Act 4 - Scene 2

Blackheath.

Enter GEORGE BEVIS and JOHN HOLLAND

BEVIS

Come, and get thee a sword, though made of a lath;
they have been up these two days.

HOLLAND

They have the more need to sleep now, then.

BEVIS

I tell thee, Jack Cade the clothier means to dress
the commonwealth, and turn it, and set a new nap upon it.

HOLLAND

So he had need, for 'tis threadbare. Well, I say it
was never merry world in England since gentlemen came up.

BEVIS

O miserable age! virtue is not regarded in handicrafts-men.

HOLLAND

The nobility think scorn to go in leather aprons.

BEVIS

Nay, more, the king's council are no good workmen.

HOLLAND

True; and yet it is said, labour in thy vocation;
which is as much to say as, let the magistrates be
labouring 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.

HOLLAND

I see them! I see them! there's Best's son, the
tanner of Wingham,–

BEVIS

He shall have the skin of our enemies, to make
dog's-leather of.

HOLLAND

And Dick the Butcher,–

BEVIS

Then is sin struck down like an ox, and iniquity's
throat cut like a calf.