Butch. [Aside.] Or rather, of stealing a cade 36
of herrings.
Cade. For our enemies shall fall before us,
inspired with the spirit of putting down kings
and princes,—Command silence. 40
Butch. Silence!
Cade. My father was a Mortimer,—
Butch. [Aside.] He was an honest man, and a
good bricklayer. 44
Cade. My mother a Plantagenet,—
Butch. [Aside.] I knew her well; she was a
midwife.
Cade. My wife descended of the Lacies,— 48
Butch. [Aside.] She was, indeed, a pedlar's
daughter, and sold many laces.
Weav. [Aside.] But now of late, not able to
travel with her furred pack, she washes bucks 52
here at home.
Cade. Therefore am I of an honourable
house.
Butch. [Aside.] Ay, by my faith, the field is 56
honourable; and there was he born, under a
hedge; for his father had never a house but the
cage.
Cade. Valiant I am. 60
Weav. [Aside.] A' must needs, for beggary
is valiant.
Cade. I am able to endure much.
Butch. [Aside.] No question of that, for I have 64
seen him whipped three market-days together.
Cade. I fear neither sword nor fire.
36 cade: barrel (containing 600 herrings)
38 For: because
fall: pun on Latin 'cado' meaning fall
48 Lacies: family name of the Earls of Lincoln
52 furred pack: waterproof pack, made of skin with the hair outward
washes bucks: takes in washing
59 cage: lock-up
61 A’ must needs: he must be
