Page:Henry VI Part 2 (1923) Yale.djvu/93

King Henry the Sixth, IV. ii

to dress the commonwealth, and turn it, and set

a new nap upon it.

Holl. So he had need, for 'tis threadbare.

Well, I say it was never merry world in England

since gentlemen came up.

Bevis. O miserable age! Virtue is not regarded

in handicraftsmen.

Holl. The nobility think scorn to go in

leather aprons.

Bevis. Nay, more; the king's council are no

good workmen.

Holl. True; and yet it is said, 'Labour in thy

vocation': which is as much to say as, let the

magistrates be labouring men; and therefore

should we be magistrates.

Bevis. Thou hast hit it; for there's no better

sign of a brave mind than a hard hand.

Holl. I see them! I see them! There's

Best's son, the tanner of Wingham,—

Bevis. He shall have the skins of our enemies

to make dog's-leather of.

Holl. And Dick the butcher,—

Bevis. Then is sin struck down like an ox, and

iniquity's throat cut like a calf.

Holl. And Smith the weaver,—

Bevis. Argo, their thread of life is spun.

Holl. Come, come, let's fall in with them.

Cade. We John Cade, so termed of our sup-

posed father,

 11 came up: came into fashion

32 Argo: ergo, therefore 