BROTHER.
That’s false.
CADE.
Ay, there’s the question; but I say ’tis true.
The elder of them, being put to nurse,
Was by a beggar-woman stolen away,
And, ignorant of his birth and parentage,
Became a bricklayer when he came to age.
His son am I; deny it if you can.
DICK.
Nay, ’tis too true; therefore he shall be King.
SMITH.
Sir, he made a chimney in my father’s house, and the bricks are alive at this day to testify it; therefore deny it not.
STAFFORD.
And will you credit this base drudge’s words,
That speaks he knows not what?
ALL.
Ay, marry, will we; therefore get ye gone.
BROTHER.
Jack Cade, the Duke of York hath taught you this.
CADE.
[Aside.] He lies, for I invented it myself.—Go to, sirrah, tell the King from me that, for his father’s sake, Henry the Fifth, in whose time boys went to span-counter for French crowns, I am content he shall reign, but I’ll be Protector over him.
DICK.
And furthermore, we’ll have the Lord Saye’s head for selling the dukedom of Maine.
CADE.
And good reason, for thereby is England mained and fain to go with a staff, but that my puissance holds it up. Fellow kings, I tell you that that Lord Saye hath gelded the commonwealth and made it an eunuch; and more than that, he can speak French, and therefore he is a traitor.