Bringthembeforeme。BASTARDIwillseekthemout。KINGJOHNNay,butmakehaste;thebetterfootbefore。
  O,letmehavenosubjectenemies,WhenadverseforeignersaffrightmytownsWithdreadfulpompofstoutinvasion!
  BeMercury,setfeatherstothyheels,Andflylikethoughtfromthemtomeagain。BASTARDThespiritofthetimeshallteachmespeed。
  ExitKINGJOHNSpokelikeasprightfulnoblegentleman。
  Goafterhim;forheperhapsshallneedSomemessengerbetwixtmeandthepeers;
  Andbethouhe。MessengerWithallmyheart,myliege。
  ExitKINGJOHNMymotherdead!
  Re-enterHUBERTHUBERTMylord,theysayfivemoonswereseento-night;
  Fourfixed,andthefifthdidwhirlaboutTheotherfourinwondrousmotion。KINGJOHNFivemoons!HUBERTOldmenandbeldamsinthestreetsDoprophesyuponitdangerously:
  YoungArthur’sdeathiscommonintheirmouths:
  Andwhentheytalkofhim,theyshaketheirheadsAndwhisperoneanotherintheear;
  Andhethatspeaksdothgripethehearer’swrist,Whilsthethathearsmakesfearfulaction,Withwrinkledbrows,withnods,withrollingeyes。
  Isawasmithstandwithhishammer,thus,Thewhilsthisirondidontheanvilcool,Withopenmouthswallowingatailor’snews;
  Who,withhisshearsandmeasureinhishand,Standingonslippers,whichhisnimblehasteHadfalselythrustuponcontraryfeet,ToldofamanythousandwarlikeFrenchThatwereembattailedandrank’dinKent:
  Anotherleanunwash’dartificerCutsoffhistaleandtalksofArthur’sdeath。KINGJOHNWhyseek’stthoutopossessmewiththesefears?
  WhyurgestthousooftyoungArthur’sdeath?
  Thyhandhathmurder’dhim:IhadamightycauseTowishhimdead,butthouhadstnonetokillhim。HUBERTNohad,mylord!why,didyounotprovokeme?KINGJOHNItisthecurseofkingstobeattendedByslavesthattaketheirhumoursforawarrantTobreakwithinthebloodyhouseoflife,AndonthewinkingofauthorityTounderstandalaw,toknowthemeaningOfdangerousmajesty,whenperchanceitfrownsMoreuponhumourthanadvisedrespect。HUBERTHereisyourhandandsealforwhatI
  did。KINGJOHNO,whenthelastaccount’twixtheavenandearthIstobemade,thenshallthishandandsealWitnessagainstustodamnation!
  HowoftthesightofmeanstodoilldeedsMakedeedsilldone!Hadstnotthoubeenby,Afellowbythehandofnaturemark’d,Quotedandsign’dtodoadeedofshame,Thismurderhadnotcomeintomymind:
  Buttakingnoteofthyabhorr’daspect,Findingtheefitforbloodyvillany,Apt,liabletobeemploy’dindanger,IfaintlybrokewiththeeofArthur’sdeath;
  Andthou,tobeendearedtoaking,Madeitnoconsciencetodestroyaprince。HUBERTMylord——KINGJOHNHadstthoubutshookthyheadormadeapauseWhenIspakedarklywhatIpurposed,Orturn’daneyeofdoubtuponmyface,Asbidmetellmytaleinexpresswords,Deepshamehadstruckmedumb,mademebreakoff,Andthosethyfearsmighthavewroughtfearsinme:
  ButthoudidstunderstandmebymysignsAnddidstinsignsagainparleywithsin;
  Yea,withoutstop,didstletthyheartconsent,AndconsequentlythyrudehandtoactThedeed,whichbothourtonguesheldviletoname。
  Outofmysight,andneverseememore!
  Mynoblesleaveme;andmystateisbraved,Evenatmygates,withranksofforeignpowers:
  Nay,inthebodyofthisfleshlyland,Thiskingdom,thisconfineofbloodandbreath,HostilityandciviltumultreignsBetweenmyconscienceandmycousin’sdeath。HUBERTArmyouagainstyourotherenemies,I’llmakeapeacebetweenyoursoulandyou。
  YoungArthurisalive:thishandofmineIsyetamaidenandaninnocenthand,Notpaintedwiththecrimsonspotsofblood。
  Withinthisbosomneverenter’dyetThedreadfulmotionofamurderousthought;
  Andyouhaveslander’dnatureinmyform,Which,howsoeverrudeexteriorly,IsyetthecoverofafairermindThantobebutcherofaninnocentchild。KINGJOHNDothArthurlive?O,hastetheetothepeers,Throwthisreportontheirincensedrage,Andmakethemtametotheirobedience!
  ForgivethecommentthatmypassionmadeUponthyfeature;formyragewasblind,AndfoulimaginaryeyesofbloodPresentedtheemorehideousthanthouart。
  O,answernot,buttomyclosetbringTheangrylordswithallexpedienthaste。
  Iconjuretheebutslowly;runmorefast。
  ExeuntSCENEIII。Beforethecastle。EnterARTHUR,onthewallsARTHURThewallishigh,andyetwillIleapdown:
  Goodground,bepitifulandhurtmenot!
  There’sfewornonedoknowme:iftheydid,Thisship-boy’ssemblancehathdisguisedmequite。
  Iamafraid;andyetI’llventureit。
  IfIgetdown,anddonotbreakmylimbs,I’llfindathousandshiftstogetaway:
  Asgoodtodieandgo,asdieandstay。
  LeapsdownOme!myuncle’sspiritisinthesestones:
  Heaventakemysoul,andEnglandkeepmybones!
  DiesEnterPEMBROKE,SALISBURY,andBIGOTSALISBURYLords,IwillmeethimatSaintEdmundsbury:
  Itisoursafety,andwemustembraceThisgentleofferoftheperiloustime。PEMBROKEWhobroughtthatletterfromthecardinal?SALISBURYTheCountMelun,anoblelordofFrance,WhoseprivatewithmeoftheDauphin’sloveIsmuchmoregeneralthantheselinesimport。BIGOTTo-morrowmorningletusmeethimthen。SALISBURYOrratherthensetforward;for’twillbeTwolongdays’journey,lords,orerewemeet。
  EntertheBASTARDBASTARDOncemoreto-daywellmet,distemper’dlords!
  Thekingbymerequestsyourpresencestraight。SALISBURYThekinghathdispossess’dhimselfofus:
  WewillnotlinehisthinbestainedcloakWithourpurehonours,norattendthefootThatleavestheprintofbloodwhere’eritwalks。
  Returnandtellhimso:weknowtheworst。BASTARDWhate’eryouthink,goodwords,Ithink,werebest。SALISBURYOurgriefs,andnotourmanners,reasonnow。BASTARDButthereislittlereasoninyourgrief;
  Therefore’twerereasonyouhadmannersnow。PEMBROKESir,sir,impatiencehathhisprivilege。BASTARD’Tistrue,tohurthismaster,nomanelse。SALISBURYThisistheprison。Whatishelieshere?
  SeeingARTHURPEMBROKEOdeath,madeproudwithpureandprincelybeauty!
  Theearthhadnotaholetohidethisdeed。SALISBURYMurder,ashatingwhathimselfhathdone,Dothlayitopentourgeonrevenge。BIGOTOr,whenhedoom’dthisbeautytoagrave,Foundittooprecious-princelyforagrave。SALISBURYSirRichard,whatthinkyou?haveyoubeheld,Orhaveyoureadorheard?orcouldyouthink?
  Ordoyoualmostthink,althoughyousee,Thatyoudosee?couldthought,withoutthisobject,Formsuchanother?Thisistheverytop,Theheight,thecrest,orcrestuntothecrest,Ofmurder’sarms:thisisthebloodiestshame,Thewildestsavagery,thevileststroke,Thateverwall-eyedwrathorstaringragePresentedtothetearsofsoftremorse。PEMBROKEAllmurderspastdostandexcusedinthis:
  Andthis,sosoleandsounmatchable,Shallgiveaholiness,apurity,Totheyetunbegottensinoftimes;
  Andproveadeadlybloodshedbutajest,Exampledbythisheinousspectacle。BASTARDItisadamnedandabloodywork;
  Thegracelessactionofaheavyhand,Ifthatitbetheworkofanyhand。SALISBURYIfthatitbetheworkofanyhand!
  Wehadakindoflightwhatwouldensue:
  ItistheshamefulworkofHubert’shand;
  Thepractiseandthepurposeoftheking:
  FromwhoseobedienceIforbidmysoul,Kneelingbeforethisruinofsweetlife,AndbreathingtohisbreathlessexcellenceTheincenseofavow,aholyvow,Nevertotastethepleasuresoftheworld,Nevertobeinfectedwithdelight,Norconversantwitheaseandidleness,TillIhavesetaglorytothishand,Bygivingittheworshipofrevenge。PEMBROKEBIGOTOursoulsreligiouslyconfirmthywords。
  EnterHUBERTHUBERTLords,Iamhotwithhasteinseekingyou:
  Arthurdothlive;thekinghathsentforyou。SALISBURYO,heisoldandblushesnotatdeath。
  Avaunt,thouhatefulvillain,gettheegone!HUBERTIamnovillain。SALISBURYMustIrobthelaw?
  DrawinghisswordBASTARDYourswordisbright,sir;putitupagain。SALISBURYNottillIsheatheitinamurderer’sskin。HUBERTStandback,LordSalisbury,standback,Isay;
  Byheaven,Ithinkmysword’sassharpasyours:
  Iwouldnothaveyou,lord,forgetyourself,Nortemptthedangerofmytruedefence;
  LestI,bymarkingofyourrage,forgetYourworth,yourgreatnessandnobility。BIGOTOut,dunghill!darestthoubraveanobleman?HUBERTNotformylife:butyetIdaredefendMyinnocentlifeagainstanemperor。SALISBURYThouartamurderer。HUBERTDonotprovemeso;
  YetIamnone:whosetonguesoe’erspeaksfalse,Nottrulyspeaks;whospeaksnottruly,lies。PEMBROKECuthimtopieces。BASTARDKeepthepeace,Isay。SALISBURYStandby,orIshallgallyou,Faulconbridge。BASTARDThouwertbettergallthedevil,Salisbury:
  Ifthoubutfrownonme,orstirthyfoot,Orteachthyhastyspleentodomeshame,I’llstriketheedead。Putupthyswordbetime;
  OrI’llsomaulyouandyourtoasting-iron,Thatyoushallthinkthedeviliscomefromhell。BIGOTWhatwiltthoudo,renownedFaulconbridge?
  Secondavillainandamurderer?HUBERTLordBigot,Iamnone。BIGOTWhokill’dthisprince?HUBERT’TisnotanhoursinceIlefthimwell:
  Ihonour’dhim,Ilovedhim,andwillweepMydateoflifeoutforhissweetlife’sloss。SALISBURYTrustnotthosecunningwatersofhiseyes,Forvillanyisnotwithoutsuchrheum;
  Andhe,longtradedinit,makesitseemLikeriversofremorseandinnocency。
  Awaywithme,allyouwhosesoulsabhorTheuncleanlysavoursofaslaughter-house;
  ForIamstifledwiththissmellofsin。BIGOTAwaytowardBury,totheDauphinthere!PEMBROKETheretellthekinghemayinquireusout。
  ExeuntLordsBASTARDHere’sagoodworld!Knewyouofthisfairwork?
  BeyondtheinfiniteandboundlessreachOfmercy,ifthoudidstthisdeedofdeath,Artthoudamn’d,Hubert。HUBERTDobuthearme,sir。BASTARDHa!I’lltelltheewhat;
  Thou’rtdamn’dasblack——nay,nothingissoblack;
  Thouartmoredeepdamn’dthanPrinceLucifer:
  ThereisnotyetsouglyafiendofhellAsthoushaltbe,ifthoudidstkillthischild。HUBERTUponmysoul——BASTARDIfthoudidstbutconsentTothismostcruelact,dobutdespair;
  Andifthouwant’stacord,thesmallestthreadThateverspidertwistedfromherwombWillservetostranglethee,arushwillbeabeamTohangtheeon;orwouldstthoudrownthyself,Putbutalittlewaterinaspoon,Anditshallbeasalltheocean,Enoughtostiflesuchavillainup。
  Idosuspecttheeverygrievously。HUBERTIfIinact,consent,orsinofthought,BeguiltyofthestealingthatsweetbreathWhichwasemboundedinthisbeauteousclay,Lethellwantpainsenoughtotortureme。
  Ilefthimwell。BASTARDGo,bearhiminthinearms。
  Iamamazed,methinks,andlosemywayAmongthethornsanddangersofthisworld。
  HoweasydostthoutakeallEnglandup!
  Fromforththismorselofdeadroyalty,Thelife,therightandtruthofallthisrealmIsfledtoheaven;andEnglandnowisleftTotugandscambleandtopartbytheteethTheunowedinterestofproud-swellingstate。
  Nowforthebare-pick’dboneofmajestyDothdoggedwarbristlehisangrycrestAndsnarlethinthegentleeyesofpeace:
  NowpowersfromhomeanddiscontentsathomeMeetinoneline;andvastconfusionwaits,Asdotharavenonasick-fall’nbeast,Theimminentdecayofwrestedpomp。
  NowhappyhewhosecloakandcincturecanHoldoutthistempest。BearawaythatchildAndfollowmewithspeed:I’lltotheking:
  Athousandbusinessesarebriefinhand,Andheavenitselfdothfrownupontheland。
  ExeuntACTVSCENEI。KINGJOHN’Spalace。EnterKINGJOHN,CARDINALPANDULPH,andAttendantsKINGJOHNThushaveIyieldedupintoyourhandThecircleofmyglory。
  GivingthecrownCARDINALPANDULPHTakeagainFromthismyhand,asholdingofthepopeYoursovereigngreatnessandauthority。KINGJOHNNowkeepyourholyword:gomeettheFrench,AndfromhisholinessuseallyourpowerTostoptheirmarches’foreweareinflamed。
  Ourdiscontentedcountiesdorevolt;
  Ourpeoplequarrelwithobedience,SwearingallegianceandtheloveofsoulTostrangerblood,toforeignroyalty。
  Thisinundationofmistemper’dhumourRestsbyyouonlytobequalified:
  Thenpausenot;forthepresenttime’ssosick,Thatpresentmedicinemustbeminister’d,Oroverthrowincurableensues。CARDINALPANDULPHItwasmybreaththatblewthistempestup,Uponyourstubbornusageofthepope;
  Butsinceyouareagentleconvertite,MytongueshallhushagainthisstormofwarAndmakefairweatherinyourblusteringland。
  OnthisAscension-day,rememberwell,Uponyouroathofservicetothepope,GoItomaketheFrenchlaydowntheirarms。
  ExitKINGJOHNIsthisAscension-day?DidnottheprophetSaythatbeforeAscension-dayatnoonMycrownIshouldgiveoff?EvensoIhave:
  Ididsupposeitshouldbeonconstraint:
  But,heavenbethank’d,itisbutvoluntary。
  EntertheBASTARDBASTARDAllKenthathyielded;nothingthereholdsoutButDovercastle:Londonhathreceived,Likeakindhost,theDauphinandhispowers:
  Yournobleswillnothearyou,butaregoneToofferservicetoyourenemy,AndwildamazementhurriesupanddownThelittlenumberofyourdoubtfulfriends。KINGJOHNWouldnotmylordsreturntomeagain,AftertheyheardyoungArthurwasalive?BASTARDTheyfoundhimdeadandcastintothestreets,Anemptycasket,wherethejeweloflifeBysomedamn’dhandwasrobb’dandta’enaway。KINGJOHNThatvillainHuberttoldmehedidlive。BASTARDSo,onmysoul,hedid,foraughtheknew。
  Butwhereforedoyoudroop?whylookyousad?
  Begreatinact,asyouhavebeeninthought;
  LetnottheworldseefearandsaddistrustGovernthemotionofakinglyeye:
  Bestirringasthetime;befirewithfire;
  ThreatenthethreatenerandoutfacethebrowOfbragginghorror:soshallinferioreyes,Thatborrowtheirbehaviorsfromthegreat,GrowgreatbyyourexampleandputonThedauntlessspiritofresolution。
  Away,andglisterlikethegodofwar,Whenheintendethtobecomethefield:
  Showboldnessandaspiringconfidence。
  What,shalltheyseekthelioninhisden,Andfrighthimthere?andmakehimtremblethere?
  O,letitnotbesaid:forage,andrunTomeetdispleasurefartherfromthedoors,Andgrapplewithhimerehecomessonigh。KINGJOHNThelegateofthepopehathbeenwithme,AndIhavemadeahappypeacewithhim;
  AndhehathpromisedtodismissthepowersLedbytheDauphin。BASTARDOingloriousleague!
  Shallwe,uponthefootingofourland,Sendfair-playordersandmakecompromise,Insinuation,parleyandbasetruceToarmsinvasive?shallabeardlessboy,Acocker’dsilkenwanton,braveourfields,Andfleshhisspiritinawarlikesoil,Mockingtheairwithcoloursidlyspread,Andfindnocheque?Letus,myliege,toarms:
  Perchancethecardinalcannotmakeyourpeace;
  Orifhedo,letitatleastbesaidTheysawwehadapurposeofdefence。KINGJOHNHavethoutheorderingofthispresenttime。BASTARDAway,then,withgoodcourage!yet,I
  know,Ourpartymaywellmeetaprouderfoe。
  ExeuntSCENEII。LEWIS’scampatSt。Edmundsbury。Enter,inarms,LEWIS,SALISBURY,MELUN,PEMBROKE,BIGOT,andSoldiersLEWISMyLordMelun,letthisbecopiedout,Andkeepitsafeforourremembrance:
  Returntheprecedenttotheselordsagain;
  That,havingourfairorderwrittendown,Boththeyandwe,perusingo’erthesenotes,MayknowwhereforewetookthesacramentAndkeepourfaithsfirmandinviolable。SALISBURYUponoursidesitnevershallbebroken。
  And,nobleDauphin,albeitweswearAvoluntaryzealandanunurgedfaithToyourproceedings;yetbelieveme,prince,IamnotgladthatsuchasoreoftimeShouldseekaplasterbycontemn’drevolt,AndhealtheinveteratecankerofonewoundBymakingmany。O,itgrievesmysoul,ThatImustdrawthismetalfrommysideTobeawidow-maker!O,andthereWherehonourablerescueanddefenceCriesoutuponthenameofSalisbury!
  Butsuchistheinfectionofthetime,That,forthehealthandphysicofourright,WecannotdealbutwiththeveryhandOfsterninjusticeandconfusedwrong。
  Andis’tnotpity,Omygrievedfriends,Thatwe,thesonsandchildrenofthisisle,Wereborntoseesosadanhourasthis;
  WhereinwestepafterastrangermarchUponhergentlebosom,andfillupHerenemies’ranks,——ImustwithdrawandweepUponthespotofthisenforcedcause,——
  Togracethegentryofalandremote,Andfollowunacquaintedcolourshere?
  What,here?Onation,thatthoucouldstremove!
  ThatNeptune’sarms,whoclippeththeeabout,Wouldbeartheefromtheknowledgeofthyself,Andgrappletheeuntoapaganshore;
  WherethesetwoChristianarmiesmightcombineThebloodofmaliceinaveinofleague,Andnottospenditsounneighbourly!LEWISAnobletemperdostthoushowinthis;
  AndgreataffectionswrestlinginthybosomDothmakeanearthquakeofnobility。
  O,whatanoblecombathastthoufoughtBetweencompulsionandabraverespect!
  Letmewipeoffthishonourabledew,Thatsilverlydothprogressonthycheeks:
  Myhearthathmeltedatalady’stears,Beinganordinaryinundation;
  Butthiseffusionofsuchmanlydrops,Thisshower,blownupbytempestofthesoul,Startlesmineeyes,andmakesmemoreamazedThanhadIseenthevaultytopofheavenFiguredquiteo’erwithburningmeteors。
  Liftupthybrow,renownedSalisbury,Andwithagreatheartheaveawaythestorm:
  CommendthesewaterstothosebabyeyesThatneversawthegiantworldenraged;
  Normetwithfortuneotherthanatfeasts,Fullofwarmblood,ofmirth,ofgossiping。
  Come,come;forthoushaltthrustthyhandasdeepIntothepurseofrichprosperityAsLewishimself:so,nobles,shallyouall,Thatknityoursinewstothestrengthofmine。
  Andeventhere,methinks,anangelspake:
  EnterCARDINALPANDULPH
  Look,wheretheholylegatecomesapace,TogiveuswarrantfromthehandofheavenAndonouractionssetthenameofrightWithholybreath。CARDINALPANDULPHHail,nobleprinceofFrance!
  Thenextisthis,KingJohnhathreconciledHimselftoRome;hisspiritiscomein,Thatsostoodoutagainsttheholychurch,ThegreatmetropolisandseeofRome:
  Thereforethythreateningcoloursnowwindup;
  Andtamethesavagespiritofwildwar,Thatlikealionfoster’dupathand,Itmayliegentlyatthefootofpeace,Andbenofurtherharmfulthaninshow。LEWISYourgraceshallpardonme,Iwillnotback:
  Iamtoohigh-borntobepropertied,Tobeasecondaryatcontrol,Orusefulserving-manandinstrument,Toanysovereignstatethroughouttheworld。
  YourbreathfirstkindledthedeadcoalofwarsBetweenthischastisedkingdomandmyself,Andbroughtinmatterthatshouldfeedthisfire;
  Andnow’tisfartoohugetobeblownoutWiththatsameweakwindwhichenkindledit。
  Youtaughtmehowtoknowthefaceofright,Acquaintedmewithinteresttothisland,Yea,thrustthisenterpriseintomyheart;
  AndcomeyenowtotellmeJohnhathmadeHispeacewithRome?Whatisthatpeacetome?
  I,bythehonourofmymarriage-bed,AfteryoungArthur,claimthislandformine;
  And,nowitishalf-conquer’d,mustIbackBecausethatJohnhathmadehispeacewithRome?
  AmIRome’sslave?WhatpennyhathRomeborne,Whatmenprovided,whatmunitionsent,Tounderpropthisaction?Is’tnotI
  Thatundergothischarge?whoelsebutI,Andsuchastomyclaimareliable,Sweatinthisbusinessandmaintainthiswar?
  HaveInotheardtheseislandersshoutout’Viveleroi!’asIhavebank’dtheirtowns?
  HaveInotherethebestcardsforthegame,Towinthiseasymatchplay’dforacrown?
  AndshallInowgiveo’ertheyieldedset?
  No,no,onmysoul,itnevershallbesaid。CARDINALPANDULPHYoulookbutontheoutsideofthiswork。LEWISOutsideorinside,IwillnotreturnTillmyattemptsomuchbeglorifiedAstomyamplehopewaspromisedBeforeIdrewthisgallantheadofwar,Andcull’dthesefieryspiritsfromtheworld,TooutlookconquestandtowinrenownEveninthejawsofdangerandofdeath。
  TrumpetsoundsWhatlustytrumpetthusdothsummonus?
  EntertheBASTARD,attendedBASTARDAccordingtothefairplayoftheworld,Letmehaveaudience;Iamsenttospeak:
  MyholylordofMilan,fromthekingIcome,tolearnhowyouhavedealtforhim;
  And,asyouanswer,IdoknowthescopeAndwarrantlimiteduntomytongue。CARDINALPANDULPHTheDauphinistoowilful-opposite,Andwillnottemporizewithmyentreaties;
  Heflatlysayshe’llnotlaydownhisarms。BASTARDByallthebloodthateverfurybreathed,Theyouthsayswell。NowhearourEnglishking;
  Forthushisroyaltydothspeakinme。
  Heisprepared,andreasontooheshould:
  Thisapishandunmannerlyapproach,Thisharness’dmasqueandunadvisedrevel,Thisunhair’dsaucinessandboyishtroops,Thekingdothsmileat;andiswellpreparedTowhipthisdwarfishwar,thesepigmyarms,Fromoutthecircleofhisterritories。
  Thathandwhichhadthestrength,evenatyourdoor,Tocudgelyouandmakeyoutakethehatch,Todivelikebucketsinconcealedwells,Tocrouchinlitterofyourstableplanks,Tolielikepawnslock’dupinchestsandtrunks,Tohugwithswine,toseeksweetsafetyoutInvaultsandprisons,andtothrillandshakeEvenatthecryingofyournation’scrow,ThinkinghisvoiceanarmedEnglishman;
  Shallthatvictorioushandbefeebledhere,Thatinyourchambersgaveyouchastisement?
  No:knowthegallantmonarchisinarmsAndlikeaneagleo’erhisaerytowers,Tosouseannoyancethatcomesnearhisnest。
  Andyoudegenerate,youingraterevolts,YoubloodyNeroes,rippingupthewombOfyourdearmotherEngland,blushforshame;
  Foryourownladiesandpale-visagedmaidsLikeAmazonscometrippingafterdrums,Theirthimblesintoarmedgauntletschange,Theirneedlestolances,andtheirgentleheartsTofierceandbloodyinclination。LEWISThereendthybrave,andturnthyfaceinpeace;
  Wegrantthoucanstoutscoldus:faretheewell;
  WeholdourtimetooprecioustobespentWithsuchabrabbler。CARDINALPANDULPHGivemeleavetospeak。BASTARDNo,Iwillspeak。LEWISWewillattendtoneither。
  Strikeupthedrums;andletthetongueofwarPleadforourinterestandourbeinghere。BASTARDIndeedyourdrums,beingbeaten,willcryout;
  Andsoshallyou,beingbeaten:dobutstartAnechowiththeclamourofthydrum,AndevenathandadrumisreadybracedThatshallreverberateallasloudasthine;
  Soundbutanother,andanothershallAsloudasthinerattlethewelkin’searAndmockthedeep-mouth’dthunder:forathand,Nottrustingtothishaltinglegatehere,WhomhehathusedratherforsportthanneedIswarlikeJohn;andinhisforeheadsitsAbare-ribb’ddeath,whoseofficeisthisdayTofeastuponwholethousandsoftheFrench。LEWISStrikeupourdrums,tofindthisdangerout。BASTARDAndthoushaltfindit,Dauphin,donotdoubt。
  ExeuntSCENEIII。Thefieldofbattle。Alarums。EnterKINGJOHNandHUBERTKINGJOHNHowgoesthedaywithus?O,tellme,Hubert。HUBERTBadly,Ifear。Howfaresyourmajesty?KINGJOHNThisfever,thathathtroubledmesolong,Liesheavyonme;O,myheartissick!
  EnteraMessengerMessengerMylord,yourvaliantkinsman,Faulconbridge,DesiresyourmajestytoleavethefieldAndsendhimwordbymewhichwayyougo。KINGJOHNTellhim,towardSwinstead,totheabbeythere。MessengerBeofgoodcomfort;forthegreatsupplyThatwasexpectedbytheDauphinhere,Arewreck’dthreenightsagoonGoodwinSands。
  ThisnewswasbroughttoRichardbutevennow:
  TheFrenchfightcoldly,andretirethemselves。KINGJOHNAyme!thistyrantfeverburnsmeup,Andwillnotletmewelcomethisgoodnews。
  SetontowardSwinstead:tomylitterstraight;
  Weaknesspossessethme,andIamfaint。
  ExeuntSCENEIV。Anotherpartofthefield。EnterSALISBURY,PEMBROKE,andBIGOTSALISBURYIdidnotthinkthekingsostoredwithfriends。PEMBROKEUponceagain;putspiritintheFrench:
  Iftheymiscarry,wemiscarrytoo。SALISBURYThatmisbegottendevil,Faulconbridge,Inspiteofspite,aloneupholdstheday。PEMBROKETheysayKingJohnsoresickhathleftthefield。
  EnterMELUN,woundedMELUNLeadmetotherevoltsofEnglandhere。SALISBURYWhenwewerehappywehadothernames。PEMBROKEItistheCountMelun。SALISBURYWoundedtodeath。MELUNFly,nobleEnglish,youareboughtandsold;
  UnthreadtherudeeyeofrebellionAndwelcomehomeagaindiscardedfaith。
  SeekoutKingJohnandfallbeforehisfeet;
  ForiftheFrenchbelordsofthisloudday,HemeanstorecompensethepainsyoutakeBycuttingoffyourheads:thushathheswornAndIwithhim,andmanymoewithme,UponthealtaratSaintEdmundsbury;
  EvenonthataltarwherewesworetoyouDearamityandeverlastinglove。SALISBURYMaythisbepossible?maythisbetrue?MELUNHaveInothideousdeathwithinmyview,Retainingbutaquantityoflife,Whichbleedsaway,evenasaformofwaxResolvethfromhisfigure’gainstthefire?
  Whatintheworldshouldmakemenowdeceive,SinceImustlosetheuseofalldeceit?
  WhyshouldIthenbefalse,sinceitistrueThatImustdiehereandlivehencebytruth?
  Isayagain,ifLewisdowintheday,Heisforsworn,ife’erthoseeyesofyoursBeholdanotherdaybreakintheeast:
  Buteventhisnight,whoseblackcontagiousbreathAlreadysmokesabouttheburningcrestOftheold,feebleandday-weariedsun,Eventhisillnight,yourbreathingshallexpire,PayingthefineofratedtreacheryEvenwithatreacherousfineofallyourlives,IfLewisbyyourassistancewintheday。
  CommendmetooneHubertwithyourking:
  Theloveofhim,andthisrespectbesides,ForthatmygrandsirewasanEnglishman,Awakesmyconsciencetoconfessallthis。
  Inlieuwhereof,Iprayyou,bearmehenceFromforththenoiseandrumourofthefield,WhereImaythinktheremnantofmythoughtsInpeace,andpartthisbodyandmysoulWithcontemplationanddevoutdesires。SALISBURYWedobelievethee:andbeshrewmysoulButIdolovethefavourandtheformOfthismostfairoccasion,bythewhichWewilluntreadthestepsofdamnedflight,Andlikeabatedandretiredflood,Leavingourranknessandirregularcourse,Stooplowwithinthoseboundswehaveo’erlook’dAndcabbyrunoninobedienceEventoourocean,toourgreatKingJohn。
  Myarmshallgivetheehelptobeartheehence;
  ForIdoseethecruelpangsofdeathRightinthineeye。Away,myfriends!Newflight;
  Andhappynewness,thatintendsoldright。
  Exeunt,leadingoffMELUNSCENEV。TheFrenchcamp。EnterLEWISandhistrainLEWISThesunofheavenmethoughtwasloathtoset,Butstay’dandmadethewesternwelkinblush,WhenEnglishmeasurebackwardtheirowngroundInfaintretire。O,bravelycameweoff,Whenwithavolleyofourneedlessshot,Aftersuchbloodytoil,webidgoodnight;
  Andwoundourtatteringcoloursclearlyup,Lastinthefield,andalmostlordsofit!
  EnteraMessengerMessengerWhereismyprince,theDauphin?LEWISHere:whatnews?MessengerTheCountMelunisslain;theEnglishlordsByhispersuasionareagainfall’noff,Andyoursupply,whichyouhavewish’dsolong,ArecastawayandsunkonGoodwinSands。LEWISAh,foulshrewdnews!beshrewthyveryheart!
  Ididnotthinktobesosadto-nightAsthishathmademe。WhowashethatsaidKingJohndidflyanhourortwobeforeThestumblingnightdidpartourwearypowers?MessengerWhoeverspokeit,itistrue,mylord。LEWISWell;keepgoodquarterandgoodcareto-night:
  ThedayshallnotbeupsosoonasI,Totrythefairadventureofto-morrow。
  ExeuntSCENEVI。AnopenplaceintheneighbourhoodofSwinsteadAbbey。EntertheBASTARDandHUBERT,severallyHUBERTWho’sthere?speak,ho!speakquickly,orIshoot。BASTARDAfriend。Whatartthou?HUBERTOfthepartofEngland。BASTARDWhitherdostthougo?HUBERTWhat’sthattothee?whymaynotIdemandOfthineaffairs,aswellasthouofmine?BASTARDHubert,Ithink?HUBERTThouhastaperfectthought:
  IwilluponallhazardswellbelieveThouartmyfriend,thatknow’stmytonguesowell。
  Whoartthou?BASTARDWhothouwilt:andifthouplease,ThoumaystbefriendmesomuchastothinkIcomeonewayofthePlantagenets。HUBERTUnkindremembrance!thouandeyelessnightHavedonemeshame:bravesoldier,pardonme,ThatanyaccentbreakingfromthytongueShould’scapethetrueacquaintanceofmineear。BASTARDCome,come;sanscompliment,whatnewsabroad?HUBERTWhy,herewalkIintheblackbrowofnight,Tofindyouout。BASTARDBrief,then;andwhat’sthenews?HUBERTO,mysweetsir,newsfittingtothenight,Black,fearful,comfortlessandhorrible。BASTARDShowmetheverywoundofthisillnews:
  Iamnowoman,I’llnotswoonatit。HUBERTTheking,Ifear,ispoison’dbyamonk:
  Ilefthimalmostspeechless;andbrokeoutToacquaintyouwiththisevil,thatyoumightThebetterarmyoutothesuddentime,Thanifyouhadatleisureknownofthis。BASTARDHowdidhetakeit?whodidtastetohim?HUBERTAmonk,Itellyou;aresolvedvillain,Whosebowelssuddenlyburstout:thekingYetspeaksandperadventuremayrecover。BASTARDWhodidstthouleavetotendhismajesty?HUBERTWhy,knowyounot?thelordsareallcomeback,AndbroughtPrinceHenryintheircompany;
  Atwhoserequestthekinghathpardon’dthem,Andtheyareallabouthismajesty。BASTARDWithholdthineindignation,mightyheaven,Andtemptusnottobearaboveourpower!
  I’lltelltree,Hubert,halfmypowerthisnight,Passingtheseflats,aretakenbythetide;
  TheseLincolnWasheshavedevouredthem;
  Myself,wellmounted,hardlyhaveescaped。
  Awaybefore:conductmetotheking;
  IdoubthewillbedeadorereIcome。
  ExeuntSCENEVII。TheorchardinSwinsteadAbbey。EnterPRINCEHENRY,SALISBURY,andBIGOTPRINCEHENRYItistoolate:thelifeofallhisbloodIstouch’dcorruptibly,andhispurebrain,Whichsomesupposethesoul’sfraildwelling-house,DothbytheidlecommentsthatitmakesForetelltheendingofmortality。
  EnterPEMBROKEPEMBROKEHishighnessyetdothspeak,andholdsbeliefThat,beingbroughtintotheopenair,ItwouldallaytheburningqualityOfthatfellpoisonwhichassailethhim。PRINCEHENRYLethimbebroughtintotheorchardhere。
  Dothhestillrage?
  ExitBIGOTPEMBROKEHeismorepatientThanwhenyoulefthim;evennowhesung。PRINCEHENRYOvanityofsickness!fierceextremesIntheircontinuancewillnotfeelthemselves。
  Death,havingprey’dupontheoutwardparts,Leavestheminvisible,andhissiegeisnowAgainstthemind,thewhichhepricksandwoundsWithmanylegionsofstrangefantasies,Which,intheirthrongandpresstothatlasthold,Confoundthemselves。’Tisstrangethatdeathshouldsing。
  Iamthecygnettothispalefaintswan,Whochantsadolefulhymntohisowndeath,Andfromtheorgan-pipeoffrailtysingsHissoulandbodytotheirlastingrest。SALISBURYBeofgoodcomfort,prince;foryouarebornTosetaformuponthatindigestWhichhehathleftsoshapelessandsorude。
  EnterAttendants,andBIGOT,carryingKINGJOHNinachairKINGJOHNAy,marry,nowmysoulhathelbow-room;
  Itwouldnotoutatwindowsnoratdoors。
  Thereissohotasummerinmybosom,Thatallmybowelscrumbleuptodust:
  Iamascribbledform,drawnwithapenUponaparchment,andagainstthisfireDoIshrinkup。PRINCEHENRYHowfaresyourmajesty?KINGJOHNPoison’d,——illfare——dead,forsook,castoff:
  AndnoneofyouwillbidthewintercomeTothrusthisicyfingersinmymaw,Norletmykingdom’sriverstaketheircourseThroughmyburn’dbosom,norentreatthenorthTomakehisbleakwindskissmyparchedlipsAndcomfortmewithcold。Idonotaskyoumuch,Ibegcoldcomfort;andyouaresostraitAndsoingrateful,youdenymethat。PRINCEHENRYOthatthereweresomevirtueinmytears,Thatmightrelieveyou!KINGJOHNThesaltinthemishot。
  Withinmeisahell;andtherethepoisonIsasafiendconfinedtotyrannizeOnunreprievablecondemnedblood。
  EntertheBASTARDBASTARDO,Iamscaldedwithmyviolentmotion,Andspleenofspeedtoseeyourmajesty!KINGJOHNOcousin,thouartcometosetmineeye:
  Thetackleofmyheartiscrack’dandburn’d,AndalltheshroudswherewithmylifeshouldsailAreturnedtoonethread,onelittlehair:
  Myhearthathonepoorstringtostayitby,Whichholdsbuttillthynewsbeuttered;
  AndthenallthisthouseestisbutaclodAndmoduleofconfoundedroyalty。BASTARDTheDauphinispreparinghitherward,WhereheavenHeknowshowweshallanswerhim;
  Forinanightthebestpartofmypower,AsIuponadvantagedidremove,WereintheWashesallunwarilyDevouredbytheunexpectedflood。
  KINGJOHNdiesSALISBURYYoubreathethesedeadnewsinasdeadanear。
  Myliege!mylord!butnowaking,nowthus。PRINCEHENRYEvensomustIrunon,andevensostop。
  Whatsuretyoftheworld,whathope,whatstay,Whenthiswasnowaking,andnowisclay?BASTARDArtthougoneso?IdobutstaybehindTodotheofficefortheeofrevenge,Andthenmysoulshallwaitontheetoheaven,Asitonearthhathbeenthyservantstill。
  Now,now,youstarsthatmoveinyourrightspheres,Wherebeyourpowers?shownowyourmendedfaiths,Andinstantlyreturnwithmeagain,TopushdestructionandperpetualshameOutoftheweakdoorofourfaintingland。
  Straightletusseek,orstraightweshallbesought;
  TheDauphinragesatourveryheels。SALISBURYItseemsyouknownot,then,somuchaswe:
  TheCardinalPandulphiswithinatrest,WhohalfanhoursincecamefromtheDauphin,AndbringsfromhimsuchoffersofourpeaceAswewithhonourandrespectmaytake,Withpurposepresentlytoleavethiswar。BASTARDHewilltheratherdoitwhenheseesOurselveswellsinewedtoourdefence。SALISBURYNay,itisinamannerdonealready;
  Formanycarriageshehathdispatch’dTothesea-side,andputhiscauseandquarrelTothedisposingofthecardinal:
  Withwhomyourself,myselfandotherlords,Ifyouthinkmeet,thisafternoonwillpostToconsummatethisbusinesshappily。BASTARDLetitbeso:andyou,mynobleprince,Withotherprincesthatmaybestbespared,Shallwaituponyourfather’sfuneral。PRINCEHENRYAtWorcestermusthisbodybeinterr’d;
  Forsohewill’dit。BASTARDThithershallitthen:
  AndhappilymayyoursweetselfputonThelinealstateandgloryoftheland!
  Towhomwithallsubmission,onmykneeIdobequeathmyfaithfulservicesAndtruesubjectioneverlastingly。SALISBURYAndtheliketenderofourlovewemake,Torestwithoutaspotforevermore。PRINCEHENRYIhaveakindsoulthatwouldgiveyouthanksAndknowsnothowtodoitbutwithtears。BASTARDO,letuspaythetimebutneedfulwoe,Sinceithathbeenbeforehandwithourgriefs。
  ThisEnglandneverdid,nornevershall,Lieattheproudfootofaconqueror,Butwhenitfirstdidhelptowounditself。
  Nowtheseherprincesarecomehomeagain,Comethethreecornersoftheworldinarms,Andweshallshockthem。Noughtshallmakeusrue,IfEnglandtoitselfdorestbuttrue。