Enter MESSENGER. Mes. Great lords, from Ireland am I come amain, To signify that rebels there are up, 'And put the Englishmen unto the sword: Send succours, lords, and stop the rage betime, For, being green, there is great hope of help. stop. What counsel give you in this weighty cause? York. That Somerset be sent as regent thither. 'Tis meet, that lucky ruler be employ'd: Witness the fortune he hath had in France. Som. If York, with all his far-fet policy, Had been the regent there instead of me, 'He never would have stay'd in France so long. ' York. No, not to lose it all, as thou hast done : 'I rather would have lost my life betimes, Than bring a burden of dishonor home, By staying there so long till all were lost. Show me one scar character'd on thy skin : "Men's flesh preserved so whole, do seldom win. "Q. Mar. Nay, then, this spark will prove a raging fire, "If wind and fuel be brought to feed it with. "No more, good York ;-sweet Somerset, be still : 1 Expeditious. Far-fetched. Thy fortune, York, hadst thou been regent there, Might happily have proved far worse than his. York. What, worse than naught? nay, then a shame take all! Som. And, in the number, thee, that wishest shame! 'Car. My lord of York, try what your fortune is. The uncivil kernes of Ireland are in arms, And temper clay with blood of Englishmen. To Ireland will you lead a band of men, Collected choicely, from each county some, And try your hap against the Irishmen ? York. I will, my lord, so please his majesty. Suf. Why, our authority is his consent; And, what we do establish, he confirms. Then, noble York, take thou this task in hand. ⚫ York. I am content: provide me soldiers, lords, 'Whiles I take order for mine own affairs. Suf. A charge, lord York, that I will see perform'd. But now return we to the false duke Humphrey. Car. No more of him; for I will deal with him, That, henceforth, he shall trouble us no more. And so break off; the day is almost spent: Lord Suffolk, you and I must talk of that event. 'York. My lord of Suffolk, within fourteen days, At Bristol I expect my soldiers; For there I'll ship them all for Ireland. Light-armed infantry. Suf. I'll see it truly done, my lord of York. [Exeunt all but York. 'York. Now, York, or never, steel thy fearful thoughts, And change misdoubt to resolution : Be that thou hopest to be, or what thou art Resign to death; it is not worth the enjoying: "Let pale-faced fear keep with the mean-born man, And find no harbor in a royal heart. Faster than spring-time showers, comes thought on thought; "And not a thought, but thinks on dignity. My brain, more busy than the laboring spider, "Weaves tedious snares to trap mine enemies. "Well, nobles, well; 'tis politicly done, "To send me packing with a host of men. 66 I fear me, you but warm the starved snake, Who, cherish'd in your breasts, will sting your hearts. "Twas men I lack'd, and you will give them me : 'I take it kindly, yet, be well assured, You put sharp weapons in a madman's hands. "I will stir up in England some black storm, "Shall blow ten thousand souls to heaven or hell: "And this fell tempest shall not cease to rage, Until the golden circuit on my head, "Like to the glorious sun's transparent beams, "Do calm the fury of this mad-bred flaw: A flaw is a violent gust of wind. 1 And, for a minister of my intent, I have seduced a head-strong Kentishman, To make commotion, as full well he can, 'Under the title of John Mortimer. "In Ireland have I seen this stubborn Cade Oppose himself against a troop of kernes; And fought so long, till that his thighs with darts "Were almost like a sharp-quill'd porcupine: And, in the end being rescued, I have seen him Caper upright like a wild Morisco,1 Shaking the bloody darts, as he his bells. "Full often, like a shag-hair'd crafty kerne, "Hath he conversed with the enemy; And undiscover'd come to me again, "And given me notice of their villanies. This devil here shall be my substitute; "For that John Mortimer, which now is dead, In face, in gait, in speech he doth resemble. Say, he be taken, rack'd, and tortured; 'I know, no pain, they can inflict upon him, • Will make him say-I moved him to those arms. Say, that he thrive, (as 'tis great like he will) Why, then from Ireland come I with my strength, And reap the harvest which that rascal sow'd: 1A Moor in the ancient morris-dance. For, Humphrey being dead, as he shall be, And Henry put apart, the next for me. [Exit. SCENE 11. Bury. A room in the palace. Enter certain MURDERERS, hastily. 1 Mur. Run to my lord of Suffolk; let him know, "We have despatch'd the duke, as he commanded. 2 Mur. O, that it were to do!-What have we 'Despatch'd this thing? 1 Mur. Now, sirs, have you Ay, my good lord, he's dead. 'Suf. Why, that's well said. Go, get you to my house : I will reward you for this venturous deed. 'The king and all the peers are here at hand. Have you laid fair the bed? are all things well, |