The Life of Sir John Oldcastle [19]
To apprehend him, but at weapon's point
Recover that and what he had beside.
Well met, sir John; betake ye to your tools
By torch light, for, master parson, you are he
That had my gold.
SIR JOHN.
Zounds, I won 't in play, in fair square play, of the
keeper of Eltham park; and that I will maintain with
this poor whinyard, be you two honest men to stand
and look upon's, and let's alone, and take neither part.
KING.
Agreed! I charge ye do not budget a foot.
Sir John, have at ye.
SIR JOHN.
Soldier, ware your sconce.
[Here, as they are ready to strike, enter Butler and draws
his weapon and steps betwixt them.]
BUTLER.
Hold, villains, hold! my Lords, what do you mean,
To see a traitor draw against the King?
SIR JOHN.
The King! God's will, I am in a proper pickle.
KING.
Butler, what news? why dost thou trouble us?
BUTLER.
Please it your Highness, it is break of day,
And as I scouted near to Islington,
The gray eyed morning gave me glimmering
Of armed men coming down Highgate hill,
Who by their course are coasting hitherward.
KING.
Let us withdraw, my Lords. Prepare our troops
To charge the rebels, if there be such cause.
For this lewd priest, this devilish hypocrite,
That is a thief, a gamester, and what not,
Let him be hanged up for example sake.
SIR JOHN.
Not so my gracious sovereign. I confess that I am
a frail man, flesh and blood as other are: but, set my
imperfections aside, by this light, ye have not a taller
man, nor a truer subject to the Crown and State, than
Sir John of Wrotham.
KING.
Will a true subject rob his King?
SIR JOHN.
Alas, twas ignorance and want, my gracious liege.
KING.
Twas want of grace. Why, you should be as salt
To season others with good document,
Your lives as lamps to give the people light,
As shepherds, not as wolves to spoil the flock.
Go hang him, Butler.
BUTLER.
Didst thou not rob me?
SIR JOHN.
I must confess I saw some of your gold. But, my dread
Lord, I am in no humor for death; therefore, save my life.
God will that sinners live; do not you cause me die. Once
in their lives the best may go astray, and if the world say
true, your self (my liege) have been a thief.
KING.
I confess I have,
But I repent and have reclaimed my self.
SIR JOHN.
So will I do, if you will give me time.
KING.
Wilt thou? My lords, will you be his sureties?
HUNTINGTON.
That when he robs again, he shall be hanged.
SIR JOHN.
I ask no more.
KING.
And we will grant thee that.
Live and repent, and prove an honest man,
Which when I hear, and safe return from France,
I'll give thee living: till then take thy gold;
But spend it better than at cards or wine,
For better virtues fit that coat of thine.
SIR JOHN.
Vivat Rex & curat lex! My liege, if ye have cause
of battle, ye shall see Sir John of Wrotham bestir
himself in your quarrel.
[Exeunt.]
ACT IV. SCENE II. A field of Battle near London.
[After an alarum enter Harry, Suffolk, Huntington,
Sir John, bringing forth Acton, Beverley, and Murley
prisoners.]
KING.
Bring in those traitors, whose aspiring minds
Thought to have triumpht in our overthrow.
But now ye see, base villains, what success
Attends ill actions wrongfully attempted.
Sir Roger Acton, thou retainst the name
Of knight, and shouldst be more discreetly tempered,
Than join with peasants: gentry is divine,
But thou hast made it more than popular.
ACTON.
Pardon, my Lord; my conscience urged me to it.
KING.
Thy conscience? then thy conscience is corrupt,
For in thy conscience thou art bound to us,
And in thy conscience thou shouldst love thy country;
Else what's the difference twixt a Christian
And the uncivil manners of the Turk?
BEVERLEY.
We meant no hurt unto your majesty,
But reformation of Religion.
KING.
Reform Religion? was it that ye sought?
I pray who gave you that authority?
Belike, then, we do hold the scepter up
And sit within the throne but for a cipher.
Time was, good subjects would make known their grief
And pray amendment,