THE First part of the Contention betwixt the two famous hou ses of Yorke and Lancaster with the death of the good Duke Humphrey And the banishment and death of the Duke of Suffolke and the Tragical end of the prowd Cardinall of Winchester with the notable Rebellion of Iacke Cade And the Duke of Yorkes first clayme to the Crowne LONDON Printed by Valentine Simmes for Thomas Millington and are to be sold at his shop vnder S. Peters church in Cornewall 1600 The first part of the Contention of the two famous Houses of Yorke and Lancaster with the death of the good Duke Humphrey Enter at one doore King Henry the sixt and Humphrey Duke of Gloster the Duke of Somerset the Duke of Buckingham Cardinall Bewford and others Enter at the other doore the Duke of Yorke and the Marquesse of Suffolke and Queene Margaret and the Earle of Salisbury and Warwicke Suffolke AS by your high imperiall Maiesties command I had in charge at my depart for France As Procurator for your excellence To marry Princes Margaret for your grace So in the auncient famous Citie Towres In presence of the Kings of France Cyssile The Dukes of Orleance Calaber Brittaine and Alonson Seuen Earles twelue Barons and then the reuerend Bishops I did performe my taske and was espousde And now most humbly on my bended knees In sight of England and her royall Peeres Deliuer vp my title in the Queene Vnto your gracious excellence that are the substance Of that great shadow I did represent The haâ—â—â—â—st gift that euer Marquesse gaue The fairest Queene that euer King possest King Suffolke arise Welcom Queene Margaret to English Henries Court The greatest shew of kindnesse yet we can bestow Is this kind kisse O gracious God of heauen Lend me a heart repleate with thankfulnesse For in this beauteous face thou hast bestowd A world of pleasures to my perplexed soule Queene Th' excessiue loue I beare vnto your grace Forbids me to be lauish of my tongue Lest I should speake more then beseemes a woman Let this suffice my blisse is in your liking And nothing can make poore Margaret miserable Vnlesse the frowne of mightie Englands King King Her lookes did wound but now speech doth pierce Louely Queene Margaret sit downe by my side And vnckle Gloster and you lordly Peeres With one voice welcome my beloued Queene All. Long liue Queene Margaret Englands happinesse Queene We thanke you all Sound Trumpets Suffolke My lord Protector so it please your grace Here are the Articles confirm'd of peace Betweene our soueraigne and the French King Charles Till terme of eighteene months be full expirde Humphrey Inprimis It is agreed between the French king Charles and William de la Poole Marquesse of Suffolk embassador for Henry king of England that the said Henry shal wed and espouse the lady Margaret daughter to Raynard King of Naples Cyssels and Ierusalem and crown her Queen of England ere the 30. of the next moneth Item It is further agreed between them that the Dutches of Anioy and of Maine shal be released and deliuered ouer to the King her sa Duke Humprey left it fall Ki. How now vnkle what 's the matter that you stay so sodenly Hum. Pardon my Lord a sodain qualm came ouer my hart VVhich dimmes mine eies that I can see no more Vnckle of Winchester I pray you reade on Cardinal Item It is further agreed betweene them that the Dutches of Anioy and of Maine shal be released and deliuered ouer to the King her father and she sent ouer of the King of Englands owne proper cost and charges without dowry King They please vs well lord Marquesse kneel down we here create thee first Duke of Suffolke and girt thee with the sword Cosin of Yorke we here discharge your grace from being Regent in the parts of France till terme of 18 months be ful expirde Thankes vnckle Winchester Gloster Yorke and Buckingham Somerset Salsbury and Warwicke VVe thanke you all for this great fauour done In entertainement to my princely Queene Come let vs in and with all speede prouide To see her Coronation be performde Exit King Queene and Suffolke and Duke Humphrey staies all the rest Humph. Braue Peeres of England Pillers of the state To you Duke Humphrey must vnfolde his griefe VVhat did my brother Henry toyle himselfe And waste his subiects for to conquer France And did my brother Bedford spend his time To keepe in awe that stout vnruly Realme And haue not I and mine vnckle Bewford here Done all we could to keepe that land in peace And is all our labors then spent in vaine For Suffolke hethe new made duke that rules the roast Hath giuen away for our King Henries Queene The Dutches of Anioy and same vnto her father Ah lords fatall is this mariage canselling our states Reuersing Monuments of conquered France Vndoing all as none had nere beene done Card. VVhy how now cosin Gloster what needes this As if our King were bound vnto your will And might not do his will without your leaue Prowd Protector enuy in thine eies I see The big swolne venome of thy hatefull heart That dare presume gainst that thy soueraigne likes Hum. Nay my Lord t is not my words that troubles you But my presence prowd Prelate as thou art But I le be gone and giue thee leaue to speake Farewell my Lords and say when I am gone I prophecied France would be lost ere long Exit Duke Humphrey Card. There goes our protector in a rage My lords you know he is my great enemy And though he be Protector of the land And thereby couers his deceitfull thoughts For well you see if he but walke the streetes The common people swarme about him straight Crying Iesus blesse your royall excellence With God preserue the good Duke Humphrey And many things besides that are not knowne Which time will bring to light in smooth Duke Humphrey But I will after him and if I can I le lay a plot to heaue him from his seate Exit Cardinal Buck. But let vs watch this haughtie Cardinall Cosen of Somerset be rulde by me Wee le watch Duke Humphrey and the Cardinall too And put them from the marke they faine would hit Som. Thanks cosin Buckingham ioyne thou with me And both of vs with the Duke of Suffolke Wee le quickly heaue Duke Humphrey from his seate Buck. Content come let vs about it straight For either thou or I will be Pâ—â—â—â—ctor Exit Buckingham and Somerset Salsb Pride went before Ambition followes after Whilst these do seeke their owne preferments thus My lords let vs seeke for our countries good Oft haue I heard this haughtie Cardinal Sweare and forsweare himselfe and braue it out More like a Ruffin then a man of church Cosen Yorke the victories thou hast wonne In Ireland Normandie and in France Hath wonne thee immortall praise in England And thou braue Warwicke my thrice valiant sonne Thy simple plainnesse and thy
house-keeping Hath wonne thee credite amongst the couunon sort The reuerence of mine age and Neuels name Is of no little force if I commaund Then let vs ioyne all three in one for this That good Duke Humphrey may his state possesse But wherefore weepes Warwicke my noble sonne War For griefe that all is lost that Warwicke wonne Sonnes Anioy and Maine both giuen away at once Why Warwick did win them must that then which we won with our swords be giuen away with wordes Yorke As I haue read our Kings of England were woont to haue large dowries with their wiues but our king Henry giues away his owne Salsb Come sonnes away and looke vnto the maine War Vnto the Maine oh father Maine is lost VVhich Warwicke by maine force did win from France Maine chance father you meant but I meane Maine Which I wil win from France or els be slaine Exit Salsbury and Warwicke Yorke Anioy and Maine both giuen vnto the French Cold newes for me for I had hope of France Euen as I haue of fertill England A day will come when Yorke shall claime his owne And therefore I will take the Neuels parts And make a show of loue to prowd Duke Humphrey And when I spie aduantage claime the Crowne For that 's the golden marke I seeke to hit Nor shall prowd Lancaster vsurp my right Nor hold the scepter in his childish fist Nor weare the Diademe vpon his head Whose church-like humors fits not for a Crowne Then Yorke be still a while till time do serue Watch thou and wake when others be asleepe To prie into the secrets of the state Till Henry surfeiting in ioyes of loue With his new bride and Englands deare bought Queene And Humphrey with the Peeres be falne at iarres Then will I raise aloft the milke-white Rose With whose sweete smell the ayre shall be perfumde And in my Standard beare the Armes of Yorke To graffle with the house of Lancaster And force perforce I le make him yeeld the Crowne Whose bookish rule hath puld faire England downe Exit Yorke Enter Duke Humphrey and Dame Ellanor Cobham his wife Elnor Why droopes my Lord like ouer ripened corne Hanging the head at Cearies plenteous loade Whatseest thou Duke Humphrey King Henries Crowne Reach at it and if thine arme be too short Mine shall lengthen it Art not thou a Prince Vnckle to the King and his Protector Then what shouldst thou lacke that might content thy mind Humph. My louely Nell far be it from my heart To thinke of Treasons gainst my soueraigne lord But I was troubled with a dreame to night And God I pray it do betide no ill Elnor What drempt my lord Good Humphrey tel it me And I le interpret it and when that 's done I le tell thee then what I did dreame to night Humph. This night when I was laid in bed I dreampt that This my staffe mine Office badge in Court Was broke in two and on the ends were plac'd 〈…〉 of the Cardinall of Winchester 〈…〉 â—â—lliam de la Poole first Duke of Suffolke Elnor Tush my Lord this signifies nought but this That he that breakes a sticke of Glosters groue Shall for th' offence make forfeit of his head But now my lord I le tell you what I dreampt Me thought I was in the Cathedrall Church At Westminster and seated in the chaire Where the Kings and Queenes are crownde and at my feete Henry and Margaret with a crowne of gold Stood ready to set it on my princely head Humph. Fie Nell ambitious woman as thou art Art thou not second woman in this land And the Protectors wife belou'd of him And wilt thou still be hammering treason thus Away I say and let me heare no more Elnor How now my Lord what angry with your Nell For telling but her dreame the next I haue I le keepe to my selfe and not be rated thus Humph. Nay Nell I le giue no credit to a dreame But I would haue thee to thinke on no such things Enters a Messenger Messen And it please your grace the King and Queene tomorrow morning will ride a hawking to Saint Albones and craues your companie along with them Humph. With all my heart I will attend his grace Come Nell thou wilt go with vs I am sure exit Humphrey Elnor I le come after you for I cannot go before But ere it be long I le go before them all Despight of all that seeke to crosse me thus Who is within there Enter sir Iohn Hum. VVhat sir Iohn Hum what newes with you sir Iohn Iesus preserue your maiesty Elnor My maiestie why man I am but grace sir Iohn Yea but by the grace of God and Hums aduise Your graces state shall be aduanst ere long Elnor What hast thou conferd with Margery Iordane the cunning witch of Ely with Roger Bullinbrooke and the rest and will they vndertake to do me good sir Iohn I haue Madam and they haue promised me to raise a spirit from the depth of vnder ground that shall tell your grace all questions you demaund Elnor Thanks good sir Iohn some two daies hence I gesse Will fit our time then see that they be here For now the King is riding to Saint Albons And all the Dukes and Earles along with him When they be gone then safely they may come And on the backside of my Orchard here There cast their spells in silence of the night And so resolue of the thing we wish Till when drinke that for my saâ—â— and so farewell exit Elnor sir Iohn Now sir Iohn Hum no words but mum Seale vp your lips for you must silent be These gifts ere long will make me mighty rich The Dutches she thinkes now that all is well But I haue gold comes from another place From one that hyred me to set her on To plot these treasons gainst the King and Peeres And that is the mightie duke of Suffolke For he it is but I must not say so That by my meanes must worke the Dutches fall Who now by coniurations thinkes to raise But whist sir Iohn no more of that I trow For feare you lose your head before you go exit Enter two Petitioners and Peter the Armourer's man 1 Peti Come sirs let vs linger here abouts a while Vntill my Lord Protector come this way That we may shew his grace our seuerall causes 2 Peti I pray God saue the good Humphries life For but for him a many were vndone That can get no suâ—â—our in the Court But see where he comes with the Queene Enâ—â—r the Duke of Suffolke with the Queene and they take him for Duke Humphrey and giues him their writings 1 Peti Oh we are vndone this is the Duke of Suffolke Queen Now good felows whom wâ—â—ld you speak withal 2 Peti If it please your maiestie with my Lord Protectors Grace Queene Are your sutes to his grace let vs see them first Looke on them my Lord of Suffolke
Ay me the King is dead help help my lords Suff. Comfort my Lord gracious Henry comfort King What doth my Lord of Suffolke bid me comfort Came he euen now to sing a Rauens note And thinkes he that the cherping of a Wren By crying comfort through a hollow voice Can satissie my griefes or ease my heart Thou balefull messenger out of my sight For euen in thy eie-balls murther sits Yet do not go come Basaliske And kill the seely gazer with thy lookes Queene Why do you rate my lord of Suffolke thus As if that he had causde Duke Humphreys death The Duke and I too you know were enemies And you had best say that I did murther him King Ah woe is me for wretched Glosters death Queene Be wee for me more wretched then he was What dost thou turne away and hide thy face I am no loathsome leaper looke on me Was I for this nie wrackt vpon the sea And thrice by aukward winds driuen backe from Englands bounds What might it bode but that well foretelling Winds said secke not a scorpions neast Enter the Earles of Warwicke and Salsbury War My lord the Commons like an angry hiue ofbees Run vp and downe caring not whom they sting For good Humphreys death whom they report To be murthered by Suffolke and the Cardinal here King That he is dead good Warwicke is too true But how he died God knowes not Henry War Enter his priuy chamber my lord and view the body Good father stay you with the rude multitude til I returne Salsb. I will sonne exit Salsbury Warwicke drawes the curtaines and shewes Duke Humphrey in his bed King Ah vnckle Gloster heauen receiue thy soule Farewell poore Henries ioy now thou art gone War Now by his soule that tooke our shape vpon him To free vs from his fathers dreadful curse I am resolu'd that violent hands were laid Vpon the life of this famous Duke Suff. A dreadfull oath sworne with a solemne tongue What instance giues Lord Warwicke for these wordes War Oft haue I seene a timely parted ghost Of ashie semblance pale and bloudlesse But loe the bloud is setled in the face More better coloured then when he liude His well proportioned beard made rough and sterne His fingers spread abroad as one that graspt for life Yet was by strength surprisde the least of these are probable It cannot chuse but he was murthered Queene Suffolke and the Cardinall had him in charge And they I trust sir are no murtherers War Yea but t was well knowne they were not his friends And t is well seene he found some enemies Card. But haue you no greater proofes then these War Who sees a heifer dead and bleeding fresh And sees hard by a butcher with an axe But wil suspect t was he that made the slaughter Who finds the partrige in the puttockes neast But will imagine how the bird came there Although the Kite soare with vnbloudy beake Euen so suspitious is this Tragedie Queene Are you the Kite Bewford where 's your talants Is Suffolke the butcher where 's his Knife Suff. I weare no Knife to slaughter sleeping men But here 's a vengefull sword rusted with case That shall be scoured in his 〈…〉 heart That slanders me with murthers crimson badge Say if thou dare prowd Lord of Warwickshire That I am guilty in Duke Humphreys death exit Cardinall War What dares not Warwick if false Suffolk dare him Queene He dares not calme his contumelious spirit Nor cease to be an arrogant controwler Though Suffolke dare him twentie hundreth times War Madame be ye still with reuerence may I say it That euery word you speake in his defence Is slaunder to your royall maiestie Suff. Blunt witted lord ignoble in thy words If euer Lady wrongd her lord so much Thy mother tooke vnto her blamefull bed Some sterne vntutred churle and noble stocke Was graft with crab-tree slip whose fruite thou art And neuer of the Neuils noble race War But that the guilt of murther bucklers thee And I should rob the deaths man of his fee Quitting thee thereby of ten thousand shames And that my soueraignes presence makes me mute I would false murtherous coward on thy knees Make thee craue pardon for thy passed speech And say it was thy mother that thou meantst That thou thy selfe wast borne in bastardy And after all this fearefull homage done Giue thee thy hyre and send thy soule to hell Pernitious bloud-sucker of sleeping men Suff. Thou shouldst be waking whilst I shead thy bloud If from this presence thou dare go with me War Away euen now or I will drag thee hence Warwicke pulls him out Exit Warwicke and Suffolke and then all the Commons within cries downe with Suffolke downe with Suffolke And then enter againe the duke of Suffolke and Warwicke with their weapons drawne King Why how now lords Suff. The traiterous Warwicke with the men of Berry Set al vpon me mightie soueraigne The commons againe cries downe with Suffolke downe with Suffolke And enter from them the Earle of Salisbury Salsb My Lord the Commons sends you word by me That vnlesse false Suffolk here be done to death Or banished faire Englands territories That they will erre from your highnesse person They say by him the good Duke Humphrey died They say by him they feare the ruine of the Realme And therefore if you loue your subiects weale They wish you to banish him from forth the land Suff. Indeed t is like the Commons rude vnpolisht hinds Would send such message to their soueraigne But you my lord were glad to be imployd To trie how quaint an Orator you were But all the honor Salsbury hath got Is that he was the Lord Embassadour Sent from a sort of tinkars to the King The Commons cries an answere from the King my Lord of Salsbury King Good Salsbury go backe againe to them Tell them we thanke them for all their louing care And had not I beene cited thus by their meanes My selfe had done it therefore here I sweare If Suffolke be found to breathe in any place Where I haue rule but three daies more he dies exit Salsbury Queene Oh Henry reuerse the doome of gentle Suffolkes banishment King Vngentle Queene to cal him gentle Suffolke Speake not for him for in England he shall not rest If I say I may relent but if I sweare it is irreuocable Come Warwicke and go thou in with me For I haue great matters to impart to thee exit King and Warwicke manet Queene and Suffolke Queene Hell fire and vengeance go along with you There 's two of you the diuell make the third Fre womanish man canst thou not curse thy enemies Suff. A plague vpon them wherefore should I curse them Could curses kill as do the Mandrakes groanes I would inuent as many bitter termes Deliuered strongly through my fixed teeth With twice so many signes of deadly hate As leane facde Enuy in her loathsome caue My tongue should