第3章
加入书架 A- A+
点击下载App,搜索"King John",免费读到尾

  Bringthembeforeme。BASTARDIwillseekthemout。KINGJOHNNay,butmakehaste;thebetterfootbefore。

  O,letmehavenosubjectenemies,WhenadverseforeignersaffrightmytownsWithdreadfulpompofstoutinvasion!

  BeMercury,setfeatherstothyheels,Andflylikethoughtfromthemtomeagain。BASTARDThespiritofthetimeshallteachmespeed。

  ExitKINGJOHNSpokelikeasprightfulnoblegentleman。

  Goafterhim;forheperhapsshallneedSomemessengerbetwixtmeandthepeers;

  Andbethouhe。MessengerWithallmyheart,myliege。

  ExitKINGJOHNMymotherdead!

  Re-enterHUBERTHUBERTMylord,theysayfivemoonswereseento-night;

  Fourfixed,andthefifthdidwhirlaboutTheotherfourinwondrousmotion。KINGJOHNFivemoons!HUBERTOldmenandbeldamsinthestreetsDoprophesyuponitdangerously:

  YoungArthur’sdeathiscommonintheirmouths:

  Andwhentheytalkofhim,theyshaketheirheadsAndwhisperoneanotherintheear;

  Andhethatspeaksdothgripethehearer’swrist,Whilsthethathearsmakesfearfulaction,Withwrinkledbrows,withnods,withrollingeyes。

  Isawasmithstandwithhishammer,thus,Thewhilsthisirondidontheanvilcool,Withopenmouthswallowingatailor’snews;

  Who,withhisshearsandmeasureinhishand,Standingonslippers,whichhisnimblehasteHadfalselythrustuponcontraryfeet,ToldofamanythousandwarlikeFrenchThatwereembattailedandrank’dinKent:

  Anotherleanunwash’dartificerCutsoffhistaleandtalksofArthur’sdeath。KINGJOHNWhyseek’stthoutopossessmewiththesefears?

  WhyurgestthousooftyoungArthur’sdeath?

  Thyhandhathmurder’dhim:IhadamightycauseTowishhimdead,butthouhadstnonetokillhim。HUBERTNohad,mylord!why,didyounotprovokeme?KINGJOHNItisthecurseofkingstobeattendedByslavesthattaketheirhumoursforawarrantTobreakwithinthebloodyhouseoflife,AndonthewinkingofauthorityTounderstandalaw,toknowthemeaningOfdangerousmajesty,whenperchanceitfrownsMoreuponhumourthanadvisedrespect。HUBERTHereisyourhandandsealforwhatI

  did。KINGJOHNO,whenthelastaccount’twixtheavenandearthIstobemade,thenshallthishandandsealWitnessagainstustodamnation!

  HowoftthesightofmeanstodoilldeedsMakedeedsilldone!Hadstnotthoubeenby,Afellowbythehandofnaturemark’d,Quotedandsign’dtodoadeedofshame,Thismurderhadnotcomeintomymind:

  Buttakingnoteofthyabhorr’daspect,Findingtheefitforbloodyvillany,Apt,liabletobeemploy’dindanger,IfaintlybrokewiththeeofArthur’sdeath;

  Andthou,tobeendearedtoaking,Madeitnoconsciencetodestroyaprince。HUBERTMylord——KINGJOHNHadstthoubutshookthyheadormadeapauseWhenIspakedarklywhatIpurposed,Orturn’daneyeofdoubtuponmyface,Asbidmetellmytaleinexpresswords,Deepshamehadstruckmedumb,mademebreakoff,Andthosethyfearsmighthavewroughtfearsinme:

  ButthoudidstunderstandmebymysignsAnddidstinsignsagainparleywithsin;

  Yea,withoutstop,didstletthyheartconsent,AndconsequentlythyrudehandtoactThedeed,whichbothourtonguesheldviletoname。

  Outofmysight,andneverseememore!

  Mynoblesleaveme;andmystateisbraved,Evenatmygates,withranksofforeignpowers:

  Nay,inthebodyofthisfleshlyland,Thiskingdom,thisconfineofbloodandbreath,HostilityandciviltumultreignsBetweenmyconscienceandmycousin’sdeath。HUBERTArmyouagainstyourotherenemies,I’llmakeapeacebetweenyoursoulandyou。

  YoungArthurisalive:thishandofmineIsyetamaidenandaninnocenthand,Notpaintedwiththecrimsonspotsofblood。

  Withinthisbosomneverenter’dyetThedreadfulmotionofamurderousthought;

  Andyouhaveslander’dnatureinmyform,Which,howsoeverrudeexteriorly,IsyetthecoverofafairermindThantobebutcherofaninnocentchild。KINGJOHNDothArthurlive?O,hastetheetothepeers,Throwthisreportontheirincensedrage,Andmakethemtametotheirobedience!

  ForgivethecommentthatmypassionmadeUponthyfeature;formyragewasblind,AndfoulimaginaryeyesofbloodPresentedtheemorehideousthanthouart。

  O,answernot,buttomyclosetbringTheangrylordswithallexpedienthaste。

  Iconjuretheebutslowly;runmorefast。

  ExeuntSCENEIII。Beforethecastle。EnterARTHUR,onthewallsARTHURThewallishigh,andyetwillIleapdown:

  Goodground,bepitifulandhurtmenot!

  There’sfewornonedoknowme:iftheydid,Thisship-boy’ssemblancehathdisguisedmequite。

  Iamafraid;andyetI’llventureit。

  IfIgetdown,anddonotbreakmylimbs,I’llfindathousandshiftstogetaway:

  Asgoodtodieandgo,asdieandstay。

  LeapsdownOme!myuncle’sspiritisinthesestones:

  Heaventakemysoul,andEnglandkeepmybones!

  DiesEnterPEMBROKE,SALISBURY,andBIGOTSALISBURYLords,IwillmeethimatSaintEdmundsbury:

  Itisoursafety,andwemustembraceThisgentleofferoftheperiloustime。PEMBROKEWhobroughtthatletterfromthecardinal?SALISBURYTheCountMelun,anoblelordofFrance,WhoseprivatewithmeoftheDauphin’sloveIsmuchmoregeneralthantheselinesimport。BIGOTTo-morrowmorningletusmeethimthen。SALISBURYOrratherthensetforward;for’twillbeTwolongdays’journey,lords,orerewemeet。

  EntertheBASTARDBASTARDOncemoreto-daywellmet,distemper’dlords!

  Thekingbymerequestsyourpresencestraight。SALISBURYThekinghathdispossess’dhimselfofus:

  WewillnotlinehisthinbestainedcloakWithourpurehonours,norattendthefootThatleavestheprintofbloodwhere’eritwalks。

  Returnandtellhimso:weknowtheworst。BASTARDWhate’eryouthink,goodwords,Ithink,werebest。SALISBURYOurgriefs,andnotourmanners,reasonnow。BASTARDButthereislittlereasoninyourgrief;

  Therefore’twerereasonyouhadmannersnow。PEMBROKESir,sir,impatiencehathhisprivilege。BASTARD’Tistrue,tohurthismaster,nomanelse。SALISBURYThisistheprison。Whatishelieshere?

  SeeingARTHURPEMBROKEOdeath,madeproudwithpureandprincelybeauty!

  Theearthhadnotaholetohidethisdeed。SALISBURYMurder,ashatingwhathimselfhathdone,Dothlayitopentourgeonrevenge。BIGOTOr,whenhedoom’dthisbeautytoagrave,Foundittooprecious-princelyforagrave。SALISBURYSirRichard,whatthinkyou?haveyoubeheld,Orhaveyoureadorheard?orcouldyouthink?

  Ordoyoualmostthink,althoughyousee,Thatyoudosee?couldthought,withoutthisobject,Formsuchanother?Thisistheverytop,Theheight,thecrest,orcrestuntothecrest,Ofmurder’sarms:thisisthebloodiestshame,Thewildestsavagery,thevileststroke,Thateverwall-eyedwrathorstaringragePresentedtothetearsofsoftremorse。PEMBROKEAllmurderspastdostandexcusedinthis:

  Andthis,sosoleandsounmatchable,Shallgiveaholiness,apurity,Totheyetunbegottensinoftimes;

  Andproveadeadlybloodshedbutajest,Exampledbythisheinousspectacle。BASTARDItisadamnedandabloodywork;

  Thegracelessactionofaheavyhand,Ifthatitbetheworkofanyhand。SALISBURYIfthatitbetheworkofanyhand!

  Wehadakindoflightwhatwouldensue:

  ItistheshamefulworkofHubert’shand;

  Thepractiseandthepurposeoftheking:

  FromwhoseobedienceIforbidmysoul,Kneelingbeforethisruinofsweetlife,AndbreathingtohisbreathlessexcellenceTheincenseofavow,aholyvow,Nevertotastethepleasuresoftheworld,Nevertobeinfectedwithdelight,Norconversantwitheaseandidleness,TillIhavesetaglorytothishand,Bygivingittheworshipofrevenge。PEMBROKEBIGOTOursoulsreligiouslyconfirmthywords。

  EnterHUBERTHUBERTLords,Iamhotwithhasteinseekingyou:

  Arthurdothlive;thekinghathsentforyou。SALISBURYO,heisoldandblushesnotatdeath。

  Avaunt,thouhatefulvillain,gettheegone!HUBERTIamnovillain。SALISBURYMustIrobthelaw?

  DrawinghisswordBASTARDYourswordisbright,sir;putitupagain。SALISBURYNottillIsheatheitinamurderer’sskin。HUBERTStandback,LordSalisbury,standback,Isay;

  Byheaven,Ithinkmysword’sassharpasyours:

  Iwouldnothaveyou,lord,forgetyourself,Nortemptthedangerofmytruedefence;

  LestI,bymarkingofyourrage,forgetYourworth,yourgreatnessandnobility。BIGOTOut,dunghill!darestthoubraveanobleman?HUBERTNotformylife:butyetIdaredefendMyinnocentlifeagainstanemperor。SALISBURYThouartamurderer。HUBERTDonotprovemeso;

  YetIamnone:whosetonguesoe’erspeaksfalse,Nottrulyspeaks;whospeaksnottruly,lies。PEMBROKECuthimtopieces。BASTARDKeepthepeace,Isay。SALISBURYStandby,orIshallgallyou,Faulconbridge。BASTARDThouwertbettergallthedevil,Salisbury:

  Ifthoubutfrownonme,orstirthyfoot,Orteachthyhastyspleentodomeshame,I’llstriketheedead。Putupthyswordbetime;

  OrI’llsomaulyouandyourtoasting-iron,Thatyoushallthinkthedeviliscomefromhell。BIGOTWhatwiltthoudo,renownedFaulconbridge?

  Secondavillainandamurderer?HUBERTLordBigot,Iamnone。BIGOTWhokill’dthisprince?HUBERT’TisnotanhoursinceIlefthimwell:

  Ihonour’dhim,Ilovedhim,andwillweepMydateoflifeoutforhissweetlife’sloss。SALISBURYTrustnotthosecunningwatersofhiseyes,Forvillanyisnotwithoutsuchrheum;

  Andhe,longtradedinit,makesitseemLikeriversofremorseandinnocency。

  Awaywithme,allyouwhosesoulsabhorTheuncleanlysavoursofaslaughter-house;

  ForIamstifledwiththissmellofsin。BIGOTAwaytowardBury,totheDauphinthere!PEMBROKETheretellthekinghemayinquireusout。

  ExeuntLordsBASTARDHere’sagoodworld!Knewyouofthisfairwork?

  BeyondtheinfiniteandboundlessreachOfmercy,ifthoudidstthisdeedofdeath,Artthoudamn’d,Hubert。HUBERTDobuthearme,sir。BASTARDHa!I’lltelltheewhat;

  Thou’rtdamn’dasblack——nay,nothingissoblack;

  Thouartmoredeepdamn’dthanPrinceLucifer:

  ThereisnotyetsouglyafiendofhellAsthoushaltbe,ifthoudidstkillthischild。HUBERTUponmysoul——BASTARDIfthoudidstbutconsentTothismostcruelact,dobutdespair;

  Andifthouwant’stacord,thesmallestthreadThateverspidertwistedfromherwombWillservetostranglethee,arushwillbeabeamTohangtheeon;orwouldstthoudrownthyself,Putbutalittlewaterinaspoon,Anditshallbeasalltheocean,Enoughtostiflesuchavillainup。

  Idosuspecttheeverygrievously。HUBERTIfIinact,consent,orsinofthought,BeguiltyofthestealingthatsweetbreathWhichwasemboundedinthisbeauteousclay,Lethellwantpainsenoughtotortureme。

  Ilefthimwell。BASTARDGo,bearhiminthinearms。

  Iamamazed,methinks,andlosemywayAmongthethornsanddangersofthisworld。

  HoweasydostthoutakeallEnglandup!

  Fromforththismorselofdeadroyalty,Thelife,therightandtruthofallthisrealmIsfledtoheaven;andEnglandnowisleftTotugandscambleandtopartbytheteethTheunowedinterestofproud-swellingstate。

  Nowforthebare-pick’dboneofmajestyDothdoggedwarbristlehisangrycrestAndsnarlethinthegentleeyesofpeace:

  NowpowersfromhomeanddiscontentsathomeMeetinoneline;andvastconfusionwaits,Asdotharavenonasick-fall’nbeast,Theimminentdecayofwrestedpomp。

  NowhappyhewhosecloakandcincturecanHoldoutthistempest。BearawaythatchildAndfollowmewithspeed:I’lltotheking:

  Athousandbusinessesarebriefinhand,Andheavenitselfdothfrownupontheland。

  ExeuntACTVSCENEI。KINGJOHN’Spalace。EnterKINGJOHN,CARDINALPANDULPH,andAttendantsKINGJOHNThushaveIyieldedupintoyourhandThecircleofmyglory。

  GivingthecrownCARDINALPANDULPHTakeagainFromthismyhand,asholdingofthepopeYoursovereigngreatnessandauthority。KINGJOHNNowkeepyourholyword:gomeettheFrench,AndfromhisholinessuseallyourpowerTostoptheirmarches’foreweareinflamed。

  Ourdiscontentedcountiesdorevolt;

  Ourpeoplequarrelwithobedience,SwearingallegianceandtheloveofsoulTostrangerblood,toforeignroyalty。

  Thisinundationofmistemper’dhumourRestsbyyouonlytobequalified:

  Thenpausenot;forthepresenttime’ssosick,Thatpresentmedicinemustbeminister’d,Oroverthrowincurableensues。CARDINALPANDULPHItwasmybreaththatblewthistempestup,Uponyourstubbornusageofthepope;

  Butsinceyouareagentleconvertite,MytongueshallhushagainthisstormofwarAndmakefairweatherinyourblusteringland。

  OnthisAscension-day,rememberwell,Uponyouroathofservicetothepope,GoItomaketheFrenchlaydowntheirarms。

  ExitKINGJOHNIsthisAscension-day?DidnottheprophetSaythatbeforeAscension-dayatnoonMycrownIshouldgiveoff?EvensoIhave:

  Ididsupposeitshouldbeonconstraint:

  But,heavenbethank’d,itisbutvoluntary。

  EntertheBASTARDBASTARDAllKenthathyielded;nothingthereholdsoutButDovercastle:Londonhathreceived,Likeakindhost,theDauphinandhispowers:

  Yournobleswillnothearyou,butaregoneToofferservicetoyourenemy,AndwildamazementhurriesupanddownThelittlenumberofyourdoubtfulfriends。KINGJOHNWouldnotmylordsreturntomeagain,AftertheyheardyoungArthurwasalive?BASTARDTheyfoundhimdeadandcastintothestreets,Anemptycasket,wherethejeweloflifeBysomedamn’dhandwasrobb’dandta’enaway。KINGJOHNThatvillainHuberttoldmehedidlive。BASTARDSo,onmysoul,hedid,foraughtheknew。

  Butwhereforedoyoudroop?whylookyousad?

  Begreatinact,asyouhavebeeninthought;

  LetnottheworldseefearandsaddistrustGovernthemotionofakinglyeye:

  Bestirringasthetime;befirewithfire;

  ThreatenthethreatenerandoutfacethebrowOfbragginghorror:soshallinferioreyes,Thatborrowtheirbehaviorsfromthegreat,GrowgreatbyyourexampleandputonThedauntlessspiritofresolution。

  Away,andglisterlikethegodofwar,Whenheintendethtobecomethefield:

  Showboldnessandaspiringconfidence。

  What,shalltheyseekthelioninhisden,Andfrighthimthere?andmakehimtremblethere?

  O,letitnotbesaid:forage,andrunTomeetdispleasurefartherfromthedoors,Andgrapplewithhimerehecomessonigh。KINGJOHNThelegateofthepopehathbeenwithme,AndIhavemadeahappypeacewithhim;

  AndhehathpromisedtodismissthepowersLedbytheDauphin。BASTARDOingloriousleague!

  Shallwe,uponthefootingofourland,Sendfair-playordersandmakecompromise,Insinuation,parleyandbasetruceToarmsinvasive?shallabeardlessboy,Acocker’dsilkenwanton,braveourfields,Andfleshhisspiritinawarlikesoil,Mockingtheairwithcoloursidlyspread,Andfindnocheque?Letus,myliege,toarms:

  Perchancethecardinalcannotmakeyourpeace;

  Orifhedo,letitatleastbesaidTheysawwehadapurposeofdefence。KINGJOHNHavethoutheorderingofthispresenttime。BASTARDAway,then,withgoodcourage!yet,I

  know,Ourpartymaywellmeetaprouderfoe。

  ExeuntSCENEII。LEWIS’scampatSt。Edmundsbury。Enter,inarms,LEWIS,SALISBURY,MELUN,PEMBROKE,BIGOT,andSoldiersLEWISMyLordMelun,letthisbecopiedout,Andkeepitsafeforourremembrance:

  Returntheprecedenttotheselordsagain;

  That,havingourfairorderwrittendown,Boththeyandwe,perusingo’erthesenotes,MayknowwhereforewetookthesacramentAndkeepourfaithsfirmandinviolable。SALISBURYUponoursidesitnevershallbebroken。

  And,nobleDauphin,albeitweswearAvoluntaryzealandanunurgedfaithToyourproceedings;yetbelieveme,prince,IamnotgladthatsuchasoreoftimeShouldseekaplasterbycontemn’drevolt,AndhealtheinveteratecankerofonewoundBymakingmany。O,itgrievesmysoul,ThatImustdrawthismetalfrommysideTobeawidow-maker!O,andthereWherehonourablerescueanddefenceCriesoutuponthenameofSalisbury!

  Butsuchistheinfectionofthetime,That,forthehealthandphysicofourright,WecannotdealbutwiththeveryhandOfsterninjusticeandconfusedwrong。

  Andis’tnotpity,Omygrievedfriends,Thatwe,thesonsandchildrenofthisisle,Wereborntoseesosadanhourasthis;

  WhereinwestepafterastrangermarchUponhergentlebosom,andfillupHerenemies’ranks,——ImustwithdrawandweepUponthespotofthisenforcedcause,——

  Togracethegentryofalandremote,Andfollowunacquaintedcolourshere?

  What,here?Onation,thatthoucouldstremove!

  ThatNeptune’sarms,whoclippeththeeabout,Wouldbeartheefromtheknowledgeofthyself,Andgrappletheeuntoapaganshore;

  WherethesetwoChristianarmiesmightcombineThebloodofmaliceinaveinofleague,Andnottospenditsounneighbourly!LEWISAnobletemperdostthoushowinthis;

  AndgreataffectionswrestlinginthybosomDothmakeanearthquakeofnobility。

  O,whatanoblecombathastthoufoughtBetweencompulsionandabraverespect!

  Letmewipeoffthishonourabledew,Thatsilverlydothprogressonthycheeks:

  Myhearthathmeltedatalady’stears,Beinganordinaryinundation;

  Butthiseffusionofsuchmanlydrops,Thisshower,blownupbytempestofthesoul,Startlesmineeyes,andmakesmemoreamazedThanhadIseenthevaultytopofheavenFiguredquiteo’erwithburningmeteors。

  Liftupthybrow,renownedSalisbury,Andwithagreatheartheaveawaythestorm:

  CommendthesewaterstothosebabyeyesThatneversawthegiantworldenraged;

  Normetwithfortuneotherthanatfeasts,Fullofwarmblood,ofmirth,ofgossiping。

  Come,come;forthoushaltthrustthyhandasdeepIntothepurseofrichprosperityAsLewishimself:so,nobles,shallyouall,Thatknityoursinewstothestrengthofmine。

  Andeventhere,methinks,anangelspake:

  EnterCARDINALPANDULPH

  Look,wheretheholylegatecomesapace,TogiveuswarrantfromthehandofheavenAndonouractionssetthenameofrightWithholybreath。CARDINALPANDULPHHail,nobleprinceofFrance!

  Thenextisthis,KingJohnhathreconciledHimselftoRome;hisspiritiscomein,Thatsostoodoutagainsttheholychurch,ThegreatmetropolisandseeofRome:

  Thereforethythreateningcoloursnowwindup;

  Andtamethesavagespiritofwildwar,Thatlikealionfoster’dupathand,Itmayliegentlyatthefootofpeace,Andbenofurtherharmfulthaninshow。LEWISYourgraceshallpardonme,Iwillnotback:

  Iamtoohigh-borntobepropertied,Tobeasecondaryatcontrol,Orusefulserving-manandinstrument,Toanysovereignstatethroughouttheworld。

  YourbreathfirstkindledthedeadcoalofwarsBetweenthischastisedkingdomandmyself,Andbroughtinmatterthatshouldfeedthisfire;

  Andnow’tisfartoohugetobeblownoutWiththatsameweakwindwhichenkindledit。

  Youtaughtmehowtoknowthefaceofright,Acquaintedmewithinteresttothisland,Yea,thrustthisenterpriseintomyheart;

  AndcomeyenowtotellmeJohnhathmadeHispeacewithRome?Whatisthatpeacetome?

  I,bythehonourofmymarriage-bed,AfteryoungArthur,claimthislandformine;

  And,nowitishalf-conquer’d,mustIbackBecausethatJohnhathmadehispeacewithRome?

  AmIRome’sslave?WhatpennyhathRomeborne,Whatmenprovided,whatmunitionsent,Tounderpropthisaction?Is’tnotI

  Thatundergothischarge?whoelsebutI,Andsuchastomyclaimareliable,Sweatinthisbusinessandmaintainthiswar?

  HaveInotheardtheseislandersshoutout’Viveleroi!’asIhavebank’dtheirtowns?

  HaveInotherethebestcardsforthegame,Towinthiseasymatchplay’dforacrown?

  AndshallInowgiveo’ertheyieldedset?

  No,no,onmysoul,itnevershallbesaid。CARDINALPANDULPHYoulookbutontheoutsideofthiswork。LEWISOutsideorinside,IwillnotreturnTillmyattemptsomuchbeglorifiedAstomyamplehopewaspromisedBeforeIdrewthisgallantheadofwar,Andcull’dthesefieryspiritsfromtheworld,TooutlookconquestandtowinrenownEveninthejawsofdangerandofdeath。

  TrumpetsoundsWhatlustytrumpetthusdothsummonus?

  EntertheBASTARD,attendedBASTARDAccordingtothefairplayoftheworld,Letmehaveaudience;Iamsenttospeak:

  MyholylordofMilan,fromthekingIcome,tolearnhowyouhavedealtforhim;

  And,asyouanswer,IdoknowthescopeAndwarrantlimiteduntomytongue。CARDINALPANDULPHTheDauphinistoowilful-opposite,Andwillnottemporizewithmyentreaties;

  Heflatlysayshe’llnotlaydownhisarms。BASTARDByallthebloodthateverfurybreathed,Theyouthsayswell。NowhearourEnglishking;

  Forthushisroyaltydothspeakinme。

  Heisprepared,andreasontooheshould:

  Thisapishandunmannerlyapproach,Thisharness’dmasqueandunadvisedrevel,Thisunhair’dsaucinessandboyishtroops,Thekingdothsmileat;andiswellpreparedTowhipthisdwarfishwar,thesepigmyarms,Fromoutthecircleofhisterritories。

  Thathandwhichhadthestrength,evenatyourdoor,Tocudgelyouandmakeyoutakethehatch,Todivelikebucketsinconcealedwells,Tocrouchinlitterofyourstableplanks,Tolielikepawnslock’dupinchestsandtrunks,Tohugwithswine,toseeksweetsafetyoutInvaultsandprisons,andtothrillandshakeEvenatthecryingofyournation’scrow,ThinkinghisvoiceanarmedEnglishman;

  Shallthatvictorioushandbefeebledhere,Thatinyourchambersgaveyouchastisement?

  No:knowthegallantmonarchisinarmsAndlikeaneagleo’erhisaerytowers,Tosouseannoyancethatcomesnearhisnest。

  Andyoudegenerate,youingraterevolts,YoubloodyNeroes,rippingupthewombOfyourdearmotherEngland,blushforshame;

  Foryourownladiesandpale-visagedmaidsLikeAmazonscometrippingafterdrums,Theirthimblesintoarmedgauntletschange,Theirneedlestolances,andtheirgentleheartsTofierceandbloodyinclination。LEWISThereendthybrave,andturnthyfaceinpeace;

  Wegrantthoucanstoutscoldus:faretheewell;

  WeholdourtimetooprecioustobespentWithsuchabrabbler。CARDINALPANDULPHGivemeleavetospeak。BASTARDNo,Iwillspeak。LEWISWewillattendtoneither。

  Strikeupthedrums;andletthetongueofwarPleadforourinterestandourbeinghere。BASTARDIndeedyourdrums,beingbeaten,willcryout;

  Andsoshallyou,beingbeaten:dobutstartAnechowiththeclamourofthydrum,AndevenathandadrumisreadybracedThatshallreverberateallasloudasthine;

  Soundbutanother,andanothershallAsloudasthinerattlethewelkin’searAndmockthedeep-mouth’dthunder:forathand,Nottrustingtothishaltinglegatehere,WhomhehathusedratherforsportthanneedIswarlikeJohn;andinhisforeheadsitsAbare-ribb’ddeath,whoseofficeisthisdayTofeastuponwholethousandsoftheFrench。LEWISStrikeupourdrums,tofindthisdangerout。BASTARDAndthoushaltfindit,Dauphin,donotdoubt。

  ExeuntSCENEIII。Thefieldofbattle。Alarums。EnterKINGJOHNandHUBERTKINGJOHNHowgoesthedaywithus?O,tellme,Hubert。HUBERTBadly,Ifear。Howfaresyourmajesty?KINGJOHNThisfever,thathathtroubledmesolong,Liesheavyonme;O,myheartissick!

  EnteraMessengerMessengerMylord,yourvaliantkinsman,Faulconbridge,DesiresyourmajestytoleavethefieldAndsendhimwordbymewhichwayyougo。KINGJOHNTellhim,towardSwinstead,totheabbeythere。MessengerBeofgoodcomfort;forthegreatsupplyThatwasexpectedbytheDauphinhere,Arewreck’dthreenightsagoonGoodwinSands。

  ThisnewswasbroughttoRichardbutevennow:

  TheFrenchfightcoldly,andretirethemselves。KINGJOHNAyme!thistyrantfeverburnsmeup,Andwillnotletmewelcomethisgoodnews。

  SetontowardSwinstead:tomylitterstraight;

  Weaknesspossessethme,andIamfaint。

  ExeuntSCENEIV。Anotherpartofthefield。EnterSALISBURY,PEMBROKE,andBIGOTSALISBURYIdidnotthinkthekingsostoredwithfriends。PEMBROKEUponceagain;putspiritintheFrench:

  Iftheymiscarry,wemiscarrytoo。SALISBURYThatmisbegottendevil,Faulconbridge,Inspiteofspite,aloneupholdstheday。PEMBROKETheysayKingJohnsoresickhathleftthefield。

  EnterMELUN,woundedMELUNLeadmetotherevoltsofEnglandhere。SALISBURYWhenwewerehappywehadothernames。PEMBROKEItistheCountMelun。SALISBURYWoundedtodeath。MELUNFly,nobleEnglish,youareboughtandsold;

  UnthreadtherudeeyeofrebellionAndwelcomehomeagaindiscardedfaith。

  SeekoutKingJohnandfallbeforehisfeet;

  ForiftheFrenchbelordsofthisloudday,HemeanstorecompensethepainsyoutakeBycuttingoffyourheads:thushathheswornAndIwithhim,andmanymoewithme,UponthealtaratSaintEdmundsbury;

  EvenonthataltarwherewesworetoyouDearamityandeverlastinglove。SALISBURYMaythisbepossible?maythisbetrue?MELUNHaveInothideousdeathwithinmyview,Retainingbutaquantityoflife,Whichbleedsaway,evenasaformofwaxResolvethfromhisfigure’gainstthefire?

  Whatintheworldshouldmakemenowdeceive,SinceImustlosetheuseofalldeceit?

  WhyshouldIthenbefalse,sinceitistrueThatImustdiehereandlivehencebytruth?

  Isayagain,ifLewisdowintheday,Heisforsworn,ife’erthoseeyesofyoursBeholdanotherdaybreakintheeast:

  Buteventhisnight,whoseblackcontagiousbreathAlreadysmokesabouttheburningcrestOftheold,feebleandday-weariedsun,Eventhisillnight,yourbreathingshallexpire,PayingthefineofratedtreacheryEvenwithatreacherousfineofallyourlives,IfLewisbyyourassistancewintheday。

  CommendmetooneHubertwithyourking:

  Theloveofhim,andthisrespectbesides,ForthatmygrandsirewasanEnglishman,Awakesmyconsciencetoconfessallthis。

  Inlieuwhereof,Iprayyou,bearmehenceFromforththenoiseandrumourofthefield,WhereImaythinktheremnantofmythoughtsInpeace,andpartthisbodyandmysoulWithcontemplationanddevoutdesires。SALISBURYWedobelievethee:andbeshrewmysoulButIdolovethefavourandtheformOfthismostfairoccasion,bythewhichWewilluntreadthestepsofdamnedflight,Andlikeabatedandretiredflood,Leavingourranknessandirregularcourse,Stooplowwithinthoseboundswehaveo’erlook’dAndcabbyrunoninobedienceEventoourocean,toourgreatKingJohn。

  Myarmshallgivetheehelptobeartheehence;

  ForIdoseethecruelpangsofdeathRightinthineeye。Away,myfriends!Newflight;

  Andhappynewness,thatintendsoldright。

  Exeunt,leadingoffMELUNSCENEV。TheFrenchcamp。EnterLEWISandhistrainLEWISThesunofheavenmethoughtwasloathtoset,Butstay’dandmadethewesternwelkinblush,WhenEnglishmeasurebackwardtheirowngroundInfaintretire。O,bravelycameweoff,Whenwithavolleyofourneedlessshot,Aftersuchbloodytoil,webidgoodnight;

  Andwoundourtatteringcoloursclearlyup,Lastinthefield,andalmostlordsofit!

  EnteraMessengerMessengerWhereismyprince,theDauphin?LEWISHere:whatnews?MessengerTheCountMelunisslain;theEnglishlordsByhispersuasionareagainfall’noff,Andyoursupply,whichyouhavewish’dsolong,ArecastawayandsunkonGoodwinSands。LEWISAh,foulshrewdnews!beshrewthyveryheart!

  Ididnotthinktobesosadto-nightAsthishathmademe。WhowashethatsaidKingJohndidflyanhourortwobeforeThestumblingnightdidpartourwearypowers?MessengerWhoeverspokeit,itistrue,mylord。LEWISWell;keepgoodquarterandgoodcareto-night:

  ThedayshallnotbeupsosoonasI,Totrythefairadventureofto-morrow。

  ExeuntSCENEVI。AnopenplaceintheneighbourhoodofSwinsteadAbbey。EntertheBASTARDandHUBERT,severallyHUBERTWho’sthere?speak,ho!speakquickly,orIshoot。BASTARDAfriend。Whatartthou?HUBERTOfthepartofEngland。BASTARDWhitherdostthougo?HUBERTWhat’sthattothee?whymaynotIdemandOfthineaffairs,aswellasthouofmine?BASTARDHubert,Ithink?HUBERTThouhastaperfectthought:

  IwilluponallhazardswellbelieveThouartmyfriend,thatknow’stmytonguesowell。

  Whoartthou?BASTARDWhothouwilt:andifthouplease,ThoumaystbefriendmesomuchastothinkIcomeonewayofthePlantagenets。HUBERTUnkindremembrance!thouandeyelessnightHavedonemeshame:bravesoldier,pardonme,ThatanyaccentbreakingfromthytongueShould’scapethetrueacquaintanceofmineear。BASTARDCome,come;sanscompliment,whatnewsabroad?HUBERTWhy,herewalkIintheblackbrowofnight,Tofindyouout。BASTARDBrief,then;andwhat’sthenews?HUBERTO,mysweetsir,newsfittingtothenight,Black,fearful,comfortlessandhorrible。BASTARDShowmetheverywoundofthisillnews:

  Iamnowoman,I’llnotswoonatit。HUBERTTheking,Ifear,ispoison’dbyamonk:

  Ilefthimalmostspeechless;andbrokeoutToacquaintyouwiththisevil,thatyoumightThebetterarmyoutothesuddentime,Thanifyouhadatleisureknownofthis。BASTARDHowdidhetakeit?whodidtastetohim?HUBERTAmonk,Itellyou;aresolvedvillain,Whosebowelssuddenlyburstout:thekingYetspeaksandperadventuremayrecover。BASTARDWhodidstthouleavetotendhismajesty?HUBERTWhy,knowyounot?thelordsareallcomeback,AndbroughtPrinceHenryintheircompany;

  Atwhoserequestthekinghathpardon’dthem,Andtheyareallabouthismajesty。BASTARDWithholdthineindignation,mightyheaven,Andtemptusnottobearaboveourpower!

  I’lltelltree,Hubert,halfmypowerthisnight,Passingtheseflats,aretakenbythetide;

  TheseLincolnWasheshavedevouredthem;

  Myself,wellmounted,hardlyhaveescaped。

  Awaybefore:conductmetotheking;

  IdoubthewillbedeadorereIcome。

  ExeuntSCENEVII。TheorchardinSwinsteadAbbey。EnterPRINCEHENRY,SALISBURY,andBIGOTPRINCEHENRYItistoolate:thelifeofallhisbloodIstouch’dcorruptibly,andhispurebrain,Whichsomesupposethesoul’sfraildwelling-house,DothbytheidlecommentsthatitmakesForetelltheendingofmortality。

  EnterPEMBROKEPEMBROKEHishighnessyetdothspeak,andholdsbeliefThat,beingbroughtintotheopenair,ItwouldallaytheburningqualityOfthatfellpoisonwhichassailethhim。PRINCEHENRYLethimbebroughtintotheorchardhere。

  Dothhestillrage?

  ExitBIGOTPEMBROKEHeismorepatientThanwhenyoulefthim;evennowhesung。PRINCEHENRYOvanityofsickness!fierceextremesIntheircontinuancewillnotfeelthemselves。

  Death,havingprey’dupontheoutwardparts,Leavestheminvisible,andhissiegeisnowAgainstthemind,thewhichhepricksandwoundsWithmanylegionsofstrangefantasies,Which,intheirthrongandpresstothatlasthold,Confoundthemselves。’Tisstrangethatdeathshouldsing。

  Iamthecygnettothispalefaintswan,Whochantsadolefulhymntohisowndeath,Andfromtheorgan-pipeoffrailtysingsHissoulandbodytotheirlastingrest。SALISBURYBeofgoodcomfort,prince;foryouarebornTosetaformuponthatindigestWhichhehathleftsoshapelessandsorude。

  EnterAttendants,andBIGOT,carryingKINGJOHNinachairKINGJOHNAy,marry,nowmysoulhathelbow-room;

  Itwouldnotoutatwindowsnoratdoors。

  Thereissohotasummerinmybosom,Thatallmybowelscrumbleuptodust:

  Iamascribbledform,drawnwithapenUponaparchment,andagainstthisfireDoIshrinkup。PRINCEHENRYHowfaresyourmajesty?KINGJOHNPoison’d,——illfare——dead,forsook,castoff:

  AndnoneofyouwillbidthewintercomeTothrusthisicyfingersinmymaw,Norletmykingdom’sriverstaketheircourseThroughmyburn’dbosom,norentreatthenorthTomakehisbleakwindskissmyparchedlipsAndcomfortmewithcold。Idonotaskyoumuch,Ibegcoldcomfort;andyouaresostraitAndsoingrateful,youdenymethat。PRINCEHENRYOthatthereweresomevirtueinmytears,Thatmightrelieveyou!KINGJOHNThesaltinthemishot。

  Withinmeisahell;andtherethepoisonIsasafiendconfinedtotyrannizeOnunreprievablecondemnedblood。

  EntertheBASTARDBASTARDO,Iamscaldedwithmyviolentmotion,Andspleenofspeedtoseeyourmajesty!KINGJOHNOcousin,thouartcometosetmineeye:

  Thetackleofmyheartiscrack’dandburn’d,AndalltheshroudswherewithmylifeshouldsailAreturnedtoonethread,onelittlehair:

  Myhearthathonepoorstringtostayitby,Whichholdsbuttillthynewsbeuttered;

  AndthenallthisthouseestisbutaclodAndmoduleofconfoundedroyalty。BASTARDTheDauphinispreparinghitherward,WhereheavenHeknowshowweshallanswerhim;

  Forinanightthebestpartofmypower,AsIuponadvantagedidremove,WereintheWashesallunwarilyDevouredbytheunexpectedflood。

  KINGJOHNdiesSALISBURYYoubreathethesedeadnewsinasdeadanear。

  Myliege!mylord!butnowaking,nowthus。PRINCEHENRYEvensomustIrunon,andevensostop。

  Whatsuretyoftheworld,whathope,whatstay,Whenthiswasnowaking,andnowisclay?BASTARDArtthougoneso?IdobutstaybehindTodotheofficefortheeofrevenge,Andthenmysoulshallwaitontheetoheaven,Asitonearthhathbeenthyservantstill。

  Now,now,youstarsthatmoveinyourrightspheres,Wherebeyourpowers?shownowyourmendedfaiths,Andinstantlyreturnwithmeagain,TopushdestructionandperpetualshameOutoftheweakdoorofourfaintingland。

  Straightletusseek,orstraightweshallbesought;

  TheDauphinragesatourveryheels。SALISBURYItseemsyouknownot,then,somuchaswe:

  TheCardinalPandulphiswithinatrest,WhohalfanhoursincecamefromtheDauphin,AndbringsfromhimsuchoffersofourpeaceAswewithhonourandrespectmaytake,Withpurposepresentlytoleavethiswar。BASTARDHewilltheratherdoitwhenheseesOurselveswellsinewedtoourdefence。SALISBURYNay,itisinamannerdonealready;

  Formanycarriageshehathdispatch’dTothesea-side,andputhiscauseandquarrelTothedisposingofthecardinal:

  Withwhomyourself,myselfandotherlords,Ifyouthinkmeet,thisafternoonwillpostToconsummatethisbusinesshappily。BASTARDLetitbeso:andyou,mynobleprince,Withotherprincesthatmaybestbespared,Shallwaituponyourfather’sfuneral。PRINCEHENRYAtWorcestermusthisbodybeinterr’d;

  Forsohewill’dit。BASTARDThithershallitthen:

  AndhappilymayyoursweetselfputonThelinealstateandgloryoftheland!

  Towhomwithallsubmission,onmykneeIdobequeathmyfaithfulservicesAndtruesubjectioneverlastingly。SALISBURYAndtheliketenderofourlovewemake,Torestwithoutaspotforevermore。PRINCEHENRYIhaveakindsoulthatwouldgiveyouthanksAndknowsnothowtodoitbutwithtears。BASTARDO,letuspaythetimebutneedfulwoe,Sinceithathbeenbeforehandwithourgriefs。

  ThisEnglandneverdid,nornevershall,Lieattheproudfootofaconqueror,Butwhenitfirstdidhelptowounditself。

  Nowtheseherprincesarecomehomeagain,Comethethreecornersoftheworldinarms,Andweshallshockthem。Noughtshallmakeusrue,IfEnglandtoitselfdorestbuttrue。

点击下载App,搜索"King John",免费读到尾