第2章
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  Well,whilesIamabeggar,IwillrailAndsaythereisnosinbuttoberich;

  Andbeingrich,myvirtuethenshallbeTosaythereisnovicebutbeggary。

  Sincekingsbreakfaithuponcommodity,Gain,bemylord,forIwillworshipthee。

  ExitACTIIISCENEI。TheFrenchKing’spavilion。EnterCONSTANCE,ARTHUR,andSALISBURYCONSTANCEGonetobemarried!gonetoswearapeace!

  Falsebloodtofalsebloodjoin’d!gonetobefriends!

  ShallLewishaveBlanch,andBlanchthoseprovinces?

  Itisnotso;thouhastmisspoke,misheard:

  Bewelladvised,tello’erthytaleagain:

  Itcannotbe;thoudostbutsay’tisso:

  ItrustImaynottrustthee;forthywordIsbutthevainbreathofacommonman:

  Believeme,Idonotbelievethee,man;

  Ihaveaking’soathtothecontrary。

  Thoushaltbepunish’dforthusfrightingme,ForIamsickandcapableoffears,Oppress’dwithwrongsandthereforefulloffears,Awidow,husbandless,subjecttofears,Awoman,naturallyborntofears;

  Andthoughthounowconfessthoudidstbutjest,Withmyvex’dspiritsIcannottakeatruce,Buttheywillquakeandtrembleallthisday。

  Whatdostthoumeanbyshakingofthyhead?

  Whydostthoulooksosadlyonmyson?

  Whatmeansthathanduponthatbreastofthine?

  Whyholdsthineeyethatlamentablerheum,Likeaproudriverpeeringo’erhisbounds?

  Bethesesadsignsconfirmersofthywords?

  Thenspeakagain;notallthyformertale,Butthisoneword,whetherthytalebetrue。SALISBURYAstrueasIbelieveyouthinkthemfalseThatgiveyoucausetoprovemysayingtrue。CONSTANCEO,ifthouteachmetobelievethissorrow,Teachthouthissorrowhowtomakemedie,AndletbeliefandlifeencountersoAsdoththefuryoftwodesperatemenWhichintheverymeetingfallanddie。

  LewismarryBlanch!Oboy,thenwhereartthou?

  FrancefriendwithEngland,whatbecomesofme?

  Fellow,begone:Icannotbrookthysight:

  Thisnewshathmadetheeamostuglyman。SALISBURYWhatotherharmhaveI,goodlady,done,Butspoketheharmthatisbyothersdone?CONSTANCEWhichharmwithinitselfsoheinousisAsitmakesharmfulallthatspeakofit。ARTHURIdobeseechyou,madam,becontent。CONSTANCEIfthou,thatbid’stmebecontent,wertgrim,Uglyandslanderoustothymother’swomb,Fullofunpleasingblotsandsightlessstains,Lame,foolish,crooked,swart,prodigious,Patch’dwithfoulmolesandeye-offendingmarks,Iwouldnotcare,Ithenwouldbecontent,ForthenIshouldnotlovethee,no,northouBecomethygreatbirthnordeserveacrown。

  Butthouartfair,andatthybirth,dearboy,NatureandFortunejoin’dtomaketheegreat:

  OfNature’sgiftsthoumaystwithliliesboast,Andwiththehalf-blownrose。ButFortune,O,Sheiscorrupted,changedandwonfromthee;

  SheadulterateshourlywiththineuncleJohn,Andwithhergoldenhandhathpluck’donFranceTotreaddownfairrespectofsovereignty,Andmadehismajestythebawdtotheirs。

  FranceisabawdtoFortuneandKingJohn,ThatstrumpetFortune,thatusurpingJohn!

  Tellme,thoufellow,isnotFranceforsworn?

  Envenomhimwithwords,orgettheegoneAndleavethosewoesalonewhichIaloneAmboundtounder-bear。SALISBURYPardonme,madam,Imaynotgowithoutyoutothekings。CONSTANCEThoumayst,thoushalt;Iwillnotgowiththee:

  Iwillinstructmysorrowstobeproud;

  Forgriefisproudandmakeshisownerstoop。

  TomeandtothestateofmygreatgriefLetkingsassemble;formygrief’ssogreatThatnosupporterbutthehugefirmearthCanholditup:hereIandsorrowssit;

  Hereismythrone,bidkingscomebowtoit。

  SeatsherselfonthegroundEnterKINGJOHN,KINGPHILLIP,LEWIS,BLANCH,QUEENELINOR,theBASTARD,AUSTRIA,andAttendantsKINGPHILIP’Tistrue,fairdaughter;andthisblesseddayEverinFranceshallbekeptfestival:

  TosolemnizethisdaytheglorioussunStaysinhiscourseandplaysthealchemist,TurningwithsplendorofhispreciouseyeThemeagrecloddyearthtoglitteringgold:

  TheyearlycoursethatbringsthisdayaboutShallneverseeitbutaholiday。CONSTANCEAwickedday,andnotaholyday!

  RisingWhathaththisdaydeserved?whathathitdone,ThatitingoldenlettersshouldbesetAmongthehightidesinthecalendar?

  Nay,ratherturnthisdayoutoftheweek,Thisdayofshame,oppression,perjury。

  Or,ifitmuststandstill,letwiveswithchildPraythattheirburthensmaynotfallthisday,Lestthattheirhopesprodigiouslybecross’d:

  Butonthisdayletseamenfearnowreck;

  Nobargainsbreakthatarenotthisdaymade:

  Thisday,allthingsbeguncometoillend,Yea,faithitselftohollowfalsehoodchange!KINGPHILIPByheaven,lady,youshallhavenocauseTocursethefairproceedingsofthisday:

  HaveInotpawn’dtoyoumymajesty?CONSTANCEYouhavebeguiledmewithacounterfeitResemblingmajesty,which,beingtouch’dandtried,Provesvalueless:youareforsworn,forsworn;

  Youcameinarmstospillmineenemies’blood,Butnowinarmsyoustrengthenitwithyours:

  ThegrapplingvigourandroughfrownofwarIscoldinamityandpaintedpeace,Andouroppressionhathmadeupthisleague。

  Arm,arm,youheavens,againsttheseperjuredkings!

  Awidowcries;behusbandtome,heavens!

  LetnotthehoursofthisungodlydayWearoutthedayinpeace;but,eresunset,Setarmeddiscord’twixttheseperjuredkings!

  Hearme,O,hearme!AUSTRIALadyConstance,peace!CONSTANCEWar!war!nopeace!peaceistomeawarOLymoges!OAustria!thoudostshameThatbloodyspoil:thouslave,thouwretch,thoucoward!

  Thoulittlevaliant,greatinvillany!

  Thoueverstronguponthestrongerside!

  ThouFortune’schampionthatdostneverfightButwhenherhumorousladyshipisbyToteachtheesafety!thouartperjuredtoo,Andsoothestupgreatness。Whatafoolartthou,Arampingfool,tobragandstampandswearUponmyparty!Thoucold-bloodedslave,Hastthounotspokelikethunderonmyside,Beenswornmysoldier,biddingmedependUponthystars,thyfortuneandthystrength,Anddostthounowfallovertomyfores?

  Thouwearalion’shide!doffitforshame,Andhangacalf’s-skinonthoserecreantlimbs。AUSTRIAO,thatamanshouldspeakthosewordstome!BASTARDAndhangacalf’s-skinonthoserecreantlimbs。AUSTRIAThoudarestnotsayso,villain,forthylife。BASTARDAndhangacalf’s-skinonthoserecreantlimbs。KINGJOHNWelikenotthis;thoudostforgetthyself。

  EnterCARDINALPANDULPHKINGPHILIPHerecomestheholylegateofthepope。CARDINALPANDULPHHail,youanointeddeputiesofheaven!

  Tothee,KingJohn,myholyerrandis。

  IPandulph,offairMilancardinal,AndfromPopeInnocentthelegatehere,DoinhisnamereligiouslydemandWhythouagainstthechurch,ourholymother,Sowilfullydostspurn;andforceperforceKeepStephenLangton,chosenarchbishopOfCanterbury,fromthatholysee?

  This,inourforesaidholyfather’sname,PopeInnocent,Idodemandofthee。KINGJOHNWhatearthynametointerrogatoriesCantaskthefreebreathofasacredking?

  Thoucanstnot,cardinal,deviseanameSoslight,unworthyandridiculous,Tochargemetoananswer,asthepope。

  Tellhimthistale;andfromthemouthofEnglandAddthusmuchmore,thatnoItalianpriestShalltitheortollinourdominions;

  Butaswe,underheaven,aresupremehead,SounderHimthatgreatsupremacy,Wherewedoreign,wewillaloneuphold,Withouttheassistanceofamortalhand:

  Sotellthepope,allreverencesetapartTohimandhisusurp’dauthority。KINGPHILIPBrotherofEngland,youblasphemeinthis。KINGJOHNThoughyouandallthekingsofChristendomAreledsogrosslybythismeddlingpriest,Dreadingthecursethatmoneymaybuyout;

  Andbythemeritofvilegold,dross,dust,Purchasecorruptedpardonofaman,Whointhatsalesellspardonfromhimself,ThoughyouandalltherestsogrosslyledThisjugglingwitchcraftwithrevenuecherish,YetIalone,alonedomeopposeAgainstthepopeandcounthisfriendsmyfoes。CARDINALPANDULPHThen,bythelawfulpowerthatIhave,Thoushaltstandcursedandexcommunicate。

  AndblessedshallhebethatdothrevoltFromhisallegiancetoanheretic;

  Andmeritoriousshallthathandbecall’d,Canonizedandworshippedasasaint,ThattakesawaybyanysecretcourseThyhatefullife。CONSTANCEO,lawfulletitbeThatIhaveroomwithRometocurseawhile!

  Goodfathercardinal,crythouamenTomykeencurses;forwithoutmywrongThereisnotonguehathpowertocursehimright。CARDINALPANDULPHThere’slawandwarrant,lady,formycurse。CONSTANCEAndforminetoo:whenlawcandonoright,Letitbelawfulthatlawbarnowrong:

  Lawcannotgivemychildhiskingdomhere,Forhethatholdshiskingdomholdsthelaw;

  Therefore,sincelawitselfisperfectwrong,Howcanthelawforbidmytonguetocurse?CARDINALPANDULPHPhilipofFrance,onperilofacurse,Letgothehandofthatarch-heretic;

  AndraisethepowerofFranceuponhishead,UnlesshedosubmithimselftoRome。QUEENELINORLook’stthoupale,France?donotletgothyhand。CONSTANCELooktothat,devil;lestthatFrancerepent,Andbydisjoininghands,hellloseasoul。AUSTRIAKingPhilip,listentothecardinal。BASTARDAndhangacalf’s-skinonhisrecreantlimbs。AUSTRIAWell,ruffian,Imustpocketupthesewrongs,Because——BASTARDYourbreechesbestmaycarrythem。KINGJOHNPhilip,whatsay’stthoutothecardinal?CONSTANCEWhatshouldhesay,butasthecardinal?LEWISBethinkyou,father;forthedifferenceIspurchaseofaheavycursefromRome,OrthelightlossofEnglandforafriend:

  Foregotheeasier。BLANCHThat’sthecurseofRome。CONSTANCEOLewis,standfast!thedeviltemptstheehereInlikenessofanewuntrimmedbride。BLANCHTheLadyConstancespeaksnotfromherfaith,Butfromherneed。CONSTANCEO,ifthougrantmyneed,Whichonlylivesbutbythedeathoffaith,Thatneedmustneedsinferthisprinciple,Thatfaithwouldliveagainbydeathofneed。

  Othen,treaddownmyneed,andfaithmountsup;

  Keepmyneedup,andfaithistroddendown!KINGJOHNThekingismoved,andanswersnottothis。CONSTANCEO,beremovedfromhim,andanswerwell!AUSTRIADoso,KingPhilip;hangnomoreindoubt。BASTARDHangnothingbutacalf’s-skin,mostsweetlout。KINGPHILIPIamperplex’d,andknownotwhattosay。CARDINALPANDULPHWhatcanstthousaybutwillperplextheemore,Ifthoustandexcommunicateandcursed?KINGPHILIPGoodreverendfather,makemypersonyours,Andtellmehowyouwouldbestowyourself。

  Thisroyalhandandminearenewlyknit,AndtheconjunctionofourinwardsoulsMarriedinleague,coupledandlinkedtogetherWithallreligiousstrengthofsacredvows;

  ThelatestbreaththatgavethesoundofwordsWasdeep-swornfaith,peace,amity,trueloveBetweenourkingdomsandourroyalselves,Andevenbeforethistruce,butnewbefore,NolongerthanwewellcouldwashourhandsToclapthisroyalbargainupofpeace,Heavenknows,theywerebesmear’dandover-stain’dWithslaughter’spencil,whererevengedidpaintThefearfuldifferenceofincensedkings:

  Andshallthesehands,solatelypurgedofblood,Sonewlyjoin’dinlove,sostronginboth,Unyokethisseizureandthiskindregreet?

  Playfastandloosewithfaith?sojestwithheaven,Makesuchunconstantchildrenofourselves,Asnowagaintosnatchourpalmfrompalm,Unswearfaithsworn,andonthemarriage-bedOfsmilingpeacetomarchabloodyhost,AndmakeariotonthegentlebrowOftruesincerity?O,holysir,Myreverendfather,letitnotbeso!

  Outofyourgrace,devise,ordain,imposeSomegentleorder;andthenweshallbeblestTodoyourpleasureandcontinuefriends。CARDINALPANDULPHAllformisformless,orderorderless,SavewhatisoppositetoEngland’slove。

  Thereforetoarms!bechampionofourchurch,Orletthechurch,ourmother,breathehercurse,Amother’scurse,onherrevoltingson。

  France,thoumaystholdaserpentbythetongue,Achafedlionbythemortalpaw,Afastingtigersaferbythetooth,Thankeepinpeacethathandwhichthoudosthold。KINGPHILIPImaydisjoinmyhand,butnotmyfaith。CARDINALPANDULPHSomakestthoufaithanenemytofaith;

  Andlikeacivilwarset’stoathtooath,Thytongueagainstthytongue。O,letthyvowFirstmadetoheaven,firstbetoheavenperform’d,Thatis,tobethechampionofourchurch!

  WhatsincethousworestisswornagainstthyselfAndmaynotbeperformedbythyself,ForthatwhichthouhastsworntodoamissIsnotamisswhenitistrulydone,Andbeingnotdone,wheredoingtendstoill,Thetruthisthenmostdonenotdoingit:

  ThebetteractofpurposesmistookIstomistakeagain;thoughindirect,Yetindirectiontherebygrowsdirect,Andfalsehoodfalsehoodcures,asfirecoolsfireWithinthescorchedveinsofonenew-burn’d。

  Itisreligionthatdothmakevowskept;

  Butthouhastswornagainstreligion,Bywhatthouswear’stagainstthethingthouswear’st,AndmakestanoaththesuretyforthytruthAgainstanoath:thetruththouartunsureToswear,swearsonlynottobeforsworn;

  Elsewhatamockeryshoulditbetoswear!

  Butthoudostswearonlytobeforsworn;

  Andmostforsworn,tokeepwhatthoudostswear。

  ThereforethylatervowsagainstthyfirstIsinthyselfrebelliontothyself;

  AndbetterconquestnevercanstthoumakeThanarmthyconstantandthynoblerpartsAgainstthesegiddyloosesuggestions:

  Uponwhichbetterpartourprayerscomein,Ifthouvouchsafethem。Butifnot,thenknowTheperilofourcurseslightontheeSoheavyasthoushaltnotshakethemoff,Butindespairdieundertheirblackweight。AUSTRIARebellion,flatrebellion!BASTARDWill’tnotbe?

  Willnotacalfs-skinstopthatmouthofthine?LEWISFather,toarms!BLANCHUponthywedding-day?

  Againstthebloodthatthouhastmarried?

  What,shallourfeastbekeptwithslaughter’dmen?

  Shallbrayingtrumpetsandloudchurlishdrums,Clamoursofhell,bemeasurestoourpomp?

  Ohusband,hearme!ay,alack,hownewIshusbandinmymouth!evenforthatname,Whichtillthistimemytonguedidne’erpronounce,UponmykneeIbeg,gonottoarmsAgainstmineuncle。CONSTANCEO,uponmyknee,Madehardwithkneeling,Idopraytothee,ThouvirtuousDauphin,alternotthedoomForethoughtbyheaven!BLANCHNowshallIseethylove:whatmotivemayBestrongerwiththeethanthenameofwife?CONSTANCEThatwhichupholdethhimthattheeupholds,Hishonour:O,thinehonour,Lewis,thinehonour!LEWISImuseyourmajestydothseemsocold,Whensuchprofoundrespectsdopullyouon。CARDINALPANDULPHIwilldenounceacurseuponhishead。KINGPHILIPThoushaltnotneed。England,Iwillfallfromthee。CONSTANCEOfairreturnofbanish’dmajesty!QUEENELINOROfoulrevoltofFrenchinconstancy!KINGJOHNFrance,thoushaltruethishourwithinthishour。BASTARDOldTimetheclock-setter,thatbaldsextonTime,Isitashewill?wellthen,Franceshallrue。BLANCHThesun’so’ercastwithblood:fairday,adieu!

  WhichisthesidethatImustgowithal?

  Iamwithboth:eacharmyhathahand;

  Andintheirrage,Ihavingholdofboth,Theyswirlasunderanddismemberme。

  Husband,Icannotpraythatthoumaystwin;

  Uncle,Ineedsmustpraythatthoumaystlose;

  Father,Imaynotwishthefortunethine;

  Grandam,Iwillnotwishthyfortunesthrive:

  Whoeverwins,onthatsideshallIloseAssuredlossbeforethematchbeplay’d。LEWISLady,withme,withmethyfortunelies。BLANCHTherewheremyfortunelives,theremylifedies。KINGJOHNCousin,godrawourpuissancetogether。

  ExitBASTARD

  France,Iamburn’dupwithinflamingwrath;

  Aragewhoseheathaththiscondition,Thatnothingcanallay,nothingbutblood,Theblood,anddearest-valuedblood,ofFrance。KINGPHILIPThyrageshamburntheeup,andthoushaltturnToashes,ereourbloodshallquenchthatfire:

  Looktothyself,thouartinjeopardy。KINGJOHNNomorethanhethatthreats。Toarmslet’shie!

  ExeuntSCENEII。Thesame。PlainsnearAngiers。Alarums,excursions。EntertheBASTARD,withAUSTRIA’SheadBASTARDNow,bymylife,thisdaygrowswondroushot;

  SomeairydevilhoversintheskyAndpoursdownmischief。Austria’sheadliethere,WhilePhilipbreathes。

  EnterKINGJOHN,ARTHUR,andHUBERTKINGJOHNHubert,keepthisboy。Philip,makeup:

  Mymotherisassailedinourtent,Andta’en,Ifear。BASTARDMylord,Irescuedher;

  Herhighnessisinsafety,fearyounot:

  Buton,myliege;forverylittlepainsWillbringthislabourtoanhappyend。

  ExeuntSCENEIII。Thesame。Alarums,excursions,retreat。EnterKINGJOHN,QUEENELINOR,ARTHUR,theBASTARD,HUBERT,andLordsKINGJOHN[ToQUEENELINOR]Soshallitbe;yourgraceshallstaybehindSostronglyguarded。

  ToARTHUR

  Cousin,looknotsad:

  Thygrandamlovesthee;andthyunclewillAsdearbetotheeasthyfatherwas。ARTHURO,thiswillmakemymotherdiewithgrief!KINGJOHN[TotheBASTARD]Cousin,awayforEngland!

  hastebefore:

  And,ereourcoming,seethoushakethebagsOfhoardingabbots;imprisonedangelsSetatliberty:thefatribsofpeaceMustbythehungrynowbefedupon:

  Useourcommissioninhisutmostforce。BASTARDBell,book,andcandleshallnotdrivemeback,Whengoldandsilverbecksmetocomeon。

  Ileaveyourhighness。Grandam,Iwillpray,IfeverIremembertobeholy,Foryourfairsafety;so,Ikissyourhand。ELINORFarewell,gentlecousin。KINGJOHNCoz,farewell。

  ExittheBASTARDQUEENELINORComehither,littlekinsman;hark,aword。KINGJOHNComehither,Hubert。OmygentleHubert,Weowetheemuch!withinthiswalloffleshThereisasoulcountstheehercreditorAndwithadvantagemeanstopaythylove:

  Andmygoodfriend,thyvoluntaryoathLivesinthisbosom,dearlycherished。

  Givemethyhand。Ihadathingtosay,ButIwillfititwithsomebettertime。

  Byheaven,Hubert,IamalmostashamedTosaywhatgoodrespectIhaveofthee。HUBERTIammuchboundentoyourmajesty。KINGJOHNGoodfriend,thouhastnocausetosaysoyet,Butthoushalthave;andcreeptimene’ersoslow,Yetitshallcomefrommetodotheegood。

  Ihadathingtosay,butletitgo:

  Thesunisintheheaven,andtheproudday,Attendedwiththepleasuresoftheworld,IsalltoowantonandtoofullofgawdsTogivemeaudience:ifthemidnightbellDid,withhisirontongueandbrazenmouth,Soundonintothedrowsyraceofnight;

  Ifthissamewereachurchyardwherewestand,Andthoupossessedwithathousandwrongs,Orifthatsurlyspirit,melancholy,Hadbakedthybloodandmadeitheavy-thick,Whichelserunsticklingupanddowntheveins,Makingthatidiot,laughter,keepmen’seyesAndstraintheircheekstoidlemerriment,Apassionhatefultomypurposes,Orifthatthoucouldstseemewithouteyes,Hearmewithoutthineears,andmakereplyWithoutatongue,usingconceitalone,Withouteyes,earsandharmfulsoundofwords;

  Then,indespiteofbroodedwatchfulday,Iwouldintothybosompourmythoughts:

  But,ah,Iwillnot!yetIlovetheewell;

  And,bymytroth,Ithinkthoulovestmewell。HUBERTSowell,thatwhatyoubidmeundertake,Thoughthatmydeathwereadjuncttomyact,Byheaven,Iwoulddoit。KINGJOHNDonotIknowthouwouldst?

  GoodHubert,Hubert,Hubert,throwthineeyeOnyonyoungboy:I’lltelltheewhat,myfriend,Heisaveryserpentinmyway;

  Andwhereso’erthisfootofminedothtread,Heliesbeforeme:dostthouunderstandme?

  Thouarthiskeeper。HUBERTAndI’llkeephimso,Thatheshallnotoffendyourmajesty。KINGJOHNDeath。HUBERTMylord?KINGJOHNAgrave。HUBERTHeshallnotlive。KINGJOHNEnough。

  Icouldbemerrynow。Hubert,Ilovethee;

  Well,I’llnotsaywhatIintendforthee:

  Remember。Madam,fareyouwell:

  I’llsendthosepowerso’ertoyourmajesty。ELINORMyblessinggowiththee!KINGJOHNForEngland,cousin,go:

  Hubertshallbeyourman,attendonyouWithalltrueduty。OntowardCalais,ho!

  ExeuntSCENEIV。Thesame。KINGPHILIP’Stent。EnterKINGPHILIP,LEWIS,CARDINALPANDULPH,andAttendantsKINGPHILIPSo,byaroaringtempestontheflood,AwholearmadoofconvictedsailIsscatter’danddisjoin’dfromfellowship。CARDINALPANDULPHCourageandcomfort!allshallyetgowell。KINGPHILIPWhatcangowell,whenwehaverunsoill?

  Arewenotbeaten?IsnotAngierslost?

  Arthurta’enprisoner?diversdearfriendsslain?

  AndbloodyEnglandintoEnglandgone,O’erbearinginterruption,spiteofFrance?LEWISWhathehathwon,thathathhefortified:

  Sohotaspeedwithsuchadvicedisposed,Suchtemperateorderinsofierceacause,Dothwantexample:whohathreadorheardOfanykindredactionliketothis?KINGPHILIPWellcouldIbearthatEnglandhadthispraise,Sowecouldfindsomepatternofourshame。

  EnterCONSTANCE

  Look,whocomeshere!agraveuntoasoul;

  Holdingtheeternalspiritagainstherwill,Inthevileprisonofafflictedbreath。

  Iprithee,lady,goawaywithme。CONSTANCELo,nowInowseetheissueofyourpeace。KINGPHILIPPatience,goodlady!comfort,gentleConstance!CONSTANCENo,Idefyallcounsel,allredress,Butthatwhichendsallcounsel,trueredress,Death,death;Oamiablelovelydeath!

  Thouodouriferousstench!soundrottenness!

  Ariseforthfromthecouchoflastingnight,Thouhateandterrortoprosperity,AndIwillkissthydetestablebonesAndputmyeyeballsinthyvaultybrowsAndringthesefingerswiththyhouseholdwormsAndstopthisgapofbreathwithfulsomedustAndbeacarrionmonsterlikethyself:

  Come,grinonme,andIwillthinkthousmilestAndbusstheeasthywife。Misery’slove,O,cometome!KINGPHILIPOfairaffliction,peace!CONSTANCENo,no,Iwillnot,havingbreathtocry:

  O,thatmytonguewereinthethunder’smouth!

  ThenwithapassionwouldIshaketheworld;

  AndrousefromsleepthatfellanatomyWhichcannothearalady’sfeeblevoice,Whichscornsamoderninvocation。CARDINALPANDULPHLady,youuttermadness,andnotsorrow。CONSTANCEThouartnotholytobeliemeso;

  Iamnotmad:thishairItearismine;

  MynameisConstance;IwasGeffrey’swife;

  YoungArthurismyson,andheislost:

  Iamnotmad:IwouldtoheavenIwere!

  Forthen,’tislikeIshouldforgetmyself:

  O,ifIcould,whatgriefshouldIforget!

  Preachsomephilosophytomakememad,Andthoushaltbecanonized,cardinal;

  Forbeingnotmadbutsensibleofgrief,MyreasonablepartproducesreasonHowImaybedeliver’dofthesewoes,Andteachesmetokillorhangmyself:

  IfIweremad,Ishouldforgetmyson,Ormadlythinkababeofcloutswerehe:

  Iamnotmad;toowell,toowellIfeelThedifferentplagueofeachcalamity。KINGPHILIPBindupthosetresses。O,whatloveI

  noteInthefairmultitudeofthoseherhairs!

  Wherebutbychanceasilverdrophathfallen,EventothatdroptenthousandwiryfriendsDogluethemselvesinsociablegrief,Liketrue,inseparable,faithfulloves,Stickingtogetherincalamity。CONSTANCEToEngland,ifyouwill。KINGPHILIPBindupyourhairs。CONSTANCEYes,thatIwill;andwhereforewillI

  doit?

  Itorethemfromtheirbondsandcriedaloud’Othatthesehandscouldsoredeemmyson,Astheyhavegiventhesehairstheirliberty!’

  ButnowIenvyattheirliberty,Andwillagaincommitthemtotheirbonds,Becausemypoorchildisaprisoner。

  And,fathercardinal,IhaveheardyousayThatweshallseeandknowourfriendsinheaven:

  Ifthatbetrue,Ishallseemyboyagain;

  ForsincethebirthofCain,thefirstmalechild,Tohimthatdidbutyesterdaysuspire,Therewasnotsuchagraciouscreatureborn。

  Butnowwillcanker-sorroweatmybudAndchasethenativebeautyfromhischeekAndhewilllookashollowasaghost,Asdimandmeagreasanague’sfit,Andsohe’lldie;and,risingsoagain,WhenIshallmeethiminthecourtofheavenIshallnotknowhim:thereforenever,neverMustIbeholdmyprettyArthurmore。CARDINALPANDULPHYouholdtooheinousarespectofgrief。CONSTANCEHetalkstomethatneverhadason。KINGPHILIPYouareasfondofgriefasofyourchild。CONSTANCEGrieffillstheroomupofmyabsentchild,Liesinhisbed,walksupanddownwithme,Putsonhisprettylooks,repeatshiswords,Remembersmeofallhisgraciousparts,Stuffsouthisvacantgarmentswithhisform;

  Then,haveIreasontobefondofgrief?

  Fareyouwell:hadyousuchalossasI,Icouldgivebettercomfortthanyoudo。

  Iwillnotkeepthisformuponmyhead,Whenthereissuchdisorderinmywit。

  OLord!myboy,myArthur,myfairson!

  Mylife,myjoy,myfood,myalltheworld!

  Mywidow-comfort,andmysorrows’cure!

  ExitKINGPHILIPIfearsomeoutrage,andI’llfollowher。

  ExitLEWISThere’snothinginthisworldcanmakemejoy:

  Lifeisastediousasatwice-toldtaleVexingthedullearofadrowsyman;

  Andbittershamehathspoil’dthesweetworld’stasteThatityieldsnoughtbutshameandbitterness。CARDINALPANDULPHBeforethecuringofastrongdisease,Evenintheinstantofrepairandhealth,Thefitisstrongest;evilsthattakeleave,Ontheirdeparturemostofallshowevil:

  Whathaveyoulostbylosingofthisday?LEWISAlldaysofglory,joyandhappiness。CARDINALPANDULPHIfyouhadwonit,certainlyyouhad。

  No,no;whenFortunemeanstomenmostgood,Shelooksuponthemwithathreateningeye。

  ’TisstrangetothinkhowmuchKingJohnhathlostInthiswhichheaccountssoclearlywon:

  ArenotyougrievedthatArthurishisprisoner?LEWISAsheartilyasheisgladhehathhim。CARDINALPANDULPHYourmindisallasyouthfulasyourblood。

  Nowhearmespeakwithapropheticspirit;

  ForeventhebreathofwhatImeantospeakShallbloweachdust,eachstraw,eachlittlerub,OutofthepathwhichshalldirectlyleadThyfoottoEngland’sthrone;andthereforemark。

  JohnhathseizedArthur;anditcannotbeThat,whileswarmlifeplaysinthatinfant’sveins,ThemisplacedJohnshouldentertainanhour,Oneminute,nay,onequietbreathofrest。

  Asceptresnatch’dwithanunrulyhandMustbeasboisterouslymaintain’dasgain’d;

  AndhethatstandsuponaslipperyplaceMakesniceofnovileholdtostayhimup:

  ThatJohnmaystand,thenArthurneedsmustfall;

  Sobeit,foritcannotbebutso。LEWISButwhatshallIgainbyyoungArthur’sfall?CARDINALPANDULPHYou,intherightofLadyBlanchyourwife,MaythenmakealltheclaimthatArthurdid。LEWISAndloseit,lifeandall,asArthurdid。CARDINALPANDULPHHowgreenyouareandfreshinthisoldworld!

  Johnlaysyouplots;thetimesconspirewithyou;

  ForhethatsteepshissafetyintruebloodShallfindbutbloodysafetyanduntrue。

  ThisactsoevillybornshallcooltheheartsOfallhispeopleandfreezeuptheirzeal,ThatnonesosmalladvantageshallstepforthTochequehisreign,buttheywillcherishit;

  Nonaturalexhalationinthesky,Noscopeofnature,nodistemper’dday,Nocommonwind,nocustomedevent,ButtheywillpluckawayhisnaturalcauseAndcallthemmeteors,prodigiesandsigns,Abortives,presagesandtonguesofheaven,PlainlydenouncingvengeanceuponJohn。LEWISMaybehewillnottouchyoungArthur’slife,Butholdhimselfsafeinhisprisonment。CARDINALPANDULPHO,sir,whenheshallhearofyourapproach,IfthatyoungArthurbenotgonealready,Evenatthatnewshedies;andthentheheartsOfallhispeopleshallrevoltfromhimAndkissthelipsofunacquaintedchangeAndpickstrongmatterofrevoltandwrathOutofthebloodyfingers’endsofJohn。

  MethinksIseethishurlyallonfoot:

  And,O,whatbettermatterbreedsforyouThanIhavenamed!ThebastardFaulconbridgeIsnowinEngland,ransackingthechurch,Offendingcharity:ifbutadozenFrenchWerethereinarms,theywouldbeasacallTotraintenthousandEnglishtotheirside,Orasalittlesnow,tumbledabout,Anonbecomesamountain。OnobleDauphin,Gowithmetotheking:’tiswonderfulWhatmaybewroughtoutoftheirdiscontent,Nowthattheirsoulsaretopfulofoffence。

  ForEnglandgo:Iwillwhetontheking。LEWISStrongreasonsmakestrongactions:letusgo:

  Ifyousayay,thekingwillnotsayno。

  ExeuntACTIVSCENEI。Aroominacastle。EnterHUBERTandExecutionersHUBERTHeatmetheseironshot;andlookthoustandWithinthearras:whenIstrikemyfootUponthebosomoftheground,rushforth,AndbindtheboywhichyoushallfindwithmeFasttothechair:beheedful:hence,andwatch。FirstExecutionerIhopeyourwarrantwillbearoutthedeed。HUBERTUncleanlyscruples!fearnotyou:lookto’t。

  ExeuntExecutionersYounglad,comeforth;Ihavetosaywithyou。

  EnterARTHURARTHURGoodmorrow,Hubert。HUBERTGoodmorrow,littleprince。ARTHURAslittleprince,havingsogreatatitleTobemoreprince,asmaybe。Youaresad。HUBERTIndeed,Ihavebeenmerrier。ARTHURMercyonme!

  MethinksnobodyshouldbesadbutI:

  Yet,Iremember,whenIwasinFrance,Younggentlemenwouldbeassadasnight,Onlyforwantonness。Bymychristendom,SoIwereoutofprisonandkeptsheep,Ishouldbeasmerryasthedayislong;

  AndsoIwouldbehere,butthatIdoubtMyunclepractisesmoreharmtome:

  HeisafraidofmeandIofhim:

  IsitmyfaultthatIwasGeffrey’sson?

  No,indeed,is’tnot;andIwouldtoheavenIwereyourson,soyouwouldloveme,Hubert。HUBERT[Aside]IfItalktohim,withhisinnocentprateHewillawakemymercywhichliesdead:

  ThereforeIwillbesuddenanddispatch。ARTHURAreyousick,Hubert?youlookpaleto-day:

  Insooth,Iwouldyouwerealittlesick,ThatImightsitallnightandwatchwithyou:

  IwarrantIloveyoumorethanyoudome。HUBERT[Aside]Hiswordsdotakepossessionofmybosom。

  Readhere,youngArthur。

  ShowingapaperAsideHownow,foolishrheum!

  Turningdispiteoustortureoutofdoor!

  Imustbebrief,lestresolutiondropOutatmineeyesintenderwomanishtears。

  Canyounotreadit?Isitnotfairwrit?ARTHURToofairly,Hubert,forsofouleffect:

  Mustyouwithhotironsburnoutbothmineeyes?HUBERTYoungboy,Imust。ARTHURAndwillyou?HUBERTAndIwill。ARTHURHaveyoutheheart?Whenyourheaddidbutache,Iknitmyhandercheraboutyourbrows,ThebestIhad,aprincesswroughtitme,AndIdidneveraskityouagain;

  Andwithmyhandatmidnightheldyourhead,Andlikethewatchfulminutestothehour,Stillandanoncheer’duptheheavytime,Saying,’Whatlackyou?’and’Whereliesyourgrief?’

  Or’WhatgoodlovemayIperformforyou?’

  Manyapoorman’ssonwouldhavelienstillAndne’erhavespokealovingwordtoyou;

  Butyouatyoursickservicehadaprince。

  Nay,youmaythinkmylovewascraftyloveAndcallitcunning:do,anifyouwill:

  Ifheavenbepleasedthatyoumustusemeill,Whythenyoumust。Willyouputoutmineeyes?

  TheseeyesthatneverdidnornevershallSomuchasfrownonyou。HUBERTIhavesworntodoit;

  AndwithhotironsmustIburnthemout。ARTHURAh,nonebutinthisironagewoulddoit!

  Theironofitself,thoughheatred-hot,Approachingneartheseeyes,woulddrinkmytearsAndquenchhisfieryindignationEveninthematterofmineinnocence;

  Nay,afterthat,consumeawayinrustButforcontainingfiretoharmmineeye。

  Areyoumorestubborn-hardthanhammer’diron?

  AnifanangelshouldhavecometomeAndtoldmeHubertshouldputoutmineeyes,Iwouldnothavebelievedhim,——notonguebutHubert’s。HUBERTComeforth。

  StampsRe-enterExecutioners,withacord,irons,&cDoasIbidyoudo。ARTHURO,saveme,Hubert,saveme!myeyesareoutEvenwiththefiercelooksofthesebloodymen。HUBERTGivemetheiron,Isay,andbindhimhere。ARTHURAlas,whatneedyoubesoboisterous-rough?

  Iwillnotstruggle,Iwillstandstone-still。

  Forheavensake,Hubert,letmenotbebound!

  Nay,hearme,Hubert,drivethesemenaway,AndIwillsitasquietasalamb;

  Iwillnotstir,norwince,norspeakaword,Norlookupontheironangerly:

  Thrustbutthesemenaway,andI’llforgiveyou,Whatevertormentyoudoputmeto。HUBERTGo,standwithin;letmealonewithhim。FirstExecutionerIambestpleasedtobefromsuchadeed。

  ExeuntExecutionersARTHURAlas,Ithenhavechidawaymyfriend!

  Hehathasternlook,butagentleheart:

  Lethimcomeback,thathiscompassionmayGivelifetoyours。HUBERTCome,boy,prepareyourself。ARTHURIstherenoremedy?HUBERTNone,buttoloseyoureyes。ARTHUROheaven,thattherewerebutamoteinyours,Agrain,adust,agnat,awanderinghair,Anyannoyanceinthatprecioussense!

  Thenfeelingwhatsmallthingsareboisterousthere,Yourvileintentmustneedsseemhorrible。HUBERTIsthisyourpromise?goto,holdyourtongue。ARTHURHubert,theutteranceofabraceoftonguesMustneedswantpleadingforapairofeyes:

  Letmenotholdmytongue,letmenot,Hubert;

  Or,Hubert,ifyouwill,cutoutmytongue,SoImaykeepmineeyes:O,sparemineeyes。

  Thoughtonousebutstilltolookonyou!

  Lo,bymytruth,theinstrumentiscoldAndwouldnotharmme。HUBERTIcanheatit,boy。ARTHURNo,ingoodsooth:thefireisdeadwithgrief,Beingcreateforcomfort,tobeusedInundeservedextremes:seeelseyourself;

  Thereisnomaliceinthisburningcoal;

  ThebreathofheavenhasblownhisspiritoutAndstrew’drepententashesonhishead。HUBERTButwithmybreathIcanreviveit,boy。ARTHURAnifyoudo,youwillbutmakeitblushAndglowwithshameofyourproceedings,Hubert:

  Nay,itperchancewillsparkleinyoureyes;

  Andlikeadogthatiscompell’dtofight,Snatchathismasterthatdothtarrehimon。

  AllthingsthatyoushouldusetodomewrongDenytheiroffice:onlyyoudolackThatmercywhichfiercefireandironextends,Creaturesofnoteformercy-lackinguses。HUBERTWell,seetolive;IwillnottouchthineeyeForallthetreasurethatthineuncleowes:

  YetamIswornandIdidpurpose,boy,Withthissameveryirontoburnthemout。ARTHURO,nowyoulooklikeHubert!allthiswhileYouweredisguised。HUBERTPeace;nomore。Adieu。

  Yourunclemustnotknowbutyouaredead;

  I’llfillthesedoggedspieswithfalsereports:

  And,prettychild,sleepdoubtlessandsecure,ThatHubert,forthewealthofalltheworld,Willnotoffendthee。ARTHUROheaven!Ithankyou,Hubert。HUBERTSilence;nomore:gocloselyinwithme:

  MuchdangerdoIundergoforthee。

  ExeuntSCENEII。KINGJOHN’Spalace。EnterKINGJOHN,PEMBROKE,SALISBURY,andotherLordsKINGJOHNHereonceagainwesit,onceagaincrown’d,Andlookedupon,Ihope,withcheerfuleyes。PEMBROKEThis’onceagain,’butthatyourhighnesspleased,Wasoncesuperfluous:youwerecrown’dbefore,Andthathighroyaltywasne’erpluck’doff,Thefaithsofmenne’erstainedwithrevolt;

  FreshexpectationtroublednotthelandWithanylong’d-forchangeorbetterstate。SALISBURYTherefore,tobepossess’dwithdoublepomp,Toguardatitlethatwasrichbefore,Togildrefinedgold,topaintthelily,Tothrowaperfumeontheviolet,Tosmooththeice,oraddanotherhueUntotherainbow,orwithtaper-lightToseekthebeauteouseyeofheaventogarnish,Iswastefulandridiculousexcess。PEMBROKEButthatyourroyalpleasuremustbedone,Thisactisasanancienttalenewtold,Andinthelastrepeatingtroublesome,Beingurgedatatimeunseasonable。SALISBURYInthistheantiqueandwellnotedfaceOfplainoldformismuchdisfigured;

  And,likeashiftedwinduntoasail,Itmakesthecourseofthoughtstofetchabout,Startlesandfrightsconsideration,Makessoundopinionsickandtruthsuspected,Forputtingonsonewafashion’drobe。PEMBROKEWhenworkmenstrivetodobetterthanwell,Theydoconfoundtheirskillincovetousness;

  AndoftentimesexcusingofafaultDothmakethefaulttheworsebytheexcuse,AspatchessetuponalittlebreachDiscreditmoreinhidingofthefaultThandidthefaultbeforeitwassopatch’d。SALISBURYTothiseffect,beforeyouwerenewcrown’d,Webreathedourcounsel:butitpleasedyourhighnessTooverbearit,andweareallwellpleased,SinceallandeverypartofwhatwewouldDothmakeastandatwhatyourhighnesswill。KINGJOHNSomereasonsofthisdoublecoronationIhavepossess’dyouwithandthinkthemstrong;

  Andmore,morestrong,thenlesserismyfear,Ishallindueyouwith:meantimebutaskWhatyouwouldhavereform’dthatisnotwell,AndwellshallyouperceivehowwillinglyIwillbothhearandgrantyouyourrequests。PEMBROKEThenI,asonethatamthetongueofthese,Tosoundthepurposeofalltheirhearts,Bothformyselfandthem,but,chiefofall,Yoursafety,forthewhichmyselfandthemBendtheirbeststudies,heartilyrequestTheenfranchisementofArthur;whoserestraintDothmovethemurmuringlipsofdiscontentTobreakintothisdangerousargument,——

  Ifwhatinrestyouhaveinrightyouhold,Whythenyourfears,which,astheysay,attendThestepsofwrong,shouldmoveyoutomewupYourtenderkinsmanandtochokehisdaysWithbarbarousignoranceanddenyhisyouthTherichadvantageofgoodexercise?

  Thatthetime’senemiesmaynothavethisTograceoccasions,letitbeoursuitThatyouhavebidusaskhisliberty;

  WhichforourgoodswedonofurtheraskThanwhereuponourweal,onyoudepending,Countsityourwealhehavehisliberty。

  EnterHUBERTKINGJOHNLetitbeso:IdocommithisyouthToyourdirection。Hubert,whatnewswithyou?

  TakinghimapartPEMBROKEThisisthemanshoulddothebloodydeed;

  Heshow’dhiswarranttoafriendofmine:

  TheimageofawickedheinousfaultLivesinhiseye;thatcloseaspectofhisDoesshowthemoodofamuchtroubledbreast;

  AndIdofearfullybelieve’tisdone,Whatwesofear’dhehadachargetodo。SALISBURYThecolourofthekingdothcomeandgoBetweenhispurposeandhisconscience,Likeheralds’twixttwodreadfulbattlesset:

  Hispassionissoripe,itneedsmustbreak。PEMBROKEAndwhenitbreaks,IfearwillissuethenceThefoulcorruptionofasweetchild’sdeath。KINGJOHNWecannotholdmortality’sstronghand:

  Goodlords,althoughmywilltogiveisliving,Thesuitwhichyoudemandisgoneanddead:

  HetellsusArthurisdeceasedto-night。SALISBURYIndeedwefear’dhissicknesswaspastcure。PEMBROKEIndeedweheardhownearhisdeathhewasBeforethechildhimselffelthewassick:

  Thismustbeanswer’deitherhereorhence。KINGJOHNWhydoyoubendsuchsolemnbrowsonme?

  ThinkyouIbeartheshearsofdestiny?

  HaveIcommandmentonthepulseoflife?SALISBURYItisapparentfoulplay;and’tisshameThatgreatnessshouldsogrosslyofferit:

  Sothriveitinyourgame!andso,farewell。PEMBROKEStayyet,LordSalisbury;I’llgowiththee,Andfindtheinheritanceofthispoorchild,Hislittlekingdomofaforcedgrave。

  Thatbloodwhichowedthebreadthofallthisisle,Threefootofitdothhold:badworldthewhile!

  Thismustnotbethusborne:thiswillbreakoutToalloursorrows,anderelongIdoubt。

  ExeuntLordsKINGJOHNTheyburninindignation。Irepent:

  Thereisnosurefoundationsetonblood,Nocertainlifeachievedbyothers’death。

  EnteraMessengerAfearfuleyethouhast:whereisthatbloodThatIhaveseeninhabitinthosecheeks?

  Sofoulaskyclearsnotwithoutastorm:

  Pourdownthyweather:howgoesallinFrance?MessengerFromFrancetoEngland。NeversuchapowerForanyforeignpreparationWasleviedinthebodyofaland。

  Thecopyofyourspeedislearn’dbythem;

  Forwhenyoushouldbetoldtheydoprepare,Thetidingscomethattheyareallarrived。KINGJOHNO,wherehathourintelligencebeendrunk?

  Wherehathitslept?Whereismymother’scare,ThatsuchanarmycouldbedrawninFrance,Andshenothearofit?MessengerMyliege,herearIsstopp’dwithdust;thefirstofAprildiedYournoblemother:and,asIhear,mylord,TheLadyConstanceinafrenzydiedThreedaysbefore:butthisfromrumour’stongueIidlyheard;iftrueorfalseIknownot。KINGJOHNWithholdthyspeed,dreadfuloccasion!

  O,makealeaguewithme,tillIhavepleasedMydiscontentedpeers!What!motherdead!

  HowwildlythenwalksmyestateinFrance!

  UnderwhoseconductcamethosepowersofFranceThatthoufortruthgivestoutarelandedhere?MessengerUndertheDauphin。KINGJOHNThouhastmademegiddyWiththeseilltidings。

  EntertheBASTARDandPETERofPomfretNow,whatsaystheworldToyourproceedings?donotseektostuffMyheadwithmoreillnews,foritisfull。BASTARDButifyoubeafeardtoheartheworst,Thenlettheworstunheardfallonyourbead。KINGJOHNBearwithmecousin,forIwasamazedUnderthetide:butnowIbreatheagainAlofttheflood,andcangiveaudienceToanytongue,speakitofwhatitwill。BASTARDHowIhavespedamongtheclergymen,ThesumsIhavecollectedshallexpress。

  ButasItravell’dhitherthroughtheland,Ifindthepeoplestrangelyfantasied;

  Possess’dwithrumours,fullofidledreams,Notknowingwhattheyfear,butfulloffear:

  Andhereaprophet,thatIbroughtwithmeFromforththestreetsofPomfret,whomIfoundWithmanyhundredstreadingonhisheels;

  Towhomhesung,inrudeharsh-soundingrhymes,That,erethenextAscension-dayatnoon,Yourhighnessshoulddeliverupyourcrown。KINGJOHNThouidledreamer,whereforedidstthouso?PETERForeknowingthatthetruthwillfalloutso。KINGJOHNHubert,awaywithhim;imprisonhim;

  AndonthatdayatnoonwhereonhesaysIshallyieldupmycrown,lethimbehang’d。

  Deliverhimtosafety;andreturn,ForImustusethee。

  ExeuntHUBERTwithPETER

  Omygentlecousin,Hear’stthouthenewsabroad,whoarearrived?BASTARDTheFrench,mylord;men’smouthsarefullofit:

  Besides,ImetLordBigotandLordSalisbury,Witheyesasredasnew-enkindledfire,Andothersmore,goingtoseekthegraveOfArthur,whotheysayiskill’dto-nightOnyoursuggestion。KINGJOHNGentlekinsman,go,Andthrustthyselfintotheircompanies:

  Ihaveawaytowintheirlovesagain;

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