Page:Henry VI Part 2 (1923) Yale.djvu/70

58

I have seduc'd a headstrong Kentishman,

John Cade of Ashford,

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 kerns,

And fought so long, till that his thighs with darts

Were almost like a sharp-quill'd porpentine:

And, in the end being rescu'd, I have seen

Him caper upright like a wild Morisco,

Shaking the bloody darts as he his bells.

Full often, like a shag-hair'd crafty kern,

Hath he conversed with the enemy,

And undiscover'd come to me again,

And given me notice of their villainies.

This devil here shall be my substitute;

For that John Mortimer, which now is dead,

In face, in gait, in speech, he doth resemble.

By this I shall perceive the commons' mind,

How they affect the house and claim of York.

Say he be taken, rack'd, and tortured,

I know no pain they can inflict upon him

Will make him say I mov'd 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;

For, Humphrey being dead, as he shall be,

And Henry put apart, the next for me.

 356-359 Cf. n.

362 fought: i.e. have seen him fight

363 porpentine: porcupine

365 caper upright: leap up and down

Morisco: morris-dancer.

367 shag-hair’d: shaggy

379 great like: very likely 