William Shakespeare: King Henry VI, Second Part

ACT IV. 2. SCENE II. Blackheath. (continued)

CADE.
We John Cade, so term'd of our supposed father,--

DICK.
[Aside.] Or rather, of stealing a cade of herrings.

CADE.
For our enemies shall fall before us, inspired with the
spirit of putting down kings and princes,--Command silence.

DICK.
Silence!

CADE.
My father was a Mortimer,--

DICK.
[Aside.] He was an honest man and a good bricklayer.

CADE.
My mother a Plantagenet,--

DICK.
[Aside.] I knew her well; she was a midwife.

CADE.
My wife descended of the Lacies,--

DICK.
[Aside.] She was, indeed, a pedler's daughter, and sold
many laces.

SMITH.
[Aside.] But now of late, not able to travel with her
furred pack, she washes bucks here at home.

CADE.
Therefore am I of an honourable house.

DICK.
[Aside.] Ay, by my faith, the field is honourable; and
there was he born, under a hedge, for his father had never a
house but
the cage.

CADE.
Valiant I am.

SMITH.
[Aside.] A' must needs; for beggary is valiant.

CADE.
I am able to endure much.

DICK.
[Aside.] No question of that; for I have seen him whipped
three market-days together.

CADE.
I fear neither sword nor fire.

SMITH.
[Aside.] He need not fear the sword, for his coat is of
proof.

DICK.
[Aside.] But methinks he should stand in fear of fire,
being burnt i' the hand for stealing of sheep.