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Modern English
Up Fish Street! down Saint Magnus’ Corner! Kill and knock down! throw them into Thames!
Up Fish Street! down Saint Magnus’ Corner! Kill and knock them down! Throw them into the Thames!
What noise is this I hear? Dare any be so bold to sound retreat or parley, when I command them kill?
What’s that noise I hear? Is anyone bold enough to call a retreat or parley when I’ve ordered them to kill?
Ay, here they be that dare and will disturb thee: Know, Cade, we come ambassadors from the king Unto the commons whom thou hast misled; And here pronounce free pardon to them all That will forsake thee and go home in peace.
Yes, here they are, the ones who dare and will cause you trouble: Know this, Cade, we are messengers from the king To the common people you’ve misled; And we offer them a full pardon If they abandon you and go home in peace.
What say ye, countrymen? will ye relent, And yield to mercy whilst ’tis offer’d you; Or let a rebel lead you to your deaths? Who loves the king and will embrace his pardon, Fling up his cap, and say ’God save his majesty!’ Who hateth him and honours not his father, Henry the Fifth, that made all France to quake, Shake he his weapon at us and pass by.
What do you say, fellow countrymen? Will you change your minds, And accept mercy while it’s offered to you; Or let a rebel lead you to your deaths? Who loves the king and will accept his pardon, Throw up his cap, and shout ’God save the king!’ Who hates him and doesn’t honor his father, Henry the Fifth, who made all of France tremble, Let him shake his weapon at us and walk away.
God save the king! God save the king!
God save the king! God save the king!
What, Buckingham and Clifford, are ye so brave? And you, base peasants, do ye believe him? will you needs be hanged with your pardons about your necks? Hath my sword therefore broke through London gates, that you should leave me at the White Hart in Southwark? I thought ye would never have given out these arms till you had recovered your ancient freedom: but you are all recreants and dastards, and delight to live in slavery to the nobility. Let them break your backs with burthens, take your houses over your heads, ravish your wives and daughters before your faces: for me, I will make shift for one; and so, God’s curse light upon you all!
What, Buckingham and Clifford, are you so bold? And you, worthless peasants, do you really believe him? Will you let yourselves be hanged with your pardons around your necks? Has my sword broken through London’s gates, only for you to abandon me at the White Hart in Southwark? I thought you would never give up these weapons until you had regained your old freedom. But you’re all cowards and weaklings, and you love to live in slavery to the nobility. Let them break your backs with burdens, take your homes over your heads, rape your wives and daughters before your eyes: as for me, I’ll survive on my own; and may God’s curse fall on you all!
We’ll follow Cade, we’ll follow Cade!
We’ll follow Cade, we’ll follow Cade!
Is Cade the son of Henry the Fifth, That thus you do exclaim you’ll go with him? Will he conduct you through the heart of France, And make the meanest of you earls and dukes? Alas, he hath no home, no place to fly to; Nor knows he how to live but by the spoil, Unless by robbing of your friends and us. Were’t not a shame, that whilst you live at jar, The fearful French, whom you late vanquished, Should make a start o’er seas and vanquish you? Methinks already in this civil broil I see them lording it in London streets, Crying ’Villiago!’ unto all they meet. Better ten thousand base-born Cades miscarry Than you should stoop unto a Frenchman’s mercy. To France, to France, and get what you have lost; Spare England, for it is your native coast; Henry hath money, you are strong and manly; God on our side, doubt not of victory.
Is Cade the son of Henry the Fifth, That you shout you’ll follow him? Will he lead you through the heart of France, And make the poorest among you earls and dukes? Alas, he has no home, no place to run to; Nor does he know how to live except by plundering, Unless by robbing your friends and us. Isn’t it shameful that while you fight amongst yourselves, The feared French, whom you recently defeated, Could invade across the seas and conquer you? I already see them ruling the streets of London, Shouting ’Villain!’ at everyone they meet. Better ten thousand lowborn Cades fail Than you stoop to the mercy of the French. Go to France, go to France, and reclaim what you’ve lost; Spare England, for it’s your homeland; Henry has money, you are strong and brave; With God on our side, don’t doubt our victory.
A Clifford! a Clifford! we’ll follow the king and Clifford.
A Clifford! A Clifford! We’ll follow the king and Clifford.
Was ever feather so lightly blown to and fro as this multitude? The name of Henry the Fifth hales them to an hundred mischiefs, and makes them leave me desolate. I see them lay their heads together to surprise me. My sword make way for me, for here is no staying. In despite of the devils and hell, have through the very middest of you? and heavens and honour be witness, that no want of resolution in me. but only my followers’ base and ignominious treasons, makes me betake me to my heels.
Was there ever a crowd so easily swayed as this? The name of Henry the Fifth drags them into a hundred disasters, and makes them desert me in the process. I see them whispering to plan my capture. My sword, clear the way for me, for I cannot stay here. Despite the devils and hell, I have fought my way through the middle of you, and may heaven and honor witness that it’s not for lack of courage in me, but only because of the treachery of my followers, that I have to run away.
What, is he fled? Go some, and follow him; And he that brings his head unto the king Shall have a thousand crowns for his reward.
What, has he fled? Go, some of you, and follow him; And the one who brings his head to the king Shall receive a thousand crowns as a reward.
Follow me, soldiers: we’ll devise a mean To reconcile you all unto the king.
Follow me, soldiers: we’ll come up with a plan To reconcile you all to the king.