Page:Henry VI Part 2 (1923) Yale.djvu/108

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Cade. Nay, he nods at us; as who should say,

I'll be even with you: I'll see if his head will

stand steadier on a pole, or no. Take him away

and behead him.

Say. Tell me wherein have I offended most?

Have I affected wealth, or honour? speak.

Are my chests fill'd up with extorted gold?

Is my apparel sumptuous to behold?

Whom have I injur'd, that ye seek my death?

These hands are free from guiltless bloodshedding,

This breast from harbouring foul deceitful thoughts.

O! let me live.

Cade. [Aside.] I feel remorse in myself with

his words; but I'll bridle it: he shall die, an it

be but for pleading so well for his life. Away

with him! he has a familiar under his tongue;

he speaks not o' God's name. Go, take him

away, I say, and strike off his head presently;

and then break into his son-in-law's house, Sir

James Cromer, and strike off his head, and

bring them both upon two poles hither.

All. It shall be done.

Say. Ah, countrymen! if when you make your prayers,

God should be so obdurate as yourselves,

How would it fare with your departed souls?

And therefore yet relent, and save my life.

Cade. Away with him! and do as I com-

mand ye. [Exeunt some, with Lord Say.] The

proudest peer in the realm shall not wear a

head on his shoulders, unless he pay me tribute;

there shall not a maid be married, but she shall

 103 affected: set my heart on

107 guiltless bloodshedding: shedding of guiltless blood

113 familiar: attendant demon

114 o': in 