_Bevis._ O miserable age! virtue is not regarded in handicrafts-men.   ·bdb010· _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   [bdb015] 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,--   ·bdb020· _Bevis._ He shall have the skin 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.   ·bdb025· _Holl._ And Smith the weaver,--   [bdb026] _Bevis._ Argo, their thread of life is spun. _Holl._ Come, come, let’s fall in with them.   [bdb028] _Drum. Enter_ CADE, DICK Butcher, SMITH _the Weaver, and a Sawyer, with infinite numbers_. _Cade._ We John Cade, so termed of our supposed father,--   [bdb030] _Dick._ [_Aside_] Or rather, of stealing a cade of herrings.   [bdb031] _Cade._ For our enemies shall fall before us, inspired   [bdb032] with the spirit of putting down kings and princes,--Command   [bdb033] silence. _Dick._ Silence!   ·bdb035· _Cade._ My father was a Mortimer,-- _Dick._ [_Aside_] He was an honest man, and a good bricklayer. _Cade._ My mother a Plantagenet,-- _Dick._ [_Aside_] I knew her well; she was a midwife.   ·bdb040· _Cade._ My wife descended of the Lacies,-- _Dick._ [_Aside_] She was, indeed, a pedler’s daughter, and sold many laces. _Smith._ [_Aside_] But now of late, not able to travel with   [bdb044] her furred pack, she washes bucks here at home.   ·bdb045· _Cade._ Therefore am I of an honourable house. _Dick._ [_Aside_] Ay, by my faith, the field is honourable; and there was he born, under a hedge, for his father had never a house but the cage. _Cade._ Valiant I am.   ·bdb050· _Smith._ [_Aside_] A’ must needs; for beggary is valiant. _Cade._ I am able to endure much. _Dick._ [_Aside_] No question of that; for I have seen him whipped three market-days together. _Cade._ I fear neither sword nor fire.   ·bdb055· _Smith._ [_Aside_] He need not fear the sword; for his coat is of proof.   [bdb057] _Dick._ [_Aside_] But methinks he should stand in fear of fire, being burnt i’ the hand for stealing of sheep. _Cade._ Be brave, then; for your captain is brave, and   ·bdb060· vows reformation. There shall be in England seven half-penny loaves sold for a penny: the three-hooped pot shall have ten hoops; and I will make it felony to drink small beer: all the realm shall be in common; and in Cheapside shall my palfry go to grass: and when I am king, as king I   ·bdb065· will be,--   [bdb066] _All._ God save your majesty!