1.1.35Now say, Chatillon, what would France with us?

Thus, after greeting, speaks the King 7of France

1.1.58In my behavior to the majesty --

1.1.69The borrowed majesty -- of England here.

A strange beginning: "borrowed majesty"?

Silence, good mother, hear the embassy.

Philip of France, in right and true behalf

1.1.1013Of thy deceasèd brother Geoffrey's son,

1.1.1114Arthur Plantagenet, lays most lawful claim

1.1.1215To this fair island, and the territories,

1.1.1316To Ireland, Poitiers, Anjou, Touraine, Maine,

1.1.1417Desiring thee to lay aside the sword

1.1.1518Which sways usurpingly these several titles

1.1.1619And put the same into young Arthur's hand,

1.1.1720Thy nephew, and right royal sovereign.

What follows if we disallow of this?

The proud control of fierce and bloody war

1.1.2023To enforce these rights, so forcibly withheld.

Here have we war for war and blood for blood,

1.1.2225Controlment for controlment. So answer France.

Then take my king's defiance from my mouth,

1.1.2427The farthest limit of my embassy.

Bear mine to him, and so depart in peace.

1.1.2629Be thou as lightning in the eyes of France,

1.1.2730For ere thou canst report I will be there;

1.1.2831The thunder of my cannon shall be heard.

1.1.2932So hence. Be thou the trumpet of our wrath

1.1.3033And sullen presage of your own decay. --

1.1.3134An honorable conduct let him have:

1.1.3235Pembroke look to't. -- Farewell, Chatillon.

What now, my son? Have I not ever said

1.1.3438How that ambitious Constance would not cease

1.1.3539Till she had kindled France and all the world

1.1.3640Upon the right and party of her son?

1.1.3741This might have been prevented and made whole

1.1.3842With very easy arguments of love,

1.1.3943Which now the manage of two kingdoms must

1.1.4044With fearful bloody issue arbitrate.

Our strong possession and our right for us.

[Aside to John] Your strong possession much more than your right,

1.1.4347Or else it must go wrong with you and me;

1.1.4448So much my conscience whispers in your ear,

1.1.4549Which none but heaven, and you, and I, shall hear.

My liege, here is the strangest controversy

1.1.4752Come from the country to be judged by you

1.1.4853That e'er I heard. Shall I produce the men?

Let them approach.

1.1.5055[To Eleanor] Our abbeys and our priories shall pay

1.1.5156This expedition's charge.

This expedition's charge. What men are you?

Your faithful subject I, a gentleman,

1.1.5359Born in Northamptonshire, and eldest son,

1.1.5460As I suppose, to Robert Faulconbridge,

1.1.5561A soldier by the honor-giving hand

1.1.5662Of Coeur-de-lion knighted in the field.

[To Robert Faulconbridge] What art thou?

The son and heir to that same Faulconbridge.

Is that the elder, and art thou the heir?

1.1.6066You came not of one mother then, it seems.

Most certain of one mother, mighty King,

1.1.6268That is well known, and, as I think, one father.

1.1.6369But for the certain knowledge of that truth,

1.1.6470I put you o'er to heaven, and to my mother;

1.1.6571Of that I doubt, as all men's children may.

Out on thee, rude man! Thou dost shame thy mother,

1.1.6773And wound her honor with this diffidence.

I Madam? No, I have no reason for it.

1.1.6975That is my brother's plea and none of mine,

1.1.7076The which if he can prove, a pops me out,

1.1.7177At least from fair five hundred pound a year.

1.1.7278Heaven guard my mother's honor -- and my land.

A good blunt fellow. Why, being younger born,

1.1.7480Doth he lay claim to thine inheritance?

I know not why, except to get the land,

1.1.7682But once he slandered me with bastardy.

1.1.7783But whe'er I be as true begot or no,

1.1.7884That still I lay upon my mother's head;

1.1.7985But that I am as well begot my liege --

1.1.8086Fair fall the bones that took the pains for me --

1.1.8187Compare our faces, and be judge yourself.

1.1.8288If old Sir Robert did beget us both

1.1.8389And were our father, and this son like him,

1.1.8490O, old Sir Robert, father, on my knee [Kneels]

1.1.8591I give heaven thanks I was not like to thee!

Why, what a mad-cap hath heaven lent us here!

[To John] He hath a trick of Coeur-de-lion's face,

1.1.8894The accent of his tongue affecteth him.

1.1.8995Do you not read some tokens of my son

1.1.9096In the large composition of this man?

Mine eye hath well examinèd his parts,

1.1.9298And finds them perfect Richard. [To Robert] Sirrah speak,

1.1.9399What doth move you to claim your brother's land?

1.1.94100Bastard [Rises]

Because he hath a half-face like my father.

1.1.95101With half that face would he have all my land --

1.1.96102A half-faced groat, five hundred pound a year?

My gracious liege, when that my father lived

1.1.98104Your brother did employ my father much --

Well sir, by this you cannot get my land:

1.1.100106Your tale must be how he employed my mother.

-- And once dispatched him in an embassy

1.1.102108To Germany, there with the Emperor

1.1.103109To treat of high affairs touching that time.

1.1.104110Th'advantage of his absence took the King,

1.1.105111And in the meantime sojourned at my father's,

1.1.106112Where how he did prevail, I shame to speak.

1.1.107113But truth is truth: large lengths of seas and shores

1.1.108114Between my father and my mother lay,

1.1.109115As I have heard my father speak himself,

1.1.110116When this same lusty gentleman was got.

1.1.111117Upon his death-bed he by will bequeathed

1.1.112118His lands to me, and took it on his death

1.1.113119That this my mother's son was none of his;

1.1.114120And if he were, he came into the world

1.1.115121Full fourteen weeks before the course of time.

1.1.116122Then, good my liege, let me have what is mine,

1.1.117123My father's land, as was my father's will.

Sirrah, your brother is legitimate:

1.1.119125Your father's wife did after wedlock bear him,

1.1.120126And if she did play false, the fault was hers,

1.1.121127Which fault lies on the hazards of all husbands

1.1.122128That marry wives. Tell me, how if my brother

1.1.123129Who, as you say, took pains to get this son,

1.1.124130Had of your father claimed this son for his?

1.1.125131In sooth, good friend, your father might have kept

1.1.126132This calf, bred from his cow, from all the world,

1.1.127133In sooth he might. Then if he were my brother's,

1.1.128134My brother might not claim him, nor your father,

1.1.129135Being none of his, refuse him. This concludes:

1.1.130136My mother's son did get your fathers heir,

1.1.131137Your father's heir must have your father's land.

Shall then my father's will be of no force

1.1.133139To dispossess that child which is not his?

Of no more force to dispossess me, sir,

1.1.135141Than was his will to get me, as I think.

Whether hadst thou rather be: a Faulconbridge,

1.1.137143And like thy brother to enjoy thy land,

1.1.138144Or the reputed son of Coeur-de-lion,

1.1.139145Lord of thy presence, and no land beside?

Madam, an if my brother had my shape

1.1.141147And I had his, Sir Robert's his like him,

1.1.142148And if my legs were two such riding rods,

1.1.143149My arms such eel-skins stuffed, my face so thin

1.1.144150That in mine ear I durst not stick a rose,

1.1.145151Lest men should say, "Look where three farthings goes!"

1.1.146152And to his shape were heir to all this land,

1.1.147153Would I might never stir from off this place,

1.1.148154I would give it every foot to have this face:

1.1.149155It would not be Sir Nob in any case.

I like thee well. Wilt thou forsake thy fortune,

1.1.151157Bequeath thy land to him and follow me?

1.1.152158I am a soldier, and now bound to France.

Brother, take you my land, I'll take my chance.

1.1.154160Your face hath got five hundred pound a year,

1.1.155161Yet sell your face for five pence and 'tis dear.

1.1.156162Madam, I'll follow you unto the death.

Nay, I would have you go before me thither.

Our country manners give our betters way.

What is thy name?

Philip, my liege, so is my name begun;

1.1.161167Philip, good old Sir Robert's wife's eldest son.

From henceforth bear his name 169whose form thou bearest:

1.1.163170Kneel thou down Philip, but rise more great,

1.1.164171Arise Sir Richard, and Plantagenet.

[Rises] Brother by th' mother's side, give me your hand.

1.1.166173My father gave me honor, yours gave land:

1.1.167174Now blessèd be the hour by night or day,

1.1.168175When I was got, Sir Robert was away.

The very spirit of Plantagenet!

1.1.170177I am thy grandam, Richard, call me so.

Madam, by chance, but not by truth; what though?

1.1.172179Something about a little from the right,

1.1.173180 In at the window, or else o'er the hatch:

1.1.174181Who dares not stir by day, must walk by night,

1.1.175182 And have is have, however men do catch:

1.1.176183Near or far off, well won is still well shot,

1.1.177184And I am I, howe'er I was begot.

Go, Faulconbridge, now hast thou thy desire:

1.1.179186A landless knight makes thee a landed squire.

1.1.180187Come, madam, and come, Richard, we must speed

1.1.181188For France, for France, for it is more than need.

Brother adieu; good fortune come to thee,

1.1.183190For thou wast got i'th'way of honesty.

1.1.184192A foot of honor better than I was,

1.1.185193But many a many foot of land the worse.

1.1.186194Well, now can I make any Joan a lady.

1.1.187195"Good den, Sir Richard," "God-a-mercy fellow."

1.1.188196An if his name be George, I'll call him Peter;

1.1.189197For new-made honor doth forget men's names:

1.1.190198'Tis too respective, and too sociable

1.1.191199For your conversion. Now your traveler,

1.1.192200He and his toothpick at my worship's mess,

1.1.193201And when my knightly stomach is sufficed,

1.1.194202Why then I suck my teeth, and catechize

1.1.195203My pickèd man of countries: "My dear sir,"

1.1.196204Thus leaning on mine elbow I begin,

1.1.197205"I shall beseech you" -- that is Question now,

1.1.198206And then comes Answer like an Absey book:

1.1.199207"O sir," says Answer, "at your best command,

1.1.200208At your employment, at your service, sir."

1.1.201209"No sir," says Question, "I, sweet sir, at yours,"

1.1.202210And so ere Answer knows what Question would,

1.1.203211Saving in dialogue of compliment,

1.1.204212And talking of the Alps and Apennines,

1.1.205213The Pyrenean and the river Po,

1.1.206214It draws toward supper in conclusion so.

1.1.207215But this is worshipful society,

1.1.208216And fits the mounting spirit like myself,

1.1.209217For he is but a bastard to the time

1.1.210218That doth not smack of observation;

1.1.211219And so am I whether I smack or no.

1.1.212220And not alone in habit and device,

1.1.213221Exterior form, outward accoutrement,

1.1.214222But from the inward motion to deliver

1.1.215223Sweet, sweet, sweet poison for the age's tooth,

1.1.216224Which, though I will not practice to deceive,

1.1.217225Yet to avoid deceit I mean to learn;

1.1.218226For it shall strew the footsteps of my rising.

1.1.219227But who comes in such haste in riding robes?

1.1.220228What woman-post is this? Hath she no husband

1.1.221229That will take pains to blow a horn before her?

1.1.222230O me, 'tis my mother. -- How now, good lady,

1.1.223231What brings you here to court so hastily?

Where is that slave thy brother? Where is he

1.1.225234That holds in chase mine honor up and down?

My brother Robert, old Sir Robert's son?

1.1.227236Colbrand the Giant, that same mighty man?

1.1.228237Is it Sir Robert's son that you seek so?

Sir Robert's son? Ay, thou unreverent boy.

1.1.230239Sir Robert's son? Why scorn'st thou at Sir Robert?

1.1.231240He is Sir Robert's son, and so art thou.

James Gurney, wilt thou give us leave a while?

Good leave, good Philip.

Good leave, good Philip. "Philip Sparrow," James,

1.1.234244There's toys abroad. Anon I'll tell thee more.

1.1.235246Madam, I was not old Sir Robert's son.

1.1.236247Sir Robert might have eat his part in me

1.1.237248Upon Good Friday and ne'er broke his fast:

1.1.238249Sir Robert could do well -- marry, to confess --

1.1.239250Could get me? Sir Robert could not do it:

1.1.240251We know his handiwork. Therefore, good mother,

1.1.241252To whom am I beholding for these limbs?

1.1.242253Sir Robert never holp to make this leg.

Hast thou conspirèd with thy brother too,

1.1.244255That for thine own gain shouldst defend mine honor?

1.1.245256What means this scorn, thou most untoward knave?

Knight, knight, good mother, Basilisco-like.

1.1.247258What, I am dubbed! I have it on my shoulder.

1.1.248259But mother, I am not Sir Robert's son,

1.1.249260I have disclaimed Sir Robert and my land;

1.1.250261Legitimation, name, and all is gone.

1.1.251262Then, good my mother, let me know my father,

1.1.252263Some proper man, I hope. Who was it mother?

Hast thou denied thy self a Faulconbridge?

As faithfully as I deny the devil.

King Richard Coeur-de-lion was thy father.

1.1.256267By long and vehement suit I was seduced

1.1.257268To make room for him in my husband's bed --

1.1.258269Heaven lay not my transgression to my charge!

1.1.259270Thou art the issue of my dear offence

1.1.260271Which was so strongly urged past my defense.

Now by this light were I to get again,

1.1.262273Madam, I would not wish a better father.

1.1.263274Some sins do bear their privilege on earth,

1.1.264275And so doth yours. Your fault was not your folly;

1.1.265276Needs must you lay your heart at his dispose,

1.1.266277Subjected tribute to commanding love,

1.1.267278Against whose fury and unmatchèd force,

1.1.268279The aweless lion could not wage the fight,

1.1.269280Nor keep his princely heart from Richard's hand:

1.1.270281He that perforce robs lions of their hearts,

1.1.271282May easily win a woman's. Ay, my mother,

1.1.272283With all my heart I thank thee for my father:

1.1.273284Who lives and dares but say thou didst not well

1.1.274285When I was got, I'll send his soul to hell.

1.1.275286Come, lady, I will show thee to my kin,

1.1.276287 And they shall say, when Richard me begot,

1.1.277288If thou hadst said him nay, it had been sin;

1.1.278289 Who says it was, he lies. I say 'twas not.

Before Angiers well met brave Austria. --

2.1.2295Arthur: that great forerunner of thy blood,

2.1.3296Richard, that robbed the lion of his heart

2.1.4297And fought the holy wars in Palestine,

2.1.5298By this brave duke came early to his grave.

2.1.6299And for amends to his posterity,

2.1.7300At our importance hither is he come

2.1.8301To spread his colors, boy, in thy behalf,

2.1.9302And to rebuke the usurpation

2.1.10303Of thy unnatural uncle, English John.

2.1.11304Embrace him, love him, give him welcome hither.

God shall forgive you Coeur-de-lion's death

2.1.13306The rather that you give his offspring life,

2.1.14307Shadowing their right under your wings of war.

2.1.15308I give you welcome with a powerless hand,

2.1.16309But with a heart full of unstainèd love.

2.1.17310Welcome before the gates Angiers, Duke.

A noble boy. Who would not do thee right?

[To Arthur] Upon thy cheek lay I this zealous kiss

2.1.20313As seal to this indenture of my love:

2.1.21314That to my home I will no more return

2.1.22315Till Angiers and the right thou hast in France,

2.1.23316Together with that pale, that white-faced shore,

2.1.24317Whose foot spurns back the ocean's roaring tides

2.1.25318And coops from other lands her islanders,

2.1.26319Even till that England, hedged in with the main,

2.1.27320That water-wallèd bulwark, still secure

2.1.28321And confident from foreign purposes,

2.1.29322Even till that utmost corner of the west

2.1.30323Salute thee for her King. Till then fair boy

2.1.31324Will I not think of home, but follow arms.

O take his mother's thanks, a widow's thanks,

2.1.33326Till your strong hand shall help to give him strength

2.1.34327To make a more requital to your love.

The peace of heaven is theirs that lift their swords

2.1.36329In such a just and charitable war.

Well then, to work. Our canon shall be bent

2.1.38331Against the brows of this resisting town.

2.1.39332Call for our chiefest men of discipline,

2.1.40333To cull the plots of best advantages.

2.1.41334We'll lay before this town our royal bones,

2.1.42335Wade to the market-place in Frenchmen's blood,

2.1.43336But we will make it subject to this boy.

Stay for an answer to your embassy,

2.1.45338Lest unadvised you stain your swords with blood.

2.1.46339My Lord Chatillon may from England bring

2.1.47340That right in peace which here we urge in war,

2.1.48341And then we shall repent each drop of blood

2.1.49342That hot rash haste so indirectly shed.

A wonder lady! Lo, upon thy wish

2.1.51345Our messenger Chatillon is arrived.

2.1.52346What England says, say briefly gentle lord;

2.1.53347We coldly pause for thee. Chatillon, speak.

Then turn your forces from this paltry siege,

2.1.55349And stir them up against a mightier task.

2.1.56350England, impatient of your just demands,

2.1.57351Hath put himself in arms. The adverse winds,

2.1.58352Whose leisure I have stayed, have given him time

2.1.59353To land his legions all as soon as I.

2.1.60354His marches are expedient to this town,

2.1.61355His forces strong, his soldiers confident.

2.1.62356With him along is come the Mother Queen,

2.1.63357An Atè stirring him to blood and strife;

2.1.64358With her her niece, the Lady Blanche of Spain;

2.1.65359With them a bastard of the King's deceased,

2.1.66360And all th'unsettled humors of the land --

2.1.67361Rash, inconsiderate, fiery voluntaries,

2.1.68362With ladies' faces, and fierce dragons' spleens --

2.1.69363Have sold their fortunes at their native homes,

2.1.70364Bearing their birthrights proudly on their backs,

2.1.71365To make a hazard of new fortunes here.

2.1.72366In brief, a braver choice of dauntless spirits

2.1.73367Than now the English bottoms have waft o'er

2.1.74368Did never float upon the swelling tide,

2.1.75369To do offence and scathe in Christendom.

2.1.76370The interruption of their churlish drums

2.1.77371Cuts off more circumstance. They are at hand,

2.1.78373To parley or to fight -- therefore prepare.

How much unlooked-for is this expedition.

By how much unexpected, by so much

2.1.81376We must awake endeavor for defense,

2.1.82377For courage mounteth with occasion.

2.1.83378Let them be welcome then; we are prepared.

Peace be to France, if France in peace permit

2.1.85382Our just and lineal entrance to our own;

2.1.86383If not, bleed France, and peace ascend to heaven,

2.1.87384Whiles we, god's wrathful agent, do correct

2.1.88385Their proud contempt that beats his peace to heaven.

Peace be to England, if that war return

2.1.90387From France to England, there to live in peace.

2.1.91388England we love, and for that England's sake

2.1.92389With burden of our armor here we sweat.

2.1.93390This toil of ours should be a work of thine;

2.1.94391But thou from loving England art so far

2.1.95392That thou hast under-wrought his lawful King,

2.1.96393Cut off the sequence of posterity,

2.1.97394Out-facèd infant state, and done a rape

2.1.98395Upon the maiden virtue of the crown.

2.1.99396[Indicating Arthur] Look here upon thy brother Geoffrey's face:

2.1.100397These eyes, these brows, were molded out of his;

2.1.101398This little abstract doth contain that large

2.1.102399Which died in Geoffrey, and the hand of time

2.1.103400Shall draw this brief into as huge a volume.

2.1.104401That Geoffrey was thy elder brother born,

2.1.105402And this his son; England was Geoffrey's right,

2.1.106403And this is Geoffrey's. In the name of god,

2.1.107404How comes it then that thou art called a king,

2.1.108405When living blood doth in these temples beat

2.1.109406Which own the crown that thou o'ermasterest?

From whom hast thou this great commission, France,

2.1.111408To draw my answer from thy articles?

From that supernal Judge that stirs good thoughts

2.1.113410In any breast of strong authority

2.1.114411To look into the blots and stains of right;

2.1.115412That judge hath made me guardian to this boy,

2.1.116413Under whose warrant I impeach thy wrong

2.1.117414And by whose help I mean to chastise it.

Alack thou dost usurp authority.

Excuse it is to beat usurping down.

Who is it thou dost call usurper France?

Let me make answer: thy usurping son.

Out insolent! Thy bastard shall be king

2.1.123420That thou mayest be a queen, and check the world.

My bed was ever to thy son as true

2.1.125422As thine was to thy husband, and this boy

2.1.126423Liker in feature to his father Geoffrey

2.1.127424Than thou and John, in manners being as like

2.1.128425As rain to water, or devil to his dam.

2.1.129426My boy a bastard? By my soul I think

2.1.130427His father never was so true begot.

2.1.131428It cannot be, an if thou wert his mother.

There's a good mother, boy, that blots thy father.

There's a good grandam, boy, that 431would blot thee.

Peace!

Peace! Hear the crier!

Peace! Hear the crier! What the devil art thou?

One that will play the devil, sir, with you,

2.1.136436An 'a may catch your hide and you alone.

2.1.137437You are the hare of whom the proverb goes,

2.1.138438Whose valor plucks dead lions by the beard.

2.1.139439I'll smoke your skin-coat an I catch you right.

2.1.140440Sirrah, look too't, i'faith I will, i'faith.

O, well did he become that lion's robe

2.1.142442That did disrobe the lion of that robe.

It lies as sightly on the back of him

2.1.144444As great Alcides' shoes upon an ass.

2.1.145445But, ass, I'll take that burden from your back,

2.1.146446Or lay on that shall make your shoulders crack.

What cracker is this same that deafs our ears

2.1.148448With this abundance of superfluous breath?

Lewis, determine what we shall do straight.

Women and fools, break off your conference.

2.1.151451King John, this is the very sum of all:

2.1.152452England and Ireland, Angiers, Touraine, Maine,

2.1.153453In right of Arthur do I claim of thee.

2.1.154454Wilt thou resign them and lay down thy arms?

My life as soon. I do defy thee France. --

2.1.156456[To Arthur] Arthur of Bretagne, yield thee to my hand,

2.1.157457And out of my dear love I'll give thee more

2.1.158458Than e'er the coward hand of France can win.

2.1.159459Submit thee boy.

Submit thee boy. Come to thy grandam child.

Do, child, go to it grandam child,

2.1.161462Give grandam kingdom, and it grandam will

2.1.162463Give it a plum, a cherry, and a fig.

2.1.163464There's a good grandam.

There's a good grandam. Good my mother peace.

2.1.164466I would that I were low laid in my grave;

2.1.165467I am not worth this coil that's made for me.

His mother shames him so, poor boy, he weeps.

Now shame upon you whe'er she does or no!

2.1.168470His grandam's wrongs, and not his mother's shames

2.1.169471Draws those heaven-moving pearls from his poor eyes,

2.1.170472Which heaven shall take in nature of a fee.

2.1.171473Ay, with these crystal beads heaven shall be bribed

2.1.172474To do him justice, and revenge on you.

Thou monstrous slanderer of heaven and earth!

Thou monstrous injurer of heaven and earth,

2.1.175477Call not me slanderer; thou and thine usurp

2.1.176478The dominations, royalties, and rights

2.1.177479Of this oppressèd boy. This is thy eldest son's son,

2.1.178480Infortunate in nothing but in thee.

2.1.179481Thy sins are visited in this poor child;

2.1.180482The canon of the law is laid on him,

2.1.181483Being but the second generation

2.1.182484Removed from thy sin-conceiving womb.

Bedlam have done!

Bedlam have done! I have but this to say,

2.1.184487That he is not only plagued for her sin,

2.1.185488But God hath made her sin and her the plague

2.1.186489On this removèd issue, plagued for her

2.1.187490And with her plague; her sin his injury,

2.1.188491Her injury, the beadle to her sin,

2.1.189492All punished in the person of this child,

2.1.190493And all for her. A plague upon her!

Thou unadvisèd scold, I can produce

2.1.192495A will that bars the title of thy son.

Ay, who doubts that? A will; a wicked will,

2.1.194497A woman's will, a cankered Grandam's will.

Peace lady. Pause, or be more temperate.

2.1.196499It ill beseems this presence to cry aim

2.1.197500To these ill-tunèd repetitions.

2.1.198501Some trumpet summon hither to the walls

2.1.199502These men of Angiers; let us hear them speak

2.1.200503Whose title they admit, Arthur's or John's.

Who is it that hath warned us to the walls?

'Tis France, for England.

'Tis France, for England. England for itself.

2.1.203509You men of Angiers, and my loving subjects --

You loving men of Angiers, Arthur's subjects,

2.1.205511Our trumpet called you to this gentle parle --

For our advantage; therefore hear us first.

2.1.207513These flags of France that are advancèd here

2.1.208514Before the eye and prospect of your town,

2.1.209515Have hither marched to your endamagement.

2.1.210516The canons have their bowels full of wrath,

2.1.211517And ready mounted are they to spit forth

2.1.212518Their iron indignation 'gainst your walls.

2.1.213519All preparation for a bloody siege

2.1.214520And merciless proceeding by these French

2.1.215521Confronts your city's eyes, your winking gates;

2.1.216522And, but for our approach, those sleeping stones,

2.1.217523That as a waist doth girdle you about,

2.1.218524By the compulsion of their ordinance

2.1.219525By this time from their fixèd beds of lime

2.1.220526Had been dishabited, and wide havoc made

2.1.221527For bloody power to rush upon your peace.

2.1.222528But on the sight of us your lawful King,

2.1.223529Who painfully with much expedient march

2.1.224530Have brought a counter-check before your gates

2.1.225531To save unscratched your city's threatened cheeks,

2.1.226532Behold the French, amazed, vouchsafe a parle.

2.1.227533And now, instead of bullets wrapped in fire

2.1.228534To make a shaking fever in your walls,

2.1.229535They shoot but calm words folded up in smoke

2.1.230536To make a faithless error in your ears --

2.1.231537Which trust accordingly kind citizens,

2.1.232538And let us in. Your king, whose labored spirits

2.1.233539Fore-wearied in this action of swift speed,

2.1.234540Craves harborage within your city walls.

When I have said, make answer to us both.

2.1.236542Lo, in this right hand, whose protection

2.1.237543Is most divinely vowed upon the right

2.1.238544Of him it holds, stands young Plantagenet,

2.1.239545Son to the elder brother of this man,

2.1.240546And King o'er him and all that he enjoys.

2.1.241547For this down-trodden equity we tread

2.1.242548In warlike march these greens before your town,

2.1.243549Being no further enemy to you

2.1.244550Than the constraint of hospitable zeal

2.1.245551In the relief of this oppressèd child

2.1.246552Religiously provokes. Be pleasèd then

2.1.247553To pay that duty which you truly owe,

2.1.248554To him that owns it, namely, this young prince.

2.1.249555And then our arms, like to a muzzled bear

2.1.250556Save in aspect, hath all offence sealed up.

2.1.251557Our canons' malice vainly shall be spent

2.1.252558Against th'invulnerable clouds of heaven,

2.1.253559And with a blessèd and un-vexed retire,

2.1.254560With unhacked swords and helmets all unbruised,

2.1.255561We will bear home that lusty blood again,

2.1.256562Which here we came to spout against your town,

2.1.257563And leave your children, wives, and you in peace.

2.1.258564But if you fondly pass our proffered offer,

2.1.259565'Tis not the roundure of your old-faced walls

2.1.260566Can hide you from our messengers of war,

2.1.261567Though all these English and their discipline

2.1.262568Were harbored in their rude circumference.

2.1.263569Then tell us: shall your city call us lord

2.1.264570In that behalf which we have challenged it?

2.1.265571Or shall we give the signal to our rage

2.1.266572And stalk in blood to our possession?

In brief, we are the king of England's subjects.

2.1.268574For him, and in his right, we hold this town.

Acknowledge then the King, and let me in.

That can we not. But he that proves the king,

2.1.271577To him will we prove loyal. Till that time

2.1.272578Have we rammed up our gates against the world.

Doth not the crown of England, prove the 580king?

2.1.274581And if not that, I bring you witnesses:

2.1.275582Twice fifteen thousand hearts of England's breed --

Bastards and else.

-- To verify our title with their lives.

As many and as well-born bloods as those --

Some bastards too.

-- Stand in his face to contradict his claim.

Till you compound whose right is worthiest,

2.1.282589We for the worthiest hold the right from both.

Then God forgive the sin of all those souls,

2.1.284591That to their everlasting residence,

2.1.285592Before the dew of evening fall, shall fleet

2.1.286593In dreadful trial of our kingdom's king.

Amen, Amen. Mount, chevaliers, to arms!

Saint George that swinged the dragon 596and e'er since

2.1.289Sits on's horseback at mine Hostess' door

2.1.290597Teach us some fence. [To Austria] Sirrah, were I at home

2.1.291598At your den, sirrah, with your lioness,

2.1.292599I would set an ox-head to your lion's hide

2.1.293600And make a monster of you.

And make a monster of you. Peace! No more.

O tremble, for you hear the lion roar.

Up higher to the plain, where we'll set forth

2.1.296604In best appointment all our regiments.

Speed then to take advantage of the field.

It shall be so, and at the other hill

2.1.299607Command the rest to stand. God and our right!

You men of Angiers open wide your gates

2.1.301611And let young Arthur Duke of Bretagne in,

2.1.302612Who by the hand of France this day hath made

2.1.303613Much work for tears in many an English mother,

2.1.304614Whose sons lie scattered on the bleeding ground.

2.1.305615Many a widow's husband groveling lies,

2.1.306616Coldly embracing the discolored earth,

2.1.307617And victory with little loss doth play

2.1.308618Upon the dancing banners of the French,

2.1.309619Who are at hand, triumphantly displayed,

2.1.310620To enter conquerors, and to proclaim

2.1.311621Arthur of Bretagne England's king and yours.

Rejoice you men of Angiers, ring your bells.

2.1.313624King John, your king and England's, doth approach,

2.1.314625Commander of this hot malicious day.

2.1.315626Their armors, that marched hence so silver-bright,

2.1.316627Hither return all gilt with Frenchmen's blood.

2.1.317628There stuck no plume in any English crest

2.1.318629That is removèd by a staff of France.

2.1.319630Our colors do return in those same hands

2.1.320631That did display them when we first marched forth,

2.1.321632And like a jolly troop of huntsmen come

2.1.322633Our lusty English, all with purpled hands,

2.1.323634Dyed in the dying slaughter of their foes.

2.1.324635Open your gates, and give the victors way.

Heralds, from off our towers we might behold

2.1.326637From first to last the onset and retire

2.1.327638Of both your armies, whose equality

2.1.328639By our best eyes cannot be censurèd.

2.1.329640Blood hath bought blood and blows have answered blows;

2.1.330641Strength matched with strength, and power confronted 642power.

2.1.331643Both are alike, and both alike we like;

2.1.332644One must prove greatest. While they weigh so even,

2.1.333645We hold our town for neither, yet for both.

France, hast thou yet more blood to cast away?

2.1.335649Say, shall the current of our right run on,

2.1.336650Whose passage, vexed with thy impediment,

2.1.337651Shall leave his native channel and o'er-swell,

2.1.338652With course disturbed, even thy confining shores,

2.1.339653Unless thou let his silver water keep

2.1.340654A peaceful progress to the ocean?

England thou hast not saved one drop of blood

2.1.342656In this hot trial more than we of France;

2.1.343657Rather lost more. And by this hand I swear,

2.1.344658That sways the earth this climate overlooks,

2.1.345659Before we will lay down our just-borne arms,

2.1.346660We'll put thee down, 'gainst whom these arms we bear,

2.1.347661Or add a royal number to the dead,

2.1.348662Gracing the scroll that tells of this war's loss

2.1.349663With slaughter coupled to the name of kings.

Ha, majesty! How high thy glory towers

2.1.351665When the rich blood of kings is set on fire.

2.1.352666O, now doth death line his dead chaps with steel;

2.1.353667The swords of soldiers are his teeth, his fangs,

2.1.354668And now he feasts, mousing the flesh of men,

2.1.355669In undetermined differences of kings.

2.1.356670Why stand these royal fronts amazèd thus?

2.1.357671Cry havoc kings! Back to the stainèd field

2.1.358672You equal potents, fiery kindled spirits;

2.1.359673Then let confusion of one part confirm

2.1.360674The other's peace. Till then, blows, blood, and death.

Whose party do the townsmen yet admit?

Speak Citizens, for England. Who's your king?

The king of England -- when we know the king.

Know him in us that here hold up his right.

In us, that are our own great deputy

2.1.366680And bear possession of our person here,

2.1.367681Lord of our presence, Angiers, and of you.

A greater power than we denies all this,

2.1.369683And till it be undoubted, we do lock

2.1.370684Our former scruple in our strong-barred gates,

2.1.371685Kings of our fear, until our fears resolved

2.1.372686Be by some certain king purged and deposed.

By heaven, these scroyles of Angiers flout you, kings,

2.1.374688And stand securely on their battlements,

2.1.375689As in a theater, whence they gape and point

2.1.376690At your industrious scenes and acts of death.

2.1.377691Your royal presences be ruled by me:

2.1.378692Do like the mutines of Jerusalem,

2.1.379693Be friends awhile, and both conjointly bend

2.1.380694Your sharpest deeds of malice on this town.

2.1.381695By east and west let France and England mount

2.1.382696Their battering canon, chargèd to the mouths,

2.1.383697Till their soul-fearing clamors have brawled down

2.1.384698The flinty ribs of this contemptuous city.

2.1.385699I'd play incessantly upon these jades,

2.1.386700Even till unfencèd desolation

2.1.387701Leave them as naked as the vulgar air.

2.1.388702That done, dissever your united strengths

2.1.389703And part your mingled colors once again.

2.1.390704Turn face to face, and bloody point to point;

2.1.391705Then in a moment Fortune shall cull forth

2.1.392706Out of one side her happy minion

2.1.393707To whom in favor she shall give the day,

2.1.394708And kiss him with a glorious victory.

2.1.395709How like you this wild counsel mighty states?

2.1.396710Smacks it not something of the policy?

Now, by the sky that hangs above our heads,

2.1.398712I like it well. France, shall we knit our powers,

2.1.399713And lay this Angiers even with the ground,

2.1.400714Then after fight who shall be king of it?

[To King Philip] An if thou hast the mettle of a king,

2.1.402716Being wronged as we are by this peevish town,

2.1.403717Turn thou the mouth of thy artillery,

2.1.404718As we will ours, against these saucy walls;

2.1.405719And when that we have dashed them to the ground,

2.1.406720Why, then defy each other and pell-mell

2.1.407721Make work upon ourselves, for heaven or hell.

Let it be so. Say, where will you assault?

We from the west will send destruction

2.1.410724Into this city's bosom.

I from the north.

Our thunder from the south

2.1.413727Shall rain their drift of bullets on this town.

[Aside] O prudent discipline! From north to south

2.1.415729Austria and France shoot in each other's mouth.

2.1.416730I'll stir them to it. Come, away, away.

Hear us great kings! Vouchsafe awhile to stay,

2.1.418732And I shall show you peace and fair-faced league,

2.1.419733Win you this city without stroke or wound,

2.1.420734Rescue those breathing lives to die in beds,

2.1.421735That here come sacrifices for the field.

2.1.422736Persever not, but hear me, mighty kings.

Speak on with favor. We are bent to hear.

That daughter there of Spain, the Lady Blanche,

2.1.425739Is near to England; look upon the years

2.1.426740Of Lewis the Dauphin and that lovely maid.

2.1.427741If lusty love should go in quest of beauty,

2.1.428742Where should he find it fairer than in Blanche?

2.1.429743If zealous love should go in search of virtue,

2.1.430744Where should he find it purer than in Blanche?

2.1.431745If love ambitious sought a match of birth,

2.1.432746Whose veins bound richer blood than Lady Blanche?

2.1.433747Such as she is, in beauty, virtue, birth,

2.1.434748Is the young Dauphin every way complete.

2.1.435749If not complete of, say he is not she;

2.1.436750And she again wants nothing to name want,

2.1.437751If want it be not, that she is not he.

2.1.438752He is the half part of a blessèd man,

2.1.439753Left to be finishèd by such as she,

2.1.440754And she a fair divided excellence,

2.1.441755Whose fullness of perfection lies in him.

2.1.442756Oh, two such silver currents when they join

2.1.443757Do glorify the banks that bound them in,

2.1.444758And two such shores to two such streams made one.

2.1.445759Two such controlling bounds shall you be, kings,

2.1.446760To these two princes, if you marry them.

2.1.447761This union shall do more than battery can

2.1.448762To our fast-closèd gates, for at this match,

2.1.449763With swifter spleen than powder can enforce,

2.1.450764The mouth of passage shall we fling wide ope,

2.1.451765And give you entrance. But without this match,

2.1.452766The sea enragèd is not half so deaf,

2.1.453767Lions more confident, mountains and rocks

2.1.454768More free from motion, no not death himself

2.1.455769In mortal fury half so peremptory,

2.1.456770As we to keep this city.

As we to keep this city. Here's a stay,

2.1.457772That shakes the rotten carcass of old death

2.1.458773Out of his rags. Here's a large mouth indeed

2.1.459774That spits forth death and mountains, rocks, and seas;

2.1.460775Talks as familiarly of roaring lions

2.1.461776As maids of thirteen do of puppy dogs.

2.1.462777What cannoneer begot this lusty blood?

2.1.463778He speaks plain cannon-fire, and smoke, and bounce;

2.1.464779He gives the bastinado with his tongue.

2.1.465780Our ears are cudgeled; not a word of his

2.1.466781But buffets better than a fist of France.

2.1.467782Zounds, I was never so bethumped with words,

2.1.468783Since I first called my brother's father Dad.

2.1.469784Queen Eleanor [Aside to King John]

Son, list to this conjunction; make this match.

2.1.470785Give with our niece a dowry large enough,

2.1.471786For, by this knot, thou shalt so surely tie

2.1.472787Thy now unsured assurance to the crown

2.1.473788That yon green boy shall have no sun to ripe

2.1.474789The bloom that promiseth a mighty fruit.

2.1.475790I see a yielding in the looks of France;

2.1.476791Mark how they whisper. Urge them while their souls

2.1.477792Are capable of this ambition,

2.1.478793Lest zeal, now melted by the windy breath

2.1.479794Of soft petitions, pity, and remorse,

2.1.480795Cool and congeal again to what it was.

Why answer not the double majesties

2.1.482797This friendly treaty of our threatened town?

Speak England first, that hath been forward first

2.1.484799To speak unto this city: what say you?

[Taking Blanche by the hand] If that the Dauphin there, thy princely son,

2.1.486801Can in this book of beauty read, "I love,"

2.1.487802Her dowry shall weigh equal with a queen:

2.1.488803For Anjou and fair Touraine, Maine, Poitiers,

2.1.489804And all that we upon this side the sea --

2.1.490805Except this city now by us besieged --

2.1.491806Find liable to our crown and dignity,

2.1.492807Shall gild her bridal bed and make her rich

2.1.493808In titles, honors, and promotions,

2.1.494809As she in beauty, education, blood,

2.1.495810Holds hand with any princess of the world.

What sayest thou boy? look in the lady's face.

[Taking her hand] I do, my lord, and in her eye I find

2.1.498813A wonder, or a wondrous miracle,

2.1.499814The shadow of myself formed in her eye,

2.1.500815Which, being but the shadow of your son,

2.1.501816Becomes a sun and makes your son a shadow.

2.1.502817I do protest I never loved my self

2.1.503818Till now infixèd I beheld my self

2.1.504819Drawn in the flattering table of her eye.

Drawn in the flattering table of her eye,

2.1.506822 Hanged in the frowning wrinkle of her brow,

2.1.507823And quartered in her heart! He doth espy

2.1.508824 Himself love's traitor. This is pity now,

2.1.509825That hanged and drawn and quartered there should be

2.1.510826In such a love so vile a lout as he.

[To Lewis] My uncle's will in this respect is mine.

2.1.512828If he see aught in you that makes him like,

2.1.513829That anything he sees which moves his liking

2.1.514830I can with ease translate it to my will.

2.1.515831Or if you will, to speak more properly,

2.1.516832I will enforce it easily to my love.

2.1.517833Further I will not flatter you, my lord,

2.1.518834That all I see in you is worthy love,

2.1.519835Than this, that nothing do I see in you,

2.1.520836Though churlish thoughts themselves should be your 837judge,

2.1.521838That I can find should merit any hate.

What say these young ones? What say you my 840niece?

That she is bound in honor still to do

2.1.524842What you in wisdom still vouchsafe to say.

Speak then, Prince Dauphin. Can you love this 844lady?

Nay, ask me if I can refrain from love,

2.1.527846For I do love her most unfeignedly.

Then I do give Volquessen, Toraine, Maine,

2.1.529848Poitiers and Anjou; these five provinces

2.1.530849With her to thee, and this addition more:

2.1.531850Full thirty thousand marks of English coin.

2.1.532851Phillip of France, if thou be pleased withal,

2.1.533852Command thy son and daughter to join hands.

It likes us well. Young princes, close your hands.

And your lips too, for I am well assured

2.1.536855That I did so when I was first assured.

Now citizens of Angiers ope your gates;

2.1.538857Let in that amity which you have made,

2.1.539858For at Saint Mary's Chapel presently

2.1.540859The rites of marriage shall be solemnized.

2.1.541860Is not the Lady Constance in this troop?

2.1.542861I know she is not, for this match made up

2.1.543862Her presence would have interrupted much.

2.1.544863Where is she and her son? Tell me, who knows?

She is sad and passionate at your highness' tent.

And by my faith, this league that we have made

2.1.547866Will give her sadness very little cure.

2.1.548867Brother of England, how may we content

2.1.549868This widow lady? In her right we came,

2.1.550869Which we, God knows, have turned another way,

2.1.551870To our own vantage.

To our own vantage. We will heal up all,

2.1.552872For we'll create young Arthur Duke of Bretagne

2.1.553873And Earl of Richmond, and this rich, fair town

2.1.554874We make him lord of. Call the Lady Constance.

2.1.555875Some speedy messenger bid her repair

2.1.556876To our solemnity.

To our solemnity. I trust we shall,

2.1.557877If not fill up the measure of her will,

2.1.558878Yet in some measure satisfy her so

2.1.559879That we shall stop her exclamation.

2.1.560880Go we as well as haste will suffer us

2.1.561881To this unlooked-for, unpreparèd pomp.

Mad world, mad kings, mad composition!

2.1.563883John, to stop Arthur's title in the whole,

2.1.564884Hath willingly departed with a part;

2.1.565885And France, whose armor Conscience buckled on,

2.1.566886Whom zeal and charity brought to the field

2.1.567887As God's own soldier, rounded in the ear

2.1.568888With that same purpose-changer, that sly devil,

2.1.569889That broker, that still breaks the pate of faith,

2.1.570890That daily break-vow, he that wins of all,

2.1.571891Of kings, of beggars, old men, young men, maids --

2.1.572892Who having no external thing to lose

2.1.573893But the word "maid" -- cheats the poor maid of that;

2.1.574894That smooth-faced gentleman, tickling Commodity.

2.1.575895Commodity, the bias of the world;

2.1.576896The world, who of itself is peisèd well,

2.1.577897Made to run even upon even ground,

2.1.578898Till this advantage, this vile-drawing bias,

2.1.579899This sway of motion, this Commodity,

2.1.580900Makes it take head from all indifferency,

2.1.581901From all direction, purpose, course, intent.

2.1.582902And this same bias, this Commodity,

2.1.583903This bawd, this broker, this all-changing word,

2.1.584904Clapped on the outward eye of fickle France,

2.1.585905Hath drawn him from his own determined aid,

2.1.586906From a resolved and honorable war

2.1.587907To a most base and vile-concluded peace.

2.1.588908And why rail I on this Commodity?

2.1.589909But for because he hath not wooed me yet.

2.1.590910Not that I have the power to clutch my hand

2.1.591911When his fair angels would salute my palm,

2.1.592912But for my hand, as unattempted yet,

2.1.593913Like a poor beggar, raileth on the rich.

2.1.594914Well, whiles I am a beggar, I will rail,

2.1.595915And say there is no sin but to be rich;

2.1.596916And being rich, my virtue then shall be

2.1.597917To say there is no vice but beggary.

2.1.598918Since kings break faith upon Commodity,

2.1.599919Gain be my lord, for I will worship thee.

Gone to be married? Gone to swear a peace?

2.2.2923False blood to false blood joined? Gone to be friends?

2.2.3924Shall Lewis have Blanche and Blanche those provinces?

2.2.4925It is not so. Thou hast misspoke, misheard.

2.2.5926Be well advised, tell o'er thy tale again.

2.2.6927It cannot be. Thou dost but say 'tis so.

2.2.7928I trust I may not trust thee, for thy word

2.2.8929Is but the vain breath of a common man.

2.2.9930Believe me, I do not believe thee, man;

2.2.10931I have a King's oath to the contrary.

2.2.11932Thou shalt be punished for thus frighting me,

2.2.12933For I am sick and capable of fears,

2.2.13934Oppressed with wrongs and therefore full of fears,

2.2.14935A widow, husbandless, subject to fears,

2.2.15936A woman naturally born to fears.

2.2.16937And though thou now confess thou didst but jest,

2.2.17938With my vexed spirits I cannot take a truce,

2.2.18939But they will quake and tremble all this day.

2.2.19940What dost thou mean by shaking of thy head?

2.2.20941Why dost thou look so sadly on my son?

2.2.21942What means that hand upon that breast of thine?

2.2.22943Why holds thine eye that lamentable rheum,

2.2.23944Like a proud river peering o'er his bounds?

2.2.24945Be these sad signs confirmers of thy words?

2.2.25946Then speak again, not all thy former tale,

2.2.26947But this one word -- whether thy tale be true.

As true as I believe you think them false

2.2.28949That give you cause to prove my saying true.

O, if thou teach me to believe this sorrow,

2.2.30951Teach thou this sorrow how to make me die,

2.2.31952And let belief and life encounter so

2.2.32953As doth the fury of two desperate men,

2.2.33954Which in the very meeting fall and die.

2.2.34955Lewis marry Blanche? O boy, then where art thou?

2.2.35956France friend with England? What becomes of me?

2.2.36957Fellow, be gone. I cannot brook thy sight.

2.2.37958This news hath made thee a most ugly man.

What other harm have I, good lady, done

2.2.39960But spoke the harm that is by others done?

Which harm within itself so heinous is

2.2.41962As it makes harmful all that speak of it.

I do beseech you, madam, be content.

If thou that bidst me be content wert grim,

2.2.44965Ugly, and slanderous to thy mother's womb,

2.2.45966Full of unpleasing blots and sightless stains,

2.2.46967Lame, foolish, crooked, swart, prodigious,

2.2.47968Patched with foul moles and eye-offending marks,

2.2.48969I would not care; I then would be content,

2.2.49970For then I should not love thee; no, nor thou

2.2.50971Become thy great birth, nor deserve a crown.

2.2.51972But thou art fair, and at thy birth, dear boy,

2.2.52973Nature and Fortune joined to make thee great.

2.2.53974Of Nature's gifts thou mayest with lilies boast,

2.2.54975And with the half-blown rose. But Fortune, O,

2.2.55976She is corrupted, changed, and won from thee.

2.2.56977Sh'adulterates hourly with thine uncle John,

2.2.57978And with her golden hand hath plucked on France

2.2.58979To tread down fair respect of sovereignty,

2.2.59980And made his majesty the bawd to theirs.

2.2.60981France is a bawd to Fortune and King John;

2.2.61982That strumpet Fortune, that usurping John.

2.2.62983Tell me thou fellow, is not France forsworn?

2.2.63984Envenom him with words or get thee gone

2.2.64985And leave those woes alone which I alone

2.2.65986Am bound to underbear.

Am bound to underbear. Pardon me, Madam,

2.2.66988I may not go without you to the kings.

Thou mayest; thou shalt. I will not go with thee.

2.2.68990I will instruct my sorrows to be proud,

2.2.69991For grief is proud and makes his owner stoop.

2.2.70992To me and to the state of my great grief,

2.2.71993Let kings assemble; for my grief's so great

2.2.72994That no supporter but the huge firm earth

2.2.73995Can hold it up. Here I and sorrows sit.

2.2.74996Here is my throne; bid kings come bow to it.

'Tis true, fair daughter, and this blessèd day

3.1.21001Ever in France shall be kept festival.

3.1.31002To solemnize this day the glorious sun

3.1.41003Stays in his course and plays the alchemist,

3.1.51004Turning with splendor of his precious eye

3.1.61005The meager cloddy earth to glittering gold.

3.1.71006The yearly course that brings this day about

3.1.81007Shall never see it but a holiday.

[Rising] A wicked day and not a holy day.

3.1.101009What hath this day deserved? what hath it done,

3.1.111010That it in golden letters should be set

3.1.121011Among the high tides in the calendar?

3.1.131012Nay, rather turn this day out of the week,

3.1.141013This day of shame, oppression, perjury.

3.1.151014Or, if it must stand still, let wives with child

3.1.161015Pray that their burdens may not fall this day,

3.1.171016Lest that their hopes prodigiously be crossed;

3.1.181017But on this day let seamen fear no wreck;

3.1.191018No bargains break that are not this day made;

3.1.201019This day all things begun come to ill end;

3.1.211020Yea, faith itself to hollow falsehood change.

By heaven, lady, you shall have no cause

3.1.231022To curse the fair proceedings of this day.

3.1.241023Have I not pawned to you my majesty?

You have beguiled me with a counterfeit

3.1.261025Resembling majesty, which, being touched and tried,

3.1.271026Proves valueless. You are forsworn, forsworn.

3.1.281027You came in arms to spill mine enemy's blood,

3.1.291028But now in arms you strengthen it with yours.

3.1.301029The grappling vigor and rough frown of war

3.1.311030Is cold in amity and painted peace,

3.1.321031And our oppression hath made up this league.

3.1.331032Arm, arm, you heavens, against these perjured kings!

3.1.341033A widow cries, be husband to me, heavens.

3.1.351034Let not the hours of this ungodly day

3.1.361035Wear out the days in peace, but ere sunset

3.1.371036Set armèd discord 'twixt these perjured kings.

3.1.381037Hear me, O, hear me!

Hear me, O, hear me! Lady Constance, peace.

War, war, no peace. Peace is to me a war.

3.1.401040O Limoges, O Austria, thou dost shame

3.1.411041That bloody spoil. Thou slave, thou wretch, thou coward,

3.1.421042Thou little valiant, great in villainy;

3.1.431043Thou ever strong upon the stronger side;

3.1.441044Thou Fortune's champion, that dost never fight

3.1.451045But when her humorous ladyship is by

3.1.461046To teach thee safety -- thou art perjured too,

3.1.471047And sooth'st up greatness. What a fool art thou,

3.1.481048A ramping fool, to brag and stamp and swear

3.1.491049Upon my party. Thou cold-blooded slave,

3.1.501050Hast thou not spoke like thunder on my side?

3.1.511051Been sworn my soldier, bidding me depend

3.1.521052Upon thy stars, thy fortune, and thy strength?

3.1.531053And dost thou now fall over to my foes?

3.1.541054Thou wear a lion's hide? Doff it for shame,

3.1.551055And hang a calf's-skin on those recreant limbs.

O that a man should speak those words to me!

And hang a calf's-skin on those recreant limbs.

Thou dar'st not say so villain for thy life.

And hang a calf's-skin on those recreant limbs.

We like not this, thou dost forget thyself.

Here comes the holy legate of the Pope.

Hail you anointed deputies of heaven. --

3.1.631064To thee King John my holy errand is.

3.1.641065I, Pandulph, of fair Milan Cardinal,

3.1.651066And from Pope Innocent the legate here,

3.1.661067Do in his name religiously demand

3.1.671068Why thou against the Church, our holy mother,

3.1.681069So willfully dost spurn and force perforce

3.1.691070Keep Stephen Langton, chosen Archbishop

3.1.701071Of Canterbury, from that holy See.

3.1.711072This in our foresaid Holy Father's name,

3.1.721073Pope Innocent, I do demand of thee.

What earthly name to interrogatories

3.1.741075Can test the free breath of a sacred king?

3.1.751076Thou canst not, Cardinal, devise a name

3.1.761077So slight, unworthy, and ridiculous

3.1.771078To charge me to an answer as the Pope.

3.1.781079Tell him this tale, and from the mouth of England

3.1.791080Add thus much more: that no Italian priest

3.1.801081Shall tithe or toll in our dominions;

3.1.811082But as we, under [god], are supreme head,

3.1.821083So under him that great supremacy

3.1.831084Where we do reign, we will alone uphold

3.1.841085Without th'assistance of a mortal hand.

3.1.851086So tell the Pope, all reverence set apart,

3.1.861087To him and his usurped authority.

Brother of England, you blaspheme in this.

Though you and all the kings of Christendom

3.1.891090Are led so grossly by this meddling priest,

3.1.901091Dreading the curse that money may buy out,

3.1.911092And by the merit of vile gold, dross, dust,

3.1.921093Purchase corrupted pardon of a man

3.1.931094Who in that sale sells pardon from himself;

3.1.941095Though you, and al the rest so grossly led,

3.1.951096This juggling witchcraft with revenue cherish,

3.1.961097Yet I alone, alone do me oppose

3.1.971098Against the Pope, and count his friends my foes.

Then, by the lawful power that I have,

3.1.991100Thou shalt stand curst and excommunicate,

3.1.1001101And blessèd shall he be that doth revolt

3.1.1011102From his allegiance to an heretic,

3.1.1021103And meritorious shall that hand be called,

3.1.1031104Canonizèd and worshipped as a saint,

3.1.1041105That takes away by any secret course

3.1.1051106Thy hateful life.

Thy hateful life. O, lawful let it be

3.1.1061108That I have room with Rome to curse awhile.

3.1.1071109Good Father Cardinal, cry thou "amen"

3.1.1081110To my keen curses, for without my wrong

3.1.1091111There is no tongue hath power to curse him right.

There's law and warrant, lady, for my curse.

And for mine too. When law can do no right,

3.1.1121114Let it be lawful that law bar no wrong.

3.1.1131115Law cannot give my child his kingdom here,

3.1.1141116For he that holds his kingdom holds the law.

3.1.1151117Therefore, since law itself is perfect wrong,

3.1.1161118How can the law forbid my tongue to curse?

Philip of France, on peril of a curse,

3.1.1181120Let go the hand of that arch-heretic

3.1.1191121And raise the power of France upon his head

3.1.1201122Unless he do submit himself to Rome.

Look'st thou pale France? Do not let go thy hand.

Look to that, devil, lest that France repent

3.1.1231125And by disjoining hands, hell lose a soul.

King Philip, listen to the Cardinal.

And hang a calf's-skin on his recreant limbs.

Well ruffian, I must pocket up these wrongs,

3.1.1271129Because --

Your breeches best may carry them.

Philip, what sayest thou to the Cardinal?

What should he say, but as the Cardinal?

Bethink you father, for the difference

3.1.1321134Is purchase of a heavy curse from Rome,

3.1.1331135Or the light loss of England for a friend.

3.1.1341136Forgo the easier.

Forgo the easier. That's the curse of Rome.

O Lewis, stand fast; the devil tempts thee here

3.1.1361139In likeness of a new untrimmèd bride.

The Lady Constance speaks not from her faith,

3.1.1381141But from her need.

O, if thou grant my need,

3.1.1401143Which only lives but by the death of faith,

3.1.1411144That need must needs infer this principle:

3.1.1421145That faith would live again by death of need.

3.1.1431146O, then tread down my need, and faith mounts up,

3.1.1441147Keep my need up, and faith is trodden down.

The king is moved and answers not to this.

O, be removed from him, and answer well.

Do so King Philip, hang no more in doubt.

Hang nothing but a calf's-skin, most sweet lout.

I am perplexed, and know not what to say.

What canst thou say, but will perplex thee more

3.1.1511154If thou stand excommunicate and cursed?

Good reverend father, make my person yours,

3.1.1531156And tell me how you would bestow yourself.

3.1.1541157This royal hand and mine are newly knit,

3.1.1551158And the conjunction of our inward souls

3.1.1561159Married in league, coupled, and linked together

3.1.1571160With all religious strength of sacred vows.

3.1.1581161The latest breath that gave the sound of words

3.1.1591162Was deep-sworn faith, peace, amity, true love

3.1.1601163Between our kingdoms and our royal selves;

3.1.1611164And even before this truce, but new before,

3.1.1621165No longer than we well could wash our hands,

3.1.1631166To clap this royal bargain up of peace,

3.1.1641167Heaven knows they were besmeared and over-stained

3.1.1651168With slaughter's pencil; where revenge did paint

3.1.1661169The fearful difference of incensèd kings.

3.1.1671170And shall these hands, so lately purged of blood,

3.1.1681171So newly joined in love, so strong in both,

3.1.1691172Unyoke this seizure and this kind regreet?

3.1.1701173Play fast and loose with faith? So jest with heaven,

3.1.1711174Make such unconstant children of ourselves

3.1.1721175As now again to snatch our palm from palm,

3.1.1731176Unswear faith sworn, and on the marriage bed

3.1.1741177Of smiling peace to march a bloody host,

3.1.1751178And make a riot on the gentle brow

3.1.1761179Of true sincerity? O, holy sir

3.1.1771180My reverend father, let it not be so;

3.1.1781181Out of your grace, devise, ordain, impose

3.1.1791182Some gentle order, and then we shall be blest

3.1.1801183To do your pleasure and continue friends.

All form is formless, order orderless,

3.1.1821185Save what is opposite to England's love.

3.1.1831186Therefore to arms! Be champion of our church,

3.1.1841187Or let the church our mother breathe her curse,

3.1.1851188A mother's curse, on her revolting son.

3.1.1861189France, thou mayest hold a serpent by the tongue,

3.1.1871190A casèd lion by the mortal paw,

3.1.1881191A fasting tiger safer by the tooth,

3.1.1891192Than keep in peace that hand which thou dost hold.

I may disjoin my hand, but not my faith.

So mak'st thou faith an enemy to faith,

3.1.1921195And like a civil war set'st oath to oath,

3.1.1931196Thy tongue against thy tongue. O let thy vow

3.1.1941197First made to heaven, first be to heaven performed,

3.1.1951198That is, to be the champion of our church.

3.1.1961199What since thou swor'st is sworn against thyself

3.1.1971200And may not be performèd by thyself,

3.1.1981201For that which thou hast sworn to do amiss,

3.1.1991202Is not amiss when it is truly done.

3.1.2001203And being not done where doing tends to ill,

3.1.2011204The truth is then most done not doing it.

3.1.2021205The better act of purposes mistook

3.1.2031206Is to mistake again; though indirect,

3.1.2041207Yet indirection thereby grows direct,

3.1.2051208And falsehood falsehood cures, as fire cools fire

3.1.2061209Within the scorchèd veins of one new burned.

3.1.2071210It is religion that doth make vows kept,

3.1.2081211But thou hast sworn against religion

3.1.2091212By what thou swear'st against the thing thou swear'st,

3.1.2101213And mak'st an oath the surety for thy truth

3.1.2111214Against an oath. The truth thou art unsure

3.1.2121215To swear, swears only not to be forsworn,

3.1.2131216Else what a mockery should it be to swear?

3.1.2141217But thou dost swear only to be forsworn,

3.1.2151218And most forsworn to keep what thou dost swear.

3.1.2161219Therefore thy later vows against thy first

3.1.2171220Is in thy self rebellion to thy self;

3.1.2181221And better conquest never canst thou make,

3.1.2191222Than arm thy constant and thy nobler parts

3.1.2201223Against these giddy loose suggestions,

3.1.2211224Upon which better part our prayers come in,

3.1.2221225If thou vouchsafe them. But if not, then know

3.1.2231226The peril of our curses light on thee

3.1.2241227So heavy as thou shalt not shake them off,

3.1.2251228But in despair die under their black weight.

Rebellion, flat rebellion!

Rebellion, flat rebellion! Will't not be?

3.1.2281231Will not a calf's-skin stop that mouth of thine?

Father, to arms!

Upon thy wedding day?

3.1.2311234Against the blood that thou hast marrièd?

3.1.2321235What, shall our feast be kept with slaughtered men?

3.1.2331236Shall braying trumpets and loud churlish drums,

3.1.2341237Clamors of hell, be measures to our pomp?

3.1.2351238O husband, hear me! Ay, alack, how new

3.1.2361239Is "husband" in my mouth! [Kneeling] Even for that name,

3.1.2371240Which till this time my tongue did ne'er pronounce,

3.1.2381241Upon my knee I beg, go not to arms

3.1.2391242Against mine uncle.

[Kneeling] O, upon my knee made hard with kneeling,

3.1.2411244I do pray to thee, thou virtuous Dauphin,

3.1.2421245Alter not the doom forethought by heaven.

[To Lewis] Now shall I see thy love. What motive may

3.1.2441247Be stronger with thee than the name of wife?

That which upholdeth him that thee upholds,

3.1.2461249His honor. -- O, thine honor, Lewis, thine honor.

[To King Philip] I muse your majesty doth seem so cold

3.1.2481251When such profound respects do pull you on.

I will denounce a curse upon his head.

Thou shalt not need. England, I will fall from thee.

3.1.2511254Constance [Rising]

O fair return of banished majesty!

O foul revolt of French inconstancy!

France, thou shalt rue this hour within this hour.

Old Time the clock-setter, that bald sexton Time,

3.1.2551258Is it as he will? Well then, France shall rue.

[Rising] The Sun's o'ercast with blood. Fair day adieu.

3.1.2571260Which is the side that I must go withal?

3.1.2581261I am with both; each army hath a hand,

3.1.2591262And in their rage, I having hold of both,

3.1.2601263They whirl asunder and dismember me.

3.1.2611264Husband, I cannot pray that thou mayest win; --

3.1.2621265Uncle, I needs must pray that thou mayest lose; --

3.1.2631266Father, I may not wish the fortune thine; --

3.1.2641267Grandam, I will not wish thy wishes thrive.

3.1.2651268Whoever wins, on that side shall I lose,

3.1.2661269Assurèd loss, before the match be played.

Lady, with me, with me thy fortune lies.

There where my fortune lives, there my life dies.

Cousin, go draw our puissance together.

3.1.2701273France, I am burned up with inflaming wrath,

3.1.2711274A rage, whose heat hath this condition,

3.1.2721275That nothing can allay, nothing but blood --

3.1.2731276The blood and dearest-valued blood of France.

Thy rage shall burn thee up and thou shalt turn

3.1.2751278To ashes ere our blood shall quench that fire.

3.1.2761279Look to thyself. Thou art in jeopardy.

No more than he that threats. To arms let's hie.

Now, by my life, this day grows wondrous hot.

3.2.21286Some airy devil hovers in the sky

3.2.31287And pours down mischief. Austria's head lie there

3.2.41289While Philip breathes. [He puts down Austria's head.]

Hubert, keep this boy. Philip, make up,

3.2.61291My mother is assailèd in our tent,

3.2.71292And ta'en I fear.

My lord I rescued her.

3.2.91294Her highness is in safety, fear you not --

3.2.101295But on, my liege, for very little pains

3.2.111296Will bring this labor to an happy end.

[To Queen Eleanor] So shall it be. Your Grace shall stay behind

3.2.131300So strongly guarded. -- [To Arthur] Cousin, look not sad,

3.2.141301Thy grandam loves thee, and thy uncle will

3.2.151302As dear be to thee as thy father was.

O, this will make my mother die with grief.

[To the Bastard] Cousin, away for England, haste before,

3.2.181305And ere our coming see thou shake the bags

3.2.191306Of hoarding abbots; imprisoned angels

3.2.201307Set at liberty. The fat ribs of peace

3.2.211308Must by the hungry now be fed upon.

3.2.221309Use our commission in his utmost force.

Bell, book, and candle shall not drive me back

3.2.241311When gold and silver becks me to come on.

3.2.251312I leave your highness. -- Grandam, I will pray,

3.2.261313If ever I remember to be holy,

3.2.271314For your fair safety; so I kiss your hand.

Farewell, gentle cousin.

Farewell, gentle cousin. Coz, farewell.

Come hither little kinsman, hark, a word.

Come hither Hubert. [He takes Hubert aside.] O my gentle Hubert,

3.2.311319We owe thee much. Within this wall of flesh

3.2.321320There is a soul counts thee her creditor,

3.2.331321And with advantage means to pay thy love.

3.2.341322And, my good friend, thy voluntary oath

3.2.351323Lives in this bosom, dearly cherishèd.

3.2.361324Give me thy hand. I had a thing to say,

3.2.371325But I will fit it with some better tune.

3.2.381326By heaven Hubert, I am almost ashamed

3.2.391327To say what good respect I have of thee.

I am much bounden to your majesty.

Good friend, thou hast no cause to say so yet,

3.2.421330But thou shalt have; and, creep time ne'er so slow,

3.2.431331Yet it shall come for me to do thee good.

3.2.441332I had a thing to say -- but let it go.

3.2.451333The sun is in the heaven, and the proud day,

3.2.461334Attended with the pleasures of the world,

3.2.471335Is all too wanton and too full of gauds

3.2.481336To give me audience. If the midnight bell

3.2.491337Did with his iron tongue and brazen mouth

3.2.501338Sound on into the drowsy race of night;

3.2.511339If this same were a churchyard where we stand,

3.2.521340And thou possessed with a thousand wrongs;

3.2.531341Or if that surly spirit, melancholy,

3.2.541342Had baked thy blood, and made it heavy, thick,

3.2.551343Which else runs tickling up and down the veins,

3.2.561344Making that idiot, laughter, keep men's eyes,

3.2.571345And strain their cheeks to idle merriment,

3.2.581346A passion hateful to my purposes;

3.2.591347Or if that thou couldst see me without eyes,

3.2.601348Hear me without thine ears, and make reply

3.2.611349Without a tongue, using conceit alone --

3.2.621350Without eyes, ears, and harmful sound of words --

3.2.631351Then, in despite of brooded watchful day,

3.2.641352I would into thy bosom pour my thoughts.

3.2.651353But, ah, I will not. Yet I love thee well,

3.2.661354And by my troth I think thou lov'st me well.

So well, that what you bid me undertake,

3.2.681356Though that my death were adjunct to my act,

3.2.691357By heaven I would do it.

Do not I know thou wouldst?

3.2.711359Good Hubert, Hubert, Hubert throw thine eye

3.2.721360On yon young boy. I'll tell thee what, my friend,

3.2.731361He is a very serpent in my way,

3.2.741362And wheresoe'er this foot of mine doth tread,

3.2.751363He lies before me. Dost thou understand me?

3.2.761364Thou art his keeper.

Thou art his keeper. And I'll keep him so

3.2.781366That he shall not offend your majesty.

Death.

My lord?

A grave.

He shall not live.

Enough.

3.2.841372I could be merry now. Hubert, I love thee.

3.2.851373Well, I'll not say what I intend for thee.

3.2.861374Remember. -- Madam, fare you well,

3.2.871375I'll send those powers o'er to your majesty.

My blessing go with thee.

[To Arthur] For England cousin, go.

3.2.901378Hubert shall be your man, attend on you

3.2.911379With all true duty. -- On toward Calais, ho!

So by a roaring tempest on the flood,

3.3.21384A whole armada of convicted sail

3.3.31385Is scattered and disjoined from fellowship.

Courage and comfort! All shall yet go well.

What can go well, when we have run so ill?

3.3.61388Are we not beaten? Is not Angiers lost?

3.3.71389Arthur ta'en prisoner? Divers dear friends slain?

3.3.81390And bloody England into England gone,

3.3.91391O'erbearing interruption spite of France?

What he hath won, that hath he fortified.

3.3.111393So hot a speed, with such advice disposed,

3.3.121394Such temperate order in so fierce a cause,

3.3.131395Doth want example. Who hath read or heard

3.3.141396Of any kindred action like to this?

Well could I bear that England had this praise,

3.3.161398So we could find some pattern of our shame.

3.3.171400Look who comes here: a grave unto a soul,

3.3.181401Holding th' eternal spirit against her will

3.3.191402In the vile prison of afflicted breath.

3.3.201403I prithee lady go away with me.

Lo, now, now see the issue of your peace.

Patience, good lady. Comfort, gentle Constance.

No, I defy all counsel, all redress,

3.3.241407But that which ends all counsel, true redress.

3.3.251408Death. Death, O amiable, lovely death,

3.3.261409Thou odoriferous stench, sound rottenness,

3.3.271410Arise forth from the couch of lasting night,

3.3.281411Thou hate and terror to prosperity,

3.3.291412And I will kiss thy detestable bones,

3.3.301413And put my eye-balls in thy vaulty brows,

3.3.311414And ring these fingers with thy household worms,

3.3.321415And stop this gap of breath with fulsome dust,

3.3.331416And be a carrion monster like thy self.

3.3.341417Come, grin on me, and I will think thou smil'st,

3.3.351418And buss thee as thy wife. Misery's love,

3.3.361419O, come to me.

O, come to me. O, fair affliction, peace.

No, no, I will not, having breath to cry.

3.3.391422O, that my tongue were in the thunder's mouth:

3.3.401423Then with a passion would I shake the world,

3.3.411424And rouse from sleep that fell anatomy

3.3.421425Which cannot hear a lady's feeble voice,

3.3.431426Which scorns a modern invocation.

Lady, you utter madness and not sorrow.

Thou art not holy to belie me so.

3.3.461429I am not mad. This hair I tear is mine;

3.3.471430My name is Constance; I was Geoffrey's wife;

3.3.481431Young Arthur is my son, and he is lost:

3.3.491432I am not mad. I would to [god] I were,

3.3.501433For then 'tis like I should forget my self.

3.3.511434O, if I could, what grief should I forget?

3.3.521435Preach some philosophy to make me mad,

3.3.531436And thou shalt be canonized, Cardinal.

3.3.541437For, being not mad, but sensible of grief,

3.3.551438My reasonable part produces reason

3.3.561439How I may be delivered of these woes,

3.3.571440And teaches me to kill or hang my self.

3.3.581441If I were mad, I should forget my son,

3.3.591442Or madly think a babe of clouts were he.

3.3.601443I am not mad: too well, too well I feel

3.3.611444The different plague of each calamity.

Bind up those tresses. O, what love I note

3.3.631446In the fair multitude of those her hairs,

3.3.641447Where but by chance a silver drop hath fall'n,

3.3.651448Even to that drop ten thousand wiry friends

3.3.661449Do glue themselves in sociable grief,

3.3.671450Like true, inseparable, faithful loves,

3.3.681451Sticking together in calamity.

To England, if you will.

Bind up your hairs.

Yes that I will. And wherefore will I do it?

3.3.721455I tore them from their bonds, and cried aloud,

3.3.731456"O, that these hands could so redeem my son

3.3.741457As they have given these hairs their liberty."

3.3.751458But now I envy at their liberty

3.3.761459And will again commit them to their bonds,

3.3.771460Because my poor child is a prisoner.

3.3.781461And, father Cardinal, I have heard you say

3.3.791462That we shall see and know our friends in heaven.

3.3.801463If that be true, I shall see my boy again;

3.3.811464For since the birth of Cain, the first male child,

3.3.821465To him that did but yesterday suspire,

3.3.831466There was not such a gracious creature born.

3.3.841467But now will canker-sorrow eat my bud

3.3.851468And chase the native beauty from his cheek,

3.3.861469And he will look as hollow as a ghost,

3.3.871470As dim and meager as an ague's fit,

3.3.881471And so he'll die; and, rising so again,

3.3.891472When I shall meet him in the court of heaven

3.3.901473I shall not know him. Therefore never, never

3.3.911474Must I behold my pretty Arthur more.

You hold too heinous a respect of grief.

He talks to me that never had a son.

You are as fond of grief as of your child.

Grief fills the room up of my absent child:

3.3.961479Lies in his bed, walks up and down with me,

3.3.971480Puts on his pretty looks, repeats his words,

3.3.981481Remembers me of all his gracious parts,

3.3.991482Stuffs out his vacant garments with his form.

3.3.1001483Then have I reason to be fond of grief?

3.3.1011484Fare you well. Had you such a loss as I,

3.3.1021485I could give better comfort than you do.

3.3.1031486I will not keep this form upon my head,

3.3.1041487When there is such disorder in my wit.

3.3.1051488O lord; my boy, my Arthur, my fair son,

3.3.1061489My life, my joy, my food, my all the world,

3.3.1071490My widow-comfort, and my sorrows' cure.

I fear some outrage, and I'll follow her.

There's nothing in this world can make me joy.

3.3.1101493Life is as tedious as a twice-told tale

3.3.1111494Vexing the dull ear of a drowsy man;

3.3.1121495And bitter shame hath spoiled the sweet word's taste

3.3.1131496That it yields naught but shame and bitterness.

Before the curing of a strong disease,

3.3.1151498Even in the instant of repair and health,

3.3.1161499The fit is strongest. Evils that take leave

3.3.1171500On their departure most of all show evil.

3.3.1181501What have you lost by losing of this day?

All days of glory, joy, and happiness.

If you had won it, certainly you had.

3.3.1211504No, no. When Fortune means to men most good

3.3.1221505She looks upon them with a threat'ning eye.

3.3.1231506'Tis strange to think how much King John hath lost

3.3.1241507In this which he accounts so clearly won.

3.3.1251508Are not you grieved that Arthur is his prisoner?

As heartily as he is glad he hath him.

Your mind is all as youthful as your blood.

3.3.1281511Now hear me speak with a prophetic spirit,

3.3.1291512For even the breath of what I mean to speak

3.3.1301513Shall blow each dust, each straw, each little rub

3.3.1311514Out of the path which shall directly lead

3.3.1321515Thy foot to England's throne. And therefore mark:

3.3.1331516John hath seized Arthur, and it cannot be,

3.3.1341517That whiles warm life plays in that infant's veins,

3.3.1351518The misplaced John should entertain an hour,

3.3.1361519One minute, nay one quiet breath of rest.

3.3.1371520A scepter snatched with an unruly hand

3.3.1381521Must be as boisterously maintained as gained.

3.3.1391522And he that stands upon a slippery place

3.3.1401523Makes nice of no vile hold to stay him up.

3.3.1411524That John may stand, then Arthur needs must fall.

3.3.1421525So be it, for it cannot be but so.

But what shall I gain by young Arthur's fall?

You, in the right of Lady Blanche your wife,

3.3.1451528May then make all the claim that Arthur did.

And lose it, life and all, as Arthur did.

How green you are, and fresh in this old world!

3.3.1481531John lays you plots. The times conspire with you,

3.3.1491532For he that steeps his safety in true blood

3.3.1501533Shall find but bloody safety, and untrue.

3.3.1511534This act, so evilly borne, shall cool the hearts

3.3.1521535Of all his people and freeze up their zeal,

3.3.1531536That none so small advantage shall step forth

3.3.1541537To check his reign but they will cherish it.

3.3.1551538No natural exhalation in the sky,

3.3.1561539No scope of nature, no distempered day,

3.3.1571540No common wind, no customèd event,

3.3.1581541But they will pluck away his natural cause

3.3.1591542And call them meteors, prodigies, and signs;

3.3.1601543Abortives, presages, and tongues of heaven,

3.3.1611544Plainly denouncing vengeance upon John.

Maybe he will not touch young Arthur's life,

3.3.1631546But hold himself safe in his prisonment.

O sir, when he shall hear of your approach,

3.3.1651548If that young Arthur be not gone already,

3.3.1661549Even at that news he dies; and then the hearts

3.3.1671550Of all his people shall revolt from him

3.3.1681551And kiss the lips of unacquainted change,

3.3.1691552And pick strong matter of revolt and wrath

3.3.1701553Out of the bloody fingers' ends of John.

3.3.1711554Methinks I see this hurley all on foot,

3.3.1721555And O, what better matter breeds for you

3.3.1731556Than I have named. The Bastard Falconbridge

3.3.1741557Is now in England ransacking the church,

3.3.1751558Offending charity. If but a dozen French

3.3.1761559Were there in arms they would be as a call

3.3.1771560To train ten thousand English to their side;

3.3.1781561Or as a little snow, tumbled about,

3.3.1791562Anon becomes a mountain. O noble Dauphin,

3.3.1801563Go with me to the King. 'Tis wonderful,

3.3.1811564What may be wrought out of their discontent

3.3.1821565Now that their souls are top-full of offence.

3.3.1831566For England go. I will whet on the King.

Strong reasons makes strange actions: let us go,

3.3.1851568If you say ay, the King will not say no.

Heat me these irons hot, and look thou stand

4.1.21572Within the arras. When I strike my foot

4.1.31573Upon the bosom of the ground, rush forth

4.1.41574And bind the boy which you shall find with me

4.1.51575Fast to the chair. Be heedful. Hence, and watch.

I hope your warrant will bear out the deed.

Uncleanly scruples! Fear not you. Look too't.

4.1.81578Young lad come forth. I have to say with you.

Good morrow Hubert.

Good morrow Hubert. Good morrow little prince.

As little prince, having so great a title

4.1.111583To be more prince, as may be. You are sad.

Indeed I have been merrier.

Indeed I have been merrier. Mercy on me!

4.1.131586Methinks nobody should be sad but I.

4.1.141587Yet I remember, when I was in France,

4.1.151588Young gentlemen would be as sad as night

4.1.161589Only for wantonness. By my christendom,

4.1.171590So I were out of prison and kept sheep,

4.1.181591I should be as merry as the day is long;

4.1.191592And so I would be here but that I doubt

4.1.201593My uncle practices more harm to me.

4.1.211594He is afraid of me, and I of him.

4.1.221595Is it my fault that I was Geoffrey's son?

4.1.231596No indeed is't not; and I would to heaven

4.1.241597I were your son, so you would love me, Hubert.

[Aside] If I talk to him, with his innocent prate

4.1.261599He will awake my mercy, which lies dead.

4.1.271600Therefore I will be sudden and dispatch.

Are you sick Hubert? You look pale today.

4.1.291602In sooth I would you were a little sick

4.1.301603That I might sit all night and watch with you.

4.1.311604I warrant I love you more than you do me.

[Aside] His words do take possession of my bosom.

4.1.331606Read here young Arthur. [Aside] How now, foolish rheum?

4.1.341607Turning dispiteous torture out of door?

4.1.351608I must be brief, lest resolution drop

4.1.361609Out at mine eyes in tender womanish tears.

4.1.371610Can you not read it? Is it not fair writ?

Too fairly Hubert, for so foul effect.

4.1.391612Must you with hot irons, burn out both mine eyes?

Young boy, I must.

Young boy, I must. And will you?

Young boy, I must. And will you? And I will.

Have you the heart? When your head did but 1617ache,

4.1.421618I knit my handkerchief about your brows --

4.1.431619The best I had, a princess wrought it me --

4.1.441620And I did never ask it you again.

4.1.451621And with my hand at midnight held your head,

4.1.461622And like the watchful minutes to the hour

4.1.471623Still and anon cheered up the heavy time,

4.1.481624Saying, "What lack you?" and "Where lies your grief?"

4.1.491625Or "What good love may I perform for you?"

4.1.501626Many a poor man's son would have lain still

4.1.511627And ne'er have spoke a loving word to you,

4.1.521628But you at your sick service had a prince.

4.1.531629Nay, you may think my love was crafty love,

4.1.541630And call it cunning. Do, an if you will,

4.1.551631If heaven be pleased that you must use me ill,

4.1.561632Why then you must. Will you put out mine eyes?

4.1.571633These eyes that never did, nor never shall,

4.1.581634So much as frown on you?

I have sworn to do it,

4.1.601636And with hot irons must I burn them out.

Ah, none but in this iron age would do it.

4.1.621638The iron of itself, though heat red hot,

4.1.631639Approaching near these eyes, would drink my tears,

4.1.641640And quench his fiery indignation,

4.1.651641Even in the matter of mine innocence;

4.1.661642Nay, after that, consume away in rust,

4.1.671643But for containing fire to harm mine eye.

4.1.681644Are you more stubborn-hard, than hammered iron?

4.1.691645An if an angel should have come to me

4.1.701646And told me Hubert should put out mine eyes

4.1.711647I would not have believed him. No tongue

4.1.72But Hubert's.

But Hubert's. [Stamps his foot] Come forth!

But Hubert's. [Stamps his foot] Come forth! Do as I bid you do.

O, save me Hubert, save me! My eyes are out

4.1.741650Even with the fierce looks of these bloody men.

Give me the iron, I say, and bind him here.

Alas, what need you be so boisterous-rough?

4.1.771653I will not struggle, I will stand stone-still.

4.1.781654For [god's] sake Hubert, let me not be bound.

4.1.791655Nay, hear me Hubert! Drive these men away,

4.1.801656And I will sit as quiet as a lamb.

4.1.811657I will not stir, nor wince, nor speak a word,

4.1.821658Nor look upon the iron angrily.

4.1.831659Thrust but these men away, and I'll forgive you

4.1.841660Whatever torment you do put me to.

Go stand within. Let me alone with him.

I am best pleased to be from such a deed.

Alas, I then have chid away my friend.

4.1.881664He hath a stern look, but a gentle heart.

4.1.891665Let him come back, that his compassion may

4.1.901666Give life to yours.

Give life to yours. Come, boy, prepare your self.

Is there no remedy?

Is there no remedy? None but to lose your eyes.

O heaven, that there were but a mote in yours,

4.1.931671A grain, a dust, a gnat, a wandering hair,

4.1.941672Any annoyance in that precious sense:

4.1.951673Then, feeling what small things are boisterous there,

4.1.961674Your vile intent must needs seem horrible.

Is this your promise? Go to, hold your tongue.

Hubert, the utterance of a brace of tongues

4.1.991677Must needs want pleading for a pair of eyes.

4.1.1001678Let me not hold my tongue, let me not Hubert;

4.1.1011679Or Hubert, if you will, cut out my tongue,

4.1.1021680So I may keep mine eyes. O spare mine eyes,

4.1.1031681Though to no use, but still to look on you.

4.1.1041682Lo, by my troth, the instrument is cold,

4.1.1051683And would not harm me.

I can heat it, boy.

No, in good sooth. The fire is dead with grief,

4.1.1081686Being create for comfort, to be used

4.1.1091687In undeserved extremes. See else yourself;

4.1.1101688There is no malice in this burning coal.

4.1.1111689The breath of heaven hath blown his spirit out

4.1.1121690And strewed repentant ashes on his head.

But with my breath I can revive it, boy.

An if you do, you will but make it blush

4.1.1151693And glow with shame of your proceedings, Hubert.

4.1.1161694Nay, it perchance will sparkle in your eyes,

4.1.1171695And, like a dog that is compelled to fight,

4.1.1181696Snatch at his master that doth tarre him on.

4.1.1191697All things that you should use to do me wrong

4.1.1201698Deny their office: only you do lack

4.1.1211699That mercy which fierce fire and iron extends,

4.1.1221700Creatures of note for mercy-lacking uses.

Well, see to live. I will not touch thine eye

4.1.1241702For all the treasure that thine uncle owes.

4.1.1251703Yet am I sworn, and I did purpose, boy,

4.1.1261704With this same very iron to burn them out.

O, now you look like Hubert. All this while

4.1.1281706You were disguisèd.

You were disguisèd. Peace, no more. Adieu.

4.1.1301708Your uncle must not know but you are dead.

4.1.1311709I'll fill these doggèd spies with false reports;

4.1.1321710And, pretty child, sleep doubtless and secure,

4.1.1331711That Hubert, for the wealth of all the world,

4.1.1341712Will not offend thee.

O heaven! I thank you Hubert.

Silence, no more. Go closely in with me.

4.1.1371715Much danger do I undergo for thee.

Here once again we sit, once again crowned,

4.2.21719And looked upon, I hope, with cheerful eyes.

This "once again," but that your Highness pleased,

4.2.41721Was once superfluous. You were crowned before,

4.2.51722And that high royalty was ne'er plucked off,

4.2.61723The faiths of men ne'er stainèd with revolt;

4.2.71724Fresh expectation troubled not the land

4.2.81725With any longed-for change or better state.

Therefore to be possessed with double pomp,

4.2.101727To guard a title that was rich before,

4.2.111728To gild refinèd gold, to paint the lily,

4.2.121729To throw a perfume on the violet,

4.2.131730To smooth the ice, or add another hue

4.2.141731Unto the rainbow, or with taper-light

4.2.151732To seek the beauteous eye of heaven to garnish,

4.2.161733Is wasteful and ridiculous excess.

But that your royal pleasure must be done,

4.2.181735This act is as an ancient tale new told,

4.2.191736And, in the last repeating, troublesome,

4.2.201737Being urged at a time unseasonable.

In this the antique, and well-noted face

4.2.221739Of plain old form is much disfigurèd,

4.2.231740And like a shifted wind unto a sail,

4.2.241741It makes the course of thoughts to fetch about,

4.2.251742Startles and frights consideration,

4.2.261743Makes sound opinion sick and truth suspected

4.2.271744For putting on so new a fashioned robe.

When workmen strive to do better than well

4.2.291746They do confound their skill in covetousness,

4.2.301747And oftentimes excusing of a fault

4.2.311748Doth make the fault the worse by th'excuse,

4.2.321749As patches set upon a little breach

4.2.331750Discredit more in hiding of the fault

4.2.341751Than did the fault before it was so patched.

To this effect, before you were new crowned

4.2.361753We breathed our counsel. But it pleased your Highness

4.2.371754To overbear it, and we are all well pleased,

4.2.381755Since all, and every part of what we would

4.2.391756Doth make a stand at what your highness will.

Some reasons of this double coronation

4.2.411758I have possessed you with, and think them strong.

4.2.421759And more, more strong, than lesser is my fear

4.2.431760I shall endue you with. Mean time, but ask

4.2.441761What you would have reformed that is not well,

4.2.451762And well shall you perceive how willingly

4.2.461763I will both hear and grant you your requests.

Then I, as one that am the tongue of these

4.2.481765To sound the purposes of all their hearts,

4.2.491766Both for myself and them, but chief of all

4.2.501767Your safety, for the which myself and them

4.2.511768Bend their best studies, heartily request

4.2.521769Th'enfranchisement of Arthur, whose restraint

4.2.531770Doth move the murmuring lips of discontent

4.2.541771To break into this dangerous argument.

4.2.551772If what in rest you have, in right you hold,

4.2.561773Why then your fears, which, as they say, attend

4.2.571774The steps of wrong, should move you to mew up

4.2.581775Your tender kinsman and to choke his days

4.2.591776With barbarous ignorance, and deny his youth

4.2.601777The rich advantage of good exercise.

4.2.611778That the time's enemies may not have this

4.2.621779To grace occasions, let it be our suit

4.2.631780That you have bid us ask his liberty,

4.2.641781Which for our goods we do no further ask,

4.2.651782Than whereupon our weal, on you depending,

4.2.661783Counts it your weal he have his liberty.

Let it be so. I do commit his youth

4.2.681786To your direction. --

To your direction. -- Hubert, what news with you?

This is the man should do the bloody deed;

4.2.701788He showed his warrant to a friend of mine.

4.2.711789The image of a wicked heinous fault

4.2.721790Lives in his eye; that close aspect of his

4.2.731791Does show the mood of a much troubled breast,

4.2.741792And I do fearfully believe 'tis done,

4.2.751793What we so feared he had a charge to do.

The color of the King doth come and go

4.2.771795Between his purpose and his conscience,

4.2.781796Like heralds 'twixt two dreadful battles set.

4.2.791797His passion is so ripe it needs must break.

And when it breaks, I fear will issue thence

4.2.811799The foul corruption of a sweet child's death.

[Coming forward] We cannot hold mortality's strong hand.

4.2.831801Good lords, although my will to give is living,

4.2.841802The suit which you demand is gone and dead.

4.2.851803He tells us Arthur is deceased tonight.

Indeed, we feared his sickness was past cure.

Indeed, we heard how near his death he was

4.2.881806Before the child himself felt he was sick.

4.2.891807This must be answered either here or hence.

Why do you bend such solemn brows on me?

4.2.911809Think you I bear the shears of destiny?

4.2.921810Have I commandment on the pulse of life?

It is apparent foul play, and 'tis shame

4.2.941812That greatness should so grossly offer it.

4.2.951813So thrive it in your game, and so farewell.

Stay yet, Lord Salisbury, I'll go with thee

4.2.971815And find th'inheritance of this poor child,

4.2.981816His little kingdom of a forcèd grave.

4.2.991817That blood which owned the breadth of all this isle,

4.2.1001818Three foot of it doth hold. Bad world the while!

4.2.1011819This must not be thus borne, this will break out

4.2.1021820To all our sorrows, and ere long, I doubt.

They burn in indignation. I repent.

4.2.1041822There is no sure foundation set on blood,

4.2.1051823No certain life achieved by others' death. --

4.2.1061824A fearful eye thou hast. Where is that blood

4.2.1071825That I have seen inhabit in those cheeks?

4.2.1081826So foul a sky clears not without a storm.

4.2.1091827Pour down thy weather: how goes all in France?

From France to England. Never such a power

4.2.1111829For any foreign preparation

4.2.1121830Was levied in the body of a land.

4.2.1131831The copy of your speed is learned by them,

4.2.1141832For when you should be told they do prepare,

4.2.1151833The tidings comes that they are all arrived.

O, where hath our intelligence been drunk?

4.2.1171835Where hath it slept? Where is my Mother's care,

4.2.1181836That such an army could be drawn in France

4.2.1191837And she not hear of it?

And she not hear of it? My liege, her ear

4.2.1201839Is stopped with dust. The first of April died

4.2.1211840Your noble mother; and as I hear, my lord,

4.2.1221841The Lady Constance in a frenzy died

4.2.1231842Three days before, but this from rumor's tongue

4.2.1241843I idly heard: if true or false I know not.

Withhold thy speed, dreadful Occasion!

4.2.1261845O, make a league with me 'till I have pleased

4.2.1271846My discontented peers. What? Mother dead?

4.2.1281847How wildly then walks my estate in France!

4.2.1291848Under whose conduct came those powers of France

4.2.1301849That thou for truth giv'st out are landed here?

Under the Dauphin.

Under the Dauphin. Thou hast made me giddy

4.2.1321853With these ill tidings.

With these ill tidings. Now, what says the world

4.2.1331854To your proceedings? Do not seek to stuff

4.2.1341855My head with more ill news, for it is full.

But if you be afeard to hear the worst,

4.2.1361857Then let the worst unheard fall on your head.

Bear with me cousin, for I was amazed

4.2.1381859Under the tide, but now I breathe again

4.2.1391860Aloft the flood and can give audience

4.2.1401861To any tongue, speak it of what it will.

How I have sped among the clergymen,

4.2.1421863The sums I have collected shall express.

4.2.1431864But as I traveled hither through the land,

4.2.1441865I find the people strangely fantasied,

4.2.1451866Possesed with rumors, full of idle dreams,

4.2.1461867Not knowing what they fear, but full of fear.

4.2.1471868And here's a prophet that I brought with me

4.2.1481869From forth the streets of Pomfret, whom I found

4.2.1491870With many hundreds treading on his heels,

4.2.1501871To whom he sung in rude harsh-sounding rhymes,

4.2.1511872That ere the next Ascension Day at noon,

4.2.1521873Your Highness should deliver up your crown.

Thou idle dreamer, wherefore didst thou so?

Foreknowing that the truth will fall out so.

Hubert, away with him. Imprison him,

4.2.1561877And on that day at noon whereon he says

4.2.1571878I shall yield up my crown, let him be hanged!

4.2.1581879Deliver him to safety and return,

4.2.1591880For I must use thee.

For I must use thee. O my gentle cousin,

4.2.1601881Hear'st thou the news abroad, who are arrived?

The French, my lord. Men's mouths are full of it.

4.2.1621883Besides, I met Lord Bigot and Lord Salisbury,

4.2.1631884With eyes as red as new-enkindled fire,

4.2.1641885And others more, going to seek the grave

4.2.1651886Of Arthur, whom they say is killed tonight

4.2.166On your suggestion.

On your suggestion. Gentle kinsman, go

4.2.1671888And thrust thyself into their companies.

4.2.1681889I have a way to win their loves again.

4.2.1691890Bring them before me.

Bring them before me. I will seek them out.

Nay, but make haste, the better foot before.

4.2.1711893O, let me have no subject enemies

4.2.1721894When adverse foreigners affright my towns

4.2.1731895With dreadful pomp of stout invasion.

4.2.1741896Be Mercury, set feathers to thy heels,

4.2.1751897And fly like thought from them to me again.

The spirit of the time shall teach me speed.

Spoke like a sprightful noble gentleman. --

4.2.1781900Go after him, for he perhaps shall need

4.2.1791901Some messenger betwixt me and the peers,

4.2.1801902And be thou he.

With all my heart, my liege.

With all my heart, my liege. My mother dead?

My lord, they say five moons were seen tonight:

4.2.1831907Four fixèd, and the fifth did whirl about

4.2.1841908The other four in wondrous motion.

Five moons?

Five moons? Old men and beldams in the streets

4.2.1861911Do prophesy upon it dangerously.

4.2.1871912Young Arthur's death is common in their mouths,

4.2.1881913And when they talk of him, they shake their heads

4.2.1891914And whisper one another in the ear.

4.2.1901915And he that speaks doth grip the hearer's wrist,

4.2.1911916Whilst he that hears makes fearful action

4.2.1921917With wrinkled brows, with nods, with rolling eyes.

4.2.1931918I saw a smith stand with his hammer, thus,

4.2.1941919The whilst his iron did on the anvil cool,

4.2.1951920With open mouth swallowing a tailor's news,

4.2.1961921Who, with his shears and measure in his hand,

4.2.1971922Standing on slippers which his nimble haste

4.2.1981923Had falsely thrust upon contrary feet,

4.2.1991924Told of a many thousand warlike French

4.2.2001925That were embattailèd and ranked in Kent.

4.2.2011926Another lean, unwashed artificer

4.2.2021927Cuts off his tale and talks of Arthur's death.

Why seek'st thou to possess me with these fears?

4.2.2041929Why urgest thou so oft young Arthur's death?

4.2.2051930Thy hand hath murdered him. I had a mighty cause

4.2.2061931To wish him dead, but thou hadst none to kill him.

No had, my lord. Why, did you not provoke me?

It is the curse of kings to be attended

4.2.2091934By slaves that take their humors for a warrant

4.2.2101935To break within the bloody house of life,

4.2.2111936And on the winking of authority

4.2.2121937To understand a law, to know the meaning

4.2.2131938Of dangerous majesty, when perchance it frowns

4.2.2141939More upon humor than advised respect.

[Showing the warrant] Here is your hand and seal for what I did.

O, when the last account 'twixt heaven and earth

4.2.2171942Is to be made, then shall this hand and seal

4.2.2181943Witness against us to damnation.

4.2.2191944How oft the sight of means to do ill deeds

4.2.2201945Make deeds ill done! Hadst not thou been by,

4.2.2211946A fellow by the hand of nature marked,

4.2.2221947Quoted, and signed to do a deed of shame,

4.2.2231948This murder had not come into my mind.

4.2.2241949But taking note of thy abhorred aspect,

4.2.2251950Finding thee fit for bloody villainy,

4.2.2261951Apt, liable to be employed in danger,

4.2.2271952I faintly broke with thee of Arthur's death,

4.2.2281953And thou, to be endeared to a king,

4.2.2291954Made it no conscience to destroy a prince.

My lord --

Had'st thou but shook thy head, or made a pause

4.2.2321957When I spake darkly what I purposèd,

4.2.2331958Or turned an eye of doubt upon my face,

4.2.2341959As bid me tell my tale in express words,

4.2.2351960Deep shame had struck me dumb, made me break off,

4.2.2361961And those thy fears might have wrought fears in me.

4.2.2371962But thou didst understand me by my signs,

4.2.2381963And didst in signs again parley with sin,

4.2.2391964Yea, without stop didst let thy heart consent,

4.2.2401965And consequently thy rude hand to act

4.2.2411966The deed, which both our tongues held vile to name.

4.2.2421967Out of my sight, and never see me more.

4.2.2431968My Nobles leave me, and my state is braved,

4.2.2441969Even at my gates, with ranks of foreign powers;

4.2.2451970Nay, in the body of this fleshly land,

4.2.2461971This kingdom, this confine of blood and breath,

4.2.2471972Hostility and civil tumult reigns

4.2.2481973Between my conscience and my cousin's death.

Arm you against your other enemies.

4.2.2501975I'll make a peace between your soul and you.

4.2.2511976Young Arthur is alive. This hand of mine

4.2.2521977Is yet a maiden and an innocent hand,

4.2.2531978Not painted with the crimson spots of blood.

4.2.2541979Within this bosom never entered yet

4.2.2551980The dreadful motion of a murderous thought,

4.2.2561981And you have slandered nature in my form,

4.2.2571982Which, howsoever rude exteriorly,

4.2.2581983Is yet the cover of a fairer mind

4.2.2591984Than to be butcher of an innocent child.

Doth Arthur live? O, haste thee to the peers,

4.2.2611986Throw this report on their incensèd rage,

4.2.2621987And make them tame to their obedience.

4.2.2631988Forgive the comment that my passion made

4.2.2641989Upon thy feature, for my rage was blind,

4.2.2651990And foul imaginary eyes of blood

4.2.2661991Presented thee more hideous than thou art.

4.2.2671992O, answer not, but to my closet bring

4.2.2681993The angry lords with all expedient haste.

4.2.2691994I conjure thee but slowly: run more fast!

The wall is high, and yet will I leap down.

4.3.21998Good ground be pitiful and hurt me not!

4.3.31999There's few or none do know me. If they did,

4.3.42000This ship-boy's semblance hath disguised me quite.

4.3.52001I am afraid, and yet I'll venture it.

4.3.62002If I get down and do not break my limbs,

4.3.72003I'll find a thousand shifts to get away.

4.3.82004As good to die and go as die and stay.

4.3.92005O me, my uncle's spirit is in these stones.

4.3.102006Heaven take my soul, and England keep my bones.

Lords, I will meet him at Saint Edmondsbury.

4.3.122009It is our safety, and we must embrace

4.3.132010This gentle offer of the perilous time.

Who brought that letter from the Cardinal?

The Count Melun, a noble lord of France,

4.3.162013Whose private with me of the Dauphin's love

4.3.172014Is much more general than these lines import.

Tomorrow morning let us meet him then.

Or rather then set forward, for 'twill be

4.3.202017Two long days' journey, lords, or ere we meet.

Once more today well met, distempered lords,

4.3.222020The King by me requests your presence straight.

The King hath dispossessed himself of us,

4.3.242022We will not line his thin bestainèd cloak

4.3.252023With our pure honors, nor attend the foot

4.3.262024That leaves the print of blood where e'er it walks.

4.3.272025Return and tell him so. We know the worst.

What e'er you think, good words I think 2027were best.

Our griefs and not our manners reason now.

But there is little reason in your grief.

4.3.312030Therefore 'twere reason you had manners now.

Sir, sir, impatience hath his privilege.

'Tis true, to hurt his master, no man else.

This is the prison.

This is the prison. What is he lies here?

O, death, made proud with pure and princely beauty!

4.3.362035The earth had not a hole to hide this deed.

Murder, as hating what himself hath done,

4.3.382037Doth lay it open to urge on revenge.

Or, when he doomed this beauty to a grave,

4.3.402039Found it too precious-princely for a grave.

Sir Richard, what think you? You have beheld.

4.3.422041Or have you read, or heard, or could you think?

4.3.432042Or do you almost think, although you see,

4.3.442043That you do see? Could thought, without this object

4.3.452044Form such another? This is the very top,

4.3.462045The height, the crest, or crest unto the crest

4.3.472046Of murder's arms. This is the bloodiest shame,

4.3.482047The wildest savagery, the vilest stroke

4.3.492048That ever wall-eyed wrath, or staring rage

4.3.502049Presented to the tears of soft remorse.

All murders past do stand excused in this.

4.3.522051And this, so sole and so unmatchable,

4.3.532052Shall give a holiness, a purity,

4.3.542053To the yet unbegotten sin of times

4.3.552054And prove a deadly bloodshed but a jest,

4.3.562055Exampled by this heinous spectacle.

It is a damnèd, and a bloody work,

4.3.582057The graceless action of a heavy hand --

4.3.592058If that it be the work of any hand.

If that it be the work of any hand?

4.3.612060We had a kind of light what would ensue.

4.3.622061It is the shameful work of Hubert's hand,

4.3.632062The practice and the purpose of the king,

4.3.642063From whose obedience I forbid my soul, [He kneels.]

4.3.652064Kneeling before this ruin of sweet life,

4.3.662065And breathing to his breathless excellence

4.3.672066The incense of a vow, a holy vow:

4.3.682067Never to taste the pleasures of the world,

4.3.692068Never to be infected with delight,

4.3.702069Nor conversant with ease and idleness,

4.3.712070Till I have set a glory to this hand

4.3.722071By giving it the worship of revenge.

[They kneel.] Our souls religiously confirm thy words.

Lords, I am hot with haste in seeking you,

4.3.752075Arthur doth live; the king hath sent for you.

O, he is bold and blushes not at death. --

4.3.772077Avaunt thou hateful villain, get thee gone!

I am no villain.

I am no villain. Must I rob the law?

Your sword is bright sir; put it up again.

Not till I sheathe it in a murderer's skin.

[Putting his hand on his sword] Stand back Lord Salisbury. Stand back, I say.

4.3.822082By heaven, I think my sword's as sharp as yours.

4.3.832083I would not have you, lord, forget yourself,

4.3.842084Nor tempt the danger of my true defense,

4.3.852085Lest I, by marking of your rage, forget

4.3.862086your worth, your greatness, and nobility.

Out dunghill! Dar'st thou brave a nobleman?

Not for my life. But yet I dare defend

4.3.892089My innocent life against an emperor.

Thou art a murderer.

Do not prove me so;

4.3.922092Yet I am none. Whose tongue so e'er speaks false,

4.3.932093Not truly speaks; who speaks not truly, lies.

[Drawing his sword] Cut him to pieces.

[Drawing his sword] Cut him to pieces. [Drawing his sword] Keep the peace, I say.

Stand by, or I shall gall you Faulconbridge.

Thou wer't better gall the devil Salisbury.

4.3.972098If thou but frown on me, or stir thy foot,

4.3.982099Or teach thy hasty spleen to do me shame,

4.3.992100I'll strike thee dead. Put up thy sword betimes,

4.3.1002101Or I'll so maul you and your toasting-iron

4.3.1012102That you shall think the devil is come from hell.

What wilt thou do, renownèd Faulconbridge?

4.3.1032104Second a villain, and a murderer?

Lord Bigot, I am none.

Lord Bigot, I am none. [Indicating Arthur's body] Who killed this Prince?

'Tis not an hour since I left him well:

4.3.1062108I honored him, I loved him, and will weep

4.3.1072109My date of life out for his sweet life's loss.

Trust not those cunning waters of his eyes,

4.3.1092111For villainy is not without such rheum,

4.3.1102112And he, long traded in it, makes it seem

4.3.1112113Like rivers of remorse and innocency.

4.3.1122114Away with me, all you whose souls abhor

4.3.1132115Th'uncleanly savors of a slaughter-house,

4.3.1142116For I am stifled with this smell of sin.

Away, toward Bury, to the Dauphin there!

There tell the king, he may inquire us out.

Here's a good world! Knew you of this fair work?

4.3.1182120Beyond the infinite and boundless reach

4.3.119Of mercy, 2121if thou didst this deed of death,

4.3.120Art thou damned, Hubert.

Art thou damned, Hubert. Do but hear me sir.

Ha? I'll tell thee what.

4.3.1232124Thou'rt damned as black -- nay nothing is so black --

4.3.1242125Thou art more deep damned than Prince Lucifer.

4.3.1252126There is not yet so ugly a fiend of hell

4.3.1262127As thou shalt be if thou didst kill this child.

Upon my soul --

Upon my soul -- If thou didst but consent

4.3.1282130To this most cruel act, do but despair,

4.3.1292131And if thou want'st a cord, the smallest thread

4.3.1302132That ever spider twisted from her womb

4.3.1312133Will serve to strangle thee. A rush will be a beam

4.3.1322134To hang thee on. Or wouldst thou drown thyself,

4.3.1332135Put but a little water in a spoon

4.3.1342136And it shall be as all the ocean,

4.3.1352137Enough to stifle such a villain up.

4.3.1362138I do suspect thee very grievously.

If I in act, consent, or sin of thought,

4.3.1382140Be guilty of the stealing that sweet breath

4.3.1392141Which was embounded in this beauteous clay,

4.3.1402142Let hell want pains enough to torture me.

4.3.1412143I left him well.

I left him well. Go, bear him in thine arms.

4.3.1422145I am amazed methinks, and lose my way

4.3.1432146Among the thorns and dangers of this world.

4.3.1442147How easy dost thou take all England up!

4.3.1452148From forth this morsel of dead royalty

4.3.1462149The life, the right, and truth of all this realm

4.3.1472150Is fled to heaven, and England now is left

4.3.1482151To tug and scamble, and to part by th'teeth

4.3.1492152The unowed interest of proud-swelling state.

4.3.1502153Now for the bare-picked bone of majesty

4.3.1512154Doth dogged war bristle his angry crest

4.3.1522155And snarleth in the gentle eyes of peace.

4.3.1532156Now powers from home and discontents at home

4.3.1542157Meet in one line, and vast confusion waits

4.3.1552158As doth a raven on a sick-fall'n beast,

4.3.1562159The imminent decay of wrested pomp.

4.3.1572160Now happy he whose cloak and cincture can

4.3.1582161Hold out this tempest. Bear away that child

4.3.1592162And follow me with speed. I'll to the King.

4.3.1602163A thousand businesses are brief in hand,

4.3.1612164And heaven itself doth frown upon the land.

Thus have I yielded up into your hand

5.1.22168The circle of my glory.

The circle of my glory. [Returning the crown to King John] Take again

5.1.32170From this my hand, as holding of the Pope,

5.1.42171Your sovereign greatness and authority.

Now keep your holy word. Go meet the French,

5.1.62173And from his holiness use all your power

5.1.72174To stop their marches 'fore we are inflamed.

5.1.82175Our discontented counties do revolt;

5.1.92176Our people quarrel with obedience,

5.1.102177Swearing allegiance and the love of soul

5.1.112178To stranger blood, to foreign royalty.

5.1.122179This inundation of mistempered humor

5.1.132180Rests by you only to be qualified.

5.1.142181Then pause not, for the present time's so sick

5.1.152182That present medicine must be ministered,

5.1.162183Or overthrow incurable ensues.

It was my breath that blew this tempest up

5.1.182185Upon your stubborn usage of the Pope;

5.1.192186But since you are a gentle convertite,

5.1.202187My tongue shall hush again this storm of war

5.1.212188And make fair weather in your blustering land:

5.1.222189On this Ascension Day, remember well,

5.1.232190Upon your oath of service to the Pope,

5.1.242191Go I to make the French lay down their arms.

Is this Ascension Day? Did not the prophet

5.1.262193Say that before Ascension Day at noon

5.1.272194My crown I should give off? Even so I have.

5.1.282195I did suppose it should be on constraint,

5.1.292196But, heaven be thanked, it is but voluntary.

All Kent hath yielded. Nothing there holds out

5.1.312199But Dover Castle. London hath received

5.1.322200Like a kind host, the Dauphin and his powers.

5.1.332201Your nobles will not hear you, but are gone

5.1.342202To offer service to your enemy,

5.1.352203And wild amazement hurries up and down

5.1.362204The little number of your doubtful friends.

Would not my lords return to me again

5.1.382206After they heard young Arthur was alive?

They found him dead, and cast into the streets,

5.1.402208An empty casket, where the jewel of life

5.1.412209By some damned hand was robbed and ta'en away.

That villain Hubert told me he did live.

So on my soul he did, for aught he knew.

5.1.442212But wherefore do you droop? Why look you sad?

5.1.452213Be great in act as you have been in thought.

5.1.462214Let not the world see fear and sad distrust

5.1.472215Govern the motion of a kingly eye.

5.1.482216Be stirring as the time; be fire with fire;

5.1.492217Threaten the threatener, and out-face the brow

5.1.502218Of bragging horror. So shall inferior eyes,

5.1.512219That borrow their behaviors from the great,

5.1.522220Grow great by your example and put on

5.1.532221The dauntless spirit of resolution.

5.1.542222Away, and glisten like the god of war

5.1.552223When he intendeth to become the field:

5.1.562224Show boldness and aspiring confidence.

5.1.572225What, shall they seek the lion in his den

5.1.582226And fright him there? And make him tremble there?

5.1.592227Oh let it not be said! Forage, and run

5.1.602228To meet displeasure farther from the doors,

5.1.612229And grapple with him ere he come so nigh.

The legate of the Pope hath been with me,

5.1.632231And I have made a happy peace with him,

5.1.642232And he hath promised to dismiss the powers

5.1.652233Led by the Dauphin.

Led by the Dauphin. Oh inglorious league!

5.1.662235Shall we upon the footing of our land

5.1.672236Send fair-play orders and make compromise,

5.1.682237Insinuation, parley, and base truce

5.1.692238To arms invasive? Shall a beardless boy,

5.1.702239A cockered silken wanton, brave our fields

5.1.712240And flesh his spirit in a war-like soil,

5.1.722241Mocking the air with colors idly spread,

5.1.732242And find no check? Let us my liege to arms!

5.1.742243Perchance the Cardinal cannot make your peace;

5.1.752244Or if he do, let it at least be said

5.1.762245They saw we had a purpose of defense.

Have thou the ordering of this present time.

Away then with good courage! Yet I know

5.1.792248Our party may well meet a prouder foe.

[Handing a paper to Melun] My Lord Melun, let this be copied out

5.2.22253And keep it safe for our remembrance.

5.2.32254Return the precedent to these lords again,

5.2.42255That, having our fair order written down,

5.2.52256Both they and we, perusing o'er these notes,

5.2.62257May know wherefore we took the sacrament,

5.2.72258And keep our fates firm and inviolable.

Upon our sides it never shall be broken.

5.2.92260And noble Dauphin, albeit we swear

5.2.102261A voluntary zeal and unurged faith

5.2.112262To your proceedings, yet believe me, Prince,

5.2.122263I am not glad that such a sore of time

5.2.132264Should seek a plaster by contemned revolt

5.2.142265And heal the inveterate canker of one wound

5.2.152266By making many. O, it grieves my soul

5.2.162267That I must draw this metal from my side

5.2.172268To be a widow-maker. O, and there

5.2.182269Where honorable rescue and defense

5.2.192270Cries out upon the name of Salisbury.

5.2.202271But such is the infection of the time

5.2.212272That, for the health and physic of our right,

5.2.222273We cannot deal but with the very hand

5.2.232274Of stern injustice, and confusèd wrong.

5.2.242275And is't not pity, oh my grievèd friends,

5.2.252276That we, the sons and children of this isle,

5.2.262277Were born to see so sad an hour as this,

5.2.272278Wherein we step after a stranger, march