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。