COUNTESS。
  Butthatyourlipsweresacred,myLord,Youwouldprofanetheholynameoflove。
  Thatloveyouoffermeyoucannotgive,ForCaesarowesthattributetohisQueen;
  ThatloveyoubegofmeIcannotgive,ForSaraowesthatdutytoherLord。
  HethatdothcliporcounterfeityourstampShalldie,myLord;andwillyoursacredselfCommithightreasonagainsttheKingofheaven,TostamphisImageinforbiddenmetal,Forgettingyourallegianceandyouroath?
  Inviolatingmarriagesacredlaw,Youbreakagreaterhonorthanyourself:
  TobeaKingisofayoungerhouseThantobemarried;yourprogenitour,SolereigningAdamontheuniverse,ByGodwashonoredforamarriedman,Butnotbyhimanointedforaking。
  Itisapenaltytobreakyourstatutes,Thoughnotenactedwithyourhighness’hand:
  Howmuchmore,toinfringetheholyact,MadebythemouthofGod,sealedwithhishand?
  Iknow,mysovereign,inmyhusband’slove,Whonowdothloyalserviceinhiswars,DothbutsotrythewifeofSalisbury,Whithershewillhearawanton’staleorno,Lestbeingthereinguiltybymystay,>Fromthat,notfrommyliege,Iturnaway。
  [Exit。]
  KINGEDWARD。
  Whetherisherbeautybyherwordsdying,Orareherwordssweetchaplainstoherbeauty?
  Likeasthewinddothbeautifyasail,Andasasailbecomestheunseenwind,Sodoherwordsherbeauties,beautieswords。
  O,thatIwereahoneygatheringbee,Tobearthecombofvirtuefromthisflower,Andnotapoisonsuckingenviousspider,ToturnthejuiceItaketodeadlyvenom!
  Religionisaustereandbeautygentle;
  Toostrictaguardianforsofairaward!
  O,thatshewere,asistheair,tome!
  Why,sosheis,forwhenIwouldembraceher,ThisdoI,andcatchnothingbutmyself。
  Imustenjoyher;forIcannotbeatWithreasonandreprooffondloveaway。
  [EnterWarwick。]
  Herecomesherfather:Iwillworkwithhim,Tobearmycoloursinthisfieldoflove。
  WARWICK。
  Howisitthatmysovereignissosad?
  MayIwithpardonknowyourhighnessgrief;
  Andthatmyoldendeavorwillremoveit,Itshallnotcumberlongyourmajesty。
  KINGEDWARD。
  Akindandvoluntarygiftthouproferest,ThatIwasforwardtohavebeggedofthee。
  But,Othouworld,greatnurseofflattery,Whydostthoutipmen’stongueswithgoldenwords,Andpeisetheirdeedswithweightofheavylead,Thatfairperformancecannotfollowpromise?
  O,thatamanmightholdtheheart’sclosebookAndchokethelavishtongue,whenitdothutterThebreathoffalsehoodnotcharacteredthere!
  WARWICK。
  Farbeitfromthehonorofmyage,ThatIshouldowebrightgoldandrenderlead;
  Ageisacynic,notaflatterer。
  Isayagain,thatifIknewyourgrief,Andthatbymeitmaybelessened,Myproperharmshouldbuyyourhighnessgood。
  KINGEDWARD。
  Thesearethevulgartendersoffalsemen,Thatneverpaythedutyoftheirwords。
  Thouwiltnotsticktoswearwhatthouhastsaid;
  But,whenthouknowestmygrief’scondition,ThisrashdisgorgedvomitofthywordThouwilteatupagain,andleavemehelpless。
  WARWICK。
  Byheaven,Iwillnot,thoughyourmajestyDidbidmerunuponyourswordanddie。
  KINGEDWARD。
  SaythatmygriefisnowaymedicinableButbythelossandbruisingofthinehonour。
  WARWICK。
  Ifnothingbutthatlossmayvantageyou,Iwouldaccomptthatlossmyvantagetoo。
  KINGEDWARD。
  Thinkstthatthoucanstunswearthyoathagain?
  WARWICK。
  Icannot;norIwouldnot,ifIcould。
  KINGEDWARD。
  But,ifthoudost,whatshallIsaytothee?
  WARWICK。
  Whatmaybesaidtoanyperjuredvillain,Thatbreaksthesacredwarrantofanoath。
  KINGEDWARD。
  Whatwiltthousaytoonethatbreaksanoath?
  WARWICK。
  ThathehathbrokehisfaithwithGodandman,Andfromthembothstandsexcommunicate。
  KINGEDWARD。
  Whatofficewereit,tosuggestamanTobreakalawfulandreligiousvow?
  WARWICK。
  Anofficeforthedevil,notforman。
  KINGEDWARD。
  Thatdevil’sofficemustthoudoforme,Orbreakthyoath,orcancelallthebondsOfloveanddutytwixtthyselfandme;
  Andtherefore,Warwick,ifthouartthyself,TheLordandmasterofthywordandoath,Gotothydaughter;andinmybehalfCommandher,wooher,winheranyways,Tobemymistressandmysecretlove。
  Iwillnotstandtoheartheemakereply:
  Thyoathbreakhers,orletthysovereigndie。
  [Exit。]
  WARWICK。
  OdotingKing!Odetestableoffice!
  WellmayItemptmyselftowrongmyself,WhenhehathswornmebythenameofGodTobreakavowmadebythenameofGod。
  What,ifIswearbythisrighthandofmineTocutthisrighthandoff?ThebetterwayWeretoprofanetheIdolthanconfoundit:
  ButneitherwillIdo;I’llkeepmineoath,AndtomydaughtermakearecantationOfallthevirtueIhavepreachttoher:
  I’llsay,shemustforgetherhusbandSalisbury,Ifsheremembertoembracetheking;
  I’llsay,anoathmayeasilybebroken,Butnotsoeasilypardoned,beingbroken;
  I’llsay,itistruecharitytolove,Butnottruelovetobesocharitable;
  I’llsay,hisgreatnessmaybearouttheshame,Butnothiskingdomcanbuyoutthesin;
  I’llsay,itismydutytopersuade,Butnotherhonestytogiveconsent。
  [EnterCountess。]
  Seewhereshecomes;wasneverfatherhadAgainsthischildanembassagesobad?
  COUNTESS。
  MyLordandfather,Ihavesoughtforyou:
  MymotherandthePeersimportuneyouTokeepinpresenceofhismajesty,Anddoyourbesttomakehishighnessmerry。
  WARWICK。
  [Aside。]HowshallIenterinthisgracelessarrant?
  Imustnotcallherchild,forwhere’sthefatherThatwillinsuchasuitseducehischild?
  Then,’wifeofSalisbury’;shallIsobegin?
  No,he’smyfriend,andwhereisfoundthefriendThatwilldofriendshipsuchindammagement?
  [TotheCountess。]
  Neithermydaughternormydearfriend’swife,IamnotWarwick,asthouthinkstIam,ButanattorneyfromtheCourtofhell,Thatthushavehousedmyspiritinhisform,Todoamessagetotheefromtheking。
  ThemightykingofEnglanddotesonthee:
  Hethathathpowertotakeawaythylife,Hathpowertotakethyhonor;thenconsentTopawnthinehonorratherthanthylife:
  Honorisoftenlostandgotagain,Butlife,oncegone,hathnorecovery。
  TheSun,thatwithershay,dothnourishgrass;
  Theking,thatwoulddisdainthee,willadvancethee。
  ThePoetswritethatgreatAchilles’spearCouldhealthewounditmade:themoralis,Whatmightymenmisdo,theycanamend。
  TheLyondothbecomehisbloodyjaws,Andgracehisforragementbybeingmild,Whenvasselfearliestremblingathisfeet。
  Thekingwillinhisgloryhidethyshame;
  Andthosethatgazeonhimtofindoutthee,Willlosetheireye-sight,lookingintheSun。
  WhatcanonedropofpoisonharmtheSea,WhosehugevasturescandigesttheillAndmakeitloosehisoperation?
  Theking’sgreatnamewilltemperthymisdeeds,Andgivethebitterpotionofreproach,Asugared,sweetandmostdelicioustaste。
  Besides,itisnoharmtodothethingWhichwithoutshamecouldnotbeleftundone。
  ThushaveIinhismajesty’sbehalfAppareledsininvirtuoussentences,Anddwelluponthyanswerinhissuit。
  COUNTESS。
  Unnaturalbesiege!woemeunhappy,Tohaveescapedthedangerofmyfoes,Andtobetentimesworseinjuredbyfriends!
  Hathhenomeanstostainmyhonestblood,ButtocorrupttheauthorofmybloodTobehisscandalousandvilesolicitor?
  Nomarvelthoughthebranchesbetheninfected,Whenpoisonhathencompassedtheroot:
  Nomarvelthoughtheleprousinfantdie,WhenthesterndameinvenomeththeDug。
  Whythen,givesinapassporttooffend,Andyouththedangerousreignofliberty:
  Blotoutthestrictforbiddingofthelaw,AndcanceleverycannonthatprescribesAshameforshameorpenanceforoffence。
  No,letmedie,ifhistooboistrouswillWillhaveitso,beforeIwillconsentTobeanactorinhisgracelesslust。
  WARWICK。
  Why,nowthouspeakstasIwouldhavetheespeak:
  AndmarkhowIunsaymywordsagain。
  AnhonorablegraveismoreesteemedThanthepollutedclosetofaking:
  Thegreaterman,thegreateristhething,Beitgoodorbad,thatheshallundertake:
  Anunreputedmote,flyingintheSun,Presentsagreatersubstancethanitis:
  Thefreshestsummer’sdaydothsoonesttaintTheloathedcarrionthatitseemstokiss:
  DeeparetheblowsmadewithamightyAxe:
  Thatsindothtentimesaggravateitself,Thatiscommittedinaholyplace:
  Anevildeed,donebyauthority,Issinandsubornation:DeckanApeIntissue,andthebeautyoftherobeAddsbutthegreaterscornuntothebeast。
  AspatiousfieldofreasonscouldIurgeBetweenhisglory,daughter,andthyshame:
  Thatpoisonshewsworstinagoldencup;
  Darknightseemsdarkerbythelightningflash;
  Liliesthatfestersmellfarworsethanweeds;
  Andeveryglorythatinclinestosin,Theshameistreblebytheopposite。
  SoleaveIwithmyblessinginthybosom,Whichthenconverttoamostheavycurse,Whenthouconvertestfromhonor’sgoldennameTotheblackfactionofbedblottingshame。
  COUNTESS。
  I’llfollowthee;andwhenmymindturnsso,Mybodysinkmysoulinendlesswoe!
  [Exeunt。]
  ACTII。SCENEII。TheSame。ARoomintheCastle。
  [EnteratonedoorDerbyfromFrance,AtanotherdoorAudleywithaDrum。]
  DERBY。
  ThricenobleAudley,wellencounteredhere!
  Howisitwithoursovereignandhispeers?
  AUDLEY。
  Tisfullafortnight,sinceIsawhishighnessWhattimehesentmeforthtomustermen;
  WhichIaccordinglyhavedone,andbringthemhitherInfairarraybeforehismajesty。
  Whatnews,myLordofDerby,fromtheEmperor?
  DERBY。
  Asgoodaswedesire:theEmperorHathyieldedtohishighnessfriendlyaid,AndmakesourkinglieutenantgeneralInallhislandsandlargedominions;
  ThenviaforthespatiousboundsofFrance!
  AUDLEY。
  What,dothhishighnessleaptohearthesenews?
  DERBY。
  Ihavenotyetfoundtimetoopenthem;
  Thekingisinhiscloset,malcontent;
  Forwhat,Iknownot,buthegaveincharge,Tillafterdinnernoneshouldinterrupthim:
  TheCountessSalisburyandherfatherWarwick,Artoisandalllookunderneaththebrows。
  AUDLEY。
  Undoubtedly,then,somethingisamiss。
  [Trumpetwithin。]
  DERBY。
  TheTrumpetssound,thekingisnowabroad。
  [EntertheKing。]
  AUDLEY。
  Herecomeshishighness。
  DERBY。
  Befallmysovereignallmysovereign’swish!
  KINGEDWARD。
  Ah,thatthouwertaWitchtomakeitso!
  DERBY。
  TheEmperourgreetethyou。
  [PresentingLetters。]
  KINGEDWARD。
  ——WoulditweretheCountess!
  DERBY。
  Andhathaccordedtoyourhighnesssuite。
  KINGEDWARD。
  ——Thouliest,shehathnot;butIwouldshehad。
  AUDLEY。
  AllloveanddutytomyLordtheKing!
  KINGEDWARD。
  Well,allbutoneisnone。——Whatnewswithyou?
  AUDLEY。
  Ihave,myliege,leviedthosehorseandfootAccordingtoyourcharge,andbroughtthemhither。
  KINGEDWARD。
  ThenletthosefoottrudgehenceuponthosehorseAccordingtoourdischarge,andbegone。——
  Darby,I’lllookupontheCountess’mindanon。
  DERBY。
  TheCountess’mind,myliege?
  KINGEDWARD。
  ImeantheEmperour:——leavemealone。
  AUDLEY。
  Whatishismind?
  DERBY。
  Let’sleavehimtohishumor。
  [Exeunt。]
  KINGEDWARD。
  Thusfromtheheart’saboundancespeaksthetongue;
  CountessforEmperour:andindeed,whynot?
  SheisasimperatorovermeAndItoherAmasakneelingvassal,thatobservesThepleasureordispleasureofhereye。
  [EnterLodowick。]
  WhatsaysthemorethanCleopatra’smatchToCaesarnow?
  LODOWICK。
  Thatyet,myliege,erenightShewillresolveyourmajesty。
  [Drumwithin。]
  KINGEDWARD。
  Whatdrumisthisthatthundersforththismarch,TostartthetenderCupidinmybosom?
  Poorshipskin,howitbrawlswithhimthatbeatethit!
  Go,breakthethundringparchmentbottomout,AndIwillteachittoconductsweetlinesUntothebosomofaheavenlyNymph;
  ForIwilluseitasmywritingpaper,AndsoreducehimfromascoldingdrumTobetheheraldanddearcounselbearerBetwixtagoddessandamightyking。
  Go,bidthedrummerlearntotouchtheLute,Orhanghiminthebracesofhisdrum,Fornowwethinkitanuncivilthing,Totroubleheavenwithsuchharshresounds:
  Away!
  [Exit。]
  ThequarrelthatIhaverequiresnoarmsButtheseofmine:andtheseshallmeetmyfoeInadeepmarchofpenetrablegroans;
  Myeyesshallbemyarrows,andmysighsShallservemeasthevantageofthewind,Towhirlawaymysweetestartillery。
  Ah,but,alas,shewinsthesunofme,Forthatissheherself,andthenceitcomesThatPoetstermthewantonwarriorblind;
  Butlovehatheyesasjudgementtohissteps,Tilltoomuchlovedglorydazzlesthem。——
  [EnterLodowick。]
  Hownow?
  LODOWICK。
  Myliege,thedrumthatstrokethelustymarch,StandswithPrinceEdward,yourthricevaliantson。
  [EnterPrinceEdward。]
  KINGEDWARD。
  Iseetheboy;oh,howhismother’sface,Modeledinhis,correctsmystrayeddesire,Andratesmyheart,andchidesmythievisheye,Who,beingrichenoughinseeingher,Yetseekselsewhere:andbasesttheftisthatWhichcannotcloakitselfonpoverty。——
  Now,boy,whatnews?
  PRINCEEDWARD。
  Ihaveassembled,mydearLordandfather,ThechoicestbudsofallourEnglishbloodForouraffairsinFrance;andherewecomeTotakedirectionfromyourmajesty。
  KINGEDWARD。
  StilldoIseeinhimdelineateHismother’svisage;thosehiseyesarehers,Who,lookingwistelyonme,makemeblush:
  Forfaultsagainstthemselvesgiveevidence;
  Lustisfire,andmenlikelanthornesshowLightlustwithinthemselves,eventhroughthemselves。
  Away,loosesilksofwaveringvanity!
  ShallthelargelimitoffairBrittainBymebeoverthrown,andshallInotMasterthislittlemansionofmyself?
  GivemeanArmorofeternalsteel!
  Igotoconquerkings;andshallInotthenSubduemyself?andbemyenemy’sfriend?
  Itmustnotbe。——Come,boy,forward,advance!
  Let’swithourcolourssweettheAirofFrance。
  [EnterLodowick。]
  LODOWICK。
  Myliege,theCountesswithasmilingcheerDesiresaccessuntoyourMajesty。
  KINGEDWARD。
  Why,thereitgoes!ThatverysmileofhersHathransomedcaptiveFrance,andsettheKing,TheDauphin,andthePeersatliberty。——
  Go,leaveme,Ned,andrevelwiththyfriends。
  [ExitPrinceEdward。]
  Thymotherisbutblack,andthou,likeher,Dostputitinmymindhowfoulsheis。——
  Go,fetchtheCountesshitherinthyhand,Andletherchaseawaythesewinterclouds,Forshegivesbeautybothtoheavenandearth。
  [ExitLodowick。]
  Thesinismoretohackandhewpoormen,ThantoembraceinanunlawfulbedTheregisterofallraritiesSinceLetherneAdamtillthisyoungesthour。
  [EnterCountessescortedbyLodowick。]
  Go,Lodowick,putthyhandintomypurse,Play,spend,give,riot,waste,dowhatthouwilt,Sothouwilthenceawhileandleavemehere。
  [ExitLodowick。]
  Now,mysoul’splayfellow,artthoucomeTospeakthemorethanheavenlywordofyeaTomyobjectioninthybeauteouslove?
  COUNTESS。
  Myfatheronhisblessinghathcommanded——
  KINGEDWARD。
  Thatthoushaltyieldtome?
  COUNTESS。
  Aye,dearmyliege,yourdue。
  KINGEDWARD。
  Andthat,mydearestlove,canbenolessThanrightforrightandtenderloveforlove。
  COUNTESS。
  Thenwrongforwrongandendlesshateforhate。——
  But,——sithIseeyourmajestysobent,Thatmyunwillingness,myhusband’slove,Yourhighestate,nornorespectrespectedCanbemyhelp,butthatyourmightinessWilloverbearandawethesedearregards——
  Ibindmydiscontenttomycontent,AndwhatIwouldnotI’llcompelIwill,ProvidedthatyourselfremovethoseletsThatstandbetweenyourhighness’loveandmine。
  KINGEDWARD。
  Namethem,fairCountess,and,byheaven,Iwill。
  COUNTESS。
  Itistheirlivesthatstandbetweenourlove,ThatIwouldhavechokedup,mysovereign。
  KINGEDWARD。
  Whoselives,myLady?
  COUNTESS。
  Mythricelovingliege,YourQueenandSalisbury,myweddedhusband,Wholivinghavethattitleinourlove,Thatwecannotbestowbutbytheirdeath。
  KINGEDWARD。
  ThyoppositionisbeyondourLaw。
  COUNTESS。
  Soisyourdesire:ifthelawCanhinderyoutoexecutetheone,Letitforbidyoutoattempttheother。
  Icannotthinkyoulovemeasyousay,Unlessyoudomakegoodwhatyouhavesworn。
  KINGEDWARD。
  Nomore;thyhusbandandtheQueenshalldie。
  FairerthouartbyfarthanHerowas,BeardlessLeandernotsostrongasI:
  Heswomaneasycurrentforhislove,ButIwillthroughaHellespontofblood,ToarriveatCestuswheremyHerolies。
  COUNTESS。
  Nay,you’lldomore;you’llmaketheRivertoWiththeirheartbloodsthatkeepourloveasunder,Ofwhichmyhusbandandyourwifearetwain。
  KINGEDWARD。
  ThybeautymakesthemguiltyoftheirdeathAndgivesinevidencethattheyshalldie;
  UponwhichverdictI,theirJudge,condemnthem。
  COUNTESS。
  [Aside。]Operjuredbeauty,morecorruptedJudge!
  WhentothegreatStar-chambero’erourheadsTheuniversalSessionscallstocountThispackingevil,webothshalltrembleforit。
  KINGEDWARD。
  Whatsaysmyfairlove?issheresolute?
  COUNTESS。
  Resolutetobedissolute;and,therefore,this:
  Keepbutthyword,greatking,andIamthine。
  Standwherethoudost,I’llpartalittlefromthee,AndseehowIwillyieldmetothyhands。
  [Turningsuddenlyuponhim,andshewingtwoDaggers。]
  Herebymysidedothhangmyweddingknifes:
  Takethoutheone,andwithitkillthyQueen,Andlearnbymetofindherwhereshelies;
  AndwiththisotherI’lldispatchmylove,Whichnowliesfastasleepwithinmyheart:
  Whentheyaregone,thenI’llconsenttolove。
  Stirnot,lasciviousking,tohinderme;
  Myresolutionismorenimblerfar,Thanthypreventioncanbeinmyrescue,Andifthoustir,Istrike;therefore,standstill,AndhearthechoicethatIwillputtheeto:
  EithersweartoleavethymostunholysuitAndneverhenceforthtosolicitme;
  Orelse,byheaven,thissharppointedknifeShallstainthyearthwiththatwhichthouwouldstain,Mypoorchasteblood。Swear,Edward,swear,OrIwillstrikeanddiebeforetheehere。
  KINGEDWARD。
  EvenbythatpowerIswear,thatgivesmenowThepowertobeashamedofmyself,InevermeantopartmylipsagainInanywordsthattendstosuchasuit。
  Arise,trueEnglishLady,whomourIsleMaybetterboastofthaneverRomanmightOfher,whoseransackedtreasuryhathtasktThevainendeavorofsomanypens:
  Arise,andbemyfaultthyhonor’sfame,Whichafteragesshallenrichtheewith。
  Iamawakenedfromthisidledream。——
  Warwick,mySon,Darby,Artois,andAudley!
  Bravewarriorsall,whereareyouallthiswhile?
  [Enterall。]
  Warwick,ImaketheeWardenoftheNorth:
  Thou,PrinceofWales,andAudley,straighttoSea;
  ScourtoNew-haven;sometherestayforme:
  Myself,Artois,andDarbywillthroughFlanders,Togreetourfriendsthereandtocravetheiraide。
  Thisnightwillscarcesufficeafaithfullover;
  For,eretheSunshallgildtheeasternsky,We’llwakehimwithourMarshallharmony。
  [Exeunt。]
  ACTIII。SCENEI。Flanders。TheFrenchCamp。
  [EnterKingJohnofFrance,histwosons,CharlesofNormandy,andPhillip,andtheDukeofLorrain。]
  KINGJOHN。
  Here,tillourNavyofathousandsailHavemadeabreakfasttoourfoebySea,Letusencamp,towaittheirhappyspeed。——
  Lorraine,whatreadinessisEdwardin?
  HowhastthouheardthatheprovidedisOfmarshallfurnitureforthisexploit?
  LORRAINE。
  Tolayasideunnecessarysoothing,Andnottospendthetimeincircumstance,Tisbruitedforacertainty,myLord,Thathe’sexceedingstronglyfortified;
  Hissubjectsflockaswillinglytowar,Asifuntoatriumphtheywereled。
  CHARLES。
  Englandwaswonttoharbourmalcontents,BloodthirstyandseditiousCatelynes,Spendthrifts,andsuchasgapefornothingelseButchangingandalterationofthestate;
  AndisitpossibleThattheyarenowsoloyalinthemselves?
  LORRAINE。
  AllbuttheScot,whosolemnlyprotests,AsheretoforeIhaveinformedhisgrace,NevertosheathhisSwordortakeatruce。
  KINGJOHN。
  Ah,that’stheanchorageofsomebetterhope!
  But,ontheotherside,tothinkwhatfriendsKingEdwardhathretainedinNetherland,Amongthoseever-bibbingEpicures,ThosefrothyDutchmen,puftwithdoublebeer,Thatdrinkandswillineveryplacetheycome,Dothnotalittleaggravatemineire;
  Besides,wehear,theEmperorconjoins,Andstallshiminhisownauthority;
  But,allthemightierthattheirnumberis,Thegreatergloryreapsthevictory。
  Somefriendshavewebesidedomesticpower;
  ThesternPolonian,andthewarlikeDane,ThekingofBohemia,andofSicily,Areallbecomeconfederateswithus,And,asIthink,aremarchinghitherapace。
  [Drumwithin。]
  Butsoft,Ihearthemusicoftheirdrums,BywhichIguessthattheirapproachisnear。
  [EntertheKingofBohemia,withDanes,andaPolonianCaptain,withothersoldiers,anotherway。]
  KINGOFBOHEMIA。
  KingJohnofFrance,asleagueandneighborhoodRequires,whenfriendsareanywaydistrest,Icometoaidetheewithmycountry’sforce。
  POLONIANCAPTAIN。
  AndfromgreatMusco,fearfultotheTurk,AndloftyPoland,nurseofhardymen,Ibringtheseservitorstofightforthee,Whowillinglywillventureinthycause。
  KINGJOHN。
  Welcome,Bohemianking,andwelcomeall:
  ThisyourgreatkindnessIwillnotforget。
  BesidesyourplentifulrewardsinCrowns,ThatfromourTreasuryyeshallreceive,TherecomesaharebrainedNation,deckedinpride,Thespoilofwhomwillbeatreblegain。
  Andnowmyhopeisfull,myjoycomplete:
  AtSea,weareaspuissantastheforceOfAgamemnonintheHavenofTroy;
  Byland,withZerxeswecompareofstrength,Whosesoldiersdrankupriversintheirthirst;
  ThenBayardlike,blind,overweaningNed,ToreachatourimperialdiademIseithertobeswallowedofthewaves,Orhackedapieceswhenthoucomestashore。
  [EnterMariner。]
  MARINER。
  NeartothecoastIhavedescried,myLord,AsIwasbuyinmywatchfulcharge,TheproudArmadoofkingEdward’sships:
  Which,atthefirst,faroffwhenIdidken,Seemedasitwereagroveofwitheredpines;
  But,drawingnear,theirgloriousbrightaspect,TheirstreamingEnsigns,wroughtofcolouredsilk,Liketoameadowfullofsundryflowers,Adornsthenakedbosomoftheearth:
  Majesticaltheorderoftheircourse,FiguringthehornedCircleoftheMoon:
  AndonthetopgallantoftheAdmiralAndlikewiseallthehandmaidsofhistrainTheArmsofEnglandandofFranceuniteArequarteredequallybyHeralds’art:
  Thus,tightlycarriedwithamerrygale,TheyploughtheOceanhitherwardamain。
  KINGJOHN。
  DarehealreadycroptheFleurdeLuce?
  Ihope,thehoneybeinggatheredthence,He,withthespider,afterwardapproached,Shallsuckforthdeadlyvenomfromtheleaves。——
  Butwhere’sourNavy?howaretheypreparedTowingthemselvesagainstthisflightofRavens?
  MARINER。
  They,havingknowledge,broughtthembythescouts,DidbreakfromAnchorstraight,and,puffedwithrage,Nootherwisethenweretheirsailswithwind,Madeforth,aswhentheemptyEagleflies,Tosatisfyhishungrygripingmaw。
  KINGJOHN。
  There’sforthynews。Returnuntothybark;
  AndifthouscapethebloodystrokeofwarAnddosurvivetheconflict,comeagain,Andletushearthemannerofthefight。
  [ExitMariner。]
  Meanspace,myLords,tisbestwebedispersedToseveralplaces,leasttheychancetoland:
  Firstyou,myLord,withyourBohemianTroops,Shallpitchyourbattailesonthelowerhand;
  Myeldestson,theDukeofNormandy,TogetherwiththeaideofMuscovites,Shallclimbthehighergroundanotherway;
  Hereinthemiddlecost,betwixtyouboth,Phillip,myyoungestboy,andIwilllodge。
  So,Lors,begone,andlookuntoyourcharge:
  YoustandforFrance,anEmpirefairandlarge。
  [Exeunt。]
  Nowtellme,Phillip,whatisthyconcept,TouchingthechallengethattheEnglishmake?
  PHILLIP。
  Isay,myLord,claimEdwardwhathecan,Andbringhene’ersoplainapedigree,TisyouareinthepossessionoftheCrown,Andthat’sthesurestpointofalltheLaw:
  But,wereitnot,yetereheshouldprevail,I’llmakeaConduitofmydearestblood,Orchasethosestragglingupstartshomeagain。
  KINGJOHN。
  Wellsaid,youngPhillip!CallforbreadandWine,Thatwemaycheerourstomachswithrepast,Tolookourfoesmoresternlyintheface。
  [ATableandProvisionsbroughtin。Thebattlehardafaroff。]
  NowisbeguntheheavydayatSea:
  Fight,Frenchmen,fight;belikethefieldofBears,WhentheydefendtheiryounglingsintheCaves!
  Stir,angryNemesis,thehappyhelm,That,withthesulphurbattlesofyourrage,TheEnglishFleetmaybedispersedandsunk。
  [Shot。]
  PHILLIP。
  OFather,howthisechoingCannonshot,Likesweetharmony,digestsmyeats!
  KINGJOHN。
  Now,boy,thouhearestwhatthunderingterrortis,Tobuckleforakingdom’ssovereignty:
  Theearth,withgiddytremblingwhenitshakes,OrwhentheexhalationsoftheairBreaksinextremityoflightningflash,Affrightsnotmorethankings,whentheydisposeToshewtherancoroftheirhighswollenhearts。
  [Retreat。]
  Retreatissounded;onesidehaththeworse;
  O,ifitbetheFrench,sweetfortune,turn;
  And,inthyturning,changetheforwardwinds,That,withadvantageofafavoringsky,Ourmenmayvanquish,andtheotherfly!
  [EnterMariner。]
  Myheartmisgives:——say,mirrorofpaledeath,Towhombelongsthehonorofthisday?
  Relate,Ipraythee,ifthybreathwillserve,Thesaddiscourseofthisdiscomfiture。
  MARINER。
  Iwill,myLord。
  Mygracioussovereign,Franchhathta’enthefoil,AndboastingEdwardtriumphswithsuccess。
  TheseIronheartedNavies,WhenlastIwasreportertoyourgrace,Bothfullofangryspleen,ofhope,andfear,Hastingtomeeteachotherintheface,Atlastconjoined;andbytheirAdmiralOurAdmiralencounteredmanyshot:
  Bythis,theother,thatbeheldthesetwainGiveearnestpennyofafurtherwrack,LikefieryDragonstooktheirhaughtyflight;
  And,likewisemeeting,fromtheirsmokywombsSentmanygrimAmbassadorsofdeath。
  Thenganthedaytoturntogloomynight,AnddarknessdidaswellenclosethequickAsthosethatwerebutnewlyreftoflife。
  Noleisureservedforfriendstobidfarewell;
  And,ifithad,thehideousnoisewassuch,Aseachtootherseemeddeafanddumb。
  PurpletheSea,whosechannelfilledasfastWithstreaminggore,thatfromthemaimedfell,AsdidhergushingmoisturebreakintoThecranniedclefturesofthethroughshotplanks。
  Hereflewahead,disseveredfromthetrunk,Theremangledarmsandlegsweretossedaloft,AswhenawhirlwindtakestheSummerdustAndscattersitinmiddleoftheair。
  Thenmightyeseethereelingvesselssplit,Andtotteringsinkintotheruthlessflood,Untiltheirloftytopswereseennomore。
  Allshiftsweretried,bothfordefenceandhurt:
  Andnowtheeffectofvalorandofforce,Ofresolutionandofcowardice,Welivelypictures;howtheoneforfame,Theotherbycompulsionlaidabout;
  MuchdidtheNonpareille,thatbraveship;
  SodidtheblacksnakeofBullen,thenwhichAbonniervesselneveryetspreadsail。
  Butallinvain;bothSun,theWindandtide,Revoltedalluntoourfoemen’sside,Thatweperforcewerefaintogivethemway,Andtheyarelanded。——Thusmytaleisdone:
  Wehaveuntimelylost,andtheyhavewon。
  KINGJOHN。
  Thenreststherenothing,butwithpresentspeedTojoinourseveralforcesallinone,Andbidthembattle,eretheyrangetoofar。
  Come,gentlePhillip,letushencedepart;
  Thissoldier’swordshavepiercedthyfather’sheart。
  [Exeunt。]
  ACTIII。SCENEII。Picardy。FieldsnearCressi。
  [EntertwoFrenchmen;awomanandtwolittleChildrenmeetthem,andotherCitizens。]
  ONE。
  Wellmet,mymasters:hownow?what’sthenews?
  Andwhereforeareyeladenthuswithstuff?
  What,isitquarterdaythatyouremove,Andcarrybagandbaggagetoo?
  TWO。
  Quarterday?Aye,andquarteringday,Ifear:
  Haveyenotheardthenewsthatfliesabroad?
  ONE。
  Whatnews?
  THREE。
  HowtheFrenchNavyisdestroyedatSea,AndthattheEnglishArmyisarrived。
  ONE。
  Whatthen?
  TWO。
  Whatthen,quothyou?why,istnottimetofly,Whenenvyanddestructionissonigh?
  ONE。
  Contentthee,man;theyarefarenoughfromhence,Andwillbemet,Iwarrantye,totheircost,BeforetheybreaksofarintotheRealm。
  TWO。
  Aye,sotheGrasshopperdothspendthetimeInmirthfuljollity,tillWintercome;
  Andthentoolatehewouldredeemhistime,Whenfrozencoldhathnippedhiscarelesshead。
  He,thatnosoonerwillprovideaCloak,Thenwhenheseesitdothbegintoreign,May,peradventure,forhisnegligence,Bethroughlywashed,whenhesuspectsitnot。
  Wethathavechargeandsuchatrainasthis,Mustlookintimetolookforthemandus,Least,whenwewould,wecannotberelieved。
  ONE。
  Belike,youthendespairofallsuccess,AndthinkyourCountrywillbesubjugate。
  THREE。
  Wecannottell;tisgoodtofeartheworst。
  ONE。
  Yetratherfight,then,likeunnaturalsons,Forsakeyourlovingparentsindistress。
  TWO。
  Tush,theythathavealreadytakenarmsAremanyfearfulmillionsinrespectOfthatsmallhandfulofourenemies;
  Buttisarightfulquarrelmustprevail;
  Edwardissonuntoourlateking’ssister,WhenJohnValoisisthreedegreesremoved。
  WOMAN。
  Besides,theregoesaProphesyabroad,PublishedbyonethatwasaFriaronce,WhoseOracleshavemanytimesprovedtrue;
  Andnowhesays,thetimewillshortlycome,WhenasaLyon,rousedinthewest,ShallcarryhencethefluerdeluceofFrance:
  These,Icantellye,andsuchlikesurmisesStrikemanyFrenchmencolduntotheheart。
  [EnteraFrenchman。]
  FOUR。
  Fly,countrymenandcitizensofFrance!
  Sweetfloweringpeace,therootofhappylife,Isquiteabandonedandexpulsttheland;
  InsteadofwhomransackedconstrainingwarSitsliketoRavensuponyourhouses’tops;
  Slaughterandmischiefwalkwithinyourstreets,And,unrestrained,makehavocastheypass;
  TheformwhereofevennowmyselfbeheldUponthisfairmountainwhenceIcame。
  ForsofarofasIdirectedmineeyes,ImightperceivefiveCitiesallonfire,Cornfieldsandvineyards,burninglikeanoven;
  And,asthereakingvapourinthewindTurnedbutaside,IlikewisemightdiscernThepoorinhabitants,escapedtheflame,Fallnumberlessuponthesoldiers’pikes。
  ThreewaysthesedreadfulministersofwrathDotreadthemeasuresoftheirtragicmarch:
  UpontherighthandcomestheconqueringKing,Uponthelefthishotunbridledson,Andinthemidstournation’sglitteringhost,Allwhich,thoughdistantyet,conspireinone,Toleaveadesolationwheretheycome。
  Flytherefore,Citizens,ifyoubewise,Seekoutsomehabitationfurtheroff:
  Hereisyoustay,yourwiveswillbeabused,Yourtreasuresharedbeforeyourweepingeyes;
  Shelteryouyourselves,fornowthestormdothrise。
  Away,away;methinksIheartheirdrums:——
  Ah,wretchedFrance,Igreatlyfearthyfall;
  Thygloryshakethlikeatotteringwall。
  [Exeunt。]
  ACTIII。SCENEIII。Thesame。Drums。
  [EnterKingEdward,andtheEarlofDarby,WithSoldiers,andGobindeGrey。]
  KINGEDWARD。
  Where’stheFrenchmanbywhosecunningguideWefoundtheshallowofthisRiverSomme,Andhaddirectionshowtopassthesea?
  GOBIN。
  Here,mygoodLord。
  KINGEDWARD。
  Howartthoucalled?tellmethyname。
  GOBIN。
  GobindeGraie,ifpleaseyourexcellence。
  KINGEDWARD。
  Then,Gobin,fortheservicethouhastdone,Wehereenlargeandgivetheeliberty;
  And,forrecompensebesidethisgood,Thoushaltreceivefivehundredmarksingold。——
  Iknownothow,weshouldhavemetourson,WhomnowinheartIwishImightbehold。
  [EnterArtois。]
  ARTOIS。
  Goodnews,myLord;theprinceishardathand,AndwithhimcomesLordAwdleyandtherest,Whomsinceourlandingwecouldnevermeet。
  [EnterPrinceEdward,LordAwdley,andSoldiers。]
  KINGEDWARD。
  Welcome,fairPrince!Howhastthousped,myson,SincethyarrivalonthecoastofFrance?
  PRINCEEDWARD。
  Successfully,Ithankthegraciousheavens:
  SomeoftheirstrongestCitieswehavewon,AsHarflew,Lo,Crotay,andCarentigne,Andotherswasted,leavingatourheelsAwideapparentfieldandbeatenpathForsolitarinesstoprogressin:
  Yetthosethatwouldsubmitwekindlypardoned,Butwhoinscornrefusedourprofferedpeace,Enduredthepenaltyofsharprevenge。
  KINGEDWARD。
  Ah,France,whyshouldestthoubethusobstinateAgainstthekindembracementofthyfriends?
  HowgentlyhadwethoughttotouchthybreastAndsetourfootuponthytendermould,Butthat,infrowardanddisdainfulpride,Thou,likeaskittishanduntamedcolt,Doststartasideandstrikeuswiththyheels!
  Buttellme,Ned,inallthywarlikecourse,HastthounotseentheusurpingKingofFrance?
  PRINCEEDWARD。
  Yes,mygoodLord,andnottwohoursago,Withfullahundredthousandfightingmen——
  Upontheonesideoftheriver’sbankAndontheotherboth,hismultitudes。
  Ifearedhewouldhavecroppedoursmallerpower:
  Buthappily,perceivingyourapproach,HehathwithdrawnhimselftoCresseyplains;
  Where,asitseemethbyhisgoodarray,Hemeanstobidusbattlepresently。
  KINGEDWARD。
  Heshallbewelcome;that’sthethingwecrave。
  [EnterKingJohn,DukesofNormandyandLorrain,KingofBoheme,youngPhillip,andSoldiers。]
  KINGJOHN。
  Edward,knowthatJohn,thetruekingofFrance,Musingthoushouldstencroachuponhisland,AndinthytyranousproceedingslayHisfaithfulsubjectsandsubverthisTowns,Spitsinthyface;andinthismannerfollowingObraidstheewiththinearrogantintrusion:
  First,Icondemntheeforafugitive,Athievishpirate,andaneedymate,Onethathatheithernoabidingplace,Orelse,inhabitingsomebarrensoil,Whereneitherherborfruitfulgrainishad,Doestaltogetherlivebypilfering:
  Next,insomuchthouhastinfringedthyfaith,Brokeleageandsolemncovenantmadewithme,Iholdtheeforafalseperniciouswretch:
  And,lastofall,althoughIscorntocopeWithonesomuchinferiortomyself,Yet,inrespectthythirstisallforgold,Thylabourrathertobefearedthanloved,Tosatisfythylustineitherpart,HereamIcome,andwithmehaveIbroughtExceedingstoreoftreasure,pearl,andcoin。
  Leave,therefore,nowtopersecutetheweak,Andarmedenteringconflictwiththearmed,Letitbeseen,mongestotherpettythefts,Howthoucanstwinthispillagemanfully。
  KINGEDWARD。
  Ifgallorwormwoodhaveapleasanttaste,Thenisthysalutationhoneysweet;
  Butastheonehathnosuchproperty,Soistheothermostsatirical。
  YetwothowIregardthyworthlesstaunts:
  IfthouhaveutteredthemtofoilmyfameOrdimthereputationofmybirth,Knowthatthywolvishbarkingcannothurt;
  Ifslylytoinsinuatewiththeworld,Andwithastrumpet’sartificiallineTopaintthyviciousanddeformedcause,Bewellassured,thecounterfeitwillfade,Andintheendthyfouldefectsbeseen;
  Butifthoudidstittoprovokemeon,AswhoshouldsayIwerebuttimorous。
  Or,coldlynegligent,didneedaspur,BethinkthyselfhowslackIwasatsea,HowsincemylandingIhavewonnotowns,Enterednofurtherbutuponthecoast,Andtherehaveeversincesecurelyslept。
  ButifIhavebeenotherwiseemployed,Imagine,Valois,whetherIintendToskirmish,notforpillage,butfortheCrownWhichthoudostwear;andthatIvowtohave,Oroneofusshallfallintohisgrave。
  PRINCEEDWARD。
  Looknotforcrossinvectivesatourhands,Orrailingexecrationsofdespite:
  Letcreepingserpents,hidinhollowbanks,Stingwiththeirtongues;wehaveremorselessswords,Andtheyshallpleadforusandouraffairs。
  Yetthusmuch,briefly,bymyfather’sleave:
  AsalltheimmodestpoisonofthythroatIsscandalousandmostnotoriouslies,Andourpretendedquarrelistrulyjust,Soendthebattlewhenwemeettoday:
  Mayeitherofusprosperandprevail,Or,luckless,curst,receiveeternalshame!
  KINGEDWARD。
  Thatneedsnofurtherquestion;andIknow,Hisconsciencewitnesseth,itismyright。——
  Therefore,Valois,say,wiltthouyetresign,BeforethesicklesthrustintotheCorn,Orthatinkindledfuryturntoflame?
  KINGJOHN。
  Edward,IknowwhatrightthouhastinFrance;
  AndereIbaselywillresignmyCrown,ThisChampionfieldshallbeapoolofblood,Andallourprospectasaslaughterhouse。
  PRINCEEDWARD。
  Aye,thatapprovesthee,tyrant,whatthouart:
  Nofather,king,orshepherdofthyrealm,Butone,thattearsherentrailswiththyhands,And,likeathirstytyger,suckstherblood。
  AUDLEY。
  YoupeersofFrance,whydoyoufollowhimThatissoprodigaltospendyourlives?
  CHARLES。
  Whomshouldtheyfollow,agedimpotent,Buthethatistheirtruebornesovereign?
  KINGEDWARD。
  Obraidstthouhim,becausewithinhisfaceTimehathingraveddeepcharactersofage?
  Know,thesegravescholarsofexperience,Likestiffgrownoaks,willstandimmovable,Whenwhirlwindquicklyturnsupyoungertrees。
  DARBY。
  Waseveranyofthyfather’shouseKingbutthyself,beforethispresenttime?
  Edward’sgreatlinage,bythemother’sside,Fivehundredyearshathheldthescepterup:
  Judgethen,conspiratours,bythisdescent,Whichisthetruebornesovereign,thisorthat。
  PHILIP。
  Father,rangeyourbattles,pratenomore;
  TheseEnglishfainwouldspendthetimeinwords,That,nightapproaching,theymightescapeunfought。
  KINGJOHN。
  LordsandmylovingSubjects,now’sthetime,Thatyourintendedforcemustbidethetouch。
  Therefore,myfriends,considerthisinbrief:
  HethatyoufightforisyournaturalKing;
  Heagainstwhomyoufight,aforeigner:
  Hethatyoufightfor,rulesinclemency,Andreinsyouwithamildandgentlebit;
  Heagainstwhomyoufight,ifheprevail,Willstraightinthronehimselfintyranny,Makesslavesofyou,andwithaheavyhandCurtailandcurbyoursweetestliberty。
  Then,toprotectyourCountryandyourKing,LetbutthehaughtyCourageofyourheartsAnswerthenumberofyourablehands,Andweshallquicklychasethesefugitives。
  Forwhat’sthisEdwardbutabellygod,Atenderandlasciviouswantoness,Thatthotherdaywasalmostdeadforlove?
  Andwhat,Iprayyou,ishisgoodlyguard?
  Suchas,butscantthemoftheirchinesofbeefAndtakeawaytheirdownyfeatherbeds,Andpresentlytheyareasrestystiff,Astwereamanyoverriddenjades。
  Then,Frenchmen,scornthatsuchshouldbeyourLords,Andratherbindyethemincaptivebands。
  ALLFRENCHMEN。
  ViveleRoy!GodsaveKingJohnofFrance!
  KINGJOHN。
  NowonthisplainofCressyspreadyourselves,——
  And,Edward,whenthoudarest,beginthefight。
  [ExeuntKingJohn,Charles,Philip,Lorrain,Boheme,andForces。]
  KINGEDWARD。
  Wepresentlywillmeetthee,JohnofFrance:——
  And,EnglishLords,letusresolvethisday,Eithertoclearusofthatscandalouscrime,Orbeintombedinourinnocence。
  And,Ned,becausethisbattleisthefirstThateveryetthoufoughtestinpitchedfield,AsancientcustomisofMartialists,Todubtheewiththetipofchivalry,Insolemnmannerwewillgivetheearms。
  Come,therefore,Heralds,orderlybringforthAstrongattirementfortheprincemyson。
  [EnterfourHeralds,bringinginacoatarmour,ahelmet,alance,andashield。]
  KINGEDWARD。
  EdwardPlantagenet,inthenameofGod,AswiththisarmourIimpalethybreast,SobethynobleunrelentingheartWalledinwithflintofmatchlessfortitude,Thatneverbaseaffectionsenterthere:
  Fightandbevaliant,conquerwherethoucomest!
  Nowfollow,Lords,anddohimhonorto。
  DARBY。
  EdwardPlantagenet,princeofWales,AsIdosetthishelmetonthyhead,Wherewiththechamberofthybrainisfenst,Somaythytemples,withBellona’shand,Bestilladornedwithlaurelvictory:
  Fightandbevaliant,conquerwherethoucomest!
  AUDLEY。
  EdwardPlantagenet,princeofWales,Receivethislanceintothymanlyhand;
  Useitinfashionofabrazenpen,TodrawforthbloodystratagemsinFrance,Andprintthyvaliantdeedsinhonor’sbook:
  Fightandbevaliant,vanquishwherethoucomest!
  ARTOIS。
  EdwardPlantagenet,princeofWales,Hold,takethistarget,wearitonthyarm;
  Andmaytheviewthereof,likePerseus’shield,AstonishandtransformthygazingfoesTosenselessimagesofmeagerdeath:
  Fightandbevaliant,conquerwherethoucomest!
  KINGEDWARD。
  Nowwantstherenoughtbutknighthood,whichdeferredWeleave,tillthouhastwonitinthefield。
  PRINCEEDWARD。
  Mygraciousfatherandyeforwardpeers,Thishonoryouhavedoneme,animatesAndcheersmygreen,yetscarceappearingstrengthWithcomfortablegoodpresagingsigns,NootherwisethandidoldJacob’swords,Whenashebreathedhisblessingsonhissons。
  ThesehallowedgiftsofyourswhenIprofane,OrusethemnottogloryofmyGod,Topatronagethefatherlessandpoor,OrforthebenefitofEngland’speace,Benumbmyjoints,waxfeeblebothminearms,Withermyheart,that,likeasaplesstree,Imayremainthemapofinfamy。
  KINGEDWARD。
  ThenthusoursteeledBattlesshallberanged:
  Theleadingofthevaward,Ned,isthine;
  Todignifywhoselustyspiritthemore,WetemperitwithAudly’sgravity,That,courageandexperiencejoinedinone,Yourmanagemaybeseconduntonone:
  Forthemainbattles,Iwillguidemyself;
  And,Darby,intherearwardmarchbehind,Thatorderlydisposedandsetinray,Letustohorse;andGodgrantustheday!
  [Exeunt。]
  ACTIII。SCENEIV。TheSame。
  [Alarum。EnteramanyFrenchmenflying。AfterthemPrinceEdward,running。ThenenterKingJohnandDukeofLorrain。]
  KINGJOHN。
  Oh,Lorrain,say,whatmeanourmentofly?
  Ournumberisfargreaterthanourfoes。
  LORRAIN。
  ThegarrisonofGenoaes,myLord,ThatcamefromPariswearywiththeirmarch,Grudgingtobesosuddenlyimployd,Nosoonerintheforefronttooktheirplace,But,straightretiring,sodismayedtherest,Aslikewisetheybetookthemselvestoflight,Inwhich,forhastetomakeasafeescape,Moreintheclusteringthrongarepressedtodeath,Thanbytheenemy,athousandfold。
  KINGJOHN。
  Ohaplessfortune!Letusyetassay,Ifwecancounselsomeofthemtostay。
  [Exeunt。]
  ACTIII。SCENEV。TheSame。
  [EnterKingEdwardandAudley。]
  KINGEDWARD。
  LordAudley,whilesoursonisinthechase,Withdrawourpowersuntothislittlehill,Andhereaseasonletusbreathourselves。
  AUDLEY。
  Iwill,myLord。
  [Exit。SoundRetreat。]
  KINGEDWARD。
  Justdoomingheaven,whosesecretprovidenceToourgrossjudgementisinscrutable,Howareweboundtopraisethywondrousworks,Thathastthisdaygivenwayuntotheright,Andmadethewickedstumbleatthemselves!
  [EnterArtois。]
  ARTOIS。
  Rescue,kingEdward!rescueforthyson!
  KINGEDWARD。
  Rescue,Artois?what,isheprisoner,Orbyviolencefellbesidehishorse?
  ARTOIS。
  Neither,myLord:butnarrowlybesetWithturningFrenchmen,whomhedidpursue,Astisimpossiblethatheshouldscape,Exceptyourhighnesspresentlydescend。
  KINGEDWARD。
  Tut,lethimfight;wegavehimarmstoday,Andheislaboringforaknighthood,man。
  [EnterDerby。]
  DARBY。
  ThePrince,myLord,thePrince!oh,succourhim!
  He’scloseincompastwithaworldofodds!
  KINGEDWARD。
  Thenwillhewinaworldofhonortoo,Ifhebyvalourcanredeemhimthence;
  Ifnot,whatremedy?wehavemoresonsThanone,tocomfortourdecliningage。
  [EnterAudley。]
  RenownedEdward,givemeleave,Ipray,ToleadmysoldierswhereImayrelieveYourGrace’sson,indangertobeslain。
  ThesnaresofFrench,likeEmmetsonabank,Musterabouthim;whilesthe,Lionlike,Intangledinthenetoftheirassaults,Franticlywrends,andbitesthewoventoil;
  Butallinvain,hecannotfreehimself。
  KINGEDWARD。
  Audley,content;Iwillnothaveaman,Onpainofdeath,sentforthtosuccourhim:
  Thisistheday,ordainedbydestiny,Toseasonhiscouragewiththosegrievousthoughts,That,ifhebreakethout,Nestor’syearsonearthWillmakehimsavorstillofthisexploit。
  DARBY。
  Ah,butheshallnotlivetoseethosedays。
  KINGEDWARD。
  Why,thenhisEpitaphislastingpraise。
  AUDLEY。
  Yet,goodmyLord,tistoomuchwillfulness,Tolethisbloodbespilt,thatmaybesaved。
  KINGEDWARD。
  Exclaimnomore;fornoneofyoucantellWhetheraborrowedaidwillserve,orno;
  Perhapsheisalreadyslainorta’en。
  AnddareaFalconwhenshe’sinherflight,Andeveraftershe’llbehaggardlike:
  LetEdwardbedeliveredbyourhands,Andstill,indanger,he’llexpectthelike;
  Butifhimselfhimselfredeemfromthence,Hewillhavevanquishedcheerfuldeathandfear,AndeverafterdreadtheirforcenomoreThaniftheywerebutbabesorCaptiveslaves。
  AUDLEY。
  OcruelFather!Farewell,Edward,then!
  DARBY。
  Farewell,sweetPrince,thehopeofchivalry!
  ARTOIS。
  O,wouldmylifemightransomhimfromdeath!
  KINGEDWARD。
  Butsoft,methinksIhear[Retreatsounded。]
  ThedismalchargeofTrumpets’loudretreat。
  Allarenotslain,Ihope,thatwentwithhim;
  Somewillreturnwithtidings,goodorbad。
  [EnterPrinceEdwardintriumph,bearinginhishandshischiveredLance,andtheKingofBoheme,bornebefore,wrappedintheColours。Theyrunandimbracehim。]
  AUDLEY。
  Ojoyfulsight!victoriousEdwardlives!
  DERBY。
  Welcome,bravePrince!
  KINGEDWARD。
  Welcome,Plantagenet!
  PRINCEEDWARD。
  [Kneelsandkisseshisfather’shand。]
  Firsthavingdonemydutyasbeseemed,Lords,Iregreetyouallwithheartythanks。
  Andnow,behold,aftermywinter’stoil,MypainfulvoyageontheboisterousseaOfwarsdevouringgulfsandsteelyrocks,Ibringmyfraughtuntothewishedport,MySummer’shope,mytravels’sweetreward:
  Andhere,withhumbleduty,IpresentThissacrifice,thisfirstfruitofmysword,Croppedandcutdownevenatthegateofdeath,ThekingofBoheme,father,whomIslew;
  Whosethousandshadentrenchedmeroundabout,Andlayasthickuponmybatteredcrest,AsonanAnvil,withtheirponderousglaves:
  YetmarblecouragestilldidunderpropAndwhenmywearyarms,withoftenblows,LikethecontinuallaboringWood-man’sAxeThatisenjoinedtofellaloadofOaks,Begantofaulter,straightIwouldrecordMygiftsyougaveme,andmyzealousvow,Andthennewcouragemademefreshagain,That,indespite,Icarvedmypassageforth,Andputthemultitudetospeedyflight。
  Lo,thushathEdward’shandfilledyourrequest,Anddone,Ihope,thedutyofaKnight。
  KINGEDWARD。
  Aye,wellthouhastdeservedaknighthood,Ned!
  And,therefore,withthysword,yetreakingwarm[HisSwordbornebyaSoldier。]
  Withbloodofthosethatfoughttobethybane。
  Arise,PrinceEdward,trustyknightatarms:
  Thisdaythouhastconfoundedmewithjoy,Andproudthyselffitheiruntoaking。
  PRINCEEDWARD。
  Hereisanote,mygraciousLord,ofthoseThatinthisconflictofourfoeswereslain:
  ElevenPrincesofesteem,FourscoreBarons,Ahundredandtwentyknights,andthirtythousandCommonsoldiers;and,ofourmen,athousand。
  KINGEDWARD。
  OurGodbepraised!Now,JohnofFrance,Ihope,ThouknowestKingEdwardfornowantoness,Nolovesickcockney,norhissoldiersjades。
  Butwhichwayisthefearfulkingescaped?
  PRINCEEDWARD。
  TowardsPoitiers,noblefather,andhissons。
  KINGEDWARD。
  Ned,thouandAudleyshallpursuethemstill;
  MyselfandDerbywilltoCalicestraight,AndtherebebegirtthatHaventownwithsiege。
  Nowliesitonanupshot;thereforestrike,Andwistlyfollow,whilesthegame’sonfoot。
  WhatPicture’sthis?
  PRINCEEDWARD。
  APelican,myLord,Woundingherbosomwithhercrookedbeak,ThatsohernestofyoungonesmaybefedWithdropsofbloodthatissuefromherheart;
  ThemottoSic&vos,’andsoshouldyou’。
  [Exeunt。]
  ACTIV。SCENEI。Bretagne。CampoftheEnglish。
  [EnterLordMountfordwithaCoronetinhishand;
  withhimtheEarlofSalisbury。]
  MOUNTFORD。
  MyLordofSalisbury,sincebyyouraideMineenemySirCharlesofBloisisslain,AndIagainamquietlypossessedInBrittain’sDukedom,knowthatIresolve,Forthiskindfurtheranceofyourkingandyou,Toswearallegiancetohismajesty:
  InsignwhereofreceivethisCoronet,Bearituntohim,and,withal,mineoath,NevertobebutEdward’sfaithfulfriend。
  SALISBURY。
  Itakeit,Mountfort。Thus,Ihope,erelongThewholeDominionsoftheRealmofFranceWillbesurrenderedtohisconqueringhand。
  [ExitMountford。]
  Now,ifIknewbutsafelyhowtopass,IwouldatCalicegladlymeethisGrace,WhetherIambyletterscertifiedThatheintendstohavehishostremoved。
  Itshallbeso,thispolicywillserve:——
  Ho,whosewithin?BringVillierstome。
  [EnterVilliers。]
  Villiers,thouknowest,thouartmyprisoner,AndthatImightforransom,ifIwould,RequireoftheeahundredthousandFrancs,Orelseretainandkeeptheecaptivestill:
  Butsoitis,thatforasmallerchargeThoumaistbequit,andifthouwiltthyself。
  Andthisitis:ProcuremebutapassportOfCharles,theDukeofNormandy,thatI
  WithoutrestraintmayhaverecoursetoCallisThroughalltheCountrieswherehehathtodo;
  Whichthoumaisteasilyobtain,Ithink,ByreasonIhaveoftenheardtheesay,Heandthouwerestudentsoncetogether:
  Andthenthoushaltbesetatliberty。
  Howsaiestthou?wiltthouundertaketodoit?
  VILLIERS。
  Iwill,myLord;butImustspeakwithhim。
  SALISBURY。
  Why,sothoushalt;takeHorse,andpostfromhence:
  Onlybeforethougoest,swearbythyfaith,That,ifthoucanstnotcompassmydesire,Thouwiltreturnmyprisonerbackagain;
  Andthatshallbesufficientwarrantforme。
  VILLIERS。
  TothatconditionIagree,myLord,Andwillunfainedlyperformthesame。
  [Exit。]
  SALISBURY。
  Farewell,Villiers。——
  ThusonceimeantotryaFrenchman’sfaith。
  [Exit。]
  ACTIV。SCENEII。Picardy。TheEnglishCampbeforeCalais。
  [EnterKingEdwardandDerby,withSoldiers。]
  KINGEDWARD。
  Sincetheyrefuseourprofferedleague,myLord,Andwillnotopetheirgates,andletusin,Wewillintrenchourselvesoneveryside,ThatneithervitualsnorsupplyofmenMaycometosuccourthisaccursedtown:
  Famineshallcombatwhereourswordsarestopped。