I lusty lore should go in quest of beauty,

I will enforce it easily to my love. Where should he tind it fairer than in Blanch! Further I will not flatter you, my lord, If zealous love should go in search of virtue,

That all I see in you is worthy love, Where should he find it parer than in Blanch! Than this,--that nothing do I see in you If love ambitious sought a match of birth,

(Though churlish thoughts themselves should be your Whose veins bound richer blood than lady Blanch? That I can find should merit any hate. (judge), Such as she is, in beauty, virtue, birtla,

K. John. What say these young ones! What say Is the young Dauphin every way complete :

you, my niece ? If not complete, o say, he is noi she;

Blanch. That she is bound in honour still to do And she again wants nothing, to name want; What you in wisdom shall vouchsafe to say. If want it be not, that she is not he:

K. John. Speak then, prince Dauphin; can you He is the half part of a blessed man,

love this lady! Left to be finished by such a she

Lew. Nay, ask me if I can refrain from love ; And she a fair divided excellevce,

For I do love

her most unfeignedly. [Maine, Whose fulness of perfection lies in him.

K. John. Then do I give Volquessen, Touraine, o, two such silver currents, when they join, Poictiers, and Anjou, these five provinces, Do glorify the banks that bound them in :

With her to thee; and this addition more, And two such shores to two such streams made one, Full thirty thousand marks of English coin. Two such controlling bounds sball you be, kings, Philip of France, if thou be pleas'd withal, To these two princes, if you marry them.

Command thy son and daughter to join hands. This union shall do more than battery can,

K. Phil. It likes us well ;-Young princes, close To our fast-closed gates; for, at this match,

your hands. With swifter spleen than powder can enforce,

Aust. And your lips too; for, I am well assur'd, The mouth of passage shall we fling wide ope,

That I did so, when I was first assur'd. And give you entrance : but, without this match, K. Phi. Now, citizens of Angiers, ope your gates, The sea enraged is not half so deaf,

Let in that amity which you have made ;
Lions more confident, mountains and rocks

For at saint Mary's chapel, presently,
More free froin motion; no, not death himself The rites of marriage shall be solemniz'd.-
In mortal fury half so peremptory,

Is not the lady Constance in this troop!-
As we to keep this city.

I know, she is not ; for this match, made up,
Bast.
Here's a stay,

Her presence would have interrupted much :That shakes the rotten carcass of old death

Where is she and her son ? tell me, who knows. Out of his rags ! Here's a large mouth, indeed, Lew. She is sad and passionate at your highness' That spits forth death and mountains, rocks and seas;

tent.

[made, Talks as familiarly of roaring lions,

K. Phi. And, by my faith, this league, that we have As maids of thirteen do of puppy-dogs!

Will give her sadness very little cure.What cannoneer begot this lusty blood ?

Brother of England, how may we content He speaks plain cannon, fire, and smoke, and bounce; This widow lady? In her right we came; He gives the bastinado with his tongue;

Which we, God knows, have turn'd another way, Our ears are cadgel'd; not a word of his,

To our own vantage. But buffets better than a fist of France :

K. John.

We will heal op all : Zounds! I was never so bethump'd with words, For we'll create young Arthur duke of Bretagne, Since I first call's my brother's father, dad.

And earl of Richmond ; and this rieb fair town Eli. Son, list to this conjunction, make this match ; We make him lord of.- Call the lady Constance ; Give with our niece a dowry large enough:

Some speedy messenger bid her repair For by this kuot thou shalt so surely tie

To our solemnity :-I trust we shall, Thy now ansur'd assurance to the crown,

If not till up the measure of her will, That yon green boy shall have no sun to ripe Yet in some measure satisfy her so, The bloom that promiseth a mighty fruit.

That we shall stop her exclamation. I see a yielding in the looks of France ;

Go we, as well as haste will suffer us, Mark, bow they whisper: urge them while their souls To this unlook'd for, un prepared pomp. Are capable of this ambition :

[Exeunt all but the Bastard. The Citizens Lest zeal, now melted, by the windy breath

retire from the Walls. Of soft petitions, pity, and remorse,

Bast. Mad world! mad kings I mad composition ! Cool and congeal again to what it was.

Juhn, to stop Arthur's title in the whole, 1 Cit. Why answer not the double majesties Hath willingly departed with a part: This friendly treaty of our threatend town?

And France (whose armour conscience buckled on; K. Phi. Speak England first, that hath been for- Whom zeal and charity brought to the tield, To speak unto this city What say you ! (ward first As God's own soldier), rounded in the ear

K. John. If that the Dauphin there, thy princely With that same purpose-changer, that sly devil; Can in this book of beauty read, I love, (soo, That broker, that still breaks the pate of faith; Her dowry shall weigh equal with a queen :

That daily break vow; he that wins of all, For Anjou, and fair Touraine, Maine, Poictiers, of kings, of beggars, old nen, young men, maids ;And all that we upon this side the sea

Who having no external thing to lose (Except this city, now by us besieg'd),

But the word maid,-cheats the poor maid of that; Find liable to our crown and dignity,

That smooth-faced gentleman, tickling commodity, Shall gild her bridal bed; and make her rich Commodity, the bias of the world; In titles, honours, and promotions,

The world, who of itself is peised well, As she in beauty, education, blood,

Made to run even, upon even ground; Holds hand with any princess of the world,

Till this advantage, this vile drawing bias, K. Phi. What says thou, boy I look in the lady's This sway of motion, this commodity,

Lew. I do, my lord ; and in her eye I find [face. Makes it take head from all indifferency, A wonder, or a wondrous miracle,

From all direction, purpose, course, intent: The shadow of myself form'd in her eye ;

And this same bias, this commodity, Which being but the shadow of your son,

This bawd, this broker, this all-changing word, Becomes a sun, and makes your son a shadow: Clapp'd on the outward eye of tickle France, I do protest, I never lov'd myself,

Hath drawn him from his own determin'd aid, Till now infixed I beheld myself,

From a resolv'd and honourable war,
Drawn in the flattering table of her eye.

To a most base and vile-concluded peace.-
Whispers with Blanch. And why rail I on this commodity!
Bast. Drawn in the flattering table of her eye! But for because he hath not wou'd me yet :

Hang'd in the frowning wrinkle of her brow ! Not that I bave the power to clutch my hand,
And quarter'd in ber heart !--he doth espy

When his fair angels would salute my palm :
Himself love's traitor : This is pity now, But for my hand, as unattempted yet,
That hang'd, and drawn, and quarter'd, there should Like a poor beggar, raileth on the rich.
In such a love, so vile a lont as he.

(be, Well, whiles I am a beggar, I will rail,
Blanch. My uncle's will, in this respect, is mine : And say, there is no sin, but to be rich
If he see aught in you, that makes him like, And being rich, my virtue then shall be,
That any thing he sees, which moves his liking, To say,--there is no vice, but beggary :
I can with ease translate it to my will;

Since kings break faith upon commodity,
Or, if you will (to speak more properly),

Gain, be my lord! for I will worship thee! (Exit.

ACT NII,
Const. A wicked day, and not a holiday !

[Rising. SCENE I. The same. The French King's Tent. What hath this day desery's ? what hath it done; Enter Constance, Arthur, and Salisbury.

That it in golden letters should be set,
Const. Gone to be married ! gone to swear a peace ! Among the high tides, in the calendar
False blood to false blood join'd! Gone to be friends! Nay, rather, turn this day out of the week;
Shall Lewis have Blanch ? and Blanch those provinces? Or, if it must stand still, let wives with child

This day of slame, oppression, perjury:
It is not so; thou hast mis-spoke, mis-heard ;
Be well advis'd, tell o'er thy tale again :

Pray, that their burdens may not fall this day, It cannot be ; thou dost but say, 'tis so:

Lest that their hopes prodigiously be cross'd I trust, I may not trust thee; for thy word

But on this day, let seameu fear no wreck ; Is but the vain breath of a common man:

No bargains break, that are not this day made : Believe me, I do not believe thee, man;

This day all things began come to ill end; I have a king's oath to the contrary,

Yea, faith itself to hollow falsehood change! Thou shalt be punish'd for thus frighting me,

K. Phi. By heaven, lady, you shall have no cause For I am sick, and capable of fears ;

To curse the fair proceedings of this day : Oppress'd with wrongs, and therefore full of fears;

Have I not pawn' to you my majesty ? A widow, husbandless, subject to fears ;

Const. You have beguild me with a counterfeit, A woman, naturally born to tears;

Resembling majesty; which, being toach'd, and tried,

Proves valueless : You are fors worn, forsworn; And though thou now confess, thou didst but jest, With my vex'd spirits I cannot take a truce,

You came in arms to spill mine enemies' blood,

But now in arms you strengthen it with yours : But they will quake and tremble all this day, What dost thou mean by shaking of thy head?

The grappling vigoar and rough frown of war, Why dost thoa look so sadly on my son !

Is cold in amity and painted peace, What means that hand upon that breast of thine !

And our oppression bath made up this league :Why holds thine eye that lamentable rheum,

Arm, arm, you heavens, against these perjur'd kings ! Like a proud river peering o'er his bounds ?

A widow cries: be husband to me, beavens !

Let not the hours of this ungodly day
Be these sad signs confirmers of thy words?

Wear out the day in peace; but, ere sunset,
Then speak again; not all thy former tale,
But this one word, whether thy tale be true.

Set armed discord 'twixt these perjur'd kings! Sal. As trne, as, I believe, you think them false, Hear me, 0, hear me !

Aust. That give you cause to prove my saying true.

Lady Constance, peace. Const. o, if thou teach me to believe this sorrow,

Const. War! war! no peace ! peace is to me a war. Teach thou this sorrow how to make me die;

O Lymoges ! O Austria ! thou dost shame And let belief and life encounter so,

That bloudy spoil: Thou slave, thou wretch, thou As doth the fury of two desperate men,

Thou little valiant, great in villany!. [coward; Which, in the very meeting, fall, and die.

Thou ever strong upon the stronger side! Lewis marry Blanch! o, boy, then where art thou ? Thou fortune's champion, that dost never fight France friend with England! what becomes of me!

But when her humorous ladyship is by

To teach thee safety ! thou art perjar'd too,
Fellow, be gone; I cannot brook thy sight;
This news hath made thee a most ugly man.

And sooth'st up greatness. What a fool art thou, Sal. What other harm have I, good lady, done,

A ramping fool; to brag, and stamp, and swear, But spoke the harm that is by others done!

Upon my party! Thou cold blooded slave, Const. Which harm within itself so heinous is,

Hast thou not spoke like thunder on my side! As it makes harmful all that speak of it.

Been sworn my soldier ? bidding me depend Arth. I do beseech you, madam, be content.

Upon thy stars, thy fortune, and thy strength?
Const. If thou, that bid'st me be content, wert grim, Thou wear a lion's bide! doff it for shame,

And dost thou now fall over to my foes ?
Ugly, and sland'rous to thy mother's womb,
Full of unpleasing blots, and sightless stains,

And hang a calf's skin on those recreant linbs. Lame, foolish, crooked, swart, prodigious,

Aust. O, that a man should speak those words to Patch'd with foal moles, and eye-offending marks,

me !

(limbs. I would not care, I then would be content ;

Bast. And hang a calf's-skin on those recreant For then I should not love thee; no, nor thou

Aust. Thou dar'st not say so, villain, for thy life. Become thy great birth, nor deserve a crown.

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

limbs. But thou art fair; and at thy birth, dear boy ! Nature and fortune join'd to make thee great:

K. John. We like not this; thou dost forget thyself. of nature's gifts thou mayst with lilies boast,

Enter Pandulph. And with the half-blown rose: but fortune, O!

K. Phi. Here comes the holy legate of the pope. She is corrupted, chang'd, and won from thee; She adulterates bourly with thine uncle John ;

Pand. Hail, you anointed deputies of heaven! And with her golden hand hath pluck'd on France

To thee, king John, my holy errand is. To tread down fair respect of sovereignty,

1, Pandulph,

of fair Milan cardinal,

And from pope Innocent, the legate here,
And made his majesty the bawd to theirs.
France is a bawd to fortune, and king John ;

Do, in his name, religiously demand,
That strumpet fortone, that usurping John :-

Why thoa against the church, our holy mother,

So wilfully dost spuro ; and, force perforce,
Tell me, thou fellow, is not France forsworu !
Eovenom him with words; or get thee gone,

Keep Stephen Langton, chosen archbishop
Aud leave those woes alone, which I alone

of Canterbury, from that holy see?

This, in oar 'foresaid holy father's name,
Au bound to under-bear.
Sal.
Pardon me, madam,

Pope Innocent, I do demand of thee.

. John. What earthly name to interrogatories, I may not go without you to the kings.

Const. Thou mayst, thou shalt, I will not go with Can task the free breath of a sacred king?
I will instruct my sorrows to be proud ; (thee :

Thou canst not, cardinal, devise a name
For grief is proud, and makes his owner stout.

So slight, unworthy, and ridiculous,

To charge me to an answer, as the pope.
To me, and to the state of my great grief,
Let kings assemble ; for my griet's so great,

Tell hin this tale; and from the mouth of England,

And thus much more,-- That no Italian priest That no supporter but the huge firm earth

Shail tithe or toll in our dominious; Can hold it up : here I and sorrow sit;

But as we under heaven are supreme head, Here is my throne, bid kings come bow to it. [She throws herself on the Grounil. So, under him, that great supremacy,

Where we do reign, we will alone uphold, Enter King John, King Philip, Lewis, Blanch, Without the assistance of a mortal hand :

Elinor, Bastard, Austria, ant Attendants. So tell the pope; all reverence set apart, K. Phi, "Tis true, fair daughter; and this blessed to him, and his usorp'd authority, Ever in France sball be kept festival: [day, K. Phi. Brother of England, you blaspheme in this. To solemnize this day, the glorious sun

K. John. Thoagh you, and ail the kings of ChristenStays in his course, and plays the alchemist; Are led so grossly by this meddling priest, [dvin, Turning, with splendour of his precious eye, Dreading the curse that money inay buy out; The meagre cloddy earth to glittering gold : And, by the merit of vile gold, dross, dust, The yearly course, that brings this day about, Parchase corrupted pardon of a man, Shall never see it but a holiday.

Who, in that sale, sells pardon from himself:

Though you, and all the rest, so grossly led,

Save what is opposite to England's love. This juggling witcheraft with revenue cherish; Therefore, to arms! be champion of our church ! Yet I, alone, alone do me oppose

Or let the church, our mother, breathe her curse, Against the pope, and count his friends my foes. A mother's corse, on her revolting son.

Pand. Then, by the lawful power that I have, France, thou mayst hold a serpent by the tongue, Thou shalt stand curs'd, and excommunicate :

A cased lion by the mortal paw, And blessed shall be be, that doth revolt

A fasting tiger safer by the tooth, From his allegiance to an heretic;

Than keep in peace that hand which thou dost hold. And meritorious shall that hand be call'd,

K. Phi. I may disjoin my hand, but not my faith. Canonized, and worshipp'd as a saint,

Pand. So mak'st thou faith an enemy to faith; That takes away by any secret course

And, like a civil war, set'st oath to oath, Thy hateful life.

Thy tongue against thy tongue. 0, let thy vow Const. 0, lawfullet it be,

First made to heaven, first be to heaven perform'd ; That I have room with Roine to carse awhile ! That is, to be the chainpion of our church ! Good father cardinal, cry thou, amen,

What since thou swor'st, is sworn against thyself, To my keen curses; for, without my wrong, And may not be performed by thyself: There is no tongue hath power to curse him right. For that, which thou hast sworn to do amiss,

Pand. There's law, and warrant, lady, for my curse. Is not amiss, when it is truly done :

Cunst. And for mine too; when law can do no right, And being not done, where doing tends to ill,
Let it be lawful, that law bar no wrong:

The truth is then most done not doing it :
Law cannot give my child his kingdom here ; The better act of purposes mistook
For he, that holds his kingdom, holds the law : Is, to mistake again; though indirect,
Therefore, since law ilselt" is perfect wrong,

Yet indirection thereby grows direct,
How can the law forbid my tongue to curse!

And falsehood, falsehood cures; as tire cools tire, Pand. Philip of France, on peril of a curse,

Within the scorched veins of one new burn'd. Let go the hand of that arch-beretic;

It is religion, that doth make vows kept; And raise the power of France upon his head, Bat thou bast sworn against religion ; Unless he do submit himself to Rome. (hand. By what thou swear'st,against the thing thou swear'st;

Eli. Look'st thou pale, France ? do not let go thy And mak'st an oath the sarety for thy truth

Const. Look to that, desil! lest that France repeni, Against an oath : The truth thou art unsure And, by disjoining hands, hell lose a soul.

To swear, swear only not to be forsvorn; Aust. King Philip, listen to the cardinal. Else what a mockery should it be to swear! Bast. And bang a call's-skin on his recreant limbs. But thou dost swear only to be forsworn;

Aust. Well, ruffian, I must pocket up these wrongs, And most forsworn, to keep what thou dost swear.
Because

Therefore, thy tatter vows, against thy first,
Bast. Your breeches best may carry them. Is in thyself rebellion to thyselt:
K. John. Philip, what sayst thou to the cardinal? And better conquest never canst thou make,
Const. What should he say, but as the cardinal! Than arm thy constant and thy nobler parts

Lero. Bethink you, father; for the difference Against those giddy loose suggestions :
Is, purchase of a heavy curse from Rome,

Upon which better part our prayers come in, Or the light loss of England for a friend :

If thou vouchsafe them ; but, if not, then know, Forego the easier.

The peril of our curses light on thee;
Blanch.

That's the curse of Rome. So heavy, as thou shalt not shake them off,
Const. 0, Lewis, stand fast; the devil tempts thee But, in despair, die under their black weight.
In likeness of a new antrimmed bride. Chere, Aust. Rebellion, flat rebellion !
Blanch. The lady Constance speaks not from her

Will’t not be ? But from her need,

(taith, Will not a call's-skin stop that mouth of thine ? Const. 0, if thou grant my need,

Lew. Father, to arms! Which only lives hut by the death of faith,

Blanch.

Upon thy wedding-day! That need must needs infer this principle,

Against the blood that thou hast married ?
That faith would live again by death of need; What, shall our feast be kept with slaughter'd men ?
0, then tread down my need, and faith mounts up : Shall braying trumpets, and lond churlish drums,--
Keep my need up, and faith is trodden down. Clamours of hell--be measures to our pomp?

K. John. The king is mor'd, and answers not to this. O husband, hear me !--ah, alack, how pew
Const. O, be remov'd from him, and answer well. Is husband in my mouth !--even for that naine,
Aust. Do so, king Philip; hang no more in doubt. Which till this time my tongue did ne'er pronounce,
Bast. Hang nothing but a call's-skin, most sweet upon my kvee I beg, go not to arms

Against mine uncle.
K. Phi. I am perplex'd, and know not what to say. Const.

0, upon my knee,
Pand. What canst thou say, but will perplex thee Made hard with kneeling, 1 do pray to thee,
If thou stand excommunicate and cursid? (more, Thou virtuous dauphin, alter not the doom
K. Phi. Good reverend father, make my person Fore-thought by heaven.

[may And tell me, how you would bestow yourself. (yours, Blanch. Now shall I see thy love; What notive This royal hand and mine are newly knit;

Be stronger with thee than the name of wife! And the conjunction of our in ward souls

Const. That which upholdeth him thatthee upholds, Married in league, coupled and link'd together His honour: 0, thine honour, Lewis, thine honour With all religious strength of sacred vows;

Lew. I muse, your majesty doth seem so cold, The latest breath that gave the sound of words, When such profound respects do pull you on. Was deep-sworn faith, peace, amity, true love, Pand. I will denounce a curse upon his head. Between our kingdoms, and our royal selves;

K. Phi. Tbou shalt not need :--England, I'll fall And even before this trace, but new before,

from thee. No longer than we well could wash our hands,

Const. O fair return of banish'd majesty! To clap this royal bargain up of peace,-----

Eli, O foul revolt of French inconstaney! Heaven knows, they were besmear'd and over-stain'd K. John. Frajoe, thou sbalt rue this hour within With slaughter's pencil ; where revenge did paint

this hour. The fearful difference of incensed kings:

Bast. Old Time, the clock-setter, that bald sexton, And shall these hands, so lately purg of blood, Is it as he will? well then France shall rae. [Time, So newly join'd in love, so strong in both,

Blanch. The sun's o'ercast with blood : Fair day, Unyoke this seizure, and this kind regreet!

Which is the side that I must go witball (adieu !
Play fast and loose with faith ? so jest with heaven, I am with both : each army hath a hand;
Make such unconstant children of ourselves,

And, in their rage, I having hold of both,
As now again to snatch our palm from palin; They whirl asunder, and dismember me.
Unswear faith sworn: and on the inarriage-bed Husband, I cannot pray that thou mayst win;
Of smiling peace to march a bloody hust,

Uncle, I needs must pray that thou mayst lose; And make a riot on the gentle brow

Father, I may not wish the fortane ibine ; of true sincerity ? O holy sir,

Grandam, I will not wish thy wishes thrive: My reverend father, let it not be so :

Whoever wins, on that side shall I lose ; Out of your grace, devise, ordain, impose

Assured loss, before the match be play'd. Some gentle order; and then we shall be bless'd Lew. Lady, with me; with me thy fortune lies. To do your pleasure, and continue friends.

Blanch. There where my fortune lives, there my Pand. All form is forunless, order orderless,

life dies.

Bast.

lout.

K.John. Cousin, go draw our puissance together. I would into thy bosom pour my thoughts:

[Exit Bastard. But alı, I will not :-Yet I love thee well; France, I am burn'd up with inflaming wrath ; And, by my troth, I think, thon lor'st me well. A rage, whose heat hath this condition,

Hub. So well, that what you bid me undertake, That nothing can allay, nothing but blood,

Though that my death were adjunct to my act,
The blood, and dearest valu'd blood, of France. By heaven, I'd do't.
K. Phi. Thy rage shall burn thee up, and thon

K. John.

Do not I know, thou wouldst? shalt turn

Good Hubert, Hubert, Hubert, throw thine eye To ashes, ere our blood shall quench that fire: On yon young boy : I'll tell thee what, my friend, Look to thyself, thou art in jeopardy.

He is a very serpent in my way; K. John. No more than he that threats.--To arms And, wheresoe'er this foot of mine doth tread, let's hie!

[Exeunt. He lies before me : Dost thou understand me?

Thou art his keeper. SCENE II. The same. Plains near Angiers. Hub.

And I will keep him so, Alarums, Excursions. Enter the Bastard, with That be shall not offend your majesty. Austria's Head.

K. John. Death.

Hub. Bast. Now, by my life, this day grows wondrous

My lord ?
Some airy devil hovers in the sky,

(hot;
K. John.

A grave
And pours down mischief. Austria's head lie there; Hub.

He shall not live. While Philip breathes.

K. John.

Enough,

I could be merry now : Hubert, I love thee;
Enter King John, Arthur, and Hubert.

Well, I'll not say what I intend for thee :
K. John. Hubert, keep this boy :-Philip, make up: Remember.---Madam, fare you well :
My mother is assailed in our tent,

I'll send those powers o'er to your majesty.
And ta'en, I fear.

Eli. My blessing go with thee!
Bast.
My lord, I rescu'd ber;

K. John.

For England, cousin : Her bighness is in safety, fear you not ;

Hubert shall be your man, attend ou you But on, my liege; for very little pains

With all true duty.-On toward Calais, ho! Will bring this labour to an happy end. [Exeunt.

[Exeunt. SCENE III. The same.

SCENE IV. The same. The French King's Tent. Alarums, Excursions, Retreat. Enter King John, Elinor, Arthur, the Bastard, Hubert, and Lords.

Enter King Philip, Lewis, Pandulph, and

Altendants. K. John. So shall it be ; your grace shall stay behind,

[To Elinor.

*K. Phi. So, by a roaring tenpest on the flood,

A whole armado of convicted sait So strongly gaarded.--Cousin, look not sad:

[To Arthur

Is scatter'd, and disjoin'd from fellowship. Thy grandam loves thee; and thy uncle will

Pand. Courage and comfort ! all shall yet go well. As dear be to thee as thy father was.

K. Phi. What can go well, when we have run so ill? Arth. O, this will make my mother die with grief.

Are we pot beaten ? Is not Angiers lost? K. John. Cousin [To the Bastard), away for Eng. And bloody England into England gone,

Arthur ta'en prisoner ? divers dear friends slain ? land; haste before : And, ere our coming, see thou shake the bags

O'erbearing interruption, spite of France ! Of hoarding abbots: angels imprisoned

Lew. What he hath won, that hath he fortifed : Set thoo at liberty: the fat ribs of peace

So hot a speed with such advice dispos'd; Must by the hungry now be fed upon :

Such temperate order in so fierce a cause, Use our commission in his utmost torce.

[back,

Doth want example: Who hath read, or heard, Bast. Bell, book, and candle, sball not drive me

of any kindred action like to this? (praise, When gold and silver becks me to come on.

K. Phi. Well could I bear that England had this I leave your highness :-Grandam, I will pray

So we could find some pattern of onr shame. (If ever I remeinber to be holy)

Enter Constance, For your fair safety; so I kiss yoar band.

Look, who comes here I a grave unto a soul; Eli Farewell, my gentle cousin.

Holding the eternal spirit, against her will, K. John.

Coz, farewell.

In the vile prison of alicted breath :

[Exit Bastard. 1 pr'ythee, lady, go away with me. Eli. Come hither, little kinsman ; hark, a word. Const. Lo, now! now see the issue of your peace !

[She takes Arthur aside. K. PL. Patience, good lady ! comfort, gentle ConK. John. Come hitler, Hubert. O my gentle Ha- Const. No, I defy all counsel, all redress, (stance ! We owe thee much; within this wall of flesh [bert, Bat that wbich ends all counsel, true redress, There is a sonl, counts thee her creditor,

Death, death:- amiable, lovely death! And with advantage means to pay thy love :

Thou odoriferous stench ! sound rottenness! And, my good friend, thy volantary oath

Arise forth from the couch of lasting night, Lives in this bosom, dearly cherished.

Thou hate and terror to prosperity, Give my thy hand. I had a thing to say,

And I will kiss thy detestable bones; But I will fit it with some better time.

And put my eyeballs in thy vaulty brows; By heaven, Hubert, I am almost asham'd

And ring these fingers with thy household worms; To say what good respect I have of thee.

And stop this gap of breath with fulsome dust, Hub. I am much bounden to your majesty. [yet: And be a carrion monster like thyself:

K. John: Good friend, thou hast no canse to say so Come, grin on me; and I will think thou smil'st, But thou shalt have ; and creep time ne'er so slow, And buss thee as thy wife! Misery's love, Yet it shall come, for me to do thee good.

o, come to me! I had a thing to say,-But let it go :

K. Phi. O fair affliction, peace. The sun is in the heaven, and the proud day,

Const. No, no, I will not, having breath to cry :Attended with the pleasures of the world,

0, that my tongue were in the thunder's monti! Is all too wanton, and too full of gawds,

Then with a passion would I shake the world ; To give me audience :-If the midnight bell

And rouse from sleep that fell anatomy, Did, with his iron tongue and brazen mouth, Which cannot hear a lady's feeble voice, Sound one unto the drowsy race night;

Which scorns a modern invocation. If this same were a church-yard where we stand, Pand, Lady, you utter madness, and not sorrow. And thou possessed with a thousand wrongs;

Const. Thou art not holy to belie me so; Or if that surly spirit, melancholy,

I am not mad : this hair I tear, is mine; Had bak'd thy blood, and made it heavy, thick My name is Constance ; I was Geffrey's wife; (Which, else, runs tickling up and down the veins, Young Arthur is iny son, and he is lost : Making that idiot, langhter, keep mer's eyes, I am not mad ;-I would to heaven, I were ! And strain their cheeks to idle merriment,

For then, 'tis like I should forget myself: A passion hateful to my purposes);

0, if I could, what grief should I forget !-Or if that thou couldst see me without eyes,

Preach some philosophy to make me mad, Hear me without thine ears, and make reply

And thou shalt be canoniz'd, cardinal;
Without a tongue, using conceit alone,

For, being not mad, but sensible of grief,
Without eyes, ears, and harmful sonnd of words; My reasonable part produces reason
Then, in despite of brooded watchful day,

How I may be deliver'd of these woes,

And teaches me to kill or hang myself;

Leto. And lose it, life and all, as Arthur did. If I were mad, I should forget my son

Pand. How green you are, and fresh in this old Or madly think, a babe of clouts were he :

world! I am not mad; too well, too well I feel

John lays you plots; the times conspire with you : The different plague of each calamity.

For he, that steeps his safety in true blood,
K. Phi. Bind up those tresses : 0, what love I note Shall tind but bloody safety, and untrue.
In the fair multitude of those her bairs !

This act, so evilly born, shall cool the hearts
Where but by chance a silver drop bath fallen, Of all his people, and freeze up their zeal ;
Even to that drop ten thousand wiry friends That none so small advantage shall step fortb,
Do glew themselves in sociable grief;

To check his reign, but they will cherish it i Like true, inseparable, faithful loves,

No natural exhalation in the sky, Sticking together in calamity.

No scape of nature, no disten per'd day, Const'. To England, if you will.

No common wind, no customed event, K. Phi.

Bind up your bairs. But they will pluck away his natural cause, Const. Yes, that I will; and wherefore will I do it! And call them meteors, prodigies, and signs, I tore thein from their bonds; and cried aloud, Abortives, presages, and tongues of heaven, o that these hands could so redeem my son,

Plainly denouncing vengeance upon John. As they have given these hairs their liberty!

Lew. May be, he will not touch young Arthur's life, But now I envy at their liberty,

But hold himself safe in his prisonment. And will again commit them to their bonds,

Pand. 0, sir, when he shall hear of your approach, Because my poor child is a prisoner.--

If that young Arthur be not gone already, And, father cardinal, I have heard you say,

Even at that news he dies : and then the hearts That we shall see and know our friends in heaven: of all his people shall revolt from bim, If that be true, I shall see my boy again ;

And kiss the lips of unacquainted change ; Por, since the birth of Cain, the first male child, And pick strong matter of' revolt, and wrath, To him that did but yesterday suspire,

Out of the bloody fingers' ends of John. There was not such a gracious creature born. Methinks, I see this hurly all on foot; But now will canker-sorrow eat my bud,

And, 0, what better matter breeds for you, And chase the native beauty from his cheek,

Than I have nam'd !-- The bastard Fauconbridge And he will look as hollow as a ghost;

Is now in England, ransacking the church, As dim and meagre as an ague's fit;

Ofending charity : If but a dozen French
And so he'll die; and, rising so again,

Were there in arms, they would be as a call
When I shall meet him in the court of heaveo, To train ten thousand English to their side;
I shall not know him : therefore, never, never Or, as a little snow, tumbled about,
Must I behold my pretty Arthur more.

Anon becomes a mountain. O noble Dauphin, Pand. You hold too lieinous a respect of grief. Go with me to the king: "Tis wonderful, Const. He talks to me, that never had a son. What may be wrought out of their discoutent: K. Phi. You are as fond of grief, as of your child. Now that their souls are topfull of offence,

Const. Griet' fills the room up of my absent child, For England go; I will whet on the king. [us go; Lies in his bed, walks ay and down with me;

Ler. Strong reasons make strong actions : Let
Pats on his pretty looks, repeats his words, If you say, ay, the king will not say, no: [Exeunt.
Remembers me of all his gracious parts,
Stuff's out his vacaut garments with his form ;
Then, have I reason to be fond of grief.

ACT IV.
Fare you well: bad you such a loss as I,
I could give better comfort than you do.

SCENE I. Northampton. A Room in the Castle, I will not keep this form spon my head,

Enter Hubert, and tro Attendants. [Tearing off her Head-dress.

Hub. Heat me these irons hot: and, look thou stand When there is such disorder in my wit.

Within the arras : when I strike my foot O lord, my boy, my Arthur, my fair son !

Upon the bosom of the ground, rush forth ; My life, my joy, my food, iny all the world!

And bind the boy, which you shall lind with me. My widow-comfort, and my sorrows' cure ! [Erit.

Fast to the chair: be heedful; hence, and watch, K. Phi. I fear sone outrage, and I'll follow her.

[Erit.

1 Attend. I hope, your warrant will bear out the

deed.
Lev. There's nothing in this world, can make me
Life is as tedious as a twice-told tale,

(joy:
Hub. Uncleanly scroples! Fear not you : lock

[Exeunt Attenlants,
Vexing the doll ear of a drowsy man;
And bitter shame hath spoil'd the sweet world's taste, Young lad, come forth ; I bave to say with you.
That it yields naught, but shame and bitterness.

Enter Arthur. Pand. Before the curing of a strong disease,

Arth. Good morrow, Hubert. Even in the instant of repair and health,

Hub.

Good morrow, little prince The fit is strongest ; evils, that take leave,

Arth. As little prince (having so great a title On their departure, most of all show evil:

To be more prince) as may be. You are sad. What have you lost by losing of this day!

Hub. Indeed, I have been merrier. Lex. All days of glory, joy, and happiness.

Arth.

Mercy on me Pand. If you had won it, certainly you had. Metbinks, nobody should be sad but I : No, no: when fortune means to men inost good, Yet, I remember, when I was in France, She looks upon them with a threatening eye. Young gentlemen would be as sad as night, 'Tis strange, to think how much king John hath lost Only for wantonness. By my christendom, In this which he accounts so clearly won :

So I were out of prison, and kept sheep, Are not you griev'd, that Arthur is his prisoner! I should be as inerry as the day is long;

Lew, As heartily, as he is glad he hath him. And so I would be here, but that I doubt

Pand. Your mind is all as youthful as your blood. My uncle practises more harm to me: Now bear me speak with a prophetic spirit;

He is afraid of me, and I of him :
For even the breath of what I mean to speak

Is it my fault that I was Geffrey's son ?
Shall blow each dust, each straw, each little rub, No, indeed, is't uot; And I would to heaven,
Out of the path which shall directly lead

I were your son, so you would love me, II ubert, Thy foot to England's throne ; and, therefore, mark. Hub. If I talk to him, with his innocent prate John hath seiz'd Arthur; and it cannot be,

He will awake my mercy, which lies dead : That, whiles warın life plays in that infant's veins, Therefore I will be sudden, and despatch. [ Aside The misplac'u John should entertain an hour,

Arth. Are you sick, Hubert ! you look pale to-day: One minute, nay, one quiet breath of rest :

In sooth, I would you were a little sick ; A sceptre, snatch'd with an unruly hand,

That I might sit all night, and watch with you : Must be as boisterously maintain'd as gain'd; I warrant, I love you more than you do me. And lie, that stands upon a slippery place,

Hub. His words do take possession of my bosom.-Makes nice of no vile hold to stay him up :

Read here, young Arthur. (Showing a Paper] low That John may stand, then Arthur needs nrust fall;

now, foolish rheum?

[ Aside So be it, for it cannot be but so.

Turning dispiteous torture out of door! Lew. But what shall I gain by young Arthur's fall? I must be brief'; lest resolution drop

Panil. Yon, in the right of lady Blanch, your wife, Out at mine eyes, in tender womanish tears.---May then make all the claim that Arthur did. Can you not read it! is it not fair writ?

to't.