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Preface

I. SHAKESPEARE'S KING JOHN was printed for the first time in the Folio of 1623. The poet adopted most of the characters, the general plot, and occasional lines, or fragments of lines, from an earlier play, in two parts, published in 1591, with the following title-page:

The | Troublesome Raigne | of Iohn King of England, with the dis-|couerie of King Richard Cordelions | Base sonne (vulgarly named, The Ba-|stard Fawconbridge): also the | death of King Iohn at Swinstead | Abbey. | As it was (sundry times) publikely acted by the | Queenes Maiesties Players, in the ho-|nourable Citie of London. | Imprinted at London for Sampson Clarke, | and are to be solde at his shop, on the backe-|side of the Royall Exchange. | 1591. |

This play was reprinted for a different bookseller in 1611, with the words 'W. Sh.' added to the title; and a third edition in 1622, again issued by a different bookseller, has 'W. Shakespeare.'

There can be little doubt that the booksellers attributed the play to Shakespeare in the hope that so popular a name might help the sale, for although the earlier play is by no means devoid of merit, the evidence of its style conclusively proves that Shakespeare had no part in the authorship. We have therefore not reprinted it, but contented ourselves with indicating the passages borrowed verbally from it.

2. Of RICHARD II. four editions in Quarto were published before the appearance of the first Folio:

Q₁. The | Tragedie of King Ri-|chard the se-|cond. | As it hath beene publikely acted | by the right Honourable the | Lorde Chamberlaine his Ser'uants. | LONDON | Printed by Valentine Simmes for Andrew Wise, and | are to be sold at his shop in Paules church yard at | the signe of the Angel. | 1597. |

Q₂. The | Tragedie of King Ri-|chard the second. | As it hath beene publikely acted by the Right Ho-|nourable the Lord Chamberlaine his | seruants. | By William Shake-speare. | LONDON | Printed by Valentine Simmes for Andrew Wise, and | are to be sold at his shop in Paules churchyard at | the signe of the Angel. | 1598. |

Q₃. The | Tragedie of King | Richard the second. | As it hath been publikely acted by the Right | Honourable the Lord Chamberlaine | his seruantes. | By William Shake-speare. | LONDON, | Printed by W. W. for Mathew Law, and are to be | sold at his shop in Paules Church-yard, at | the signe of the Foxe. | 1608. |

The same edition was also issued in the same year with the following title-page:

The | Tragedie of King | Richard the Second: | With new additions of the Parlia-|ment Sceane, and the deposing | of King Richard, | As it hath been lately acted by the Kinges | Maiesties seruantes, at the Globe. | By William Shake-speare. | At London, | Printed by W. W. for Mathew Law, and are to | be sold at his shop in Paules Church-yard, | at the signe of the Foxe. | 1608. |

Q₄. The | Tragedie of King | Richard the Se-|cond: | With new additions of the Parliament Sceane, | and the deposing of King | Richard. | As it hath been lately acted by the Kinges | Maiesties seruants, at the Globe. | By WILLIAM SHAKE-SPEARE. | At LONDON, | Printed for Mathew Law, and are to be sold | at his shop in Paules Church-yard, at the | signe of the Foxe. | 1615. |

Each of these Quartos was printed from its immediate predecessor. The third however contains an important addition, found in all the extant copies of Q₃, amounting to 165 lines, viz. IV. 1. 154-318. This is what is meant by 'the new additions of the Parliament scene' mentioned in the title-pages of some copies of Q₃ and in that of Q₄. These 'new additions' are found also in the first and following Folios and in Q₅. The play, as given in the first Folio, was no doubt printed from a copy of Q₄, corrected with some care and prepared for stage representation. Several passages have been left out with a view of shortening the performance. In the 'new additions of the Parliament Scene' it would appear that the defective text of the Quarto had been corrected from the author's MS. For this part therefore the first Folio is our highest authority: for all the rest of the play the first Quarto affords the best text.

The fifth Quarto (Q₅) was printed from the second Folio (F₂), but its readings sometimes agree with one or other of the earlier Quartos, and in a few cases are entirely independent of previous editions. Its title-page is as follows:

The | Life and | Death of King | Richard the | Second. | With new Additions of the | Parliament Scene, and the | Deposing of King Richard. | As it hath beene acted by the Kings Majesties | Servants, at the Globe. | By William Shakespeare. | London, Printed by Iohn Norton. | 1634. |

* * * * *

3. THE FIRST PART OF KING HENRY THE FOURTH appeared in six successive Quarto editions before the publication of the first Folio. The title-pages of the first five of these editions are given in full below. The version in the first Folio seems to have been printed from a partially corrected copy of the fifth Quarto. In many places the readings coincide with those of the earlier Quartos, which were probably consulted by the corrector. The title of the play in the Folio is, 'The First Part of Henry the Fourth, with the Life and Death of Henry Sirnamed Hotspurre.' As there is no copy of the fourth Quarto in the Capell collection, our collation has been made from the copy in the Bodleian, and verified by that in the Devonshire Library. The deficiencies of Capell's copy of the third Quarto have been supplied by a collation of the Bodleian copy of that edition.

Q₁. The | History of | Henrie the | Fovrth; | With the battell at Shrewsburie, | betweene the King and Lord | Henry Percy, surnamed | Henrie Hotspur of | the North. | With the humorous conceits of Sir | Iohn Falstalffe. | AT LONDON, | Printed by P. S. for Andrew Wise, dwelling | in Paules Churchyard, at the signe of | the Angell. 1598. |

Q₂. The | History of | Henrie the | Fovrth; | With the battell at Shrewsburie, | betweene the King and Lord Henry | Percy, surnamed Henry Hot-|spur of the North. | With the humorous conceits of Sir | Iohn Falstalffe. | Newly corrected by W. Shakespeare. | AT LONDON, | Printed by S. S. for Andrew Wise, dwelling | in Paules Churchyard, at the signe of | the Angell. 1599. |

Q₃. The | History of | Henrie the fourth, | With the battell at Shrewsburie, | betweene the King, and Lord | Henry Percy, surnamed Henry Hot-|spur of the North. | With the humorous conceits of Sir | Iohn Falstaffe. | Newly corrected by W. Shakespeare. | London | Printed by Valentine Simmes, for Mathew Law, and | are to be solde at his shop in Paules Churchyard, | at the signe of the Fox. | 1604. |

Q₄. The | History of | Henry the fourth, | With the battell at Shrewseburie, | betweene the King, and Lord | Henry Percy, surnamed Henry | Hotspur of the North. | _With the humorous conceites of Sir_ | Iohn Falstalffe. | Newly corrected by W. Shake-speare. | London, | Printed for Mathew Law, and are to be sold at | his shop in Paules Church-yard, neere vnto S. | Augustines gate, at the signe of | the Foxe. 1608. |

Q₅. The | History of | Henrie the fourth, | With the Battell at Shrewseburie, betweene | the King, and Lord Henrie Percy, sur-| named Henrie Hotspur of the North. | With the humorous conceites of Sir | Iohn Falstaffe. | Newly corrected by W. Shakespeare. | LONDON, | Printed by W. W. for Mathew Law, and are to be sold | at his shop in Paules Church-yard, neere vnto S. | Augustines Gate, at the signe of the Foxe. | 1613. |

Subsequent editions in Quarto were printed in 1622 (Q₆) by T. P. for Mathew Law, in 1632 (Q₇) by John Norton for William Sheares, and in 1639 (Q₈) by John Norton for Hugh Perry. In all these the title-page is substantially the same. Each Quarto appears to have been printed from its predecessor.

The 'Dering MS.' quoted in our foot-notes was discovered in the muniment room at Surrenden by the Rev. Lambert B. Larking in 1844, and published in the following year for the Shakespeare Society under the editorship of Mr Halliwell. It contains a large portion of the First Part of Henry IV. and some scenes of the Second Part. Mr Halliwell believes it to have been written in the early part of the 17th century, certainly earlier than 1640, for the purpose of private theatrical performance. Some additions and corrections were made by the hand of 'Sir Edward Deryng, the first baronet, who died in 1644.' (Introduction, p. xii. ed. 1845.)

We are of opinion that this MS. was copied from the fifth Quarto of the First Part, and from a complete Quarto of the Second Part. The writer seems to have been both illiterate and careless. His punctuation is singularly bad, and his spelling peculiar to himself. We have noticed such various readings as seemed in any way remarkable.

* * * * *

4. THE SECOND PART OF KING HENRY THE FOURTH was first published in Quarto in 1600 with the following title-page:

THE | Second part of Henrie | the fourth, continuing to his death, | and coronation of Henrie | the fift. | With the humours of sir Iohn Fal-| staffe, and swaggering | Pistoll. | _As it hath been sundrie times publikely_ | acted by the right honourable, the Lord | Chamberlaine his seruants. | Written by William Shakespeare. | LONDON | Printed by V. S. for Andrew Wise, and | William Aspley. | 1600. |

In some copies of the Quarto the first scene of Act III. is left out altogether. The omission seems to have been discovered after part of the edition had been struck off and rectified by the insertion of two new leaves. In order to make this insertion, the type was taken to pieces in part of the preceding and subsequent leaves, so that there are two different impressions for the latter part of Act II. and the beginning of Act III. Sc. 2. Where this difference occurs we have used the symbols Q₁, and Q₂; where the two are identical we use only Q.

The version in the first Folio was probably printed from a transcript of the original MS. It contains passages of considerable length which are not found in the Quarto. Some of these are among the finest in the play, and are too closely connected with the context to allow of the supposition that they were later additions inserted by the author after the publication of the Quarto. In the MS. from which that edition was printed, these passages had been most likely omitted, or erased, in order to shorten the play for the stage. The Folio in other places affords occasional readings which seem preferable to those of the Quarto, but for the most part the Quarto is to be regarded as having the higher critical value.

* * * * *

5. KING HENRY THE FIFTH appears in its present form for the first time in the Folio of 1623. An imperfect edition in quarto was printed surreptitiously in 1600, with the following title:

(Q₁). The | Cronicle | History of Henry the fift, | With his battell fought at Agin Court in | France. Togither with Auntient | Pistoll. | As it hath bene sundry times playd by the Right honorable | the Lord Chamberlaine his seruants. | LONDON Printed by Thomas Creede, for Tho. Milling-|ton, and Iohn Busby. And are to be | sold at his house in Carter Lane, next | the Powle head. 1600. |

The text of this edition is given literatim at the end of the present volume, with the readings of two reprints which appeared in 1602 and 1608 respectively. The title-pages of these are as follows:

(Q₂). The | Chronicle | History of Henry the fift, | With his battell fought at Agin Court | in France. Together with Auntient | Pistoll. | As it hath bene sundry times playd by the Right honorable | the Lord Chamberlaine his seruants. | LONDON | Printed by Thomas Creede, for Thomas | Pauier, and are to be sold at his shop in Cornhill, | at the signe of the Cat and Parrets neare | the Exchange. 1602. |

Q₃. The | Chronicle History | of Henry the fift, with his | battell fought at Agin Court in | France. Together with an-|_cient Pistoll._ | _As it hath bene sundry times playd by the Right Honou-_|rable the Lord Chamberlaine his | Seruants. | Printed for T. P. 1608. |

The text of these Quarto editions is so imperfect and varies so much from the more authentic text of the Folio, that it was impossible to give the variations in our foot-notes. We are inclined to agree with Mr Collier and others in the supposition that the Quarto text was 'hastily made up from notes taken at the theatre during the performance, subsequently patched together.' The references to these Quartos are inclosed in brackets in accordance with the rule mentioned in the Preface to Vol. I. p. xxi.

It is scarcely necessary to add that 'The famous Victories of Henry the Fift,' published in 1617, has nothing to do with Shakespeare's play.

* * * * *

We have the pleasure of adding several new names to the list of our benefactors. Miss Thackeray, of Windsor, has been so kind as to lend us a copy of Nares's Glossary which belonged to her late father, the Provost of King's College, Cambridge, and is copiously annotated in his hand.

Mr Henry Wilbraham has obtained for us the loan of some valuable MS. notes on Shakespeare, compiled by the late Mr Roger Wilbraham, F.R.S., formerly Fellow of Trinity College, and now in the possession of Mr George Fortescue Wilbraham of Delamere House, Cheshire.

Dr C. M. Ingleby and Mr G. R. French have sent us valuable communications, the former with reference to difficulties in the text, the latter with reference to points of history and genealogy.

We are also indebted for various acts of kindness and courtesy to the Marquis Camden, the Rev. T. S. Woollaston, the Rev. Lambert B. Larking, the Rev. Archibald Clerke of Kilmallie, Mr Stirling of Keir, Mr Pryme, Mr W. B. Donne, Mr P. S. Worsley, Professor Goldwin Smith, the Rev. H. O. Coxe, Librarian of the Bodleian, Mr C. Wright, and the late Mr George Daniell.

W. G. C. W. A. W.

ADDENDA AND CORRIGENDA.

King John.

III. 1. 69. Add note, his owner] dishonour Bullock conj.

III. 1. 209. Note, for new betrimmed read new untamed or new betrimmed.

IV. 2. 63. Add note, you] you'd Keightley conj.

IV. 3. 54. Add to note, sin of time's Keightley conj.

V. 2. 30. Note, for Dyce conj. read S. Walker conj.

V. 7. 108. Add to note, give thanks to you Keightley conj.

King Richard II.

I. 2. 12. Note, for Q₁ Q₂ read Q₁ Q₂ Ff.

I. 3. 153. Note, for Anon. read Seymour.

II. 3. 95. Add note, ostentation of despised] ostentation's undisguised Bullock conj.

First Part of Henry IV.

I. 2. 175, 176. Add note, two ... third] three ... fourth Farmer conj. MS.

II. 2. 41. Add note, garters] garter Farmer conj. MS.

Second Part of Henry IV.

I. 1. 141. Add note, buckle] knuckle Bailey conj.

I. 3. 51. Add note, and] draw or and draw Keightley conj.

I. 3. 60. Add note, cost] house Keightley conj.

I. 3. 101, 102. Add note, They ... Are] Thou Art Keightley conj.

II. 4. 331, 346. Notes, for Q read Qq.

Henry V.

I. 2. 270. Add to note, thence Keightley conj.

I. 2. 274. Add note, my sail] my full or me full Keightley conj.

II. Chorus, 41. Add to note, But, ere ... come Keightley conj.

II. 1. 42. Add note, off] off now Keightley conj.

THE LIFE AND DEATH

OF

KING JOHN.

DRAMATIS PERSONÆ[A].

KING JOHN. PRINCE HENRY, son to the king. ARTHUR, Duke of Bretagne, nephew to the king. The Earl of PEMBROKE. The Earl of ESSEX. The Earl of SALISBURY. The Lord BIGOT. HUBERT DE BURGH. ROBERT FAULCONBRIDGE, son to Sir Robert Faulconbridge. PHILIP the BASTARD, his half-brother. JAMES GURNEY, servant to Lady Faulconbridge. PETER of Pomfret, a prophet.

PHILIP, King of France. LEWIS, the Dauphin. Lymoges, Duke of AUSTRIA. CARDINAL PANDULPH, the Pope's legate. MELUN, a French lord. CHATILLON, ambassador from France to King John.

QUEEN ELINOR, mother to King John. CONSTANCE, mother to Arthur. BLANCH of Spain, niece to King John. LADY FAULCONBRIDGE.

Lords, Citizens of Angiers, Sheriff, Heralds, Officers, Soldiers, Messengers, and other Attendants.

SCENE: Partly in England, and partly in France[B].

[A] First given by Rowe. See note (I).

[B] SCENE ...] See note (II).

THE LIFE AND DEATH

OF

KING JOHN.

Spotted a typo or a problem in this chapter? Tell us

Act I, Scene I — KING JOHN'S palace

Enter KING JOHN, QUEEN ELINOR, PEMBROKE, ESSEX, SALISBURY, and others, with CHATILLON.[1]

K. John. Now, say, Chatillon, what would France with us?

Chat. Thus, after greeting, speaks the King of France In my behaviour to the majesty, The borrowed majesty, of England here.[2]

Eli. A strange beginning: 'borrowed majesty!'[2] 5

K. John. Silence, good mother; hear the embassy.

Chat. Philip of France, in right and true behalf Of thy deceased brother Geffrey's son,[3] Arthur Plantagenet, lays most lawful claim[4] To this fair island and the territories, 10 To Ireland, Poictiers, Anjou, Touraine, Maine,[5] Desiring thee to lay aside the sword Which sways usurpingly these several titles, And put the same into young Arthur's hand, Thy nephew and right royal sovereign. 15

K. John. What follows if we disallow of this?

Chat. The proud control of fierce and bloody war, To enforce these rights so forcibly withheld.

K. John. Here have we war for war and blood for blood, Controlment for controlment: so answer France.[6] 20

Chat. Then take my king's defiance from my mouth, The farthest limit of my embassy.

K. John. Bear mine to him, and so depart in peace: Be thou as lightning in the eyes of France; For ere thou canst report I will be there,[7] 25 The thunder of my cannon shall be heard: So hence! Be thou the trumpet of our wrath And sullen presage of your own decay.[8] An honourable conduct let him have: Pembroke, look to't. Farewell, Chatillon.[9] 30

[Exeunt Chatillon and Pembroke.

Eli. What now, my son! have I not ever said How that ambitious Constance would not cease Till she had kindled France and all the world, Upon the right and party of her son? This might have been prevented and made whole 35 With very easy arguments of love, Which now the manage of two kingdoms must[10] With fearful bloody issue arbitrate.

K. John. Our strong possession and our right for us.

Eli. Your strong possession much more than your right, 40 Or else it must go wrong with you and me: So much my conscience whispers in your ear, Which none but heaven and you and I shall hear.

Enter a Sheriff.[11]

Essex. My liege, here is the strangest controversy Come from the country to be judged by you, 45 That e'er I heard: shall I produce the men?

K. John. Let them approach. Our abbeys and our priories shall pay This expedition's charge.

Enter ROBERT FAULCONBRIDGE, and PHILIP his bastard brother.[12]

What men are you?

Bast. Your faithful subject I, a gentleman[13] 50 Born in Northamptonshire and eldest son, As I suppose, to Robert Faulconbridge,[14] A soldier, by the honour-giving hand Of Cœur-de-lion knighted in the field.[15]

K. John. What art thou?[16] 55

Rob. The son and heir to that same Faulconbridge.

K. John. Is that the elder, and art thou the heir? You came not of one mother then, it seems.

Bast. Most certain of one mother, mighty king; That is well known; and, as I think, one father: 60 But for the certain knowledge of that truth I put you o'er to heaven and to my mother: Of that I doubt, as all men's children may.

Eli. Out on thee, rude man! thou dost shame thy mother And wound her honour with this diffidence. 65

Bast. I, madam? no, I have no reason for it; That is my brother's plea and none of mine; The which if he can prove, a' pops me out[17] At least from fair five hundred pound a year: Heaven guard my mother's honour and my land! 70

K. John. A good blunt fellow. Why, being younger born, Doth he lay claim to thine inheritance?

Bast. I know not why, except to get the land. But once he slander'd me with bastardy: But whether I be as true begot or no,[18] 75 That still I lay upon my mother's head; But that I am as well begot, my liege,-- Fair fall the bones that took the pains for me!-- Compare our faces and be judge yourself.[19] If old Sir Robert did beget us both 80 And were our father and this son like him,[20] O old Sir Robert, father, on my knee I give heaven thanks I was not like to thee!

K. John. Why, what a madcap hath heaven lent us here![21]

Eli. He hath a trick of Cœur-de-lion's face;[22] 85 The accent of his tongue affecteth him. Do you not read some tokens of my son In the large composition of this man?

K. John. Mine eye hath well examined his parts And finds them perfect Richard. Sirrah, speak, 90 What doth move you to claim your brother's land?

Bast. Because he hath a half-face, like my father.[23] With half that face would he have all my land:[23][24] A half-faced groat five hundred pound a year![23]

Rob. My gracious liege, when that my father lived, 95 Your brother did employ my father much,--

Bast. Well, sir, by this you cannot get my land: Your tale must be how he employ'd my mother.

Rob. And once dispatch'd him in an embassy To Germany, there with the emperor 100 To treat of high affairs touching that time. The advantage of his absence took the king And in the mean time sojourn'd at my father's; Where how he did prevail I shame to speak, But truth is truth: large lengths of seas and shores[25] 105 Between my father and my mother lay, As I have heard my father speak himself, When this same lusty gentleman was got. Upon his death-bed he by will bequeath'd His lands to me, and took it on his death[26] 110 That this my mother's son was none of his; And if he were, he came into the world[27] Full fourteen weeks before the course of time. Then, good my liege, let me have what is mine, My father's land, as was my father's will. 115

K. John. Sirrah, your brother is legitimate; Your father's wife did after wedlock bear him, And if she did play false, the fault was hers; Which fault lies on the hazards of all husbands[28] That marry wives. Tell me, how if my brother, 120 Who, as you say, took pains to get this son, Had of your father claim'd this son for his? In sooth, good friend, your father might have kept This calf bred from his cow from all the world; In sooth he might; then, if he were my brother's, 125 My brother might not claim him; nor your father, Being none of his, refuse him: this concludes; My mother's son did get your father's heir; Your father's heir must have your father's land.

Rob. Shall then my father's will be of no force 130 To dispossess that child which is not his?

Bast. Of no more force to dispossess me, sir, Than was his will to get me, as I think.

Eli. Whether hadst thou rather be a Faulconbridge[29] And like thy brother, to enjoy thy land, 135 Or the reputed son of Cœur-de-lion, Lord of thy presence and no land beside?[30]

Bast. Madam, an if my brother had my shape,[31] And I had his, sir Robert's his, like him;[32] And if my legs were two such riding-rods,[33] 140 My arms such eel-skins stuff'd, my face so thin That in mine ear I durst not stick a rose Lest men should say 'Look, where three-farthings goes!' And, to his shape, were heir to all this land,[34] Would I might never stir from off this place, 145 I would give it every foot to have this face;[35] I would not be sir Nob in any case.[36]

Eli. I like thee well: wilt thou forsake thy fortune, Bequeath thy land to him and follow me? I am a soldier and now bound to France. 150

Bast. Brother, take you my land, I'll take my chance. Your face hath got five hundred pound a year, Yet sell your face for five pence and 'tis dear. Madam, I'll follow you unto the death.

Eli. Nay, I would have you go before me thither. 155

Bast. Our country manners give our betters way.

K. John. What is thy name?

Bast. Philip, my liege, so is my name begun; Philip, good old sir Robert's wife's eldest son.

K. John. From henceforth bear his name whose form thou bear'st:[37] 160 Kneel thou down Philip, but rise more great,[38] Arise sir Richard and Plantagenet.

Bast. Brother by the mother's side, give me your hand: My father gave me honour, yours gave land. Now blessed be the hour, by night or day, 165 When I was got, sir Robert was away!

Eli. The very spirit of Plantagenet! I am thy grandam, Richard; call me so.[39]

Bast. Madam, by chance but not by truth; what though?[40] Something about, a little from the right, 170 In at the window, or else o'er the hatch: Who dares not stir by day must walk by night, And have is have, however men do catch: Near or far off, well won is still well shot, And I am I, howe'er I was begot. 175

K. John. Go, Faulconbridge: now hast thou thy desire; A landless knight makes thee a landed squire. Come, madam, and come, Richard, we must speed For France, for France, for it is more than need.

Bast. Brother, adieu: good fortune come to thee! 180 For thou wast got i' the way of honesty.[41]

[Exeunt all but Bastard.[42]

A foot of honour better than I was; But many a many foot of land the worse.[43] Well, now can I make any Joan a lady. 'Good den, sir Richard!'--'God-a-mercy, fellow!'-- 185 And if his name be George, I'll call him Peter; For new-made honour doth forget men's names: 'Tis too respective and too sociable[44] For your conversion. Now your traveller,[45] He and his toothpick at my worship's mess, 190 And when my knightly stomach is sufficed, Why then I suck my teeth and catechize My picked man of countries: 'My dear sir,'[46] Thus, leaning on mine elbow, I begin, 'I shall beseech you'--that is question now;[47] 195 And then comes answer like an Absey book:[48] 'O sir,' says answer, 'at your best command; At your employment; at your service, sir:' 'No, sir,' says question, 'I, sweet sir, at yours:' And so, ere answer knows what question would, 200 Saving in dialogue of compliment,[49] And talking of the Alps and Apennines, The Pyrenean and the river Po,[50] It draws toward supper in conclusion so.[51] But this is worshipful society 205 And fits the mounting spirit like myself,[52] For he is but a bastard to the time That doth not smack of observation;[53] And so am I, whether I smack or no;[53][54] And not alone in habit and device, 210 Exterior form, outward accoutrement, But from the inward motion to deliver Sweet, sweet, sweet poison for the age's tooth: Which, though I will not practise to deceive,[55] Yet, to avoid deceit, I mean to learn; 215 For it shall strew the footsteps of my rising. But who comes in such haste in riding-robes? What woman-post is this? hath she no husband That will take pains to blow a horn before her?

Enter LADY FAULCONBRIDGE and JAMES GURNEY.

O me! it is my mother. How now, good lady![56] 220 What brings you here to court so hastily?

Lady F. Where is that slave, thy brother? where is he,[57] That holds in chase mine honour up and down?

Bast. My brother Robert? old sir Robert's son? Colbrand the giant, that same mighty man? 225 Is it sir Robert's son that you seek so?

Lady F. Sir Robert's son! Ay, thou unreverend boy, Sir Robert's son: why scorn'st thou at sir Robert?[58] He is sir Robert's son, and so art thou.

Bast. James Gurney, wilt thou give us leave awhile?[59] 230

Gur. Good leave, good Philip.

Bast. Philip! sparrow: James,[60] There's toys abroad: anon I'll tell thee more. [Exit Gurney.[61] Madam, I was not old sir Robert's son: Sir Robert might have eat his part in me Upon Good-Friday and ne'er broke his fast: 235 Sir Robert could do well: marry, to confess,[62] Could he get me? Sir Robert could not do it:[63] We know his handiwork: therefore, good mother, To whom am I beholding for these limbs?[64] Sir Robert never holp to make this leg.[65] 240

Lady F. Hast thou conspired with thy brother too,[66] That for thine own gain shouldst defend mine honour? What means this scorn, thou most untoward knave?

Bast. Knight, knight, good mother, Basilisco-like.[67] What! I am dubb'd! I have it on my shoulder.[68] 245 But, mother, I am not sir Robert's son; I have disclaim'd sir Robert and my land; Legitimation, name and all is gone: Then, good my mother, let me know my father; Some proper man, I hope: who was it, mother? 250

Lady F. Hast thou denied thyself a Faulconbridge?

Bast. As faithfully as I deny the devil.

Lady F. King Richard Cœur-de-lion was thy father: By long and vehement suit I was seduced To make room for him in my husband's bed: 255 Heaven lay not my transgression to my charge![69] Thou art the issue of my dear offence,[70] Which was so strongly urged past my defence.

Bast. Now, by this light, were I to get again, Madam, I would not wish a better father. 260 Some sins do bear their privilege on earth, And so doth yours; your fault was not your folly:[71] Needs must you lay your heart at his dispose. Subjected tribute to commanding love, Against whose fury and unmatched force 265 The aweless lion could not wage the fight, Nor keep his princely heart from Richard's hand.[72] He that perforce robs lions of their hearts May easily win a woman's. Ay, my mother,[73] With all my heart I thank thee for my father! 270 Who lives and dares but say thou didst not well When I was got, I'll send his soul to hell. Come, lady, I will show thee to my kin;[74] And they shall say, when Richard me begot, If thou hadst said him nay, it had been sin: 275 Who says it was, he lies; I say 'twas not. [Exeunt.

FOOTNOTES:

[1] SCENE I King John's palace] The court of England. Pope. Northampton ... palace. Capell.

Salisbury, and others] Capell and Salisbury. Ff.

Chatillon] Johnson. Chattilon Rowe. the Chattylion of France. Ff.

[2] borrowed] Ff. borrow'd Rowe.

[3] brother] F₄. brother, F₁ F₂ F₃.

[4] most] om. Pope.

[5] Anjou] Rowe. Anjowe Ff.

Touraine] Rowe (ed. 2). Torayne F₁. Lorayne F₂. Loraine F₃ F₄. Touaine Rowe (ed. 1).

[6] Controlment ... controlment] F₄. Controlement ... controlement F₁ F₂ F₃. See note (III).

[7] For ere] Or, ere Seymour conj.

report I ... there,] Capell. report, I ... there: Ff. (there; F₃ F₄).

[8] sullen] sudden Becket conj.

[9] Exeunt ...] Exit Chat. and Pem. Ff.

[10] manage] mannage Ff.

[11] Enter a Sheriff.] Enter the Sheriff of Northamptonshire and whispers Essex. Capell. See note (IV).

[12] expedition's] expeditious F₁.]

Enter ...] Enter R. F. and Philip. Ff. Exit Sheriff; and Re-enters with R. F. and P., his bastard brother. Capell (after line 47).

[13] SCENE II. Pope.

Bast.] Philip. Ff. (and to line 132; afterwards Bast.).

[14] Robert] om. F₂ F₃ F₄.

[15] Cœur-de-lion] Cordelion Ff. (and passim).

[16] What] And what Capell.

[17] a'] a Ff. he Pope.

[18] whether] F₄. where F₁ F₂ F₃. See note (V).

as true] true Pope.

[19] yourself.] Rowe. your selfe F₁ F₂. your self F₃ F₄.

[20] him,] him: Ff.

[21] lent] sent Heath conj.

[22] trick] See note (VI).

[23] father. With ... land: ... year!] father? With ... land, ... year? F₁ F₂. father, With ... land, ... year? F₃ F₄.

[24] half that face] that half-face Theobald. half the face Anon. conj.

[25] lengths] length Capell conj.

[26] death] oath Anon. conj.

[27] And if] An if Hanmer.

[28] hazards] hazard Pope.

[29] Whether] Say Pope.

[30] thy] the Warburton.

[31] an if] Hanmer. and if Ff.

[32] Robert's] Robert Theobald. Robert's, Hanmer.

[33] And if] An if S. Walker conj.

[34] to his] with his Hanmer.

his ... this] this ... his Mason conj.

[35] I would] I'd Pope.

[36] I] F₂ F₃ F₄. It F₁. See note (VII).

sir Nob] Capell. sir nobbe F₁ F₂ F₃. Sir Nobbe F₄. sir Rob Lloyd conj.

[37] From ... bear'st] Pope. From ... bearest As two lines, the first ending name, in Ff.

[38] rise] Ff. rise up Pope. arise Steevens. to rise Keightley conj.

[39] grandam, Richard:] grandame Richard, F₁ F₂ F₃. _grandam, Richard,_ F₄. grandam; Richard, Pope.

[40] what though?] what tho'? Theobald. what tho; Ff.

[41] wast] as Pope.

Exeunt ... Bastard.] Ff. Exeunt. Capell.

[42] SCENE III. Pope. SCENE II. The same. Anti-room of the same. Enter Bastard. Capell.

[43] many a many] many, many a Hanmer. many, ah, many a Collier (Collier MS.).

[44] too ... too] two ... too F₁.

too sociable] unsociable Pope.

[45] your conversion.] Capell. your conversion, Ff. your conversing. Pope. conversation. Lloyd conj.

[46] picked] piked Pope. picqued Theobald.

man of] man, of Steevens conj.

countries] courtesies Jackson conj.

[47] I ... now] Misplaced in Singer (ed. 2).

[48] Absey book] ABC-book Pope.

[49] Saving] Serving Theobald (Warburton conj.).

[50] Pyrenean] Perennean F₁. Pyrennean F₂ F₃ F₄. Pyreneans Collier (ed. 2, Collier MS.).

[51] toward] F₁ F₂. towards F₃ F₄.

[52] the mounting] a mounting Collier MS.

spirit] spirits Delius.

[53] smack ... smack] Theobald. smoake ... smacke F₁ F₂. smoak ... smack F₃ F₄. smack ... smoak Pope.

[54] And ... no] Put in brackets, as spurious, by Warburton.

[55] Which] This Johnson conj.

[56] Enter ...] Capell. Ff. after line 221.

it is] Pope. 'tis Ff.

How now] now Pope.

[57] SCENE IV. Pope.

[58] scorn'st] scornest F₄.

[59] Gurney] F₄. Gournie F₁. Gourney F₂ F₃.

[60] Philip! sparrow:] Capell. Philip, sparrow, Ff. Philip,--spare me, Theobald (Warburton). Philip--spare oh! Grey conj.

[61] Exit Gurney] Exit James. Ff.

[62] to confess] confess Pope. to confess the truth Keightley conj.

[63] Could he get me?] Pope. Could get me Ff. Could not get me; Dyce (Collier MS.).

[64] beholding] beholden Pope.

[65] holp] help'd Pope.

[66] conspired] conspir'd Rowe.

[67] Knight, knight, good mother, Basilisco-like.] F₃ F₄. Knight, knight good mother, Basilisco-like: F₁ F₂. Omitted by Rowe (ed. 2). Knight--Knight, good mother, Basilisco like Pope. Knight, knight, good mother--Basilisco like. Theobald. Knight, knight,--good mother, Basilisco like. Id. conj. Knight--knight--good mother--Basilisco;--'slight! Id. conj. (withdrawn).

[68] What!] Theobald. What, Ff. Why Pope. Why, Hanmer.

[69] my charge!] my charge, Ff. thy charge, Long MS.

[70] Thou] F₄. That F₁ F₂ F₃.

[71] your folly] you folly F₂.

[72] hand] hands F₄.

[73] Ay] aye Ff.

[74] thee] the F₄.

Spotted a typo or a problem in this chapter? Tell us

Act II, Scene I — France. Before Angiers.

Enter AUSTRIA _and forces, drums, etc. on one side: on the other_ KING PHILIP of France and his Power; LEWIS, ARTHUR, CONSTANCE and attendants.[75]

Lew. Before Angiers well met, brave Austria.[76] Arthur, that great forerunner of thy blood, Richard, that robb'd the lion of his heart And fought the holy wars in Palestine, By this brave duke came early to his grave: 5 And for amends to his posterity, At our importance hither is he come, To spread his colours, boy, in thy behalf, And to rebuke the usurpation Of thy unnatural uncle, English John: 10 Embrace him, love him, give him welcome hither.

Arth. God shall forgive you Cœur-de-lion's death The rather that you give his offspring life, Shadowing their right under your wings of war:[77] I give you welcome with a powerless hand, 15 But with a heart full of unstained love:[78] Welcome before the gates of Angiers, duke.

Lew. A noble boy! Who would not do thee right?

Aust. Upon thy cheek lay I this zealous kiss, As seal to this indenture of my love, 20 That to my home I will no more return, Till Angiers and the right thou hast in France, Together with that pale, that white-faced shore, Whose foot spurns back the ocean's roaring tides And coops from other lands her islanders, 25 Even till that England, hedged in with the main, That water-walled bulwark, still secure And confident from foreign purposes, Even till that utmost corner of the west[79] Salute thee for her king: till then, fair boy, 30 Will I not think of home, but follow arms.

Const. O, take his mother's thanks, a widow's thanks, Till your strong hand shall help to give him strength To make a more requital to your love!

Aust. The peace of heaven is theirs that lift their swords[80] 35 In such a just and charitable war.

K. Phi. Well then, to work: our cannon shall be bent[81] Against the brows of this resisting town. Call for our chiefest men of discipline, To cull the plots of best advantages: 40 We'll lay before this town our royal bones, Wade to the market-place in Frenchmen's blood, But we will make it subject to this boy.

Const. Stay for an answer to your embassy, Lest unadvised you stain your swords with blood: 45 My Lord Chatillon may from England bring That right in peace which here we urge in war, And then we shall repent each drop of blood That hot rash haste so indirectly shed.[82]

Enter CHATILLON.

K. Phi. A wonder, lady! lo, upon thy wish, 50 Our messenger Chatillon is arrived! What England says, say briefly, gentle lord; We coldly pause for thee; Chatillon, speak.

Chat. Then turn your forces from this paltry siege And stir them up against a mightier task. 55 England, impatient of your just demands, Hath put himself in arms: the adverse winds, Whose leisure I have stay'd, have given him time To land his legions all as soon as I; His marches are expedient to this town, 60 His forces strong, his soldiers confident. With him along is come the mother-queen, An Ate, stirring him to blood and strife;[83] With her her niece, the Lady Blanch of Spain; With them a bastard of the king's deceased;[84] 65 And all the unsettled humours of the land, Rash, inconsiderate, fiery voluntaries, With ladies' faces and fierce dragons' spleens, Have sold their fortunes at their native homes, Bearing their birthrights proudly on their backs,[85] 70 To make a hazard of new fortunes here: In brief, a braver choice of dauntless spirits Than now the English bottoms have waft o'er Did never float upon the swelling tide, To do offence and scath in Christendom. [Drum beats.[86] 75 The interruption of their churlish drums Cuts off more circumstance: they are at hand,[87] To parley or to fight; therefore prepare.[87]

K. Phi. How much unlook'd for is this expedition!

Aust. By how much unexpected, by so much 80 We must awake endeavour for defence; For courage mounteth with occasion: Let them be welcome then; we are prepared.

Enter KING JOHN, ELINOR, BLANCH, the Bastard, Lords, and Forces.[88]

K. John. Peace be to France, if France in peace permit[89] Our just and lineal entrance to our own; 85 If not, bleed France, and peace ascend to heaven, Whiles we, God's wrathful agent, do correct[90] Their proud contempt that beats His peace to heaven.[91]

K. Phi. Peace be to England, if that war return From France to England, there to live in peace. 90 England we love; and for that England's sake With burden of our armour here we sweat. This toil of ours should be a work of thine; But thou from loving England art so far, That thou hast under-wrought his lawful king,[92] 95 Cut off the sequence of posterity, Out-faced infant state and done a rape Upon the maiden virtue of the crown. Look here upon thy brother Geffrey's face; These eyes, these brows, were moulded out of his: 100 This little abstract doth contain that large Which died in Geffrey, and the hand of time Shall draw this brief into as huge a volume.[93] That Geffrey was thy elder brother born, And this his son; England was Geffrey's right 105 And this is Geffrey's: in the name of God[94] How comes it then that thou art call'd a king, When living blood doth in these temples beat, Which owe the crown that thou o'ermasterest?

K. John. From whom hast thou this great commission, France, 110 To draw my answer from thy articles?[95]

K. Phi. From that supernal judge, that stirs good thoughts In any breast of strong authority,[96] To look into the blots and stains of right:[97] That judge hath made me guardian to this boy: 115 Under whose warrant I impeach thy wrong And by whose help I mean to chastise it.

K. John. Alack, thou dost usurp authority.[98]

K. Phi. Excuse; it is to beat usurping down.[98][99]

Eli. Who is it thou dost call usurper, France?[98][100] 120

Const. Let me make answer; thy usurping son.[98]

Eli. Out, insolent! thy bastard shall be king,[98] That thou mayst be a queen, and check the world![98]

Const. My bed was ever to thy son as true[98] As thine was to thy husband; and this boy[98] 125 Liker in feature to his father Geffrey[98] Than thou and John in manners; being as like[98][101] As rain to water, or devil to his dam.[98] My boy a bastard! By my soul, I think[98] His father never was so true begot:[98] 130 It cannot be, an if thou wert his mother.[98][102]

Eli. There's a good mother, boy, that blots thy father.[98]

Const. There's a good grandam, boy, that would blot thee.[98][103]

Aust. Peace![98]

Bast. Hear the crier.[98]

Aust. What the devil art thou?[98]

Bast. One that will play the devil, sir, with you,[98] 135 An a' may catch your hide and you alone:[98][104] You are the hare of whom the proverb goes,[98] Whose valour plucks dead lions by the beard:[98] I'll smoke your skin-coat, an I catch you right;[98][105] Sirrah, look to't; i' faith, I will, i' faith.[98] 140

Blanch. O, well did he become that lion's robe[98] That did disrobe the lion of that robe![98]

Bast. It lies as sightly on the back of him[98] As great Alcides' shows upon an ass:[98][106] But, ass, I'll take that burthen from your back,[98] 145 Or lay on that shall make your shoulders crack.[98]

Aust. What cracker is this same that deafs our ears[98] With this abundance of superfluous breath?[98]

K. Phi. Lewis, determine what we shall do straight.[98][107]

Lew. Women and fools, break off your conference.[98][108] 150 King John, this is the very sum of all; England and Ireland, Anjou, Touraine, Maine,[109] In right of Arthur do I claim of thee:[110] Wilt thou resign them and lay down thy arms?

K. John. My life as soon: I do defy thee, France. 155 Arthur of Bretagne, yield thee to my hand;[111] And out of my dear love I'll give thee more Than e'er the coward hand of France can win: Submit thee, boy.[112]

Eli. Come to thy grandam, child.[112]

Const. Do, child, go to it grandam, child;[112][113][114] 160 Give grandam kingdom, and it grandam will[112][114] Give it a plum, a cherry, and a fig:[112] There's a good grandam.[112]

Arth. Good my mother, peace![112] I would that I were low laid in my grave:[112] I am not worth this coil that's made for me.[112] 165

Eli. His mother shames him so, poor boy, he weeps.[112]

Const. Now shame upon you, whether she does or no![112][115] His grandam's wrongs, and not his mother's shames,[112][116] Draws those heaven-moving pearls from his poor eyes,[112][117] Which heaven shall take in nature of a fee;[112] 170 Ay, with these crystal beads heaven shall be bribed[112][118] To do him justice and revenge on you.[112]

Eli. Thou monstrous slanderer of heaven and earth![112]

Const. Thou monstrous injurer of heaven and earth![112] Call not me slanderer; thou and thine usurp[112][119] 175 The dominations, royalties and rights[112][120] Of this oppressed boy: this is thy eld'st son's son,[112][121] Infortunate in nothing but in thee:[112] Thy sins are visited in this poor child;[112][122] The canon of the law is laid on him,[112] 180 Being but the second generation[112] Removed from thy sin-conceiving womb.[112]

K. John. Bedlam, have done.[112][123]

Const. I have but this to say,[112] That he is not only plagued for her sin,[112] But God hath made her sin and her the plague[112] 185 On this removed issue, plagued for her[112] And with her plague; her sin his injury,[112][124] Her injury the beadle to her sin,[112][125] All punish'd in the person of this child,[112] And all for her; a plague upon her![112][126] 190

Eli. Thou unadvised scold, I can produce[112] A will that bars the title of thy son.[112]

Const. Ay, who doubts that? a will! a wicked will;[112] A woman's will; a canker'd grandam's will![112]

K. Phi. Peace, lady! pause, or be more temperate:[112] 195 It ill beseems this presence to cry aim[112][127] To these ill-tuned repetitions.[112] Some trumpet summon hither to the walls These men of Angiers: let us hear them speak Whose title they admit, Arthur's or John's. 200

Trumpet sounds. Enter certain Citizens upon the walls.[128]

First Cit. Who is it that hath warn'd us to the walls?

K. Phi. 'Tis France, for England.

K. John. England, for itself. You men of Angiers, and my loving subjects,--

K. Phi. You loving men of Angiers, Arthur's subjects, Our trumpet call'd you to this gentle parle,-- 205

K. John. For our advantage; therefore hear us first.[129] These flags of France, that are advanced here Before the eye and prospect of your town, Have hither march'd to your endamagement: The cannons have their bowels full of wrath, 210 And ready mounted are they to spit forth Their iron indignation 'gainst your walls: All preparation for a bloody siege[130] And merciless proceeding by these French[131] Confronts your city's eyes, your winking gates;[132] 215 And but for our approach those sleeping stones, That as a waist doth girdle you about,[133] By the compulsion of their ordinance[134] By this time from their fixed beds of lime Had been dishabited, and wide havoc made 220 For bloody power to rush upon your peace. But on the sight of us your lawful king, Who painfully with much expedient march Have brought a countercheck before your gates, To save unscratch'd your city's threatened cheeks,[135] 225 Behold, the French amazed vouchsafe a parle; And now, instead of bullets wrapp'd in fire,[136] To make a shaking fever in your walls, They shoot but calm words folded up in smoke, To make a faithless error in your ears: 230 Which trust accordingly kind citizens, And let us in, your king, whose labour'd spirits,[137] Forwearied in this action of swift speed,[138] Crave harbourage within your city walls.[139]

K. Phi. When I have said, make answer to us both. 235 Lo, in this right hand, whose protection Is most divinely vow'd upon the right Of him it holds, stands young Plantagenet, Son to the elder brother of this man, And king o'er him and all that he enjoys: 240 For this down-trodden equity, we tread In warlike march these greens before your town, Being no further enemy to you Than the constraint of hospitable zeal In the relief of this oppressed child 245 Religiously provokes. Be pleased then To pay that duty which you truly owe To him that owes it, namely this young prince:[140] And then our arms, like to a muzzled bear, Save in aspect, hath all offence seal'd up;[141] 250 Our cannons' malice vainly shall be spent Against the invulnerable clouds of heaven;[142] And with a blessed and unvex'd retire, With unhack'd swords and helmets all unbruised. We will bear home that lusty blood again 255 Which here we came to spout against your town, And leave your children, wives and you in peace. But if you fondly pass our proffer'd offer,[143] 'Tis not the roundure of your old-faced walls[144] Can hide you from our messengers of war, 260 Though all these English and their discipline Were harbour'd in their rude circumference.[145] Then tell us, shall your city call us lord, In that behalf which we have challenged it?[146] Or shall we give the signal to our rage 265 And stalk in blood to our possession?

First Cit. In brief, we are the king of England's subjects: For him, and in his right, we hold this town.[147]

K. John. Acknowledge then the king, and let me in.

First Cit. That can we not; but he that proves the king, 270 To him will we prove loyal: till that time Have we ramm'd up our gates against the world.

K. John. Doth not the crown of England prove the king? And if not that, I bring you witnesses, Twice fifteen thousand hearts of England's breed,-- 275

Bast. Bastards, and else.[148]

K. John. To verify our title with their lives.

K. Phi. As many and as well-born bloods as those,--

Bast. Some bastards too.[148]

K. Phi. Stand in his face to contradict his claim. 280

First Cit. Till you compound whose right is worthiest, We for the worthiest hold the right from both.

K. John. Then God forgive the sin of all those souls[149] That to their everlasting residence, Before the dew of evening fall, shall fleet, 285 In dreadful trial of our kingdom's king!

K. Phi. Amen, amen! Mount, chevaliers! to arms!

Bast. Saint George, that swinged the dragon, and e'er since[150] Sits on his horse back at mine hostess' door,[150][151] Teach us some fence! [To Aust.] Sirrah, were I at home,[152] 290 At your den, sirrah, with your lioness, I would set an ox-head to your lion's hide,[153] And make a monster of you.

Aust. Peace! no more.

Bast. O, tremble, for you hear the lion roar.

K. John. Up higher to the plain; where we'll set forth 295 In best appointment all our regiments.

Bast. Speed then, to take advantage of the field.[154]

K. Phi. It shall be so; and at the other hill[155] Command the rest to stand. God and our right! [Exeunt.

Here after excursions, enter the Herald of France, _with trumpets, to the gates_.[156]

F. Her. You men of Angiers, open wide your gates,[157] 300 And let young Arthur, Duke of Bretagne, in,[158] Who by the hand of France this day hath made Much work for tears in many an English mother, Whose sons lie scattered on the bleeding ground:[159] Many a widow's husband grovelling lies,[160] 305 Coldly embracing the discoloured earth;[161] And victory, with little loss, doth play[162] Upon the dancing banners of the French, Who are at hand, triumphantly display'd,[163] To enter conquerors and to proclaim 310 Arthur of Bretagne England's king and yours.[158]

Enter English Herald, with trumpet.[164]

E. Her. Rejoice, you men of Angiers, ring your bells; King John, your king and England's, doth approach, Commander of this hot malicious day: Their armours, that march'd hence so silver-bright, 315 Hither return all gilt with Frenchmen's blood;[165] There stuck no plume in any English crest That is removed by a staff of France;[166] Our colours do return in those same hands That did display them when we first march'd forth; 320 And, like a jolly troop of huntsmen, come Our lusty English, all with purpled hands, Dyed in the dying slaughter of their foes:[167] Open your gates and give the victors way.

First Cit. Heralds, from off our towers we might behold,[168] 325 From first to last, the onset and retire Of both your armies; whose equality By our best eyes cannot be censured: Blood hath bought blood and blows have answer'd blows; Strength match'd with strength, and power confronted power: 330 Both are alike; and both alike we like. One must prove greatest: while they weigh so even, We hold our town for neither, yet for both.

Re-enter the two KINGS, with their powers, severally.[169]

K. John. France, hast thou yet more blood to cast away?[170] Say, shall the current of our right run on?[171] 335 Whose passage, vex'd with thy impediment, Shall leave his native channel, and o'erswell With course disturb'd even thy confining shores, Unless thou let his silver water keep[172] A peaceful progress to the ocean. 340

K. Phi. England, thou hast not saved one drop of blood, In this hot trial, more than we of France; Rather, lost more. And by this hand I swear, That sways the earth this climate overlooks, Before we will lay down our just-borne arms,[173] 345 We'll put thee down, 'gainst whom these arms we bear, Or add a royal number to the dead, Gracing the scroll that tells of this war's loss With slaughter coupled to the name of kings.

Bast. Ha, majesty! how high thy glory towers, 350 When the rich blood of kings is set on fire! O, now doth Death line his dead chaps with steel; The swords of soldiers are his teeth, his fangs; And now he feasts, mousing the flesh of men,[174] In undetermined differences of kings. 355 Why stand these royal fronts amazed thus? Cry, 'havoc!' kings; back to the stained field, You equal potents, fiery kindled spirits![175] Then let confusion of one part confirm The other's peace; till then, blows, blood, and death! 360

K. John. Whose party do the townsmen yet admit?

K. Phi. Speak, citizens, for England; who's your king?[176]

First Cit. The king of England, when we know the king.

K. Phi. Know him in us, that here hold up his right.

K. John. In us, that are our own great deputy, 365 And bear possession of our person here,[177] Lord of our presence, Angiers, and of you.[178]

First Cit. A greater power than we denies all this;[179] And till it be undoubted, we do lock Our former scruple in our strong-barr'd gates; 370 King'd of our fears, until our fears, resolved,[180][181] Be by some certain king purged and deposed.[181]

Bast. By heaven, these scroyles of Angiers flout you, kings,[182] And stand securely on their battlements, As in a theatre, whence they gape and point 375 At your industrious scenes and acts of death.[183] Your royal presences be ruled by me:[184] Do like the mutines of Jerusalem,[185] Be friends awhile and both conjointly bend[186] Your sharpest deeds of malice on this town: 380 By east and west let France and England mount Their battering cannon charged to the mouths, Till their soul-fearing clamours have brawl'd down The flinty ribs of this contemptuous city: I'ld play incessantly upon these jades, 385 Even till unfenced desolation Leave them as naked as the vulgar air. That done, dissever your united strengths, And part your mingled colours once again; Turn face to face and bloody point to point; 390 Then, in a moment, Fortune shall cull forth Out of one side her happy minion, To whom in favour she shall give the day, And kiss him with a glorious victory. How like you this wild counsel, mighty states? 395 Smacks it not something of the policy?[187]

K. John. Now, by the sky that hangs above our heads, I like it well. France, shall we knit our powers And lay this Angiers even with the ground; Then after fight who shall be king of it? 400

Bast. An if them hast the mettle of a king,[188] Being wrong'd as we are by this peevish town, Turn thou the mouth of thy artillery, As we will ours, against these saucy walls; And when that we have dash'd them to the ground, 405 Why then defy each other, and pell-mell Make work upon ourselves, for heaven or hell.

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

K. John. We from the west will send destruction Into this city's bosom. 410

Aust. I from the north.

K. Phi. Our thunder from the south[189] Shall rain their drift of bullets on this town.

Bast. O prudent discipline! From north to south:[190] Austria and France shoot in each other's mouth:[190] I'll stir them to it. Come, away, away![190] 415

First Cit. Hear us, great kings: vouchsafe awhile to stay, And I shall show you peace and fair-faced league; Win you this city without stroke or wound; Rescue those breathing lives to die in beds, That here come sacrifices for the field: 420 Persever not, but hear me, mighty kings.

K. John. Speak on with favour; we are bent to hear.[191]

First Cit. That daughter there of Spain, the Lady Blanch, Is niece to England: look upon the years[192] Of Lewis the Dauphin and that lovely maid:[193] 425 If lusty love should go in quest of beauty, Where should he find it fairer than in Blanch? If zealous love should go in search of virtue,[194] Where should he find it purer than in Blanch? If love ambitious sought a match of birth, 430 Whose veins bound richer blood than Lady Blanch? Such as she is, in beauty, virtue, birth, Is the young Dauphin every way complete:[193] If not complete of, say he is not she;[195] And she again wants nothing, to name want, 435 If want it be not that she is not he:[196] He is the half part of a blessed man, Left to be finished by such as she;[197] And she a fair divided excellence,[198] Whose fulness of perfection lies in him. 440 O, two such silver currents, when they join, Do glorify the banks that bound them in; And two such shores to two such streams made one, Two such controlling bounds shall you be, kings, To these two princes, if you marry them. 445 This union shall do more than battery can To our fast-closed gates; for at this match, With swifter spleen than powder can enforce,[199] The mouth of passage shall we fling wide ope. And give you entrance: but without this match, 450 The sea enraged is not half so deaf, Lions more confident, mountains and rocks[200] More free from motion, no, not Death himself[200] In mortal fury half so peremptory, As we to keep this city.

Bast. Here's a stay[201] 455 That shakes the rotten carcass of old Death Out of his rags! Here's a large mouth, indeed, That spits forth death and mountains, rocks and seas, Talks as familiarly of roaring lions As maids of thirteen do of puppy-dogs! 460 What cannoneer begot this lusty blood?[202] He speaks plain cannon fire, and smoke and bounce;[203] He gives the bastinado with his tongue: Our ears are cudgell'd; not a word of his But buffets better than a fist of France: 465 Zounds! I was never so bethump'd with words Since I first call'd my brother's father dad.[204]

Eli. Son, list to this conjunction, make this match;[205][206] Give with our niece a dowry large enough:[206] For by this knot thou shalt so surely tie[206] 470 Thy now unsured assurance to the crown,[206][207] That yon green boy shall have no sun to ripe[206] The bloom that promiseth a mighty fruit.[206] I see a yielding in the looks of France;[206] Mark, how they whisper: urge them while their souls[206] 475 Are capable of this ambition,[206] Lest zeal, now melted by the windy breath[206][208] Of soft petitions, pity and remorse,[206] Cool and congeal again to what it was.[206]

First Cit. Why answer not the double majesties 480 This friendly treaty of our threaten'd town?

K. Phi. Speak England first, that hath been forward first[209] To speak unto this city: what say you?

K. John. If that the Dauphin there, thy princely son,[193] Can in this book of beauty read 'I love,' 485 Her dowry shall weigh equal with a queen:[210] For Anjou, and fair Touraine, Maine, Poictiers,[211] And all that we upon this side the sea, Except this city now by us besieged, Find liable to our crown and dignity, 490 Shall gild her bridal bed and make her rich In titles, honours and promotions, As she in beauty, education, blood,[212] Holds hand with any princess of the world.[213]

K. Phi. What say'st thou, boy? look in the lady's face. 495

Lew. I do, my lord; and in her eye I find[214] A wonder, or a wondrous miracle, The shadow of myself form'd in her eye;[215] Which, being but the shadow of your son,[215] Becomes a sun and makes your son a shadow:[215][216] 500 I do protest I never loved myself Till now infixed I beheld myself[217] Drawn in the flattering table of her eye.[218]

[Whispers with Blanch.

Bast. Drawn in the flattering table of her eye![219] Hang'd in the frowning-wrinkle of her brow! 505 And quarter'd in her heart! he doth espy Himself love's traitor: this is pity now, That, hang'd and drawn and quarter'd, there should be In such a love so vile a lout as he.

Blanch. My uncle's will in this respect is mine:[220] 510 If he see aught in you that makes him like, That any thing he sees, which moves his liking, I can with ease translate it to my will;[221] Or if you will, to speak more properly, I will enforce it easily to my love.[222] 515 Further I will not flatter you, my lord, That all I see in you is worthy love, Than this; that nothing do I see in you, Though churlish thoughts themselves should be your judge, That I can find should merit any hate. 520

K. John. What say these young ones? What say you, my niece?

Blanch. That she is bound in honour still to do What you in wisdom still vouchsafe to say.[223]

K. John. Speak then, prince Dauphin; can you love this lady?

Lew. Nay, ask me if I can refrain from love; 525 For I do love her most unfeignedly.

K. John. Then do I give Volquessen, Touraine, Maine, Poictiers, and Anjou, these five provinces,[224] With her to thee; and this addition more, Full thirty thousand marks of English coin. 530 Philip of France, if thou be pleased withal, Command thy son and daughter to join hands.

K. Phi. It likes us well; young princes, close your hands.[225]

Aust. And your lips too; for I am well assured[226] That I did so when I was first assured.[226] 535

K. Phi. Now, citizens of Angiers, ope your gates,[227] Let in that amity which you have made; For at Saint Mary's chapel presently The rites of marriage shall be solemnized. Is not the Lady Constance in this troop? 540 I know she is not, for this match made up[228] Her presence would have interrupted much: Where is she and her son? tell me, who knows.[229]

Lew. She is sad and passionate at your highness' tent.[230]

K. Phil. And, by my faith, this league that we have made 545 Will give her sadness very little cure. Brother of England, how may we content This widow lady? In her right we came;[231] Which we, God knows, have turn'd another way, To our own vantage.

K. John. We will heal up all; 550 For we'll create young Arthur Duke of Bretagne[232] And Earl of Richmond; and this rich fair town We make him lord of. Call the Lady Constance;[233] Some speedy messenger bid her repair To our solemnity: I trust we shall, 555 If not fill up the measure of her will, Yet in some measure satisfy her so That we shall stop her exclamation. Go we, as well as haste will suffer us, To this unlook'd for, unprepared pomp. 560

[Exeunt all but the Bastard.[234]

Bast. Mad world! mad kings! mad composition![235] John, to stop Arthur's title in the whole, Hath willingly departed with a part, And France, whose armour conscience buckled on, Whom zeal and charity brought to the field 565 As God's own soldier, rounded in the ear With that same purpose-changer, that sly devil, That broker, that still breaks the pate of faith, That daily break-vow, he that wins of all, Of kings, of beggars, old men, young men, maids, 570 Who, having no external thing to lose[236] But the word 'maid,' cheats the poor maid of that,[237] That smooth-faced gentleman, tickling Commodity, Commodity, the bias of the world, The world, who of itself is peised well,[238] 575 Made to run even upon even ground, Till this advantage, this vile-drawing bias,[239] This sway of motion, this Commodity, Makes it take head from all indifferency, From all direction, purpose, course, intent: 580 And this same bias, this Commodity, This bawd, this broker, this all-changing word,[240] Clapp'd on the outward eye of fickle France, Hath drawn him from his own determined aid,[241] From a resolved and honourable war, 585 To a most base and vile-concluded peace.[242] And why rail I on this Commodity?[243] But for because he hath not woo'd me yet: Not that I have the power to clutch my hand,[244] When his fair angels would salute my palm; 590 But for my hand, as unattempted yet,[245] Like a poor beggar, raileth on the rich. Well, whiles I am a beggar, I will rail[246] And say there is no sin but to be rich; And being rich, my virtue then shall be 595 To say there is no vice but beggary. Since kings break faith upon commodity, Gain, be my lord, for I will worship thee.[247] [Exit.

FOOTNOTES:

[75] ACT II. SCENE I. Rowe (ed. 2). Scæna Secunda. Ff.

France ...] Capell. Enter before Angiers, Philip King of France, Lewis, Daulphin, Austria, Constance, Arthur Ff.

[76] Lew.] King Philip. Theobald conj.

[77] their] his Collier MS.

[78] unstained] unstrained Collier (Collier MS.).

[79] utmost] outmost F₄.

[80] that] who F₄.

[81] work: our] work, our F₄. worke our F₁ F₂. work our F₃.

cannon] engines Pope.

[82] indirectly] indiscreetly Singer (Collier MS.).

[83] An Ate] Rowe. An Ace Ff. As Ate Collier MS.

[84] king's] kings F₁. king F₂ F₃ F₄. See note (XI).

[85] birthrights] birth-rights F₁ F₂. birth-right F₃ F₄.

[86] Drum beats] F₁ (after line 77). Drummes beates. F₂. Drums beats. F₃. Drums beat. F₄.

[87] hand, To ... fight;] hand, To ... fight, Ff. hand. To ... fight, Pope.

[88] Enter ...] Enter K. of England, Bastard, Queene, Blanch, Pembroke, and others. Ff.

[89] SCENE II. Pope.

[90] Whiles] Whilst Rowe.

[91] beats] beat Hanmer.

[92] his] its Rowe. her Collier (Collier MS.).

[93] huge] large Rowe. See note (VIII).

[94] this] his Grant White (Mason conj.).

this is Geffrey's] Geffry is his or Geffry's right is his Seymour conj.

Geffrey's: in the name of God] Geffrey's; ... God Rowe. Geffreyes in ... God: F₁ F₂ F₃. (Geffreys F₃). Geffreys, ... God, F₄. Geffrey's son ... God Jervis conj.

[95] from] to Hanmer.

[96] breast] beast F₁.

[97] blots] bolts Warburton.

[98] Alack ... conference] Put in the margin, as spurious, by Pope.

[99] Excuse; it is] Malone. Excuse it is Ff. Excuse it, 'tis Rowe (ed. 2).

[100] is it] Ff. is it that Rowe (ed. 1). is't that Rowe (ed. 2).

[101] John in manners; being] Capell (Roderick conj.). John, in manners being Ff.

[102] an if] Theobald. and if Ff.

[103] There's ... thee] As two lines in Ff, ending boy ... thee.

would] wouldst Theobald.

[104] An a'] Theobald. And a Ff.

[105] an] Theobald. and Ff.

[106] Alcides' shows] Alcides' shews Theobald. Alcides shooes Ff. (shoos F₄). Alcides' should Keightley conj.

[107] K. Phi. Lewis] Capell. King Lewis Ff. King Philip Theobald. King,--Lewis Knight (Malone conj., withdrawn). See note (IX).

[108] Lew.] K. Philip. Theobald.

[109] Anjou] Theobald. Angiers Ff.

[110] do I] I do Theobald.

[111] Bretagne] Hanmer. Britaine F₁ F₂. Britain F₃. Brittain F₄.

[112] Submit thee ... repetitions] Put in the margin, as spurious, by Pope.

[113] Do, child, go] Do, go, child, go; go Capell.

[114] it ... it] F₂ F₃ F₄. yt ... it F₁. it' ... it' Johnson. it's ... it's Capell.

[115] whether] where F₁ F₂ F₃. whe're F₄.

she] he Ritson conj.

[116] wrongs] wrong F₄.

[117] Draws] Ff. Draw Capell.

[118] heaven shall] shall heaven Collier MS.

[119] not me] me not F₄.

[120] dominations] F₁. domination F₂ F₃ F₄.

[121] this is thy eld'st] Capell. this is thy eldest Ff. thy eld'st Ritson conj.

eld'st son's son] eldest's son Anon. conj.

[122] in] on Anon. conj.

[123] Bedlam] Ff. Beldam Rann (Ritson conj.).

[124] with her plague; her sin] Edd. (Roby conj.). with her plague her sinne: Ff. with her--Plague her son! Johnson. with her sin, her plague Capell. with her plagued; her sin, Rann (Roderick conj.). with her sin, her plague, Steevens conj. See note (X).

her sin his] her sin, her Lloyd conj.

[125] sin] sins Malone conj.

[126] And all for her;] And all for her, and by her; Lettsom conj.

[127] aim] ayme F₁. ay me F₂ F₃ F₄. amen Rowe (ed. 2). j'aime Johnson conj. shame Jackson conj.

[128] SCENE III. Pope.

certain Citizens] Capell. a Citizen Ff.

First Cit.] 1 Cit. Capell (and throughout the scene). Cit. F₁. Citti. F₂. Citt. F₃ F₄.

[129] our] your Tyrwhitt conj.

[130] preparation] preparations Pope.

[131] And merciless proceeding by these French] And ... proceeding, ... French. Ff. And ... proceeding, ... French, Rowe. And, ... proceeding, ... French, Theobald.

[132] Confronts your] Capell Confront your Rowe. Comfort yours F₁ F₂. Comfort your F₃ F₄. Come 'fore Collier (Collier MS.).

[133] waist] waiste F₄. waste F₁ F₂ F₃.

doth] do Rowe.

[134] ordinance] ordnance Malone.

[135] threatened] F₂. threatned F₁ F₃ F₄.

[136] instead] F₃. insteed F₁ F₂. in stead F₄.

[137] us in, your] Capell. us in. Your Ff. in us, your Pope.

[138] Forwearied] Steevens. Forewearied Ff.

[139] Crave] Pope. Craves Ff.

[140] owes] owns Pope.

[141] hath] have Hanmer.

[142] invulnerable] F₂ F₃ F₄. involuerable F₁.

[143] our] your Theobald.

proffer'd] proper Jervis conj.

offer] love S. Walker conj.

[144] roundure] Capell. rounder Ff. rondure Singer.

old-faced] bold-faced Williams conj.

[145] rude] wide Williams conj.

[146] which] in which Keightley conj.

[147] See note (XI).

[148] Marked as 'Aside' by Pope.

[149] sin] sins Collier MS.

[150] Arranged as in Pope. The first line ends at dragon, in Ff.

[151] on his] Pope. on's Ff. See note (XII).

[152] [To Aust.] Pope.

[153] I would] I'd Pope.

[154] advantage] th' advantage Pope.

[Exeunt English. Capell.

[155] and] [to Lew.] and Capell.

[156] [Exeunt] Exeunt French. Capell.

Here....] Ff. A long Charge sounded: then ... Warburton. Alarums, as of a Battel join'd; Excursions; afterwards, Retreat. Enter a French Herald.... Capell.

[157] SCENE IV. Pope. SCENE II. Capell. om. Ff. See note (XIII).

[158] Bretagne] Rowe (ed. 2). Britaine F₁ F₂. Britain F₃ F₄.

[159] scattered] scatter'd Rowe.

[160] Many] And many Pope.

[161] discoloured] discolour'd Rowe.

[162] And] While Pope.

[163] Who ... display'd] Triumphantly display'd; who are at hand Keightley conj.

display'd] Rowe. displayed Ff.

[164] trumpet.] trumpets. Hanmer.

[165] with] in Rowe.

[166] removed by a] remov'd by any Collier (Collier MS.).

[167] Dyed] Stain'd Pope.

[168] First Cit.] 1 Cit. Capell. Citi. Rowe. Hub. Ff (and throughout the scene). See note (XIV).

[169] Re-enter ... severally.] Enter ... at severall doores. Ff. Flourish. Enter King John, and his Power, on one Side, Bastard, Elinor, Blanch, &c: on the other, King Philip, and French, Austria, and Lewis. Capell.

[170] SCENE V. Pope.

[171] run] F₃ F₄. runne F₂. rome F₁. roam Malone. foam Nicholson conj.

[172] water] waters Grant White (Collier MS.).

[173] lay down] lay by Pope.

[174] mousing] mouthing Pope.

[175] equal potents] equal potent Collier (Collier MS.).

fiery kindled] F₂ F₃ F₄. fierie kindled F₁. fiery-kindled Pope. firey-kindled Collier (Collier MS.).

[176] who's] F₂ F₃ F₄. whose F₁.

[177] possession] procession Collier MS.

[178] of you] F₁ F₄. if you F₂ F₃.

[179] First Cit.] 1 C. Capell. Citi. Rowe. Fra. F₁. Fran. F₂ F₃ F₄.

we] ye Theobald (Warburton).

[180] King'd of our fears,] Rann (Tyrwhitt conj.). Kings of our feare, F₁ F₂. Kings of our fear, F₃ F₄. Kings of our fears,-- Theobald. Kings are our fears,-- Warburton. Kind of our fears Jackson conj. Kings, of our fear; Knight (Becket conj.). King'd of our fear, Collier. Kings of ourselves, Delius conj. Kings of our fear! Keightley conj.

[181] King'd ... deposed.] Put in the margin, as spurious, by Pope.

[182] these] the Warburton.

[183] industrious] illustrious Capell conj.

[184] Your] You Rowe.

[185] mutines] mutiners Spedding conj.

[186] awhile] a-while F₁ F₂. a' while F₃ F₄.

[187] Smacks ... policy?] Omitted by Pope.

[188] [To Phi. Capell.

An if] Capell. And if Ff.

[189] thunder] thunders Grant White (Capell conj.).

[190] O prudent ... away!] Put in the margin, as spurious, by Pope.

O prudent ... it] Marked as 'Aside' by Capell.

[191] Speak on with favour; we] Speak on with favour, we Ff. Speak on; with favour we Rowe.

[192] niece] Singer (Collier MS.). neere F₁ F₂. near F₃ F₄.

[193] Dauphin] Rowe. Dolphin Ff (and passim).

[194] should] F₁ F₄ om. F₂ F₃.

[195] complete of, say] compleat of,--say, Theobald. compleat, oh! say Hanmer. completed, say Lloyd conj.

[196] be not, that] be, but that Jervis conj.

[197] as she] Ff. a she Theobald (Thirlby conj.).

[198] fair divided] fair-divided S. Walker conj.

[199] With ... enforce] Swifter than powder can in spleen enforce Becket conj.

spleen] speed Pope.

[200] more ... More] so ... So Pope.

[201] stay] flaw Johnson conj. say Singer (Becket conj.). story or storm Spedding conj.

[202] lusty blood] lusty-blood Anon. conj.

[203] cannon fire,] Ff. cannon,--fire Capell.

[204] I first] first I Anon. conj.

[205] Eli.] Rowe. Old Qu. Ff.

[206] Son ... it was.] Marked as 'Aside to John' by Capell.

[207] unsured] unsure Anon. conj.

[208] Lest] F₄. Least F₁ F₂ F₃. Let Jackson conj.

now melted by] now melted, by Hanmer.

windy] whining Jackson conj.

[209] hath] have Anon. conj.

[210] queen] queen's Keightley conj.

[211] Anjou] Pope, ed. 2, (Theobald). Angiers Ff.

[212] As] Ff. And Rowe.

[213] hand] F₁. hands F₂ F₃ F₄.

[214] Lew.] Dol. Ff.

[215] The shadow ... a shadow] Put in the margin, as spurious, by Pope.

[216] sun] Rowe (ed. 2). sonne F₁ F₂. son F₃ F₄.

[217] beheld] behold Hanmer.

[218] Whispers ...] Ff. Courts in dumb Shew. Capell.

[219] [Aside. Dyce.

[220] [To Lew. Capell.

[221] it to] into Anon. conj.

[222] easily] F₃ F₄. easlie F₁ F₂.

[223] still] will Pope. shall Steevens (Capell conj.).

[224] Anjou] F₄. Aniow F₁. Anjow F₂ F₃. See note (XI).

[225] well; young princes, close] Rowe. well young princes; close Ff.

[226] And your ... assured] Put in the margin, as spurious, by Pope.

assured ... assured] assured ... affied S. Walker conj.

[227] Angiers] Angires F₁.

[228] not, for] F₃ F₄. not for F₁ F₂.

[229] son?... knows] Steevens (1793) son, ... knows? Ff.

[230] She is] She's Pope.

[231] widow] widow'd Collier (Collier MS.).

[232] Bretagne] Hanmer. Britaine F₁ F₂. Britain F₃ F₄.

[233] We] We'll Anon. conj.

[234] Exeunt all....] Rowe. Exeunt. Ff.

[235] SCENE VI. Pope.

[236] having] as they have Hanmer.

[237] 'maid' ... maid] maids ... maids Hanmer.

cheats ... that] are cheated e'en of that Seymour conj.

[238] who] which Pope.

peised] peysed F₁ F₂ F₃. poysed F₄.

[239] vile-drawing] vile drawing Ff.

[240] this all-changing word] this all-changing-word F₁. that all-changing-world F₂ F₃ F₄.

[241] aid] aim Collier, ed. 2 (Mason conj.). deed Bubier conj.

[242] vile-concluded] F₁. vile concluded F₂ F₃ F₄.

[243] on this] thus on Anon. conj.

[244] Not that I have the] Nor that I have the Hanmer. Not but I have the or Not that I have not Collier conj. Not that I have no Collier MS.

[245] But for] But that Pope.

[246] whiles] while Pope.

[247] Gain, be] Theobald. Gaine be Ff (Gain F₃ F₄).

Spotted a typo or a problem in this chapter? Tell us

Act III, Scene I — The French KING'S Pavilion.[248]

Enter CONSTANCE, ARTHUR, and SALISBURY.

Const. Gone to be married! gone to swear a peace! False blood to false blood join'd! gone to be friends! Shall Lewis have Blanch, and Blanch those provinces? It is not so; thou hast misspoke, misheard; Be well advised, tell o'er thy tale again: 5 It cannot be; thou dost but say 'tis so: I trust I may not trust thee; for thy word[249] Is but the vain breath of a common man: Believe me, I do not believe thee, man;[250] I have a king's oath to the contrary. 10 Thou shalt be punish'd for thus frighting me, For I am sick and capable of fears, Oppress'd with wrongs and therefore full of fears. A widow, husbandless, subject to fears, A woman, naturally born to fears; 15 And though thou now confess thou didst but jest,[251] With my vex'd spirits I cannot take a truce,[251][252] But they will quake and tremble all this day. What dost thou mean by shaking of thy head? Why dost thou look so sadly on my son? 20 What means that hand upon that breast of thine? Why holds thine eye that lamentable rheum, Like a proud river peering o'er his bounds? Be these sad signs confirmers of thy words?[253] Then speak again; not all thy former tale, 25 But this one word, whether thy tale be true.

Sal. As true as I believe you think them false[254] That give you cause to prove my saying true.

Const. O, if thou teach me to believe this sorrow, Teach thou this sorrow how to make me die, 30 And let belief and life encounter so As doth the fury of two desperate men Which in the very meeting fall and die. Lewis marry Blanch! O boy, then where art thou?[255] France friend with England, what becomes of me?[256] 35 Fellow, be gone: I cannot brook thy sight: This news hath made thee a most ugly man.[257]

Sal. What other harm have I, good lady, done,[257] But spoke the harm that is by others done?[257]

Const. Which harm within itself so heinous is[257] 40 As it makes harmful all that speak of it.[257]

Arth. I do beseech you, madam, be content.[258]

Const. If thou, that bid'st me be content, wert grim, Ugly and slanderous to thy mother's womb, Full of unpleasing blots and sightless stains,[259] 45 Lame, foolish, crooked, swart, prodigious, Patch'd with foul moles and eye-offending marks, I would not care, I then would be content, For then I should not love thee, no, nor thou Become thy great birth nor deserve a crown. 50 But thou art fair, and at thy birth, dear boy, Nature and Fortune join'd to make thee great: Of Nature's gifts thou mayst with lilies boast And with the half-blown rose. But Fortune, O, She is corrupted, changed and won from thee; 55 She adulterates hourly with thine uncle John,[260] And with her golden hand hath pluck'd on France To tread down fair respect of sovereignty. And made his majesty the bawd to theirs. France is a bawd to Fortune and King John,[261] 60 That strumpet Fortune, that usurping John! Tell me, thou fellow, is not France forsworn? Envenom him with words, or get thee gone And leave those woes alone which I alone[262] Am bound to under-bear.

Sal. Pardon me, madam, 65 I may not go without you to the kings.

Const. Thou mayst, thou shalt; I will not go with thee: I will instruct my sorrows to be proud;[263] For grief is proud and makes his owner stoop.[264] To me and to the state of my great grief 70 Let kings assemble; for my grief's so great That no supporter but the huge firm earth[265] Can hold it up: here I and sorrows sit;[266] Here is my throne, bid kings come bow to it.

[Seats herself on the ground.[267]

Enter KING JOHN, KING PHILIP, LEWIS, BLANCH, ELINOR, the BASTARD, AUSTRIA, and Attendants.

K. Phi. 'Tis true, fair daughter; and this blessed day Ever in France shall be kept festival:[268] 75 To solemnize this day the glorious sun Stays in his course and plays the alchemist, Turning with splendour of his precious eye The meagre cloddy earth to glittering gold: 80 The yearly course that brings this day about Shall never see it but a holiday.[269]

Const. A wicked day, and not a holy day! [Rising.[270] What hath this day deserved? what hath it done, That it in golden letters should be set 85 Among the high tides in the calendar? Nay, rather turn this day out of the week, This day of shame, oppression, perjury. Or, if it must stand still, let wives with child Pray that their burthens may not fall this day, 90 Lest that their hopes prodigiously be cross'd: But on this day let seamen fear no wreck;[271] No bargains break that are not this day made: This day, all things begun come to ill end, Yea, faith itself to hollow falsehood change![272] 95

K. Phi. By heaven, lady, you shall have no cause To curse the fair proceedings of this day: Have I not pawn'd to you my majesty?

Const. You have beguiled me with a counterfeit Resembling majesty, which, being touch'd and tried,[273] 100 Proves valueless: you are forsworn, forsworn; You came in arms to spill mine enemies' blood,[274] But now in arms you strengthen it with yours: The grappling vigour and rough frown of war Is cold in amity and painted peace,[275] 105 And our oppression hath made up this league.[276] Arm, arm, you heavens, against these perjured kings![277] A widow cries; be husband to me, heavens![278] Let not the hours of this ungodly day Wear out the day in peace; but, ere sunset,[279] 110 Set armed discord 'twixt these perjured kings! Hear me, O, hear me!

Aust. Lady Constance, peace!

Const. War! war! no peace! peace is to me a war. O Lymoges! O Austria! thou dost shame That bloody spoil: thou slave, thou wretch, thou coward! 115 Thou little valiant, great in villany! Thou ever strong upon the stronger side! Thou Fortune's champion that dost never fight But when her humorous ladyship is by To teach thee safety! thou art perjured too, 120 And soothest up greatness. What a fool art thou. A ramping fool, to brag and stamp and swear[280] Upon my party! Thou cold-blooded slave, Hast thou not spoke like thunder on my side, Been sworn my soldier, bidding me depend 125 Upon thy stars, thy fortune and thy strength, And dost thou now fall over to my foes? Thou wear a lion's hide! doff it for shame, And hang a calf's-skin on those recreant limbs.[281]

Aust. O, that a man should speak those words to me![282] 130

Bast. And hang a calf's-skin on those recreant limbs.[283]

Aust. Thou darest not say so, villain, for thy life.

Bast. And hang a calf's-skin on those recreant limbs.[283][284]

K. John. We like not this; thou dost forget thyself.

Enter PANDULPH.[285]

K. Phi. Here comes the holy legate of the pope. 135

Pand. Hail, you anointed deputies of heaven! To thee, King John, my holy errand is. I Pandulph, of fair Milan cardinal, And from Pope Innocent the legate here, Do in his name religiously demand 140 Why thou against the church, our holy mother, So wilfully dost spurn; and force perforce Keep Stephen Langton, chosen archbishop[286] Of Canterbury, from that holy see?[287] This, in our foresaid holy father's name, 145 Pope Innocent, I do demand of thee.

K. John. What earthy name to interrogatories[288] Can task the free breath of a sacred king?[289] Thou canst not, cardinal, devise a name So slight, unworthy and ridiculous, 150 To charge me to an answer, as the pope.[290] Tell him this tale; and from the mouth of England Add thus much more, that no Italian priest Shall tithe or toll in our dominions; But as we, under heaven, are supreme head,[291] 155 So under Him that great supremacy,[292] Where we do reign, we will alone uphold, Without the assistance of a mortal hand: So tell the pope, all reverence set apart To him and his usurp'd authority. 160

K. Phi. Brother of England, you blaspheme in this.

K. John. Though you and all the kings of Christendom Are led so grossly by this meddling priest, Dreading the curse that money may buy out; And by the merit of vile gold, dross, dust, 165 Purchase corrupted pardon of a man, Who in that sale sells pardon from himself, Though you and all the rest so grossly led This juggling witchcraft with revenue cherish, Yet I alone, alone do me oppose 170 Against the pope and count his friends my foes.

Pand. Then, by the lawful power that I have, Thou shalt stand cursed and excommunicate: And blessed shall he be that doth revolt From his allegiance to an heretic; 175 And meritorious shall that hand be call'd, Canonized and worshipp'd as a saint,[293] That takes away by any secret course Thy hateful life.

Const. O, lawful let it be That I have room with Rome to curse awhile![294] 180 Good father cardinal, cry thou amen To my keen curses; for without my wrong There is no tongue hath power to curse him right.

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

Const. And for mine too: when law can do no right,[295] 185 Let it be lawful that law bar no wrong: Law cannot give my child his kingdom here, For he that holds his kingdom holds the law; Therefore, since law itself is perfect wrong, How can the law forbid my tongue to curse? 190

Pand. Philip of France, on peril of a curse, Let go the hand of that arch-heretic; And raise the power of France upon his head, Unless he do submit himself to Rome.

Eli. Look'st thou pale, France? do not let go thy hand. 195

Const. Look to that, devil; lest that France repent,[296] And by disjoining hands, hell lose a soul.

Aust. King Philip, listen to the cardinal.

Bast. And hang a calf's-skin on his recreant limbs.[297]

Aust. Well, ruffian, I must pocket up these wrongs, 200 Because--

Bast. Your breeches best may carry them.

K. John. Philip, what say'st thou to the cardinal?

Const. What should he say, but as the cardinal?

Lew. Bethink you, father; for the difference Is purchase of a heavy curse from Rome, 205 Or the light loss of England for a friend: Forego the easier.

Blanch. That's the curse of Rome.[298]

Const. O Lewis, stand fast! the devil tempts thee here[299] In likeness of a new untrimmed bride.[300]

Blanch. The Lady Constance speaks not from her faith,[301] 210 But from her need.[301]

Const. O, if thou grant my need,[301] Which only lives but by the death of faith,[301] That need must needs infer this principle,[301] That faith would live again by death of need.[301] O then, tread down my need, and faith mounts up;[301] 215 Keep my need up, and faith is trodden down![301]

K. John. The king is moved, and answers not to this.[301][302]

Const. O, be removed from him, and answer well![301]

Aust. Do so, King Philip; hang no more in doubt.[301]

Bast. Hang nothing but a calf's-skin, most sweet lout.[301] 220

K. Phi. I am perplex'd, and know not what to say.

Pand. What canst thou say but will perplex thee more, If thou stand excommunicate and cursed?

K. Phi. Good reverend father, make my person yours, And tell me how you would bestow yourself. 225 This royal hand and mine are newly knit, And the conjunction of our inward souls Married in league, coupled and link'd together With all religious strength of sacred vows; The latest breath that save the sound of words 230 Was deep-sworn faith, peace, amity, true love Between our kingdoms and our royal selves, And even before this truce, but new before,[303] No longer than we well could wash our hands To clap this royal bargain up of peace, 235 Heaven knows, they were besmear'd and overstain'd With slaughter's pencil, where revenge did paint The fearful difference of incensed kings: And shall these hands, so lately purged of blood, So newly join'd in love, so strong in both, 240 Unyoke this seizure and this kind regreet? Play fast and loose with faith? so jest with heaven, Make such unconstant children of ourselves, As now again to snatch our palm from palm, Unswear faith sworn, and on the marriage-bed 245 Of smiling peace to march a bloody host, And make a riot on the gentle brow Of true sincerity? O, holy sir, My reverend father, let it not be so! Out of your grace, devise, ordain, impose 250 Some gentle order; and then we shall be blest[304] To do your pleasure and continue friends.

Pand. All form is formless, order orderless. Save what is opposite to England's love. Therefore to arms! be champion of our church, 255 Or let the church, our mother, breathe her curse, A mother's curse, on her revolting son. France, thou mayst hold a serpent by the tongue, A chafed lion by the mortal paw,[305] A fasting tiger safer by the tooth, 260 Than keep in peace that hand which thou dost hold.

K. Phi. I may disjoin my hand, but not my faith.

Pand. So makest thou faith an enemy to faith; And like a civil war set'st oath to oath, Thy tongue against thy tongue. O, let thy vow 265 First made to heaven, first be to heaven perform'd, That is, to be the champion of our church. What since thou sworest is sworn against thyself And may not be performed by thyself, For that which thou hast sworn to do amiss 270 Is not amiss when it is truly done,[306] And being not done, where doing tends to ill, The truth is then most done not doing it: The better act of purposes mistook Is to mistake again; though indirect,[307] 275 Yet indirection thereby grows direct, And falsehood falsehood cures, as fire cools fire Within the scorched veins of one new-burn'd. It is religion that doth make vows kept; But thou hast sworn against religion, 280 By what thou swear'st against the thing thou swear'st,[308] And makest an oath the surety for thy truth[309] Against an oath: the truth thou art unsure[309][310][311] To swear, swears only not to be forsworn;[311][312] Else what a mockery should it be to swear! 285 But thou dost swear only to be forsworn; And most forsworn, to keep what thou dost swear. Therefore thy later vows against thy first[313] Is in thyself rebellion to thyself; And better conquest never canst thou make 290 Than arm thy constant and thy nobler parts Against these giddy loose suggestions:[314] Upon which better part our prayers come in, If thou vouchsafe them. But if not, then know The peril of our curses light on thee[315] 295 So heavy as thou shalt not shake them off, But in despair die under their black weight.

Aust. Rebellion, flat rebellion!

Bast. Will't not be? Will not a calf's-skin stop that mouth of thine?

Lew. Father, to arms![316]

Blanch. Upon thy wedding-day? 300 Against the blood that thou hast married? What, shall our feast be kept with slaughtered men?[317] Shall braying trumpets and loud churlish drums, Clamours of hell, be measures to our pomp? O husband, hear me! ay, alack, how new[318] 305 Is husband in my mouth! even for that name, Which till this time my tongue did ne'er pronounce, Upon my knee I beg, go not to arms Against mine uncle.

Const. O, upon my knee,[319] Made hard with kneeling, I do pray to thee,[319] 310 Thou virtuous Dauphin, alter not the doom[319] Forethought by heaven![319]

Blanch. Now shall I see thy love: what motive may Be stronger with thee than the name of wife?

Const. That which upholdeth him that thee upholds, 315 His honour: O, thine honour, Lewis, thine honour!

Lew. I muse your majesty doth seem so cold, When such profound respects do pull you on.

Pand. I will denounce a curse upon his head.

K. Phi. Thou shalt not need. England, I will fall from thee.[320] 320

Const. O fair return of banish'd majesty!

Eli. O foul revolt of French inconstancy!

K. John. France, thou shalt rue this hour within this hour.

Bast. Old Time the clock-setter, that bald sexton Time, Is it as he will? well then, France shall rue. 325

Blanch. The sun's o'ercast with blood: fair day, adieu! Which is the side that I must go withal? I am with both: each army hath a hand; And in their rage, I having hold of both, They whirl asunder and dismember me. 330 Husband, I cannot pray that thou mayst win; Uncle, I needs must pray that thou mayst lose; Father, I may not wish the fortune thine; Grandam, I will not wish thy wishes thrive: Whoever wins, on that side shall I lose; 335 Assured loss before the match be play'd.

Lew. Lady, with me, with me thy fortune lies.[321]

Blanch. There where my fortune lives, there my life dies.

K. John. Cousin, go draw our puissance together.

[Exit Bastard.[322]

France, I am burn'd up with inflaming wrath; 340 A rage whose heat hath this condition, That nothing can allay, nothing but blood,[323] The blood, and dearest-valued blood, of France.[324]

K. Phi. Thy rage shall burn thee up, and thou shalt turn To ashes, ere our blood shall quench that fire: 345 Look to thyself, thou art in jeopardy.

K. John. No more than he that threats. To arms let's hie! [Exeunt.

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Act III, Scene II — The same. Plains near Angiers.[325]

Alarums, excursions. Enter the BASTARD, with AUSTRIA'S head.

Bast. Now, by my life, this day grows wondrous hot; Some airy devil hovers in the sky,[326] And pours down mischief. Austria's head lie there, While Philip breathes.

Enter KING JOHN, ARTHUR, and HUBERT.[327]

K. John. Hubert, keep this boy. Philip, make up:[328] 5 My mother is assailed in our tent, And ta'en, I fear.

Bast. My lord, I rescued her; Her highness is in safety, fear you not: But on, my liege; for very little pains Will bring this labour to an happy end. [Exeunt.[329] 10

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Act III, Scene III — The same.[330]

Alarums, excursions, retreat. Enter KING JOHN, ELINOR, ARTHUR, the BASTARD, HUBERT, and Lords.

K. John. [To Elinor] So shall it be; your grace shall stay behind[331] So strongly guarded. [To Arthur] Cousin, look not sad:[332] Thy grandam loves thee; and thy uncle will As dear be to thee as thy father was.

Arth. O, this will make my mother die with grief! 5

K. John. [To the Bastard] Cousin, away for England! haste before:[333] And, ere our coming, see thou shake the bags Of hoarding abbots; imprisoned angels[334] Set at liberty: the fat ribs of peace[334][335] Must by the hungry now be fed upon:[336] 10 Use our commission in his utmost force.[337]

Bast. Bell, book, and candle shall not drive me back, When gold and silver becks me to come on.[338] I leave your highness. Grandam, I will pray, If ever I remember to be holy, 15 For your fair safety; so, I kiss your hand.

Eli. Farewell, gentle cousin.

K. John. Coz, farewell. [Exit Bastard.[339]

Eli. Come hither, little kinsman; hark, a word.[340]

K. John. Come hither, Hubert. O my gentle Hubert,[341] We owe thee much! within this wall of flesh 20 There is a soul counts thee her creditor, And with advantage means to pay thy love: And, my good friend, thy voluntary oath Lives in this bosom, dearly cherished. Give me thy hand. I had a thing to say, 25 But I will fit it with some better time.[342] By heaven, Hubert, I am almost ashamed[343] To say what good respect I have of thee.

Hub. I am much bounden to your majesty.

K. John. Good friend, thou hast no cause to say so yet,[344] 30 But thou shalt have; and creep time ne'er so slow, Yet it shall come for me to do thee good. I had a thing to say, but let it go: The sun is in the heaven, and the proud day, Attended with the pleasures of the world, 35 Is all too wanton and too full of gawds[345] To give me audience: if the midnight bell Did, with his iron tongue and brazen mouth,[346] Sound on into the drowsy race of night;[346][347] If this same were a churchyard where we stand, 40 And thou possessed with a thousand wrongs, Or if that surly spirit, melancholy, Had baked thy blood and made it heavy-thick,[348] Which else runs tickling up and down the veins,[349] Making that idiot, laughter, keep men's eyes[350] 45 And strain their cheeks to idle merriment, A passion hateful to my purposes, Or if that thou couldst see me without eyes, Hear me without thine ears, and make reply Without a tongue, using conceit alone, 50 Without eyes, ears and harmful sound of words; Then, in despite of brooded watchful day,[351] I would into thy bosom pour my thoughts: But, ah, I will not! yet I love thee well; And, by my troth, I think thou lovest me well. 55

Hub. So well, that what you bid me undertake, Though that my death were adjunct to my act, By heaven, I would do it.[352]

K. John. Do not I know thou wouldst? Good Hubert, Hubert, Hubert, throw thine eye On yon young boy: I'll tell thee what, my friend, 60 He is a very serpent in my way; And wheresoe'er this foot of mine doth tread, He lies before me: dost thou understand me? Thou art his keeper.

Hub. And I'll keep him so, That he shall not offend your majesty.[353]

K. John. Death.[65] 65

Hub. My lord?[354]

K. John. A grave.

Hub. He shall not live.

K. John. Enough. I could be merry now. Hubert, I love thee; Well, I'll not say what I intend for thee: Remember. Madam, fare you well:[355] I'll send those powers o'er to your majesty. 70

Eli. My blessing go with thee!

K. John. For England, cousin, go:[356] Hubert shall be your man, attend on you[357] With all true duty. On toward Calais, ho! [Exeunt.

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Act III, Scene IV — The same. The FRENCH KING'S tent

Enter KING PHILIP, LEWIS, PANDULPH, and Attendants.[358]

K. Phi. So, by a roaring tempest on the flood, A whole armado of convicted sail[359] Is scattered and disjoin'd from fellowship.[360]

Pand. Courage and comfort! all shall yet go well.

K. Phi. What can go well, when we have run so ill? 5 Are we not beaten? Is not Angiers lost? Arthur ta'en prisoner? divers dear friends slain? And bloody England into England gone, O'erbearing interruption, spite of France?

Lew. What he hath won, that hath he fortified: 10 So hot a speed with such advice disposed, Such temperate order in so fierce a cause,[361] Doth want example: who hath read or heard Of any kindred action like to this?

K. Phi. Well could I bear that England had this praise, 15 So we could find some pattern of our shame.

Enter CONSTANCE.

Look, who comes here! a grave unto a soul;[362] Holding the eternal spirit, against her will,[363] In the vile prison of afflicted breath.[364] I prithee, lady, go away with me. 20

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

K. Phi. Patience, good lady! comfort, gentle Constance!

Const. No, I defy all counsel, all redress, But that which ends all counsel, true redress,[365] Death, death; O amiable lovely death![365] 25 Thou odoriferous stench! sound rottenness![366] Arise forth from the couch of lasting night,[367] Thou hate and terror to prosperity, And I will kiss thy detestable bones[368] And put my eyeballs in thy vaulty brows 30 And ring these fingers with thy household worms And stop this gap of breath with fulsome dust And be a carrion monster like thyself: Come, grin on me, and I will think thou smilest, And buss thee as thy wife. Misery's love,[369] 35 O, come to me!

K. Phil. O fair affliction, peace!

Const. No, no, I will not, having breath to cry: O, that my tongue were in the thunder's mouth! Then with a passion would I shake the world;[370] And rouse from sleep that fell anatomy 40 Which cannot hear a lady's feeble voice,[371] Which scorns a modern invocation.[371][372]

Pand. Lady, you utter madness, and not sorrow.

Const. Thou art not holy to belie me so;[373] I am not mad: this hair I tear is mine; 45 My name is Constance; I was Geffrey's wife; Young Arthur is my son, and he is lost: I am not mad: I would to heaven I were! For then, 'tis like I should forget myself: O, if I could, what grief should I forget! 50 Preach some philosophy to make me mad,[374] And thou shalt be canonized, cardinal;[374][375] For being not mad but sensible of grief,[374] My reasonable part produces reason[374] How I may be deliver'd of these woes,[374] 55 And teaches me to kill or hang myself:[374] If I were mad, I should forget my son,[374] Or madly think a babe of clouts were he:[374] I am not mad; too well, too well I feel The different plague of each calamity. 60

K. Phi. Bind up those tresses. O, what love I note[376] In the fair multitude of those her hairs![376] Where but by chance a silver drop hath fallen,[376] Even to that drop ten thousand wiry friends[376][377] Do glue themselves in sociable grief,[376] 65 Like true, inseparable, faithful loves,[376][378] Sticking together in calamity.[376]

Const. To England, if you will.[376]

K. Phi. Bind up your hairs.[376]

Const. Yes, that I will; and wherefore will I do it?[376] I tore them from their bonds and cried aloud[376] 70 'O that these hands could so redeem my son,[376] As they have given these hairs their liberty!'[376] But now I envy at their liberty,[376] And will again commit them to their bonds,[376] Because my poor child is a prisoner.[376] 75 And, father cardinal, I have heard you say[379] That we shall see and know our friends in heaven: If that be true, I shall see my boy again;[380] For since the birth of Cain, the first male child, To him that did but yesterday suspire, 80 There was not such a gracious creature born. But now will canker-sorrow eat my bud And chase the native beauty from his cheek And he will look as hollow as a ghost, As dim and meagre as an ague's fit, 85 And so he'll die; and, rising so again, When I shall meet him in the court of heaven I shall not know him: therefore never, never Must I behold my pretty Arthur more.

Pand. You hold too heinous a respect of grief. 90

Const. He talks to me that never had a son.

K. Phi. You are as fond of grief as of your child.

Const. Grief fills the room up of my absent child, Lies in his bed, walks up and down with me, Puts on his pretty looks, repeats his words, 95 Remembers me of all his gracious parts, Stuffs out his vacant garments with his form; Then, have I reason to be fond of grief?[381] Fare you well: had you such a loss as I,[382] I could give better comfort than you do. 100 I will not keep this form upon my head,[383] When there is such disorder in my wit. O Lord! my boy, my Arthur, my fair son! My life, my joy, my food, my all the world! My widow-comfort, and my sorrows' cure! [Exit.[384] 105

K. Phi. I fear some outrage, and I'll follow her. [Exit.

Lew. There's nothing in this world can make me joy:[385] Life is as tedious as a twice-told tale Vexing the dull ear of a drowsy man; And bitter shame hath spoil'd the sweet world's taste.[386] 110 That it yields nought but shame and bitterness.[387]

Pand. Before the curing of a strong disease, Even in the instant of repair and health, The fit is strongest; evils that take leave,[388] On their departure most of all show evil:[388] 115 What have you lost by losing of this day?

Lew. All days of glory, joy and happiness.

Pand. If you had won it, certainly you had. No, no; when Fortune means to men most good, She looks upon them with a threatening eye. 120 'Tis strange to think how much King John hath lost In this which he accounts so clearly won: Are not you grieved that Arthur is his prisoner?

Lew. As heartily as he is glad he hath him.

Pand. Your mind is all as youthful as your blood. 125 Now hear me speak with a prophetic spirit; For even the breath of what I mean to speak Shall blow each dust, each straw, each little rub, Out of the path which shall directly lead Thy foot to England's throne; and therefore mark. 130 John hath seized Arthur; and it cannot be That, whiles warm life plays in that infant's veins,[389] The misplaced John should entertain an hour,[390] One minute, nay, one quiet breath of rest.[391] A sceptre snatch'd with an unruly hand 135 Must be as boisterously maintain'd as gain'd; And he that stands upon a slippery place Makes nice of no vile hold to stay him up: That John may stand, then Arthur needs must fall;[392] So be it, for it cannot be but so. 140

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

Pand. You, in the right of Lady Blanch your wife, May then make all the claim that Arthur did.

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

Pand. How green you are and fresh in this old world! 145 John lays you plots; the times conspire with you;[393] For he that steeps his safety in true blood Shall find but bloody safety and untrue. This act so evilly born shall cool the hearts[394] Of all his people and freeze up their zeal, 150 That none so small advantage shall step forth[395] To check his reign, but they will cherish it;[396] No natural exhalation in the sky, No scope of nature, no distemper'd day,[397] No common wind, no customed event, 155 But they will pluck away his natural cause[398] And call them meteors, prodigies and signs, Abortives, presages and tongues of heaven,[399] Plainly denouncing vengeance upon John.

Lew. May be he will not touch young Arthur's life, 160 But hold himself safe in his prisonment.

Pand. O, sir, when he shall hear of your approach, If that young Arthur be not gone already, Even at that news he dies; and then the hearts[400] Of all his people shall revolt from him 165 And kiss the lips of unacquainted change And pick strong matter of revolt and wrath Out of the bloody fingers' ends of John. Methinks I see this hurly all on foot: And, O, what better matter breeds for you[401] 170 Than I have named! The bastard Faulconbridge Is now in England, ransacking the church, Offending charity: if but a dozen French[402] Were there in arms, they would be as a call To train ten thousand English to their side, 175 Or as a little snow, tumbled about,[403] Anon becomes a mountain. O noble Dauphin,[404] Go with me to the king: 'tis wonderful What may be wrought out of their discontent,[405] Now that their souls are topful of offence.[405] 180 For England go: I will whet on the king.

Lew. Strong reasons make strong actions: let us go:[406] If you say ay, the king will not say no. [Exeunt.

FOOTNOTES:

[248] ACT III. SCENE I.] Pope (ed. 2). Actus Secundus. Ff. ACT II. SCENE I. Rowe. SCENE VII. Pope (ed. 1).

The French....] Theobald.

[249] I trust] I think Pope.

[250] Believe ... man] Omitted in Pope.

[251] jest, ... spirits] Rowe. jest ... spirits, Ff.

[252] cannot] can't Pope.

[253] signs] sighs Warburton.

[254] you think] you'll think Keightley conj.

[255] marry] wed Pope.

Blanch!] Blanch? Ff.

[256] England,] Ff. England! Rowe (ed. 2).

[257] This ... it] Put in the margin, as spurious, by Pope.

[258] madam] mother Pope.

[259] and sightless] unsightly Collier MS.

[260] She adulterates] Capell. Sh' adulterates Ff. Adulterates Pope.

[261] King John] to John Pope.

[262] those] these F₄.

[263] sorrows] sorrow Rowe (ed. 2).

[264] and] an 't Anon. conj.

his] its Boswell. See note (XV).

owner stoop] donor stoop Jackson conj. owners too Mitford conj.

stoop] F₃ F₄. stoope F₁ F₂. stout Hammer.

his owner] dishonour Bullock conj.

[265] earth] earth [throwing herself upon it. Capell.

[266] and sorrows] F₃ F₄. and sorrowes F₁ F₂. and sorrow Pope. in sorrow Jackson conj.

[267] Seats....] Sits down on the floor. Theobald, om. Ff.

[268] ACTUS TERTIUS, SCÆNA PRIMA Ff. Theobald continues the scene. ACT III. SC. 2. Hanmer. See note (II).

Enter ... Attendants] Malone. Enter King John, France, Dolphin, Blanch, Elianor, Philip, Austria, Constance. Ff.

[269] holiday] holy day F₁ F₂ F₃. Holy-day F₄.

[270] A ... day!] Omitted by Pope.]

an holy-day Theobald. a holy day] F₁ F₂ F₃. a Holy day F₄.

[Rising] Theobald.

[271] But on this day] Rowe (ed. 2). But (on this day) Ff. Except this day Pope.

wreck] wrack Ff.

[272] change] chang'd Pope.

[273] being] om. Pope.]

and tried] om. Ritson conj.

[274] mine] my F₄.

[275] cold] cool'd Hanmer. clad Capell. coil'd Staunton conj.

painted] faint in Collier MS. pacted Bubier conj.

[276] hath] had F₂.

[277] you] ye Pope.

[278] cries;] Capell. cries, Ff.

heavens] heav'n Pope.

[279] day] Theobald. daies F₁. dayes F₂. days F₃ F₄.

[280] and stamp] to stamp F₄.

[281] calf's-skin] Capell. Calves skin F₁ F₂ F₃. Calves-skin F₄.

[282] should] would Pope.

[283] calf's-skin] Capell. Calves-skin F₁ F₃ F₄. Calves skin F₂.

[284] Twelve lines from (Q) inserted by Pope. See note (XVI).

[285] SCENE II. Pope. SCENE III. Hanmer.

[286] archbishop] F₃ F₄. arshbishop F₁ F₂.

[287] see] F₄. sea F₁ F₂ F₃.

[288] earthy] earthly Pope.

[289] task] Theobald. tast F₁ F₂. taste F₃ F₄. tax Rowe (ed. 2).

[290] pope] pope's Keightley conj.

[291] heaven] God Collier conj.

[292] Him] it Rowe (ed. 2). heaven Collier (Collier MS.).

[293] Canonized and worshipp'd] Worshipp'd and canonized Seymour conj.

[294] room] F₃ F₄. roome F₁ F₂. leave Pope.

[295] too: when ... right,] too: when ... right, Rowe (ed. 2). too, when ... right. Ff.

[296] that, devil] Pope. that devil Ff.

[297] calf's-skin] Capell. Calves-skin Ff.

[298] That's] That s F₁. That is F₂ F₃ F₄.

[299] O Lewis] Lewis Pope.

[300] new untrimmed] Ff. new and trimmed Theobald, new untamed or new betrimmed. Id. conj. new-uptrimmed Dyce. new entrimmed Richardson conj.

[301] The lady ... lout.] Put in the margin, as spurious, by Pope.

[302] king] F₁ F₄. kind] F₂ F₃.

[303] but new before,] but new--before-- Seymour conj.

[304] and then] and Pope.

[305] chased] Theobald. cased Ff. chased Pope. uncas'd Becket conj. caged Collier (Mitford conj.). raged Keightley conj. See note (XVII).

[306] Is not] Ff. Is most Hanmer. Is yet Warburton. Is't not Johnson. Is but Collier (Collier MS.). Is done Spedding conj.

[307] again;] Theobald. again Ff.

[308] By what] By that Hanmer. By which Capell (Johnson conj.).

[309] truth Against an oath: the truth] _truth, Against an oath. The truth_ Johnson (Heath conj.). truth, Against an oath the truth, F₁ F₂. truth: Against an oath the truth, F₃ F₄. _truth, Against an oath the truth;_ Rowe (ed. 2). truth, Against an oath the truth Pope. truth Against an oath that truth Hanmer.

[310] the truth] the proof Staunton. See note (XVIII).

[311] unsure To swear,] untrue To swear: Hanmer. unsure--Toswear, Warburton. unsure. Who swears, Capell.

[312] swears] sweares F₁ F₂. swears, F₃ F₄. swear Rowe (ed. 2).

[313] later] F₁ F₂. latter F₃ F₄.

[314] giddy loose] giddy-loose S. Walker conj.

[315] thee] thee; Capell.

[316] Lew.] Daul. Ff.

[317] slaughtered] Ff. slaughter'd Rowe.

[318] ay, alack] ah! alack Warburton.

[319] O, upon ... heaven] Arranged as in Pope. As three lines in Ff, ending kneeling ... Daulphin ... heaven.

[320] I will] I'll Pope.

[321] with me,] with me; Capell. lies] lives Capell.

[322] [Exit Bastard.] Pope.

[323] allay] allay't Capell conj.

[324] The blood] The best S. Walker conj.

[325] SCENE II.] SCENE III. Pope. SCENE IV. Hanmer.

The same. Plains....] Malone. A field of battle. Pope.

[326] airy] fiery Theobald (Warburton).

[327] While Philip breathes] Omitted by Pope. See note (XIX).

[Alarums. Capell.

[328] Hubert] There, Hubert Pope.

keep] keep thou Rann (Tyrwhitt conj.).

Philip] Richard Theobald. cousin Hanmer.

[329] an happy] a happy Capell.

[Exeunt.] Exit. Ff.

[330] SCENE III.] Capell. SCENE IV. Pope. SCENE V. Hanmer. Scene continued in Ff.

[331] [To Elinor,] Hanmer.

[332] [To Arthur] Pope.

[333] [To the Bastard] Pope.

[334] imprisoned angels Set] Ff. their imprison 'd angels Set Pope. their imprisoned angels Set thou Theobald. angels imprisoned Set thou Reed (1813). set at liberty Imprison'd angels Grant White (S. Walker conj.).

[335] Set] Set all Anon. conj.

[336] hungry ... upon] hungry soldiers now be fed on Malone conj. (withdrawn).

now] war Theobald (Warburton). maw Hanmer.

[337] his] its Rowe.

[338] becks] beck Theobald.

[339] gentle] my gentle Pope.

[Exit....] Pope.

[340] [Taking him to one side of the stage. Pope.

[341] [To Hubert on the other side. Pope.

[342] time] Pope. tune Ff.

[343] I am] I'm Pope.

[344] so yet,] Ff. so--yet-- Pope.

[345] all too] allto Seymour conj.

gawds] gawdes F₁. gawdes. F₂ F₃. gawds, F₄.

[346] Did ... Sound on into] Had ... sounden unto Rann conj.

[347] Sound on] Ff. Sound one Theobald. Sound: On! Delius conj.

into] Ff. unto Theobald.

race] Ff. reign Seymour conj. ear Dyce and Staunton (S. Walker conj.). car Staunton conj. (withdrawn).

[348] heavy-thick] Pope. heavy, thick Ff.

[349] tickling] trickling Grey conj. tingling Collier MS.

[350] keep] steep Long MS. peep Mason conj.

[351] brooded] Ff. broad-ey'd Pope. broad and Mitford conj. the broad Collier MS. broody Anon. MS. conj. (ap. Halliwell).

brooded watchful] brooded-watchful Delius (Mason conj.).

[352] I would do it] I'd do Pope. I'd do't Theobald.

[353] That he ... Death] As one line, S. Walker conj.

[354] My lord?] My lord. Ff.

[355] [Returning to the Queen. Pope.

[356] go] om. Steevens.

[357] attend] F₁ F₂. to attend F₃ F₄. t'attend Pope.

[358] SCENE IV.] Capell. Scæna Tertia. Ff. SCENE V. Pope. SCENE VI. Hanmer.

The same. The French King's tent.] Malone. The French Court. Theobald. The French Camp. Capell.

Pandulph,] Pandulpho, F₁. Pandupho, F₂ F₃ F₄.

[359] convicted] collected Pope. convented Singer (Mason conj.). connected Delius (Malone conj.). convected Dyce conj. consorted Keightley conj. combined Spedding conj.

[360]. scattered] Ff. scatter'd Rowe.

[361] cause] course Hanmer (Theobald conj.).

[362] here!] Capell. heere? F₁. here? F₂ F₃ F₄.

[363] against] 'gainst Pope.

[364] breath] earth Farmer conj.

[365] redress, Death, death:] Theobald. redress: Death, death, Ff. redress, Death; death, Pope.

[366] Thou ... rottenness] Omitted by Pope.

[367] forth from] from forth Collier MS.

the couch] thy couch Pope.

[368] detestable bones] bones detestable Hanmer.

[369] buss] kiss Pope.

Misery's love] thou love of misery Pope.

[370] a passion] what passion Collier MS.

would I] F₁. I would F₂ F₃ F₄.

[371] See note (XX).

[372] Which scorns] And scorns Pope.

modern] modest Rowe (ed. 2). mother's Knight (Heath conj.). widow's Collier (Collier MS.).

[373] not holy] F₄. holy F₁ F₂ F₃. unholy Delius and Staunton (Steevens conj.).

[374] Preach ... were he] Put in the margin, as spurious, by Pope.

[375] thou ... cardinal] cardinal, thou shalt be canonized Seymour conj.

[376] Bind ... prisoner] Put in the margin, as spurious, by Pope.

[377] friends] Rowe (ed. 2). fiends Ff.

[378] loves] lovers Collier (Collier MS.).

[379] And] Oh Pope. Ah! Anon. conj.

[380] true] om. Pope.

I shall] I'll Seymour conj.

[381] Then, ... grief?] F₁ F₂ F₃. Then ... grief? F₄. Then ... grief. Rowe.

[382] had you] had you had Anon. conj.

[383] [Tearing off her head-cloaths. Pope. Looses her hair again. Dent MS. Tearing her hair. Collier MS.]

[384] [Exit.] Exit wildly. Capell.

[385] SCENE VI. Pope. SCENE VII. Hammer.

[386] And] A Rowe (ed. 2). world's taste] Pope. words taste Ff. word, state] Jackson conj. the ... world's] that ... word's Delias conj.

[387] shame] gall S. Walker conj.

[388] leave, On ... departure] Capell. leave On ... departure, F₁ F₂ F₃. leave. On ... departure. F₄.

[389] whiles] whilst Rowe.

[390] an hour] one hour Collier (Collier MS.).

[391] One minute] A minute Rowe.

[392] stand, then] stand then, Hanmer.

[393] you plots] your plots Malone conj.

[394] born] F₃ F₄. borne F₁ F₂.

[395] none] no Pope.

[396] reign] F₄. reigne F₁ F₂ F₃. rein Capell conj.

[397] scope] scape Pope. shape Hanmer. See note (XXI).

[398] his] its Pope.

[399] presages and] and presages Pope.

[400] that] this F₄.

[401] O,] lo! Mason conj.

[402] a dozen] twelve Pope.

[403] Or] Ev'n Hanmer.

[404] O] om. Pope.

[405] discontent, Now ... offence.] discontent, Now ... offence, Ff. discontent. Now ... offence, Rowe. discontent: Now ... offence. Knight.

[406] reasons make] Capell. reasons makes Ff. reason makes Rowe.

strong actions] F₂ F₃ F₄. strange actions F₁.

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Act IV, Scene I — A room in a castle.

Enter HUBERT and Executioners.[407]

Hub. Heat me these irons hot; and look thou stand[408] Within the arras: when I strike my foot Upon the bosom of the ground, rush forth, And bind the boy which you shall find with me Fast to the chair: be heedful: hence, and watch. 5

First Exec. I hope your warrant will bear out the deed.[409]

Hub. Uncleanly scruples! fear not you: look to't.[410]

[Exeunt Executioners.

Young lad, come forth; I have to say with you.

Enter ARTHUR.

Arth. Good morrow, Hubert.

Hub. Good morrow, little prince.[411]

Arth. As little prince, having so great a title 10 To be more prince, as may be. You are sad.

Hub. Indeed, I have been merrier.

Arth. Mercy on me! Methinks no body should be sad but I: Yet, I remember, when I was in France,[412] Young gentlemen would be as sad as night, 15 Only for wantonness. By my Christendom. So I were out of prison and kept sheep, I should be as merry as the day is long;[413] And so I would be here, but that I doubt My uncle practises more harm to me: 20 He is afraid of me and I of him: Is it my fault that I was Geffrey's son? No, indeed, is't not; and I would to heaven[414] I were your son, so you would love me, Hubert.

Hub. [Aside] If I talk to him, with his innocent prate[415] 25 He will awake my mercy which lies dead: Therefore I will be sudden and dispatch.

Arth. Are you sick, Hubert? you look pale to-day: In sooth, I would you were a little sick, That I might sit all night and watch with you: 30 I warrant I love you more than you do me.[416]

Hub. [Aside] His words do take possession of my bosom.[417] Read here, young Arthur. [Showing a paper. [Aside] How now, foolish rheum![418][419] Turning dispiteous torture out of door![419][420] I must be brief, lest resolution drop 35 Out at mine eyes in tender womanish tears. Can you not read it? is it not fair writ?[421]

Arth. Too fairly, Hubert, for so foul effect:[422] Must you with hot irons burn out both mine eyes?[423]

Hub. Young boy, I must.

Arth. And will you?

Hub. And I will. 40

Arth. Have you the heart? When your head did but ache, I knit my handkercher about your brows,[424] The best I had, a princess wrought it me, And I did never ask it you again; And with my hand at midnight held your head, 45 And like the watchful minutes to the hour, Still and anon cheer'd up the heavy time, Saying, 'What lack you?' and 'Where lies your grief?' Or 'What good love may I perform for you?' Many a poor man's son would have lien still[425] 50 And ne'er have spoke a loving word to you; But you at your sick service had a prince.[426] Nay, you may think my love was crafty love And call it cunning: do, an if you will:[427] If heaven be pleased that you must use me ill, 55 Why then you must. Will you put out mine eyes? These eyes that never did nor never shall[428] So much as frown on you.[429]

Hub. I have sworn to do it; And with hot irons must I burn them out.

Arth. Ah, none but in this iron age would do it![430] 60 The iron of itself, though heat red-hot,[430] Approaching near these eyes, would drink my tears[430] And quench his fiery indignation[430][431] Even in the matter of mine innocence;[430][432] Nay, after that, consume away in rust,[430] 65 But for containing fire to harm mine eye.[430] Are you more stubborn-hard than hammer'd iron?[430][433] An if an angel should have come to me[434] And told me Hubert should put out mine eyes, I would not have believed him,--no tongue but Hubert's.[435] 70

Hub. Come forth. [Stamps.

Re-enter Executioners, with a cord, irons, &c.[436]

Do as I bid you do.

Arth. O, save me, Hubert, save me! my eyes are out Even with the fierce looks of these bloody men.

Hub. Give me the iron, I say, and bind him here.[437] 75

Arth. Alas, what need you be so boisterous-rough?[438] I will not struggle, I will stand stone-still.[439] For heaven sake, Hubert, let me not be bound![440] Nay, hear me, Hubert, drive these men away, And I will sit as quiet as a lamb; 80 I will not stir, nor wince, nor speak a word,[441] Nor look upon the iron angerly:[442] Thrust but these men away, and I'll forgive you, Whatever torment you do put me to.

Hub. Go, stand within; let me alone with him. 85

First Exec. I am best pleased to be from such a deed.[409]

[Exeunt Executioners.[443]

Arth. Alas, I then have chid away my friend! He hath a stern look, but a gentle heart: Let him come back, that his compassion may Give life to yours.

Hub. Come, boy, prepare yourself. 90

Arth. Is there no remedy?

Hub. None, but to lose your eyes.

Arth. O heaven, that there were but a mote in yours,[444] A grain, a dust, a gnat, a wandering hair, Any annoyance in that precious sense! Then feeling what small things are boisterous there, 95 Your vile intent must needs seem horrible.

Hub. Is this your promise? go to, hold your tongue.

Arth. Hubert, the utterance of a brace of tongues[445] Must needs want pleading for a pair of eyes:[445] Let me not hold my tongue, let me not, Hubert; 100 Or, Hubert, if you will, cut out my tongue, So I may keep mine eyes: O, spare mine eyes, Though to no use but still to look on you! Lo, by my troth, the instrument is cold And would not harm me.

Hub. I can heat it, boy. 105

Arth. No, in good sooth; the fire is dead with grief, Being create for comfort, to be used In undeserved extremes: see else yourself; There is no malice in this burning coal;[446] The breath of heaven hath blown his spirit out[447] 110 And strew'd repentant ashes on his head.[447]

Hub. But with my breath I can revive it, boy.

Arth. An if you do, you will but make it blush[448][449] And glow with shame of your proceedings, Hubert:[448] Nay, it perchance will sparkle in your eyes;[448] 115 And like a dog that is compell'd to fight,[448] Snatch at his master that doth tarre him on.[448][450] All things that you should use to do me wrong Deny their office: only you do lack That mercy which fierce fire and iron extends,[451] 120 Creatures of note for mercy-lacking uses.[452]

Hub. Well, see to live; I will not touch thine eye[453] For all the treasure that thine uncle owes:[454] Yet am I sworn and I did purpose, boy, With this same very iron to burn them out. 125

Arth. O, now you look like Hubert! all this while You were disguised.[455]

Hub. Peace; no more. Adieu. Your uncle must not know but you are dead; I'll fill these dogged spies with false reports: And, pretty child, sleep doubtless and secure, 130 That Hubert, for the wealth of all the world, Will not offend thee.

Arth. O heaven! I thank you, Hubert.

Hub. Silence; no more: go closely in with me: Much danger do I undergo for thee. [Exeunt.

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Act IV, Scene II — KING JOHN'S palace

Enter KING JOHN, PEMBROKE, SALISBURY, and other Lords.[456]

K. John. Here once again we sit, once again crown'd,[457] And looked upon, I hope, with cheerful eyes.

Pem. This 'once again,' but that your highness pleased, Was once superfluous: you were crown'd before, And that high royalty was ne'er pluck'd off, 5 The faiths of men ne'er stained with revolt; Fresh expectation troubled not the land With any long'd-for change or better state.

Sal. Therefore, to be possess'd with double pomp, To guard a title that was rich before, 10 To gild refined gold, to paint the lily, To throw a perfume on the violet, To smooth the ice, or add another hue Unto the rainbow, or with taper-light To seek the beauteous eye of heaven to garnish, 15 Is wasteful and ridiculous excess.

Pem. But that your royal pleasure must be done, This act is as an ancient tale new told, And in the last repeating troublesome, Being urged at a time unseasonable. 20

Sal. In this the antique and well noted face Of plain old form is much disfigured; And, like a shifted wind unto a sail, It makes the course of thoughts to fetch about, Startles and frights consideration, 25 Makes sound opinion sick and truth suspected,[458] For putting on so new a fashion'd robe.

Pem. When workmen strive to do better than well,[459] They do confound their skill in covetousness;[460] And oftentimes excusing of a fault 30 Doth make the fault the worse by the excuse, As patches set upon a little breach Discredit more in hiding of the fault[461] Than did the fault before it was so patch'd.[461]

Sal. To this effect, before you were new crown'd, 35 We breathed our counsel: but it pleased your highness To overbear it, and we are all well pleased,[462] Since all and every part of what we would Doth make a stand at what your highness will.[463]

K. John. Some reasons of this double coronation 40 I have possess'd you with and think them strong; And more, more strong, then lesser is my fear,[464] I shall indue you with: meantime but ask What you would have reform'd that is not well, And well shall you perceive how willingly 45 I will both hear and grant you your requests.

Pem. Then I, as one that am the tongue of these To sound the purposes of all their hearts, Both for myself and them, but, chief of all, Your safety, for the which myself and them[465] 50 Bend their best studies, heartily request The enfranchisement of Arthur; whose restraint Doth move the murmuring lips of discontent To break into this dangerous argument,--[466] If what in rest you have in right you hold,[467] 55 Why then your fears, which, as they say, attend[468] The steps of wrong, should move you to mew up[468] Your tender kinsman and to choke his days With barbarous ignorance and deny his youth The rich advantage of good exercise? 60 That the time's enemies may not have this To grace occasions, let it be our suit That you have bid us ask his liberty;[469] Which for our goods we do no further ask[470] Than whereupon our weal, on you depending,[471] 65 Counts it your weal he have his liberty.[472]

Enter HUBERT.

K. John. Let it be so: I do commit his youth To your direction. Hubert, what news with you?

[Taking him apart.[473]

Pem. This is the man should do the bloody deed; He show'd his warrant to a friend of mine: 70 The image of a wicked heinous fault Lives in his eye; that close aspect of his Does show the mood of a much troubled breast;[474] And I do fearfully believe 'tis done, What we so fear'd he had a charge to do. 75

Sal. The colour of the king doth come and go Between his purpose and his conscience, Like heralds 'twixt two dreadful battles set:[475] His passion is so ripe, it needs must break.

Pem. And when it breaks, I fear will issue thence 80 The foul corruption of a sweet child's death.

K. John. We cannot hold mortality's strong hand:[476] Good lords, although my will to give is living, The suit which you demand is gone and dead: He tells us Arthur is deceased to-night. 85

Sal. Indeed we fear'd his sickness was past cure.

Pem. Indeed we heard how near his death he was Before the child himself felt he was sick: This must be answer'd either here or hence.

K. John. Why do you bend such solemn brows on me? 90 Think you I bear the shears of destiny? Have I commandment on the pulse of life?

Sal. It is apparent foul play; and 'tis shame[477] That greatness should so grossly offer it: So thrive it in your game! and so, farewell. 95

Pem. Stay yet, Lord Salisbury; I'll go with thee, And find the inheritance of this poor child, His little kingdom of a forced grave. That blood which owed the breadth of all this isle,[478] Three foot of it doth hold: bad world the while! 100 This must not be thus borne: this will break out To all our sorrows, and ere long I doubt. [Exeunt Lords.[479]

K. John. They burn in indignation. I repent:[480][481] There is no sure foundation set on blood,[481] No certain life achieved by others' death.[481] 105

Enter a Messenger.[482]

A fearful eye thou hast: where is that blood That I have seen inhabit in those cheeks? So foul a sky clears not without a storm: Pour down thy weather: how goes all in France?

Mess. From France to England. Never such a power[483] 110 For any foreign preparation Was levied in the body of a land. The copy of your speed is learn'd by them; For when you should be told they do prepare, The tidings comes that they are all arrived.[484] 115

K. John. O, where hath our intelligence been drunk? Where hath it slept? Where is my mother's care,[485] That such an army could be drawn in France, And she not hear of it?

Mess. My liege, her ear Is stopp'd with dust; the first of April died 120 Your noble mother: and, as I hear, my lord, The Lady Constance in a frenzy died Three days before: but this from rumour's tongue I idly heard; if true or false I know not.

K. John. Withhold thy speed, dreadful occasion! 125 O, make a league with me, till I have pleased My discontented peers! What! mother dead![486] How wildly then walks my estate in France! Under whose conduct came those powers of France[487] That thou for truth givest out are landed here? 130

Mess. Under the Dauphin.[488]

K. John. Thou hast made me giddy With these ill tidings.

Enter the BASTARD and PETER of Pomfret.[489]

Now, what says the world To your proceedings? do not seek to stuff My head with more ill news, for it is full.

Bast. But if you be afeard to hear the worst,[490] 135 Then let the worst unheard fall on your head.

K. John. Bear with me, cousin; for I was amazed Under the tide: but now I breathe again Aloft the flood, and can give audience To any tongue, speak it of what it will. 140

Bast. How I have sped among the clergy-men,[491] The sums I have collected shall express. But as I travell'd hither through the land, I find the people strangely fantasied; Possess'd with rumours, full of idle dreams, 145 Not knowing what they fear, but full of fear: And here's a prophet, that I brought with me From forth the streets of Pomfret, whom I found With many hundreds treading on his heels; To whom he sung, in rude harsh-sounding rhymes, 150 That, ere the next Ascension-day at noon, Your highness should deliver up your crown.

K. John. Thou idle dreamer, wherefore didst thou so?

Peter. Foreknowing that the truth will fall out so.

K. John. Hubert, away with him; imprison him; 155 And on that day at noon, whereon he says I shall yield up my crown, let him be hang'd. Deliver him to safety; and return, For I must use thee. [Exit Hubert with Peter.[492]

O my gentle cousin, Hear'st thou the news abroad, who are arrived? 160

Bast. The French, my lord; men's mouths are full of it: Besides, I met Lord Bigot and Lord Salisbury, With eyes as red as new-enkindled fire, And others more, going to seek the grave Of Arthur, whom they say is kill'd to-night[493][494] 165 On your suggestion.[494]

K. John. Gentle kinsman, go, And thrust thyself into their companies:[495] I have a way to win their loves again; Bring them before me.

Bast. I will seek them out.

K. John. Nay, but make haste; the better foot before. 170 O, let me have no subject enemies,[496] When adverse foreigners affright my towns With dreadful pomp of stout invasion! Be Mercury, set feathers to thy heels, And fly like thought from them to me again. 175

Bast. The spirit of the time shall teach me speed. [Exit.

K. John. Spoke like a sprightful noble gentleman. Go after him; for he perhaps shall need Some messenger betwixt me and the peers; And be thou he.

Mess. With all my heart, my liege. [Exit.[497] 180

K. John. My mother dead!

Re-enter HUBERT.[498]

Hub. My lord, they say five moons were seen to-night;[499] Four fixed, and the fifth did whirl about The other four in wondrous motion.

K. John. Five moons!

Hub. Old men and beldams in the streets 185 Do prophesy upon it dangerously: Young Arthur's death is common in their mouths: And when they talk of him, they shake their heads And whisper one another in the ear; And he that speaks doth gripe the hearer's wrist, 190 Whilst he that hears makes fearful action, With wrinkled brows, with nods, with rolling eyes. I saw a smith stand with his hammer, thus, The whilst his iron did on the anvil cool, With open mouth swallowing a tailor's news; 195 Who, with his shears and measure in his hand, Standing on slippers, which his nimble haste Had falsely thrust upon contrary feet, Told of a many thousand warlike French[500] That were embattailed and rank'd in Kent: 200 Another lean unwash'd artificer Cuts off his tale and talks of Arthur's death.

K. John. Why seek'st thou to possess me with these fears? Why urgest thou so oft young Arthur's death? Thy hand hath murder'd him: I had a mighty cause[501] 205 To wish him dead, but thou hadst none to kill him.

Hub. No had, my lord! why, did you not provoke me?[502]

K. John. It is the curse of kings to be attended By slaves that take their humours for a warrant To break within the bloody house of life,[503] 210 And on the winking of authority To understand a law, to know the meaning Of dangerous majesty, when perchance it frowns More upon humour than advised respect.

Hub. Here is your hand and seal for what I did. 215

K. John. O, when the last account 'twixt heaven and earth Is to be made, then shall this hand and seal Witness against us to damnation! How oft the sight of means to do ill deeds Make deeds ill done! Hadst not thou been by,[504] 220 A fellow by the hand of nature mark'd, Quoted and sign'd to do a deed of shame, This murder had not come into my mind: But taking note of thy abhorr'd aspect, Finding thee fit for bloody villany, 225 Apt, liable to be employ'd in danger, I faintly broke with thee of Arthur's death; And thou, to be endeared to a king, Made it no conscience to destroy a prince.[505]

Hub. My lord,-- 230

K. John. Hadst thou but shook thy head or made a pause When I spake darkly what I purposed, Or turn'd an eye of doubt upon my face, As bid me tell my tale in express words,[506] Deep shame had struck me dumb, made me break off, 235 And those thy fears might have wrought fears in me: But thou didst understand me by my signs And didst in signs again parley with sin;[507] Yea, without stop, didst let thy heart consent, And consequently thy rude hand to act 240 The deed, which both our tongues held vile to name. Out of my sight, and never see me more! My nobles leave me; and my state is braved, Even at my gates, with ranks of foreign powers: Nay, in the body of this fleshly land,[508] 245 This kingdom, this confine of blood and breath, Hostility and civil tumult reigns[509] Between my conscience and my cousin's death.

Hub. Arm you against your other enemies, I'll make a peace between your soul and you. 250 Young Arthur is alive: this hand of mine Is yet a maiden and an innocent hand, Not painted with the crimson spots of blood. Within this bosom never enter'd yet The dreadful motion of a murderous thought;[510] 255 And you have slander'd nature in my form, Which, howsoever rude exteriorly, Is yet the cover of a fairer mind Than to be butcher of an innocent child.[511]

K. John. Doth Arthur live? O, haste thee to the peers, 260 Throw this report on their incensed rage, And make them tame to their obedience! Forgive the comment that my passion made Upon thy feature; for my rage was blind, And foul imaginary eyes of blood[512] 265 Presented thee more hideous than thou art. O, answer not, but to my closet bring The angry lords with all expedient haste. I conjure thee but slowly; run more fast. [Exeunt.

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