Which commonweal, in other terms, is the king's. MESSENGER. The Justices and Sheriffs of Kent Sends greetings to your Honours here by me. [_Delivers a letter._ ARCH. My lords,[437] this brief doth openly unfold A dangerous task to us and all our trains, With speed let us impart the news Unto my lord the king, the fearful news That, whilst the flame doth but begin, Sad policy may serve to quench the fire: The Commons now are up in Kent; let us not Suffer this first attempt too far. TREAS. My friend, what power have they assembled in the field? MESS. My lord, a twenty thousand men or thereabout. SEC. See here the peril, that was late foreseen, Ready to fall on this unhappy land! What barbarous minds for grievance more than needs Unnaturally seek wreak on[438] their lord, Their true, anointed prince, their lawful king; So dare this blind, unshamefac'd multitude Lay violent hands, they wot not why nor where But be thou still, as best becometh thee, To stand in quarrel with thy natural liege, The sun may sometimes be eclips'd with clouds, But hardly may the twinkling stars obscure, Or put him out, of whom they borrow light. [_Exeunt._ _Enter_ JACK STRAW, WAT TYLER, HOB CARTER, TOM MILLER, _and_ NOBS. J. S. Ay, marry, Wat, this is another matter; methinks the world is changed of late, Who would live like a beggar, and may be in this estate? W. T. We are here four captains just, Jack Straw, Wat Tyler, Hob Carter, and Tom Miller: Search me all England, and find four such captains, and by Gog's blood, I'll be hanged. NOBS. So you will be nevertheless, I stand in great doubt. [_Aside._ H. C. Captain Straw and Captain Tyler, I think I have brought a company of Essex men for my train, That will never yield, but kill, or else be slain. T. M. And for a little captain I have the advantage of you all, For while you are fighting, I can creep into a quart pot, I am so small. NOBS. But, masters, what answer made Sir John Morton at Rochester? I heard say he would keep the castle still for the King's use? J. S. So he did, till I fetch'd him out by force; and I have his wife and children pledges for his speedy return from the king, to whom he is gone with our message. T. M. Let him take heed he bring a wise answer to our worships, or else his pledges goes to the pot. H. C. Captain Straw, how many men have we in the field? J. S. Marry, Captain Carter, about fifty thousand men. H. C. Where shall we pitch our tents to lie in safety?