, Whose thankful hearts I find as full replete With signs of joy and duty to your grace, As those unnatural rebels' hateful mouths Are full of foul speeches and unhonourable.

KING. It is no matter, Morton; let them bark. I trow they cannot bite, when they be dead. And, Lord Mayor, for your valiant act And dangerous attempt in our behalf, To free your country and your king from ill: In our behalf and in our commonweal, We will accept it as the deed deserves, And thank you for this honourable attempt.

MAYOR. What subjects' hearts could brook the rage of theirs, To vaunt in presence of their sovereign Lord, To brave him to his face before his peers, But would by policy or force attempt To quell the raging of such furious foes? My sovereign lord, 'twas but my duty done, First unto God, next to my lawful king, Proceeding from a true and loyal heart, And so I hope your grace esteems thereof.

KING. To the end this deed shall rest in memory, Which shall continue for ever to the end, Lord Mayor, I will adjoin to thy degree Another title of a lasting fame. Kneel down, William Walworth, and receive, By mine own hand the Order of Knighthood: Stand up, Sir William, first knight of thy degree, But henceforth all, which shall succeed thy place, Shall have like honour for thy noble deed. Besides that time shall ne'er abridge thy fame, The City arms shall bear for memory The bloody dagger the more for Walworth's honour. Call for your herald, and receive your due.

MAYOR. My gracious lord, this honourable grace, So far above desert (sith what I did, My duty and allegiance bad me do), Binds me and my successors evermore With sweet encouragement to th' like attempt. Your majesty and all your royal peers Shall find your London such a storehouse still, As not alone you shall command our wealth, But loyal hearts, the treasure of a prince, Shall grow like grains sown in a fertile soil, And God I praise, that with his holy hand Hath given me heart to free my prince and land.

KING. Then sith these dangerous broils are overpass'd With shedding of so little English blood. 'Tis for the fame and honour of a prince Well to reward the actors of the same. So many of thy brethren as accompanied thee, In Smithfield here about this bold attempt, When time shall serve, I'll knight them as thou art. And so Lord Mayor, Newton, Morton, and the rest, Accompany us to guard us to the tower, Where we'll repose, and rest ourselves all night.

FINIS.

FOOTNOTES:

[452] [Serious.]

[453] [Who give up themselves for killed. Old copy has, _killed who lie in conceit_.]

[454] [Pursued.]

Transcriber's Notes:

Simple spelling, grammar, and typographical errors were corrected.

Punctuation normalized.

Archaic, colloquial, and non-standard spellings retained as printed.

Italics markup is enclosed in _underscores_.

Greek text is transliterated and enclosed in ®registration signs®.