DUKE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY Treasure "Room °©m " <^r?*Cfl>£4/t s&/ i a:/s/y c/7 r/ /// ///f// V? t *J g^/* fi-viM*^ — Wat Tyler, a Dramatic Poem. Sherwood, Neeley and Jones, 1817. 12mo, uncut, 9s On Wat Tyler being pirated and, published by Sherwood, its Author, Southey, ap' plied for an injunction, which Chancellor Eldon refused to grant, on the ground of the mischievous tendency of the work. — Lowndes Wat Cpler. DRAMATIC POEM. IN THREE ACTS. iC Thus ever did rebellion find rebuke." Shakespeare. LONDON: PRINTED FOR SHERWOOD, NEELY, AND JONES, PATERNOSTER-ROW. 1817. i FROM HUME'S HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 1 he expenses of these armaments, and the usual want of ceconomy attending a minority, much exhausted the English treasury, and obliged the parliament, besides making some al- terations in the council, to impose a new and unusual tax of three groats on every person, male and female, above fifteen years of age ; and they ordained that, in levying that tax, the opulent should relieve the poor by an equitable compensation. This imposition produced a mutiny, which was singular in its circumstances. All history abounds with examples where the great tyrannise over the meaner sort. But here the lowest populace rose against their rulers, committed the most cruel ravages upon them, and took vengeance for all former oppres- sions. 6\ f% VI " The faint dawn of the arts and of good government in that age, had excited the minds of the populace in different states of Europe to wish for a better condition, and to murmur agaiost those chains which the laws, enacted by the haughty nobility and gentry, had so long imposed upon them. The commotions of the people in Flanders, the mutiny of the peasants in France, were the natural effects of this growing spirit of independence; and the report of these events being brought into England, where personal slavery, as we learn from Froissard, was more general than in any other country in Europe, had prepared the minds of the multitude for an insurrection. One John Ball also, a seditious preacher, who affected low popularity, went about the country, and inculcated on his audience the princi- ples of the first origin of mankind from one common stock, their equal right to liberty, and to all the goods of nature, the tyranny of artificial distinctions, and the abuses which had arisen from the degradation of the more considerable part of the species, and the aggrandizement of a few insolent rulers. These doctrines, so agreeable to the populace, and so con- formable to the ideas of primitive equality which are engraven in the hearts of men, were greedily received by the multitude; and scattered the seeds of that sedition, which the present tax raised into a conflagration.* * There were two verses at that time in the mouths of all the common people, which, in spite of prejudice, one cannot but regard with some de- gree of approbation : "When Adam delv'd and Eve span, Where was then the gentleman? Vll " The imposition of three groats a head had been farmed out to tax-gatherers in each county, who levied the money on the people with rigour; and the clause, of making the rich ease their poorer neighbours of some share of the bur- den, being so vague and indeterminate, had, doubtless, oc- casioned many partialities, and made the people more sensible of the unequal lot which fortune had assigned them in the dis- tribution of her favours. The first disorder was raised by a blacksmith, in a village of Essex. The tax-gatherers came to this man's shop while he was at work ; and they demanded pay- ment for his daughter, whom he asserted to be below the age assigned by the statute. One of these fellows offered to pro- duce a very indecent proof to the contrary, and at the same time laid hold of the maid : which the father resenting, immediately knocked out the ruffian's brains with his hammer. The by- standers applauded the action, and exclaimed, that it was full time for the people to take vengeance on their tyrants, and to vindicate their native liberty. They immediately flew to arms : the whole neighbourhood joined in the sedition: the flame spread in an instant over the county : it soon propagated itself into that of Kent, of Hertford, Surry, Sussex, Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridge, and Lincoln: before the government had the least warning of the danger, the disorder had grown beyond control or opposition. The populace had shaken off all regard to their former masters 5 and being headed by the most audacious and criminal of their associates, who assumed the feigned names of Wat Tyler, Jack Straw, Hob Carter, and Tom Miller, by which they were fond of denoting their mean origin, they committed 1 9 --.» ..«-. -J .._/ -. S» Vlll every where the most outrageous violence on such of the gen- try and nobility as had the misfortune to fall into their hands. " The mutinous populace, amounting to one hundred thou- sand men, assembled on Blackheath, under their leaders Tyler and Straw; and as the Princess of Wales, the Ring's mother, returning from a pilgrimage to Canterbury, passed through the midst of them, they insulted her attendants; and some of the most insolent among them, to shew their purpose of levelling all mankind, forced kisses from her ; but they allowed her to con- tinue her journey, without attempting any farther injury. They sent a message to the King, who had taken shelter in the Tower ; and they desired a conference with him. Richard sailed down the river in a barge for that purpose ; but on his ap- proaching the shore, he saw such symptoms of tumult and inso- lence, that he put back, and returned to that fortress. The seditious peasants, meanwhile, favoured by the populace of London, had broken into the city; had burned the Duke of Lancaster's Palace of the Savoy ; cut off the heads of all the gentlemen whom they laid hold of; expressed a particular animosity against the lawyers and attorneys ; and pillaged the warehouses of the rich merchants. A great body of them quartered themselves at Mile-end; and the King, finding no defence in the Tower, which was weakly garrisoned, and ill supplied with provisions, was obliged to go out to them, and ask their demands. They required a general pardon, the aboli- tion of slavery, freedom of commerce in market towns without toll or impost, and a fixed rent on lands, instead of the services IX due by villainage. These requests, which, though extremely reasonable in themselves, the nation was not sufficiently pre- pared to receive, and which it was dangerous to have extorted by violence, were however complied with; charters to that purpose were granted them ; and this body immediately dis- persed, and returned to their several homes. " During this transaction, another body of the rebels had broken into the Tower; had murdered Simon Sudbury, the Primate and Chancellor, with Sir Robert Hales, the Treasurer, and some other persons of distinction ; and continued their ravages in the city. " The King, passing along Smithfield, very slenderly guarded, met with Wat Tyler, at the head of these rioters, and entered into a conference with him. Tyler, having ordered his companions to retire till he should give them a signal, after which they were to murder all the company, except the King himself, whom they were to detain prisoner, feared not to come into the midst of the royal retinue. He there behaved him- self in such a manner, that Walworth, the Mayor of London, not able to bear his insolence, drew his sword, and struck him so violent a blow as brought him to the ground, where he was instantly despatched by others of the King's attendants. The mutineers, seeing their leader fall, prepared themselves for revenge ; and this whole company, with the King himself, had undoubtedly perished on the spot, had it not been for an extra- ordinary presence of mind which Richard discovered on the oc- casion. He ordered his company to stop ; he advanced alone to- wards the enraged multitude; and accosting them with an affable and intrepid countenance. He asked them — " What is the meaning of this disorder, my good people? Are ye angry that ye have lost your leader ? I am your King : I^will be your leader." The populace overawed by his presence, implicitly followed him : he led them into the fields, to prevent any disorder which might have arisen by their continuing in the city : being there joined by Sir Robert Knolles, and a body of well armed veteran soldiers, who had been secretly drawn together, he strictly pro- hibited that officer from falling on the rioters, and committing an undistinguished slaughter upon them ; and he peaceably dis- missed them with the same charters which had been granted to their fellows. Soon after, the nobility and gentry, hearing of the King's danger, in which they were all involved, flocked to London with their adherents and retainers ; and Richard took the field at the head of an army 40,000 strong. It then behov- ed all the rebels to submit. The charters of enfranchisement and pardon were revoked by parliament; the low people were reduced to the same slavish condition as before; and several of the ringleaders were severely punished for the late disorders. Some were even executed without process or form of law. It was pretended, that the intentions of the mutineers had been to seize the king's person, to carry him through England at their head, to murder all the nobility, gentry, and lawyers, and even all the bishops and priests, except the men- dicant friars; to despatch afterwards the king himself ; and having thus reduced all to a level, to order the kingdom at their pleasure. It is not impossible that many of them, in the delirium of their first success, might have formed such projects : but of all the evils incident to human society, the insurrections of the populace, where not raised and supported by persons of higher quality, are the least to be dreaded : the mischiefs consequent to an abolition of all rank and distinction become so great, that they are immediately felt, and soon bring affairs back to their former order and arrangement. WAT TYLER ACT I. SCENE, A BLACKSMITH S-SHOP. Wat Tyler at work within. A May-pole before the Door. Alice, Piers, Sfc. SONG. Cheerful on this holiday, Welcome we the merry May. On every sunny hillock spread, The pale primrose rears her head ; flich with sweets the western gale Sweeps along the cowslip'd dale. 2 WAT TYLER. [Act I. Every bank with violets gay, Smiles to welcome in the May. The linnet from the budding grove, Chirps her vernal song of love. The copse resounds the throstle's notes, On each wild gale sweet music floats ; And melody from every spray, Welcomes in the merry May. Cheerful on this holiday, Welcome we the merry May. [Dance. During the Dance, Tyler lays down his Hammer, and sits mournfully down before his Door. [ To him. HOB CARTER. Why so sad, neighbour ? — do not these gay sports, This revelry of youth, recall the days When we too mingled in the revelry ; Act I.] WAT TYLER. And lightly tripping in the morris dance Welcomed the merry month ? TYLER. Aye, we were young ; No cares had quell'd the hey-day of the blood : We sported deftly in the April morning, Nor mark'd the black clouds gathering o'er our noon ; Nor fear'd the storm of night. HOB. Beshrew me, Tyler, But my heart joys to see the imps so cheerful ! Young, hale, and happy, why should they destroy These blessings by reflection ? TYLER. Look ye, neighbour — You have known me long. b2 4 WAT TYLER. [Act I. HOB. Since we were boys together, And play'd at barley-brake, and danc'd the morris : — Some five-and-twenty years ! TYLER. Was not I young, And hale and happy ? HOB. Cheerful as the best. TYLER. Have not I been a staid, hard-working man ? Up with the lark at labour — sober — honest — Of an unblemish'd character ? HOB. Who doubts it, There's never a man in Essex bears a better. ActL] WAT TYLER. TYLER. And shall not these, tho' young, and hale and happy, Look on with sorrow to the future hour ? Shall not reflection poison all their pleasures ? When I — the honest, staid, hard-working Tyler, Toil thro' the long course of the summer's day, Still toiling, yet still poor ! when with hard labour Scarce can I furnish out my daily food — And age comes on to steal away my strength, And leave me poor and wretched ! why should this be ? My youth was regular — my labour constant — I married an industrious, virtuous woman ; Nor while I toiled and sweated at the anvil, Sat she neglectful of her spinning wheel. — Hob — I have only six groats in the world, And they must soon by law be taken from me. HOB. Curse on these taxes — one succeeds another — 6 WAT TYLER. [Act I. Our ministers — panders of a king's will — Drain all our wealth away — waste it in revels — And lure, or force away our boys, who should be The props of our old age ! — to fill their armies And feed the crows of France ! year follows year, And still we madly prosecute the war; — Draining our wealth — distressing our poor peasants- Slaughtering our youths — and all to crown our chiefs With Glory ! — I detest the bell-sprung name. TYLER. What matters me who wears the crown of France ? Whether a Richard or a Charles possess it ? They reap the glory — they enjoy the spoil — We pay — we bleed ! — The sun would shine as cheerly, The rains of heaven as seasonably fall, Tho* neither of these royal pests existed. HOB. Nay — as for.that, we poor men should fare better ! Act I.] WAT TYLER. No legal robbers then should force away The hard-earn'd wages of our honest toil. The Parliament for ever cries more money, The service of the state demands more money. Just heaven ! of what service is the state ? TYLER. Oh ! 'tis of vast importance! who should pay for The luxuries and riots of the court ? Who should support the flaunting courtier's pride, Pay for their midnight revels, their rich garments, Did not the state enforce? — Think ye, my friend, That I — a humble blacksmith, here at Deptford, Would part with these six groats — earn'd by hard toil, All that I have ! to massacre the Frenchmen, Murder as enemies men I never saw ! Did not the state compel me ? (Tax-gatherers pass by) There they go, Privileg'd r s ! — (Piers and Alice advance to him.) 8 WAT TYLER. [Act I. ALICE. Bid we not dance it well to-day, my father ? You know I always lov'd these village sports, Even from my infancy, and yet methinks I never tript along the mead so gaily. You know they chose me queen, and your friend Piers Wreath'd me this cowslip garland for my head — Is it not simple ? — you are sad, my father ! You should have rested from your work to-day, And given a few hours up to merriment — But you are so serious ! TYLER. Serious, my good girl ! I may well be so : when I look at thee It makes me sad ! thou art too fair a flower To bear the wintry wind of poverty I PIERS. Yet I have often heard you speak of riches Act L] WAT TYLER. Even with contempt : they cannot purchase peace, Or innocence ; or virtue — sounder sleep Waits on the weary plowman's lowly bed, Than on the downy couch of luxury Lulls the rich slave of pride and indolence. I never wish for wealth ! my arm is strong, And I can purchase by it a coarse meal, And hunger savours it. TYLER. Young man, thy mind Has yet to bear the hard lesson of experience. Thou art yet young, the blasting breath of want Has not yet froze the current of thy blood. PIERS. Fare not the birds well, as from spray to spray Blithsome they bound— yet find their simple food Scattered abundantly ? b 3 10 WAT TYLER. [Act I. TYLER. No fancied boundaries of mine and thine Restrain their wanderings : Nature gives enough For all ; but Man, with arrogant selfishness, Proud of his heaps, hoards up superfluous stores Robb'd from his weaker fellows, starves the poor, Or gives to pity what he owes to justice ! PIERS. So I have heard our good friend John Ball preach. ALICE. My father, wherefore was John Ball imprisoned r Was he not charitable, good, and pious ? I have heard him say that all mankind are brethren, And that like brethren tbey should love each other ;— Was not that doctrine pious ? TYLER. Rank sedition—- Act I.] WAT TYLER. 11 High treason, every syllable, my child ! The priests cry out on him for heresy, The nobles all detest him as a rebel, And this good man, this minister of Christ, This man, the friend and brother of mankind, Lingers in the dark dungeon ! — my dear Alice, Retire awhile. (Exit Alice.) Piers, I would speak to thee Even with a father's love ! you are much with me, And I believe do court my conversation ; Thou could'st not chuse thee forth a truer friend ; I would fain see thee happy, but I fear Thy very virtues will destroy thy peace. My daughter — she is young — not yet fifteen — Piers, thou art generous, and thy youthful heart Warm with affection ; this close intimacy Will ere long grow to love. PIERS. Suppose it so ; 12 WAT TYLER. [Act I. Were that an evil, Walter ? She is mild And cheerful, and industrious — now methinks With such a partner life would be most happy ! Why would you warn me then of wretchedness ? Is there an evil that can harm our lot ? I have been told the virtuous must be happy, And have believed it true ; tell me, my friend, What shall disturb the virtuous ? TYLER. Poverty — A bitter foe 1 PIERS. Nay, you have often told me That happiness does not consist in riches. TYLER. It is most true : but tell me, my dear boy, Could'st thou be happy to oehold thy wife Act I.] WAT TYLER. 13 Pining with want? — the children of your loves Clad in the squalid rags of wretchedness ? And when thy hard and unremitting toil Had earn'd with pain a scanty recompense, Could'st thou be patient when the law should rob thee,, And leave thee without bread, and pennyless ? PIERS. It is a dreadful picture. TYLER. 'Tis a true one. PIERS. But yet methinks our sober industry Might drive away the danger, 'tis but little That I could wish — food for our frugal meals* Raiment, however homely, and a bed To shield us from the night. , ; 14 WAT TYLER. [Act I. TYLER. i Thy honest reason Could wish no more : but were it not most wretched To want the coarse food for the frugal meal ? And by the orders of your merciless lord, If you by chance were guilty of being poor, To be turned out adrift to the bleak world, Unhoused, unfriended ? —Piers, I have not been idle, I never ate the bread of indolence — Could Alice be more thrifty than her mother ? Yet but with one child, and that one, how good Thou knowest, I scarcely can provide the wants Of nature : look at these wolves of the law, They come to drain me of my hard earnM wages. I have already paid the heavy tax Laid on the wool that clothes me— on my leather, On all the needful articles of life ! And now three groats (and I work'd hard to earn them) The Parliament demands — and I must pay them, Forsooth, for liberty to wear my head. — Act I.] WAT TYLER. 15 Enter Tax-gatherers. COLLECTOR. Three groats a head for all your family. PIERS. Why is this money gathered? — 'tis a hard tax Oa the poor labourer! — it can never be That government should thus distress the people. Go to the rich for money — honest labour Ought to enjoy its fruits. COLLECTOR. The state wants money. War is expensive — 'tis a glorious war, A war of honour, and must be supported. — Three groats a head. TYLER. There, three for my own head, Three for ray wife's 1 — what will the state tax next? 16 WAT TYLER. [Act I. COLLECTOR. You have a daughter. TYLER. She is below the age — not yet fifteen. COLLECTOR. You would evade the tax. — TYLER. Sir Officer, I have paid you fairly what the law demands. (Alice and her Mother enter the Shop. The Tax- gatherers go to her. One of them lays hold of her. She screams. Tyler goes in. J COLLECTOR. You say she's under age. (Alice screams again. Tyler knocks out the Tax- gatherer's Brains. His Companions fy % Act I.] WAT TYLER. 17 PIERS. A just revenge. TYLER. Most just indeed; but in the eye of the law *Tis murder — and the murderer's lot is mine. (Piers goes out J (Tyler sits down mournfully.) ALICE. Fly, my dear father! let us leave this place Before they raise pursuit. TYLER. Nay, nay, my child, Flight would be useless — I have done my duty, I have punish'd the brute insolence of lust* And here will wait my doom* IS WAT TYLER. [Act I. WIFE. Oh let us fly ! My husband, my dear husband! ALICE. ^Quit but this place, And we may yet be safe, and happy too. TYLER. It would be useless Alice — 'twould but lengthen A wretched life in fear. (Cry without.) Liberty! liberty! (Enter Mob, Hob Carter, kc.) (Cry) Liberty ! liberty !— No Poll tax !— No War ! HOB. We have broke our chains — we will arise in anger — The mighty multitude shall trample down The handful that oppress them. Act I.J WAT TYLER. 19 TYLER. Have ye heard So soon then of my murder ? HOB. Of your vengeance. Piers ran throughout the village — told the news — Cried out, to arms ! — arm, arm for Liberty ! For Liberty and Justice ! TYLER. My good friends, Heed well your danger, or be resolute ; Learn to laugh menaces and force to scorn, Or leave me. I dare answer the bold deed — Death must come once ; return you to your homes, Protect my wife and child, and on my grave Write why I died ; perhaps the time may come, When honest Justice shall applaud the deed. ** 20 WAT TYLER. [Act 'I. HOB. Nay, nay, — we are oppressed, and have too long Knelt at our proud lords' feet — we have too long Obey'd their orders — bow'd to their caprices — Sweated for them the wearying summer's day, Wasted for them the wages of our toil ; Fought for them, conquer'd for them, bled for them, Still to be trampled on and still despis'd ; But we have broke our chains. TOM MILLER. Piers is gone on Thro' all the neighbouring villages, to spread The glorious tidings. HOB. He is hurried on To Maidstone, to deliver good John Ball, Our friend, our shepherd. (Mob increases.) Apt I.] WAT TYLER, 21 TYLER. Friends and Countrymen, Will ye then rise to save an honest man From the fierce clutches of the bloody law ? — Oh do not call to mind my private wrongs, That the state drain'd my hard-earnM pittance from me ; That, of his office proud, the foul Collector Burst with lewd hand seize on my darling child, Insult her maiden modesty, and force A father's hand to vengeance ; heed not this : Think not, my countrymen, on private wrongs, Remember what yourselves have long endured. Think of the insults, wrongs, and contumelies, Ye bear from your proud lords — that your hard toil Manures their fertile fields — you plow the earth, You sow the corn, you reap the ripen'd harvest, — They riot on the produce ! — That, like beasts, They sell you with their land — claim all the fruits Which the kindly earth produces as their own. 22 WAT TYLER. [Act I. The privilege, forsooth, of noble birth ! On, on to Freedom ; feel but your own strength, Be but resolved, and these destructive tyrants Shall shrink before your vengeance. HOB. On to London — The tidings fly before us — the court trembles — Liberty ! — Vengeance ! — Justice ! END OF ACT THE FIRST. ACT IT. scene blackheath. Tyler, Hob, &c. SONG. ' When Adam delv'd, and Eve span, ■ Who was then the gentleman ?' Wretched is the infant's lot, Born within the straw-roof d cot ! Be he generous, wise, or brave, He must only be a slave. Long, long labour, little rest, Still to toil to be oppress'd ; Drain'd by taxes of his store, Punished next for being poor : 24 WAT TYLER. [Act II. This is the poor wretch's lot, Born within the straw-roof d cot. While the peasant works — to sleep ; What the peasant sows — to reap ; On the couch of ease to lie, Rioting in revelry ; Be he villain, be he fool, Still to hold despotic rule, Trampling on his slaves with scorn ; This is to be nobly born. ' When Adam delv'd, and Eve span, ' Who was then the gentleman ?' JACK STRAW. The mob are up in London — the proud courtiers Begin to tremble. Act II.] WAT TYLER. 85 TOM MILLER. Aye, aye, 'tis time to tremble ; Who'll plow their fields, who'll do their drudgery now ? And work like horses, to give them the harvest ? JACK STRAW. I only wonder we lay quiet so long. We had always the same strength, and we deserved The ills we met with for not using it, « HOB. Why do we fear those animals called lords t What is there in the name to frighten us ? Is not my arm as mighty as a Baron's ? Enter Piers and John Ball. PIERS (to Tyler). Have I done well, my father ? — I remember'd This good man lay in prison. tfl WAT TYLER. [Act II. TYLER. My dear child, Most well ; the people rise for liberty, And their first deed should be to break the chains That bind the virtuous : — O thou honest priest — How much hast thou endured ! JOHN BALL. Why aye my friend ! These squalid rags bespeak what I have suffered. I was reviPd — insulted — left to languish In a damp dungeon ; but I bore it cheerily — My heart was glad — for I have done my duty. I pitied my oppressors, and I sorrowed For the poor men of England. TYLER. They have felt Their strength — look round this heath ! tis thronged with men Act II.] WAT TYLER. Wl Ardent for freedom ; mighty is the event That waits their fortune. JOHN BALL. I would fain address them. TYLER. Do so, my friend, and teach to them their duty; Remind them of their long withholden rights. What ho there ! silence ! PIERS. Silence there, my friends, This good man would address you. HOB. Aye, aye, hear him — He is no mealy mouthed court orator, To flatter vice, and pamper lordly pride. c 2 23 WAT TYLER. [Act II, JOHN BALL. Friends ! Brethren ! for ye are my brethren all ; Englishmen met in arms to advocate The cause of freedom ! hear me ! pause awhile In the career of vengeance ; it is true I am a priest ; but, as these rags may speak, Not one who riots in the poor man's spoil, Or trades with his religion. I am one Who preach the law of Christ, and in my life, Would practise what he taught. The Son of God Came not to you in power : — humble in mien, Lowly in heart, the man of Nazareth Preach' d mercy, justice, love : " Woe unto ye, Ye that are rich : — if that ye would be saved, Sell that ye have, and give unto the poor." So taught the Saviour : oh, my honest friends ! Have ye not felt the strong indignant throb Of justice in your bosoms, to behold The lordly baron feasting on your spoils ? Act II] WAT TYLER. 29 Have you not in your hearts arraign'd the lot That gave him on the couch of luxury To pillow his head, and pass the festive day In sportive feasts, and ease, and revelry ? Have you not often in your conscience asVd Why is the difference, wherefore should that man No worthier than myself, thus lord it over me, And bid me labour, and enjoy the fruits ? The God within your breasts has argued thus ! The voice of truth has murmurM ; came ye not As helpless to the world ? — shines not the sun With equal ray on both ? — do ye not feel The self-same winds of heaven as keenly parch ye ? Abundant is the earth — the Sire of all Saw and pronounc'd that it was very good. Look round : the vernal fields smile with new flowers, The budding orchard perfumes the soft breeze, And the green corn waves to the passing gale. There is enough for all, but your proud baron Stands up, and, arrogant of strength, exclaims, 30 WAT TYLER. [Act II. " I am a lord — by nature I am noble : These fields are mine, for I was born to them, I was born in the castle — you, poor wretches, Whelp'd in the cottage, are by birth my slaves." Almighty God ! 6uch blasphemies are utter'd ! Almighty God! such blasphemies believ'd! TOM MILLER. This is something like a sermon. JACK STRAW. Where's the bishop Would tell you truths like these ? HOB. There was never a bishop among all the apostles. JOHN BALL. My brethren ! Act II.] WAT TYLER. 31 PIERS. Silence, the good priest speaks. JOHN BALL. My brethren, these are truths, and weighty ones : Ye are all equal ; nature made ye so. Equality is your birth-right ; — when I gaze On the proud palace, and behold one man In the blood-purpled robes of royalty, Feasting at ease, and lording over millions ; Then turn me to the hut of poverty, And see the wretched labourer, worn with toil, Divide his scanty morsel with his infants ; I sicken, and, indignant at the sight, u Blush for the patience of humanity." JACK STRAW. We will assert our rights. 32 WAT TYLER. [Act II. TOM MILLER. We'll trample down These insolent oppressors. JOHN BALL. In good truth Ye have cause for anger : but, my honest friends, Is it revenge or justice that ye seek? MOB. Justice, justice ! JOHN BALL. Oh then remember mercy ; And tho* your proud oppressors spar'd not you, Shew you excel them in humanity. They will use every art to disunite yon, To conquer separately, by stratagem, Whom in a mass they fear— but be ye firm— Act II.] WAT TYLER. 33 Boldly demand your long-forgotten rights, Your sacred, your inalienable freedom — Be bold — be resolute — be merciful ! And while you spurn the hated name of slaves, Shew you are men ! MOB. Long live our honest priest ! JACK STRAW. He shall be made archbishop. JOHN BALL. My brethren, I am plain John Ball, your friend, Your equal : by the law of Christ enjoined To serve you, not command. JACK STRAW. March we for London. e 3 34 WAT TYLER. [Act II. TYLER. Mark me, my friends — we rise for liberty — Justice shall be our guide : let no man dare To plunder in the tumult. MOB. Lead us on — Liberty ! — Justice ! (Exeunt, with cries of Liberty*-no Poll Tax — no War.) scene changes to the tower. King Richard, Archbishop of Canterbury, Sir John Tresilian, Walworth, Philpot. KING. What must we do ? the danger grows more imminent — The mob increases — Act II.] WAT TYLER. 3£ PHILPOT. Every moment brings Fresh tidings of our peril. KING. It were well To yield them what they ask. ARCHBISHOP. Aye, that my liege Were politic. Go boldly forth to meet them, Grant all they ask — however wild and ruinous — Mean time the troops you have already summoned, Will gather round them. Then my Christian power Absolves you of your promise. WALWORTH. Were but their ringleaders cut off— the rabble Would soon disperse. 36 WAT TYLER. [AcUlL PHILPOT. United in a mass There's nothing can resist them — once divide them, And they will fall an easy sacrifice. ARCHBISHOP. Lull them by promises — bespeak them fair — Go forth, my liege — spare not, if need requires, A solemn oath, to ratify the treaty. KING. I dread their fury. ARCHBISHOP. Tis a needless dread, There is divinity about your person ; It is the sacred privilege of Kings, Howe'er they act, to render no account To man. The people have been taught this lesson, Nor can they soon forget it. Act II,] WAT TYLER. $7 KING. I will go — I will submit to every thing they ask; My day of triumph will arrive at last. (Shouts without.) Enter Messenger. MESSENGER. The mob are at the city gates. ARCHBISHOP. Haste, haste, Address them ere too late. Til remain here, For they detest me much. (Shouts again.) Enter another Messenger. MESSENGER. The Londoners have opened the city gates, The rebels are admitted. 38 WAT TYLER. f Act It. KING. Fear then must give me courage : my Lord Mayor, Come you with me. (Exeunt, Shouts without.) SCENE — SM1THFIELD. Wat Tyler, John Ball, Piers, fyc. Mob. PIERS. So far triumphant are we : how these nobles, These petty tyrants, who so long oppress'd us, Shrink at the first resistance ! HOB. They were powerful Only because we fondly thought them so. Where is Jack Straw ? Actll] WAT TYLER. 39 TYLER. Jack Straw is gone to the tower To seize the king, and so to end resistance. JOHN BALL. It was well judg'd : fain would I spare the shedding Of human blood : gain we that royal puppet, And all will follow fairly : depriv'd of him, The nobles lose their pretext, nor will dare Rebel against the people's majesty. Enter Herald. HERALD. Richard the Second, by the grace of God, Of England, Ireland, France, and Scotland, King, And of the town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, Would parley with Wat Tyler. 40 WAT TYL1JR. [ActXl. TYLER. Let him know Wat Tyler is in Smithfield. (Exit Herald.) I will parley With this young monarch ; as he comes to me Trusting my honour, on your lives I charge you Let none attempt to harm him. JOHN BALL. The faith of courts Is but a weak dependence ! You are honest — And better is it even to die the victim Of credulous honesty, than live preserved By the cold policy that still suspects. Enter King, Walworth, Philpot, fyc. KING. I would speak to thee, Wat Tyler : bid the mob Retire awhile. Act II.] WAT TYLER. 41 PIERS. Nay, do not not go alone — Let me attend you. TYLER. Wherefore should I fear ? Am I not arm'd with a just cause ? — retire, And I will boldly plead the cause of Freedom. (Advances.) KING. Tyler, why have you kill'd my officer ? And led my honest subjects from their homes, Thus to rebel against the Lord's anointed ? TYLER. Because they were oppressM. KING. Was this the way « 42 WAT TYLER. [Act II. To remedy the ill ? — you should have tried By milder means — petition'd at the throne — The throne will always listen to petitions. TYLER. King of England, Petitioning for pity is most weak, The sovereign people ought to demand justice. I kill'd your officer, for his lewd hand Insulted a maid's modesty : your subjects I lead to rebel against the Lord's anointed, Because his ministers have made him odious : His yoke is heavy, and his burden grievous. Why do we carry on this fatal war, To force upon the French a king they hate ; Tearing our young men from their peaceful homes ; Forcing his hard-earn'd fruits from the honest peasant ; Distressing us to desolate our neighbours ? Why is this ruinous poll-tax imposed, Act II.] WAT TYLER. 43 But to support your court's extravagance, And your mad title to the crown of France ? Shall we sit tamely down beneath these evils Petitioning for pity ? King of England ! Why are we sold like cattle in your markets — Deprived of every privilege of man ? Must we lie tamely at our tyrant's feet, And, like your spaniels, lick the hand that beats us ? You sit at ease in your gay palaces, The costly banquet courts your appetite, Sweet music sooths your slumbers ; we the while, Scarce by hard toil can earn a little food, And sleep scarce sheltered from the cold night wind : Whilst your wild projects wrest the little from us Which might have cheer'd the wintry hour of age : The Parliament for ever asks more money : We toil and sweat for money for your taxes : Where is the benefit, what food reap we 44 WAT TYLER. [Act II. From all the councils of your government ? Think you that we should quarrel with the French ? What boots to us your victories, your glory ? We pay, we fight, you profit at your ease. Do you not claim the country as your own ? Do you not call the venison of the forest, The birds of heaven your own ? — prohibiting us, Even tho' in want of food, to seize the prey Which nature offers? — King! is all this just? Think you we do not feel the wrongs we suffer ? The hour of retribution is at hand, And tyrants tremble — mark me, King of England. WALWORTH. (Comes behind him, and stabs him.) Insolent rebel, threatening the King ! PIERS. Vengeance! vengeance! Act II.] WAT TYLER. 45 HOB. Seize the King. KING. I must be bold. (Advancing.) My friends and loving subjects, I will grant all you ask : you shall be free — The tax shall be repealed — all, all you wish. Your leader menaced me, he deserv'd his fate. Quiet your angers ; on my royal word Your grievances shall all be done away. Your vassalage abolish'd. — A free pardon Allow'd to all : so help me God it shall be. JOHN BALL. Revenge, my brethren, beseems not Christians. Send us these terms sign'd with your seal of state. We will await in peace : deceive us not. — Act justly, so to excuse your late foul deed. 46 WAT TYLER. [Act II. KING. The charter shall be drawn out : on mine honour, All shall be justly done. END OF ACT THE SECOND. act in. SCENE — SMITHFIELD. PIERS (meeting John Ball). You look disturb'd, my father ? JOHN BALL. Piers, I am so. Jack Straw has forced the tower: seized the Archbishop, And beheaded him. PIERS. The curse of insurrection ! JOHN BALL. Aye, Piers ! our nobles level down their vassals — 48 WAT TYLER. [ Act III. Keep them at endless labour like their brutes, Degrading every faculty by servitude : Repressing all the energy of mind. We must not wonder then, that like wild beasts, When they have burst their chains, with brutal rage They revenge them on their tyrants. PIERS. This Archbishop ! He was oppressive to his humble vassals : Proud, haughty, avaricious. — JOHN BALL. A true high priest ! Preaching humility with his mitre on ! Praising up alms and Christian charity Even whilst his unforgiving hand distressM His honest tenants. PIERS. He deserv'd his fate then. Act ILL] WAT TYLER. 49 JOHN BALL. Justice can never link with cruelty. Is there among the catalogue of crimes A sin so black that only Death can expiate ? Will Reason never rouse her from her slumbers, And darting thro' the veil her eagle eye, See in the sable garment of the law Revenge conceaPd ? — this high priest has been haughty — He has oppress'd his vassals : tell me, Piers, Does his Death remedy the ills he caused ? Were it not better to repress his power Of doing wrong — that so his future life Might expiate the evils of the past, And benefit mankind ? PIERS. But must not vice Be punished ? D 50 WAT TYLER. [Act III. JOHN BALL. Is not punishment revenge > The momentary violence of anger May be excus'd : the indignant heart will throb Against oppression, and the outstretch'd arm Resent its injured feelings: the Collector Insulted Alice, and roused the keen emotions Of a fond father. Tyler murder'd him. PIERS. Murder'd ! — a most harsh word. JOHN BALL. Yes, murder'd him : His mangled feelings prompted the bad act, And Nature will almost commend the deed That Justice blames : but will the awaken'd feelings Plead with their heart- emoving eloquence For the cool deliberate murder of Revenge ? Act III.] WAT TYLER. SI Would you, Piers, in your calmer hour of reason Condemn an erring brother to be slain ? Cut him at once from all the joys of life, All hopes of reformation ! to revenge The deed his punishment can not recall ? My blood boil'd in me at the fate of Tyler, Yet I revenged not. PIERS. Oh my Christian father ! They would not argue thus humanely on us, Were we within their power. JOHN BALL. I know they would not : But we must pity them that they are vicious, Not imitate their vice. PIERS. Alas, poor Tyler ! b2 52 WAT TYLER. [Act ILL I do repent me much that I stood back, When he advanced fearless in rectitude To meet these royal assassins. JOHN BALL. Not for myself, Tho' I have lost an honest virtuous friend, Mourn I the death of Tyler : he was one Gifted with the strong energy of mind, Quick to perceive the right, and prompt to act When Justice needed : he would listen to me With due attention, yet not yielding lightly What had to him seem'd good ; severe in virtue, He awed the ruder people whom he led By his stern rectitude. PIERS. Witness that day When they destroy'd the palace of the Gaunt ; And hurl'd the wealth his avarice had amass'd, Act III.] WAT TYLER. 53 Amid the fire : the people, fierce in zeal, Threw in the flames the wretch whose selfish hand Purloin'd amid the tumult. JOHN BALL. I lament The death of Tyler, for my country's sake. I shudder lest posterity enslav'd Should rue his murder ! — who shall now control The giddy multitude, blind to their own good, And listening with avidity to the tale Of courtly falsehood ! PIERS. The King must perform His plighted promise. (Cry without)— The Charter !— the Charter ! (Enter Mob and Herald. J 54 WAT TYLER. [Act III. TOM MILLER. Read it out — read it out. HOB. Aye, aye, let's hear the Charter. HERALD. Richard Plantagenet, by the grace of God, King of England, Ireland, France, Scotland, and the town of Berwick upon Tweed, to all whom it may concern, These presents, Whereas our loving subjects have com- plained to us of the heavy burdens they endure, par- ticularly from our late enacted poll-tax; and whereas they have risen in arms against our officers, and demanded the abolition of personal slavery, vassalage, and manorial rights ; we, ever ready in our sovereign mercy to listen to the petitions of our loving subjects, do annul all these grievances. Refill.] WAT TYLER. 55. MOB. Huzza ! long live the king ! HERALD. And do of our royal mercy, grant a free pardon to all who may have been any ways concernM in the late in- surrections. All this shall be faithfully performed on our royal word. So help us God. God save the King ! (Loud and repeated shouts,) HERALD. Now then depart in quiet to your homes. JOHN BALL. Nay, my good friend — the people will remain Embodied peaceably, till Parliament Confirm the royal charter : tell your king so : We will await the Charter's confirmation, 56 WAT TYLER. [Act III. Meanwhile comporting ourselves orderly As peaceful citizens, not risen in tumult, But to redress their evils. (Exit Herald, fyc. Hob, Piehs, and John Ball, remain.) HOB. 'Twas well order'd, I place but little trust in courtly faith. JOHN BALL. We must remain embodied ; else the king Will plunge again in royal luxury ; And when the storm of danger is past over, Forget his promises. HOB. Aye, like an aguish sinner, He'll promise to repent when the fit's on him, When well recover'd, laugh at his own terrors. Act III.] WAT TYLER. 57 PIERS. s Oh ! I am griev'd that we must gain so little ! Why are not all these empty ranks abolish'd, King, slave, and lord, " ennobl'd into MAN ?" Are we not equal all ? — have you not told me Equality is the sacred right of man, Inalienable, tho' by force withheld ? JOHN BALL. Even so : but Piers, my frail and fallible judgment Knows hardly to decide if it be right, Peaceably to return, content with little, With this half restitution of our rights, Or boldly to proceed thro' blood and slaughter, Till we should all be equal and all happy. I chose the milder way : — perhaps I erred. PIERS. I fear me — by the mass, the unsteady people i>3 53 WAT TYLER. [Act III, Are flocking homewards ! how the multitude Diminishes ! JOHN BALL. Go thou, my son, and stay them. Carter, do you exert your influence. All depends on their stay ; my mind is troubl'd, And I would fain compose my thoughts for action. (Exeunt Hob and PiersJ Father of mercies ! I do fear me much That I have err'd : thou gav'st my ardent mind To pierce the mists of superstitious falsehood ; — Gav'st me to know the truth. I should have urg'd it Thro' every opposition : now, perhaps, The seemly voice of pity has deceivM me, And all this mighty movement ends in ruin ! I fear me, I have been like the weak leech, Who, sparing to cut deep, with cruel mercy Mangles his patient without curing him. (Great tumult.) Act III.] ,WAT TYLER. 59 What means this tumult ? hark ! the clang of arms ! God of eternal justice! the false monarch Has broke his plighted vow ! Enter Piers, wounded. PIERS. Fly, fly, my father — the perjur'd king — fly ! fly ! JOHN BALL. Nay, nay, my child — I dare abide my fate, Let me bind up thy wounds. PIERS. 'Tis useless succour, They seek thy life ; fly, fly, my honour'd father. Fain would I die in peace to hope thee safe. I shall soon join thee, Tyler ! — they are murdering Our unsuspecting brethren : half unarm *d, Trusting too fondly to the tyrant's vows,, 60 WAT TYLER. [Act III. They were dispersing: — the streets swim with blood. Oh ! save thyself. Enter Soldiers. SOLDIER. This is that old seditious heretic. (Seizes John Ball.) SECOND SOLDIER. And here the young spawn of rebellion ; My orders ar'n't to spare him. (Stabs Piers.,) Come, you old stirrer-up of insurrection, You bell-wether of the mob — you ar'n't to die So easily. (They lead of John Ball — the tumult increases — Mob fly across the Stage — the Troops pursue them — loud cries and shouts.) Act III.] WAT TYLER. 61 scene — westminster-hall. King, Walworth, Philpot, Sir John Tresilian, &c. WALWORTH. My liege, 'twas wisely order'd to destroy The dunghill rabble, but take prisoner That old seditious priest : his strange wild notions Of this equality, when well exposed, Will create ridicule, and shame the people Of their late tumults. SIR JOHN TRES1LIAN. Aye, there's nothing like A fair free open trial, where the king Can chuse his jury and appoint his judges. KING. Walworth, I must thank you for my deliverance : 62 WAT TYLER. [Act III. 'Twas a bold deed to stab him in the parley ! Kneel down, and rise a knight, Sir William Walworth. Enter Messenger. MESSENGER. I left them hotly at it. Smithfield smoked With the rebels' blood : your troops fought loyally, There's not a man of them will lend an ear To pity. SIR WILLIAM WALWORTH. Is John Ball secur'd ? MESSENGER. They have seiz'd him. Enter Guards with John Ball. GUARD. We've brought the old villain. Act III.] WAT TYLER. 63 SECOND GUARD. An old mischief-maker — Why there's fifteen hundred of the mob are kill'd, All thro' his preaching ! SIR JOHN TRESILIAN. Prisoner ! are you the arch-rebel, John Ball ? JOHN BALL I am John Ball ; but I am not a rebel. Take ye the name, who, arrogant in strength, Rebel against the people's sovereignty. SIR JOHN TRESILIAN. John Ball, you are accus'd of stirring up The poor deluded people to rebellion ; Not having the fear of God and of the king Before your eyes; of preaching up strange notions, Heretical and treasonous; such as saying 64 WAT TYLER. [ActJIl. That kings have not a right from heaven to govern ; That all mankind are equal ; and that ranks And the distinctions of society, Aye, and the sacred rights of property Are evil and oppressive : — plead you guilty To this most heavy charge ? JOHN BALL. If it be guilt — To preach what you are pleas'd to call strange notions. That all mankind as brethren must be equal ; That privileg'd orders of society Are evil and oppressive ; that the right Of property is a juggle to deceive The poor whom you oppress ; — I plead me guilty. SIR JOHN TRESILIAN. It is against the custom of this court That the prisoner should plead guilty. Act III.] WAT TYLER. 65 JOHN BALL. Why then put you The needless question ? — Sir Judge, let me save The vain and empty insult of a trial. What I have done, that I dare justify. SIR JOHN TRESILIAN. Did you not tell the mob they were oppress'd, And preach upon the equality of man ; With evil intent thereby to stir them up To tumult and rebellion ? JOHN BALL. That I told them That all mankind are equal, is most true : Ye came as helpless infants to the world : Ye feel alike the infirmities of nature ; And at last moulder into common clay. Why then these vain distinctions ? — bears not the earth 66 WAT TYLER. [Act III. Food in abundance ? — must your granaries O'erflow with plenty, while the poor man starves ? Sir Judge, why sit you there clad in your furs ? Why are your cellars stor'd with choicest wines ? Your larders hung with dainties, while your vassal, As virtuous, and as able too by nature, Tho* by your selfish tyranny depriv'd Of mind's improvement, shivers in his rags, And starves amid the plenty he creates. I have said this is wrong, and I repeat it — And there will be a time when this great truth Shall be confess'd — be felt by all mankind. The electric truth shall run from man to man, And the blood-cemented pyramid of greatness Shall fall before the flash ! SIR JOHN TRESILIAN. Audacious rebel! How darest thou insult this sacred court, Blaspheming all the dignities of rank ? Act III.] WAT TYLER. 67 How could the Government be carried on Without the sacred orders of the king, And the nobility ? JOHN BALL. Tell me, Sir Judge,, What does the government avail the peasant ? Would not he plow his field and sow the corn, Aye, and in peace enjoy the harvest too : Would not the sunshine and the dews descend, Tho' neither King nor Parliament existed ? Do your Court Politics ought matter him ? Would he be warring even unto the death With his French neighbours ? — Charles and Richard con- tend ; The people fight and suffer : — think ye, Sirs, If neither country had been cursed with a chief, The peasants would have quarreird ? KING. This is treason ! 6S WAT TYLER. [Act III. The patience of the court has been insulted — Condemn the foul-mouth'd, contumacious rebel. SIR JOHN TRESILIAN. John Ball, whereas you are accused before us Of stirring up the people to rebellion, And preaching to them strange and dangerous doctrines ; And whereas your behaviour to the court Has been most insolent and contumacious ; Insulting Majesty — and since you have pleaded Guilty to all these charges ; I condemn you To death : you shall be hanged by the neck, But not till you are dead — your bowels opened — Your heart torn out and burnt before your face — Your traitorous head be sever'd from your body — Your body quartered, and exposed upon The city gates — a terrible example — And the Lord God have mercy on your soul ! Act III.] WAT TYLER. 69 JOHN BALL. Why be it so. I can smile at your vengeance, For I am arm'd with rectitude of soul. The truth, which all my life I have divulg'd, And am now doom'd in torment to expire for, Shall still survive — the destin'd hour must come, When it shall blaze with sun-surpassing splendor, And the dark mists of prejudice and falsehood Fade in its strong effulgence. Flattery's incense No more shall shadow round the gore-dyed throne ; That altar of oppression, fed with rites, More savage than the Priests of Moloch taught, Shall be consumed amid the fire of Justice ; The ray of truth shall emanate around, And the whole world be lighted ! KING. Drag him hence — Away with him to death ! order the troops 70 WAT TYLER. [Actlll. Now to give quarter and make prisoners — Let the blood-reeking sword of war be sheathed. That the law may take vengeance on the rebels. FINIS. J. M'Creery, Printer, Black-Horse-Court, Fleet-street. London*