The first part

Of the true & hono-
rable history, of the Life of
Sir John Old-caftle, the good
Lord Cobham.

As it hath bene lately acted by the Right
honorable the Earle of Notingham
Lord High Admiral of England,
his Seruants.

Written by William Shakespeare.

London printed for T. P.
1600.

The Prologue.

THE doubtfull Title (Gentlemen) prefixt
Upon the Argument we haue in hand,
May breed suspence, and wrongfully disturbe
The peacefull quiet of your setled thoughts :
To stop which scruple, let this breefe suffice.
It is no pamper'd Glutton we present,
Nor aged Councillour to youthfull sinne;
But one, whose vertue shone aboue the rest,
A valiant Martyr, and a vertuous Peere,
In whose true faith and loyalty exprest
Vnto his Soueraigne, and his Countries weale :
We striue to pay that tribute of our loue
Your fauours merit: Let faire Truth be grac'd,
Since forg'd invention former time defac'd.

A 2

The first part of

In this fight the Bayliffe is knocked downe, and the Sheriffe and
the other runne away.

Her. Powesse, I thinke thy Welsh and thou do smart.

Pow. Herbert, I thinke my sword came neere thy hart.

Her. Thy harts best blood shall pay the loss of mine.

Gough. A Herbert, a Herbert.

Dany. A Pawesse, a Pawesse.

As they are fighting, enter the Maior of Hereford, his Officers
and Towne men with Clubs.

Mai. My Lords, as you are Liege-men to the crowne,
True Noblemen, and subiects to the King,
Attend his highnesse proclamation,
Commanded by the Judges of Affize,
For keeping peace at this assembly.

Her. Good M. Maior of Hereford be breefe.

Mai. Sergeant, without the ceremonies of O yes,
Pronounce alowd the proclamation.

Ser. The Kings Justices, perceiuing what publike mis-
ehiefe may ensue this priuat quarrell: in his Maiesties name
do straightforwardly charge and command all persons, of what de-
gree fœuer, to depart this City of Hereford, except such as
are bound to giue attendance at this Affize, & that no man
prefume to weare any weapon, especially Welch-hookes,
Forfeft bils.

Owyn. Haw? No pill nor Wells hoog? ha?

Mai. Peace, and heare the proclamation.

Ser. And that the Lord Powesse do presently disperſe &
discharge his retinue, & depart the City in the kings peace,
he and his followers, on paine of imprisoument.

Dany. Haw? pud her Lord Pawesse in prison? A Pawesse
A Pawesse. Cosſoon, her will liue and tye with her Lord.

Gough. A Herbert, a Herbert.

In this fight the Lord Herbert is wounaed, and fals to the ground,
the Maior and his company cry for clubs: Powesse runs away,
Gough and Herberts faction are busie about him. Enter the 2.
Judges, the Sheriffe, and his Bayliffes afore them, &c.

1. Indge

Sir John Old-castle.

1. Ind. Where's the Lord Herbert? Is he hurt or flaine?

Sher. Hee's heere my Lord.

2. Ind. How fares his Lordship, friends ?

Gough. Mortally wounded, speechleſſe, he cannot liue.

1. Ind. Conuay him hence, let not his wounds take ayre,
And get him dreſt with expedition.

Exit L. Herbert and Gough.

M. Maior of Hereford, M. Sheriffe o'th Shire,
Commit Lord Poweſſe to ſafe cuſtody,

To anſwer the diſturbance of the peace,
Lord Herberts perill, and his high contempt
Of vs, and you the Kings Commaſſioners,
See it be done with care and diligence.

Sher. Pleaſe it your Lordship, my Lord Poweſſe is gon
Paſt all recovery.

2. Ind. Yet let ſearch be made,

To apprehend his followers that are left.

Sher. There are ſome of them: firſ, lay hold of them.

Owyn. Of vs? and why? what has her done I pray you?

Sher. Diſarme them Bayliffes.

Ma. Officers affiſt.

Dauy. Heare you Lord ſhudge, what reſſon is for this?

Owyn. Coſſoon, pe pule for fighting for our Lord?

1. Ind. Away with them.

Dauy. Harg you my Lord.

Owyn. Gough my Lord Herberts man's a ſhitten kanaue.

Dauy. Ice liue and tye in good quarrell.

Owyn. Pray you do ſhustice, let awl be prifon.

Dauy. Prifon, no,

Lord ſhudge, I wooll glue you pale, good ſurety.

2. Indge. What bale? what ſureties?

Dauy. Her cozen ap Rice, ap Euan, ap Morrice, ap Morgan, ap Lluellyn, ap Madoc, ap Meredith, ap Griffin, ap Dauy, ap Owen, ap Shinken Shones.

2. Ind. Two of the moſt ſufficient are enow.

Sher. And't please your Lordship these are all but one.

1. Indge

Sheriffe and

smarſt,
thy hart,
of mine.

his Officers

ne crowne,

O yes,

ublike miſ-
eſties name
of what de-
cept ſuch as
that no man
ch-hookeſ,

y diſperſe &
kings peace,
t.
A Paweſſe
her Lord.

to the ground,
ſe runs away,
Enter the 2.
&c.

1. Indge

The first part of

1. Iud. To Iayle with them, and the Lord Herberts men,
Wee'l talke with them, when the Affize is done. Exeunt
Riotous, audacious, and vnruly Groomes,
Must we be forced to come from the Bench,
To quiet brawles, which euery Constable
In other ciuill places can suppreffe ?

2. Iud. What was the quarrell that caufd all this ftirre?

Sher. About Religion as I heard my Lord.
Lord Powesse detracted from the power of Rome,
Affirming Wickliffes Doctrine to be true,
And Romes erroneous : hot reply was made
By the Lord Herbert, they were Traitors all
That would maintaine it. Powesse answered,
They were as true, as noble, and as wife
As he, that would defend it with their liues,
He nam'd for instance fir Iohn Old-castle
The Lord Cobham : Herbert reply de againe,
He, thou, and all are Traitors that so hold.
The lye was giuen, the feuerall Factions drawne,
And so enrag'd, that we could not appeafe it.

1. Iudge. This cafe concernes the Kings prerogatiue,
And tis dangerous to the State and Common-wealth.
Gentlemen, Iustices, master Maior, and Mafter Sheriffe,
It doth behooue vs all, and each of vs
In generall and particular, to haue care
For the suppreffing of all mutinies,
And all assemblies, except souldiers mufters,
For the Kings preparation into France.
We heare of secret Conuenticles made,
And there is doubt of some Confpiracies,
Which may breake out into rebellious armes
When the King's gone, perchance before he go :
Note as an instance, this one perillous fray,
What factions might haue growne on either part,
To the destruccion of the King and Realme,
Yet, in my conscience, Sir Iohn Old-Castle

Innocent

Sir John Old-Castle.

Innocent of it, onely his name was vſde.
We therefore from his Highneſſe giue this charge:

You maſter Maior, looke to your Citizens,
You maſter Sheriſſe vnto your ſhire, and you
As Iuſtices in euery ones precinct

There be no meetings. When the vulgar forſt
Sit on their Ale-bench, with their cups and cans,
Matters of State be not their common ſtalke,
Nor pure Religion by their lips prophan'd,
Let vs returne vnto the Bench againe,
And there examine further of this fray.

Enter a Bayliſſe and a Sergeant.

Sher. Sirs, haue ye taken the Lord Poweſſe yet?

Bay. No, nor heard of him.

Ser. No, he's gone far enough.

2. Ind. They that are left behind, ſhall anſwer all. Exeunt Enter Suffolke, Byſhop of Rochester, Butler, Parſon of Wrotham.

Suf. Now my Lord Byſhop, take free liberty
To ſpeake your minde; What is your ſuite to vs?

Bifh. My noble Lord, no more than what you know,
And haue bene oftentimes inueſted with:

Greeuous complaints haue paſt betweene the lips
Of enuious perſons to vpbraide the Clergy,

Some carping at the liuings which we haue ;
And others spurning at the Ceremonies

That are of ancient custome in the Church.

Amongſt the which, Lord Cobham is a cheeſe:

What inconuenience may proceed heereof,
Both to the King, and to the Common-wealth,
May easily be discern'd, when like a frenſie

This innouation ſhall poſſeſſe their mindes.

These vpſtarts will haue followers to vphold

Their damn'd opinion, more than Henry ſhall,
To vndergo his quarrell'gaineſt the French.

Suf. What proofe is there againſt them to be had,
That what you ſay the Law may iuſtifie?

B

Bifhop.

The first part of

Bish. They giue themselues the name of Protestants,
And meete in fields and solitary groues,

Sir Iohn. Was euer heard (my Lord) the like till now?
That theeues and rebels, s blood heretikes,
Plaine heretikes, Ile stand too't to their teeth,
Should haue to colour their vile practises,
A Title of such worth, as Protestant? Enter one with a letter

Suf. O but you muſt not ſweare, it ill becomes
One of your coate, to rap out bloody Oathes.

Bish. Pardon him good my Lord, it is his zeale,
Au honest country Prelate, who laments
To see ſuch foule disorder in the Church.

S. Iohn. There's one they call him Sir Iohn Old-castle,
He has not his name for nought: for like a Caſtle
Doth he encompaſſe them within his walles,
But till that caſtle be ſubuerted quite,
We ne're ſhall be at quiet in the Realme.

Bish. That is our ſuite (my Lord) that he be tane
And brought in question for his hereſe:
Befide, two Letters brought me out of Wales,
Wherein my Lord Hertford writes to me,
What tumult and ſedition was begun,
About the Lord Cobham, at the Sizes there;
For they had much adoo to calme the rage,
And that the valiant Herbert is there ſlaine.

Suf. A fire that muſt be quencht. Well, ſay no more,
The King anon goes to the counſell Chamber,
There to debate of matters touching France,
As he doth paſſe by, Ile informe his grace
Concerning your petition. Maſter Butler,
If I forget, do you remember mee.

But. I will my Lord. Offer him a purse.
Bish, Not as a recompence,
But as a Token of our loue to you,
By me (my Lords) the Clergy doth present
This purſe, and in it full a thousand Angels,

Praying

Sir John Old-Castle.

Praying your Lordship to accept their gift.

Sauf. I thanke them, my Lord Byshop, for their loue.
But will not take their money, if you pleafe
To giue it to this Gentleman, you may.

Bisb. Sir, then we craue your furtherance herein.

But. The best I can my Lord of Rochester.

Bisb. Nay, pray take it, trust me you shall.

S. Iohn. Were ye all three vpon New-Market heath,
You should not neede straine curt'sie who should ha't,
Sir Iohn would quickly rid ye of that care.

Stoff. The King is comming: Feare ye not my Lord,
The very first thing I will breake with him
Shall be about your matter.

Exeter King Harry and Huntington in talk.

Har. My Lord of Suffolke,
Was it not faide the Clergy did refuse

To lend vs money toward our warres in France?

Sauf. It was my Lord, but very wrongfully.

Har. I know it was: for Huntington heere tels me
They haue bene very bountifull of late.

Sauf. And still they vow my gracious Lord to be so,
Hoping your Maiesty will thinke of them

As of your louing Subiects, and suppreſſe

All such malicious errors as begin

To spot their calling, and discurſe the Church.

Har. God else forbid: why Suffolke,
Is there any new rupture to diſquiet them?

Sauf. No new my Lord, the old is great enough,
And so increaſing, as if not cut downe,

Will breede a ſcandall to your Royall State,

And fet your kingdome quickly in an yprore.

The Kentiſh Knight, Lord Cobham in deſpight

Of any Law, or ſpirituall diſcipline,

Maintaines this vpſtart new Religion ſtill,

And diuers great aſſemblies by his meanes

And priuate quarrels, are commenc'd abroad,

B 2

As

Praying

The first part of

As by this letter more at large my Liege, is made apparant.

Har. We do finde it heere,

There was in Wales a certaine fray of late
Betweene two Noblemen. But what of this ?
Followes it straight Lord Cobham muſt be he
Did cauſe the fame ? I dare be ſworne (good Knight)
He neuer dreamt of any ſuch contention.

Bifh. But in his name the quarrell did begin,
About the opinion which he held my Liege.

Har. What if it did ? was either he in place
To take part with them? or abet them in it ?
If brabling fellowes, whose enkindled blood
Seeths in their fiery veines, will needs go fight,
Making their quarrels of ſome words that paſt
Either of you, or you, amongst their cups,
Is the fault yours ? Or are they guilty of it ?

Suf. With pardon of your Highneſſe, my dread Lord,
Such little ſparkes neglected, may in time
Grow to a mighty flame. But that's not all,
He doth beiſide maintaine a ſtrange Religion,
And will not be compel'd to come to Maſſe.

Bifh. We do beſeech you therefore, gracious Prince,
Without offence vnto your Maiety,
We may be bold to vſe authority,

Har. As how ?

Bifh. To ſummon him vnto the Arches,
Where ſuch offences haue their puniſhment.

Har. To anſwer personally, is that your meaning ?

Bifh. It is my Lord,

Har. How if hee appeale ?

Bifh. My Lord, he cannot in ſuch a caſe as this.

Suf. Not where Religion is the plea, my Lord.

Har. I tooke it alwayes, that our ſelfe ſtood on't
As a ſufficient refuge: vnto whom

Not any but might lawfully appeale.

But weel not argue now vpon that point.

For

Sir Iohn Old-Caftle.

For Sir Iohn Old-Caftle whom you accuse,
Let me intreate you to dispence a while
VWith your high Title of preheminence.
Report did neuer yet condemne him so,
But he hath alwayes bene reputed loyall :
And in my knowledge I can say thus much,
That he is vertuous, wife, and honourable.
If any way his conscience be seduc'd
To wauer in his faith, Ile send for him
And schoole him priuately : If that ferue not,
Then afterward you may proceede againft him.
Butler, be you the Meffenger for vs,
And will him presently repaire to Court.

Excunt

S. Iohn. How now my Lord? why stand you discontent ?
Infooth (me thinkes) the King hath well decreed.

Bifh. I, I, fir Iohn if he would keepe his word :
But I perceyue he fauours him so much
As this will be to small effect, I feare.

S. Iohn. Why then Ile tell you whaty'are beſt to do :
If you ſuspect the King will be but cold-
In reprehending him, ſend you a proceſſe too
To ſerue vpon him: ſo ye may be ſure
To make him anſwer't, how ſoere it fall.

Bifh. And well remembred, I will haue it so,
A Summer ſhall be ſent about it ſtraight.

Exit.

fir Iohn. Yea do so. In the meane ſpace this remaines
For kinde fir Iohn of Wrotham, honeſt Iacke.
Me thinkes the purſe of Gold the byſhop gaue
Made a good ſhew, it had a tempting looke:
Befhrew me, but my fingers ends doe itch
To be vpon thofe ruddueks. VWell, tis thus ;
I am not as the world does take me for :
If ſeuer wolſe were cloath'd in Sheepes coate,
Then I am he; old huddle and twang, yfaith :
A Prieft in ſhew, but (in plaine termes) a Theeſe:
Yet let me tell you too, an honest Theeſe;

B3

One

The first part of

One that will take it where it may be spar'd,
And spend it freely in good fellowship.

I haue as many shapes as Proteus had,

That still when any villany is done,

There may be none suspect it was fir Iohn.

Besides, to comfort me (for what's this life,
Except the crabbed bitternestle thereof,

Be sweetned now and then with Letchery?)

I haue my Doll, my Concubine as twere,

To frolicke with, a lusty bouncing gyrle.

But whilft I loyter heere, the Gold may, scape,

And that muft not bee so: It is mine owne.

Therefore Ile meet him on his way to Court,

And shrink him of it, there will be the sport.
Exit.

Enter foure poore people, some soldiers, some old men.

1. God helpe, God helpe, there's law for punishing,
But there's no Law for our necessity:
There be more stockes to set poore soldiers in,
Than there be houfes to relecue them at.

Oldman. I, house-keeping decayes in every place,
Euen as S. Peter writ, still worse and worse.

3. After Maior of Rochester has giuen command,
That none shall go abroad out of the parish,
and has set downe
an order forsooth, what every poore houfholder
must giue
for our releefe: where there be some ceased
(I may say,
that you) had almost as much need to beg as we.

1. It is a hard world the while.

Old. If a poore man aske at doore for Gods sake,
they aske him for a liceue or a certificate from a Iustice.

2. Faith we haue none, but what we beare, vpon our bo-
dies, our maim'd limbes, God helpe vs.

4. And yet as lame as I am, Ile with the king into France,
if I can but crawl a ship-boorde, I had rather bee flaine in
France, than starue in England.

Old. Ha, were I but as lusty as I was at Shrewsbury battel,
I would not do as I do: but we are now come to the good

Lord

Sir John Old-Castle

Lord Cobhams, the best man to the poore in al Kent.

4. God bless him, there be but few such.

Enter Lord Cobham, with Harpoole.

Cob. Thou peeuish froward man, what woldst thou haue?
Harp. This pride, this pride, brings all to beggery,
I seru'd your Father, and your Grandfather,
Shew me such two men now: No, no,
Your backes your backes: the diuell and pride
Has cut the throat of all good house-keeping,
They were the best Yeomens maisters, that
Euer were in England.

Cob. Yea, except thou haue a crew of filthy knaues
And flurdy Rogues still feeding at my gate,
There is no hospitality with thee.

Harp. They may fit at the gate wel enough, but the diuell
of any thing you give them, except they'l eate slones.

Cob. Tis long then of such hungry knaues as you:
Yea fir, here's your retinue, your guests be come,
They know their houres, I warrant you.

Old. God bless your honour, God saue the good Lorde
Cobham, and all his house.

Soul. Good your honour, beftow your blessed almes.
Vpon poore men.

Cob. Now fir, heere be your almes knights:
Now are you as safe as the Emperor.

Harp. My Almes knights? Nay, th'are yours:
It is a flame for you, and I lie stand too't,
Your foolish almes maintaines more vagabondes
Then all the Noblemen in Kent befide.

Out you rogues, you knaues, worke for your liuings.
Alas poore men, they may beg their hearts out,
There's no more charity amongst men
Then amongst so many Maftie dogges.
What make you heere, you needy knaues?
Away, away, you villaines.

2. Sol. I befeech you fir, be good tovs.

Cob.

Exit

The first part of

Cob. Nay, nay, they know thee well enough, I think that all the beggars in this land are thy acquaintance: go below your almes, none will control your fit.

Harp. What should I give them? you are grown so beggarly that you can scatle give a bit of bread at your door; you talke of your Religion so long, that you haue banished charity from you: a man may make a Flax-shop in your kitchen chimnies, for any fire there is stiring.

Cob. If thou wilt giue them nothing, send them hence:
Let them not stand heere standing in the cold.

Harp. Who I drive them hence? If I drive poore men from the door, Ile bee hang'd: I know not what I may come to my selfe: God help ye poore knaues, ye see the world. Wel, you had a mother: O God bee with thee good Ladye, thy soule's at rest; shee gaue more in shirts and timocks to poore children, then you spend in your house, and yet you liue a beggar too.

Cob. Even the workt deedeth that ere my mother did, was in releeuing such a foole as thou.

Harp. I, I am a foole still: with all your wit youle dye a beggar, go too.

Cob. Go you old foole, giue the poore people something: Go in poore men into the inner Court, and take such almes as there is to be had.

Sol. God bleſſe your honour.

Harp. Hang you rogues, hang you, there's nothing but
misery amongst you, you feare no Law you. Exit

Oldm. God bleſſe you good maſter Rafe, God faue your life, you are good to the poore still.

Enter the Lord Pow's diſguſed.

Cob. What fellow's yonder comes along the Groue?
Few paſſengers there be that know this way:
Me thinkes he ſtops as though he ſtaide for mee,
And meant to throw'd himſelfe amongst the bushes.
I know the Clergy hates me to the death,
And my Religion gets me many foes:

And

Sir John Old-Castle.

And this may be some desperate rogue
Suborn'd to work me mischiefe: as it pleafeth God.

If he come toward me, sure I'll stay his comming,
Be he but one man, whatsoe he be.

The Lord Powis comes on.

I haue bene well acquainted with that face.

Po. Well met my honorable Lord and friend.

Cob. You are welcome fir, what ere you be;
But of this sodaine fir I do not know you.

Po. I am one that wifheth well vnto your honor,
My name is Powis, an old friend of yours.

Cob. My honourable Lord, and worthy friend,
What makes your Lordship thus alone in Kent,
And thus disguifed in this strange attire?

Po. My Lord, an unexpected accident
Hath at this time enforc'd me to these parts,
And thus it hapt. Not yet full fiue dayes since,
Now at the last Affize at Hereford,
It chanc'd that the Lord Herbert and my selfe,
Mongst other things discourfing at the Table,

To fall in ſpeech about some certaine points

Of Wickliffes doctrine gainſt the Papacie,
And the Religion Catholike, maintain'd

Through the moſt part of Europe at this day.

This wilfull tefty Lord ſtucke not to ſay,
That Wickliffe was a knaue, a ſchismaticke,

His doctrine diuellifh and hereticall :
And whatſoere he was maintain'd the fame,
Was Traitor both to God, and to his Countrey.

Being mooued at his peremptory ſpeech,
I told him, some maintained thofe opinions,

Men, and truer ſubieſte then Lord Herbert was:

And he replying in comparifons,
Your name was vrg'd my Lord againſt his challenge,
To be a perfect ſauourer of the truth.

And to be ſhort, from words we fell to blowes,

C

Our

ink that
bestow

to beg.
doore;
auilhed
our kit.

ence!

men fro
come to
d. Wel,
dye, thy
poore
liue a

lid, was
le dye a

mthing:
ch almes

g but
Exit
ue your

ue?

es,

And

The first part of

Our seruants, and our Tenants taking parts,

Many on both sides hurt: and for an houre

The broile by no meanes could be pacified,

Vntill the Iudges rifting from the bench,

Were in their persons forc'd to part the fray.

Cob. I hope no man was violently staine.

Po. Faith none I truft, but the Lord Herberts selfe,
Who is in truth so dangerously hurt,

As it is doubted he can hardly scape.

Cob. I am sorry my good Lord of these ill newes.

Po. This is the cause that driues me into Kent,
To shrowd my selfe with you so good a friend,

Vntill I heare how things do speede at home.

Cob. Your Lordship is most welcome vnto Cobham:
But I am very fory my good Lord,
My name was brought in question in this matter,

Confidering I haue many enemies,
That threaten malice, and do lye in waite

To take aduantage of the smallest thing.

But you are welcome, and repose your Lordship,
And keepe your selfe heere secret in my houfe,

Vntill we heare how the Lord Herbert speeds:

Enter Harpoole.

Heere come's my man: sirra, what newes?

Harp. Yonders one M. Butler of the priuie Chamber, is
fent vnto you from the King.

Po. Pray God the Lord Herbert be not dead, & the king
hearing whether I am gone, hath sent for me.

Cob. Comfort your selfe, my Lord, I warrant you.

Har. Fellow, what ayls thee? doft thou quake? doft thou
shake? doft thou tremble? ha?

Cob. Peace you old foole: Sirra conuey this Gentleman
in the bhcke way, and bring the other into the walke.

Har. Come sir, y are welcome, if you loue my Lord.

Po. Gramercy gentle friend.

Exeunt

Cob. I thought as much, that it would not be long before

I

Sir John Old-Castle.

I heard of something from the King, about this matter.

Enter Harpoole with Butler.

Har. Sir, yonder my Lord walkes, you see him,
Ile haue your men into the sellet the while.

Cob. Welcome good M. Butler.

But. Thankes my good Lord: his Maiefty dooth commend his loue vnto your Lordship, and wils you to repaire vnto the Court.

Cob. God bleſſe his Highneſſe, & confound his enemies, I
hope his Maieſty is well.

But. In health, my Lord.

Cobham. God long continue it: me thinkes you looke as
though you were not well, what ayle ye fir ?

But. Faith I haue had a foolish odde miſchance, that an-
gers mee: comming ouer Shooters hill, there came one to
me like a Sailor, and askt me money; and whilſt I ſtaide my
horſe to draw my purſe, hee takes th' aduantage of a little
banke, & leapes behind me, whips my purſe away, and with
a ſodaine ierke, I know not how, threw me at left 3. yardes
out of my ſaddle; I neuer was ſo robd in all my life.

Cob. I am very ſory fir for your miſchance; wee will ſend
our warrant forth, to ſtay ſuch ſuspitious perſons as ſhalbe
found, then M. Butler weel attend you.

But, I humbly thanke your Lordship, I will attend you.

Enter the Sumner.

Sum. I haue the law to warrant what I do, & though the
Lord Cobham be a nobleman, that diſpenſes not with law,
I dare ſerue a proceſſe were he ſiue Noblemen, though wee
Sumners make ſometimes a mad ſlip in a corner with a pre-
ty wench, a Sumner muſt not goe alwaies by ſeeing: a man
may be content to hide his eyes where he may ſeele his pro-
fit. Wel, this is Lord Cobhams houſe, if I cannot ſpeak with
him, Ile clap my citation vpon's doore, ſo my Lord of Ro-
cheſter bad me; but me thinkes here comes one of his men.

Enter Harpoole.

Har. Welcome good fellow welcome, who woldſt thou

C2

ſpeake

The first part of

ſpeake with ?

Sum. With my Lord Cobham I would ſpeak, if thou be
one of his men.

Harp. Yes, I am one of his men, but thou canſt not ſpeak with my Lord.

Sum. May I ſend to him then ?

Har. Ile tell thee that, when I know thy errand.

Sum. I will not tell my errand to thee.

Har. Then keepe it to thy ſelfe, and walke like a Knaue
as thou cameſt.

Sum. I tell thee, my Lord keepes no knaues, ſirra.

Har. Then thou ſerueſt him not I beleeue. What Lord is thy maſter ?

Sum. My Lord of Rochester.

Har. In good time : and what wouldeſt thou haue with my Lord Cobham ?

Sum. I come by vertue of a Proceſſe, to ſcite him to ap-
peare before my Lord in the Court at Rochester.

Har. aſide. Well, God grant me patience, I could eate this
Counger. My Lord is not at home, therefore it were good
Sumner you carried your Proceſſe backe.

Sum. Why, if he will not bee ſpoken withall, then will I
leaue it heere, and see that he take knowledge of it.

Har. Zounds you ſlaue, do you ſet vp your bils heere ; go
too, take it downe againe. Doſt thou know what ? dooſt ?
Doſt thou know on whom thou ſerueſt proceſſe ?

Sum. Yes marry do I, on fir Iohn Old-castle Lorde Cob-
ham.

Har. I am glad thou knoweſt him yet; and firra, doſt not
thou know that the L. Cobham is a braue Lord, that keeps
good beefe and beere in his house, and euery day feedes a
hundred poore people at's gate, and keepes a hundred tall
fellowes ?

Sum. What's that to my Proceſſe ?

Har. Marry this fir, is this proceſſe parchment ?

Sum. Yes marry.

Har.

Sir John Old-castle.

Har. And this seale, wax ?

Sum. It is so.

Har. If this be parchment, & this wax, eat you this parchment and wax, or I will make parchment of your skin, and beate your braines into waxe. Sirrha Sumner dispatch, deuoure firra, deuoure.

Sum. I am my Lord of Rochefòers Sumner, I came to do my office, and thou fhalt anſwer it.

Har. Sirra, no rayling ; but betake you to your teeth, ſhalt eat no worſe then thou bringſt with thee, thou bringſt it for my Lord, and wilt thou bring my L. worſe then thou wilt eate thy ſelfe ?

Sum. Sir, I brought it not my Lord to eate.

Har. O do you fir mee now ; all's one for that, Ile make you eate it, for bringing it.

Sum. I cannot eate it.

Har. Can you not ? sblood Ile beate you till you haue a ſtomacke.

Beates him.

Sum. O hold, hold, good M. Seruingman, I will eate it.

Har. Be champing, be chawing fir, or Ile chaw you, you rogue, the pureſt of the hony.

Sum. Tough wax is the pureſt hony.

Har. O Lord fir, oh, oh, Feed, feede, tis wholſome Rogue, wholſome.

He eates.

Cannot you like an honest Sumner, walke with the Diuell your brother, to fetch in your bayliffes rents; but you muſt come to a Noblemans house with proceſſe? If thy ſeal were as broad as the Lead that couers Rochester Church, thou ſhouldſt eate it.

Sum. O I am almost choaked, I am almost choaked.

Har. Who's within there ? will you ſhame my Lorde, is there no beere in the house ? butler I ſay.

But. Heere, heere.

Ent. Butler. he drinkes

Har. Giue him beere.

There: tough old sheepskins, bare dry meate.

Sum. O fir, let me go no further, Ile eate my word.

C 3

Har.

If thou be not ſpeak

a Knaue e a Knau e

haue with him to ap- d eate this were good

hen will I it. heere; go t ſy dooſt?

or de Cob- a, doſt not that keeps y feedes a adred tall

Har.

The first part of

Har. Yea marry fir, I meane ye shall eat more then your owne word, for Ile make you eate all the words in the proceſſe. Why you drab-monger, cannot the ſecrets of all the wenches in a ſhire ſerue your turne, but you muſt come hither with a citation with a pox? Ile cite you.

A cup of Sacke for the Sumner.

But. Here fir here.

Har. Here ſlaue I drinke to thee.

Sum. I thanke you fir.

Har. Now if thou findſt thy ſtomack well, becauſe thou ſhalt fee my Lord keeps meat in's houſe, if thou wilt go in, thou ſhalt haue a peeece of beefe to thy break-faſt.

Sum. No I am very well good M. Seruingman, I thanke you, very well fir.

Har. I am glad on't, then be walking towards Rochester to keepe your ſtomacke warme. And Sumner, if I do know you diſturbe a good wench within this Dioceſſe, if I do not make thee eate her petticoate, if there were ſoure yardes of Kentiſh cloth in't, I am a villaine.

Sum. God be w'ye M. ſeruingman.

Exit

Har. Farwell Sumner.

Enter Conſtable.

Con. Saue you M. Harpoole.

Harp. Welcome Conſtable, welcome Conſtable, what newes with thee?

Con. And't pleaſe you M. Harpoole, I am to make hue and cry for a fellow with one eie, that has robd two Clothiers, & am to craue your hindrance to ſerch all ſuspected places; and they ſay there was a woman in the company.

Har. Haſt thou bene at the Ale-houſe? haſt thou ſought there?

Con. I durſt not ſearch fir in my Lord Cobhams liberty, except I had ſome of his ſeruants for my warrant.

Har. An honest Conſtable, call forth him that keeps the Alehouſe there.

Con. Ho, whoſe within there?

Ale-man. Who cals there? Oh ift you M. Conſtable and M.

Sir John Old-castle.

M. Harpoole? y'are welcome with all my heart, what make
you heere so early this morning?

Har. Sirra, what strangers do you lodge? there is a rob-
bery done this morning, & we are to search for all suspected
persons.

Aleman. Gods bores, I am fory fort. Ifaith fir I lodge no
body but a good honest merry Prieft, cal'd fir Iohn a Wro-
tham, and a handsome woman that is his Neece, that hee
faies has some suite in law for, and as they go vp and down
to London, sometimes they lye at my house.

Har. What, is she heere in thy house now?

Con. She is fir: I promise you fir he is a quiet man, & be-
cause he will not trouble too many roomes, hee makes the
woman lye euery night at his beds feete.

Har. Bring her forth Constable, bring her forth, let's see
her, let's see her.

Con. Dorothy, you must come downe to M. Constable.

Dol. Anon forsooth.

She enters

Har. Welcome sweet Lasse, welcome.

Dol. I thanke you good fir, and mafter Constable also.

Har. A plumpe Girle by the Masse, a plumpe girle: ha,
Dol ha, Wilt thou for sake the Prieft, and goe with mee,
Doll.

Con. A well faide M. Harpoole, you are a merry olde man
yfaith; you will neuer be olde now by the macke, a prettie
wench indeed.

Har. Ye olde mad merry Constable, art thou aduide of
that? Ha, well said Dol, fill some Ale heere.

Dol afide. Oh if I wist this old prieft would not sticke to
me, by Ioue I would ingle this old serving-man.

Har. Oh you old mad colt, ifaith Ile ferke you: fill all the
pots in the house there.

Con. Oh wel said M. Harpoole, you are heart of oake when
all's done.

Harp. Ha Dol; thou haft a sweete paire of lippes by the
Masse.

Doll

en your
the pro-
of all the
ome hi-

ufe thou
It go in,
I thanke
rochester
do know
I do not
yards of

Exit
Constable.

ole, what
e hue and
lothiers,
d places;
u fought
s liberty,
keeps the

table and
M.

The first part of

Dol. Truly you are a most sweet old man, as euer I saw; by
my troth, you haue a face able to make any woman in loue
with you.

Har. Fill sweet Doll, Ile drinke to thee.

Doll. I pledge you fir, and thanke you therefore, and I
pray you let it come.

harp. Imbracing her. Doll, canst thou loue me? a mad merie
Lasse, would to God I had neuer seene thee.

Doll. I warrant you you will not out of my thoughts this
tweluemonth, truely you are as full of fauour, as a man may
be. Ah theie sweet gray lockes, by my troth, they are moft
louely.

Con. Cuds bores M. harpoole, Ile haue one buffe too.

har. No licking for you Conftable, hand off, hand off.

Con. Berlady I loue kiffing as well as you.

Doll. Oh you are an odde boy, you haue a wanton eye of
your owne: ah you sweete sugar-lipt wanton, you will win
as manie womens hearts as come in your companie.

Enter Priest.

Priest. Doll, come hither.

har. Priest, she shall not.

Doll. Ile come anon, sweete loue.

Pri. Hand off, old fornicator.

har. Vicar, Ile sit here in spight of thee, is this fitte ftuffe
for a Priest to carrie vp and downe with him?

Priest. Sirra, Doft thou not know that a good fellow par-
son may haue a chappell of eafe, where his parish Church is
farre off?

harp. You whoremonger'd Vicar.

Priest. You old ftale Ruffin, you Lyon of Cotfoll.

har. Zounds Vicar, Ile geld you.

Flyes vpon him.

Con. Keepe the Kings peace.

Doll. Murder, murder, murder.

Aleman. Hold, as you are men, hold; for Gods sake be qui-
et: put vp your weapons, you draw not in my house.

har. You whoremonger bawdy Priest.

Priest.

Sir Iohn Old-Castle.

Priest. You old mutton-monger.

Con. Hold sir Iohn, hold.

Doll. I pray thee sweete heart be quiet, I was but sitting to drinke a pot of Ale with him, euen as kinde a man as euer I met with.

Har. Thou art a Theefe I warrant thee.

Priest. Then I am but as thou haſt bene in thy dayes, let's not be aſhamed of our Trade, the King has bene a Theefe himselfe.

Dol. Come, be quiet, haſt thou ſped ?

Priest. I haue wench, here be crownes yfaith.

Dol. Come, let's be all friends then.

Con. Well faid Miftris Dorothy.

Har. Thou art the maddeſt Priest that ere I met with.

Priest. Giue me thy hand, thou art as good a fellow : I am a finger, a drinker, a bencher, a wencher; I can say a Maſſe, and kiffe a Lasse: Faith, I haue a parſonage, and becauſe I would not be at too much charges, this wencher ferueth me for a Sexton.

Harp. Wel faid mad prieſt, weel in & be friends. Exeunt Enter fir Roger Alton, M. Bourne, M. Beuerley, and William Murley the Brewer of Dunſtable.

Alton. Now maſter Murley, I am well affur'd
You know our arrant, and do like the cauſe,
Being a man affected as wee are ?

Mu. Marry God dild yee dainty my deare: No Maſter good fir Roger Alton, M. Bourne, and M. Beuerley Gentlemen and Iuſtices of the peace, no maſter I but plaine William Murley the brewer of Dunſtable your honeſt neighbour and your friend, if ye be men of my profefſion.

Beuer. Proſeſſed friends to Wickliffe, foes to Rome.

Mur. Hold by me Lad, leane vpon that ſtaffe good maſter Beuerley, all of a house, ſay your mind, ſay your minde.

Alton. You know our faction now is growne so great
Throughout the Realme, that it begins to ſmoake
Into the Clergies eyes, and the Kings eares,

D

High

The first part of

High time it is that we were drawne to head,
Our generall and officers appointed.

And warres ye wot will aske great store of coine,
Able to strength our action with your purse,
You are elected for a Colonell
Ouer a Regiment of fifteene bands.

Mur. Fue, paltry paltry, in and out, to and fro, be it more or lesse vpon occasion, Lord haue mercy vpon vs, what a world is this? Sir Roger Acton, I am but a Dunstable man, a plaine brewer, ye know: will lusty caualcering, Captains (Gentlemen) come at my calling, go at my bidding? Daint-y my deere, they'l do a dogge of waxe, a horse of cheefe, a pricke and a pudding; no, no, ye must appoint some Lorde or Knight at least to that place.

Bour. Why master Murley, you shall be a Knight:
Were you not in election to be Sheriffe?
Haue ye not paft all Offices but that?
Haue ye not wealth to make your wife a Lady?
I warrant you, my Lord, our Generall
Bestowes that honor on you at first fight.

Mur. Marry God dild ye dainty my deare:
But tell me, who shall be our Generall?
Where's the Lord Cobham, sir Iohn Old-castle
That noble almefgiuer, house-keeper, vertuous,
Religious Gentleman? Come to me there boyes,
Come to me there.

Acton. Why who but he shall be our Generall?

Mur. And shall he knight me, and make mee Colonell?

Act. My word for that, sir William Murley knight.

Mur. Fellow Sir Roger Acton Knight, all fellows I mean
in armes, how strong are we? how many partners? Our e-
nemies beside the King are mighty, be it more or lesse vp-
on occasion, reckon our force.

Act. There are of vs our friends and followers,
Three thousand and three hundred at the least:
Of Northerne lads foure thousand, beside horse,

From

Sir John Old-Castle.

From Kent there comes with fir Iohn Old-castle
Seuen thoufand, then from London yflue out,
Of mafters, ſeruants, ſtrangers, prentifes,
Forty odde thouſands into Ficket field,
Where we appoint our ſpeciall randeuous.

Mur. Fue paltry, paltry, in and out, too and fro, Lord haue
mercy vpon vs, what a world is this? Where's that Ficket
field, fir Roger ?

Act. Behind S. Giles in the field neere Holborne.

Mur. Newgate, vp Holborne, S. Giles in the field, and to
Tyburne, an old ſaw. For the day, for the day?

Act. On Friday next, the fourteenth day of January.

Mur. Tylly vally, truſt mee neuer if I haue any liking of
that day. Fue, paltry, paltry, Friday quoth a, diſmall day,
Childermas day this yeare was Friday.

Beu. Nay M. Murley, if you obſetue ſuch dayes,
We make ſome queſtion of your conſtancie,
All dayes are like to men reſolu'd in right.

Mur. Say Amen, and ſay no more, but ſay and hold mai-
ſter Beuerley: Friday next, & Ficket field, & William Mur-
ley and his merry men ſhall bee ali one: I haue halſe a ſcore
iades that draw my beere Carts, and euery iade ſhall beare
a knaue, and euery knaue ſhall weare a iack, and euery iacke
ſhall haue a ſcull, and euery ſcull ſhall ſhew a ſpeare, and e-
uery ſpeare ſhall kill a ſoe at Ficket fielde, at Ficket fielde:
Iohn and Tom, Dicke and Hodge, Rafe and Robin, William
and George, and all my knaues ſhall fight like men, at Fic-
ket field on Friday next.

Bour. What ſum of money meane you to disburſe?

Mur. It may be modeſtly, decently, ſoberly, and hand-
ſomly I may bring ſiue hundred pound.

Act. ſiue hundred man? ſiue thouſands not enough,
A hundred thouſand will not pay our men
Two months together, either come prepar'd
Like a braue Knight, and martiall Colonell,
In glittering gold, and gallant Furniture,

D 2

Bring-

e it more,
what a
ble] man,
Captains
g? Dain-
cheefe, a
ne Lorde

nt:

Colonell?
right.
vs I mean
s? Our e-
leſſe vp-

From

The first part of

Bringing in Coine, a Cart-load at the leaft,
And all your followers mounted on good horſe,
Or neuer come diſgracefull to vs all.

Ben. Perchance you may be choſen Treasurer,
Ten thouſand pound's the leaſt that you can bring.

Mur. Palſtry, paltry, in and out, too and fro:vpon occasion
I haue ten thouſand pound to ſpend, and ten too. And ra-
ther then the Bifhop ſhall haue his will of me for my Con-
ſcience, it ſhall all. Flame and ſlaxe, ſlaxe and flame. it was
got with water and Malt, and it ſhall flye with fire & Gun-
powder. Sir Roger, a cart-load of money till the Axletree
cracke; my ſelfe and my men in Ficket field on Friday next:
remember my Knight-hood and my place : ther's my hand
lle be there.

Exit

Act. See what ambition may perſwade men too,
In hope of honor he will ſpend himſelfe.

Bou. I neuer thought a Brewer half ſo rich.

Ben. Was neuer bankerout Brewer yet but one,
With vſing too much Malt, too little water.

Act. That's no fault in Brewers now adyes :
Come, away about our buſineſſe.

Exeunt

Enter K. Harry, Suffolk, Butler, Oldcastle knee-
ling to the King.

K. Tis not enough Lord Cobham to ſubmit,
You muſt forſake your groſſe opinion;
The Bifhops finde themſelues much iniured,
And though for ſome good ſeruice you haue done,
We for our part are pleaſd to pardon you,
Yet they will not ſo ſoone be ſatisfied.

Cob. My gracious Lord, vnto your Maiefty,
Next vnto my God, I owe my life ;
And what is mine, either by Natures gift,
Or fortunes bountie, all is at your ſeruice.
But for obedience to the Pope of Rome,
I owe him none ; nor ſhall his ſhaueling Prieſts
That are in England, alter my beleefe.

If

Sir John Old-castle.

If out of holy Scripture they can proue
That I am in an error, I will yeeld,
And gladly take inſtruction at their hands :
But otherwife, I do beſeech your grace,
My conſcience may not be incroacht vpon.

King. We would be loath to preſſe our ſubieſt bodies,
Much leſſe their ſoules, the deere redeemed part
Of him that is the ruler of vs all :
Yet let me counſell you, that might command;
Do not preſume to tempt them with ill words,
Nor ſuffer any meetings to be had
Within your houſe, but to the vttermoſt
Diſperſe the flockes of this new gathering ſeaſt.

Cob. My Liege, if any breath that dares come forth,
And ſay, my life in any of theſe points
Deſerues th'attainder of ignoble thoughts :
Heere ſtand I, crauing no remorſe at all,
But euen the vtmoſt rigour may be ſhewne.

King. Let it ſuffice we know your loyalty,
What haue you there ?

Cob. A deede of clemency,
Your highneſſe pardon for Lord Powis life,
Which I did beg, aud you my Noble Lord,
Of gracious ſauour did vouchſafe to grant.

Kin. But yet it is not ſigned with our hand.

Cob. Not yet my Liege.

Kin. The fact you ſay was done
Not of pretenſed malice, but by chance.

Cob. Vpon mine honor ſo, no otherwife.'

Writes

Kin. There is his pardon, bid him make amends,
And clenſe his ſoule to God for his offence,
What we remit, is but the bodies ſcourge.
How now Lord byſhop ?

Enter Bishep

Bilb. Iuſtice dread Soueraigne,
As thou art King, ſo grant I may haue iuſtice.

Kin. What meanes this exclamation? Let vs know.

Bifl. op

D3

The first part of

Bish. Ah my good Lord, the State's abuse,  
And our decrees most shamefully prophan'd.

Kin. How? or by whom ?

Bish. Euen by this heretike,
This Iew, this Traitor to your Maiety.

Cob. Prelate thou lyest, euen in thy greaſe maw,
Or who ſoebuer twits me with the name,
Of either Traitor, or of heretike.

Kin. Forbear me; I say: and by shop, I how the cauſe
From whence this late abuse hath bene deriu'd.

Bish. This mighty King: by generall conſent
A meſſenger was ſent to ſcite this Lord
To make appearance in the Conſitory:
And comming to his houſe, a Ruffian ſlaue,
One of his daily followers, met the man,
Who knowing him to be a Parator
Aſſaults him firſt, and after in contempt
Of vs, and our proceedings, makes him eate
The written Proceſſe, parchment, ſeale and all:
Whereby his maſter neither was brought ſoorth,
Nor we but ſcorn'd for our authority.

Kin. When was this done ?

Bish. At fix a clocke this morning.

Kin. And when came you to Court ?

Cob. Last night my Liege.

Kin. By this it ſeemes he is not guilty of it,
And you haue done him wrong t'accuse him ſo.!

Bish. But it was done my Lord by his appointment,
Or else his man durſt not haue bene ſo bold.

Kin. Or else you durſt bee bold to interrupt
And fill our eares with friuolous complaints.

Is this the duty you do beare to vs ?
Was not ſufficient we did paffe our word
To ſend for him, but you miſdoubting it,
Or which is worse, intending to foreſtall
Our Regall power, muſt likewife ſummon him ?

This

Sir John Old-castle.

This Sauours of Ambition, not of zeale,
And rather proues you malice his eſtate,
Than any way that he offends the Law.

Go too, we like it not: and hee your Officer
Had his desert for being insolent,

Enter Huntington

That was imployd so much amisse heerein.

So Cobham when you please, you may depart.

Cob. I humbly bid farewell vnto my Liege.

Exit

Kin. Farewell: what's the newes by Huntington?

Hun. Sir Roger Acton, and a crew (my Lord)

Of bold ſeditious Rebels, are in Armes,
Intending reformation of Religion.

And with their army they intend to pitch
In Ficket field, vnleſſe they be repulſt.

Kin. Soneere our preſence? Dare they be so bold?
And will proud warre and eager thirst of blood,
Whom we had thought to entertaine farre off,

Preſſe forth vpon vs in our Native bounds?

Muſt we be forſc'd to hanſell our ſharpe blades

In England heere, which we prepar'd for France?

Well, a Gods name be it. What's their number? ſay,
Or who's the cheeſe Commander of this rowt?

Hun. Their number is not knowne, as yet my Lord,
But tis reported, Sir John Old-castle
Is the cheeſe man, on whom they do depend.

Kin. How? the Lord Cobham?

Hun. Yes my gracious Lord.

Bifh. I could haue told your Maiety as much
Before he went, but that I ſaw your Grace

Was too much blinded by his flattery.

Suf. Send poaſt my Lord to ferch him backe againe.

But. Traitor vnto his Country, how he ſmooth'd
And ſeem'd as innocent as Truth it ſelfe?

Kin. I cannot thinke it yet he would be false:
But if he be, no matter, let him go,

Weel meet both him and them vnto their wo.

Bifh.

The first part of

Bifb. This fals out well, and at the last I hope
To see this hereticke die in a rope.

Exeunt

Enter Earle of Cambridge, Lord Scroope, Gray, and
Chartres the French Factor.

Scroop. Once more my Lord of Cambridge make rehef fall
How you do stand intitled to the Crowne,
The deeper shall we print it in our minds,
And euety man the better be refolu'd,
VWhen he perceiues his quarrell to be iuft.

Cam. Then thus Lord Scroope, fir Thomas Grey, & you
Monfieur de Chartres, agent for the French.
This Lionell Duke of Clarence (as I faid)
Third fonne of Edward (Englands King) the third,
Had iſſue Philip his sole daughter and heire;
Which Philip, afterward was giuen in marriage
To Edmund Mortimer the Earle of March,
And by him had a ſon cald Roger Mortimer;
VVhich Roger likewife had of his defcent,
Edmund, Roger, Anne, and Elianor,
Two daughters and two ſonnes, but thofe three
Dide without iſſue: Anne, that did ſuruuiue,
And now was left her Fathers onely heire,
By fortune was to marry, being too
By my Grandfather of King Edwards line:
So of his fir-name, I am cald you know.
Richard Plantagenet, my father was,
Edward the Duke of Yorke, and ſonne and heyre
To Edmund Langley, Edward the third's firſt ſonne.

Scro. So that it feemes your claime comes by your wife,
As lawfull heire to Roger Mortimer
The ſon of Edmund, which did marry Philip
Daughter and heire to Lyonell Duke of Clarence.

Cam. True, for this Harry, and his father both
Harry the firſt, as plainly doth appeare,
Are falſe intruders, and vſurpe the Crowne.

For when yong Richard was at Pomfret ſlaine,

In

Sir John Old-Castle.

In him the Title of Prince Edward dyed,
That was the eldest of King Edwards fonnes :
*William of Hatfield*, and their second brother,
Death in his nonage had before bereft :
So that my wife deriu'd from Lyonell
Third fonne vnto king Edward, ought proceede
And take posseffion of the Diadem
Before this *Harry*, or his Father king,
Who fetch their title but from Lancafter,
Forth of that royall line. And being thus,
What reason iſt, but ſhe ſhould haue her right?

*Scr.* I am refolu'd, our enterprize is iuſt.

*Gray Harry* shall dye, or else refigne his Crowne.

*Chart.* Performe but that, and Charles the K. of France
Shall ayde you Lords, not onely with his men,
But ſend you money to maintaine your warres:
Fiuue hundred thouſand Crownes he bad me proffer,
If you can ſtop but *Harries* voyage for France.

*Scr.* VVe neuer had a fitter time than now,
The Realme in iuch diuifion as it is.

*Cam.* Besides you muſt perſwade you, there is due
Vengeance for Richards murther, which although
It be deferr'd: yet will it fall at laſt,
And now as likely as another time.
Sin hath had many yeares to ripen in,
And now the harueſt cannot be farre off,
VWherein the weeds of vſurpation
Are to be cropt, and caſt into the fire.

*Scr.* No more Earle Cambridge, here I plight my Faith,
To ſet vp thee, and thy renowned wife.

*Gray. Gray* will performe the fame, as he is Knight.

*Chart.* And to affiſt you, as I ſaid before,
Chartres doth gage the honor of his King.

*Scr.* We lacke but now Lord Cobhams fellowship,
And then our plot were abſolute indeede.

*Cam.* Doubt not of him, my Lord, his life's purſu'de

E

By

Exeunt

herfall

& you

r wife,

In

The first part of

By th'incensed Clergy, and of late
Brought in displeasure with the King, affatures
He may be quickly won vnto our faction.
Who hath the Articles were drawne at large
Of our whole purpose?

Gray. That haue I my Lord.

Cam. We should not now be farre off from his house,
Our serious Conference hath beguild the way :
See where his Castle stands, giue me the writing.
V When we are come vnto the speech of him,
Because we will not stand to make recount
Of that which hath bene said, heere hee shall reade
Our minds at large, and what we craue of him.

Enter Cobham.

Scr. A ready way : heere comes the man himselfe
Booted and spurr'd, it seemes he hath beene riding.

Cam. V Well met Lord Cobham.

Cob. My Lord of Cambridge?

Your honor is most welcome into Kent,
And all the rest of this faire company.

I am new come from London, gentle Lords:
But will ye not take Cowling for your hoff,
And see what entertainment it affords?

Cam. We were intended to haue bene your guefts:

But now this lucky meeting shall suffise

To end our business, and deferre that kindneſſe.

Cob. Busineſſe my Lord? what busineſſe should

Let you to be merry? we haue no delicates ;

Yet this Ile promife you, a peece of Venison,

A cup of wine, and so forth, hunters fare :

And if you please, weel strike the flag our selues
Shall fill our dishes with his well-fed flesh.

Scro. That is indeed the thing we all desire.

Cob. My Lords, and you shall haue your choice with mee.

Cam. Nay, but the flag which we desire to strike,

Liues not in Cowling : if you will consent,

And

Sir John Old-Castle.

And go with vs, weel bring you to a Forreft,
Where runnes a lufty heard: among the which
There is a ftag ſuperiour to the reft;
A ftately beaſt, that when his fellowes run
He leads the race, and beates the full en earth,
As though he ſcorn'd it with his trampling hoofes,
Aloft he beares his head, and with his breſt
Like a huge bulwarke counter-checkes the winde:
And when he ſtandeth ſtill, he ſtret cheth forth
His proud ambitious necke, as if he meant
To wound the Firmament with forked hornes.

Cob. Tis pitty ſuch a goodly beaſt ſhould dye.

Cam. Not so fir Iohn, for he is tyranous,
And gores the other Deere, and wil not keepe
VWithin the limites are appointed him.
Of late he's broke into a feuerall.

Which doth belong to mee, and there he spoiles
Both corne and paſture, two of his wilde race
Alike for ſtealth, and couetous incroaching,
Already are remou'd; if he were dead,
I ſhould not onely be ſecure from hurt,
But with his body make a royall ſeaſt.

Scro. How ſay you then, will you firſt hunt with vs ?

Cob. Faith Lords, I like the paſttime, where's the place ?

Cam. Perufe this writing, it will ſhew you all,
And what occafion we haue for the ſport. He reads

Cob. Call ye this hunting my Lords? Is this the Stagge
You faine would chafe, Harry our dread King ?

So we may make a banquet for the diuell ;
And in the ſteede of wholſome meate, prepare
A diſh of poyſon to confound our ſelues.

Cam. Why ſo Lord Cobham ? See you not our claime ?
And how imperiously he holds the Crowne ?

Sor. Besides, you know your ſelfe is in diſgrace,
Held as a recreant, and purſu'd to death.

This will defend you from your enemies,

E 2

And

The first part of

And establish your Religion through the Land.

*Cob.* Notorious treason! yet I will conceal
My secret thoughts, to found the depth of it.
My Lord of Cambridge, I do see your claim,
And what good may redound vnto the Land,
By prosecuting of this enterprize.

But where are men? where's power and furniture
To order such an action? we are weake,
Harry, you know's a mighty Potentate.

*Cam.* Tut, we are strong enough; you are belou'd,
And many will be glad to follow you,
VVe are the light, and some will follow vs:

Nay, there is hope from France: here's an Ambassador
That promiseth both men and money too.

The Commons likewife (as we heare) pretend
A sodaine tumult, we will ioyne with them.

*Cob.* Some likely-hood, I must confesse, to speed:
But how shall I beleeue this in plaine truth?
You are (my Lords) such men as live in Court,
And haue bene highly fauoured of the King,
Especially Lord Scroope, whom oftentimes
He maketh choise for his bedfellow.

And you Lord Gray are of his priuy Counsell:
Is not this a traine laide to intrap my life?

*Cam.* I then perish may my soule? what thinke you so?

*Scr.* Weele sweare to you.

*Gray.* Or take the Sacrament.

*Cob.* Nay you are Noble men, and I imagine,
As you are honourable by birth, and blood,
So you will be in heart, in thought, in worde.
I craue no other testimony but this.

That you would all subscribe, and fet your hands
Vnto this writing which you gaue to me.

*Cam.* With all our hearts: who hath any pen and inke?

*Scr.* My pocket should haue one; O, heere it is.

*Cam.* Giue it me Lord Scroope. There is my name.

aſide

Scro.

Sir John Old-castle.

Scr. And there is my name.

Gray. And mine.

Cob. Sir, let me craue that would likewife write your name with theirs, for confirmation of your Maifters words the King of France.

Char. That will I Noble Lord.

Cob. So now this action is well knit together, And I am for you; where's our meeting, Lords ?

Cam. Heere if you pleafe, the tenth of July next.

Cob. in Kent ? agreed. Now let vs in to supper, I hope your honors will not away to night.

Cam. Yes prefently, for I haue farre to ride, About soliciting of other friends.

Scro. And we would not be absent from the Court, Leaft thereby grow SUPpition in the King.

Cob. Yet taſte a cup of wine before ye go.

Cam. Not now my Lord, we thank you : fo farwel. Exit

Cob. Farewell my Noble Lords. My Noble Lords?

My noble villaines, bafe Conspirators, How can they looke his Highneſſe in the face, Whom they ſo cloſely ſtudy to betray ?

But Ile not ſleepe vntill I make it knowne.

This head ſhall not be burthen'd with ſuch thoughts, Nor in this heart will I conceale a deede

Of ſuch impiety againſt my King.

Madam, how now ?

Enter Harpoole and the reſt.

L. Cobb. Y'are welcome home, my Lord: Why ſeeme ye ſo diſquiet in your lookes?

What hath beſalne you that diſturbes your minde ?

L. Powis. Bad newes I am afraid touching my husband.

Cob. Madam, not ſo : there is your husbands pardon, Long may ye liue, each ioy vnto the other.

La. Po. So great a kindneſſe, as I know not how to make reply, my ſenſe is quite confounded.

Cob. Let that alone : and Madam ſtay me not,

With

E 3

The first part of

For I must backe vnto the Court againe,

With all the speede I can: Harpoole, my horfe.

L. Cob. So soone my Lord? what will you ride all night?

Cob. All night or day, it must be so sweet wife;

Vrge me not why, or what my businesse is,

But get you in: Lord Powesse, beare with mee.

And madam, thinke your welcome nere the worse,

My house is at your vse. Harpoole, away.

Har. Shall I attend your Lordship to the Court ?

Cob. Yea fir, your Gelding, mount you presently.

Exit

La. Cob. I prethee Harpoole looke vnto thy Lord,
I do not like this sodaine poafting backe.

Po. Some earnest businesse is a foote belike,

What ere it be, pray God be his good guide.

La. Po. Amen, that hath so highly vs befted.

La. Cab. Come Madam & my Lord, weel hope the beſt,
You shall not into Wales till he returne.

Pow. Though great occasion bee we should depart, yet
Madam will we stay to be refolu'd of this vnlookt for doubt
full accident.

Exeunt

Enter Murley and his men. prepared in some filthy order for war.

Mur. Come my hearts of flint, modeſtly, decently, ſo-
berly, & handſomly; no man afore his Leader: follow your
Maſter, your Captaine, your Knight that ſhalbe, for the ho-
nour of Meal-men, Millers, & Malt-men, dun is the mouſe:
Dicke and Tom for the credit of Dunſtable, ding down the
enemy to morrow. Ye ſhall not come into the field like beg-
gars. Where be Leonard and Lawrence my two Loaders,
Lord haue mercy vpon vs, what a world is this ? I woulde
giue a couple of ſhillings for a dozen of good Feathers for
ye, and forty pence for as many ſcarſes to ſet ye out with-
all. Froſt and ſnow, a man has no heart to fight till hee bee
braue.

Dicke. Maſter we are no babes, our towne foot-bals can
beare witneſſe: this little parrell we haue ſhall off, & wee'l
fight

Sir John Old-castle.

fight naked before we run away.

Tom. Nay, I'me of Laurance mind for that, for he means to leaue his life behind him, he and Leonard your two loaders are making their wils becaufe they haue wiues, now we batchellers bid our frends scramble for our goods if we dye: but mafter, pray ye let me ride vpon Cut.

Mur. Meale and falt, wheat and Malt, fire and tow, froft and snow, why Tom thou fhalt. Let me fee, heere are you, William and George are with my Cart, & Robin & Hodge holding my owne two horſes, proper men, handsome men, tall men, true men.

Dicke. But mafter, mafter, me thinkes you are a mad man, to hazard your owne perſon, and a cart load of money too.

Tom. Yea, and mafter there's a worſe matter in't; if it be as I heard ſay, we go to fight againſt all the lerned bifhops, that ſhould giue vs their bleſſing, and if they curſe vs, wee ſhall ſpeed nere the better.

Dic. Nay burlady, ſome ſay the King takes their part, and mafter dare you fight againſt the King.

Mur. Fie paltry, paltry, in and out, to and fro vpon occaſion, if the King bee so vnwife to come there, weele fight with him too.

Tom. What if ye ſhould kill the King ?

Mur. Then wee'l make another.

Dic. Is that all? do ye not ſpeake treaſon ?

Mur. If we do, who dare trip vs ? We come to fight for our confcience, and for honor: little know you what is in my boſome, looke heere mad knaues, a paire of gilt spurs.

Tom. A paire of golden spurs ? why do you not put them on your heeles? your boſome's no place for spurs.

Mur. Be't more or leſſe vpon occaſion, Lord haue mercy vpon vs. Tom th'art a foole, and thou ſpeakſt treaſon to Knight-hood: dare any weare gold or filuer spurs till he be a Knight ? No, I ſhall be knighted to morrow, & then they ſhall on: Sirs, was it euer read in the Church book of Dunſtable, that euer Malt-man was made Knight ?

Tom

The first part of

Tom. No but you are more: you are Meal-man, Maltman,
Miller, Corne-mafter and all.

Dirke. Yea, and halfe a brewer too, and the diuell and all
for wealth: you bring more money with you, than all the
rest.

Mur. The more's my honor, I shall bee a Knight to mor-
row. Let me spole my men, Tom vpon cut. Dick vpon hob,
Hodge vpon ball, Raph vpon Sorell, and Rohin vpon the
fore-horse.

Enter Acton, Bourne, and Beuerley.

Tom. Stand, who comes there?

Act. All friends, good fellow.

Mur. Friends and fellowes indeed fir Roger.

Act. Why thus you shew your selfe a Gentleman,
To keepe your day, and come so well prepar'd.
Your Cart stands yonder, guarded by your men,
Who tell me it is loaden well with Coine,
What summe is there?

Mur. Ten thousand pound fir Roger, and modestly, de-
cently, soberly, and handsomly, see what I haue here againft
I be knighted.

Act. Gilt spurres? Tis well,

Mur. Where's our army fir ?

Act. Disperſt in fundry villages about;
Some heere with vs in Hygate, some at Finchley,
Totnam, Enfield, Edmunton, Newington,
Islington, Hogſdon, Pancredge, Kenzington,
Some neerer Thames, Ratcliffe, Blackwall, and Bow :
But our cheefe ſtrength muſt be the Londoners,
Which ere the Sun to morrow ſhine,
Will be neere fifty thousand in the field.

Mur. Marry God dild ye dainty my deere, but vpon oc-
cafion fir Roger Acton, doth not the King know of it, and
gather his power againſt vs?

Act. No, he's ſecure at Eltham.

Mur. What do the Clergie?

Act.

Sir John Old-Castle.

Act. Feare extreamly, yet prepare no force.

Mur. In and out, too and fro, bully my boykin, we shall carry the world afore vs, I vow by my worship, when I am knighted, weele take the King napping, if he stand on their part.

Act. This night we few in Hygate will repose,
With the firſt Cocke weel rife and arme our ſelues,
To be in Ficket field by breake of day,
And there expect our Generall.

Mur. Sir John Old-Castle, what if he come not ?

Bon. Yet our action stands,

Sir Roger Acton may supply his place.

Mur. True M. Bourn, but who shall make me Knight ?

Ben. He that hath power to be our Generall.

Act. Talk not of trifles, come let's away,
Our friends of London long till it be day.

Exeunt.

Enter Prieſt and Doll.

Doll. By my troth, thou art as ialeous a man as liues.

Prieſt. Canſt thou blame me Doll, thou art my lands, my goods, my iewels, my wealth, my purſe, none walks within forty miles of London, but a plies thee as truly, as the parifh does the poore mans boxe.

Doll. I am as true to thee, as the ſtone is in the wall, and thou knowſt well enough, 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 : and I will not be kept as I haſt bin, that I will not.

Pri. Doll, if this blade holde, there's not a pedler walks with a packe, but thou ſhalt as boldly chooſe of his wares, as with thy ready mony in a Marchants ſhop, weele haue as good filuer as the King coines any.

Doll. What is all the Golde ſpent you tooke the laſt day from the Courtier ?

Pri. Tis gone Doll, tis flowne; merrily come, merily gon;
he comes a horſe backe that muſt pay for all; weel haue as
good meat as mony can get, and as good gownes as can be

F

bought

The first part of

bought for gold, be merry wench, the Malt-man comes on
monday.

Doll. You might have left me at Cobham, vntill you had
bin better prouided for.

Pri. No sweet Doll, no, I like not that, yon olde ruffian is
not for the Priest: I do not like a new Cleark should come
in the old bel-fry.

Doll. Thou art a mad priest if aith.

Pri. Come Doll, Ile see thee safe at some ale-houſe heere
at Cray, and the next sheepe that comes shall leaue behind
his fleece.

Exit.

Enter the King, Suffolk, and Butler.

King in great haſt. My Lord of Suffolk, poſt away for life,
And let our forces of such horſe and foote,
As can be gathered vp by any meanes.
Make ſpeedy randeuow in Tuttle fields,
It muſt be done this euening my Lord,
This night the Rebels meane to draw to head
Neere Islington, which if your ſpeed preuent not,
If once they ſhould vnite their ſeuerall forces,
Their power is almoſt thought inuincible,
Away my Lord, I will be with you ſoone.

Suf. I go my Soueraigne with all happy ſpeed.

exit.

Kin, Make haſt my Lord of Suffolk, as you loue vs.
Butler, poſt you to London with all ſpeede :
Command the Maior and Sheriffeſ on their allegeance,
The Citty gates be preſently ſhut vp,
And guarded with a ſtrong ſufficient watch,
And not a man be ſuffered to paffe,
Without a ſpeciall warrant from our ſelfe.
Command the Poſterne by the Tower be kept,
And proclamation on the paine of death,
That not a Citizen ſtirre from his doores,
Except ſuch as the Maior and Shrieues ſhall chooſe
For their owne guard, and ſafety of their perſons:
Butler away, haue care vnto my charge.

Butl.

Sir John Old-Castle.

But. I go my Soueraigne.

Kin. Butler.

But. My Lord.

Kin. Go downe by Greenwich, and command a boate,
At the Friars bridge attend my comming downe.

But. I will my Lord.

Exit Butler.

King. It's time I thinke to looke vnto Rebellion,
When Acton doth expect vnto his aide,
No leffe then fifty thousand Londoners.
Well, lle to Westminfter in this disguife,
To heare what newes is stirring in these brawles.

Enter Priest.

Pri. Stand true-man, sayes a Theefe.

Kin. Stand theefe sayes a true-man : how if a theefe ?

Pri. Stand theefe too.

Kin. Then theefe or true-man, I muft stand I see howfo-
euer the world wags, the trade of theeuing yet will neuer
downe. What art thou ?

Pri. A good fellow.

Kin. So am I too, I see thou doft know mee.

Pri. If thou be a good fellow, play the good fellowes,
part, deliuer thy purse without more ado.

Kin. I haue no money.

Pri. I muft make you finde some before wee part, if you
haue no mony you shall haue ware, as many found blowes
as your skin can carry.

King. Is that the plaine truth ?

Pri. Sirra, no more ado; come, come, giue me the money
you haue. Dispatch, I cannot stand all day.

Kin. Well, if thou wilt needs haue it, there it is : iuſt the
Prouerbe, one theefe robs another. Where the diuel are all
my old theeues ? Falſtaffe that villaine is ſo fat, hee cannot
get on's horſe, but me thinkes Poines and Peto ſhould bee
ſtirring hereabouts.

Pri. How much is there on't of thy word ?

Kin, A hundred pound in Angels, on my word.

F2

The

comes on
ly you had
ruffian is
uld come
ufe heere
behind
Exit.
y for life,

exit,
vs.
ance,

But,

The first part of

The time has beene I would haue done as much
For thee, if thou hadst paft this way, as I haue now.

Prie. Sirra, what art thou? thou seemst a Gentleman?

Kin. I am no lesse, yet a poore one now, for thou haft all
my money.

Pri. From whence camst thou ?

Kin. From the Court at Eltham.

Pri. Art thou one of the Kings seruants?

Kin. Yes that I am, and one of his Chamber.

Pri. I am gladde th'art no worse: thou maist the better
spare thy mony, and think thou mightst get a poore Theefe
his pardon if he should haue neede.

Kin. Yes that I can.

Pri. Wilt thou do so much for me, when I shall haue oc-
casion?

Kin. Yes faith will I, so it be for no murther.

Pri. Nay, I am a pittifull theefe, all the hurt I do a man, I take but his purse, Ile kill no man.

King. Then of my word Ile do't.

Pri. Giue me thy hand of the same.

Kin. There tis.

Pri. Me thinkes the King should be good to theeues be-
cause he has bin a theefe himselfe, though I thinke now hee
be turned true man.

Kin. Faith I haue heard indeede h'as had an ill [name that
way in's youth : but how canst thou tell that he has beene a
Theefe ?

Priest. How? because he once robb'd me before I fell to
the trade my selfe, when that foule villanous guts, that led
him to all that Roguery, was in's company there, that Fal-
staffe.

King a side. Well, if he did rob thee then, thou art but euen
with him now Ile be sworne: Thou knowest not the King
now I thinke, if thou soweft him ?

Pri. Not I yfaith.

K. a side. So it should seeme.

Priest.

Sir John Old-castle.

Pri. Well, if olde King Harry had liu'd, this King that is now, had made theeing the best trade in England.

King. Why so?

Pri. Because he was the cheefe warden of our company, it's pitty that ere he should haue beene a King, hee was so braue a theefe. But firra, wilt remember my pardon if need be?

King. Yes faith will I.

Pri. Wilt thou? Well then, because thou fhalt goe safe, for thou mayeſt hap (being ſo early) be met with again, before thou come to Southwarke, if any man when he ſhould bid thee good morrow, bid thee ſtand, ſay thou but ſir Iohn and they will let thee paffe.

King. Is that the word? well then let me alone.

Pri. Nay firra, because I thinke indeede I ſhal haue ſome occasion to vſe thee, and as thou comſt oft this way, I may light on thee another time not knowing thee, here ile break this Angel, take thou halſe of it, this is a token betwixt thee and me.

King. God a mercy, farewell.

Exit

Pri. O my fine golden flanes, here's for thee wench ifaith. Now Dol, we will reuell in our beuer, this is a Tyth-pig of my vicarage. God a mercy neighbour Shooters hill, you ha paide your tythe honestly. Wel, I heare there is a company of rebels vp againſt the King, got together in Ficket fielde neere Holborne, and as it is thought heere in Kent, the King wil be there to night in's owne perſon: wel, Ile to the kings campe, and it ſhal go hard but if there be any dooinges, Ile make ſome good boot among them.

Exit

Enter K. Henry, Suffolk, Huntington, and two with lights.

King. My Lords of Suffolk and of Huntington, Who ſcouts it now? Or who ſtands Sentinels? What men of worth? what Lords do walke the round?

Suf. May't please your highneſſe.

Kin. Peace, no more of that, The King's asleep, wake not his Maieſty,

F 3

With

It all

Better
heefe

le oc-
man, I

les be-
ow hee
ne that
enee a

fell to
hat led
at Fal-

ut euen
the King

Priest.

The first part of

With terms nor Titles; he's at rest in bed,
Kings do not vse to watch themselves, they sleep,
And let rebellion and conspiracy,
Reuell and hauocke in the Common-wealth.
Is London look'd vnto?

Hun. It is my Lord:

Your noble Vuckle Exeter is there.
Your brother Glocester, and my Lord of Warwicke,
VWho with the Maior and the Aldermen
Do guard the gates, and keepe good rule within.
The Earle of Cambridge, and Sir Thomas Gray
Do walke the round, Lord Scroope and Butler Scout,
So though it please your Maiety to ieft,
Were you in bed, well might you take your rest.

Kin. I thanke ye Lords: but you do know of old,
That I haue beene a perfect night-walker:
London you say is safely lookt vnto,
Alas poore Rebels, there your ayde muft faile,
And the Lord Cobham Sir John Old-caсты,
Quiet in Kent, Acton ye are deceiu'd:
Reckon againe, you count without your hofte.
To morrow you shall giue account to vs,
Till when my friends, this long cold winters night
How can we spend? King Harry is afleepe,
And all his Lords, these garments tell vs so:
All friends at foot-ball, fellowes all in field,
Harry, and Dicke, and George: bring vs a drum,
Giue vs square dice, weel keepe this court of guard,
For all good fellowes companies that come.
Where's that mad Priest ye told me was in armes
To fight, as well as pray, if neede required.

Suf. He's in the Campe, and if he knew of this,
I vndertake he would not be long hence.

Kin. Trip Dicke, trip George.

Hun. I muft haue the dice: what do we play at?

Suf. Passeage if ye pleafe.

Hun

Sir John Old-castle.

Hunt. Set round then: so, at all.

Har. George, you are out.

Giue me the dice, I paſſe for twenty pound,
Here's to our lucky paſſage into France.

Hun. Harry you paſſe indeed, for you ſweepe all.

Suf. A ſigne king Harry ſhall ſweepe all in France.

Enter Priest.

Pri. Edge ye good fellowes, take a fresh gamster in.

Har. Maſter parſon? we play nothing but gold?

Pri. And fellow I tel thee that the Priest hath gold, gold:
what ? ye are but beggarly ſoldiers to me, I thinke I haue
more gold then all you three.

Hun. It may be so, but we beleeue it not.

Har. Set Priest set, I paſſe for all that golde.

Pri. Yea, paſſe indeede.

Har. Priest, haſt any more ?

Pri. More? what a question's that?

I tell thee I haue more then all you three,
At these ten Angels.

Har. I wonder how thou comſt by all this gold.

How many benefices haſt thou Priest?

Pri. Faith but one, doſt wonder how I come by Golde?
I wonder rather how poore ſouldiers ſhould haue gold: for
Ile tell thee good fellow, we haue euery day tyths, offrings
chriftnings, weddings, burials: and you poore ſnakes come
ſildome to a booty. Ile ſpeak a proud word, I haue but one
parſonage, Wrotham, tis better then the Byſnoppricke of
Rochefter: there's nere a hill, heath, nor downe in all Kent,
but tis in my parifh, Barrham downe, Chobham downe,
Gads hil, Wrotham hill, Blacke heath, Cockes heath, Bir-
chen wood, al pay me tyth, gold quotha? ye pas not for that

Suf. Harry ye are out, now parſon ſhake the dice.

Pri. Set, set, Ile couer yee, at all: A plague on't! I am out,
the diuel, and dice, and a wench, who will truſt them?

Suf. Saſt thou so, priest? set faire, at all for once.

Har. Out fir, pay all.

I am.

Hun

The first part of

Pri. Sir, pay me Angel gold,
Ile none of your crackt French Crownes nor Pistolets.
Pay me faire Angel gold, as I pay you.

King. No crackt French crownes? I hope to see more
crackt French crownes ere long.

Pri. Thou meanst of Frenchmens crowns, when the kings
in France.

Hun. Set round, at all.

Pri. Pay all: this is some lucke.

Kin. Giue me the dice, tis I must shred the priest;
At all for Iohn.

Pri. The diuel and all is yours: at that. Sdeath, what ca-
fting's this?

Suf. Wel throwne Harry ifaith.

King. Ile caft better yet.

Pri. Then Ile be hang'd. Sirra, haft thou not giuen thy
soule to the diuel for cafting.

Har. I paſſe for all.

Pri. Thou paſſed all that ere I plaide withall:
Sirra, doſt thou not cog, nor foist, nor flurre?

Kin. Set Parfon ſet, the Dice dye in my hand.
When Parfon when? what can ye finde no more?
Already dry? waſt you brag'd of your ſtore?

Pri. All's gone but that.:

Hun. VVhat? halfe a broken Angel.

Pri. VVhy fir? tis golde.

Kin. Yea, and Ile couer it.

Pri. The diuel giue ye good on't, I am blinde, you haue
blowne me vp.

king. Nay tarry Prieſt, ye ſhal not leaue vs yet,
Do not theſe peeces ſit each other wel.

Prie. VVhat if they do?

king. Thereby beginnes a tale :
There was a Theefe, in face much like fir Iohn,
But 'twas not he. That theefe was all in greene,
Met me laſt day on Blacke Heath, neere the Parke,

with

Sir John Old-Castle.

With him a woman. I was all alone
And weaponleſſe, my boy had all my tooles,
And was before prouiding me a boate.
Short tale to make fir Iohn, the Theefe I meane,
Tooke a iuſt hundreth pound in gold from me.
I ſtorm'd at it, and ſwore to be reueng'd;
If ere we met; he like a luſty Theefe,
Brake with his teeth this Angel iuſt in two,
To be a token at our meeting next.
Prouided, I ſhould charge no Officer
To apprehend him, but at weapons point
Recouer that, and what he had beſide.
Well met fir Iohn, betake ye to your tooles
By Torch-light, for maſter Parſon you are hee
That had my Golde.

Pri. Zounds I won't in play, in faire ſquare play, of the keeper of Eltham parke, and that I will maintain with this poore whinyard, be you two honest men to ſtand & looke vpon's, and let's alone, and take neither part.

kin. Agreed, I charge ye do not boudge a foot,
Sir Iohn haue at ye.

Prie. Souldier, ware your ſconce.

As they proffer, enter Butler, and drawes his
ſword to part them.

But. Hold villaine hold: my Lords, what d'ye meane,
To see a Traitor draw againſt the King?

Pri. The King? Gods will, I am in a proper pickle.

king. Butler what newes? why doſt thou trouble vs?

But. Please your Maiety, it's breake of day,
And as I ſcouted neere to Ilſington,
The gray-ey'd morning igaue me glimmering,
Of armed men comming downe Hygate hill,
Who by their courſe are coaſting hitherward.

king. Let vs withdraw my Lords, prepare our troops,
To charge the Rebels if there be ſuch cauſe :
For this lewd prieſt, this diuellilſh hypocrite,

G.

That

The first part of

That is a theefe, a gamiter, and what not,
Let him be hang'd vp for example fake.

Priest. Not so my gracious Soueraigne, I confess I am a
fraile man, flesh and blood as other are; but let my imperfe-
tions aside, ye haue not a taller man, nor a truer subieст to
the Crowne and State, than fir Iohn of Wrotham is.

Kin. Will a true subieст rob his king?

Pri. Alas, 'twas ignorance and want my gracious Liege.

Kin, 'Twas want of grace. Why, you should be as falt
To season others with good document,
Your liues as lampes to giue the people light,
As shepheards, not as Wolues to spoile the flocke,
Go hang him Butler.

But. Didst thou not rob me ?

Pri. I must confess I saw some of your Golde, but my
dread Lord I am in no humour for death: God will that fin-
ners liue, do not you cause me to dye, once in theyr liues the
best may go astray, and if the world say true, your selfe (my
Liege) haue bin a Theefe.

Kin. I confess I haue,

But I repent and haue reclaim'd my selfe.

Pri. So will I do if you will give me time.

kin. Wilt thou? My Lords, will you be his sureties?

Hun. That when he robs againe he shall be hang'd.

Pri. I ask no more.

kin. And we will grant thee that,
Live and repent, and proue an honest man,
Which when I heare, and safe returne from France,
Ile giue thee liuing. Till when, take thy Gold,
But spend it better then at cards or wine,
For better vertues fit that coate of thine.

Pri. Vinat Rex, & currat lex. My Liege, if ye haue cause
of battell, ye shall see fir Iohn be stir him selfe in your quar-
rell.

An alarum, enter King, Suffolk, Huntingdon, fir Iohn bringing forth Aliston, Beuerly, and Murly prisoners.

King

Sir John Old-Castle.

king. Bring in those Traitors, whose aspiring minds
Thought to haue triumphed in our ouerthrow :
But now ye see, bafe villaines, what fucceffe
Attends ill actions wrongfully attempted.
Sir Roger Acton, thou retainst the name
Of Knight, and shouldst be more discreetly temper'd
Than ioyne with pezants, Gentry is divine,
But thou haft made it more then popular.

Act. Pardon my Lord, my conscience vrg'd me to it.

kin. Thy conscience? then conscience is corrupt,
For in thy conscience thou art bound tovs,
And in thy conscience thou shouldst loue thy countrey,
Elfe what's the difference twixt a Christian,
And the vnciuill manners of the Turke.

Ben. We meant no hurt vnto your Maiety,
But reformation of Religion.

king. Reforme Religion? was it that you fought?
I pray who gaue you that authority ?
Belike then we do hold the Scepter vp,
And fit within the Throne but for a Cipher.
Time was, good subiects would make knowne their greef,
And pray amendment, not enforce the fame,
Vnleffe their King were tyrant, which I hope
You cannot iuftly say that Harry is,
What is that other ?

Suf. A Malt-man my Lord,
And dwelling in Dunstable as he sayes.!

kin. Sirra, what made you leaue your barly broth,
To come in armour thus against your King?

Mur. Fie paltry, paltry, to and fro, in and out vpon occa-
sion, what a world is this? Knight-hood (my Liege) twas
knight-hood brought me hither, they told me I had wealth
enough to make my wife a Lady.

kin. And so you brought those horles which we saw,
Trapt all in costly furniture, and meant
To weare these spurree when you were knighted once.

G 2

Mur.

The first part of

Mur. In and out vpon occasion I did.

kin. In and out vpon occasion, therefore you shall bee
hang'd, and in the sted of wearing these spurres vpon your
heeles, about your necke they shall bewray your folly to
the world.

Pri. In and out vpon occasion, that goes hard.

Mur. Fie pualtry, paltry, too and fro : good my Liege a
pardon, I am fory for my fault.

king. That comes too late: but tell mee, went there none
Befide fir Roger Acton, vpon whom
You did depend to be your Gouernor.

Mur. None my Lord, but fir Iohn Old-castle.

Enter Byfhop.

king. Beares he a part in this conspiracy.

Act. We lookt my Lord that he would meete vs heere.

king. But did he promise you that he would come.

Act. Such Letters we receiued forth of Kent,

Bifh. Where is my Lord the King ? health to your grace
Examining my Lord some of these rebels,

It is a generall voice among them al,
That they had neuer come into this place,
But to haue met their valiant Generall
The good Lord Cobham as they title him :
Whereby my Lord, your Grace may now perceiue,
His Treason is apparant, which before
He fought to colour by his flattery.

kin. Now by my Royalty I would hauesworn,
But for his confcience which I beare withall,
There had not liu'd a more true hearted subiect.

Bilh. It is but coun. erfet, my gracious Lords,
And therefore may it pleafe your Maiety.
To let your hand vnto this precept heere,
By which weel caufe him forthwith to appeare,
And anſwer this by order of the Law.

kin. Not onely that, but take Commiſſion
To ſearch, attach, imprisſon, and condemne,

This

Sir John Old-castle.

This most notorious traitor as you please.

Bifh. It fhalbe done my Lord, without delay:
So now I hold Lord Cobham in my hand,
That which fhall finifh thy diſdained life.

king. I thinke the iron age begins but now,
Which learned poets haue ſo often taught,
Wherein there is no credit to he giuen
To either words, or lookes, or ſolemne oaths:
For if he were, how often hath he ſworne,
How gently tun'd the muſicke of his tongue,
And with what amiable face beheld he me,
When all God knowes, was but hypocrifie

Enter Cobham.

Cob. Long life and prosperous reigne vnto my Lord.
kin. Ah villaine, canſt thou wifh prosperity,
Whose heart includeth nought but treachery?
I do arreſt thee heere my ſelfe, falſe knight,
Of treaſon capitall againſt the ſtate.

Cob, Of treaſon mighty Prince? your grace miſtakes,
I hope it is but in the way of mirth.

km. Thy necke ſhall feele it is in earneſt ſhortly.
Darſt thou intrude into our preſence, knowing
How heinouſly thou haſt oſſended vs?

But this is thy accuſtomed deceit.

Now thou perceiuſt thy purpose is in vaine,
With ſome excuse or other thou wilt come
To cleere thy ſelfe of this rebellion.

Cob. Rebellion good my Lord, I know of none.

kin. If you deny it, heere is euidence,
See you theſe men; you neuer counſelled,
Nor offered them aſſiſtance in their warres.

kin. Speake ſirs, not one but all, I craue no fau our,
Haue euer I bene conuerſant with you,
Or written Letters to encourage you,
Or kindled but the leaſt or ſmallest part
Of this your late vnnaturall rebellion?

G 3

Speak,

The first part of

Speake, for I dare the vttermoſt you can.

Mur. In and out vpon occasion I know you not.

kin. No, didst thou not say, that fir Iohn Old-castle,
Was one with whom you purpofed to haue met ?

Mur. True I did say so, but in what reſpect,
Because I heard it was reported so.

king. Was there no other argument but that ?

Alt. To cleere my conſcience ere I dye my Lord,
I muſt confefſe we haue no other ground
But onely rumour to accuſe this Lord,
Which now I ſee was meerely fabulous.

kin. The more pernitiouſ you to taint him then,
Whom you know was not faulty, yea or no.

Cob. Let this my Lord, which I preſent your grace
Speake for my loyalty, reade theſe Articles,
And then giue ſentence of my life or death.

kin. Earle Cambridge, Scroope, and Gray corrupted
With bribes from Charles of France, either to win
My Crowne from me, or ſecretly contriue
My death by Treason ? Iſt poffible ?

Cob. There is the platforme, and their hands, my Lord,
Each ſeuerally ſubſcribed to the fame.

kin. Oh neuer heard of bafe ingratitude !
Euen thoſe I hug within my boſome moſt,
Are readieſt euermore to ſting my heart.

Pardon me Cobham, I haue done thee wrong,
Heereafter I will liue to make amends.

Is then their time of meeting so neere hand ?
Weele meete with them, but little for their eafe,
If God permit. Go take theſe Rebels hence,
Let them haue martiaall law: but as for thee,
Friend to thy King and Country, ſtill be free.

Mur. Be it more or leſſe, what a world is this ?
Would I had continued ſtill of the order of knaues,
And nere ſought knight-hood, ſince it coſts
So decree: fir Roger I may thanke you for all.

exeunt

Acton

Sir John Old-castle.

Aton. Now'tis too late to haue it remedied,
I prethee Murley do not vrge me with it.

Hun. VVill you away, and make no more to do?

Mur. Fie paltry, paltry, too and fro, as occasion ferues,
If you be so hafty, take my place.

Hun. No good fir knight, eene tak't your selfe.

Mur. I could be glad to giue my betters place.

Exeunt

Enter Bishop, Lord Warden, Cromer the Shreeue, Lady Cobham and attendants.

Bish. I tell ye Lady, it's not possible
But you should know where he conueyes himfelfe
And you haue hid him in some secret place.

La. My Lord beleeue me, as I haue a foule,
I know not where my Lord my husband is.

Bish. Go too, go ye are an heretike,
And will be forc'd by torture to confesse,
If faire meanes will not ferue to make you tell.

La. My husband is a noble Gentleman,
And neede not hide himfelfe for any fact
That ere I heard of, therefore wrong him not.

Bish. Your husband is a dangerous schismatick,
Traitor to God, the King, and Commonwealth,
And therefore M. Cromer threeue of Kent,
I charge you take her to your custodie,
And feize the goods of Sir John Old-castle
To the Kings vfe; let her go in no more,
To fetch so much as her apparrell out,
There is your warrant from his Maiestie-

L. War. Good my Lord Bishop pacifie your wrath
Against the Ladie.

Bisb. Then let her confesse.
Where Old-castle her husband is conceal'd.

L. War. I dare engage mine honor and my life,
Poor e Gentlewoman, she is ignorant
And innocent of all his practises

If

The first part of

If any euill by him be practised.

Bish. If my Lord Warden? Nay then I charge you
That all the Cinque-ports whereof you are cheefe,
Be laid forthwith, that he escapes vs not.
Shew him his highneſſe warrant M. Sheriffe.

L. War. I am for the Noble Gentleman.

Bish. Peace, he comes heere, now do your office,
Enter Harpoole and Oldcaſtle.

Cob. Harpoole what buſineſſe haue we here in hand?
VWhat makes the byſhop and the ſheriffe here?
Iifeare my comming home is dangerous,
I would I had not made ſuch haſte to Cobham.

Har. Be of good cheere my Lord, if they bee foes weele
ſcramble ſhrewdly with them: if they bee friends they are
welcome.

Croo. Sir Iohn Old-caſtle Lord Cobham, in the Kinges
name, I arrest ye of high treaſon.

Cob. Treason M. Croomes?

Har. Treason M. Sheriffe? what Treason?

Cob. Harpoole I charge thee ſtir not, but be quiet
Do ye arrest me of Treason M. Sheriffe?

Bish. Yea, of high treason, traitor, heretike.

Cob. Defiance in his face that calls me so,
I am as true a loyall Gentleman
Vnto his highneſſe, as my proudeſt enemie,
The King ſhal witneſſe my late faithfull ſeruice,
For ſafety of his ſacred Maiety
Bish. What thou art, the kings hand shall teſtifie,
Shew him Lord Warden.

Cob. Iesu defend me,
It ſhall be possible your cunning could ſo temper
The Princely diſpoſition of his minde,
To ſigne the damage of a royall ſubieſt?
VWell, the beſt is, it beares an antedate
Procured by my abſence and your malice.
But I, ſince that, haue ſhewd my ſelfe as true,

As

Sir John Old-Castle.

As any Churchman that dare challenge me.
Let me be brought before his Maiesty,
If he acquit me not, then do your worst.

*Bish.* We are not bound to do kinde offices,
For any traitor, chivalericke, nor heretike:
The Kings hand is our warrant for our worke,
Who is departed on his way for France,
And at Southampton doth repose this night.

*Har.* O that thou and I were within twenty miles of it,
on Salsbury plaine! I would lose my head if thou broughtst
thy head hither againe.
*a side*.

*Cob.* My Lord Warden o’ th’ Cinque-ports, & Lorde of
Rochefort, ye are ioynt Commissioners, fauour me so much
On my expence, to bring me to the king.

*Bish:* What to Southampton ?

*Cob.* Thither my good Lord,
And if he do not cleere me of all guilt,
And all suspition of conspiracy,
Pawning his Princely warrant for my truth :
I aske no fauour, but extreamest torture.
Bring me, or send me to him, good my Lord,
Good my Lord Warden, M. Shrieue entreate.

*They both entreat for him.*

Come hither Lady, nay sweet wife, for beare
To heape one sorrow on anothers necke:
Tis greefe enough falsely to be accuſd,
And not permitted to acquit my ſelfe,
Do not thou with thy kinde respective teares,
Torment thy husbands heart that bleeds for thee :
But be of comfort, God hath helpe in ſtore
For thofe that put affured truſt in him.
Deere wife, if they commit me to the Tower,
Come vp to London to your lifters hou ſe :
That being neere me, you may comfort me.
One ſolace finde I fetled in my ſoule,
That I am free from Treaſons very thought,

H

Onely

The first part of

Onely my conscience for the Goſpels ſake,
Is cause of all the troubles I ſuſtaine.

La. O my deere Lord, what ſhall betide of vs?
you to the Tower, and I turn'd out of doores,
Our ſubſtance ſeiz'd vnto his highneſſe vſe,
Euen to the garments longing to our backe.

Har. Patience good Madam, things at worſt will mend,
And if they do not, yet our liues may end.

Bish. Vrge it no more, for if an Angel ſpake,
I ſweare by ſweet S. Peters bleſſed keyes,
First goes he to the Tower, then to the ſtake.

Crom. But by your leaue, this warrant doth not ſtretch
To imprifon her.

Bish. No turne her out of doores,
Euen as ſhe is, and leade him to the Tower,
With guard enough, for ſeaue of reſcuing.

La. O God requite thee thou blood-thirsty man.

Cob. May it not be my Lord of Rocheſter?
Wherein haue I incurr'd your hate so farre,
That my appeale vnto the King's denide

Bish. No hate of mine, but power of holy Church,
Forbids all ſauour to ſalſe heretikes.

Cob. Your priuate malice more then publike power,
Strikes moſt at me, but with my life it ends.

Har. afide. O that I had the Bishop in that ſeare
That once I had his Sumner by our ſelues.

Cro. My Lord, yet grant one ſuite vnto vs all,
That this ſame ancient ſeruingman may waite
Vpon my Lord his mafter in the Tower.

Bish. This old ini quity, this heretike?
That in contempt of our Church diſcipline,
Compeld my Sumner to deuoure his proceſſe?
Old ruffian paſt-grace, vpſtart ſchifmaticke,
Had not the king pray'd vs to pardon ye,
Ye had fryed for't ye grizled heretike.

Har. Sblood my Lord byſhop ye wrong me, I am neither
he-

Sir John Old-Castle.

heretike nor puritane, but of the olde Church, Ile fweare,
drinke Ale,kiffe a wench,go to masse,eat fish all Lent, and
faft Fridayes with cakes and wine,fruite & spicery, shrieue
me of my old finnes afore Easter, and beginne newe before
Whitfontide.

Cre. A merry mad conceited knaue my Lord.

Har. That knaue was simply put vpon the byshop.

Bifh. Well, God forgiue him, and I pardon him :

Let him attend his master in the Tower,
For I in charity with his soule no hurt.

Cob. God bleffe my soule from such cold charity,

Bifh. To'th Tower with him, and when my leifure feru
I will examine him of Articles;

Looke my Lord Warden as you haue in charge

The Shrieue performe his office.

War. I my Lord. :

Enter Sumner with bookes.

Bifh. What bringt thou there? what, bookes of herefie ?

Sum. yea my Lord, here's not a Latine booke,

No not so much as our Ladies Pfalter :

Here's the Bible, the Teſtament, the Pſalmes in meeter,

The ſickmans ſalue, the Treasur[e] of Gladneſſe,

All English, no not so much but the Almanacke's English.

Bifh. Away with them, to'th fire with them Clun,

Now ſie vpon these vpſtart heretikes,

All English, burne them, burne them quickly Clun.

Harpoo. But do not Sumner as you'l anſwer it, for I haue there English bookes my Lord, that Ile not part withal for your byſhoppricke, Beuis of Hampton, Owleglasse, the frier and the boy, Ellen of Rumming, Robin-hood, and other ſuch godly ſtories, which if ye burne, by this fleſh ile make ye drinke their aſhes in S. Margets ale.

Exit

Enter the Bifhop of Rocheſter, with his men in
Liniery Coates.

I. Ser. Is it your honors pleasure we ſhall ſtay,
Or come backe in the afternoone to fetch you.

H 2

Bifh

The first part of

Bish. Now ye haue brought me heete into the Tower,
You may go backe vnto the Porters lodge,
Where if I haue occasion to employ you,
Ile fend some officer to call you to me.
Into the City go not, I command you,
Perhaps I may haue preſent neeſe to vſe you.

2. We will attend your honor heere without,

3. Come, wee may haue a quart of wine at the Role at Barking, and come backe an houre before he'l go.

1. We muſt hie vs then.

3. Let's away.

Exit

Bish. Ho, M. Lieutenant.

Lieu. Who cals there?

Bish. A friend of yours.

Lieu. My Lord of Rochefoster? your honors welcome.

Bish. Sir, here's my warrant from the counſell,
For conference with my John Old-castle,
Vpon some matter of great conſequence.

Lieu. Ho, my John.

Har. Who cals there?

Lieu. Harpoole, tell my John, that my Lord of Rochefoster
Comes from the counſell to confer with him.

Lieu, I thinke you may as ſafe without ſuſpition,
As any man in England as I heare,
For it was you that labour'd his commitment.

Bish. I did him and nothing repent it. I aſſure you.

Enter sir John Oldcastle.

M. Lieutenant I pray you give vs leaue,
I muſt confer heere with my John a little.

Lieu. With all my heart my Lord.

Har. aſide. My Lord be rul'd by me, take this occasion
while it is offered, and on my life your Lordship will escape

Cob. No more I say, peace left he should ſuſpeſt it.

Bish. Sir John, I am come to you from the Lordes of the Counſell, to know if you do recant your errors.

Cob. My Lord of Rochefoster on good aduice

Sir John Old-castle.

I see my error; but yet vnderstand me,
I meane not error in the faith I holde,
But error in submitting to your pleasure,
Therefore your Lordship without more to do,
Must be a meanes to helpe me to eſcape.

Bifh. What meanes thou heretike ?
Darſt thou but life thy hand againſt my calling ?

Cob. No not to hurt you for a thousand pound.

Har. Nothing but to borrow your upper garments a little, not a word more, peace for waking the children; there, put them on, dispatch my Lord, the window that goes out into the Leads is fure enough: and as for you, Ile bind you surely in the inner roome.

Cob. This is well begun, God ſend vs happy ſpeed,
Hard shift you ſee men make in time of neede.

Enter ſeruingmen againe.

1. I maruell that my Lord ſhould ſtay so long.

2. He hath ſent to ſeeke vs, I dare lay my life.

3. We come in good time, ſee where he is comming.

Har. I beſeech you good my Lord of Rocheſter, bee fa-
uourable to my Lord and maſter.

Cob. The inner roomes be verie hot and close,
I do not like this aire heere in the Tower.

Har. His caſe is hard my Lord: you ſhall safely get out of
the Tower, but I will downe vpon them, in which time get
you away. Hard vnder Ilſington waite you my comming, I
will bring my Lady readie with horſes to get hence.

Cob. Fellow, go backe againe vnto thy Lord, and counsel
him.

Har. Nay my good Lord of Rocheſter, Ile bring you to S.
Albons through the woods I warrant you.

Cob. Villaine away.

Har. Nay, ſince I am pаст the Towers libertie,
You part not so.

He drawes

Bifh. Clubs, clubs, clubs.

I Murther, murther, murther.

H3

2 Downe

e Tower,

the Role at
go.

Exit.

elcome,

Rochefter

ion,

u.

occafion
to wil eſcape
ct it.
rdes of the

I

The first part of

2 Downe with him.

Har. Out you cowardly rogues.

Co hh. escapes

Enter Lieutenant, and his men

Lieu. Who is so bold as dare to draw a sword
So neere vnto the entrance of the Tower.

1. This ruffian, feruant to fir Iohn Old-castle, was like to
haue flaine my Lord.

Lieu, Lay hold on him.

Har. Stand off if you loue your puddings.

Rochefter cals within.

Helpe, helpe, helpe, M. Lieutenant helpe.

Lieu. Whose that within? From treason in the Tower on
my life, looke in, whose that which cals?

Enter Rochester bound.

Lieu. Without your cloake my Lord of Rochester ?

Har. There now it workes, then let me speed,

For now's the fittest time to escape away.

Exit

Lieu. Why do you looke so gaffly and affrighted ?

Bish. Old castle that traitor and his man,
When you had left me to conferre with him,
Tooke, bound, and stript me as you see,
And left me lying in his inner chamber,
And so departed, and I

Lieu. And you ! Neere say that the Lord Cobhams man,
Did here set on you like to murther you.

1. And so he did.

Bish. It was vpon his master then he did,
That in the brawle the Traitor might escape.

Lieu. Where is this Harpoole ?

2. Here he was euen now,

Lieu. Where can you tell? They are both eſcap'd.
Since it ſo happens that he is eſcap'd,

I am glad you are a witneſſe of the fame :
It might haue eſſe bene laide vnto my charge,
That I had bene conſenting to the fact.

Bish. Come, ſearch ſhalbe made for him with expedition,
the

Sir John Old-castle.

the hauens I laid that hee shall not escape, and hue and cric
continue through England, to finde this damned daunge-
rous heretike.
exeunt.

Enter Cambridge, Scroope, and Gray, as in a Chamber, and sette
downe at a Table, consulting about their treason: King Harry &
Suffolke lifting at the doore.

Cam. In mine opinion, I Scroope hath well aduised,
Poyson will be the onely aptest meane,
And fittest for our purpose to dispatch him.

Gray. But yet there may be doubt in their deliueray,
Harry is wife, therefore Earle of Cambridge,
I judge that way not so conuenient.

Scr. What thinke yee then of this? I am his bedfellowe.
And vnuspected nightly sleepe with him.
What if I venture in those silent hours,
When sleepe hath fealed vp all mortall eyes
To murther him in bed? how like ye that?

Cam. Herein conflicts no safety for your selfe,
And you disclosed, what shall become of vs?
But this day (as ye know) he will aboord,
The winds so faire, and set away for France,
If as he goes, or entering in the ship
It might be done, then were it excellent.

Gra. Why any of these, or if you will,
Ile cause a present fitting of the Councell,
Wherein I will pretend some matter of such weight,
As needs must haue his royall company,
And so dispatch him in his Councell chamber.

Cam. Tush, yet I hear not any thing to purpose;
I wonder that Lord Cobham stayes so long,
His counfell in this cafe would much auaile vs.

The King steps in vpon them with his Lordes.

Scro. What shall we rife thus, and determine nothing?

Kiu. That were a shame indeede, no fit againe,
And you shall haue my counfell in this cafe :
If you can finde no way to kill the king,
Then

Then

The first part of

Then you shall see how I can further ye,
Scroopes way by poison was indifferent,
But yet being bed-fellow to the King,
And unexpected, sleeping in his bosome,
In mine opinion that's the likelier way.
For such false friends are able to do much,
And silent night is Treason's fittest friend.
Now, Cambridge in his fetting hence for France,
Or by the way, or as he goes aboard
To do the deed, that was indifferent too,
But somewhat doubtfull.

Marrie Lord Gray came verie neere the point,
To haue the King at Counsell, and there murder him,
As Cefar was amongst his deereft friends.
Tell me, oh tell me, you bright honors staines,
For which of all my kindnesſes to you,
Are ye become thus Traitors to your king?
And France muſt haue the spoile of Harries life.

All. Oh pardon vs dread Lord.

Kin. How, pardon ye? that were a fin indeede,
Drag them to death, which iuſtly they deferue:
And France ſhall deerely buy this villany,
So ſoone as we fet footing on her breſt.
God haue the praeſe for our deliuerance,
And next our thankes Lord Cobham is to thee,
True perfect mirror of Nobility.

Exit.

Enter the hoſt, L. Cobham, and Harpoole.

Hoſt. Sir, y'are welcome to this houſe, to such as is heere
with all my heart: but I feare your lodging wilbe the worſt.
I haue but two beds, and they are both in a chamber, & the
Carrier and his daughter lies in the one, and you and your
wife muſt lye in the other.

Cob. Faith fir, for my ſelfe I do not greatly paffe,
My wife is weary, and would be at reſt,
For we haue trauell'd very farre to day,
VV e muſt be content with ſuch as you haue.

Hoſſe.

Sir John Old-Castle.

Hoſt. But I cannot tell how to do with your man.

Har. What? haſt thou neuer an empty room in thy houſe for mee?

Hoſt. Not a bed introth. There came a poore Irish-man, and I lodg'd him in the barne, where he has faire ſtraw, wal- though he haue nothing eſſe.

Har. Well mine hoſſe, I prethee helpe me to a payre of cleane ſheets, and Ile go lodge with him.

Hoſt. By the maſſe that thou ſhalt, a good paire of hem-pen ſheets were nere layen in: Come.

Exeunt.

Enter Conſtable, Maior, and Watch.

Mai. What? haue you ſearcht the Towne?

Con. All the towne fir, we haue not left a houſe vnſearcht that vſes to lodge.

Mai. Surely my Lord of Rochester was then deceiu'd, Or ill inform'd of fir Iohn Old-castle, Or if he came this way, he's paſt the Towne, He could not eſſe haue ſcap'd you in the ſerch.

Con. The priuy watch hath bene abroad all night, And not a ſtranger lodgeth in the Towne But he is knowne; onely a luſty Priest We found in bed with a pretty wench, That ſayes ſhe is his wife, yonder at the ſheeres: But we haue charg'd the hoſſe with his forth comming To morrow morning.

Mai. What thinke you beſt to do?

Con. Faith M. maior, here's a few ſtragling houſes beyond the bridge, and a little Inne where Carriers vſe to lodge, al- though I thinke ſurely he would nere lodge there: but weel go ſearch, and the rather, because there came notice to the towne the laſt night of an Irish man, that had done a mur- ther whom we are to make ſearch for.

Mai. Come I pray you, and be circumſpect.

Con. First beſet the houſe, before you begin the ſearch.

Offi. Content, euery man take a ſeuerall place.

A noife within.

Keep,

The first part of

Keepe, keepe, strike him downe there, downe with him.

Enter Constable with the Irishman in Harp apparrell.

Con. Come you villanous hereticke, tell vs where your
master is.

Irish. Vat mester ?

Mai. Vat mester, you counterfet rebell ? This shall not
ferue your turne.

Irish. Be sent Patricke I ha no mester.

Con. Where's the Lord Cobham fir John Oldcastle, that
lately escaped out of the Tower.

Irish. Vat Lort Cobham ?

Mai. You counterfet this shall not ferue you, wee'l tor-
ture you. Wee'l make you to confesse where that arch-here-
tike is. Come bind him faft.

Irish. Ahone, ahone, ahone, a Cree.

Con. Ahone you crafty rafcall ?

Exeunt.

L. Cobham comes out stealing in his gowne.

Cob. Harpoole, Harpoole, I heare a maruellous noife a-
bout the houſe, God warrant vs, I feare wee are purſued :
what Harpoole ?

Har. within. Who cals there ?

Cob. Tis I, doſt thou not heare a noife about the houſe ?

Har. yes marry do I, zounds I cannot finde my hofe, this
Irish rafcall that lodg'd with mee all night, hath stollen my
apparrell, and has left me nothing but a lowſie mantle, and
a paire of broags. Get vp, get vp, and if the Carrier and, his
wench be aſleepe, change you with them as hee hath done
with me, and see if we can ſcape.

Noife heard about the houſe a pretty while, then enter the Conſtar-
ble meeting Harpoole in the Irishmans apparrell.

Con. Stand close, heere comes the Irishman that did the
murther, by all tokens this is he.

Mai. And perceiuing the houſe beſet, would get away :
ſtand firra.

Har. What art thou that bidſt me ſtand?

Con. I am the Officer, and am come to ſearch for an Irifh
man,

Sir John Old-Castle.

man, such a villaine as thy selfe, that haſt you murther'd a man
this laſt night by the highway.

Harp. Sblood Conſtable art thou madde ? am I an Irishman ?

Mai. Sirra, weele finde you an Irishman before we part !
Lay hold vpon him.

Con. Make him faſt, O thou bloody rogue !

Enter Lord Cobham and his Lady, in the Carrier
and wenches apparrell.

Cob. What will theſe Oſtlers ſleepe all day ?

Good morrow, good morrow, come wench come,
Saddle, saddle, now afore God too farre-dayes, ha?

Con. Who goes there ?

Mai. O tis Lancaſhire carrier, let him paſſe,

Cob. What, will no body ope the gates heere ?

Come, lets in t'ſtable to looke to our Capons.

The Carrier calling.

Hoſte, why Oſtler ?

Zwookes, heere ſuch a domination company of boyes :
A pox of this pigſtie at the houſe end,

It ſils all the houſe full of fleas, Oſtler, Oſtler.

Oſt. Who cals there? what would you haue ?

Club. Zwookes, do you rob your gueſts ?

Do you lodge rogues, and ſlaues, and ſcoundrels, ha ?

They ha ſtolne our clothes heere : why Oſtler ?

Oſt. A murren choke you, what a bauling you keepe.

Hoſt. How now? what would the Carrier haue?

Looke vp there.

Oſtler. They ſay that the man and the woman that lay by
them, haue ſtolne their clothes.

Hoſt. What, are the ſtrange folkes vp yet that came in ye-
fter night?

Con. What mine hoſt, vp so early ?

Hoſt. What M. Maior, and M. Conſtable ?

Mai. We are come to ſeeke for ſome ſusſected perſons,
and ſuch as heere we found haue apprehended.

Enter

The first part of

Enter Carrier and Kate in Cobham and Ladies apparrell.

Con. Who comes here?

Club. Who comes here? A plague found ome, you baule quoth a, ods hat Ile foreweare your houſe: you lodg'de a fellow and his wife by vs, that ha run away with our parrel and left vs ſuch gew-gawes here, come Kate, come to mee, thowſe dizeard yfaith.

Maior. Mine houſte, know you this man?

Hoſt. Yes maſter Maior, Ile giue my word for him, why neighbour Club, how comes this geare about?

Kate. Now a foule on't, I cannot make this gew-gawe ſtand on my head.

Con. How came this man and woman thus attyred?

Hoſt. Here came a man and woman hither this laſt night, which I did take for ſubſtantiall people, 'and lodg'de all in one chamber by theſe folkes: methinkes haue bin ſo bolde to change apparel, & gone away this morning ere they roſe

Mai. That was that traitor Oldcaſtle that thus eſcapt vs: make hue and cry yet after him, keepe faſt that traiterous rebell his ſeruant there: farewell mine houſte.

Car. Come Kate Owdham, thou and Iſe trimly dizard.

Kate. Iſaith neame Club, Iſe wot nere what to do, Iſe be ſo flowted and ſo ſhowted at: but by'th meſſe Iſe cry. Exit

Enter Priest and Doll.

Pri. Come Dol, come, be merry wench.
Farewell Kent, we are not for thee.
Be luſty my Laffe, come for Lancaſhire,
We muſt nip the Boung for theſe Crownes.

Doll. Why is all the gold ſpent already that you had the other day.

Pri. Gone Doll, gone; flowne, ſpent, vanifhed, the Diuell, drinke, and dice, has deuoured all.

Dol. You might haue left mee in Kent till you had beene better prouided.

Pri. No Dol, no, Kent's too hot Doll, Kent's too hot: the weather-cocke of Wrotham will crow no longer, we haue pluckt

Sir John Old-castle.

pluckt him, he has loft his feathers, I haue prun'd him bare
left him thrice, is moulted, is moulted wench.

Doll. I might haue gone to seruice againe, old M. Harpole
told me he would prouide me a mistris.

Pri. Peace Doll, peace; come mad wench, Ile make thee
an honest woman, weel into LancaSHire to our friends, the
troth is, Ile marry thee, we want but a little money, & mo-
ney we will haue I warrant thee: stay, who coms here? some
Irish villaine me thinkes that has flaine a man, and nowe is
rifling on him, stand close Dol, wee'l see the end.

Enter the Irishman with his dead master, and rifles him.

Irish. Alas poe mafter fir Rishard Lee, be S. Patricke is rob
and cut thy trote, for de fhaine, and dy mony, and dy golde
ring, be me truly is loue dee well, but now dow be kill dee,
be fhitten kanaue.

Pri. Stand firra, what art thou ?

Irish. Be S. Patricke mefter is poore Irishman, is a leufter.

Pri. Sirra, firra, y'are a damn'd rogue, you haue kild a man
heere, and rifled him of all that hee has : sblood you Rogue
deliuer, or Ile not leaue you so much as a haire aboue your
fhoulders, you whorſon Irish dog.

robs him

Irish. We's me S. Patricke, Iſe kill my meſter for ſhain and
his ring, and nows be rob of all, me's vndo.

Pri. Auant you Rafcal, go firra be walking: come Dol the
diuel laughs when one the eſe robbs another: come wench,
weel to S. Albons and reuel in our bower, my braue girle.

Dol. O thou art old fir John when al's done ifaith.

Enter the hoſt of the house with the Irishman.

Irish. Be me tro meſter is poore, Irishman, is want ludging,
is haue no mony, is ſtarue and colde, good meſter giue her
ſome meate, is famife and tye.

Hoſt. Faith fellow I haue no lodging, but what I keepe
for my gueſſe: as for meate thou ſhalt haue as much as ther
is, and if thou wilt lie in the barne, there's faire ſtrawe, and
roome enough.

Irish. Is tanke my meſter hertily.

Hoſt

The first part of

Hoſt. Ho Robin.

Rob. Who cals ?

Hoſt. Shew this poore Irishman to the barne, goe firrha.

*Enter Carrier and Kate.*

Club. Who's within heere? who lookes to the horſes?
Vds hat here's fine worke,the hens in the maunger, and the
hogges in the litter,a bots found you all,here's a houſe wel
lookt too yvaith.

Kate. Mas goffe Club, Iſe very cawd.

Club. Get in Kate. get in to fire and warme thee.

Iohn Oſtler ?

Hoſt. What gaffer Club, welcome to Saint Albons,
How do's all our friends in Lancaſhire ?

Club. Well God a mercy Iohn, how do's Tom ? where is
he ?

Oſt. Tom's gone from hence, he's at the three horſloues
at ſtony-Stratford: how does old Dicke Dun ?

Club. Vds hat old Dun has bin moyr'd in a ſlough in Brick
hil-lane: a plague found it, yonders ſuch abomination wea-
ther as was neuer ſeene.

Oſt. Vds hat Theeſe, haue one halſe pecke of peaſe and
oates more for that, as I am Iohn Oſtler, he has bin euer as
good a iade as euer traueld.

Cnb. Faith well ſaide old Iacke, thou art the old lad ſtill.

Oſt. Come gaffer Club, vnload, vnload, & get to ſupper.

*Enter Cobham and his Lady diſguſſd.*

Cob. Come Madam, happily eſcapt, heere let vs fit,
This place is farre remote from any path,
And heere awhile our weary limbes may reſt,
To take refreshing, free from the purſute

Of ſenuious Rochefter.

(mindes?)

La. But where my Lord, ſhal we find reſt for our diſquiet
There dwell vntamed thoughts that hardly ſtoope;
To such abafement of diſdained ragges:

We were not wont to trauell thus by night,
Especially on foote.

Cobham.

Sir John Old-castle.

Cob. No matter loue, extremities admit no better choife :
And were it not for thee, fay froward time
Impofd a greater taske, I would eſteeme it
As lightly as the winde that blowes vpon vs,
But in thy ſufferance I am doubly taskt,
Thou waſt not wont to haue the earth thy ſtoole,
Nor the moyſt dewy graſſe thy pillow, nor
Thy chamber to be the wide horizon.

La. How can it ſeeme a trouble, hauing you
A partner with me, in the worſt I ſeele?
No gentle Lord, your prefence would giue eafe
To death it ſelfe, ſhould he now ſeize vpon me:

Heres bread and cheeſe, and a bottle.

Behold what my fore-fight hath vndertane
For ſeare we faint, they are but homely cates,
Yet ſawc'd with hunger, they may ſeeme as ſweet
As greater dainties we were wont to taſte.

Cob. Praſe be to him, whose plenty ſends both this.
And all things eſſe our mortall bodies neede:
Nor ſcorne we this poore feeding, nor the ſtate
We now are in, for what is it on earth,
Nay vnder heauen, continues at a ſtay ?
Ebbes not the ſea when it hath ouerflowne ?
Followes not darkneſſe when the day is gone ?
And ſee we not ſometime the eye of heauen
Dim'd with ore-flying clouds? There's not that work
Of carefull Nature, or of cunning Art,
(How ſtrong, how beauteous, or how rich it be)
But fals in time to ruine: heere gentle Madame,
In this one draught I waſh my forrow downe.

drinkes.

La. And I encourag'd with your cheerefull ſpeech,
Will do the like.

Cob. Pray God poore Harpoole come,
If he ſhould fall into the Bishops handes,
Or not remember where we bad him meete vs;
It were the thing of all things eſſe, that now

Could