[EntersixpoorFrenchmen。]
  DERBY。
  Thepromisedaid,thatmadethemstandaloof,Isnowretiredandgoneanotherway:
  Itwillrepentthemoftheirstubbornwill。
  Butwhatarethesepoorraggedslaves,myLord?
  KINGEDWARD。
  Askwhattheyare;itseems,theycomefromCallis。
  DERBY。
  Youwretchedpatternsofdespairandwoe,Whatareyou,livingmenorglidingghosts,Creptfromyourgravestowalkupontheearth?
  POOR。
  Noghosts,myLord,butmenthatbreathalifeFarworsethanisthequietsleepofdeath:
  Wearedistressedpoorinhabitants,Thatlonghavebeendiseased,sick,andlame;
  Andnow,becausewearenotfittoserve,TheCaptainofthetownhaththrustusforth,Thatsoexpenseofvictualsmaybesaved。
  KINGEDWARD。
  Acharitabledeed,nodoubt,andworthypraise!
  Buthowdoyouimaginethentospeed?
  Weareyourenemies;insuchacaseWecannolessbutputyetothesword,Since,whenweprofferedtruce,itwasrefused。
  POOR。
  Andifyourgracenootherwisevouchsafe,Aswelcomedeathisuntousaslife。
  KINGEDWARD。
  Poorsillymen,muchwrongedandmoredistressed!
  Go,Derby,go,andseetheyberelieved;
  Commandthatvictualsbeappointedthem,AndgivetoeveryonefiveCrownsapiece。
  [ExeuntDerbyandFrenchmen。]
  TheLionscornstotouchtheyieldingprey,AndEdward’sswordmustfleshitselfinsuchAswilfulstubbornnesshathmadeperverse。
  [EnterLordPercy。]
  KINGEDWARD。
  LordPercy!welcome:what’sthenewsinEngland?
  PERCY。
  TheQueen,myLord,comesheretoyourGrace,AndfromherhighnessandtheLordviceregentIbringthishappytidingsofsuccess:
  DavidofScotland,latelyupinarms,Thinking,belike,hesoonestshouldprevail,YourhighnessbeingabsentfromtheRealm,Is,bythefruitfulserviceofyourpeersAndpainfultraveloftheQueenherself,That,bigwithchild,waseverydayinarms,Vanquished,subdued,andtakenprisoner。
  KINGEDWARD。
  Thanks,Percy,forthynews,withallmyheart!
  Whatwashetookhimprisonerinthefield?
  PERCY。
  AEsquire,myLord;JohnCoplandishisname:
  Whosince,intreatedbyherMajesty,DeniestomakesurrenderofhisprizeToanybutuntoyourgracealone;
  WhereattheQueenisgrievouslydispleased。
  KINGEDWARD。
  Well,thenwe’llhaveaPursiuvantdespatched,TosummonCoplandhitheroutofhand,Andwithhimheshallbringhisprisonerking。
  PERCY。
  TheQueen’s,myLord,herselfbythisatSea,Andpurposeth,assoonaswindwillserve,TolandatCallis,andtovisityou。
  KINGEDWARD。
  Sheshallbewelcome;and,towaithercoming,I’llpitchmytentneartothesandyshore。
  [EnteraFrenchCaptain。]
  CAPTAIN。
  TheBurgessesofCallis,mightyking,HavebyacounselwillinglydecreedToyieldthetownandCastletoyourhands,UponconditionitwillpleaseyourgraceTograntthembenefitoflifeandgoods。
  KINGEDWARD。
  Theywillso!Then,belike,theymaycommand,Dispose,elect,andgovernastheylist。
  No,sirra,tellthem,sincetheydidrefuseOurprincelyclemencyatfirstproclaimed,Theyshallnothaveitnow,althoughtheywould;
  Iwillacceptofnoughtbutfireandsword,Except,withinthesetwodays,sixofthem,Thatarethewealthiestmerchantsinthetown,Comenaked,allbutfortheirlinenshirts,Witheachahalterhangedabouthisneck,Andprostrateyieldthemselves,upontheirknees,Tobeafflicted,hanged,orwhatIplease;
  Andsoyoumayinformtheirmasterships。
  [ExeuntEdwardandPercy。]
  CAPTAIN。
  Why,thisitistotrustabrokenstaff:
  Hadwenotbeenpersuaded,JohnourKingWouldwithhisarmyhaverelievedthetown,Wehadnotstoodupondefianceso:
  Butnowtispastthatnomancanrecall,Andbettersomedogotowrackthemall。
  [Exit。]
  ACTIV。SCENEIII。Poitou。FieldsnearPoitiers。
  TheFrenchcamp;TentoftheDukeofNormandy。
  [EnterCharlesofNormandyandVilliers。]
  CHARLES。
  Iwonder,Villiers,thoushouldestimportunemeForonethatisourdeadlyenemy。
  VILLIERS。
  Notforhissake,mygraciousLord,somuchAmIbecomeanearnestadvocate,Asthattherebymyransomwillbequit。
  CHARLES。
  Thyransom,man?whyneedestthoutalkofthat?
  Artthounotfree?andarenotalloccasions,Thathappenforadvantageofourfoes,Tobeacceptedof,andstoodupon?
  VILLIERS。
  No,goodmyLord,exceptthesamebejust;
  Forprofitmustwithhonorbecomixt,Orelseouractionsarebutscandalous。
  But,lettingpasstheirintricateobjections,Wiltpleaseyourhighnesstosubscribe,orno?
  CHARLES。
  Villiers,Iwillnot,norIcannotdoit;
  Salisburyshallnothavehiswillsomuch,Toclaimapassporthowitpleasethhimself。
  VILLIERS。
  Why,thenIknowtheextremity,myLord;
  ImustreturntoprisonwhenceIcame。
  CHARLES。
  Return?Ihopethouwiltnot;
  Whatbirdthathathescapedthefowler’sgin,Willnotbewarehowshe’sensnaredagain?
  Or,whatishe,sosenselessandsecure,That,havinghardlypastadangerousgul,Willputhimselfinperilthereagain?
  VILLIERS。
  Ah,butitismineoath,mygraciousLord,WhichIinconsciencemaynotviolate,Orelseakingdomshouldnotdrawmehence。
  CHARLES。
  Thineoath?why,tatdothbindtheetoabide:
  HastthounotswornobediencetothyPrince?
  VILLIERS。
  Inallthingsthatuprightlyhecommands:
  Buteithertopersuadeorthreatenme,Nottoperformthecovenantofmyword,Islawless,andIneednottoobey。
  CHARLES。
  Why,isitlawfulforamantokill,Andnot,tobreakapromisewithhisfoe?
  VILLIERS。
  Tokill,myLord,whenwarisonceproclaimed,Sothatourquarrelbeforwrongsreceived,Nodoubt,islawfullypermittedus;
  Butinanoathwemustbewelladvised,Howwedoswear,and,whenweoncehavesworn,Nottoinfringeit,thoughwedietherefore:
  Therefore,myLord,aswillingIreturn,AsifIweretoflytoparadise。
  CHARLES。
  Stay,myVilliers;thinehonorableminDeservestobeeternallyadmired。
  Thysuitshallbenolongerthusdeferred:
  Givemethepaper,I’llsubscribetoit;
  And,wheretoforeIlovedtheeasVilliers,HereafterI’llembracetheeasmyself。
  Stay,andbestillinfavourwiththyLord。
  VILLIERS。
  Ihumblythankyougrace;Imustdispatch,AndsendthispassportfirstuntotheEarl,AndthenIwillattendyourhighnesspleasure。
  CHARLES。
  Doso,Villiers;——andCharles,whenhehathneed,Besuchhissoldiers,howsoeverhespeed!
  [ExitVilliers。]
  [EnterKingJohn。]
  KINGJOHN。
  Come,Charles,andarmthee;Edwardisentrapped,ThePrinceofWalesisfallenintoourhands,Andwehavecompassedhim;hecannotescape。
  CHARLES。
  Butwillyourhighnessfighttoday?
  KINGJOHN。
  Whatelse,myson?he’sscarceeightthousandstrong,Andwearethreescorethousandattheleast。
  CHARLES。
  Ihaveaprophecy,mygraciousLord,WhereiniswrittenwhatsuccessislikeTohappenusinthisoutrageouswar;
  ItwasdeliveredmeatCressesfieldByonethatisanagedHermitthere。
  [Reads。]’Whenfeatheredfoulshallmakethinearmytremble,Andflintstonesriseandbreakthebattleray,Thenthinkonhimthatdothnotnowdissemble;
  Forthatshallbethehaplessdreadfulday:
  Yet,intheend,thyfootthoushaltadvanceAsfarinEnglandasthyfoeinFrance。’
  KINGJOHN。
  Bythisitseemsweshallbefortunate:
  ForasitisimpossiblethatstonesShouldeverriseandbreakthebattleray,Orairyfoulmakemeninarmstoquake,Soisitlike,weshallnotbesubdued:
  Orsaythismightbetrue,yetintheend,SincehedothpromiseweshalldrivehimhenceAndforagetheirCountryastheyhavedoneours,Bythisrevengethatlosswillseemtheless。
  Butallarefrivolousfancies,toys,anddreams:
  Oncewearesurewehaveensnaredtheson,Catchwethefatherafterhowwecan。
  [Exeunt。]
  ACTIV。SCENEIV。Thesame。TheEnglishCamp。
  [EnterPrinceEdward,Audley,andothers。]
  PRINCEEDWARD。
  Audley,thearmsofdeathembraceusround,Andcomforthavewenone,savethattodieWepaysowerearnestforasweeterlife。
  AtCresseyfieldoutCloudsofWarlikesmokeChokedupthoseFrenchmouths&disseveredthem;
  Butnowtheirmultitudesofmillionshide,Maskingastwere,thebeauteousburningSun,Leavingnohopetous,butsullendarkAndeyelessterrorofallendingnight。
  AUDLEY。
  Thissudden,mighty,andexpedientheadThattheyhavemade,fairprince,iswonderful。
  Beforeusinthevalleyliestheking,Vantagedwithallthatheavenandearthcanyield;
  Hispartystrongerbattledthanourwhole:
  Hisson,thebravingDukeofNormandy,HathtrimmedtheMountainonourrighthandupInshiningplate,thatnowtheaspiringhillShewslikeasilverquarryoranorb,AloftthewhichtheBanners,bannarets,AndnewreplenishedpendantscufftheairAndbeatthewinds,thatfortheirgaudinessStrugglestokissthem:onourlefthandliesPhillip,theyoungerissueoftheking,Coatingtheotherhillinsucharray,ThatallhisguildeduprightpikesdoseemStraighttreesofgold,thependantsleaves;
  AndtheirdeviceofAntiqueheraldry,Quarteredincolours,seemingsundryfruits,MakesittheOrchardoftheHesperides:
  Behindustoothehilldothbearhisheight,ForlikeahalfMoon,openingbutoneway,Itroundsusin;thereatourbacksarelodgedThefatalCrossbows,andthebattlethereIsgovernedbytheroughChattillion。
  Thenthusitstands:thevalleyforourflightThekingbindsin;thehillsoneitherhandAreproudlyroyalizedbyhissons;
  AndontheHillbehindstandscertaindeathInpayandservicewithChattillion。
  PRINCEEDWARD。
  Death’snameismuchmoremightythanhisdeeds;
  Thyparcellingthispowerhathmadeitmore。
  Asmanysandsasthesemyhandscanhold,Arebutmyhandfulofsomanysands;
  Then,alltheworld,andcallitbutapower,Easilyta’enup,andquicklythrownaway:
  ButifIstandtocountthemsandbysand,Thenumberwouldconfoundmymemory,Andmakeathousandmillionsofatask,Whichbrieflyisnomore,indeed,thanone。
  Thesequarters,squadrons,andtheseregiments,Before,behindus,andoneitherhand,Arebutapower。Whenwenameaman,Hishand,hisfoot,hisheadhathseveralstrengths;
  Andbeingallbutoneselfinstantstrength,Why,allthismany,Audley,isbutone,Andwecancallitallbutoneman’sstrength。
  Hethathathfartogo,tellsitbymiles;
  Ifheshouldtellthesteps,itkillshisheart:
  Thedropsareinfinite,thatmakeaflood,Andyet,thouknowest,wecallitbutaRain。
  ThereisbutoneFrance,onekingofFrance,ThatFrancehathnomorekings;andthatsamekingHathbutthepuissantlegionofoneking,Andwehaveone:thenapprehendnoodds,Foronetooneisfairequality。
  [EnteranHeraldfromKingJohn。]
  PRINCEEDWARD。
  Whattidings,messenger?beplainandbrief。
  HERALD。
  ThekingofFrance,mysovereignLordandmaster,Greetsbymehisfoe,thePrinceofWales:
  Ifthoucallforthahundredmenofname,OfLords,Knights,Squires,andEnglishgentlemen,Andwiththyselfandthosekneelathisfeet,Hestraightwillfoldhisbloodycoloursup,Andransomshallredeemlivesforfeited;
  Ifnot,thisdayshalldrinkmoreEnglishblood,ThanerewasburiedinourBritishearth。
  Whatistheanswertohisprofferedmercy?
  PRINCEEDWARD。
  Thisheaven,thatcoversFrance,containsthemercyThatdrawsfrommesubmissiveorizons;
  Thatsuchbasebreathshouldvanishfrommylips,Tourgethepleaofmercytoaman,TheLordforbid!Return,andtelltheking,Mytongueismadeofsteel,anditshallbegMymercyonhiscowardburgonet;
  Tellhim,mycoloursareasredashis,Mymenasbold,ourEnglisharmsasstrong:
  Returnhimmydefianceinhisface。
  HERALD。
  Igo。
  [Exit。]
  [EnteranotherHerald。]
  PRINCEEDWARD。
  Whatnewswiththee?
  HERALD。
  TheDukeofNormandy,myLord&master,Pityingthyyouthissoingirtwithperil,Bymehathsentanimblejointedjennet,Asswiftaseveryetthoudidstbestride,Andtherewithallhecounselstheetofly;
  Elsedeathhimselfhathswornthatthoushaltdie。
  PRINCEEDWARD。
  Backwiththebeastuntothebeastthatsenthim!
  TellhimIcannotsitacoward’shorse;
  Bidhimtodaybestridethejadehimself,ForIwillstainmyhorsequiteo’erwithblood,Anddoublegildmyspurs,butIwillcatchhim;
  Sotellthecarpingboy,andgettheegone。
  [ExitHerald。]
  [EnteranotherHerald。]
  HERALD。
  EdwardofWales,Phillip,thesecondsonTothemostmightychristiankingofFrance,Seeingthybody’slivingdateexpired,Allfullofcharityandchristianlove,Commendsthisbook,fullfraughtwithprayers,TothyfairhandandforthyhouroflifeIntreatstheethatthoumeditatetherein,Andarmthysoulforherlongjourneytowards——
  ThushaveIdonehisbidding,andreturn。
  PRINCEEDWARD。
  HeraldofPhillip,greetthyLordfromme:
  Allgoodthathecansend,Icanreceive;
  Butthinkstthounot,theunadvisedboyHathwrongedhimselfinthusfartenderingme?
  Happilyhecannotpraywithoutthebook——
  Ithinkhimnodivineextemporall——,Thenrenderbackthiscommonplaceofprayer,Todohimselfgoodinadversity;
  Besideheknowsnotmysins’quality,Andthereforeknowsnoprayersformyavail;
  ErenighthisprayermaybetopraytoGod,Toputitinmyhearttohearhisprayer。
  Sotellthecourtlywanton,andbegone。
  HERALD。
  Igo。
  [Exit。]
  PRINCEEDWARD。
  Howconfidenttheirstrengthandnumbermakesthem!——
  Now,Audley,soundthosesilverwingsofthine,AndletthosemilkwhitemessengersoftimeShewthytimeslearninginthisdangeroustime。
  Thyselfartbruis’dandbitwithmanybroils,AndstratagemsforepastwithironpensAretextedinthinehonorableface;
  Thouartamarriedmaninthisdistress,Butdangerwoosmeasablushingmaid:
  Teachmeananswertothisperiloustime。
  AUDLEY。
  Todieisallascommonastolive:
  Theoneince-wise,theotherholdsinchase;
  For,fromtheinstantwebegintolive,Wedopursueandhuntthetimetodie:
  Firstbudwe,thenweblow,andafterseed,Then,presently,wefall;and,asashadeFollowsthebody,sowefollowdeath。
  If,then,wehuntfordeath,whydowefearit?
  Ifwefearit,whydowefollowit?
  Ifwedofear,howcanweshunit?
  Ifwedofear,withfearwedobutaideThethingwefeartoseizeonusthesooner:
  Ifwefearnot,thennoresolvedprofferCanoverthrowthelimitofourfate;
  For,whetherripeorrotten,dropweshall,Aswedodrawthelotteryofourdoom。
  PRINCEEDWARD。
  Ah,goodoldman,athousandthousandarmorsThesewordsofthinehavebuckledonmyback:
  Ah,whatanidiothastthoumadeoflife,Toseekthethingitfears!andhowdisgracedTheimperialvictoryofmurderingdeath,SincealltheliveshisconqueringarrowsstrikeSeekhim,andhenotthem,toshamehisglory!
  Iwillnotgiveapennyforalife,Norhalfahalfpennytoshungrimdeath,Sincefortoliveisbuttoseektodie,Anddyingbutbeginningofnewlife。
  Letcomethehourwhenhethatrulesitwill!
  ToliveordieIholdindifferent。
  [Exeunt。]
  ACTIV。SCENEV。Thesame。TheFrenchCamp。
  [EnterKingJohnandCharles。]
  KINGJOHN。
  Asuddendarknesshathdefacedthesky,Thewindsarecreptintotheircavesforfear,Theleavesmovenot,theworldishushedandstill,Thebirdsceasesinging,andthewanderingbrooksMurmurnowontedgreetingtotheirshores;
  SilenceattendssomewonderandexpectethThatheavenshouldpronouncesomeprophesy:
  Where,orfromwhom,proceedsthissilence,Charles?
  CHARLES。
  Ourmen,withopenmouthsandstaringeyes,Lookoneachother,astheydidattendEachother’swords,andyetnocreaturespeaks;
  Atongue-tiedfearhathmadeamidnighthour,Andspeechessleepthroughallthewakingregions。
  KINGJOHN。
  ButnowthepompousSun,inallhispride,Lookedthroughhisgoldencoachupontheworld,And,onasudden,hathhehidhimself,Thatnowtheunderearthisasagrave,Dark,deadly,silent,anduncomfortable。
  [Aclamorofravens。]
  Hark,whatadeadlyouterydoIhear?
  CHARLES。
  HerecomesmybrotherPhillip。
  KINGJOHN。
  Alldismayed:
  [EnterPhillip。]
  Whatfearfulwordsarethosethylookspresage?
  PHILLIP。
  Aflight,aflight!
  KINGJOHN。
  Coward,whatflight?thouliest,thereneedsnoflight。
  PHILLIP。
  Aflight。
  KINGJOHN。
  Awakethycravenpowers,andtellonThesubstanceofthatveryfearindeed,Whichissoghastlyprintedinthyface:
  Whatisthematter?
  PHILLIP。
  AflightofuglyravensDocroakandhovero’eroursoldiers’heads,Andkeepintrianglesandcorneredsquares,Rightasourforcesareembattled;
  Withtheirapproachtherecamethissuddenfog,WhichnowhathhidtheairyfloorofheavenAndmadeatnoonanightunnaturalUponthequakinganddismayedworld:
  Inbrief,oursoldiershaveletfalltheirarms,Andstandlikemetamorphosedimages,Bloodlessandpale,onegazingonanother。
  KINGJOHN。
  Aye,nowIcalltomindtheprophesy,ButImustgivenoentrancetoafear。——
  Return,andheartenuptheseyieldingsouls:
  Tellthem,theravens,seeingtheminarms,Somanyfairagainstafamishedfew,ComebuttodineupontheirhandyworkAndpreyuponthecarrionthattheykill:
  Forwhenweseeahorselaiddowntodie,Althoughhebenotdead,theravenousbirdsSitwatchingthedepartureofhislife;
  EvensotheseravensforthecarcassesOfthosepoorEnglish,thataremarkedtodie,Hoverabout,and,iftheycrytous,Tisbutformeatthatwemustkillforthem。
  Away,andcomfortupmysoldiers,Andsoundthetrumpets,andatoncedispatchThislittlebusinessofasillyfraud。
  [ExitPhillip。]
  [Anothernoise。SalisburybroughtinbyaFrenchCaptain。]
  CAPTAIN。
  Behold,myliege,thisknightandfortymo’,Ofwhomthebetterpartareslainandfled,Withallendeavorsoughttobreakourranks,Andmaketheirwaytotheencompassedprince:
  Disposeofhimaspleaseyourmajesty。
  KINGJOHN。
  Go,&thenextbough,soldier,thatthouseest,Disgraceitwithhisbodypresently;
  ForIdoholdatreeinFrancetoogoodTobethegallowsofanEnglishthief。
  SALISBURY。
  MyLordofNormandy,IhaveyourpassAndwarrantformysafetythroughthisland。
  CHARLES。
  Villiersprocureditforthee,didhenot?
  SALISBURY。
  Hedid。
  CHARLES。
  Anditiscurrent;thoushaltfreelypass。
  KINGJOHN。
  Aye,freelytothegallowstobehanged,Withoutdenialorimpediment。
  Awaywithhim!
  CHARLES。
  Ihopeyourhighnesswillnotsodisgraceme,Anddashthevirtueofmysealatarms:
  Hehathmyneverbrokennametoshew,Characteredwiththisprincelyhandofmine:
  AndratherletmeleavetobeaprinceThanbreakthestableverdictofaprince:
  Idobeseechyou,lethimpassinquiet。
  KINGJOHN。
  Thouandthywordliebothinmycommand;
  WhatcanstthoupromisethatIcannotbreak?
  Whichofthesetwainisgreaterinfamy,Todisobeythyfatherorthyself?
  Thyword,nornomans,mayexceedhispower;
  Northatsamemandothneverbreakhisword,Thatkeepsittotheutmostofhispower。
  Thebreachoffaithdwellsinthesoul’sconsent:
  Whichifthyselfwithoutconsentdobreak,Thouartnotchargedwiththebreachoffaith。
  Go,hanghim:forthylicenseliesinme,Andmyconstraintstandstheexcuseforthee。
  CHARLES。
  What,amInotasoldierinmyword?
  Then,arms,adieu,andletthemfightthatlist!
  ShallInotgivemygirdlefrommywaste,ButwithagardionIshallbecontrolled,TosayImaynotgivemythingsaway?
  Uponmysoul,hadEdward,princeofWales,Engagedhisword,writdownhisnoblehandForallyourknightstopasshisfather’sland,Theroyalking,togracehiswarlikeson,Wouldnotalonesafeconductgivetothem,Butwithallbountyfeastedthemandtheirs。
  KINGJOHN。
  Dwelstthouonprecedents?Thenbeitso!
  Say,Englishman,ofwhatdegreethouart。
  SALISBURY。
  AnEarlinEngland,thoughaprisonerhere,Andthosethatknowme,callmeSalisbury。
  KINGJOHN。
  Then,Salisbury,saywhetherthouartbound。
  SALISBURY。
  ToCallice,wheremyliege,kingEdward,is。
  KINGJOHN。
  ToCallice,Salisbury?Then,toCallicepack,Andbidthekingprepareanoblegrave,Toputhisprincelyson,blackEdward,in。
  Andasthoutravelstwestwardfromthisplace,Sometwoleagueshencethereisaloftyhill,Whosetopseemstopless,fortheembracingskyDothhidehishighheadinherazurebosom;
  Uponwhosetalltopwhenthyfootattains,Lookbackuponthehumblevalebeneath——
  Humbleoflate,butnowmadeproudwitharms——
  AndthencebeholdthewretchedprinceofWales,Hoopedwithabondofironroundabout。
  Afterwhichsight,toCallicespuramain,Andsay,theprincewassmotheredandnotslain:
  Andtellthekingthisisnotallhisill;
  ForIwillgreethim,erehethinksIwill。
  Away,begone;thesmokebutofourshotWillchokeourfoes,thoughbulletshitthemnot。
  [Exit。]
  ACTIV。SCENEVI。Thesame。APartoftheFieldofBattle。
  [Alarum。EnterprinceEdwardandArtois。]
  ARTOIS。
  Howfaresyourgrace?areyounotshot,myLord?
  PRINCEEDWARD。
  No,dearArtois;butchokedwithdustandsmoke,Andsteppedasideforbreathandfresherair。
  ARTOIS。
  Breath,then,andtoitagain:theamazedFrenchArequitedistractwithgazingonthecrows;
  And,wereourquiversfullofshaftsagain,Yourgraceshouldseeagloriousdayofthis:——
  O,formorearrows,Lord;that’sourwant。
  PRINCEEDWARD。
  Courage,Artois!afigforfeatheredshafts,Whenfeatheredfowlsdobandyonourside!
  Whatneedwefight,andsweat,andkeepacoil,Whenrailingcrowsoutscoldouradversaries?
  Up,up,Artois!thegrounditselfisarmedWithFirecontainingflint;commandourbowsTohurlawaytheirprettycoloredEw,Andtoitwithstones:away,Artois,away!
  Mysouldothprophecywewintheday。
  [Exeunt。]
  ACTIV。SCENEVII。Thesame。AnotherPartoftheFieldofBattle。
  [Alarum。EnterKingJohn。]
  KINGJOHN。
  Ourmultitudesareinthemselvesconfounded,Dismayed,anddistraught;swiftstartingfearHathbuzzedacolddismaythroughallourarmy,AndeverypettydisadvantagepromptsThefearpossessedabjectsoultofly。
  Myself,whosespiritissteeltotheirdulllead,Whatwithrecallingoftheprophecy,AndthatournativestonesfromEnglisharmsRebelagainstus,findmyselfattaintedWithstrongsurpriseofweakandyieldingfear。
  [EnterCharles。]
  CHARLES。
  Fly,father,fly!theFrenchdokilltheFrench,Somethatwouldstandletdriveatsomethatfly;
  Ourdrumsstrikenothingbutdiscouragement,Ourtrumpetssounddishonorandretire;
  Thespiritoffear,thatfearethnoughtbutdeath,Cowardlyworksconfusiononitself。
  [EnterPhillip。]
  PHILLIP。
  Pluckoutyoureyes,andseenotthisday’sshame!
  Anarmhathbeatanarmy;onepoorDavidHathwithastonefoiledtwentystoutGoliahs;
  Sometwentynakedstarvelingswithsmallflints,Hathdrivenbackapuissanthostofmen,Arrayedandfencedinallaccomplements。
  KINGJOHN。
  Mordieu,theyquaitatus,andkillusup;
  NolessthanfortythousandwickedeldersHavefortyleanslavesthisdaystonedtodeath。
  CHARLES。
  O,thatIweresomeothercountryman!
  ThisdayhathsetderisionontheFrench,Andalltheworldwillblurtandscornatus。
  KINGJOHN。
  What,istherenohopeleft?
  PHILLIP。
  Nohope,butdeath,toburyupourshame。
  KINGJOHN。
  Makeuponcemorewithme;thetwentiethpartOfthosethatlive,aremeninowtoquailThefeeblehandfulontheadversepart。
  CHARLES。
  Thenchargeagain:ifheavenbenotopposed,Wecannotlosetheday。
  KINGJOHN。
  On,away!
  [Exeunt。]
  ACTIV。SCENEVIII。Thesame。AnotherPartoftheFieldofBattle。
  [EnterAudley,wounded,&rescuedbytwosquires。]
  ESQUIRE。
  HowfaresmyLord?
  AUDLEY。
  Evenasamanmaydo,Thatdinesatsuchabloodyfeastasthis。
  ESQUIRE。
  Ihope,myLord,thatisnomortalscar。
  AUDLEY。
  Nomatter,ifitbe;thecountiscast,And,intheworst,endsbutamortalman。
  Goodfriends,conveymetotheprincelyEdward,ThatinthecrimsonbraveryofmybloodImaybecomehimwithsalutinghim。
  I’llsmile,andtellhim,thatthisopenscarDothendtheharvestofhisAudley’swar。
  [Exeunt。]
  ACTIV。SCENEIX。Thesame。TheEnglishCamp。
  [EnterprinceEdward,KingJohn,Charles,andall,withEnsignsspread。]
  PRINCEEDWARD。
  Now,JohninFrance,&latelyJohnofFrance,ThybloodyEnsignsaremycaptivecolours;
  Andyou,highvauntingCharlesofNormandy,Thatoncetodaysentmeahorsetofly,Arenowthesubjectsofmyclemency。
  Fie,Lords,isitnotashamethatEnglishboys,Whoseearlydaysareyetnotworthabeard,Shouldinthebosomofyourkingdomthus,Oneagainsttwenty,beatyouuptogether?
  KINGJOHN。
  Thyfortune,notthyforce,hathconqueredus。
  PRINCEEDWARD。
  Anargumentthatheavenaidestheright。
  [EnterArtoiswithPhillip。]
  See,see,ArtoisdothbringwithhimalongThelategoodcounselgivertomysoul。
  Welcome,Artois;andwelcome,Phillip,too:
  WhonowofyouorIhaveneedtopray?
  Nowistheproverbverifiedinyou,’Toobrightamorningbreedsalouringday。’
  [SoundTrumpets。EnterAudley。]
  Butsay,whatgrimdiscouragementcomeshere!
  Alas,whatthousandarmedmenofFranceHavewritthatnoteofdeathinAudley’sface?
  Speak,thouthatwooestdeathwiththycarelesssmile,Andlookstsomerrilyuponthygrave,Asifthouwereenamoredonthineend:
  Whathungryswordhathsobereavedthyface,Andloppedatruefriendfrommylovingsoul?
  AUDLEY。
  OPrince,thysweetbemoaningspeechtomeIsasamournfulknelltoonedeadsick。
  PRINCEEDWARD。
  DearAudley,ifmytongueringoutthyend,Myarmsshallbethygrave:whatmayIdoTowinthylife,ortorevengethydeath?
  Ifthouwiltdrinkthebloodofcaptivekings,Orthatitwererestorative,commandAHealthofkings’blood,andI’lldrinktothee;
  Ifhonormaydispensefortheewithdeath,TheneverdyinghonorofthisdaySharewholly,Audley,tothyself,andlive。
  AUDLEY。
  VictoriousPrince,——thatthouartso,beholdACaesar’sfameinking’scaptivity——
  IfIcouldholdhimdeathbutatabay,TillIdidseemyliegethyroyalfather,MysoulshouldyieldthisCastleofmyflesh,Thismangledtribute,withallwillingness,Todarkness,consummation,dust,andWorms。
  PRINCEEDWARD。
  Cheerily,boldman,thysoulisalltooproudToyieldherCityforonelittlebreach;
  ShouldbedivorcedfromherearthlyspouseBythesofttemperofaFrenchman’ssword?
  Lo,torepairthylife,IgivetotheeThreethousandMarksayearinEnglishland。
  AUDLEY。
  Itakethygift,topaythedebtsIowe:
  ThesetwopoorEsquiresredeemedmefromtheFrenchWithlusty&dearhazardoftheirlives:
  Whatthouhastgivenme,Igivetothem;
  And,asthoulovestme,prince,laythyconsentTothisbequeathinmylasttestament。
  PRINCEEDWARD。
  RenownedAudley,live,andhavefrommeThisgifttwicedoubledtotheseEsquiresandthee:
  Butliveordie,whatthouhastgivenawayTotheseandtheirsshalllastingfreedomstay。
  Come,gentlemen,IwillseemyfriendbestowedWithinaneasyLitter;thenwe’llmarchProudlytowardCallis,withtriumphantpace,Untomyroyalfather,andtherebringThetributeofmywars,fairFrancehisking。
  [Exit。]
  ACTV。SCENEI。Picardy。TheEnglishCampbeforeCalais。
  [EnterKingEdward,QueenPhillip,Derby,soldiers。]
  KINGEDWARD。
  Nomore,QueenPhillip,pacifyyourself;
  Copland,excepthecanexcusehisfault,Shallfinddispleasurewritteninourlooks。
  Andnowuntothisproudresistingtown!
  Soldiers,assault:Iwillnolongerstay,Tobedeludedbytheirfalsedelays;
  Putalltosword,andmakethespoilyourown。
  [EntersixCitizensintheirShirts,barefoot,withhaltersabouttheirnecks。]
  ALL。
  Mercy,kingEdward,mercy,graciousLord!
  KINGEDWARD。
  Contemptuousvillains,callyenowfortruce?
  Mineearsarestoppedagainstyourbootlesscries:——
  Sound,drumsalarum;drawthreateningswords!
  FIRSTCITIZEN。
  Ah,noblePrince,takepityonthistown,Andhearus,mightyking:
  Weclaimthepromisethatyourhighnessmade;
  Thetwodays’respiteisnotyetexpired,AndwearecomewithwillingnesstobearWhattorturingdeathorpunishmentyouplease,Sothatthetremblingmultitudebesaved。
  KINGEDWARD。
  Mypromise?Well,Idoconfessasmuch:
  ButIdorequirethechiefestCitizensAndmenofmostaccountthatshouldsubmit;
  You,peradventure,arebutservilegrooms,OrsomefeloniousrobbersontheSea,Whom,apprehended,lawwouldexecute,Albeitseveritylaydeadinus:
  No,no,yecannotoverreachusthus。
  SECONDCITIZEN。
  TheSun,dreadLord,thatinthewesternfallBeholdsusnowlowbroughtthroughmisery,DidintheOrientpurpleofthemornSaluteourcomingforth,whenwewereknown;
  Ormayourportionbewithdamnedfiends。
  KINGEDWARD。
  Ifitbeso,thenletourcovenantstand:
  Wetakepossessionofthetowninpeace,But,foryourselves,lookyoufornoremorse;
  But,asimperialjusticehathdecreed,Yourbodiesshallbedraggedaboutthesewalls,Andafterfeelthestrokeofquarteringsteel:
  Thisisyourdoom;——go,soldiers,seeitdone。
  QUEENPHILLIP。
  Ah,bemoremilduntotheseyieldingmen!
  Itisagloriousthingtostablishpeace,AndkingsapproachthenearestuntoGodBygivinglifeandsafetyuntomen:
  AsthouintendesttobekingofFrance,Soletherpeoplelivetocalltheeking;
  Forwhattheswordcutsdownorfirehathspoiled,Isheldinreputationnoneofours。
  KINGEDWARD。
  Althoughexperienceteachusthisistrue,Thatpeacefulquietnessbringsmostdelight,Whenmostofallabusesarecontrolled;
  Yet,insomuchitshallbeknownthatweAswellcanmasterouraffectionsAsconquerotherbythedintofsword,Phillip,prevail;weyieldtothyrequest:
  Thesemenshalllivetoboastofclemency,And,tyranny,striketerrortothyself。
  SECONDCITIZEN。
  Longliveyourhighness!happybeyourreign!
  KINGEDWARD。
  Go,getyouhence,returnuntothetown,Andifthiskindnesshathdeservedyourlove,LearnthentoreverenceEdwardasyourking。——
  [ExeuntCitizens。]
  Now,mightwehearofouraffairsabroad,Wewould,tillgloomyWinterwereo’erspent,Disposeourmeningarrisonawhile。
  Butwhocomeshere?
  [EnterCoplandandKingDavid。]
  DERBY。
  Copland,myLord,andDavid,KingofScots。
  KINGEDWARD。
  IsthistheproudpresumptuousEsquireoftheNorth,ThatwouldnotyieldhisprisonertomyQueen?
  COPLAND。
  Iam,myliege,aNorthernEsquireindeed,Butneitherproudnorinsolent,Itrust。
  KINGEDWARD。
  Whatmovedthee,then,tobesoobstinateTocontradictourroyalQueen’sdesire?
  COPLAND。
  Nowilfuldisobedience,mightyLord,Butmydesertandpubliclawatarms:
  Itookthekingmyselfinsinglefight,And,likeasoldiers,wouldbeloathtoloseTheleastpre-eminencethatIhadwon。
  AndCoplandstraightuponyourhighness’chargeIscometoFrance,andwithalowlymindDothvalethebonnetofhisvictory:
  Receive,dreadLord,thecustomofmyfraught,Thewealthytributeofmylaboringhands,Whichshouldlongsincehavebeensurrenderedup,Hadbutyourgraciousselfbeenthereinplace。
  QUEENPHILLIP。
  But,Copland,thoudidstscorntheking’scommand,Neglectingourcommissioninhisname。
  COPLAND。
  HisnameIreverence,buthispersonmore;
  Hisnameshallkeepmeinallegiancestill,ButtohispersonIwillbendmyknee。
  KINGEDWARD。
  Ipraythee,Phillip,letdispleasurepass;
  Thismandothpleaseme,andIlikehiswords:
  Forwhatishethatwillattemptgreatdeeds,Andlosetheglorythatensuesthesame?
  AllrivershaverecourseuntotheSea,AndCopland’sfaithrelationtohisking。
  Kneel,therefore,down:nowrise,kingEdward’sknight;
  And,tomaintainthystate,IfreelygiveFivehundredmarksayeartotheeandthine。
  [EnterSalisbury。]
  Welcome,LordSalisbury:whatnewsfromBrittain?
  SALISBURY。
  This,mightyking:theCountrywehavewon,AndJohndeMountford,regentofthatplace,PresentsyourhighnesswiththisCoronet,ProtestingtrueallegiancetoyourGrace。
  KINGEDWARD。
  Wethanktheeforthyservice,valiantEarl;
  Challengeourfavour,forweoweitthee。
  SALISBURY。
  Butnow,myLord,asthisisjoyfulnews,Somustmyvoicebetragicalagain,AndImustsingofdolefulaccidents。
  KINGEDWARD。
  What,haveourmentheoverthrowatPoitiers?
  Orisoursonbesetwithtoomuchodds?
  SALISBURY。
  Hewas,myLord:andasmyworthlessselfWithfortyotherserviceableknights,UndersafeconductoftheDauphin’sseal,Didtravailthatway,findinghimdistressed,AtroopofLancesmetusontheway,Surprised,andbroughtusprisonerstotheking,Who,proudofthis,andeagerofrevenge,Commandedstraighttocutoffallourheads:
  Andsurelywehaddied,butthattheDuke,Morefullofhonorthanhisangrysire,Procuredourquickdeliverancefromthence;
  But,erewewent,’Saluteyourking’,quothhe,’Bidhimprovideafuneralforhisson:
  Todayourswordshallcuthisthreadoflife;
  And,soonerthanhethinks,we’llbewithhim,Toquittancethosedispleasureshehathdone。’
  Thissaid,wepast,notdaringtoreply;
  Ourheartsweredead,ourlooksdiffusedandwan。
  Wandering,atlastweclimeduntoahill,>Fromwhence,althoughourgriefweremuchbefore,YetnowtoseetheoccasionwithoureyesDidthricesomuchincreaseourheaviness:
  Forthere,myLord,oh,therewediddescryDowninavalleyhowbotharmieslay。
  TheFrenchhadcasttheirtrencheslikearing,AndeveryBarricado’sopenfrontWasthickembossedwithbrazenordinance;
  Herestoodabattaileoftenthousandhorse,Theretwiceasmanypikesinquadrantwise,HereCrossbows,anddeadlywoundingdarts:
  Andinthemidst,liketoaslenderpointWithinthecompassofthehorizon,Astwerearisingbubbleinthesea,AHaslewandamidstawoodofPines,Orasabearfastchaineduntoastake,StoodfamousEdward,stillexpectingwhenThosedogsofFrancewouldfastenonhisflesh。
  Anonthedeathprocuringknellbegins:
  OffgotheCannons,thatwithtremblingnoiseDidshaketheveryMountainwheretheystood;
  ThensoundtheTrumpets’clangorintheair,Thebattlesjoin:and,whenwecouldnomoreDiscernthedifferencetwixtthefriendandfoe,Sointricatethedarkconfusionwas,Awayweturnedourwateryeyeswithsighs,Asblackaspowderfumingintosmoke。
  Andthus,Ifear,unhappyhaveItoldThemostuntimelytaleofEdward’sfall。
  QUEENPHILLIP。
  Ahme,isthismywelcomeintoFrance?
  IsthisthecomfortthatIlookedtohave,WhenIshouldmeetwithmybelovedson?
  SweetNed,IwouldthymotherintheseaHadbeenpreventedofthismortalgrief!
  KINGEDWARD。
  Contentthee,Phillip;tisnottearswillserveTocallhimback,ifhebetakenhence:
  Comfortthyself,asIdo,gentleQueen,Withhopeofsharp,unheardof,direrevenge。——
  Hebidsmetoprovidehisfuneral,AndsoIwill;butallthePeersinFranceShallmournersbe,andweepoutbloodytears,Untiltheiremptyveinsbedryandsere:
  Thepillarsofhishearseshallbehisbones;
  Themouldthatcovershim,theirCityashes;
  Hisknell,thegroaningcriesofdyingmen;
  And,inthesteadoftapersonhistomb,Anhundredfiftytowersshallburningblaze,Whilewebewailourvaliantson’sdecease。
  [Afteraflourish,soundedwithin,enteranherald。]
  HERALD。
  Rejoice,myLord;ascendtheimperialthrone!
  ThemightyandredoubtedprinceofWales,GreatservitortobloodyMarsinarms,TheFrenchman’sterror,andhiscountry’sfame,TriumphantridethlikeaRomanpeer,And,lowlyathisstirrup,comesafootKingJohnofFrance,togetherwithhisson,Incaptivebonds;whosediademhebringsTocrowntheewith,andtoproclaimtheeking。
  KINGEDWARD。
  Awaywithmourning,Phillip,wipethineeyes;——
  Sound,Trumpets,welcomeinPlantagenet!
  [EnterPrinceEdward,kingJohn,Phillip,Audley,Artois。]
  Asthingslonglost,whentheyarefoundagain,Sodothmysonrejoicehisfather’sheart,Forwhomevennowmysoulwasmuchperplexed。
  QUEENPHILLIP。
  Bethisatokentoexpressmyjoy,[Kisseshim。]
  Forinwardpassionwillnotletmespeak。
  PRINCEEDWARD。
  Mygraciousfather,herereceivethegift。
  [PresentinghimwithKingJohn’scrown。]
  Thiswreathofconquestandrewardofwar,Gotwithasmickleperilofourlives,Aserewasthingofpricebeforethisday;
  Installyourhighnessinyourproperright:
  And,herewithall,IrendertoyourhandsTheseprisoners,chiefoccasionofourstrife。
  KINGEDWARD。
  So,JohnofFrance,Iseeyoukeepyourword:
  YoupromisedtobesoonerwithourselfThanwedidthinkfor,andtissoindeed:
  But,hadyoudoneatfirstasnowyoudo,Howmanyciviltownshadstooduntouched,Thatnowareturnedtoraggedheapsofstones!
  Howmanypeople’slivesmightstthouhavesaved,Thatareuntimelysunkintotheirgraves!
  KINGJOHN。
  Edward,recountnotthingsirrevocable;
  Tellmewhatransomthourequiresttohave。
  KINGEDWARD。
  Thyransom,John,hereaftershallbeknown:
  ButfirsttoEnglandthoumustcrosstheseas,Toseewhatentertainmentitaffords;
  Howereitfalls,itcannotbesobad,AsourshathbeensincewearrivedinFrance。
  KINGJOHN。
  Accursedman!ofthisIwasforetold,Butdidmisconsterwhattheprophettold。
  PRINCEEDWARD。
  Now,father,thispetitionEdwardmakesTothee,whosegracehathbeenhisstrongestshield,That,asthypleasurechosemeforthemanTobetheinstrumenttoshewthypower,Sothouwiltgrantthatmanyprincesmore,BredandbroughtupwithinthatlittleIsle,Maystillbefamousforlikevictories!
  And,formypart,thebloodyscarsIbear,AndwearynightsthatIhavewatchedinfield,ThedangerousconflictsIhaveoftenhad,Thefearfulmenaceswereprofferedme,Theheatandcoldandwhatelsemightdisplease:
  Iwishwerenowredoubledtwentyfold,Sothathereafterages,whentheyreadThepainfultrafficofmytenderyouth,Mighttherebybeinflamedwithsuchresolve,AsnottheterritoriesofFrancealone,ButlikewiseSpain,Turkey,andwhatcountrieselseThatjustlywouldprovokefairEngland’sire,Might,attheirpresence,trembleandretire。
  KINGEDWARD。
  Here,EnglishLords,wedoproclaimarest,Anintercessionofourpainfularms:
  Sheathupyourswords,refreshyourwearylimbs,Peruseyourspoils;and,afterwehavebreathedAdayortwowithinthishaventown,Godwilling,thenforEnglandwe’llbeshipped;
  Where,inahappyhour,Itrust,weshallArrive,threekings,twoprinces,andaqueen。
  FINIS。