George a Green, the Pinner of Wakefield

A pleasant conceyted Comedie of George a Greene , the Pinner of Wakefield . Enter the Earle of Kendall , with him the Lord Bonfild , Sir Gilbert Armestrong , and Iohn . Earle of Kendall . WElcome to Bradford , martiall gentlemen , L. Bonfild , & sir Gilbert Armstrong both , And all my troups , euen to my basest groome , Courage and welcome ; for the day is ours : Our cause is good , it is for the lands auayle : Then let vs fight , and dye for Englands good . Omnes . We will , my Lord . Kendall . As I am Henrie Momford , Kendals Earle , You honour me with this assent of yours , And here vpon my sword I make protest , For to relieue the poore , or dye myselfe : And know , my Lords , that Iames , the King of Scots , Warres hard vpon the borders of this land : Here is his Post : say , Iohn Taylour , What newes with King Iames ? Iohn Warre , my Lord : tell , and good newes I trow : For king Iame vowes to meete you the 26. of this month . God willing , marie doth he sir . Kendall . My friends , you see what we haue to winne . Well , Iohn , commend me to king Iames , And tell him I will meete him the 26. of this month , And all the rest : and so farewell . Exit Iohn . Bonfild , why standst thou as a man in dumps ? Courage : for if I winne , I le make thee Duke : I Henry Momford will be King my selfe , And I will make thee Duke of Lancaster , And Gilbert Armestrong Lord of Doncaster . Bonfild. Nothing , my Lord , makes me amazde at all , But that our souldiers findes our victuals scant : We must make hauocke of those countrey Swaynes : For so will the rest tremble and be afraid , And humbly send prouision to your campe . Gilb. My Lord Bonfild giues good aduice , They make a scorne and stand vpon the King : So what is brought , is sent from them perforce ; Aske Mannering else . Kend. What sayest thou , Mannering ? Man. When as I shew'd your high commission , They made this answere , Onely to send prouision for your horses . Kend. Well , hye thee to Wakefield , bid the Towne To send me all prouision that I want ; Least I , like martiall Tamberlaine , lay waste Their bordering Countries , And leauing none aliue that contradicts my Commission . Man. Let me alone , my Lord , I le make them Vayle their plumes : for whatsoere he be , The proudest Knight , Iustice , or other , that gaynsayeth Your word , He clap him fast , to make the rest to feare . Kend. Doe so Nick : hye thee thither presently , And let vs heare of thee againe to morrowe . Man. Will you not remooue , my Lord ? Kend. No : I will lye at Bradford all this night , And all the next : come , Bonfield , let vs goe , And listen out some bonny lasses here . Exeunt omnes . Enter the Iustice , a Townesman , George a Greene , and Sir Nicholas Mannering with his Commission . Iustice. M. Mannering , stand aside , whilest we conferre What is best to doe . Townesmen of Wakefield , the Earle of Kendall Here hath sent for victuals ; And in ayding him , we shewe our selues No lesse than traytours to the King : Therefore let me heare , Townesmen , What is your consents . Townes . Euen as you please we are all content . Iustice. Then M. Mannering we are resolu'd . Man. As howe ? Iustice. Marrie sir , thus . We will send the Earle of Kendall no victuals , Because he is a traytour to the King ; And in ayding him we shewe our selues no lesse . Man. Why , men of Wakefield , are you waxen madde ; That present danger cannot whet your wits , Wisely to make prouision of your selues ? The Earle is thirtie thousand men strong in power , And what towne so euer him resist , He layes it flat and leuell with the ground : Ye silly men , you seeke your owne decay : Therefore send my Lord such prouision as he wants , So he will spare your towne , and come no neerer Wakefield then he is . Iustice. Master Mannering , you haue your answere , You may be gone . Man. Well , Woodroffe , for so I gesse is thy name , I le make thee curse thy ouerthwart deniall ; And all that sit vpon the bench this day , Shall rue the houre they haue withstood my Lords Commission . Iustice. Doe thy worst , we feare thee not . Man. See you these seales ? before you passe the towne , I will haue all things my Lord doth want , Inspite of you . George a Greene . Proud dapper Iacke , vayle bonnet to The bench , That represents the person of the King ; Or sirra , I le lay thy head before thy feete . Man. Why , who art thou ? George . Why , I am George a Greene , True liegeman to my King , Who scornes that men of such esteeme as these , Should brooke the braues of any trayterous squire : You of the bench , and you my fellowe friends , Neighbours , we subiects all vnto the King , We are English borne , and therefore Edwards friends , Voude vnto him euen in our mothers wombe , Our mindes to God , our hearts vnto our King , Our wealth , our homage , and our carcases , Be all King Edwards : then sirra , we haue Nothing left for traytours , but our swordes , Whetted to bathe them in your bloods , And dye against you , before we send you any victuals . Iustice. Well spoken , George a Greene . Townes . Pray let George a Greene speake for vs . George . Sirra you get no victuals here , Not if a hoofe of beefe would saue your liues . Man. Fellowe , I stand amazde at thy presumption : Why , what art thou that darest gaynsay my Lord , Knowing his mighty puissance and his stroke ? Why , my friend , I come not barely of my selfe : For see , I haue a large Commission . George . Let me see it , sirra . Whose seales be these ? Man. This is the Earle of Kendals seale at armes , This Lord Charnel Bonfields , And this sir Gilbert Armestrongs . George . I tell thee , sirra , did good King Edwards sonne Seale a commission against the King his father , Thus would I teare it in despite of him , He teares the Commission . Being traytour to my Soueraigne . Man. What ? hast thou torne my Lord ; Commission ? Thou shalt rue it , and so shall all Wakefield . George . What , are you in choler ? I will giue you pilles To coole your stomacke . Seest thou these seales ? Now by my fathers soule , which was a yeoman , When he was aliue , eate them , Or eate my daggers poynt , proud squire . Man. But thou doest but iest , I hope . George . Sure that shall you see , before we two part . Man. Well , and there be no remedie , so George , One is gone : I pray thee no more nowe . George . O sir , if one be good , the others cannot hurt . So sir , nowe you may goe tell the Earle of Kendall , Although I haue rent his large Commission , Yet of curtesie I haue sent all his seales Backe againe by you . Man. Well , sir , I will doe your arrant . Exit . George . Nowe let him tell his Lord , that he hath Spoke with George a Greene , Right pinner of merrie Wakefield towne , That hath phisicke for a foole , Pilles for a traytour that doeth wrong his Soueraigne . Are you content with this that I haue done ? Iustice. I , content , George : For highly hast thou honourd Wakefield towne , In cutting of proud Mannering so short . Come , thou shalt be my welcome ghest to day ; For well thou hast deseru'd reward and fauour . Exeunt omnes . Enter olde Musgroue , and yong Cuddie his sonne . Cuddie . Nowe gentle father list vnto thy sonne , And for my mothers loue , That earst was blythe and bonny in thine eye , Graunt one petition that I shall demaund . Olde Musgroue . What is that , my Cuddie ? Cuddie . Father , you knowe the ancient enmitie of late , Betweene the Musgroues and the wily Scottes , Whereof they haue othe , Not to leaue one aliue that strides a launce . O Father , you are olde , and wayning age vnto the graue : Olde William Musgroue , which whilome was thought , The brauest horseman in all Westmerland , Is weake , and forst to stay his arme vpon a staffe , That earst could wield a launce : Then , gentle Father , resigne the hold to me ; Giue armes to youth , and honour vnto age . Mus. Auaunt , false hearted boy , my ioynts doe quake , Euen with anguish of thy verie words . Hath William Musgroue seene an hundred yeres ? Haue I bene feard and dreaded of the Scottes , That when they heard my name in any roade , They fled away , and posted thence amaine ? And shall I dye with shame nowe in mine age ? No , Cuddie , no , thus resolue I , Here haue I liu'd , and here will Musgroue dye . Exeunt omnes . Enter Lord Bonfild , Sir Gilbert Armestrong , M. Grime , and Bettris his daughter . Bon. Now , gentle Grime , God a mercy for our good chere , Our fare was royall , and our welcome great ; And sith so kindly thou hast entertained vs , If we returne with happie victorie , We will deale as friendly with thee in recompence . Grime . Your welcome was but dutie , gentle Lord : For wherefore haue we giuen vs our wealth , But to make our betters welcome when they come ? O , this goes hard when traytours must be flattered : But life is sweete , and I cannot withstand it . God ( I hope ) will reuenge the quarrell of my King . Gilb. What said you , Grime ? Grime . I say , sir Gilbert , looking on my daughter , I curse the houre that ere I got the girle : For sir , she may haue many wealthy suters , And yet she disdaines them all , to haue Poore George a Greene vnto her husband . Bonfild. On that , good Grime , I am talking with thy Daughter ; But she in quirkes and quiddities of loue , Sets me to schoole , she is so ouerwise . But , gentle girle , if thou wilt forsake The pinner , and be my loue , I will aduaunce thee high : To dignifie those haires of amber hiew , I le grace them with a chaplet made of pearle , Set with choice rubies , sparkes , and diamonds , Planted vpon a veluet hood to hide that head , Wherein two saphires burne like sparkling fire : This will I doe , faire Bettris , and farre more , If thou wilt loue the Lord of Doncaster . Bettris. Heigh ho , my heart is in a higher place , Perhaps on the Earle , if that be he , See where he comes , or angrie or in loue ; For why , his colour looketh discontent . Kendall . Come , Nick , followe me . Enter the Earle of Kendall and Nicholas Mannering . Bonfild. Howe nowe , my Lord ? what newes ? Kendall . Such newes , Bonfild , as will make thee laugh , And fret thy fill , to heare how Nick was vsde : Why , the Iustices stand on their termes ; Nick , as you knowe , is hawtie in his words ; He layd the lawe vnto the Iustices , With threatning braues , that one lookt on another , Ready to stoope : but that a churle came in , One George a Greene , the pinner of the towne . And with his dagger drawne layd hands on Nick , And by no beggers swore that we were traytours , Rent our Commission , and vpon a braue , Made Nick to eate the seales , or brooke the stabbe : Poore Mannering afraid , came posting hither straight . Bettris. Oh louely George , fortune be still thy friend , And as thy thoughts be high , so be thy minde , In all accords , euen to thy hearts desire . Bonfild. What sayes faire Bettris ? Grimes . My Lord , she is praying for George a Greene : He is the man , and she will none but him . Bonfild. But him ? why , looke on me , my girle : Thou knowest , that yesternight I courted thee , And swore at my returne to wedde with thee : Then tell me , loue , shall I haue all thy faire ? Bettris. I care not for Earle , nor yet for Knight , Nor Baron that is so bold : For George a Greene the merrie pinner , He hath my heart in hold . Bonfild. Bootlesse , my Lord , are many vaine replies . Let vs hye vs to Wakefield , and send her the pinners head . Kend. It shall be so . Grime , gramercie , Shut vp the daughter , bridle her affects , Let me not misse her when I make returne : Therefore looke to her , as to thy life , good Grime . Grime . I warrant you , my Lord . Ex. Grime & Bettris. Ken. And Bettris , leaue a base pinner , for to loue an Earle , Faine would I see this pinner George a Greene . It shall be thus : Nick Mannering shall leade on the battell , And we three will goe to Wakefield in some disguise : But howsoeuer , I le haue his head to day . Ex. omnes . Enter the King of Scots , Lord Humes , with souldiers and Iohnie . King . Why , Iohnie : then the Earle of Kendall is blithe , And hath braue men that troupe along with him . Iohnie . I marie , my liege , and hath good men That come along with him , And vowes to meete you at Scrasblesea , God willing . King . If good S. Andrewe lend King Iame leaue , I will be with him at the pointed day . But soft : whose pretie boy art thou ? Enter Iane a Barleys sonne . Ned. Sir , I am sonne vnto Sir Iohn a Barley , Eldest and all that ere my mother had , Edward my name . Iame. And whither art thou going , pretie Ned ? Ned. To seeke some birdes , and kill them , if I can : And now my scholemaster is also gone : So haue I libertie to ply my bowe : For when he comes , I stirre not from my booke . Iames. Lord Humes , but marke the visage of this child ; By him I gesse the beautie of his mother : None but Laeda could breede Helena . Tell me , Ned , who is within with thy mother . Ned. Not but her selfe and houshold seruants , sir : If you would speake with her , knocke at this gate . Iames. Iohnie , knocke at that gate . Enter Iane a Barley vpon the walles . Iane . O , I am betraide : what multitudes be these ? Iames. Feare not , faire Iane : for all these men are mine , And all thy friends , if thou be friend to me : I am thy louer Iames the King of Scottes , That oft haue sued and wooed with many letters , Painting my outward passions with my pen , When as my inward soule did bleede for woe : Little regard was giuen to my sute , But haply thy husbands presence wrought it : Therefore , sweete Iane , I fitted me to time ; And hearing that thy husband was from home , Am come to craue what long I haue desirde . Ned. Nay , soft you , sir , you get no entrance here , That seeke to wrong sir Iohn a Barley so , And offer such dishonour to my mother . Iames. Why , what dishonour , Ned ? Ned. Though young , yet often haue I heard My father say , No greater wrong than to be made cuckold . Were I of age , or were my bodie strong , Were he ten Kings , I would shoote him to the heart , That should attempt to giue sir Iohn the horne . Mother , let him not come in , I will goe lie at lockie Millers house . Iames. Stay him . Iane . I , well said , Ned , thou hast giuen the King His answere : For were the ghost of Cesar on the earth , Wrapped in the wonted glorie of his honour , He should not make me wrong my husband so : But good King Iames is pleasant , as I gesse , And meanes to trie what humour I am in ; Else would he neuer haue brought an hoste of men , To haue them witnes of his Scottish lust . Iames. Iane , in faith , Iane . Iane . Neuer reply : for I protest by the highest Holy God , That doometh iust reuenge for things amisse , King Iames of all men shall not haue my loue . Iames. Then list to me , Saint Andrewe be my boote , But I le rase thy castle to the verie ground , Vnlesse thou open the gate , and let me in . Iane . I feare thee not , King Iamie , doe thy worst : This castle is too strong for thee to scale : Besides , to morrowe will sir Iohn come home . Iames. Well , Iane , since thou disdainst King Iames loue , I le drawe thee on with sharpe and deepe extremes : For by my fathers soule , this brat of thine Shall perish here before thine eyes , Vnlesse thou open the gate , and let me in . Iane . O deepe extremes : my heart begins to breake : My little Ned lookes pale for feare . Cheare thee , my boy , I will doe much for thee . Ned. But not so much , as to dishonour me . Iane . And if thou dyest , I cannot liue , sweete Ned . Ned. Then dye with honour , mother , dying chaste . Iane . I am armed : My husbands loue , his honour , and his fame , Ioynes victorie by vertue . Nowe , King Iames , if mothers teares cannot alay thine ire , Then butcher him , for I will neuer yeeld : The sonne shall dye , before I wrong the father . Iames. Why then he dyes . Allarum within : Enter a Messenger . Messenger . My Lord , Musgroue is at hand . Iames. Who , Musgroue ? The deuill he is . Come , My horse . Exeunt omnes . Enter olde Musgroue with King Iames prisoner . Mus. Nowe , King Iames , thou art my prisoner . Iames. Not thine , but fortunes prisoner . Enter Cuddie . Cuddie . Father , the field is ours : their colours we Haue seyzed : And Humes is stayne : I slewe him hand to hand . Mus. God and Saint George . Cuddie . O father , I am sore athirst . Iane . Come in , young Cuddie , come and drinke thy fill : Bring in King Iame with you as a ghest : For all this broile was cause he could not enter . Exeunt omnes . Enter George a Greene alone . George . The sweete content of men that liue in loue , Breedes fretting humours in a restlesse minde , And fansie being checkt by fortunes spite , Growes too impatient in her sweete desires : Sweete to those men whome loue leades on to blisse , But sowre to me , whose happe is still amisse . Enter the Clowne . Ienkin. Marie amen , sir . George . Sir , what doe you crye , Amen at ? Ienkin. Why , did not you talke of loue ? George . Howe doe you knowe that ? Ienkin. Well , though I say it that should not say it , There are fewe fellowes in our parish , So netled with loue , as I haue bene of late . Geor. Sirra , I thought no lesse , when the other morning , You rose so earely to goe to your wenches . Sir , I had thought you had gone about my honest busines . Ienkin. Trow you haue hit it : for master , be it knowne To you , There is some good will betwixt Madge the Sousewife , And I , Marie she hath another louer . George . Canst thou brooke any riuals in thy loue ? Ien. A rider ? no , he is a sow-gelder , and goes a foote . But Madge pointed to meete me in your wheate close . Georg. Well , did she meete you there ? Ien. Neuer make question of that : And first I saluted her with a greene gowne , And after fell as hard a wooing , As if the Priest had bin at our backs , to haue married vs . Georg. What , did she grant ? Ien. Did she graunt ? Neuer make question of that : And she gaue me a shirt coler , Wrought ouer with no counterfet stuffe . Georg. What , was it gold ? Ien. Nay , t was better than gold . Georg. What was it ? Ien. Right Couentrie blew , Who had no sooner come there , but wot you who came by . Georg. No , who ? Ien. Clim the sow-gelder . Georg. Came he by ? Ien. He spide Madge and I sit together , He leapt from his horse , laid his hand on his dagger , and Began to sweare . Now I seeing he had a dagger , And I nothing but this twig in my hand , I gaue him faire words and said nothing . He comes to me and takes me by the bosome , You hoorsen shue , said he , hold my horse , And looke he take no colde in his feete . No marie shall he sir , quoth I , I le lay my cloake vnderneath him : I tooke my cloake , spread it all along , And his horse on the midst of it . Georg. Thou clowne , didst thou set his horse vpon Thy cloake ? Ien. I , but marke how I serued him : Madge and he was no sooner gone downe into the ditch , But I plucked out my knife , Cut foure hoales in my cloake , and made his horse stand On the bare ground . Geor. T was well done : now sir , go and suruay my fields : If you finde any cattell in the corne , to pound with them . Ien. And if I finde any in the pound , I shall turne them out . Exit Ienkin . Enter the Earle of Kendal , Lord Bonfield , sir Gilbert , all disguised , with a traine of men . Kend. Now we haue put the horses in the corne , Let vs stand in some corner for to heare , What brauing tearmes the pinner will breathe , When he spies our horses in the corne . Enter Iacke blowing of his horne . Ien. O master where are you ? we haue a prise . Georg. A prise , what is it ? Ienkin. Three goodly horses in our wheate close . George . Three horses in our wheat close ? whose be they ? Ienkin.

Marie that s a riddle to me : but they are there : Veluet horses , and I neuer sawe such horses before . As my dutie was , I put off my cappe , and said as followeth : My masters , what doe you make in our close ? One of them hearing me aske what he made there , held vp his head and neighed , and after his maner laught as heartily as if a mare had bene tyed to his girdle . My masters , said I , it is no laughing matter ; for if my master take you here , you goe , as round as a top , to the pound . Another vntoward iade hearing me threaten him to the pound , and to tell you of them , cast vp both his heeles , and let such a monstrous great fart ; that was as much as in his language to say , A fart for the pound , and a fart for George a Greene . Nowe I hearing this , put on my cap , blewe my horne , called them all iades , and came to tell you .

George . Nowe sir , goe and driue me those three horses To the pound . Ienkin. Doe you heare ? I were best take a constable With me . George . Why so ? Why , they being gentlemens horses , may stand on their Reputation , and will not obey me . George . Goe doe as I bid you , sir . Ienkin. Well , I may goe . The Earle of Kendall , the Lord Bonfild , and sir Gilbert Armestrong meete them . Kend. Whither away , sir ? Ienkin. Whither away ? I am going to put the horses In the pound . Kend. Sirra , those three horses belong to vs , and we put Them in , and they must tarrie there , and eate their fill . Ienkin. Stay , I will goe tell my master . Heare you , master ? we haue another prise : Those three horses be in your wheate close still , And here be three geldings more . George . What be these ? Ienkin. These are the masters of the horses . George . Nowe , gentlemen , I knowe not your degrees , But more you cannot be , vnlesse you be Kings , Why wrong you vs of Wakefield with your horses ? I am the pinner , and before you passe , You shall make good the trespasse they haue done . Kend. Peace , saucie mate , prate not to vs : I tell thee , pinner , we are gentlemen . George . Why sir , so may I sir , although I giue no armes . Kend. Thou ? howe art thou a gentleman ? Ienkin. And such is my master , and he may giue as good Armes , as euer your great grandfather could giue . Kend. Pray thee let me heare howe ? Ienkin. Marie my master may giue for his armes , The picture of Aprill in a greene ierkin , With a rooke on one fist , and an horne on the other : But my master giues his armes the wrong way ; For he giues the horne on his fist : And your grandfather , because he would not lose his Armes , Weares the horne on his owne head . Kend: Well pinner , sith our horses be in , In spite of thee they now shall feede their fill , And eate vntill our leasures serue to goe . George . Now by my fathers soule , Were good king Edwards horses in the corne , They shall amend the seath or kisse the pound , Much more yours sir , whatsoere you be . Kend. Why man , thou knowest not vs , We do belong to Henry Momford Earle of Kendal , Men that before a month be full expirde , Will be king Edwards betters in the land . Georg. King Edwards better , rebell , thou liest . George strikes him . Bonfild. Villaine , what hast thou done ? thou hast stroke An Earle . Geor. Why what care I ? A poore man that is true , Is better then an Earle , if he be false : Traitors reape no better fauours at my hands . Kend. I , so me thinks , but thou shalt deare aby this blow . Now or neuer lay hold on the pinner . Enter all the ambush . Georg. Stay , my Lords , let vs parlie on these broiles : Not Hercules against two , the prouerbe is , Nor I against so great a multitude . Had not your troupes come marching as they did , I would haue stopt your passage vnto London : But now I le flie to secret policie . Kend. What doest thou murmure , George ? George . Marie this , my Lord , I muse , If thou be Henrie Momford Kendals Earle , That thou wilt doe poore G. a Greene this wrong , Euer to match me with a troupe of men . Kend. Why doest thou strike me then ? Geor. Why my Lord , measure me but by your selfe : Had you a man had seru'd you long , And heard your foe misuse you behinde your backe , And would not draw his sword in your defence , You would cashere him . Much more , king Edward is my king : And before I le heare him so wrong'd , I le die within this place , And maintaine good whatsoeuer I haue said . And if I speake not reason in this case , What I haue said I le maintaine in this place . Bon. A pardon my Lord for this pinner , For trust me he speaketh like a man of worth . Kend. Well , George , wilt thou leaue Wakefielde and Wend with me , I le freely put vp all and pardon thee . Georg. I my Lord , considering me one thing , You will leaue these armes and follow your good king . Ken. Why George , I rise not against king Edward , But for the poore that is opprest by wrong , From whence came you ? where doe you dwell ? Wily . I am , forsooth , a semsters maide hard-by , That hath brought worke home to your daughter . Grime . Nay , are you not some craftie queane , That comes from George a Greene , that rascall , With some letters to my daughter ? I will haue you searcht . Wily . Alas , sir , it is Hebrue vnto me , To tell me of George a Greene , or any other : Search me good sir , And if you finde a letter about me , Let me haue the punishment that is due . Grime . Why are you mufled ? I like you the worse For that . Wily . I am not , sir , asham'd to shew my face , Yet loth I am my cheekes should take the aire , Not that I am charie of my beauties hue , But that I am troubled with the tooth-ach sore . Grime . A pretie wench of smiling countenance , Olde men can like , although they cannot loue , I , and loue , though not so briefe as yong men can . Well , goe in , my wench , and speake with my daughter . Exit . I wonder much at the Earle of Kendall , Being a mightie man , as still he is , Yet for to be a traitor to his king , Is more then God or man will well allow : But what a foole am I to talke of him ? My minde is more heere of the pretie lasse : Had she brought some fortie pounds to towne . I could be content to make her my wife : Yet I haue heard it in a prouerbe said , He that is olde , and marries with a lasse , Lies but at home , and prooues himselfe an asse . Enter Bettris in Wilies apparell to Grime How now , my wench , how is t ? what not a word ? Alas , poore soule , the tooth-ach plagues her sore . Well , my wench , here is an Angel for to buy thee And I pray thee vse mine house , The oftner the more welcome : farewell . Bettris. O blessed loue , and blessed fortune both . But Bettris , stand not here to talke of loue , But hye thee straight vnto thy George a Greene : Neuer went Roe-bucke swifter on the downes , Then I will trip it till I see my George . Enter the Earle of Kendall , L. Bonfield , sir Gilbert , and Ienkin the clowne . Kend. Come away Ienkin . Ien. Come , here is his house . Where be you , ho ? Georg. Who knocks there ? Kend. Heere are two or three poore men , father , Would speake with you . Georg. Pray giue your man leaue to leade me for t Kend. Goe , Ienkin , fetch him forth . Ien. Come , olde man . Enter George a Greene disguised . Kend. Father , heere is three poore men come to question Thee a word in secrete that concernes their liues . George . Say on my sonnes . Kend. Father , I am sure you heare the newes , How that the Earle of Kendal wars against the king , Now father we three are Gentlemen by birth , But yonger brethren that want reuenues , And for the hope we haue to be preferd , If that we knew that we shall winne , We will march with him : If not , we will not march a foote to London more . Therefore good father , tell vs what shall happen , Whether the King or the Earle of Kendal shall win . George . The king , my sonne . Kend. Art thou sure of that ? George . I , as sure as thou art Henry Momford , The one L. Bonfild , the other sir Gilbert . Kend. Why this is wondrous , being blinde of sight , His deepe perseuerance should be such to know vs . Gilb. Magike is mightie , and foretelleth great matters : In deede Father , here is the Earle come to see thee , And therefore good father fable not with him . George . Welcome is the Earle to my poore cell , And so are you my Lords : but let me counsell you , To leaue these warres against your king , And liue in quiet . Kend. Father , we come not for aduice in warre , But to know whether we shall win or leese . Georg. Lose gentle Lords , but not by good king Edward : A baser man shall giue you all the foile . Kend. I marie father , what man is that ? George . Poore George a Greene the pinner . Kend. What shall he ? George . Pull all your plumes , and sore dishonour you . Kend. He , as how ? George . Nay , the end tries all , but so it will fall out . Kend. But so it shall not by my honor Christ . I le raise my campe , and fire Wakefield towne , And take that seruile pinner George a Greene , And butcher him before king Edwards face . George . Good my Lord be not offended , For I speake no more then arte reueales to me : And for greater proofe , Giue your man leaue to fetch me my staffe . Kend. Ienkin , fetch him his walking staffe . Ien. Here is your walking staffe . George . I le proue it good vpon your carcases : A wiser wisard neuer met you yet , Nor one that better could foredoome your fall : Now I haue singled you here alone , I care not though you be three to one . Kend. Villaine , hast thou betraid vs ? Georg. Momford , thou liest , neuer was I traitor yet ; Onely deuis'd this guile to draw you on , For to be combatants . Now conquere me , and then march on to London : Least you be torne in peeces with shee deuils : Mistres Bettris , once , twice , thrice . He throwes the ground in , and she comes out . Oh is this no cunning ? George . Is this my loue , or is it but her shadow ? Ienkin. I this is the shadow , but heere is the substance . George . Tell mee sweete loue , what good fortune Brought thee hither : For one it was that fauoured George a Greene . Bettris. Both loue & fortune brought me to my George , In whose sweete sight is all my hearts content . Geor. Tell mee sweete loue , how camst thou from thy Fathers ? Bettris. A willing minde hath many slips in loue : It was not I , but Wily thy sweete boy . Geor. And where is Wily now ? Bettris. In my apparell in my chamber still . Geor. Ienkin , come hither : Goe to Bradford , And listen out your fellow Wily . Come , Bettris , let vs in , And in my cottage we will sit and talke . Exeunt omnes . Enter King Edward , the king of Scots , Lord Warwicke yong Cuddy , and their traine . Edward . Brother of Scotland , I doe hold it hard , Seeing a league of truce was late confirmde Twixt you and me , without displeasure offered , You should make such inuasion in my land , The vowes of kings should be as oracles , Not blemisht with the staine of any breach , Chiefly where fealtie and homage willeth it . Iames. Brother of England , rub not the sore afresh , My conscience grieues me for my deepe misdeede , I haue the worst , of thirtie thousand men , There scapt not full fiue thousand from the field . Edward . Gramercie , Musgroue , else it had gone hard . Cuddie , I le quite thee well ere we two part Iames. But had not his olde Father William Musgroue Plaid twice the man , I had not now bene here , A stronger man I seldome felt before , But one of more resolute valiance , Treads not I thinke vpon the English ground . Edward . I wot wel , Musgroue shall not lose his hier . Cuddie . And it please your grace , my father was Fiue score and three at Midsommer last past , Yet had king Iamie bene as good as George a Greene , Yet Billy Musgroue would haue fought with him . Edward . As George a Greene , I pray thee , Cuddie , Let me question thee , Much haue I heard since I came to my crowne , Many in manner of a prouerbe say , Were he as good as G. a Green , I would strike him sure : I pray thee tell me , Cuddie , canst thou informe me , What is that George a Greene . Cuddie . Know , my Lord , I neuer saw the man , But mickle talke is of him in the Country . They say he is the Pinner of Wakefield towne , But for his other qualities , I let alone . War. May it please your grace , I know the man too wel . Edward . Too well , why so , Warwicke ? War. For once he swingde me , till my bones did ake . Edward . Why , dares he strike an Earle ? Warw. An Earle my Lord , nay he wil strike a king , Be it not king Edward . For stature he is framde , Like to the picture of stoute Hercules , And for his carriage passeth Robin Hood . The boldest Earle or Baron of your land , That offereth scath vnto the towne of Wakefield , George will arrest his pledge vnto the pound , And who so resisteth beares away the blowes , For he himselfe is good inough for three . Edward . Why this is wondrous , my L. of Warwicke , Sore do I long to see this George a Greene . But leauing him , what shall we do , my Lord , For to subdue the rebels in the North ? They are now marching vp to Doncaster . Enter one with the Earle of Kendal prisoner . Soft , who haue we there ? Cuddie . Here is a traitour , the Earle of Kendal . Edward . Aspiring traitour , how darst thou once Cast thine eyes vpon thy Soueraigne , That honour'd thee with kindenes and with fauour ? But I will make thee buy this treason deare . Kend. Good my Lord . Edw. Reply not , traitour . Tell me , Cuddy , whose deede of honour Wonne the victorie against this rebell . Cuddy . George a Greene the Pinner of Wakefield . Edward . George a Greene , now shall I heare newes Certaine what this Pinner is : Discourse it briefly , Cuddy , how it befell . Cud. Kendall and Bonfild , with sir Gilbert Armstrong , Came to Wakefield Towne disguisd . And there spoke ill of your grace , Which George but hearing , feld them at his feete , And had not rescue come into the place , George had slaine him in his close of wheate . Edward . But Cuddy , canst thou not tell Where I might giue and grant some thing , That might please , & highly gratifie the pinners thoughts ? Cuddie . This at their parting George did say to me , If the king vouchsafe of this my seruice , Then gentle Cuddie kneele vpon thy knee , And humbly craue a boone of him for me . Edward . Cuddie , what is it ? Cuddie . It is his will your grace would pardon them , And let them liue although they haue offended . Edward . I thinke the man striueth to be glorious . Well , George hath crau'd it , and it shall be graunted , Which none but he in England should haue gotten . Liue Kendall , but as prisoner , So shalt thou end thy dayes within the tower . Kend. Gracious is Edward to offending subiects . Iames. My Lord of Kend . you are welcome to the court . Edward . Nay , but ill come as it fals out now , I , ill come in deede , were it not for George a Greene , But gentle king , for so you would auerre , And Edwards betters , I salute you both , And here I vowe by good Saint George , You wil gaine but litle when your summes are counted . I sore doe long to see this George a Greene : And for because I neuer saw the North , I will forthwith goe see it : And for that to none I will be knowen , We will disguise our selues and steale downe secretly , Thou and I king Iames , Cuddie , and two or three , And make a merrie iourney for a moneth . Away then , conduct him to the tower . Come on king Iames my heart must needes be merrie , If fortune make such hauocke of our foes . Ex. omnes . Enter Robin Hood , Mayd Marian , Scarlet , and Much the Millers sonne . Robin . Why is not louely Marian blithe of cheere ? What ayles my Lemman that she gins to lowre ? Say good Marian why art thou so sad . Marian . Nothing , my Robin , grieues me to the heart , But whensoeuer I doe walke abroad , I heare no songs but all of George a Greene , Bettris his faire Lemman passeth me . And this my Robin gaules my very soule . Robin . Content , what wreakes it vs though George a Greene be stoute , So long as he doth proffer vs no scath ? Enuie doth seldome hurt but to it selfe , And therefore , Marian , smile vpon thy Robin . Marian . Neuer will Marian smile vpon her Robin , Nor lie with him vnder the green wood shade , Till that thou go to Wakefield on a greene , And beate the Pinner for the loue of me . Robin . Content thee , Marian , I will ease thy griefe , My merrie men and I will thither stray , And heere I vow that for the loue of thee , I will beate George a Greene , or he shall beate me . Scarlet . As I am Scarlet , next to little Iohn , One of the boldest yeomen of the crew , So will I wend with Robin all along , And try this Pinner what he dares do . Much . As I am Much the Millers sonne , That left my Mill to go with thee , And nill repent that I haue done , This pleasant life contenteth me , In ought I may to doe thee good , I le liue and die with Robin Hood . Marian . And Robin , Marian she will goe with thee , To see faire Bettris how bright she is of blee . Robin . Marian , thou shalt goe with thy Robin . Bend vp your bowes , and see your strings be tight , The arrowes keene , and euery thing be ready , I shall be turned out of mine office . Shoomaker . What is that , sir ? Ienkin. Whensoeuer I goe to fight with any bodie , I vse to flourish my staffe thrise about my head Before I strike , and then shew no fauour . Shoomaker . Well sir , and till then I will not strike thee . Ienkin. Wel sir , here is once , twice , here is my hand , I will neuer doe it the third time . Shoomaker . Why then I see we shall not fight . Ienkin. Faith no : come , I will giue thee two pots Of the best Ale , and be friends . Shoomak. Faith I see it is as hard to get water out of a flint , As to get him to haue about with me : Therefore I will enter into him for some good cheere : My friend , I see thou art a faint hearted fellow , Thou hast no stomacke to fight , Therefore let vs go to the Alehouse and drinke . Ienkin. Well , content , goe thy wayes and say thy prayers , Thou scapst my hands to day . Exeunt omnes . Enter George a Greene and Bettris. George . Tell me sweet loue , how is thy minde content , What canst thou brooke to liue with George a Greene ? Bettris. Oh George , how litle pleasing are these words ? Came I from Bradford for the loue of thee ? And left my father for so sweet a friend ? Here will I liue vntill my life doe end . Enter Robin Hood , and Marian , and his traine . George . Happy am I to haue so sweet a loue . But what are these come trasing here along ? Bettris. Three men come striking through the corne , My loue . George . Backe againe , you foolish trauellers , For you are wrong , and may not wend this way . Robin Hood . That were great shame . Now by my soule , proud sir , We be three tall yeomen , and thou art but one : Come , we will forward in despite of him . George . Leape the ditch , or I will make you skip . What , cannot the hie way serue your turne , But you must make a path ouer the corne ? Robin . Why , art thou mad ? dar'st thou incounter three ? We are no babes , man , looke vpon our limmes . Geo. Sirra , the biggest lims haue not the stourest hearts . Were ye as good as Robin Hood , and his three mery men , I le driue you backe the same way that ye came . Be ye men , ye scorne to incounter me all at once , But be ye cowards , set vpon me all three , And try the Pinner what he dares performe . Scarlet . Were thou as high in deedes , As thou art haughtie in wordes , Thou well mightest be a champion for a king : But emptie vessels haue the loudest sounds , And cowards prattle more than men of worth . George . Sirra , darest thou trie me ? Scarlet . I sirra , that I dare . They fight , and George a Greene beats him . Much . How now ? what art thou downe ? Come , sir , I am next . They fight , and George a Greene beates him . Robin Hood . Come sirra , now to me , spare me not , For I le not spare thee . George . Make no doubt , I will be as liberall to thee . They fight , Robin Hood stayes . Robin Hood . Stay , George , for here I doo protest , Thou art the stoutest champion that euer I layd Handes vpon . George . Soft you sir , by your leaue you lye , You neuer yet laid hands on me . Robin Hood . George , wilt thou forsake Wakefield , And go with me , Two liueries will giue thee euerie yeere , And fortie crownes shall be thy fee . George . Why , who art thou ? Robin Hood . Why , Robin Hood : I am come hither with my Marian , And these my yeomen for to visit thee . George . Robin Hood ? next to king Edward Art thou leefe to me : Welcome , sweet Robin , welcome , mayd Marian . And welcome , you my friends . Will you to my poore house , You shall haue wafer cakes your fill , A peece of beefe hung vp since Martlemas , Mutton and veale , if this like you not , Take that you finde , or that you bring for me . Robin Hood . Godamercies , good George , I le be thy ghest to day . George . Robin , therein thou honourest me . I le leade the way . Exeunt omnes . Enter King Edward , and King Iames disguised , with two staues . Edward . Come on , king Iames , now wee are Thus disguised , There is none ( I know ) will take vs to be kings : I thinke we are now in Bradford , Where all the merrie shoomakers dwell . Enter a Shoomaker . Shoomaker . Downe with your staues , my friends , Downe with them . Edward . Downe with our staues ? I pray thee , why so ? Shoomaker . My friend , I see thou art a stranger heere , Else wouldest thou not haue questiond of the thing . This is the towne of merrie Bradford , And here hath beene a custome kept of olde , That none may beare his staffe vpon his necke , But traile it all along throughout the towne , Vnlesse they meane to haue about with me . Edward . But heare you sir , hath the king Granted you this custome ? Shoomaker . King or Kaisar , none shall passe this way , Except King Edward , No not the stoutest groome that haunts his court : Therefore downe with your staues . Edward . What were we best to do ? Iames. Faith , my Lord , they are stoute fellowes . And because we will see some sport , We will traile our staues . Edward . Heer'st thou , my friend ? Because we are men of peace and trauellers , We are content to traile our staues . Shoomaker . The way lyes before you , go along . Enter Robin Hood and George a Greene disguised . Robin Hood . See George , two men are passing Through the towne , Two lustie men , and yet they traile their staues . George . Robin , they are some pesants Trickt in yeomans weedes . Hollo , you two trauellers . Edward . Call you vs , sir ? George . I , you . Are ye not big inough to beare Your bats vpon your neckes , But you must traile them along the streetes ? Edwar. Yes sir , we are big inough , but here is a custome Kept , that none may passe his staffe vpon his necke , Vnlesse he traile it at the weapons point . Sir , we are men of peace , and loue to sleepe In our whole skins , and therefore quietnes is best . George . Base minded pesants , worthlesse to be men , What , haue you bones and limmes to strike a blow , And be your hearts so faint , you cannot fight ? Wert not for shame , I would shrub your shoulders well , And teach you manhood against another time . Shoom. Well preacht sir Iacke , downe with your staffe . Edwar. Do you heare my friends ? and you be wise , Keepe downe your staues , For all the towne will rise vpon you . George . Thou speakest like an honest quiet fellow . But heare you me , In spite of all the swaines Of Dradford town , beare me your staues vpon your necks , Or to begin withall , I le baste you both so well , You were neuer better basted in your liues . Edward . We will hold vp our staues . George a Greene fights with the Shoomakers , and beates them all downe . George . What , haue you any more ? Call all your towne forth , cut , and longtaile . The Shoomakers spy George a Greene . Shoomaker . What , George a Greene , is it you ? A plague found you , I thinke you long'd to swinge me well . Come George , we wil crush a pot before we part . George . A pot you slaue , we will haue an hundred . Heere , Will Perkins , take my purse , Fetch me a stand of Ale , and set in the Market place , That all may drinke that are athirst this day , For this is for a free to welcome Robin Hood To Bradford towne . They bring out the stane of ale , and fall a drinking . Here Robin , sit thou here : for thou art the best man Edward . What is that ? Ienkin. Hearke in your eare . He whispers the king in the eare . Edward . Goe your wayes and do it . Ienkin. Come downe on your knees , I haue got it . Shoomaker . Let vs heare what it is first . Ienkin. Mary , because you haue drunke with the king , And the king hath so graciously pledgd you , You shall be no more called Shoomakers . But you and yours to the worlds ende , Shall be called the trade of the gentle craft . Shoomaker . I beseech your maiestie reforme this Which he hath spoken . Ienkin. I beseech your worship consume this Which he hath spoken . Edward . Confirme it , you would say . Well , he hath done it for you , it is sufficient . Come , George , we will goe to Grime , And haue thy loue . Ienkin. I am sure your worship will abide : For yonder is comming olde Musgroue , And mad Cuddie his sonne . Master , my fellow Wilie comes drest like a woman , And master Grime will marrie Wilie : Heere they come . Enter Musgroue and Cuddie , and master Grime , Wilie , Mayd Marian and Bettris. Edward . Which is thy old father , Cuddie ? Cuddie . This , if it please your maiestie . Edward . Ah old Musgroue , kneele vp , It fits not such gray haires to kneele . Musgroue . Long liue my Soueragine , Long and happie be his dayes : Vouchsafe , my gracious Lord , a simple gift , At Billy Musgroues hand : King Iames at Meddellom castle gaue me this , This wonne the honour , and this giue I thee . Edward . Godamercie , Musgroue , for this friendly gift , And for thou feldst a king with this same weapon , This blade shall here dub valiant Musgroue knight . Musgr. Alas what hath your highnes done ? I am poore . Edw. To mend thy liuing take thou Meddellom castle , The hold of both : and if thou want liuing , complaine , Thou shalt haue more to mainetaine thine estate . George , which is thy loue ? George . This , if please your maiestie . Edward . Art thou her aged father ? Grime . I am , and it like your maiestie . Edwar. And wilt not giue thy daughter vnto George ? Grime . Yes , my Lord , if he will let me marrie With this louely lasse . Edward . What sayst thou , George ? George . With all my heart , my Lord , I giue consent . Grime . Then do I giue my daughter vnto George . Wilie . Then shall the mariage soone be at an end . Witnesse , my Lord , if that I be a woman , For I am Wilie , boy to George a Greene , Who for my master wrought this subtill shift . Edwar. What , is it a boy ? what sayst thou to this Grime ? Grime . Mary , my Lord , I thinke this boy hath More knauerie , than all the world besides . Yet am I content that George shall both haue My daughter and my lands . Edward . Now George , it rest I gratifie thy worth : And therefore here I doe bequeath to thee , In full possession halfe that Kendal hath , And what as Bradford holdes of me in chiefe , I giue it frankely vnto thee for euer . Kneele downe George . George . What will your maiestie do ? Edward . Dub thee a knight , George . George . I beseech your grace , grant me one thing . Edward . What is that ? George . Then let me liue and die a yeoman still : So was my father , so must liue his sonne . For t is more credite to men of base degree , To do great deeds , than men of dignitie . Edward . Well , be it so George . Iames. I beseech your grace dispatch with me , And set downe my ransome . Edward . George a Greene , set downe the king of Scots His ransome . George . I beseech your grace pardon me , It passeth my skill . Edward . Do it , the honor 's thine . George . Then let king Iames make good Those townes which he hath burnt vpon the borders , Giue a small pension to the father lesse , Whose fathers he caus'd murthered in those warres , Put in pledge for these things to your grace , And so returne . King Iames , are you content . Iamie. I am content : and like your maiestie , And will leaue good castles in securitie . Edward . I craue no more . Now George a Greene , I le to thy house : and when I haue supt , I le go to Aske , And see if Iane a Barley be so faire , As good King Iames reports her for to be . And for the ancient custome of Vaile staffe , keepe it still Clayme priuiledge from me : If any aske a reason why ? or how ? Say , English Edward vaild his staffe to you . FINIS .