whereas, before, our forefathers had no other
books but the score and the tally, thou hast
caused printing to be used; and, contrary to 40
the king his crown and dignity, thou hast built
a paper-mill. It will be proved to thy face that
thou hast men about thee that usually talk of
a noun and a verb, and such abominable words 44
as no Christian ear can endure to hear. Thou
hast appointed justices of peace, to call poor
men before them about matters they were not
able to answer. Moreover, thou hast put them 48
in prison; and because they could not read,
thou hast hanged them; when indeed only for
that cause they have been most worthy to live.
Thou dost ride in a foot-cloth, dost thou not? 52
Say. What of that?
Cade. Marry, thou ought'st not to let thy
horse wear a cloak, when honester men than
thou go in their hose and doublets. 56
Dick. And work in their shirt too; as myself,
for example, that am a butcher.
Say. You men of Kent,—
Dick. What say you of Kent? 60
Say. Nothing but this: 'tis bonaterra, mala gens.
Cade. Away with him! away with him! he
speaks Latin.
Say. Hear me but speak, and bear me where you will. 64
Kent, in the Commentaries Cæsar writ,
Is term'd the civil'st place of all this isle:
Sweet is the country, because full of riches;
The people liberal, valiant, active, wealthy; 68
39 the score and the tally; cf. n.
40 printing; cf. n.
41 king his: king's
43 usually: habitually
49 because . . . read: lacking 'benefit of clergy'
56 hose and doublets; cf. n.
65, 66 Cf. n.
