KJN1 ) THE TROUBLESOME REIGN OF JOHN KING OF ENGLAND, WITH THE DISCOVERY OF KING RICHARD CORDELION'S BASE SON (VULGARLY NAMED, THE BASTARD FAUCONBRIDGE); ALSO THE DEATH OF KING JOHN AT SWINSTEAD ABBEY. AS IT WAS (SUNDRY TIMES) PUBLICLY ACTED BY THE QUEEN'S MAJESTY'S PLAYERS, IN THE HONORABLE CITY OF LONDON. TO THE GENTLEMEN READERS. YOU THAT WITH FRIENDLY GRACE OF SMOOTHED BROW HAVE ENTERTAIN'D THE SCYTHIAN TAMBURLAINE, AND GIVEN APPLAUSE UNTO AN INFIDEL: VOUCHSAFE TO WELCOME (WITH LIKE COURTESY) A WARLIKE CHRISTIAN AND YOUR COUNTRYMAN. FOR CHRIST'S TRUE FAITH INDUR'D HE MANY A STORM, AND SET HIMSELF AGAINST THE MAN OF ROME, UNTIL BASE TREASON (BY A DAMNED WIGHT) DID ALL HIS FORMER TRIUMPHS PUT TO FLIGHT, ACCEPT OF IT (SWEET GENTLES) IN GOOD SORT, AND THINK IT WAS PREPAR'D FOR YOUR DISPORT. THE TROUBLESOME REIGN OF KING JOHN. ENTER KING JOHN, QUEEN ELEANOR HIS MOTHER, WILLIAM MARSHAL EARL OF PEMBROKE, THE EARLS OF ESSEX, AND OF SALISBURY. QUEEN-ELEANOR. BARONS OF ENGLAND, AND MY NOBLE LORDS; THOUGH GOD AND FORTUNE HAVE BEREFT FROM US VICTORIOUS RICHARD, SCOURGE OF INFIDELS, AND CLAD THIS LAND IN STOLE OF DISMAL HUE: YET GIVE ME LEAVE TO JOY, AND JOY YOU ALL, THAT FROM THIS WOMB HATH SPRUNG A SECOND HOPE, A KING THAT MAY IN RULE AND VIRTUE BOTH SUCCEED HIS BROTHER IN HIS EMPERY. K.JOHN. MY GRACIOUS MOTHER, QUEEN, AND BARONS ALL; THOUGH FAR UNWORTHY OF SO HIGH A PLACE, AS IS THE THRONE OF MIGHTY ENGLAND'S KING: YET JOHN YOUR LORD, CONTENTED UNCONTENT, WILL (AS HE MAY) SUSTAIN THE HEAVY YOKE OF PRESSING CARES, THAT HANG UPON A CROWN. MY LORD OF PEMBROKE, AND LORD SALISBURY, ADMIT THE LORD CHATILLON TO OUR PRESENCE; THAT WE MAY KNOW WHAT PHILIP KING OF FRANCE Q.ELEANOR. DARE LAY MY HAND THAT ELEANOR CAN GUESS WHERETO THIS WEIGHTY EMBASSADE DOTH TEND: IF OF MY NEPHEW, ARTHUR, AND HIS CLAIM, THEN SAY MY SON I HAVE NOT MISS'D MY AIM. ENTER CHATILLON AND THE TWO EARLS. JOHN. MY LORD CHATILLON, WELCOME INTO ENGLAND: HOW FARES OUR BROTHER PHILIP KING OF FRANCE? CHAT. HIS HIGHNESS AT MY COMING WAS IN HEALTH, AND WILL'D ME TO SALUTE YOUR MAJESTY, AND SAY THE MESSAGE HE HATH GIVEN IN CHARGE. JOHN. AND SPARE NOT, MAN, WE ARE PREPAR'D TO HEAR. CHAT. PHILIP, BY GRACE OF GOD MOST CHRISTIAN KING OF FRANCE, HAVING TAKEN INTO HIS GUARDAIN AND PROTECTION ARTHUR, DUKE OF BRITTANY, SON AND HEIR TO JEFFREY THINE ELDER BROTHER, REQUIRETH IN THE BEHALF OF THE SAID ARTHUR, THE KINGDOM OF ENGLAND, WITH THE LORDSHIP OF IRELAND, POITERS, ANJOU, TOURAINE, MAINE: AND I ATTEND THINE ANSWER. JOHN. A SMALL REQUEST: BELIKE HE MAKES ACCOUNT THAT ENGLAND, IRELAND, POITERS, ANJOU, TOURAINE, MAINE, ARE NOTHING FOR A KING TO GIVE AT ONCE: I WONDER WHAT HE MEANS TO LEAVE FOR ME. TELL PHILIP, HE MAY KEEP HIS LORDS AT HOME, WITH GREATER HONOR THAN TO SEND THEM THUS ON EMBASSADES THAT NOT CONCERN HIMSELF, OR IF THEY DID, WOULD YIELD BUT SMALL RETURN. CHAT. IS THIS THINE ANSWER? JOHN. IT IS, AND TOO GOOD AN ANSWER FOR SO PROUD A MESSAGE. CHAT. THEN, KING OF ENGLAND, IN MY MASTER'S NAME, AND IN PRINCE ARTHUR DUKE OF BRITTANY'S NAME, I DO DEFY THEE AS AN ENEMY, AND WISH THEE TO PREPARE FOR BLOODY WARS. Q.ELEANOR. MY LORD (THAT STANDS UPON DEFIANCE THUS) COMMEND ME TO MY NEPHEW, TELL THE BOY, THAT I, QUEEN ELEANOR (HIS GRANDMOTHER) UPON MY BLESSING CHARGE HIM LEAVE HIS ARMS, WHERETO HIS HEAD-STRONG MOTHER PRICKS HIM SO: HER PRIDE WE KNOW, AND KNOW HER FOR A DAME THAT WILL NOT STICK TO BRING HIM TO HIS END, SALISBURY. PLEASE IT YOUR MAJESTY, HERE IS THE SHERIFF OF NORTHAMPTONSHIRE, WITH CERTAIN PERSONS THAT OF LATE COMMITTED A RIOT, AND HAVE APPEAL'D TO YOUR MAJESTY BESEECHING YOUR HIGHNESS FOR SPECIAL CAUSE TO HEAR THEM. JOHN. WILL THEM COME NEAR, AND WHILE WE HEAR THE CAUSE, GO, SALISBURY, AND MAKE PROVISION. WE MEAN WITH SPEED TO PASS THE SEA TO FRANCE. SAY, SHERIFF, WHAT ARE THESE MEN, WHAT HAVE THEY DONE? OR WHERETO TENDS THE COURSE OF THIS APPEAL? SHERIFF. PLEASE IT YOUR MAJESTY, THESE TWO BRETHREN UNNATURALLY FALLING AT ODDS ABOUT THEIR FATHER'S LIVING HAVE BROKEN YOUR HIGHNESS' PEACE, IN SEEKING TO RIGHT THEIR OWN WRONGS WITHOUT CAUSE OF LAW, OR ORDER OF JUSTICE, AND UNLAWFULLY ASSEMBLED THEMSELVES IN MUTINOUS MANNER, HAVING COMMITTED A RIOT, APPEALING FROM TRIAL IN THEIR COUNTRY TO YOUR HIGHNESS: AND HERE I, THOMAS NIDIGATE, SHERIFF OF NORTHAMPTONSHIRE, DO DELIVER THEM OVER TO THEIR TRIAL. JOHN. MY LORD OF ESSEX, WILL THE OFFENDERS TO STAND FORTH, AND TELL THE CAUSE OF THEIR QUARREL. ESSEX. GENTLEMEN, IT IS THE KING'S PLEASURE THAT YOU DISCOVER YOUR GRIEFS -- I DOUBT NOT BUT YOU SHALL HAVE JUSTICE. PHILIP. PLEASE IT YOUR MAJESTY, THE WRONG IS MINE; YET WILL I ABIDE ALL WRONGS, BEFORE I ONCE OPEN MY MOUTH TO UNRIP THE SHAMEFUL SLANDER OF MY PARENTS, THE DISHONOR OF MYSELF, AND THE WICKED DEALING OF MY BROTHER IN THIS PRINCELY ASSEMBLY. ROBERT. THEN BY MY PRINCE HIS LEAVE SHALL ROBERT SPEAK, AND TELL YOUR MAJESTY WHAT RIGHT I HAVE. TO OFFER WRONG, AS HE ACCOUNTETH WRONG. MY FATHER (NOT UNKNOWN UNTO YOUR GRACE) RECEIV'D HIS SPURS OF KNIGHTHOOD IN THE FIELD, AT KINGLY RICHARD'S HANDS IN PALESTINE, WHENAS THE WALLS OF ACON GAVE HIM WAY: HIS NAME, SIR ROBERT FAUCONBRIDGE OF MOUNTBERRY. WHAT BY SUCCESSION FROM HIS ANCESTORS, AND WARLIKE SERVICE UNDER ENGLAND'S ARMS, TWO THOUSAND MARKS REVENUE EVERY YEAR: AND THIS (MY LORD) I CHALLENGE FOR MY RIGHT, AS LAWFUL HEIR TO ROBERT FAUCONBRIDGE. PHILIP. IF FIRST-BORN SON BE HEIR INDUBITATE BY CERTAIN RIGHT OF ENGLAND'S ANCIENT LAW, HOW SHOULD MYSELF MAKE ANY OTHER DOUBT, BUT I AM HEIR TO ROBERT FAUCONBRIDGE? JOHN. FOND YOUTH, TO TROUBLE THESE OUR PRINCELY EARS OR MAKE A QUESTION IN SO PLAIN A CASE: SPEAK, IS THIS MAN THINE ELDER BROTHER BORN? ROBERT. PLEASE IT YOUR GRACE WITH PATIENCE FOR TO HEAR: I NOT DENY BUT HE MINE ELDER IS, MINE ELDER BROTHER TOO; YET IN SUCH SORT, AS HE CAN MAKE NO TITLE TO THE LAND. JOHN. A DOUBTFUL TALE AS EVER I DID HEAR, THY BROTHER AND THINE ELDER, AND NO HEIR: EXPLAIN THIS DARK ENIGMA. ROBERT. I GRANT (MY LORD) HE IS MY MOTHER'S SON, BASE BORN, AND BASE BEGOT, NO FAUCONBRIDGE. INDEED THE WORLD REPUTES HIM LAWFUL HEIR, MY FATHER IN HIS LIFE DID COUNT HIM SO, AND HERE MY MOTHER STANDS TO PROVE HIM SO: BUT I (MY LORD) CAN PROVE, AND DO AVER BOTH TO MY MOTHER'S SHAME AND HIS REPROACH, HE IS NO HEIR, NOR YET LEGITIMATE. THEN (GRACIOUS LORD) LET FAUCONBRIDGE ENJOY THE LIVING THAT BELONGS TO FAUCONBRIDGE, AND LET NOT HIM POSSESS ANOTHER'S RIGHT. JOHN. PROVE THIS, THE LAND IS THINE BY ENGLAND'S LAW. Q.ELEANOR. UNGRACIOUS YOUTH, TO RIP THY MOTHER'S SHAME, THE WOMB FROM WHENCE THOU DID'ST BEING TAKE, ALL HONEST EARS ABHOR THY WICKEDNESS, BUT GOLD I SEE DOTH BEAT DOWN NATURE'S LAW. MOTHER. MY GRACIOUS LORD, AND YOU, THRICE REVEREND DAME, THAT SEE THE TEARS DISTILLING FROM MINE EYES, AND SCALDING SIGHS BLOWN FROM A RENTED HEART: FOR HONOR AND REGARD OF WOMANHOOD, LET ME ENTREAT TO BE COMMANDED HENCE. LET NOT THESE EARS RECEIVE THE HISSING SOUND OF SUCH A VIPER, WHO WITH POISONED WORDS DOTH MACERATE THE BOWELS OF MY SOUL. AND FELLOW, SAY, WHOSE BASTARD IS THY BROTHER. ELEANOR. YOUNG MAN, THOU NEED'ST NOT BE ASHAMED OF THY KIN, NOR OF THY SIRE. BUT FORWARD WITH THY PROOF. ROBERT. THE PROOF SO PLAIN, THE ARGUMENT SO STRONG, AS THAT YOUR HIGHNESS AND THESE NOBLE LORDS, AND ALL (SAVE THOSE THAT HAVE NO EYES TO SEE) SHALL SWEAR HIM TO BE BASTARD TO THE KING. FIRST WHEN MY FATHER WAS AMBASSADOR IN GERMANY UNTO THE EMPEROR, THE KING LAY OFTEN AT MY FATHER'S HOUSE; AND ALL THE REALM SUSPECTED WHAT BEFELL: AND AT MY FATHER'S BACK RETURN AGAIN MY MOTHER WAS DELIVERED AS TIS SAID, SIX WEEKS BEFORE THE ACCOUNT MY FATHER MADE. BUT MORE THAN THIS: LOOK BUT ON PHILIP'S FACE, HIS FEATURES, ACTIONS, AND HIS LINEAMENTS, AND ALL THIS PRINCELY PRESENCE SHALL CONFESS, HE IS NO OTHER BUT KING RICHARD'S SON. THEN, GRACIOUS LORD, REST HE KING RICHARD'S SON, AND LET ME REST SAFE IN MY FATHER'S RIGHT, THAT AM HIS RIGHTFUL SON AND ONLY HEIR. JOHN. IS THIS THY PROOF, AND ALL THOU HAST TO SAY? ROBERT. I HAVE NO MORE, NOR NEED I GREATER PROOF. JOHN. FIRST, WHERE THOU SAID'ST IN ABSENCE OF THY SIRE MY BROTHER OFTEN LODGED IN HIS HOUSE: AND WHAT OF THAT? BASE GROOM TO SLANDER HIM, THAT HONORED HIS AMBASSADOR SO MUCH, IN ABSENCE OF THE MAN TO CHEER THE WIFE? THIS WILL NOT HOLD, PROCEED UNTO THE NEXT. Q.ELEANOR. THOU SAY'ST SHE TERM'D SIX WEEKS BEFORE HER TIME. WHY, GOOD SIR SQUIRE, ARE YOU SO CUNNING GROWN TO MAKE ACCOUNT OF WOMEN'S RECKONINGS? SPIT IN YOUR HAND AND TO YOUR OTHER PROOFS: MANY MISCHANCES HAP IN SUCH AFFAIRS TO MAKE A WOMAN COME BEFORE HER TIME. JOHN. AND WHERE THOU SAY'ST HE LOOKETH LIKE THE KING IN ACTION, FEATURE AND PROPORTION: THEREIN I HOLD WITH THEE, FOR IN MY LIFE I NEVER SAW SO LIVELY COUNTERFEIT OF RICHARD CORDELION, AS IN HIM. ROBERT. THEN, GOOD MY LORD, BE YOU INDIFFERENT JUDGE, Q.ELEANOR. NAY, HEAR YOU SIR, YOU RUN AWAY TOO FAST. KNOW YOU NOT, OMNE SIMILE NON EST IDEM? OR HAVE READ IT? HARK, YE GOOD SIR, TWAS THUS I WARRANT, AND NO OTHERWISE, SHE LAY WITH SIR ROBERT YOUR FATHER, AND THOUGHT UPON KING RICHARD, MY SON, AND SO YOUR BROTHER WAS FORMED IN THIS FASHION. ROBERT. MADAM, YOU WRONG ME THUS TO JEST IT OUT, I CRAVE MY RIGHT: KING JOHN, AS THOU ART KING, SO BE THOU JUST, AND LET ME HAVE MY RIGHT. JOHN. WHY (FOOLISH BOY) THY PROOFS ARE FRIVOLOUS, NOR CANST THOU CHALLENGE ANYTHING THEREBY. BUT THOU SHALT SEE HOW I WILL HELP THY CLAIM, THIS IS MY DOOM, AND THIS MY DOOM SHALL STAND IRREVOCABLE, AS I AM KING OF ENGLAND. FOR THOU KNOW'ST NOT, WE'LL ASK OF THEM THAT KNOW, HIS MOTHER AND HIMSELF SHALL END THIS STRIFE: AND AS THEY SAY, SO SHALL THY LIVING PASS. ROBERT. MY LORD, HEREIN I CHALLENGE YOU OF WRONG, TO GIVE AWAY MY RIGHT, AND PUT THE DOOM UNTO THEMSELVES. CAN THERE BE LIKELIHOOD THAT SHE WILL LOSE? OR HE WILL GIVE THE LIVING FROM HIMSELF? IT MAY NOT BE, MY LORD. WHY SHOULD IT BE? JOHN. LORDS, KEEP HIM BACK, AND LET HIM HEAR THE DOOM. ESSEX, FIRST ASK THE MOTHER THRICE WHO WAS HIS SIRE. ESSEX. LADY MARGARET, WIDOW OF FAUCONBRIDGE, WHO WAS FATHER TO THY SON PHILIP? MOTHER. PLEASE IT YOUR MAJESTY, SIR ROBERT FAUCONBRIDGE. ROBERT. THIS IS RIGHT, ASK MY FELLOW THERE IF I BE A THIEF. JOHN. ASK PHILIP WHOSE SON HE IS. ESSEX. PHILIP, WHO WAS THY FATHER? PHILIP. MASS, MY LORD, AND THAT'S A QUESTION, AND YOU HAD NOT TAKEN SOME PAINS WITH HER BEFORE, I SHOULD HAVE DESIRED YOU TO ASK MY MOTHER. JOHN. SAY WHO WAS THY FATHER. PHILIP. FAITH (MY LORD) TO ANSWER YOU SURE, HE IS MY FATHER THAT WAS NEAREST MY MOTHER WHEN I WAS GOTTEN, AND HIM I THINK TO BE SIR ROBERT FAUCONBRIDGE. JOHN. ESSEX, FOR FASHION'S SAKE DEMAND AGAIN, THAT PHILIP IS THE SON UNTO A KING: THE WHISTLING LEAVES UPON THE TREMBLING TREES, WHISTLE IN CONSORT, I AM RICHARD'S SON THE BUBBLING MURMUR OF THE WATER'S FALL RECORDS PHILIPPUS REGIUS FILIUS; BIRDS IN THEIR FLIGHT MAKE MUSIC WITH THEIR WINGS, FILLING THE AIR WITH GLORY OF MY BIRTH; BIRDS, BUBBLES, LEAVES, AND MOUNTAINS ECHO, ALL RING IN MINE EARS THAT I AM RICHARD'S SON. FOND MAN, AH, WHITHER ART THOU CARRIED? HOW ARE THY THOUGHTS YWRAPT IN HONOR'S HEAVEN? FORGETFUL WHAT THOU ART, AND WHENCE THOU CAM'ST! THY FATHER'S LAND CANNOT MAINTAIN THESE THOUGHTS, THESE THOUGHTS ARE FAR UNFITTING FAUCONBRIDGE, AND WELL THEY MAY, FOR WHY THIS MOUNTING MIND DOTH SOAR TOO HIGH TO STOOP TO FAUCONBRIDGE. WHY, HOW NOW? KNOWEST THOU WHERE THOU ART? AND KNOWEST THOU WHO EXPECTS THINE ANSWER HERE? WHILE THOU UPON A FRANTIC MADDING VEIN GO LOSE THY LAND, AND SAY THYSELF BASE BORNE? NO, KEEP THY LAND, THOUGH RICHARD WERE THY SIRE, WHATE'ER THOU THINK'ST, SAY THOU ART FAUCONBRIDGE. JOHN. SPEAK, MAN, BE SUDDEN, WHO THY FATHER WAS. PHILIP. PLEASE IT YOUR MAJESTY, SIR ROBERT ... PHILIP, THAT FAUCONBRIDGE CLEAVES TO THY JAWS; IT WILL NOT OUT, I CANNOT FOR MY LIFE SAY I AM SON UNTO A FAUCONBRIDGE. LET LAND AND LIVING GO, TIS HONOR'S FIRE THAT MAKES ME SWEAR KING RICHARD WAS MY SIRE. BASE TO A KING ADDS TITLE OF MORE STATE, THAN KNIGHT'S BEGOTTEN, THOUGH LEGITIMATE. PLEASE IT YOUR GRACE, I AM KING RICHARD'S SON. ROBERT. ROBERT, REVIVE THY HEART, LET SORROW DIE, HIS FALT'RING TONGUE NOT SUFFERS HIM TO LIE. MOTHER. WHAT HEAD-STRONG FURY DOTH ENCHANT MY SONS? PHILIP. PHILIP CANNOT REPENT, FOR HE HATH DONE. JOHN. THEN, PHILIP, BLAME NOT ME, THYSELF HAST LOST BY WILLFULNESS, THY LIVING AND THY LAND. ROBERT, THOU ART THE HEIR OF FAUCONBRIDGE, GOD GIVE THEE JOY, GREATER THAN THY DESERT. PHILIP. MADAM, I AM BOLD TO MAKE MYSELF YOUR NEPHEW, THE POOREST KINSMAN THAT YOUR HIGHNESS HATH, AND WITH THIS PROVERB 'GIN THE WORLD ANEW: 'HELP HANDS, I HAVE NO LANDS, HONOR IS MY DESIRE,' LET PHILIP LIVE TO SHOW HIMSELF WORTHY SO GREAT A SIRE. EALEANOR. PHILIP, I THINK THOU KNEW'ST THY GRANDAM'S MIND; BUT CHEER THEE, BOY, I WILL NOT SEE THEE WANT AS LONG AS ELEANOR HATH FOOT OF LAND; HENCEFORTH THOU SHALT BE TAKEN FOR MY SON, AND WAIT ON ME AND ON THINE UNCLE HERE, WHO SHALL GIVE HONOR TO THY NOBLE MIND. JOHN. PHILIP, KNEEL DOWN, THAT THOU MAY'ST THROUGHLY KNOW HOW MJCH THY RESOLUTION PLEASETH US, RISE UP, SIR RICHARD PLANTAGENET, KING RICHARD'S SON. PHIL. GRANT HEAVENS THAT PHILIP ONCE MAY SHOW HIMSELF WORTHY THE HONOR OF PLANTAGENET, OR BASEST GLORY OF A BASTARD'S NAME. JOHN. NOW, GENTLEMEN, WE WILL AWAY TO FRANCE, TO CHECK THE PRIDE OF ARTHUR AND HIS MATES. ESSEX, THOU SHALT BE RULER OF MY REALM, AND TOWARD THE MAIN CHARGES OF MY WARS, I'LL SEIZE THE LAZY ABBEY LUBBERS' LANDS INTO MY HANDS TO PAY MY MEN OF WAR. THE POPE AND POPELINGS SHALL NOT GREASE THEMSELVES WITH GOLD AND GROATS, THAT ARE THE SOLDIERS DUE. THUS FORWARD, LORDS, LET OUR COMMAND BE DONE, AND MARCH WE FORWARD MIGHTILY TO FRANCE. (EXEUNT. MANET PHILIP AND HIS MOTHER. PHILIP. MADAM, I BESEECH YOU DEIGN ME SO MUCH LEISURE AS THE HEARING OF A MATTER THAT I LONG TO IMPART TO YOU. MOTHER. WHAT'S THE MATTER, PHILIP? I THINK YOUR SUIT IN SECRET, TENDS TO SOME MONEY MATTER, WHICH YOU SUPPOSE BURNS IN THE BOTTOM OF MY CHEST. PHIL. NO, MADAM, IT IS NO SUCH SUIT AS TO BEG OR BORROW, BUT SUCH A SUIT, AS MIGHT SOME OTHER GRANT, I WOULD NOT NOW HAVE TROUBLED YOU WITHAL. MOTHER. A GOD'S NAME LET US HEAR IT. PHILIP. THEN, MADAM, THUS, YOUR LADYSHIP SEES WELL, HIS FATHER DOUBTLESS WAS AS BRAVE A MAN. TO YOU ON KNEES AS SOMETIME PHAETON, MISTRUSTING SILLY MEROP FOR HIS SIRE, STRAINING A LITTLE BASHFUL MODESTY, I BEG SOME INSTANCE WHENCE I AM EXTRACT'D. MOTHER. YET MORE ADO TO HASTE ME TO MY GRAVE, AND WILT THOU TOO BECOME A MOTHER'S CROSS? MUST I ACCUSE MYSELF TO CLOSE WITH YOU? SLANDER MYSELF TO QUIET YOUR AFFECTS? THOU MOV'ST ME, PHILIP, WITH THIS IDLE TALK, WHICH I REMIT, IN HOPE THIS MOOD WILL DIE. PHILIP. NAY, LADY MOTHER, HEAR ME FURTHER YET, FOR STRONG CONCEIT DRIVES DUTY HENCE A WHILE. YOUR HUSBAND FAUCONBRIDGE WAS FATHER TO THAT SON, THAT CARRYS MARKS OF NATURE LIKE THE SIRE, THE SON THAT BLOTTETH YOU WITH WEDLOCKS BREACH, AND HOLDS MY RIGHT, AS LINEAL IN DESCENT FROM HIM WHOSE FORM WAS FIGUR'D IN HIS FACE. CAN NATURE SO DISSEMBLE IN HER FRAME, TO MAKE THE ONE SO LIKE AS LIKE MAY BE, AND IN THE OTHER MINT NO CHARACTER TO CHALLENGE ANY MARK OF TRUE DESCENT? MY BROTHER'S MIND IS BASE, AND TOO TOO DULL, TO MOUNT WHERE PHILIP LODGETH HIS AFFECTS, AND HIS EXTERNAL GRACES THAT YOU VIEW (THOUGH I REPORT IT) COUNTERPOISE NOT MINE. HIS CONSTITUTION PLAIN DEBILITY, REQUIRES THE CHAIR, AND MINE THE SEAT OF STEEL. NAY, WHAT IS HE, OR WHAT AM I TO HIM? WHEN ANY ONE THAT KNOWETH HOW TO CARP WILL SCARCELY JUDGE US BOTH ONE COUNTRY BORN. THIS, MADAM, THIS, HATH DROVE ME FROM MYSELF, AND HERE BY HEAVEN'S ETERNAL LAMPS I SWEAR, AS CURSED NERO WITH HIS MOTHER DID, SO I WITH YOU, IF YOU RESOLVE ME NOT. MOTHER. LET MOTHER'S TEARS QUENCH OUT THY ANGER'S FIRE, AND URGE NO FURTHER WHAT THOU DOST REQUIRE. PHILIP. LET SON'S ENTREATY SWAY THE MOTHER NOW, OR ELSE SHE DIES: I'LL NOT INFRINGE MY VOW. MOTHER. UNHAPPY TALK! MUST I RECOUNT MY SHAME, BLAB MY MISDEEDS, OR BY CONCEALING DIE? SOME POWER STRIKE ME SPEECHLESS FOR A TIME, WHY WISH I SO, UNHAPPY AS I AM? THE FAULT IS MINE, AND HE THE FAULTY FRUIT, I BLUSH, I FAINT, OH WOULD I MIGHT BE MUTE. PHILIP. MOTHER, BE BRIEF, I LONG TO KNOW MY NAME. MOTHER. AND LONGING DIE TO SHROUD THY MOTHER'S SHAME. PHILIP. COME, MADAM, COME, YOU NEED NOT BE SO LOATH; THE SHAME IS SHARED EQUAL TWIXT US BOTH. IS'T NOT A SLACKNESS IN ME WORTHY BLAME, TO BE FOOL'D, AND CANNOT WRITE MY NAME. GOOD MOTHER, RESOLVE ME. MOTHER. THEN, PHILIP, HEAR THY FORTUNE AND MY GRIEF, MY HONOR'S LOSS BY PURCHASE OF THYSELF, MY SHAME, THY NAME, AND HUSBAND'S SECRET WRONG, ALL MAIM'D AND STAIN'D BY YOUTH'S UNRULY SWAY. AND WHEN THOU KNOWEST FROM WHENCE THOU ART EXTRACT'D, OR IF THOU KNEW'ST WHAT SUITS, WHAT THREATS, WHAT FEARS, TO MOVE BY LOVE, OR MASSACRE BY DEATH, TO YIELD WITH LOVE, OR END BY LOVE'S CONTEMPT, THE MIGHTINESS OF HIM THAT COURTED ME, WHO TEMPER'D TERROR WITH HIS WANTON TALK, THAT SOMETHING MAY EXTENUATE THE GUILT. BUT LET IT NOT ADVANTAGE ME SO MUCH. UPBRAID ME RATHER WITH THE ROMAN DAME THAT SHED HER BLOOD TO WASH AWAY HER SHAME. WHY STAND I TO EXPOSTULATE THE CRIME WITH PRO ET CONTRA, NOW THE DEED IS DONE, WHEN TO CONCLUDE TWO WORDS MAY TELL THE TALE, THAT PHILIP'S FATHER WAS A PRINCE'S SON, RICH ENGLAND'S RULE, WORLD'S ONLY TERROR HE, FOR HONOR'S LOSS LEFT ME WITH CHILD OF THEE. WHOSE SON THOU ART, THEN PARDON ME THE RATHER, FOR FAIR KING RICHARD WAS THY NOBLE FATHER. PHILIP. THEN, ROBIN FAUCONBRIDGE, I WITH THEE JOY, MY SIRE A KING, AND I A LANDLESS BOY. GOD'S LADY, MOTHER, THE WORLD IS IN MY DEBT; THERE'S SOMETHING OWING TO PLANTAGENET. AY, MARRY, SIR, LET ME ALONE FOR GAME, BRAVE AUSTRIA, CAUSE OF CORDELION'S DEATH, IS ALSO COME TO AID THEE IN THY WARS, AND ALL OUR FORCES JOIN FOR ARTHUR'S RIGHT. AND, BUT FOR CAUSES OF GREAT CONSEQUENCE, TWICE SHOULD NOT TITAN HIDE HIM IN THE WEST, TO COOL THE FETLOCKS OF HIS WEARY TEAM, TILL I HAD WITH AN UNRESISTED SHOCK CONTROLL'D THE MANAGE OF PROUD ANGIERS' WALLS, OR MADE A FORFEIT OF MY FAME TO CHANCE. CONSTANCE. MAY BE THAT JOHN IN CONSCIENCE OR IN FEAR TO OFFER WRONG WHERE YOU IMPUGN THE ILL, WILL SEND SUCH CALM CONDITIONS BACK TO FRANCE, AS SHALL REBATE THE EDGE OF FEARFUL WARS. IF SO, FORBEARANCE IS A DEED WELL DONE. ARTHUR. AH, MOTHER, POSSESSION OF A CROWN IS MUCH, AND JOHN AS I HAVE HEARD REPORTED OF, FOR PRESENT VANTAGE WOULD ADVENTURE FAR. THE WORLD CAN WITNESS IN HIS BROTHER'S TIME, HE TOOK UPON HIM RULE AND ALMOST REIGN; THEN MUST IT FOLLOW AS A DOUBTFUL POINT, THAT HE'LL RESIGN THE RULE UNTO HIS NEPHEW. I RATHER THINK THE MENACE OF THE WORLD SOUNDS IN HIS EARS AS THREATS OF NO ESTEEM, AND SOONER WOULD HE SCORN EUROPE'S POWER, THAN LOSE THE SMALLEST TITLE HE ENJOYS; FOR QUESTIONLESS HE IS AN ENGLISHMAN. LOUIS. WHY, ARE THE ENGLISH PEERLESS IN COMPARE? BRAVE CAVALIERS AS ERE THAT ISLAND BRED, HAVE LIV'D AND DIED, AND DAR'D AND DONE ENOUGH, YET NEVER GRAC'D THEIR COUNTRY FOR THE CAUSE. ENGLAND IS ENGLAND, YIELDING GOOD AND BAD, AND JOHN OF ENGLAND IS AS OTHER JOHNS. TRUST ME, YOUNG ARTHUR, IF THOU LIKE MY REED, PRAISE THOU THE FRENCH THAT HELP THEE IN THIS NEED. LIMOGES. THE ENGLISHMAN HATH LITTLE CAUSE I TROW, TO SPEND GOOD SPEACHES ON SO PROUD A FOE. WHY, ARTHUR, HERE'S HIS SPOIL THAT NOW IS GONE, WHO WHEN HE LIV'D OUTRODE HIS BROTHER JOHN: BUT HASTY CURS THAT LIE SO LONG TO CATCH, COME HALTING HOME, AND MEET THEIR OVERMATCH. BUT NEWS COMES NOW, HERE'S THE AMBASSADOR. (ENTER CHATILLON. K.PHILP. AND IN GOOD TIME! WELCOME, MY LORD CHATILLON! WHAT NEWS? WILL JOHN ACCORD TO OUR COMMAND. CHATILLON. BE I NOT BRIEF TO TELL YOUR HIGHNESS ALL, FOR ONE SELF BOTTOM BROUGHT US BOTH TO FRANCE. HE ON HIS PART WILL TRY THE CHANCE OF WAR, AND IF HIS WORDS INFER ASSURED TRUTH, WILL LOSE HIMSELF AND ALL HIS FOLLOWERS, ERE YIELD UNTO THE LEAST OF YOUR DEMANDS. THE MOTHER QUEEN SHE TAKETH ON AMAIN 'GAINST LADY CONSTANCE, COUNTING HER THE CAUSE THAT DOTH EFFECT THIS CLAIM TO ALBION, CONJURING ARTHUR WITH A GRANDAM'S CARE, TO LEAVE HIS MOTHER; WILLING HIM SUBMIT HIS STATE TO JOHN AND HER PROTECTION, WHO (AS SHE SAITH) ARE STUDIOUS FOR HIS GOOD. MORE CIRCUMSTANCE THE SEASON INTERCEPTS: THIS IS THE SUM, WHICH BRIEFLY I HAVE SHOWN. K.PHIL. THIS BITTER WIND MUST NIP SOMEBODY'S SPRING, SUDDEN AND BRIEF, WHY, SO, TIS HARVEST WEATHER. BUT SAY, CHATILLON, WHAT PERSONS OF ACCOUNT ARE WITH HIM? CHATILON. OF ENGLAND, EARL PEMBROKE AND SALISBURY, THE ONLY NOTED MEN OF ANY NAME. NEXT THEM A BASTARD OF THE KING'S DECEAS'D, A HARDY WILD HEAD, TOUGH AND VENTUROUS, WITH MANY OTHER MEN OF HIGH RESOLVE. THEN IS THERE WITH THEM ELEANOR, MOTHER QUEEN, AND BLANCHE HER NIECE, DAUGHTER TO THE KING OF SPAIN: THESE ARE THE PRIME BIRDS OF THIS HOT ADVENTURE. ENTER JOHN AND HIS FOLLOWERS, QUEEN, BASTARD, EARLS, ETC. K.PHILIP. ME SEEMETH, JOHN, AN OVER-DARING SPIRIT EFFECTS SOME FRENZY IN THY RASH APPROACH, TREADING MY CONFINES WITH THY ARMED TROOPS. I RATHER LOOK'D FOR SOME SUBMISSIVE REPLY TOUCHING THE CLAIM THY NEPHEW ARTHUR MAKES TO THAT WHICH THOU UNJUSTLY DOST USURP. K.JOHN. FOR THAT CHATILLON CAN DISCHARGE YOU ALL. WITHOUT AMBIGUOUS SHADOW OF DESCENT, IS SOVEREIGN TO THE SUBSTANCE THOU WITHHOLD'ST. Q.ELEANOR. MISGOVERN'D GOSSIP, STAIN TO THIS RESORT, OCCASION OF THESE UNDECIDED JARS, I SAY (THAT KNOW) TO CHECK THY VAIN SUPPOSE. THY SON HATH NAUGHT TO DO WITH THAT HE CLAIMS, FOR PROOF WHEREOF, I CAN INFER A WILL, CONSTANCE. A WILL INDEED, A CRABBED WOMAN'S WILL, WHEREIN THE DEVIL IS AN OVERSEER, AND PROUD DAME ELEANOR SOLE EXECUTRESS: MORE WILLS THAN SO, ON PERIL OF MY SOUL, WERE NEVER MADE TO HINDER ARTHUR'S RIGHT. ARTHUR. BUT SAY THERE WAS, AS SURE THERE CAN BE NONE, THE LAW INTENDS SUCH TESTAMENTS AS VOID, WHERE RIGHT DESCENT CAN NO WAY BE IMPEACH'D. Q.ELEANOR. PEACE, ARTHUR, PEACE, THY MOTHER MAKES THEE WINGS TO SOAR WITH PERIL AFTER ICARUS, AND TRUST ME YOUNGLING FOR THE FATHER'S SAKE, I PITY MUCH THE HAZARD OF THY YOUTH. CONSTANCE. BESHREW YOU ELSE, HOW PITIFUL YOU ARE, READY TO WEEP TO HEAR HIM ASK HIS OWN; SORROW BETIDE SUCH GRANDAMS AND SUCH GRIEF, THAT MINISTER A POISON FOR PURE LOVE. BUT WHO SO BLIND, AS CANNOT SEE THIS BEAM, THAT YOU FORSOOTH WOULD KEEP YOUR COUSIN DOWN, FOR FEAR HIS MOTHER SHOULD BE US'D TOO WELL? AY, THERE'S THE GRIEF, CONFUSION CATCH THE BRAIN, THAT HAMMERS SHIFTS TO STOP A PRINCE'S REIGN. Q.ELEANOR. IMPATIENT, FRANTIC, COMMON SLANDERER, IMMODEST DAME, UNNURTUR'D QUARRELER, I TELL THEE I, NOT ENVY TO THY SON, BUT JUSTICE MAKES ME SPEAK AS I HAVE DONE. K.PHILIP. BUT HERE'S NO PROOF THAT SHOWS YOUR SON A KING. K.JOHN. WHAT WANTS, MY SWORD SHALL MORE AT LARGE SET DOWN. LOUIS. BUT THAT MAY BREAK BEFORE THE TRUTH BE KNOWN. BASTARD. THEN THIS MAY HOLD TILL ALL HIS RIGHT BE SHOWN. LYMOGES. GOOD WORDS, SIR SAUCE, YOUR BETTERS ARE IN PLACE. BASTARD. NOT YOU, SIR DOUGHTIE, WITH YOUR LION'S CASE. BLANCH. AH, JOY BETIDE HIS SOUL, TO WHOM THAT SPOIL BELONG'D, AH, RICHARD, HOW THY GLORY HERE IS WRONG'D. LYMOGES. METHINKS THAT RICHARD'S PRIDE, AND RICHARD'S FALL SHOULD BE A PRECEDENT T'AFFRIGHT YOU ALL. BASTARD. WHAT WORDS ARE THESE? WHO DO MY SINEWS SHAKE? MY FATHER'S FOE CLAD IN MY FATHER'S SPOIL, A THOUSAND FURIES KINDLE WITH REVENGE, SEARING MY INWARDS WITH A BRAND OF HATE: HOW DOTH ALECTO WHISPER IN MINE EARS? DELAY NOT, PHILIP, KILL THE VILLAIN STRAIGHT, DISROBE HIM OF THE MATCHLESS MUNIMENT, THY FATHER'S TRIUMPH O'ER THE SAVAGES. BASE HERDGROOM, COWARD, PEASANT, WORSE THAN A THRESHING SLAVE, WHAT MAK'ST THOU WITH THE TROPHY OF A KING? SHAM'ST THOU NOT COISTREL, LOATHSOME DUNGHILL SWAD, TO GRACE THY CARCASS WITH AN ORNAMENT TOO PRECIOUS FOR A MONARCH'S COVERTURE? SCARCE CAN I TEMPER DUE OBEDIENCE UNTO THE PRESENCE OF MY SOVEREIGN, FROM ACTING OUTRAGE ON THIS TRUNK OF HATE: BUT ARM THEE TRAITOR, WRONGER OF RENOWN, FOR BY HIS SOUL I SWEAR, MY FATHER'S SOUL, TWICE WILL I NOT REVIEW THE MORNING'S RISE, TILL I HAVE TORN THAT TROPHY FROM THY BACK, AND SPLIT THY HEART, FOR WEARING IT SO LONG. PHILIP HATH SWORN, AND IF IT BE NOT DONE, LET NOT THE WORLD REPUTE ME RICHARD'S SON. LYMOGES. NAY, SOFT, SIR BASTARD, HEARTS ARE NOT SPLIT SO SOON, LET THEM REJOICE THAT AT THE END TO WIN, AND TAKE THIS LESSON AT THY FOEMAN'S HAND, PAWN NOT THY LIFE, TO GET THY FATHER'S SKIN. BLANCHE. WELL MAY THE WORLD SPEAK OF HIS KNIGHTLY VALOR, THAT WINS THIS HIDE TO WEAR A LADY'S FAVOR. BASTARD. ILL MAY I THRIVE, AND NOTHING BROOK WITH ME, IF SHORTLY I PRESENT IT NOT TO THEE. K.PHILIP. LORDINGS, FORBEAR, FOR TIME IS COMING FAST, THAT DEEDS MAY TRY WHAT WORDS CANNOT DETERMINE, AND TO THE PURPOSE FOR THE CAUSE YOU COME. ME SEEMS YOU SET RIGHT IN CHANCE OF WAR, YIELDING NO OTHER REASONS FOR YOUR CLAIM, I'LL FIGHT IT OUT UNTO THE LATEST MAN. JOHN. KNOW, KING OF FRANCE, I WILL NOT BE COMMANDED BY ANY POWER OR PRINCE IN CHRISTENDOM, TO YIELD AN INSTANCE HOW I HOLD MINE OWN, MORE THAN TO ANSWER, THAT MINE OWN IS MINE. BUT WILT THOU SEE ME PARLEY WITH THE TOWN, AND HEAR THEM OFFER ME ALLEIGANCE K.PHILIP. SUMMON THEM, I WILL NOT BELIEVE IT TILL I SEE IT, AND WHEN I SEE IT I'LL SOON CHANGE IT. (THEY SUMMON THE TOWN, THE CITIZENS APPEAR UPON THE WALLS. K.JOHN. YOU MEN OF ANGIERS, AND AS I TAKE IT MY LOYAL SUBJECTS, I HAVE SUMMONED YOU TO THE WALLS: TO DISPUTE ON MY RIGHT, WERE TO THINK YOU DOUBTFUL THEREIN, WHICH I AM PERSUADED YOU ARE NOT. IN FEW WORDS, OUR BROTHER'S SON, BACK'D WITH THE KING OF FRANCE, HAVE BELEAGUER'D YOUR TOWN UPON A FALSE PRETENDED TITLE TO THE SAME: IN DEFENCE WHICH I YOUR LIEGE LORD HAVE BROUGHT OUR POWER TO FENCE YOU FROM THE USURPER, TO FREE YOUR INTENDED SERVITUDE, AND UTTERLY TO SUPPLANT THE FOEMAN, TO MY RIGHT AND YOUR REST. SAY THEN, WHO, WHO KEEP YOU THE TOWN FOR? CITIZEN. FOR OUR LAWFUL KING. JOHN. I WAS NO LESS PERSUADED: THEN IN GOD'S NAME OPEN YOUR GATES, AND LET ME ENTER. CITIZEN. AND IT PLEASE YOUR HIGHNESS, WE CONTROL NOT YOUR TITLE, NEITHER WILL WE RASHLY ADMIT YOUR ENTRANCE: IF YOU BE LAWFUL KING, WITH ALL OBEDIENCE WE KEEP IT TO YOUR USE, IF NOT KING, OUR RASHNESS TO BE IMPEACHED FOR YIELDING, WITHOUT MORE CONSIDERATE TRIAL, WE ANSWER NOT AS MEN LAWLESS, BUT TO THE BEHOOF OF HIM THAT PROVES LAWFUL. JOHN. I SHALL NOT COME IN THEN? CITIZEN. NO, MY LORD, TILL WE KNOW MORE. K.PHILIP. THEN HEAR ME SPEAK IN THE BEHALF OF ARTHUR, SON OF GEOFFREY, ELDER BROTHER TO JOHN, HIS TITLE MANIFEST WITHOUT CONTRADICTION TO THE CROWN AND KINGDOM OF ENGLAND, WITH ANGIERS AND DIVERS TOWNS ON THIS SIDE OF THE SEA: WILL YOU ACKNOWLEDGE HIM YOUR LIEGE LORD, WHO SPEAKETH IN MY WORD TO ENTERTAIN YOU WITH ALL FAVORS AS BESEEMETH A KING TO HIS SUBJECTS, OR A FRIEND TO HIS WELL-WISHERS: OR STAND TO THE PERIL OF YOUR CONTEMPT, WHEN HIS TITLE IS PROVED BY THE SWORD. CITIZEN. WE ANSWER AS BEFORE: TILL YOU HAVE PROVED ONE RIGHT, WE WE HOLD OUR TOWN AS DESIROUS TO KNOW THE TRUTH AS LOATH TO SUBSCRIBE BEFORE WE KNOW. MORE THAN THIS WE CANNOT SAY, AND MORE THAN THIS WE DARE NOT DO. K.PHILIP. THEN, JOHN, I DEFY THEE IN THE NAME AND BEHALF OF ARTHUR PLANTAGENET THY KING AND COUSIN, WHOSE RIGHT AND PATRIMONY THOU DETAINEST, AS I DOUBT NOT ERE THE DAY END IN A SET BATTLE MAKE THEE CONFESS; WHEREUNTO WITH A ZEAL TO RIGHT I CHALLENGE THEE. K.JOHN. I ACCEPT THE CHALLENGE, AND TURN THE DEFIANCE TO THY THROAT. (EXCURSIONS. THE BASTARD CHASETH LYMOGES THE AUSTRICH DUKE, AND MAKETH HIM LEAVE THE LION'S SKIN. BASTARD. AND ART THOU GONE, MISFORTUNE HAUNT THY STEPS, AND CHILL COLD FEAR ASSAIL THY TIMES OF REST. MORPHEUS, LEAVE HERE THY SILENT EBON CAVE, BESIEGE HIS THOUGHTS WITH DISMAL FANTASIES, AND GHASTLY OBJECTS OF PALE THREAT'NING MORS. AFFRIGHT HIM EVERY MINUTE WITH STERN LOOKS, LET SHADOW TEMPER TERROR IN HIS THOUGHTS, AND LET THE TERROR MAKE THE COWARD MAD, AND IN HIS MADNESS LET HIM FEAR PURSUIT, AND SO IN FRENZY LET THE PEASANT DIE. HERE IS THE RANSOM THAT ALLAYS HIS RAGE, THE FIRST FREEHOLD THAT RICHARD LEFT HIS SON: WITH WHICH I SHALL SURPRISE HIS LIVING FOES, AS HECTOR'S STATUE DID THE FAINTING GREEKS. (EXIT. ENTER THE KING'S HERALDS WITH TRUMPETS TO THE WALLS OF ANGIERS: THEY SUMMON THE TOWN. ENG.HERALD. JOHN, BY THE GRACE OF GOD KING OF ENGLAND, LORD OF IRELAND, ANJOU, TOURAINE, ETC, DEMANDETH ONCE AGAIN OF YOU HIS SUBJECTS OF ANGIERS, IF YOU WILL QUIETLY SURRENDER UP THE TOWN INTO HIS HANDS. FR.HERALD. PHILIP, BY THE GRACE OF GOD KING OF FRANCE, DEMANDETH IN THE BEHALF OF ARTHUR, DUKE OF BRITTANY, IF YOU WILL SURRENDER UP THE TOWN INTO HIS HANDS, TO THE USE OF THE SAID ARTHUR. CITIZENS. HERALDS, GO TELL THE TWO VICTORIOUS PRINCES, HERALDS. WE GO. ENTER THE KINGS, QUEEN ELEANOR, BLANCHE, BASTARD, LYMOGES, LOUIS, CASTILIAN, PEMBROKE, SALISBURY, CONSTANCE, AND ARTHUR, DUKE OF BRITTANY. JOHN. HERALD, WHAT ANSWER DO THE TOWNSMEN SEND? PHILIP. WILL ANGIERS YIELD TO PHILIP KING OF FRANCE? MAKE LANES OF SLAUGHTER'D BODIES THROUGH THINE HOST, AND ARE RESOLV'D TO YIELD TO ARTHUR'S RIGHT. JOHN. WHY, PHILIP, THOUGH THOU BRAVEST IT FORE THE WALLS, THY CONSCIENCE KNOWS THAT JOHN HATH WON THE FIELD. PHILIP. WHAT ERE MY CONSCIENCE KNOWS, THY ARMY FEELS THAT PHILIP HAD THE BETTER OF THE DAY. BASTARD. PHILIP, INDEED, HATH GOT THE LION'S CASE, WHICH HERE HE HOLDS TO LYMOGE'S DISGRACE. BASE DUKE TO FLY AND LEAVE SUCH SPOILS BEHIND: BUT THIS THOU KNEW'ST OF FORCE TO MAKE ME STAY. IF FAR'D WITH THEE AS WITH THE MARINER, SPYING THE HUGIE WHALE, WHOSE MONSTROUS BULK DOTH BEAR THE WAVES LIKE MOUNTAINS 'FORE THE WIND, THAT THROWS OUT EMPTY VESSELS, SO TO STAY HIS FURY, WHILE THE SHIP DOTH SAIL AWAY. PHILIP, TIS THINE: AND FOR THIS PRINCELY PRESENCE, MADAM, I HUMBLY LAY IT AT YOUR FEET, BEING THE FIRST ADVENTURE I ACHIEV'D, AND FIRST EXPLOIT YOUR GRACE DID ENJOIN: YET MANY MORE I LONG TO BE ENJOIN'D. BLANCHE. PHILIP, I TAKE IT, AND I THEE COMMAND TO WEAR THE SAME AS ERST THY FATHER DID: THEREWITH RECEIVE THIS FAVOR AT MY HANDS, T'ENCOURAGE THEE TO FOLLOW RICHARD'S FAME. ARTHUR. YE CITIZENS OF ANGIERS, ARE YE MUTE? ARTHUR OR JOHN, SAY WHICH SHALL BE YOUR KING? CITIZEN. WE CARE NOT WHICH, IF ONCE WE KNEW THE RIGHT, BUT TILL WE KNOW WE WILL NOT YIELD OUR RIGHT. BASTARD. MIGHT PHILIP COUNSEL TWO SO MIGHTY KINGS, AS ARE THE KINGS OF ENGLAND AND OF FRANCE, HE WOULD ADVISE YOUR GRACES TO UNITE AND KNIT YOUR FORCES 'GAINST THESE CITIZENS, PULLING THEIR BATTERED WALLS ABOUT THEIR EARS. FOR THEY ARE MINDED TO DELUDE YOU BOTH. CITIZEN. KINGS, PRINCES, LORDS AND KNIGHTS ASSEMBLED HERE, THE CITIZENS OF ANGIERS ALL BY ME ENTREAT YOUR MAJESTY TO HEAR THEM SPEAK: AND AS YOU LIKE THE MOTION THEY SHALL MAKE, SO TO ACCOUNT AND FOLLOW THEIR ADVICE. JOHN&PHILIP. SPEAK ON, WE GIVE THEE LEAVE. CITIZEN. THEN THUS: WHEREAS THAT YOUNG AND LUSTY KNIGHT INCITES YOU ON TO KNIT YOUR KINGLY STRENGTHS, THE MOTION CANNOT CHOOSE BUT PLEASE THE GOOD, AND SUCH AS LOVE THE QUIET OF THE STATE. BUT HOW, MY LORDS, HOW SHOULD YOUR STRENGTHS BE KNIT? NOT TO OPPRESS YOUR SUBJECTS AND YOUR FRIENDS, AND FILL THE WORLD WITH BRAWLS AND MUTINIES, BUT UNTO PEACE YOUR FORCES SHOULD BE KNIT TO LIVE IN PRINCELY LEAGUE AND AMITY. DO THIS, THE GATES OF ANGIERS SHALL GIVE WAY AND STAND WIDE OPEN TO YOUR HEART'S CONTENT. TO MAKE THIS PEACE A LASTING BOND OF LOVE, REMAINS ONE ONLY HONORABLE MEANS, WHICH BY YOUR PARDON I SHALL HERE DISPLAY. LOUIS, THE DOLPHIN AND THE HEIR OF FRANCE, A MAN OF NOTED VALOR THROUGH THE WORLD, IS YET UNMARRIED: LET HIM TAKE TO WIFE THE BEAUTEOUS DAUGHTER OF THE KING OF SPAIN, NIECE TO KING JOHN, THE LOVELY LADY BLANCHE, BEGOTTEN ON HIS SISTER ELEANOR. WITH HER IN MARRIAGE WILL HER UNCLE GIVE &ASTLES AND TOWERS AS FITTETH SUCH A MATCH. THE KINGS THUS JOIN'D IN LEAGUE OF PERFECT LOVE, THEY MAY SO DEAL WITH ARTHUR, DUKE OF BRITTANY, WHO IS BUT YOUNG, AND YET UNMEET TO REIGN, AS HE SHALL STAND CONTENTED EVERY WAY. THUS HAVE I BOLDLY (FOR THE COMMON GOOD) DELIVERED WHAT THE CITY GAVE IN CHARGE. AND AS UPON CONDITIONS YOU AGREE, SO SHALL WE STAND CONTENT TO YIELD THE TOWN. ARTHUR. A PROPER PEACE, IF SUCH A MOTION HOLD; THESE KINGS BEAR ARMS FOR ME, AND FOR MY RIGHT, AND THEY SHALL SHARE MY LANDS TO MAKE THEM FRIENDS. Q.ELEANOR. SON JOHN, FOLLOW THIS MOTION, AS THOU LOVEST THY MOTHER. LOUIS SHALL HAVE MY NIECE, AND THEN BE SURE ARTHUR SHALL HAVE SMALL SUCCOR OUT OF FRANCE. JOHN. BROTHER OF FRANCE, YOU HEAR THE CITIZENS: THEN TELL ME, HOW YOU MEAN TO DEAL HEREIN. FOR NOW I SEE THE FALL OF ALL THY HOPES. K.PHILIP. LADY, AND DUKE OF BRITAIN, KNOW YOU BOTH, THE KING OF FRANCE RESPECTS HIS HONOR MORE, THAN TO BETRAY HIS FRIENDS AND FAVORERS. PRINCESS OF SPAIN, COULD YOU AFFECT MY SON, IF WE UPON CONDITIONS COULD AGREE? BASTARD. SWOUNDS, MADAM, TAKE AN ENGLISH GENTLEMAN: SLAVE AS I WAS, I THOUGHT TO HAVE MOV'D THE MATCH. GRANDAM, YOU MADE ME HALF A PROMISE ONCE, THAT LADY BLANCHE SHOULD BRING ME WEALTH ENOUGH, AND MAKE ME HEIR OF STORE OF ENGLISH LAND. Q.ELEANOR. PEACE, PHILIP, I WILL LOOK THEE OUT A WIFE, WE MUST WITH POLICY COMPOUND THIS STRIFE. BASTARD. IF LOUIS GET HER, WELL, I SAY NO MORE: BUT LET THE FROLIC FRENCHMAN TAKE NO SCORN, IF PHILIP FRONT HIM WITH A ENGLISH HORN. JOHN. LADY, WHAT ANSWER MAKE YOU TO THE KING OF FRANCE? CAN YOU AFFECT THE DOLPHIN FOR YOUR LORD? BLANCH. I THANK THE KING THAT LIKES OF ME SO WELL, TO MAKE ME BRIDE UNTO SO GREAT A PRINCE: BUT GIVE ME LEAVE, MY LORD, TO PAUSE ON THIS, LEST BEING TOO TOO FORWARD IN THE CAUSE, IT MAY BE BLEMISH TO MY MODESTY. Q.ELEANOR. SON JOHN, AND WORTHY PHILIP KING OF FRANCE, DO YOU CONFER A WHILE ABOUT THE DOWER, AND I WILL SCHOOL MY MODEST NEICE SO WELL, THAT SHE SHALL YIELD AS SOON AS YOU HAVE DONE. CONSTANCE. AY, THERE'S THE WRETCH THAT BROACHETH ALL THIS ILL, WHY FLY I NOT UPON THE BELDAME'S FACE, AND WITH MY NAILS PULL FORTH HER HATEFUL EYES. ARTHUR. SWEET MOTHER, CEASE THESE HASTY MADDING FITS; FOR MY SAKE, LET MY GRANDAM HAVE HER WILL. O, WOULD SHE WITH HER HANDS PULL FORTH MY HEART, I COULD AFFORD IT TO APPEASE THESE BROILS. BUT, MOTHER, LET US WISELY WINK AT ALL: PHILIP. BROTHER OF ENGLAND, WHAT DOWRY WILT THOU GIVE UNTO MY SON IN MARRIAGE WITH THY NIECE? JOHN. FIRST, PHILIP KNOWS HER DOWRY OUT OF SPAIN TO BE SO GREAT AS MAY CONTENT A KING: BUT MORE TO MEND AND AMPLIFY THE SAME, I GIVE IN MONEY THIRTY THOUSAND MARKS. FOR LAND, I LEAVE IT TO THINE OWN DEMAND. PHILIP. THEN I DEMAND VOLQUESSON, TOURAINE, MAINE, POITERS AND ANJOU, THESE FIVE PROVINCES, WHICH THOU AS KING OF ENGLAND HOLD'ST IN FRANCE: THEN SHALL OUR PEACE BE SOON CONCLUDED ON. BASTARD. NO LESS THAN FIVE SUCH PROVINCES AT ONCE? JOHN. MOTHER, WHAT SHALL I DO? MY BROTHER GOT THESE LANDS WITH MUCH EFFUSION OF OUR ENGLISH BLOOD; AND SHALL I GIVE IT ALL AWAY AT ONCE? Q.ELEANOR. JOHN, GIVE IT HIM, SO SHALT THOU LIVE IN PEACE, AND KEEP THE RESIDUE SANS JEOPARDY. JOHN. PHILIP, BRING FORTH THY SON, HERE IS MY NIECE, AND HERE IN MARRIAGE I DO GIVE WITH HER FROM ME AND MY SUCCESSORS, ENGLISH KINGS, VOLQUESSON, POITERS, ANJOU, TOURAINE, MAINE, AND THIRTY THOUSAND MARKS OF STIPEND COIN. NOW, CITIZENS, HOW LIKE YOU OF THIS MATCH? CITIZEN. WE JOY TO SEE SO SWEET A PEACE BEGUN. LOUIS. LOUIS WITH BLANCHE SHALL EVER LIVE CONTENT. BUT NOW, KING JOHN, WHAT SAY YOU TO THE DUKE? FATHER, SPEAK AS YOU MAY IN HIS BEHALF. PHILIP. KING JOHN, BE GOOD UNTO THY NEPHEW HERE, AND GIVE HIM SOMEWHAT THAT SHALL PLEASE THEE BEST. JOHN. ARTHUR, ALTHOUGH THOU TROUBLEST ENGLAND'S PEACE: YET HERE I GIVE THEE BRITTANY FOR THINE OWN, TOGETHER WITH THE EARLDOM OF RICHMOND, AND THIS RICH CITY OF ANGIERS WITHAL. Q.ELEANOR. AND IF THOU SEEK TO PLEASE THINE UNCLE JOHN, SHALT SEE, MY SON, HOW I WILL MAKE OF THEE. JOHN. NOW EVERYTHING IS SORTED TO THIS END, LET'S IN AND THERE PREPARE THE MARRIAGE RITES, WHICH IN ST. MARY'S CHAPEL PRESENTLY SHALL BE PERFORMED ERE THIS PRESENCE PART. (EXEUNT ARTHUR. MADAM, GOOD CHEER, THESE DROOPING LANGUISHMENTS ADD US REDRESS TO SALVE OUR AWKWARD HAPS. IF HEAVENS HAVE CONCLUDED THESE EVENTS, TO SMALL AVAIL IS BITTER PENSIVENESS. RATHER THAN HELPS, HEAP UP MORE WORK FOR WOES. CONSTANCE. IF ANY POWER WILL HEAR A WIDOW'S PLAINT, THAT FROM A WOUNDED SOUL IMPLORES REVENGE; SEND FELL CONTAGION TO INFECT THIS CLIME, THIS CURSED COUNTRY, WHERE THE TRAITOR'S BREATH WHOSE PERJURY AS PROUD BRIAREUS, BELEAGUERS ALL THE SKY WITH MISBELIEF. HE PROMIS'D ARTHUR, AND HE SWARE IT TOO, TO FENCE THY RIGHT, AND CHECK THY FOEMAN'S PRIDE: BUT NOW BLACK-SPOTTED PERJUR'R AS HE IS, HE TAKES A TRUCE WITH ELEANOR'S DAMNED BRAT, AND MARRIES LOUIS TO HER LOVELY NIECE, SHARING THY FORTUNE, AND THY BIRTHDAY'S GIFT BETWEEN THESE LOVERS: ILL BETIDE THE MATCH. AND AS THEY SHOULDER THEE FROM OUT THY OWN, AND TRIUMPH IN A WIDOW'S TEARFUL CARES: SO HEAVENS CROSS THEM WITH A THRIFTLESS COURSE. IS ALL THE BLOOD YSPILT ON EITHER PART, CLOSING THE CRANIES OF THE THIRSTY EARTH, GROWN TO A LOVEGAME AND A BRIDAL FEAST? AND MUST THY BIRTHRIGHT BID THE WEDDING BANS? POOR HELPLESS BOY, HOPELESS AND HELPESS TOO, AS WHOM MISFORTUNE SEEMS NO YOKE AT ALL. THY STAY, THY STATE, THY IMMINENT MISHAPS WOUNDETH THY MOTHER'S THOUGHTS WITH FEELING CARE, WHY LOOK'ST THOU PALE? THE COLOR FLIES THY FACE. I TROUBLE NOW THE FOUNTAIN OF THY YOUTH, AND MAKE IT MOODY WITH MY DOLE'S DISCOURSE, GO IN WITH MY, REPLY NOT, LOVELY BOY, WE MUST OBSCURE THIS MOAN WITH MELODY, LEST WORSER WRACK ENSUE OUR MALCONTENT. (EXEUNT. ENTER THE KING OF ENGLAND, THE KING OF FRANCE, ARTHUR, BASTARD, LOUIS, LYMOGES, CONSTANCE, BLANCHE, CHATILLON, PEMBROKE, SALISBURY, AND ELEANOR. JOHN. THIS IS THE DAY, THE LONG DESIRED DAY, WHEREIN THE REALMS OF ENGLAND AND OF FRANCE THRICE HAPPY IS THE BRIDEGROOM AND THE BRIDE, FROM WHOSE SWEET BRIDAL SUCH A CONCORD SPRINGS, TO MAKE OF MORTAL FOES IMMORTAL FRIENDS. CONSTANCE. UNGODLY PEACE MADE BY ANOTHER'S WAR. PHILIP. UNHAPPY PEACE, THAT TIES THEE FROM REVENGE, ROUSE THEE, PLANTAGENET, LIVE NOT TO SEE THE BUTCHER OF THE GREAT PLANTAGENET. KINGS, PRINCES, AND THE PEERS OF EITHER REALM, PARDON MY RASHNESS, AND FORGIVE THE ZEAL THAT CARRYS ME IN FURY TO A DEED OF HIGH DESERT, OF HONOR, AND OF ARMS. A BOON, O KINGS, A BOON DOTH PHILIP BEG PROSTRATE UPON HIS KNEE: WHICH KNEE SHALL CLEAVE UNTO THE SUPERFICIES OF THE EARTH, TILL FRANCE AND ENGLAND GRANT THIS GLORIOUS BOON. JOHN. SPEAK, PHILIP, ENGLAND GRANTS THEE THY REQUEST. PHILIP. AND FRANCE CONFIRMS WHAT ERE IS IN HIS POWER. BASTARD. THEN, DUKE, SIT FAST, I LEVEL AT THY HEAD, TOO BASE A RANSOM FOR MY FATHER'S LIFE. PRINCES, I CRAVE THE COMBAT WITH THE DUKE THAT BRAVES IT IN DISHONOR OF MY SIRE. YOUR WORDS ARE PAST NOR CAN YOU NOW REVERSE THE PRINCELY PROMISE THAT REVIVES MY SOUL, WHEREAT METHINKS I SEE HIS SINEWS SHAKE: THIS IS THE BOON (DREAD LORDS) WHICH GRANTED ONCE OR LIFE OR DEATH ARE PLEASANT TO MY SOUL; SINCE I SHALL LIVE AND DIE IN RICHARD'S RIGHT. LYMOGES. BASE BASTARD, MISBEGOTTEN OF A KING, TO INTERRUPT THESE HOLY NUPTIAL RITES WITH BRAWLS AND TUMULTS TO A DUKE'S DISGRACE: LET IT SUFFICE, I SCORN TO JOIN IN FIGHT, WITH ONE SO FAR UNEQUAL TO MYSELF. BASTARD. A FINE EXCUSE, KINGS IF YOU WILL BE KINGS, THEN KEEP YOUR WORDS, AND LET US COMBAT IT. JOHN. PHILIP, WE CANNOT FORCE THE DUKE TO FIGHT, BEING A SUBJECT UNTO NEITHER REALM: BUT TELL ME, AUSTRIA, IF AN ENGLISH DUKE SHOULD DARE THEE THUS, WOULDST THOU ACCEPT THE CHALLENGE? LYMOGES. ELSE LET THE WORLD ACCOUNT THE AUSTRICH DUKE JOHN. THEN CHEER THEE, PHILIP, JOHN WILL KEEP HIS WORD, KNEEL DOWN, IN SIGHT OF PHILIP KING OF FRANCE AND ALL THESE PRINCELY LORDS ASSEMBLED HERE, JOHN. STAY, PHILIP, LET HIM GO, THE HONOR'S THINE. BASTARD. I CANNOT LIVE UNLESS HIS LIFE BE MINE. Q.ELEANOR. THY FORWARDNESS THIS DAY HATH JOY'D MY SOUL, AND MADE ME THINK MY RICHARD LIVES IN THEE. K.PHILIP. LORDINGS, LET'S IN, AND SPEND THE WEDDING DAY IN MASKS AND TRIUMPHS, LETTING QUARRELS CEASE. ENTER A CARDINAL FROM ROME. CARD. STAY, KING OF FRANCE, I CHARGE THEE JOIN NOT HANDS WITH HIM THAT STANDS ACCURS'D OF GOD AND MEN. KNOW, JOHN, THAT I, PANDULPH CARDINAL OF MILAN, AND LEGATE FROM THE SEE OF ROME, DEMAND OF THEE IN THE NAME OF OUR HOLY FATHER THE POPE INNOCENT, WHY THOU DOST (CONTRARY TO THE LAWS OF OUR HOLY MOTHER THE CHURCH, AND OUR HOLY FATHER THE POPE) DISTURB THE QUIET OF THE CHURCH, AND DISANULL THE ELECTION OF STEPHEN LANGTON, WHOM HIS HOLINESS HATH ELECTED ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY: THIS IN HIS HOLINESS' NAME I DEMAND OF THEE. JOHN. AND WHAT HAST THOU OR THE POPE THY MASTER TO DO TO DEMAND OF ME, HOW I EMPLOY MINE OWN? KNOW, SIR PRIEST, AS I HONOR THE CHURCH AND HOLY CHURCHMEN, SO I SCORN TO BE SUBJECT TO THE GREATEST PRELATE IN THE WORLD. TELL THY MASTER SO FROM ME, AND SAY, JOHN OF ENGLAND SAID IT, THAT NEVER AN ITALIAN PRIEST OF THEM ALL, SHALL EITHER HAVE RIGHT, TOLL, OR POLING PENNY OUT OF ENGLAND, BUT AS I AM KING, SO WILL I REIGN NEXT UNDER GOD, SUPREME HEAD BOTH EOVER SPIRITUAL AND TEMPORAL: AND HE THAT CONTRADICTS ME IN THIS, I'LL MAKE HIM HOP HEADLESS. K.PHILIP. WHAT, KING JOHN, KNOW YOU WHAT YOU SAY, THUS TO BLASPHEME AGAINST OUR HOLY FATHER THE POPE? JOHN. PHILIP, THOUGH THOU AND ALL THE PRICES OF CHRISTENDOM SUFFER THEMSELVES IF THE POPE WILL BE KING IN ENGLAND, LET HIM WIN IT WITH THE SWORD, I KNOW NO OTHER TITLE HE CAN ALLEGE TO MINE INHERITANCE. CARD. JOHN, THIS IS THINE ANSWER? JOHN. WHAT THEN? CARD. THEN I, PANDULPH OF PADUA, LEGATE FROM THE APOSTOLIC SEE, DO IN THE NAME OF ST. PETER AND HIS SUCCESSOR OUR HOLY FATHER, POPE INNOCENT, PRONOUNCE THEE ACCURSED, DISCHARGING EVERY OF THY SUBJECTS OF ALL DUTY AND FEALTY THAT THEY DO OWE TO THEE, AND PARDON AND FORGIVENESS OF SIN TO THOSE OR THEM WHATSOEVER, WHICH SHALL CARRY ARMS AGAINST THEE, OR MURDER THEE: THIS I PRONOUNCE, AND CHARGE ALL GOOD MEN TO ABHOR THEE AS AN EXCOMMUNICATE PERSON. JOHN. SO, SIR, THE MORE THE FOX IS CURS'D THE BETTER A FARES: IF GOD BLESS ME AND MY LAND, LET THE POPE AND HIS SHAVELINGS CURSE AND SPARE NOT. CARD. FURTHERMORE, I CHARGE THEE, PHILIP KING OF FRANCE, AND ALL THE KINGS AND PRINCES OF CHRISTENDOM, TO MAKE WAR UPON THIS MISCREANT: AND WHEREAS THOU HAST MADE A LEAGUE WITH HIM, AND CONFIRMED IT BY OATH, I DO IN THE NAME OF OUR FORESAID FATHER THE POPE, ACQUIT THEE OF THAT OATH AS UNLAWFUL, BEING MADE WITH AN HERETIC. HOW SAY'ST THOU, PHILIP, DOST THOU OBEY? JOHN. BROTHER OF FRANCE, WHAT SAY YOU TO THE CARDINAL? PHILIP. I SAY, I AM SORRY FOR YOUR MAJESTY, REQUESTING YOU TO SUBMIT YOURSELF TO THE CHURCH OF ROME. JOHN. AND WHAT SAY YOU TO OUR LEAGUE, IF I DO NOT SUBMIT? PHILIP. WHAT SHOULD I SAY? I MUST OBEY THE POPE. JOHN. OBEY THE POPE, AND BREAK YOUR OATH TO GOD? PHILIP. THE LEGATE HATH ABSOLV'D ME OF MINE OATH; THEN YIELD TO ROME, OR I DEFY THEE HERE. JOHN. WHY, PHILIP, I DEFY THE POPE AND THEE, FALSE AS THOU ART, AND PERJUR'D KING OF FRANCE, UNWORTHY MAN TO BE ACCOUNTED KING. GIV'ST THOU THY SWORD INTO A PRELATE'S HANDS? PANDULPH, WHERE I OF ABBOTS, MONKS AND FRIARS HAVE TAKEN SOMEWHAT TO MAINTAIN MY WARS, I'LL ROUSE THE LAZY LUBBERS FROM THEIR CELLS, AND IN DESPITE I'LL SEND THEM TO THE POPE. MOTHER, COME YOU WITH ME, AND FOR THE REST THAT WILL NOT FOLLOW JOHN IN THIS ATTEMPT, CONFUSION LIGHT UPON THEIR DAMNED SOULS. COME, LORDS, FIGHT FOR YOUR KING THAT FIGHTETH FOR YOUR GOOD. PHILIP. AND ARE THEY GONE? PANDULPH, THYSELF SHALT SEE HOW FRANCE WILL FIGHT FOR ROME AND ROMISH RITES. NOBLES, TO ARMS, LET HIM NOT PASS THE SEAS. LET'S TAKE HIM CAPTIVE, AND IN TRIUMPH LEAD THE KING OF ENGLAND TO THE GATES OF ROME. ARTHUR, BESTIR THEE, MAN, AND THOU SHALT SEE WHAT PHILIP KING OF FRANCE WILL DO FOR THEE. BLANCHE. AND WILL YOUR GRACE UPON YOUR WEDDING DAY FORSAKE YOUR BRIDE AND FOLLOW DREADFUL DRUMS? NAY, GOOD MY LORD, STAY YOU AT HOME WITH ME. LOUIS. SWEET HEART, CONTENT THEE, AND WE SHALL AGREE. PHILIP. FOLLOW ME, LORDS, LORD CARDINAL, LEAD THE WAY; DRUMS SHALL BE MUSIC TO THIS WEDDING DAY. (EXEUNT. EXCURSIONS: THE BASTARD PURSUES AUSTRIA, AND KILLS HIM. AND TROD THINE ENSIGNS UNDERNEATH HIS FEET, SO DO I TREAD UPON THY CURSED SELF, AND LEAVE THY BODY TO THE FOWLS FOR FOOD. (EXIT. EXCURSIONS: ARTHUR, CONSTANCE, LOUIS, HAVING TAKEN QUEEN ELEANOR PRISONER. CONSTANCE. THUS HATH THE GOD OF KINGS WITH CONQUERING ARM DISPERS'D THE FOES TO TRUE SUCCESSION. PROUD, AND DISTURBER OF THY COUNTRY'S PEACE, CONSTANCE DOTH LIVE TO TAME THINE INSOLENCE, AND ON THY HEAD WILL NOW AVENGED BE FOR ALL THE MISCHIEFS HATCH'D IN THY BRAIN. Q.ELEANOR. CONTEMPTUOUS DAME, UNREVERENT DUCHESS THOU, TO BRAVE SO GREAT A QUEEN AS ELEANOR. BASE SCOLD, HAST THOU FORGOT, THAT I WAS WIFE, AND MOTHER TO THREE MIGHTY ENGLISH KINGS? I CHARGE THEE THEN, AND YOU FORSOOTH, SIR BOY, TO SET YOUR GRANDMOTHER AT LIBERTY. AND YIELD TO JOHN YOUR UNCLE AND YOUR KING. ELEANOR. NOR YET THY THREATS, PROUD DAME, SHALL DAUNT MY MIND. ARTHUR. SWEET GRANDAM, AND GOOD MOTHER, LEAVE THESE BRAWLS. ELEANOR. I'LL FIND A TIME TO TRIUMPH IN THY FALL. CONSTANCE. MY TIME IS NOW TO TRIUMPH IN THY FALL, AND THOU SHALT KNOW THAT CONSTANCE WILL TRIUMPH. ARTHUR. GOOD MOTHER, WEIGH IT IS QUEEN ELEANOR, THOUGH SHE BE CAPTIVE, USE HER LIKE HERSELF. SWEET GRANDAM, BEAR WITH WHAT MY MOTHER SAYS, YOUR HIGHNESS SHALL BE USED HONORABLY. ENTER A MESSENGER. MESS. LOUIS, MY LORD, DUKE ARTHUR, AND THE REST, TO ARMS IN HASTE, KING JOHN RALLYS HIS MEN, AND 'GINS THE FIGHT AFRESH: AND SWEARS WITHAL TO LOSE HIS LIFE, OR SET HIS MOTHER FREE. LOUIS. ARTHUR, AWAY, TIS TIME TO LOOK ABOUT. ELEANOR. WHY, HOW NOW, DAME? WHAT, IS YOUR COURAGE COOL'D? CONSTANCE. NO, ELEANOR, MY COURAGE GATHERS STRENGTH, AND HOPES TO LEAD BOTH JOHN AND THEE AS SLAVES: AND IN THT HOPE, I HALE THEE TO THE FIELD. (EXEUNT. EXCURSIONS: ELEANOR IS RESCUED BY JOHN, AND ARTHUR IS TAKEN PRISONER. EXEUNT. SOUND VICTORY. ENTER JOHN, ELEANOR, AND ARTHUR PRISONER, BASTARD, PEMBROKE, SALISBURY, AND HUBERT DE BURGH. JOHN. THUS RIGHT TRIUMPHS, AND JOHN TRIUMPHS IN RIGHT. ARTHUR, THOU SEEST, FRANCE CANNOT BOLSTER THEE. THY MOTHER'S PRIDE HATH BROUGHT THEE TO THIS FALL. BUT IF AT LAST, NEPHEW, THOU YIELD THYSELF INTO THE GUARD'ANCE OF THINE UNCLE JOHN, THOU SHALT BE USED AS BECOMES A PRINCE. ARTHUR. UNCLE, MY GRANDAM TAUGHT HER NEPHEW THIS, TO BEAR CAPTIVITY WITH PATIENCE. MIGHT HATH PREVAIL'D, NOT RIGHT, FOR I AM KING OF ENGLAND, THOUGH THOU WEAR THE DIADEM. Q.ELEANOR. SON JOHN, SOON SHALL WE TEACH HIM TO FORGET THESE PROUD PRESUMPTIONS, AND TO KNOW HIMSELF. JOHN. MOTHER, HE NEVER WILL FORGET HIS CLAIM, I WOULD HE LIV'D NOT TO REMEMBER IT. AND TAKE SOME ORDER WITH OUR POPELINGS THERE, THAT SWELL WITH PRIDE, AND FAT OF LAY MEN'S LANDS PHILIP, I MAKE THEE CHIEF IN THIS AFFAIR, RANSACK THE ABBEYS, CLOISTERS, PRIORIES, CONVERT THEIR COIN UNTO MY SOLDIERS' USE: AND WHATSOE'ER HE BE WITHIN MY LAND, THAT GOES TO ROME FOR JUSTICE AND FOR LAW, WHILE HE MAY HAVE HIS RIGHT WITHIN THE REALM, LET HIM BE JUDG'D A TRAITOR TO THE STATE, AND SUFFER AS AN ENEMY TO ENGLAND. MOTHER, WE LEAVE YOU HERE BEYOND THE SEAS, AS REGENT OF OUR PROVINCES IN FRANCE. WHILE WE TO ENGLAND TAKE A SPEEDY COURSE, AND THANK OUR GOD THAT GAVE US VICTORY. HUBERT DE BURGH, TAKE ARTHUR HERE TO THEE, TO BE THY PRISONER: HUBERT, KEEP HIM SAFE, FOR ON HIS LIFE DOTH HANG THY SOVEREIGN'S CROWN, BUT IN HIS DEATH CONSISTS THY SOVEREIGN'S BLISS: THEN HUBERT, AS THOU SHORTLY HEAR'ST FROM ME, SO USE THE PRISONER I HAVE GIVEN IN CHARGE. HUBERT. FROLIC, YOUNG PRINCE, THOUGH I YOUR KEEPER BE, YET SHALL YOUR KEEPER LIVE AT YOUR COMMAND. ARTHUR. AS PLEASE MY GOD, SO SHALL BECOME OF ME. PHILIP. WHAT, EVERY MAN ATTACH'D WITH THIS MISHAP? WHY FROWN YOU SO, WHY DROOP YE, LORDS OF FRANCE? METHINKS IT DIFFERS FROM A WARLIKE MIND TO LOW'R IT FOR A CHECK OR TWO OF CHANCE. HAD LYMOGES ESCAP'D THE BASTARD'S SPITE, A LITTLE SORROW MIGHT HAVE SERV'D OUR LOSS. BRAVE AUSTRIA, HEAVEN JOYS TO HAVE THEE THERE. CARD. HIS SOUL IS SAFE AND FREE FROM PURGATORY. OUR HOLY FATHER HATH DISPENS'D HIS SINS, THE BLESSED SAINTS HAVE HEARD OUR ORISONS, AND ALL ARE MEDIATORS FOR HIS SOUL, AND IN THE RIGHT OF THESE MOST HOLY WARS, HIS HOLINESS FREE PARDON DOTH PRONOUNCE TO ALL THAT FOLLOW YOU 'GAINST ENGLISH HERETICS, WHO STAND ACCURSED IN OUR MOTHER CHURCH. ENTER CONSTANCE ALONE. PHILIP. TO AGGRAVATE THE MEASURE OF OUR GRIEF, ALL MALCONTENT COMES CONSTANCE FOR HER SON. A TRAGIC TALE BEHIND THAT'S YET UNTOLD. HER PASSIONS STOP THE ORGAN OF HER VOICE, DEEP SORROW THROBBETH MISBEFALL'N EVENTS, OUT WITH IT, LADY, THAT OUR ACT MAY END A FULL CATASTROPHE OF SAD LAMENTS. CONST. MY TONGUE IS TUN'D TO STORY FORTH MISHAP: WHEN DID I BREATHE TO TELL A PLEASING TALE? MUST CONSTANCE SPEAK? LET TEARS PREVENT HER TALK. MUST I DISCOURSE? LET DIDO SIGH AND SAY, SHE WEEPS AGAIN TO HEAR THE WRACK OF TROY. TWO WORDS WILL SERVE, AND THEN MY TALE IS DONE: ELEANOR'S PROUD BRAT HATH ROBB'D ME OF MY SON. LOUIS. HAVE PATIENCE, MADAM, THIS IS CHANCE OF WAR; HE MAY BE RANSOM'D, WE REVENGE HIS WRONG. CONSTANCE. BE IT NE'ER SO SOON, I SHALL NOT LIVE SO LONG. PHILIP. DESPAIR NOT YET, COME, CONSTANCE, GO WITH ME, THESE CLOUDS WILL FLEET, THE DAY WILL CLEAR AGAIN. (EXEUNT. CARD. NOW, LOUIS, THY FORTUNE BUDS WITH HAPPY SPRING, OUR HOLY FATHER'S PRAYERS EFFECTETH THIS. ARTHUR IS SAFE, LET JOHN ALONE WITH HIM, THY TITLE NEXT IS FAIR'ST TO ENGLAND'S CROWN. NOW STIR THY FATHER TO BEGIN WITH JOHN, THE POPE SAYS AY, AND SO IS ALBION THINE. LOUIS. THANKS, MY LORD LEGATE, FOR YOUR GOOD CONCEIT, TIS BEST WE FOLLOW NOW THE GAME IS FAIR, MY FATHER WANTS TO WORK HIM YOUR GOOD WORDS. CARD. A FEW WILL SERVE TO FORWARD HIM IN THIS, THOSE SHALL NOT WANT: BUT LET'S ABOUT IT THEN. (EXEUNT. ENTER PHILIP LEADING A FRIAR, CHARGING HIM TO SHOW WHERE THE ABBOT'S GOLD LAY. PHILIP. COME ON, YOU FAT FRANCISCANS, DALLY NO LONGER, BUT SHOW ME WHERE THE ABBOT'S TREASURE LIES, OR DIE. FRIAR. BENEDICAMUS DOMINI, WAS EVER SUCH AN INJURY. SWEET ST. WITHOLD, OF THY LENITY, DEFEND US FROM EXTREMITY, AND HEAR US FOR ST. CHARITY, OPPRESSED WITH AUSTERITY. IN NOMINI DOMINI, MAKE I MY HOMILY, GENTLE GENTILITY, GRIEVE NOT THE CLEARGY. IF THIS WAIST GIRDLE HANG THEE NOT THAT GIRDETH IN THY COAT. NOW, BALD AND AREFOOT BUNGIE BIRDS, WHEN UP THE GALLOWS CLIMBING, SAY PHILIP HE HAD WORDS ENOUGH TO PUT YOU DOWN WITH RIMING. FRIAR. A PARDON, O PARCE, SAINT FRANCIS, FOR MERCY, SHALL SHIELD THEE FROM NIGHTSPELLS AND DREAMING OF DEVILS, IF THOU WILT FORGIVE ME, AND NEVER MORE GRIEVE ME, WITH FASTING AND PRAYING, AND HAIL MARY SAYING. FROM BLACK PURGATORY A PENANCE RIGHT SORRY. FRIAR THOMAS WILL WARM YOU, IT SHALL NEVER HARM YOU. PHILIP. COME, LEAVE OFF YOUR RABBLE, SIRS, HANG UP THIS LOZEL. 2.FRIAR. FOR CHARITY I BEG HIS LIFE, SAINT FRANCIS' CHIEFEST FRIAR. THE BEST IN ALL OUR CONVENT, SIR, TO KEEP A WINTER'S FIRE. O STRANGLE NOT THE GOOD OLD MAN, MY HOSTESS' OLDEST GUEST, AND I WILL BRING YOU, BY AND BY, UNTO THE PRIOR'S CHEST. PHILIP. AY, SAY'ST THOU SO, AND IF THOU WILT, THE FRIAR IS AT LIBERTY; IF NOT, A I AM HONEST MAN, I'LL HANG YOU BOTH FOR COMPANY. FRIAR. COME HITHER, THIS IS THE CHEST THOUGH SIMPLE TO BEHOLD THAT WANTETH NOT A THOUSAND POUND IN SILVER AND IN GOLD. MYSELF WILL WARRANT FULL SO MUCH, I KNOW THE ABBOTS'S STORE, I'LL PAWN MY LIFE THERE IS NO LESS TO HAVE WHAT ERE IS MORE. PHILIP. I TAKE THY WORD, THE OVERPLUS UNTO THY SHARE SHALL COME, WHY, PALTRY FRIAR, AND PANDAR TOO, YE SHAMELESS SHAVEN CROWN, IS THIS THE CHEST THAT HELD A HOARD, AT LEAST A THOUSAND POUND? AND IS THE HOARD A HOLY WHORE? WELL, BE THE HANGMAN NIMBLE, HE'LL TAKE THE PAIN TO PAY YOU HOME, AND TEACH YOU TO DISSEMBLE. NUN. O SPARE THE FRIAR ANTHONY, A BETTER NEVER WAS TO SING A DIRGE SOLEMNLY, OR READ A MORNING MASS. IF MONEY BE THE MEANS OF THIS, I KNOW AN ANCIENT NUN, THAT HATH A HOARD THIS SEVEN YEARS, DID NEVER SEE THE SUN; AND THAT IS YOURS, AND WHAT IS OURS, SO FAVOR NOW BE SHOWN, YOU SHALL COMMAND AS COMMONLY, AS IF IT WERE YOUR OWN. NUN. AY, THOMAS, I MEAN SO. PHILIP. FROM ALL SAVE FROM FRIARS. NUN. GOOD SIR, DO NOT THINK SO. PHILIP. I THINK AND SEE SO: WHY HOW CAM'ST THOU HERE? FRIAR. TO HIDE HER FROM LAYMEN. NUN. TIS TRUE, SIR, FOR FEAR. PHILIP. FOR FEAR OF THE LAITY. A PITIFUL DREAD WHEN A NUN FLIES FOR SUCCOR TO A FAT FRIAR'S BED. BUT NOW FOR YOUR RANSOM, MY CLOISTER-BRED CONY, TO THE CHEST THAT YOU SPEAK OF WHERE LIES SO MUCH MONEY. NUN. FAIR SIR, WITHIN THIS PRESS, OF PLATE AND MONEY IS THE VALUE OF A THOUSAND MARKS, AND OTHER THINGS BY GIS. LET US ALONE, AND TAKE IT ALL, TIS YOURS, SIR, NOW YOU KNOW IT. PHILIP. COME ON, SIR FRIAR, PICK THE LOCK, THIS GEAR DOTH COTTON HANDSOME, THAT COVETOUSNESS SO CUNNINGLY MUST PAY THE LECHER'S RANSOM. WHAT IS IN THE HOARD? FRIAR. FRIAR LAWRENCE, MY LORD, NOW HOLY WATER HELP US, SOME WITCH, OR SOME DEVIL IS SENT TO DELUDE US. HAUD CREDO LAURENTIUS, THAT THOU SHOULDST BE PENN'D THUS IN THE PRESS OF A NUN WE ARE ALL UNDONE, AND BROUGHT TO DISCREDENCE IF THOU BE FRIAR LAWRENCE. FRIAR. AMOR VINCIT OMNIA, SO CATO AFFIRMETH, AND THEREFORE A FRIAR WHOSE FANCY SOON BURNETH, BECAUSE HE IS MORTAL AND MADE OF MOLD, HE OMITS WHAT HE OUGHT AND DOTH MORE THAN HE SHOULD. PHILIP. HOW GOES THIS GEAR? THE FRIAR'S CHEST FILL'D WITH A FRANZ'AN NUN, THE NUN AGAIN LOCKS FRIAR UP, TO KEEP HIM FROM THE SUN. BELIKE THE PRESS IS PURGATORY, OR PENANCE PASSING GRIEVOUS: THE FRIARS' CHEST A HELL FOR NUNS. HOW DO THESE DOLTS DECEIVE US? IS THIS THE LABOR OF THEIR LIVES TO FEED AND LIVE AT EASE, TO REVEL SO LASCIVIOUSLY AS OFTEN AS THEY PLEASE? I'LL MEND THE FAULT OR FAULT MY AIM, IF I DO MISS AMENDING. TIS BETTER BURN THE CLOISTERS DOWN THAN LEAVE THEM FOR OFFENDING. BUT, HOLY YOU, TO YOU I SPEAK, TO YOU RELIGIOUS DEVIL, NUN. I CRY 'PECCAVI, PARCE ME', GOOD SIR, I WAS BEGUIL'D. FRIAR. ABSOLVE, SIR, FOR CHARITY, SHE WOULD BE RECONCIL'D. PHI. AND SO I SHALL, SIRS, BIND THEM FAST, THIS IS THEIR ABSOLUTION. GO HANG THEM UP FOR HURTING THEM, HASTE THEM TO EXECUTION. FR.LAWRENCE. O TEMPUS EDAX RERUM, GIVE CHILDREN BOOKS, THEY TEAR THEM. O VANITAS VANITATIS, IN THIS WANING AETATIS, AT THREE SCORE WELL NEAR TO GO TO THIS GEAR, TO MY CONSCIENCE A CLOG TO DIE LIKE A DOG. EXAUDI ME DOMINE, SI VIS ME PARCE DABO PECUNIAM, SI HABEO VENIAM. TO GO AND FETCH, I WILL DISPATCH IT, A HUNDRED POUND STERLING FOR MY LIVE'S SPARING. ENTER PETER A PROPHET, WITH PEOPLE. PETER. HO, WHO IS HERE, ST. FRANCIS BE YOUR SPEED, COME IN, MY FLOCK, AND FOLLOW ME, YOUR FORTUNES I WILL READ. COME HITHER, BOY, GO GET THEE HOME, AND CLIMB NOT OVERHIGH: FOR FROM ALOFT THY FORTUNES STAND IN HAZARD THOU SHALT DIE. BOY. GOD BE WITH YOU, PETER, I PRAY YOU COME TO OUR HOUSE A SUNDAY. PETER. MY BOY, SHOW ME THY HAND, BLESS THEE MY BOY, FOR IN THY PALM I SEE A MANY TROUBLES ARE YBENT TO DWELL, BUT THOU SHALT SCAPE THEM ALL AND DO FULL WELL. BOY. I THANK YOU, PETER, THERE'S A CHEESE FOR YOUR LABOR: MY SISTER PRAYS YE TO COME HOME, AND TELL HER HOW MANY HUSBANDS SHE SHALL HAVE, AND SHE'LL GIVE YOU A RIB OF BACON. PETER. MY MASTERS, STAY AT THE TOWN'S END FOR ME; I'LL COME TO YOU ALL ANON: I MUST DISPATCH SOME BUSINESS WITH A FRIAR, AND THEN I'LL READ YOUR FORTUNES. PHILIP. NOW NOW, A PROPHET? SIR PROPHET, WHENCE ARE YE? PETER. I AM OF THE WORLD AND IN THE WORLD, BUT LIVE NOT AS OTHERS BY THE WORLD: WHAT I AM I KNOW, AND WHAT THOU WILT BE I KNOW. IF THOU KNOWEST ME NOW BE ANSWERED: IF NOT, ENQUIRE NO MORE WHAT I AM. PHIL. SIR, I KNOW YOU WILL BE A DISSEMBLING KNAVE, THAT DELUDES THE PEOPLE AWAY ALL THE RABBLE, AND YOU FRIAR LAWRENCE, REMEMBER YOU RANSOM, A HUNDRED IN THIS CHAIR, WHEREIN (ONCE FAST BOUND) LEAVE HIM WITH ME TO FINISH THE REST. ATTENDANTS. WE GO, THOUGH LOATH. (EXEUNT. HUBERT. MY LORD, WILL IT PLEASE YOUR HONOR TO TAKE THE BENEFIT OF THE FAIR EVENING? ENTER ARTHUR TO HUBERT DE BURGH. ARTHUR. GRAMERCIE, HUBERT, FOR THY CARE OF ME, IN OR TO WHOM RESTRAINT IS NEWLY KNOWN, THE JOY OF WALKING IS SMALL BENEFIT, YET WILL I TAKE THY OFFER WITH SMALL THANKS. I WOULD NOT LOSE THE PLEASURE OF THE EYE. BUT TELL ME COURTEOUS KEEPER IF YOU CAN, HOW LONG THE KING WILL HAVE ME TARRY HERE. HUBERT. I KNOW NOT, PRINCE, BUT AS I GUESS, NOT LONG. GOD SEND YOU FREEDOM, AND GOD SAVE THE KING. (THEY ISSUE FORTH. ARTHUR. WHY, HOW NOW, SIRS, WHAT MAY THIS OUTRAGE MEAN? O HELP ME, HUBERT, GENTLE KEEPER, HELP! GOD SEND THIS SUDDEN MUTINOUS APPROACH TEND NOT TO REAVE A WRETCHED GUILTLESS LIFE. HUBERT. SO, SIRS, DEPART, AND LEAVE THE REST FOR ME. ARTHUR. THEN, ARTHUR, YIELD, DEATH FROWNETH IN THY FACE, WHAT MEANETH THIS? GOOD HUBERT, PLEAD THE CASE. HUBERT. PATIENCE, YOUNG LORD, AND LISTEN WORDS OF WOE, HARMFULL AND HARSH, HELL'S HORROR TO BE HEARD. A DISMAL TALE FIT FOR A FURY'S TONGUE, I FAINT TO TELL, DEEP SORROW IS THE SOUND. ARTHUR. WHAT, MUST I DIE? HUBERT. NO NEWS OF DEATH, BUT TIDINGS OF MORE HATE, A WRATHFUL DOOM, AND MOST UNLUCKY FATE; DEATH'S DISH WERE DAINTY AT SO FELL A FEAST, BE DEAF, HEAR NOT, IT'S HELL TO TELL THE REST. ARTHUR. ALAS, THOU WRONG'ST MY YOUTH WITH WORDS OF FEAR, TIS HELL, TIS HORROR, NOT FOR ONE TO HEAR; WHAT IS IT, MAN, IF IT MUST NEEDS BE DONE? ACT IT, AND END IT, THAT THE PAIN WERE GONE. HUBERT. I WILL NOT CHANT SUCH DOLOR WITH MY TONGUE, YET MUST I ACT THE OUTRAGE WITH MY HAND. MY HEART, MY HEAD, AND ALL MY POWERS BESIDE, PERUSE THIS LETTER, LINES OF TREBLE WOE, READ O'ER MY CHARGE, AND PARDON WHEN YOU KNOW. HUBERT, THESE ARE TO COMMAND THEE, AS THOU TEND'REST OUR QUIET IN MIND AND THE ESTATE OF OUR PERSON, THAT PRE- SENTLY UPON THE RECEIPT OF OUR COMMAND, THOU PUT OUT THE EYES OF ARTHUR PLANTAGENET. ARTHUR. AH MONSTROUS DAMNED MAN, HIS VERY BREATH INFECTS THE ELEMENTS, CONTAGIOUS VENOM DWELLETH IN HIS HEART, EFFECTING MEANS TO POISON ALL THE WORLD. UNREVERENT MAY I BE TO BLAME THE HEAVENS OF GREAT INJUSTICE, THAT THE MISCREANT LIVES TO OPPRESS THE INNOCENTS WITH WRONG. AH, HUBERT, MAKES HE THEE HIS INSTRUMENT TO SOUND THE TROMP THAT CAUSETH HELL TRIUMPH? HEAVEN WEEPS, THE SAINTS DO SHED CELESTIAL TEARS, THEY FEAR THY FALL, AND CITE THEE WITH REMORSE, THEY NKOCK THY CONSCIENCE, MOVING PITY THERE, WILLING TO FENCE THEE FROM THE RAGE OF HELL: HELL, HUBERT, TRUST ME ALL THE PLAGUES OF HELL HANGS ON PERFORMANCE OF THIS DAMNED DEED. THIS SEAL, THE WARRANT OF THE BODY'S BLISS, ENSURETH SATAN CHIEFTAIN OF THY SOUL: SUBSCRIBE NOT, HUBERT, GIVE NOT GOD'S PART AWAY, I SPEAK NOT ONLY FOR EYES' PRIVILEGE, THE CHIEF EXTERIOR THAT I WOULD ENJOY: BUT FOR THY PERIL, FAR BEYOND MY PAIN, THY SWEET SOUL'S LOSS, MORE THAN MY EYES' VAIN LACK; A CAUSE INTERNAL, AND ETERNAL TOO. ADVISE THEE, HUBERT, FOR THE CASE IS HARD, TO LOSE SALVATION FOR A KING'S REWARD. HUBERT. MY LORD, A SUBJECT DWELLING IN THE LAND IS TIED TO EXECUTE THE KING'S COMMAND. ARTHUR. YET GOD COMMANDS, WHOSE POWER REACHETH FURTHER, THAT NO COMMAND SHOULD STAND IN FORCE TO MURDER. HUBERT. BUT THIS SAME ESSENCE HATH ORDAIN'D A LAW, A DEATH FOR GUILT, TO KEEP THE WORLD IN AWE. ARTHUR. I PLEAD NOT GUILTY, TREASONLESS AND FREE. HUBERT. BUT THAT APPEAL, MY LORD, CONCERNS NOT ME. HUBERT. AY, IF MY SOVEREIGN WOULD REMIT HIS QUARREL. ARTHUR. HIS QUARREL IS UNHALLOWED FALSE AND WRONG. THAT SUBJECTS' LIVES ON KINGS' COMMANDS DEPEND. I MUST NOT REASON WHY HE IS YOUR FOE, BUT DO HIS CHARGE SINCE HE COMMANDS IT SO. ARTHUR. THEN DO THY CHARGE, AND CHARGED BE THY SOUL WITH WRONGFUL PERSECUTION DONE THIS DAY. YOU ROWLING EYES, WHOSE SUPERFICIES YET I DO BEHOLD WITH EYES THAT NATURE LENT, SEND FORTH THE TERROR OF YOUR MOVER'S FROWN, TO WREAK MY WRONG UPON THE MURDERERS THAT ROB ME OF YOUR FAIR REFLECTING VIEW: LET HELL TO THEM (AS EARTH THY WISH TO ME) BE DARK AND DIREFULL GUERDON FOR THEIR GUILT, AND LET THE BLACK TORMETERS OF DEEP TARTARY UPBRAID THEM WITH THIS DAMNED ENTERPRISE, INFLICTING CHANGE OF TORTURES ON THEIR SOULS. DELAY NOT, HUBERT, MY ORISONS ARE ENDED, REGIN, I PRAY THEE, REAVE ME OF MY SIGHT; BUT TO PERFORM A TRAGEDY INDEED, CONCLUDE THE PERIOD WITH A MORTAL STAB. CONSTANCE, FAREWELL, TORMENTOR COME AWAY, MAKE MY DISPATCH THE TYRANT'S FEASTING DAY. HUBERT. I FAINT, I FEAR, MY CONSCIENCE BIDS DESIST: 'FAINT', DID I SAY? FEAR WAS IT THAT I NAMED. MY KING COMMANDS, THAT WARRANT SETS ME FREE: BUT GOD FORBIDS, AND HE COMMANDEDETH KINGS, THAT GREAT COMMANDER COUNTERCHECKS MY CHARGE, HE STAYS MY HAND, HE MAKETH SOFT MY HEART. GO, CURSED TOOLS, YOUR OFFICE IS EXEMPT, CHEER THEE, YOUNG LORD, THOU SHALT NOT LOSE AN EYE, THOUGH I SHOLD PURCHASE IT WITH LOSS OF LIFE. I'LL TO THE KING, AND SAY HIS WILL IS DONE, AND OF THE DANGER TELL HIM THOU ART DEAD, GO IN WITH ME, FOR HUBERT WAS NOT BORN TO BLIND THOSE LAMPS THAT NATURE POLISH'D SO. ARTHUR. HUBERT, IF EVER ARTHUR BE IN STATE, LOOK FOR AMENDS OF THIS RECEIVED GIFT I TOOK MY EYESIGHT BY THY COURTESY, THOU LENT'ST THEM ME, I WILL NOT BE INGRATE. BUT NOW PROCRASTINATION MAY OFFEND DEPART WE, HUBERT, TO PREVENT THE WORST. (EXEUNT. ENTER KING JOHN, ESSEX, SALISBURY, PEMBROKE. JOHN. NOW, WARLIKE FOLLOWERS, RESTETH OUGHT UNDONE THAT MAY IMPEACH US OF FOND OVERSIGHT. THE FRENCH HAVE FELT THE TEMPER OF OUR SWORDS, COLD TERROR KEEPS POSSESSION IN THEIR SOULS, CHECKING THEIR OVERDARING ARROGANCE FOR BUCKLING WITH SO GREAT AN OVERMATCH. THE ARCH PROUD TITLED PRIEST OF ITALY, THAT CALLS HIMSELF GRAND VICAR UNDER GOD IS BUSIED NOW WITH TRENTAL OBSEQUIES, MASS AND MONTH'S MIND, DIRGE AND I KNOW NOT WHAT TO EASE THEIR SOULS IN PAINFUL PURGATORY, THAT HAVE MISCARRIED IN THESE BLOODY WARS. HEARD YOU NOT, LORDS, WHEN FIRST HIS HOLINESS HAD TIDINGS OF OUR SMALL ACCOUNT OF HIM, HOW WITH A TAUNT VAUNTING UPON HIS TOES HE URG'D A REASON WHY THE ENGLISH ASS DISDAIN'D THE BLESSED ORDINANCE OF ROME? THE TITLE (REVERENTLY MIGHT I INFER) BECAME THE KINGS THAT ERST HAVE BORNE THE LOAD, THE SLAVISH WEIGHT OF THAT CONTROLLING PRIEST: WHO AT HIS PLEASURE TEMPER'D THEM LIKE WAX TO CARRY ARMS ON DANGER OF HIS CURSE, BANDING THEIR SOULS WITH WARRANTS OF HIS HAND. I GRIEVE TO THINK HOW KINGS IN AGES PAST (SIMPLY DEVOTED TO THE SEE OF ROME) HAVE RUN INTO A THOUSAND ACTS OF SHAME. BUT NOW FOR CONFIRMATION OF OUR STATE, SITH WE HAVE PROINED THE MORE THAN NEEDFUL BRANCH THAT DID OPPRESS THE TRUE WELL-GROWING STOCK, IT RESTETH WE THROUGHOUT OUR TERRITORIES BE REPROCLAMED AND INVESTED KING. PEMBORKE. MY LIEGE, THAT WERE TO BUSY MEN WITH DOUBTS, ONCE WERE YOU CROWN'D, PROCLAIM'D, AND WITH APPLAUSE YOUR CITY STREETS HAVE ECHOED TO THE EAR, 'GOD SAVE THE KING, GOD SAVE OUR SOVEREIGN JOHN'. PARDON MY FEAR, MY CENSURE DOTH INFER YOUR HIGHNESS NOT DEPOS'D FROM REGAL STATE, WOULD BREED A MUTINY IN PEOPLE'S MINDS, PHILIP. MY LORD, I HAVE PERFORM'D YOUR HIGHNESS' CHARGE. THE MONKS, THE PRIORS AND HOLY CLOISTER'D NUNS, ARE ALL IN HEALTH, AND WERE MY LORD, IN WEALTH, TILL I HAD TITHED AND TOLD THEIR HOLY HOARDS. I DOUBT NOT WHEN YOUR HIGHNESS SEES THY PRIZE, YOU MAY PROPORTION ALL THEIR FORMER PRIDE. JOHN. WHY SO, NOW SORTS IT, PHILIP, AS IT SHOULD: THIS SMALL INTRUSION INTO ABBEY TRUNKS, WILL MAKE THE POPELINGS EXCOMMUNICATE, CURSE, BAN, AND BREATHE OUT DAMNED ORISONS, AS THICK AS HAILSTONES 'FORE THE SPRING'S APPROACH. BUT YET AS HARMLESS AND WITHOUT EFFECT, AS IS THE ECHO OF A CANNON'S CRACK DISCHARG'D AGAINST THE BATTLEMENTS OF HEAVEN. BUT WHAT NEWS ELSE BEFELL THERE, PHILIP? BASTARD. STRANGE NEWS, MY LORD: WITHIN YOUR TERRITORIES, NEAR POMFRET IS A PROPHET NEW SPRUNG UP, WHOSE DIVINATION VOLLEYS WONDERS FORTH; TO HIM THE COMMONS THRONG WITH COUNTRY GIFTS, HE SETS A DATE UNTO THE BELDAME'S DEATH, PRESCRIBES HOW LONG THE VIRGIN'S STATE SHALL LAST, DISTINGUISHETH THE MOVING OF THE HEAVENS, GIVES LIMITS UNTO HOLY NUPTIAL RITES, FORETELLETH FAMINE, ABOUNDETH PLENTY FORTH, OF FATE, OF FORTUNE, LIFE AND DEATH HE CHATS, WITH SUCH ASSURANCE, SCRUPLES PUT APART, AS IF HE KNEW THE CERTAIN DOOMS OF HEAVEN, OR KEPT A REGISTER OF ALL THE DESTINIES. JOHN. THOU TELL'ST ME MARVELS, WOULD THOU HADST BROUGHT THE MAN, WE MIGHT HAVE QUESTION'D HIM OF THINGS TO COME. BASTARD. MY LORD, I TOOK A CARE OF 'HAD I WIST', AND BROUGHT THE PROPHET WITH ME TO THE COURT, HE STAYS, MY LORD, BUT AT THE PRESENCE DOOR: PLEASETH YOUR HIGHNESS, I WILL CALL HIM IN. JOHN. NAY, STAY A WHILE, WE'LL HAVE HIM HERE ANON A THING OF WEIGHT IS FIRST TO BE PERFORM'D. ENTER THE NOBLES AND CROWN KING JOHN, AND THEN CRY 'GOD SAVE THE KING'. JOHN. LORDINGS AND FRIENDS, SUPPORTERS OF OUR STATE, ADMIRE NOT AT THIS UNACCUSTOM'D COURSE, NOR IN YOUR THOUGHTS BLAME NOT THIS DEED OF YOURS. YOUR FEALTY SWORN AS LIEGEMEN TO OUR STATE; ONCE SINCE THAT TIME AMBITIOUS WEEDS HAVE SPRUNG TO STAIN THE BEAUTY OF OUR GARDEN PLOT: BUT HEAVENS IN OUR CONDUCT ROOTING THENCE THE FALSE INTRUDERS, BREAKERS OF WORLD'S PEACE, HAVE TO OUR JOY, MADE SUNSHINE CHASE THE STORM. AFTER THE WHICH, TO TRY YOUR CONSTANCY, THAT NOW I SEE IS WORTHY OF YOUR NAMES, WE CRAV'D ONCE MORE YOUR HELPS FOR TO INVEST US INTO THE RIGHT THAT ENVY SOUGHT TO WRACK. ONCE WAS I NOT DEPOS'D, YOUR FORMER CHOICE, NOW TWICE BEEN CROWNED AND APPLAUDED KING: YOUR CHEERED ACTION TO INSTALL ME SO, INFERS ASSURED WITNESS OF YOUR LOVES, AND BINDS ME OVER IN A KINGLY CARE TO RENDER LOVE WITH LOVE, REWARDS OF WORTH TO BALANCE DOWN REQUITAL TO THE FULL. BUT THANKS THE WHILE, THANKS, LORDINGS, TO YOU ALL: AS ME AND USE ME, TRY ME AND FIND ME YOURS. ESSEX. A BOON, MY LORD, AT VANTAGE OF YOUR WORDS WE ASK TO GUERDON ALL OUR LOYALTIES. PEMBROKE. WE TAKE THE TIME YOUR HIGHNESS BIDS US ASK: PLEASE IT YOU GRANT, YOU MAKE YOUR PROMISE GOOD, WITH LESSER LOSS THAN ONE SUPERFLUOUS HAIR THAT NOT REMEMBER'D FALLETH FROM YOUR HEAD. JOHN. MY WORD IS PAST, RECEIVE YOUR BOON, MY LORDS. WHAT MAY IT BE: ASK IT, AND IT IS YOURS. ESSEX. WE CRAVE, MY LORD, TO PLEASE THE COMMONS WITH THE LIBERTY OF LADY CONSTANCE' SON: WHOSE DURANCE DARKENETH YOUR HIGHNESS RIGHT, AS IF YOU KEPT HIM PRISONER, TO THE END YOURSELF WERE DOUBTFUL OF THE THING YOU HAVE. DISMISS HIM THENCE, YOUR HIGHNESS NEEDS NOT FEAR, TWICE BY CONSENT YOU ARE PROCLAIM'D OUR KING. PEMBROKE. THIS, IF YOU GRANT, WERE ALL UNTO YOUR GOOD; FOR SIMPLE PEOPLE MUSE YOU KEEP HIM CLOSE. JOHN. YOUR WORDS HAVE SEARCH'D THE CENTER OF MY THOUGHTS CONFIRMING WARRANT OF YOUR LOYALTIES, FIVE MOONS REFLECTING, AS YOU SEE THEM NOW: EVEN IN THE MOMENT THAT THE CROWN WAS PLAC'D JOHN. WHAT MIGHT PORTEND THESE APPARITIONS, UNUSUAL SIGNS, FORERUNNERS OF EVENT, PRESAGERS OF STRANGE TERROR TO THE WORLD. BELIEVE ME, LORDS, THE OBJECT FEARS ME MUCH. PHILIP, THOU TOLD'ST ME OF ME OF WIZARD LATE. FETCH IN THE MAN TO DESCANT OF THIS SHOW. PEMBROKE. THE HEAVENS FROWN UPON THE SINFULL EARTH, WHEN WITH PRODIGIOUS UNACCUSTOM'D SIGNS THEY SPOT THEIR SUPERFICIES WITH SUCH WONDER. ESSEX. BEFORE THE RUINS OF JERUSALEM, SUCH METEORS WERE THE ENSIGNS OF HIS WRATH THAT HAST'NED TO DESTROY THE FAULTFULL TOWN. ENTER THE BASTARD WITH THE PROPHET. JOHN. IS THIS THE MAN? BASTARD. IT IS, MY LORD. JOHN. PROPHET OF POMFRET, FOR SO I HEAR THOU ART, THAT CALCULAT'ST OF MANY THINGS TO COME: WHO BY A POWER REPLETE WITH HEAVENLY GIFT CAN'ST BLAB THE COUNSEL OF THY MAKER'S WILL. IF FAME BE TRUE, OR TRUTH BE WRONG'D BY THEE, DECIDE IN CIPHERING WHAT THESE FIVE MOONS PORTEND THIS CLIME, IF THEY PRESAGE AT ALL. BREATHE OUT THY GIFT, AND IF I LIVE TO SEE THY DIVINATION TAKE A TRUE EFFECT, I'LL HONOR THEE ABOVE ALL EARTHLY MEN. PETER. THE SKY WHEREIN THESE MOONS HAVE RESIDENCE, PRESENTETH ROME THE GREAT METROPOLIS, WHERE SITS THE POPE IN ALL HIS HOLY POMP. FOUR OF THE MOONS PRESENT FOUR PROVINCES, TO WIT, SPAIN, DENMARK, GERMANY, AND FRANCE, THAT BEAR THE YOKE OF PROUD COMMANDING ROME, AND STAND IN FEAR TO TEMPT THE PRELATE'S CURSE. THE SMALLEST MOON THAT WHIRLS ABOUT THE REST, IMPATIENT OF THE PLACE HE HOLDS WITH THEM, DOTH FIGURE FORTH THIS ISLAND ALBION, WHO 'GINS TO SCORN THE SEE AND STATE OF ROME, AND SEEKS TO SHUN THE EDICTS OF THE POPE: THIS SHOWS THE HEAVEN, AND THIS I DO AVER IS FIGURED IN THESE APPARITIONS. JOHN. WHY, THEN IT SEEMS THE HEAVENS SMILE ON US, GIVING APPLAUSE FOR LEAVING OF THE POPE. BUT FOR THEY CHANCE IN OUR MERIDIAN, TO BE INFLICTED ON US IN THIS CLIME? PETER. THE MOONS EFFECT NO MORE THAN WHAT I SAID: BUT ON SOME OTHER KNOWLEDGE THAT I HAVE BY MY PRESCIENCE, ERE ASCENSION DAY HAVE BROUGHT THE SUN UNTO HIS USUAL HEIGHT, OF CROWN, ESTATE, AND ROYAL DIGNITY, THOU SHALT BE CLEAN DISPOIL'D AND DISPOSSESS'D. JOHN. FALSE DREAMER, PERISH WITH THY WITCHED NEWS, VILLAIN, THOU WOUND'ST ME WITH THY FALLACIES: IF IT BE TRUE, DIE FOR THY TIDINGS PRICE; IF FALSE, FOR FEARING ME WITH VAIN SUPPOSE. HENCE WITH THE WITCH, HELL'S DAMNED SECRETARY. LOCK HIM UP SURE: FOR BY MY FAITH I SWEAR, TRUE OR NOT TRUE, THE WIZARD SHALL NOT LIVE. BEFORE ASCENSION DAY: WHO SHOULD BE CAUSE HEREOF? CUT OFF THE CAUSE AND THEN THE EFFECT WILL DIE. TUT, TUT, MY MERCY SERVES TO MAIM MYSELF, THE ROOT DOTH LIVE, FROM WHENCE THESE THORNS SPRING UP, I AND MY PROMISE PAST FOR HIS DELIV'RY: FROWN FRIENDS, FAIL FAITH, THE DEVIL GO WITHAL, THE BRAT SHALL DIE, THAT TERRIFIES ME THUS. PEMBROKE AND ESSEX, I RECALL MY GRANT, I WILL NOT BUY YOUR FAVORS WITH MY FEAR: NAY, MURMUR NOT, MY WILL IS LAW ENOUGH, I LOVE YOU WELL, BUT IF I LOV'D YOU BETTER, I WOULD NOT BUY IT WITH MY DISCONTENT. ENTER HUBERT. HOW NOW, WHAT NEWS WITH THEE? HUBERT. ACCORDING TO YOUR HIGHNESS' STRICT COMMAND YOUNG ARTHUR'S EYES ARE BLINDED AND EXTINCT. JOHN. WHY SO, THEN HE MAY FEEL THE CROWN, BUT NEVER SEE IT. HUBERT. NOR SEE NOR FEEL, FOR OF THE EXTREME PAIN, WITHIN ONE HOUR GAVE HE UP THE GHOST. JOHN. WHAT, IS HE DEAD? WHEN KINSMAN DIES WITHOUT IMPEACH OF CAUSE, AS YOU HAVE DONE, SO COME TO CHEER YOU WITH, THE GUILT SHALL NEVER BE CAST ME IN MY TEETH. (EXEUNT. JOHN. AND ARE YOU GONE? THE DEVIL BE YOUR GUIDE: PROUD REBELS AS YOU ARE TO BRAVE ME SO: SAUCY, UNCIVIL, CHECKERS OF MY WILL. YOUR TONGUES GIVE EDGE UNTO THE FATAL KNIFE: BUT HUSH, BREATHE NOT BUG'S WORDS SO SOON ABROAD, LEST TIME PREVENT THE ISSUE OF THY REACH. ARTHUR IS DEAD, AY, THERE THE CORZIE GROWS: BUT WHILE HE LIV'D, THE DANGER WAS THE MORE; HIS DEATH HATH FREED ME FROM A THOUSAND FEARS, BUT IT HATH PURCHAS'D ME TEN TIMES TEN THOUSAND FOES. WHY ALL IS ONE, SUCH LUCK SHALL HAUNT HIS GAME, TO WHOM THE DEVIL OWES AN OPEN SHAME: HIS LIFE A FOE THAT LEVEL'D AT MY CROWN, HIS DEATH A FRAME TO PULL MY BUILDING DOWN. MY THOUGHTS HARP'D STILL ON QUIET BY HIS END, WHO LIVING AIMED SHREWDLY AT MY ROOM: BUT TO PREVENT THAT PLEA TWICE WAS I CROWN'D, TWICE DID MY SUBJECTS SWEAR ME FEALTY, AND IN MY CONSCIENCE LOV'D ME AS THEIR LIEGE, IN WHOSE DEFENCE THEY WOULD HAVE PAWN'D THEIR LIVES. BUT NOW THEY SHUN ME AS A SERPENT'S STING, A TRAGIC TYRANT STERN AND PITILESS, AND NOT A TITLE FOLLOWS AFTER JOHN. BUT BUTCHER, BLOODSUCKER AND MURDERER, WHAT PLANET GOVERN'D MY NATIVITY, TO BODE ME SOVEREIGN TYPES OF HIGH ESTATE, SO INTERLAC'D WITH HELLISH DISCONTENT, WHEREIN FELL FURY HATH NO INTEREST. CURS'D BE THE CROWN CHIEF AUTHOR OF MY CARE, NAY, CURS'D MY WILL THAT MADE THE CROWN MY CARE: CURS'D BE MY BIRTHDAY, CURS'D TEN TIMES THE WOMB THAT YIELDED ME ALIVE INTO THE WORLD. ART THOU THERE, VILLAIN, FURIES HAUNT THEE STILL, FOR KILLING HIM WHOM ALL THE WORLD LAMENTS. HUBERT. WHY HERE'S MY LORD YOUR HIGHNESS' HAND AND SEAL, CHARGING ON LIVE'S REGARD TO DO THE DEED. JOHN. AH, DULL CONCEITED PEASANT, KNOW'ST THOU NOT, IT WAS A DAMNED EXECRABLE DEED. SHOW'ST ME A SEAL? OH, VILLAIN, BOTH OUR SOULS HAVE SOLD THEIR FREEDOM TO THE THRALL OF HELL, UNDER THE WARRANT OF THAT CURSED SEAL. HENCE, VILLAIN, HANG THYSELF, AND SAY IN HELL THAT I AM COMING FOR A KINGDOM THERE. HUBERT. MY LORD, ATTEND THE HAPPY TALE I TELL, FOR HEAVEN'S HEALTH SEND SATAN PACKING HENCE IF ARTHUR'S DEATH BE DISMAL TO BE HEARD, BANDY THE NEWS FOR RUMORS OF UNTRUTH: HE LIVES, MY LORD, THE SWEETEST YOUTH ALIVE, IN HEALTH, WITH EYESIGHT, NOT A HAIR AMISS. THIS HEART TOOK VIGOR FROM THIS FORWARD HAND, MAKING IT WEAK TO EXECUTE YOUR CHARGE. JOHN. WHAT, LIVES HE? THEN, SWEET HOPE, COME HOME AGAIN. CHASE HENCE DESPAIR, THE PURVEYOR FOR HELL. HIE, HUBERT, TELL THESE TIDINGS TO MY LORDS THAT THROB IN PASSIONS FOR YOUNG ARTHUR'S DEATH. HENCE, HUBERT, STAY NOT TILL THOU HAST REVEAL'D THE WISHED NEWS OF ARTHUR'S HAPPY HEALTH. I GO MYSELF, THE JOYFULL'ST MAN ALIVE TO STORY OUT THIS NEW SUPPOSED CRIME. (EXEUNT. THE END OF THE FIRST PART. KJN2 ) THE SECOND PART OF THE TROUBLESOME REIGN OF KING JOHN, CONTAINING THE DEATH OF ARTHUR PLANTAGENET, THE LANDING OF LOUIS, AND THE POISONING OF KING JOHN AT SWINSTEAD ABBEY. TO THE GENTLEMEN READERS. THE CHANGELESS PURPOSE OF DETERMIN'D FATE, GIVES PERIOD TO OUR CARE, OR HEART'S CONTENT, WHEN HEAVENS FIX'D TIME FOR THIS OR THAT HATH END: NOR CAN EARTH'S POMP OR POLICY PREVENT THE DOOMS ORDAINED IN THEIR SECRET WILL. GENTLES, WE LEFT KING JOHN REPLETE WITH BLISS THAT ARTHUR LIV'D, WHOM HE SUPPOSED SLAIN; AND HUBERT POSTING TO RETURN THOSE LORDS, WHO DEEM'D HIM DEAD, AND PARTED DISCONTENT: ARTHUR HIMSELF BEGINS OUR LATTER ACT, OUR ACT OF OUTRAGE, DESP'RATE FURY, DEATH; WHEREIN FOND RASHNESS MURDER'D FIRST A PRINCE, AND MONKISH FALSENSS POIS'NETH LAST A KING. FIRST SCENE SHOWS ARTHUR'S DEATH IN INFANCY, AND LAST CONCLUDES JOHN'S FATAL TRAGEDY. THE SECOND PART OF THE TROUBLESOME REIGN OF KING JOHN, CONTAINING THE ENTRANCE OF LOUIS THE FRENCH KING'S SON: WITH THE POISONING OF KING JOHN BY A MONK. ENTER YOUNG ARTHUR ON THE WALLS. NOW HELP GOOD HAP TO FURTHER MINE INTENT, CROSS NOT MY YOUTH WITH ANY MORE EXTREMES: I VENTURE LIFE TO GAIN MY LIBERTY, AND IF I DIE, WORLD'S TROUBLES HAVE AN END. FEAR 'GINS DISSUADE THE STRENGTH OF MY RESOLVE, MY HOLD WILL FAIL, AND THEN ALAS I FALL, AND IF I FALL, NO QUESTION DEATH IS NEXT; BETTER DESIST, AND LIVE IN PRISON STILL. PRISON SAID I: NAY, RATHER DEATH THAN SO: COMFORT AND COURAGE COME AGAIN TO ME. I'LL VENTURE SURE: TIS BUT A LEAP FOR LIFE. TRANCE, SPEAKS THUS. HO, WHO IS NIGH? SOMEBODY TAKE ME UP. WHERE IS MY MOTHER: LET ME SPEAK WITH HER. WHO HURTS ME THUS? SPEAK HO, WHERE ARE YOU GONE? AY ME, POOR ARTHUR, I AM HERE ALONE. WHY CALL'D I MOTHER, HOW DID I FORGET? MY FALL, MY FALL, HATH KILL'D MY MOTHER'S SON. HOW WILL SHE WEEP AT TIDINGS OF MY DEATH? MY DEATH, INDEED, O GOD, MY BONES ARE BURST. SWEET JESU, SAVE MY SOUL, FORGIVE MY RASH ATTEMPT. COMFORT MY MOTHER, SHIELD HER FROM DESPAIR, WHEN SHE SHALL BEAR MY TRAGIC OVERTHROW. MY HEART CONTROLS THE OFFICE OF MY TONGUE, MY VITAL POWERS FORSAKE MY BRUISED TRUNK, I DIE, I DIE, HEAVEN, TAKE MY FLEETING SOUL, AND, LADY MOTHER, ALL GOOD HAP TO THEE. (HE DIES. ENTER PEMBROKE, SALISBURY, ESSEX. ESSEX. MY LORDS OF PEMBROKE AND OF SALISBURY, WE MUST BE CAREFUL IN OUR POLICY TO UNDERMINE THE KEEPERS OF THIS PLACE, ELSE SHALL WE NEVER FIND THE PRINCE'S GRAVE. PEMBROKE. MY LORD OF ESSEX, TAKE NO CARE FOR THAT, I WARRANT YOU IT WAS NOT CLOSELY DONE. BUT WHO IS THIS? LO, LORDS, THE WITHERED FLOWER WHO IN HIS LIFE SHIN'D LIKE THE MORNING'S BLUSH, CAST OUT A DOOR, DENIED HIS BURIAL RIGHT, A PREY FOR BIRDS AND BEASTS TO GORGE UPON. SALISBURY. O RUTHFULL SPECTACLE, O DAMNED DEED; MY SINEWS SHAKE, MY VERY HEART DOTH BLEED. ESSEX. LEAVE CHILDISH TEARS, BRAVE LORDS OF ENGLAND, IF WATER FLOODS COULD FETCH HIS LIFE AGAIN, MY EYES SHOULD CONDUIT FORTH A SEA OF TEARS. IF SOBS WOULD HELP, OR SORROWS SERVE THE TURN, MY HEART SHOULD VOLLEY OUT DEEP PIERCING PLAINTS. BUT BOOTLESS WER'T TO BREATHE AS MANY SIGHS AS MIGHT ECLIPSE THE BRIGHTEST SUMMER'S SUN, HERE RESTS THE HELP, A SERVICE TO HIS GHOST. LET NOT THE TYRANT, CAUSER OF THIS DOLE, LIVE TO TRIUMPH IN RUTHFULL MASSACRES. GIVE HAND AND HEART, AND ENGLISHMEN TO ARMS, HE CRAVES YOUR COMPANY, MY LORDS, IN HASTE, TO WHOM I WILL CONDUCT YOUNG ARTHUR STRAIGHT, WHO IS IN HEALTH UNDER MY CUSTODY. ESSEX. IN HEALTH, BASE VILLAIN? WER'T NOT I LEAVE THY CRIME TO GOD'S REVENGE, TO WHOM REVENGE BELONGS, HERE SHOULDST THOU PERISH ON MY RAPIER'S POINT. CALL'ST THOU THIS HEALTH? SUCH HEALTH BETIDE THY FRIENDS, AND ALL THAT ARE OF THY CONDITION. HUBERT. MY LORDS, BUT HEAR ME SPEAK, AND KILL ME THEN, IF HERE I LEFT NOT THIS YOUNG PRINCE ALIVE, MAUGRE THE HASTY EDICT OF THE KING, WHO GAVE ME CHARGE TO PUT OUT BOTH HIS EYES, THAT GOD THAT GAVE ME LIVING TO THIS HOUR, THUNDER REVENGE UPON ME IN THIS PLACE: AND AS I TENDER'D HIM WITH EARNEST LOVE, SO GOD LOVE ME, AND THEN I SHALL BE WELL. SALS. HENCE, TRAITOR, HENCE THY COUNSEL IS HEREIN. (EXIT HUBERT. SOME IN THIS PLACE APPOINTED BY THE KING HAVE THROWN HIM FROM THIS LODGING HERE ABOVE, AND SURE THE MURDER HATH BEEN NEWLY DONE, FOR YET THE BODY IS NOT FULLY COLD. ESSEX. HOW SAY YOU, LORDS, SHALL WE WITH SPEED DISPATCH UNDER OUR HANDS A PACKET INTO FRANCE TO BID THE DOLPHIN ENTER WITH HIS FORCE TO CLAIM THE KINGDOM FOR HIS PROPER RIGHT, HIS TITLE MAKETH LAWFULL STRENGTH THERETO. BESIDES, THE POPE, ON PERIL OF HIS CURSE, HATH BARR'D US OF OBEDIENCE UNTO JOHN. THIS HATEFUL MURDER LOUIS HIS TRUE DESCENT, THE HOLY CHARGE THAT WE RECEIV'D FROM ROME, ARE WEIGHTY REASONS IF YOU LIKE MY READ TO MAKE US ALL PERSEVER IN THIS DEED. PEMBROKE. MY LORD OF SALISBURY, WELL HAVE YOU ADVIS'D, I WILL ACCORD TO FURTHER YOU IN THIS. SALISBURY. AND SALISBURY WILL NOT GAINSAY THE SAME, BUT AID THAT COURSE SET FORTH AS HE CAN. ESSEX. THEN EACH OF US SEND STRAIGHT TO HIS ALLIES, TO WIN THEM TO THIS FAMOUS ENTERPRISE, LET US ALL YCLAD IN PALMER'S WEED, THE TENTH OF APRIL AT SAINT EDMONDSBURY SWEAR SECRECY AND AID TO THIS ADVICE. MEANWHILE LET US CONVEY THES BODY HENCE, AND GIVE HIM BURIAL AS BEFITS HIS STATE, KEEPING HIS MONTH'S MIND AND HIS OBSEQUIES WITH SOLEMN INTERCESSION FOR HIS SOUL. HOW SAY YOU, LORDINGS, ARE YOU ALL AGREED? PEMBROKE. THE TENTH OF APRIL AT SAINT EDMONDSBURY GOD LETTING NOT, I WILL NOT FAIL THE TIME. ESSEX. THEN LET US CONVEY THE BODY HENCE. (EXEUNT. ENTER KING JOHN WITH TWO OR THREE AND THE PROPHET. JOHN. DISTURED THOUGHTS, FOREDOOMERS OF MINE ILL, DISTRACTED PASSIONS, SIGNS OF GROWING HARMS, STRANGE PROPHECIES OF IMMINENT MISHAPS, CONFOUND MY WITS, AND DULL MY SENSES SO, THAT EVERY OBJECT THESE MINE EYES BEHOLD SEEM INSTRUMENTS TO BRING ME TO MY END. ASCENSION DAY IS COME, JOHN FEAR NOT THEN THE PRODIGIES THIS PRATLING PROPHET THREATS. TIS COME, INDEED: AH WERE IT FULLY PAST, THEN WERE I CARELESS OF A THOUSAND FEARS. THE DIAL TELLS ME, IT IS TWELVE AT NOON. WERE TWELVE AT MIDNIGHT PAST, THEN MIGHT I VAUNT FALSE SEER'S PROPHECIES OF NO IMPORT. COULD I AS WELL WISH THIS RIGHT HAND OF MINE REMOVE THE SUN FROM OUT MERIDIAN, UNTO THE MOONSTED CIRCLE OF TH' ANTIPODES, AS TURN THIS STEEL FROM TWELVE TO TWELVE AGAIN. THEN JOHN THE DARE OF FATAL PROPHECIES SHOULD WITH THE PROPHET'S LIFE TOGETHER END. BUT MULTA CADUNT INTER CALICEM SUPREMAQUE LABRA. PETER, UNSAY THY FOOLISH DOTING DREAM, AND BY THE CROWN OF ENGLAND HERE, I SWEAR, TO MAKE THEE GREAT, AND GREATEST OF THY KIN. PETER. KING JOHN, ALTHOUGH THE TIME I HAVE PRESCRIBED BE BUT TWELVE HOURS REMAINING YET BEHIND, YET DO I KNOW BY INSPIRATION, ERE THAT FIX'D TIME BE FULLY COME ABOUT, KING JOHN SHALL NOT BE KING AS HERETOFORE. JOHN. VAIN BUZZARD, WHAT MISCHANCE CAN CHANCE SO SOON FELL HEADLONG DOWN, AND IN THE CURSED FALL HE BRAKE HIS BONES, AND THERE BEFORE THE GATE JOHN. IS ARTHUR DEAD? THEN HUBERT WITHOUT MORE WORDS HANG THE PROPHET. AWAY WITH PETER, VILLAIN, OUT OF MY SIGHT, I AM DEAF, BE GONE, LET HIM NOR SPEAK A WORD. NOW, JOHN, THY FEARS ARE VANISH'D INTO SMOKE, ARTHUR IS DEAD, THOU GUILTLESS OF HIS DEATH. SWEET YOUTH, BUT THAT I STRIVED FOR A CROWN, I COULD HAVE WELL AFFORDED TO THINE AGE LONG LIFE, AND HAPPINESS TO THY CONTENT. ENTER THE BASTARD. JOHN. PHILIP, WHAT NEWS WITH THEE? BASTARD. THE NEWS I HEARD WAS PETER'S PRAYERS, WHO WISH'D LIKE FORTUNE TO BEFALL US ALL: AND WITH THAT WORD, THE ROPE HIS LATEST FRIEND, KEPT HIM FROM FALLING HEADLONG TO THE GROUND. JOHN. THERE LET HIM HANG, AND BE THE RAVEN'S FOOD, WHILE JOHN TRIUMPHS IN SPITE OF PROPHECIES. BUT WHAT'S THE TIDINGS FROM THE POPELINGS NOW? WHAT SAY THE MONKS AND PRIESTS TO OUR PROCEEDINGS? OR WHERE'S THE BARONS THAT SO SUDDENLY DID LEAVE THE KING UPON A FALSE SURMISE? BASTARD. THE PRELATES STORM AND THIRST FOR SHARP REVENGE. BUT PLEASE YOUR MAJESTY, WERE THAT THE WORST, IT LITTLE SKILL'D: A GREATER DANGER GROWS, WHICH MUST BE WEEDED OUT BY CAREFUL SPEED, OR ALL IS LOST, FOR ALL IS LEVEL'D AT. JOHN. MORE FRIGHTS AND FEARS, WHAT ERE THY TIDINGS BE, I AM PREPAR'D: THEN, PHILIP, QUICKLY SAY, MEAN THEY TO MURDER, OR IMPRISON ME, TO GIVE MY CROWN AWAY TO ROME OR FRANCE? OR WILL THEY EACH OF THEM BECOME A KING? WORSE THAN I THINK IT IS, IT CANNOT BE. BASTARD. NOT WORSE, MY LORD, BUT EVERY WHIT AS BAD. THE NOBLES HAVE ELECTED LOUIS KING, IN RIGHT OF LADY BLANCHE YOUR NIECE, HIS WIFE. HIS LANDING IS EXPECTED EVERY HOUR, THE NOBLES, COMMONS, CLERGY, ALL ESTATES, INCITED CHIEFLY BY THE CARDINAL, PANDULPH THAT LIES HERE LEGATE FOR THE POPE, THINKS LONG TO SEE THEIR NEW ELECTED KING. AND FOR UNDOUBTED PROOF, SEE HERE MY LIEGE LETTERS TO ME FROM YOUR NOBILITY, WHO UNDER SHOW OF FEIGNED HOLINESS, APPOINT THEIR MEETING AT SAINT EDMONDSBURY, THERE TO CONSULT, CONSPIRE, AND CONCLUDE THE OVERTHROW AND DOWNFALL OF YOUR STATE. JOHN. WHY, SO IT MUST BE: ONE HOUR OF CONTENT PATCH'D WITH A MONTH OF PASSIONATE EFFECTS. WHY SHINES THE SUN TO FAVOR THIS CONSORT? WHY DO THE WINDS NOT BREAK THEIR BRAZEN GATES, AND SCATTER ALL THESE PERJUR'D COMPLICES, WITH ALL THEIR COUNSELS AND THEIR DAMNED DRIFTS. BUT SEE THE WELKIN ROLLETH GENTLY ON, THERE'S NOT A LOW'RING CLOUD TO FROWN ON THEM; THE HEAVEN, THE EARTH, THE SUN, THE MOON AND ALL CONSPIRE WITH THOSE CONFEDERATES MY DECAY. THEN HELL FOR ME IF ANY POWER BE THERE, FORSAKE THAT PLACE, AND GUIDE ME STEP BY STEP TO POISON, STRANGLE, MURDER IN THEIR STEPS THESE TRAITORS; OH, THAT NAME IS TOO GOOD FOR THEM, AND DEATH IS EASY: IS THERE NOTHING WORSE TO WREAK ME ON THIS PROUD PEACE-BREAKING CREW? WHAT SAY'ST THOU, PHILIP? WHY ASSISTS THOU NOT? BASTARD. THESE CURSES (GOOD MY LORD) FIT NOT THE SEASON: HELP MUST DESCEND FROM HEAVEN AGAINST THIS TREASON. JOHN. NAY, THOU WILT PROVE A TRAITOR WITH THE REST, GO, GET THEE TO THEM, SHAME COME TO YOU ALL. BASTARD. I WOULD BE LOATH TO LEAVE YOUR HIGHNESS THUS, YET YOU COMMAND, AND I THOUGH GRIEV'D WILL GO. JOHN. AH, PHILIP, WHITHER GOEST THOU, COME AGAIN. BASTARD. MY LORD, THESE MOTIONS ARE AS PASSIONS OF A MADMAN. JOHN. A MADMAN, PHILIP, I AM MAD INDEED. MY HEART IS 'MAZ'D, MY SENSES ALL FOREDONE. AND JOHN OF ENGLAND NOW IS QUITE UNDONE. WAS EVER KING AS I OPPRESS'D WITH CARES? DAME ELEANOR, MY NOBLE MOTHER QUEEN, MY ONLY HOPE AND COMFORT IN DISTRESS, O, ENGLAND, WER'T THOU EVER MISERABLE, KING JOHN OF ENGLAND SEES THEE MISERABLE: JOHN, TIS THY SINS THAT MAKES IT MISERABLE, QUICQUID DELIRUNT REGES, PLECTUNTUR ACHIVI. PHILIP, AS THOU HAST EVER LOV'D THY KING, DISSEMBLE WITH THE NOBLES, KNOW THEIR DRIFTS, CONFOUND THEIR DEVILISH PLOTS, AND DAMN'D DEVICES. THOUGH JOHN BE FAULTY, YET LET SUBJECTS BEAR, HE WILL AMEND AND RIGHT THE PEOPLE'S WRONGS. A MOTHER THOUGH SHE WERE UNNATURAL, IS BETTER THAN THE KINDEST STEPDAME IS: LET NEVER ENGLISHMAN TRUST FOREIGN RULE. THEN, PHILIP, SHOW THY FEALTY TO THY KING, AND 'MONGST THE NOBLES PLEAD THOU FOR THE KING. BASTARD. I GO, MY LORD. SEE HOW HE IS DISTRAUGHT, THIS IS THE CURSED PRIEST OF ITALY HATH HEAP'D THESE MISCHIEFS ON THIS HAPLESS LAND. NOW, PHILIP, HADST THOU TULLY'S ELOQUENCE, THEN MIGHT'ST THOU HOPE TO PLEAD WITH GOOD SUCCESS. (EXIT. JOHN. AND ART THOU GONE? SUCCESS MAY FOLLOW THEE. THUS HAST THOU SHOW'D THY KINDNESS TO THY KING. SIRRAH, IN HASTE GO GREET THE CARDINAL, PANDULPH, I MEAN, THE LEGATE FROM THE POPE. SAY THAT THE KING DESIRES TO SPEAK WITH HIM. NOW, JOHN, BETHINK THEE HOW THOU MAY'ST RESOLVE. AND IF THOU WILT CONTINUE ENGLAND'S KING, THEN CAST ABOUT TO KEEP THY DIADEM. FOR LIFE AND LAND, AND ALL IS LEVEL'D AT. THE POPE OF ROME, TIS HE THAT IS THE CAUSE, HE CURSETH THEE, HE SETS THY SUBJECTS FREE FROM DUE OBEDIENCE TO THEIR SOVEREIGN: HE ANIMATES THE NOBLES IN THEIR WARS, HE GIVES AWAY THE CROWN TO PHILIP'S SON, AND PARDONS ALL THAT SEEK TO MURDER THEE: AND THUS BLIND ZEAL IS STILL PREDOMINANT. THEN, JOHN, THERE IS NO WAY TO KEEP THY CROWN, BUT FINELY TO DISSEMBLE WITH THE POPE: THAT HAND THAT GAVE THE WOUND MUST GIVE THE SALVE TO CURE THE HURT, ELSE QUITE INCURABLE. THY SINS ARE FAR TOO GREAT TO BE THE MAN T' ABOLISH POPE, AND POPERY FROM THY REALM: BUT IN THY SEAT, IF I MAY GUESS AT ALL, A KING SHALL REIGN THAT SHALL SUPPRESS THEM ALL. PEACE, JOHN, HERE COMES THE LEGATE OF THE POPE, DISSEMBLE THOU, AND WHATSOE'ER THOU SAY'ST, YET WITH THY HEART WISH THEIR CONFUSION. PAND. NOW, JOHN, UNWORTHY MAN TO BREATHE ON EARTH, THAT DOST OPPUGN AGAINST THY MOTHER CHURCH, WHY AM I SENT FOR TO THY CURSED SELF? JOHN. THOU, MAN OF GOD, VICEGERENT FOR THE POPE, THE HOLY VICAR OF ST. PETER'S CHURCH, UPON MY KNEES, I PARDON CRAVE OF THEE, AND DO SUBMIT ME TO THE SEE OF ROME, AND VOW FOR PENANCE OF MY HIGH OFFENCE, TO TAKE ON ME THE HOLY CROSS OF CHRIST, AND CARRY ARMS IN HOLY CHRISTIAN WARS. PANDULPH. NO, JOHN, THY CROUCHING AND DISSEMBLING THUS CANNOT DECEIVE THE LEGATE OF THE POPE, SAY WHAT THOU WILT, I WILL NOT CREDIT THEE: THY CROWN AND KINGDOM BOTH ARE TA'EN AWAY, AND THOU ART CURS'D WITHOUT REDEMPTION. JOHN. ACCURS'D INDEED, TO KNEEL TO SUCH A DRUDGE. AND GET NO HELP WITH THY SUBMISSION, UNSHEATH THY SWORD, AND STAY THE MISPROUD PRIEST THAT THUS TRIUMPHS O'ER THEE A MIGHTY KING. NO, JOHN, SUBMIT AGAIN DISSEMBLE YET, FOR PRIESTS AND WOMEN MUST BE FLATTERED. YET, HOLY FATHER, THOU THYSELF DOST KNOW NO TIME TO LATE FOR SINNERS TO REPENT, ABSOLVE ME THEN, AND JOHN DOTH SWEAR TO DO THE UTTERMOST WHATEVER THOU DEMAND'ST. PANDULPH. JOHN, NOW I SEE THY HEARTY PENITENCE, I RUE AND PITY THY DISTRESS'D ESTATE, ONE WAY IS LEFT TO RECONCILE THYSELF, AND ONLY ONE WHICH I SHALL SHOW TO THEE. THOU MUST SURRENDER TO THE SEE OF ROME THY CROWN AND DIADEM, THEN SHALL THE POPE DEFEND THEE FROM TH' INVASION OF THY FOES. WHAT NEWS WITH THEE? (ENTER MESSENGER. MESSENGER. PLEASE IT YOUR MAJESTY, THERE IS DESCRIED ON THE COAST OF KENT AN HUNDRED SAIL OF SHIPS, WHICH OF ALL MEN IS THOUGHT TO BE THE FRENCH FLEET, UNDER THE CONDUCT OF THE DOLPHIN, SO THAT IT PUTS THE COUNTRY IN A MUTINY, SO THEY SEND TO YOUR GRACE FOR SUCCOR. K.JOHN. HOW NOW, LORD CARDINAL, WHAT'S YOUR BEST ADVICE? THESE MUTINIES MUST BE ALLAY'D IN TIME O JOHN, THESE TROUBLES TIRE THY WEARIED SOUL, AND LIKE TO LUNA IN A SAD ECLIPSE, SO ARE THY THOUGHTS AND PASSIONS FOR THIS NEWS. WELL MAY IT BE WHEN KINGS ARE GRIEVED SO, THE VULGAR SORT WORK PRINCES OVERTHROW. CARDINAL. KING JOHN, FOR NOT EFFECTING OF THY PLIGHTED VOW, THIS STRANGE ANNOYANCE HAPPENS TO THY LAND: BUT YET BE RECONCIL'D UNTO THE CHURCH, AND NOTHING SHALL BE GRIEVOUS TO THY STATE. JOHN. ON, PANDULPH, BE IT AS THOU HAST DECREED, JOHN WILL NOT SPURN AGAINST THY SOUND ADVICE, COME LET'S AWAY, AND WITH THY HELP I TROW MY REALM SHALL FLOURISH AND MY CROWN IN PEACE. ENTER THE NOBLES, PEMBROKE, ESSEX, CHESTER, BEAUCHAMP, CLARE WITH OTHERS. PEMBROKE. NOW, SWEET ST. EDMOND, HOLY SAINT IN HEAVEN, WHOSE SHRINE IS SACRED, HIGH ESTEEM'D ON EARTH, INFUSE A CONSTANT ZEAL IN ALL OUR HEARTS TO PROSECUTE THIS ACT OF MICKEL WEIGHT, LORD BEAUCHAMP, SAY, WHAT FRIENDS HAVE YOU PROCUR'D. BEAUCHAMP. THE LORD FITZWATER, LORD PERCY AND LORD ROSS, VOW'D MEETING HERE THIS DAY THE 'LEVENTH HOUR. ESSEX. UNDER THE CLOAK OF HOLY PILGRIMAGE, BY THAT SAME HOUR ON WARRANT OF THEIR FAITH, PHILIP PLANTAGENT, A BIRD OF SWIFTEST WING, LORD EUSTACE, VESEY, LORD CRESSY, AND LORD MOWBRAY, APPOINTED MEETING AT SAINT EDMOND'S SHRINE. PEMBROKE. UNTIL THEIR PRESENCE I'LL CONCEAL MY TALE, SWEET COMPLICES IN HOLY CHRISTIAN ACTS, THAT VENTURE FOR THE PURCHASE OF RENOWN, THRICE WELCOME TO THE LEAGUE OF HIGH RESOLVE, THAT PAWN THEIR BODIES FOR THEIR SOULS' REGARD. ESSEX. NOW WANTETH BUT THE REST TO END THIS WORK, IN PILGRIM'S HABIT COMES OUR HOLY TROOP A FURLONG HENCE WITH SWIFT UNWONTED PACE, MAY BE THEY ARE THE PERSONS YOU EXPECT. PEMBROKE. WITH SWIFT UNWONTED GAIT, SEE WHAT A THING IS ZEAL, THAT SPURS THEM ON WITH FERVENCE TO THIS SHRINE, AND IN GOOD TIME HERE COME THE WARMEN ALL THAT SWEAT IN BODY BY THE MIND'S DISEASE HAP AND HEART'S-EASE, BRAVE LORDINGS, BE YOUR LOT. ENTER THE BASTARD PHILIP, ETC. BASTARD. AMEN, MY LORDS, THE LIKE BETIDE YOUR LUCK, AND ALL THAT TRAVEL IN A CHRISTIAN CAUSE. ESSEX. CHEERILY REPLIED, BRAVE BRANCH OF KINGLY STOCK, A RIGHT PLANTAGENET SHOULD REASON SO. BUT SILENCE, LORDS, ATTEND OUR COMING'S CAUSE, THE SERVILE YOKE THAT PAINED US WITH TOIL, ON STRONG INSTINCT HATH FRAM'D THIS CONVENTICLE TO EASE OUR NECKS OF SERVITUDE'S CONTEMPT. SHOULD I NOT NAME THE FOEMAN OF OUR REST, WHICH OF YOU ALL SO BARREN IN CONCEIT, AS CANNOT LEVEL AT THE MAN I MEAN: BUT LEST ENIGMAS SHADOW SHINING TRUTH PLAINLY TO PAINT AS TRUTH REQUIRES NO ART. TH' EFFECT OF THIS RESORT IMPORTETH THIS, TO ROOT AND CLEAN EXTIRPATE TYRANT JOHN, TYRANT, I SAY, APPEALING TO THE MAN, IF ANY HERE THAT LOVES HIM, AND I ASK WHAT KINDSHIP, LENITY, OR CHRISTIAN REIGN RULES IN THE MAN, TO BAR THIS FOUL IMPEACH. FIRST I INFER THE CHESTERS' BANISHMENT: FOR REPREHENDING HIM IN MOST UNCHRISTIAN CRIMES, WAS SPECIAL NOTICE OF A TYRANT'S WILL. BUT WERE THIS ALL, THE DEVIL SHOULD BE SAV'D, BUT THIS THE LEAST OF MANY THOUSAND FAULTS, THAT CIRCUMSTANCE WITH LEISURE MIGHT DISPLAY. OUR PRIVATE WRONGS, NO PARCEL OF MY TALE WHICH NOW IN PRESENCE, BUT FOR SOME GREAT CAUSE MIGHT WISH TO HIM AS TO A MORTAL FOE. BUT SHALL I CLOSE THE PERIOD WITH AN ACT TO MOVE US BUT THE POPE'S MOST DREADFUL CURSE, WHEREOF WE ARE ASSURED IF WE FAIL, IT WERE ENOUGH TO INSTIGATE US ALL WITH EARNESTNESS OF SPIRIT TO SEEK A MEAN TO DISPOSSESS JOHN OF HIS REGIMENT. PEMBROKE. WELL HATH MY LORD OF ESSEX TOLD HIS TALE, WHICH I AVER FOR MOST SUBSTANTIAL TRUTH, AND MORE TO MAKE THE MATTER TO OUR MIND, I SAY THAT LOUIS IN CHALLENGE OF HIS WIFE, TO ALL THAT LONGETH TO OUR ENGLISH CROWN. SHORT TALE TO MAKE, THE SEE APOSTOLIC HATH OFFER'D DISPENSATION FOR THE FAULT. IF ANY BE, AS TRUST ME NONE I KNOW BY PLANTING LOUIS IN THE USURPER'S ROOM: THIS IS THE CAUSE OF ALL OUR PRESENCE HERE, THAT ON THE HOLY ALTAR WE PROTEST TO AID THE RIGHT OF LOUIS WITH GOODS AND LIFE, WHO ON OUR KNOWLEDGE IS IN ARMS FOR ENGLAND. WHAT SAY YOU, LORDS? SALISBURY. AS PEMBROKE SAY'TH, AFFIRMETH SALISBURY: FAIR LOUIS OF FRANCE THAT 'SPOUSED LADY BLANCHE, HATH TITLE OF AN UNCONTROLLED STRENGTH TO ENGLAND, AND WHAT LONGETH TO THE CROWN: IN RIGHT WHEREOF, AS WE ARE TRUE INFORM'D, THE PRINCE IS MARCHING HITHERWARD IN ARMS. OUR PURPOSE TO CONCLUDE THAT WITH A WORD, IS TO INVEST HIM AS WE MAY DEVISE, KING OF OUR COUNTRY IN THE TYRANT'S STEAD: AND SO THE WARRANT ON THE ALTAR SWORN, AND SO THE INTENT FOR WHICH WE HITHER CAME. BASTARD. MY LORD OF SALISBURY, I CANNOT COUCH MY SPEECHES WITH THE NEEDFUL WORDS OF ART, AS DOTH BESEEM IN SUCH A WEIGHTY WORK, BUT WHAT MY CONSCIENCE AND MY DUTY WILL I PURPOSE TO IMPART. FOR CHESTER'S EXILE, BLAME HIS BUSY WIT, THAT MEDDLED WHERE HIS DUTY QUITE FORBADE: FOR ANY PRIVATE CAUSES THAT YOU HAVE, METHINKS THEY SHOULD NOT MOUNT TO SUCH A HEIGHT, AS TO DEPOSE A KING IN THEIR REVENGE. FOR ARTHUR'S DEATH KING JOHN WAS INNOCENT, HE, DESPERATE, WAS THE DEATHSMAN TO HIMSELF, WHICH YOU TO MAKE A COLOR TO YOUR CRIME UNJUSTLY DO IMPUTE TO HIS DEFAULT, BUT WHERE FELL TRAITORISM HATH RESIDENCE, THERE WANT NO WORDS TO SET DESPITE ON WORK. I SAY 'TIS SHAME, AND WORTHY ALL REPROOF, TO WREST SUCH PETTY WRONGS IN TERMS OF RIGHT, AGAINST A KING ANNOINTED BY THE LORD. WHY, SALISBURY, ADMIT THE WRONGS ARE TRUE, YET SUBJECTS MAY NOT TAKE IN HAND REVENGE, AND ROB THE HEAVENS OF THEIR PROPER POWER, AND DOTH A POPE, A PRIEST, A MAN OF PRIDE GIVE CHARTERS FOR THE LIVES OF LAWFUL KINGS? WHAT CAN HE BLESS, OR WHO REGARDS HIS CURSE, BUT SUCH AS GIVE TO MAN, AND TAKE FROM GOD. I SPEAK IT IN THE SIGHT OF GOD ABOVE, THERE'S NOT A MAN THAT DIES IN YOUR BELIEF, BUT SELLS HIS SOUL PERPETUALLY TO PAIN. AID LOUIS, LEAVE GOD, KILL JOHN, PLEASE HELL, MAKE HAVOC OF THE WELFARE OF YOUR SOULS, FOR HERE I LEAVE YOU IN THE SIGHT OF HEAVEN, A TROOP OF TRAITORS, FOOD FOR HELLISH FIENDS. IF YOU DESIST, THEN FOLLOW ME AS FRIENDS, IF NOT, THEN DO YOUR WORST AS HATEFUL TRAITORS. FOR LOUIS HIS RIGHT, ALAS, TIS TOO TOO LAME, A SENSELESS CLAIM, IF TRUTH BE TITLE'S FRIEND. IN BRIEF, IF THIS BE CAUSE OF OUR RESORT, OUR PILGRIMAGE IS TO THE DEVIL'S SHRINE. I CAME NOT, LORDS, TO TROOP AS TRAITORS DO, NOR WILL I COUNSEL IN SO BAD A CAUSE. PLEASE YOU RETURN, WE GO AGAIN AS FRIENDS, IF NOT, I TO MY KING, AND YOU WHERE TRAITORS PLEASE. (EXIT. PERCY. A HOT YOUNG MAN ... AND SO, MY LORDS, PROCEED; I LET HIM GO, AND BETTER LOST THAN FOUND. PEMBROKE. WHAT SAY YOU, LORDS, WILL ALL THE REST PROCEED, WILL YOU ALL WITH ME SWEAR UPON THE ALTAR THAT YOU WILL TO THE DEATH BE AID TO LOUIS AND ENEMY TO JOHN? EVERY MAN LAY HIS HAND BY MINE, IN WITNESS OF HIS HEART'S ACCORD. LOUIS. FAIR LORDS OF ENGLAND, LOUIS SALUTES YOU ALL AS FRIENDS AND FIRM WELLWISHERS OF HIS WEAL, AT WHOSE REQUEST FROM PLENTY FLOWING FRANCE CROSSING THE OCEAN WITH A SOUTHERN GALE, HE IS IN PERSON COME AT YOUR COMMANDS TO UNDERTAKE AND GRATIFY WITHAL THE FULLNESS OF YOUR FAVORS PROFERR'D HIM. BUT, WORLD'S BRAVE MEN, OMITTING PROMISES, TILL TIME BE MINISTER OF MORE AMENDS, I MUST ACQUAINT YOU WITH OUR FORTUNE'S COURSE. THE HEAVENS DEWING FAVORS ON MY HEAD, HAVE IN THEIR CONDUCT SAFE WITH VICTORY, WITH SMALL REPULSE, AND LITTLE CROSS OF CHANCE. YOUR CITY ROCHESTER WITH GREAT APPLAUSE BY SOME DIVINE INSTINCT LAID ARMS ASIDE; AND FROM THE HOLLOW HOLES OF THAMESIS ECHO APACE REPLIED VIVE LE ROI. FROM THENCE, ALONG THE WANTON ROWLING GLADE TO TROYNOVANT YOUR FAIR METROPOLIS, WITH LUCK CAME LOUIS TO SHOW HIS TROOPS OF FRANCE, WAVING OUR ENSIGNS WITH THE DALLYING WINDS, THE FEARFUL OBJECT OF FELL FROWING WAR; WHERE AFTER SOME ASSAULT, AND SMALL DEFENCE, HEAVENS, MAY I SAY, AND NOT MY WARLIKE TROOP, TEMPER'D THEIR HEARTS TO TAKE A FRIENDLY FOE WITHIN THE COMPASS OF THEIR HIGH BUILT WALLS, GIVING ME TITLE AS IT SEEM'D THEY WISH. THUS FORTUNE (LORDS) ACTS TO YOUR FORWARDNESS MEANS OF CONTENT IN LIEU OF FORMER GRIEF: AND MAY I LIVE BUT TO REQUITE YOU ALL, WORLD'S WISH WERE MINE IN DYING NOTED YOURS. SALISBURY. WELCOME, THE BALM THAT CLOSETH UP OUR WOUNDS. THE SOVEREIGN MED'CINE FOR OUR QUICK RECURE. THE ANCHOR OF OUR HOPE, THE ONLY PROP WHEREON DEPENDS OUR LIVES, OUR LANDS, OUR WEAL, WITHOUT THE WHICH, AS SHEEP WITHOUT THEIR HERD, (EXCEPT A SHEPHERD WINKING AT THE WOLF) WE STRAY, WE PINE, WE RUN TO THOUSAND HARMS. NO MARVEL THEN, THOUGH WITH UNWONTED JOY, WE WELCOME HIM THAT BEATETH WOES AWAY. LOUIS. THANKS TO YOU ALL OF THIS RELIGIOUS LEAGUE, A HOLY KNOT OF CATHOLIC CONSENT. I CANNOT NAME YOU, LORDINGS, MAN BY MAN, BUT LIKE A STRANGER UNACQUAINTED YET, IN GENERAL I PROMISE FAITHFUL LOVE. LORD BIGOT BROUGHT ME TO SAINT EDMOND'S SHRINE, GIVING ME WARRANT OF A CHRISTIAN OATH, THAT THIS ASSEMBLY CAME DEVOTED HERE, TO SWEAR ACCORDING AS YOUR PACKETS SHOW'D, HOMAGE AND LOYAL SERVICE TO OURSELF, I NEED NOT DOUBT THE SURETY OF YOUR WILLS, SINCE WELL I KNOW FOR MANY OF YOUR SAKES THE TOWNS HAVE YIELDED ON THEIR OWN ACCORD; YET, FOR A FASHION, NOT FOR MISBELIEF, YOUR OATH UPON THE HOLY ALTAR SWORN, AND AFTER MARCH TO END OUR COMING'S CAUSE. SALIS. THAT WE INTEND NO OTHER THAN GOOD TRUTH, ALL THAT ARE PRESENT OF THIS HOLY LEAGUE, FOR CONFIRMATION OF OUR BETTER TRUST, IN PRESENCE OF HIS HIGHNESS SWEAR WITH ME, THE SEQUEL THAT MYSELF SHALL UTTER HERE. I THOMAS PLANTAGENET, EARL OF SALISBURY, SWEAR UPON THE ALTAR, AND BY THE HOLY ARMY OF SAINTS, HOMAGE AND ALLEGIANCE TO THE RIGHT CHRISTIAN PRINCE, LOUIS OF FRANCE, AS TRUE AND RIGHTFUL KING TO ENGLAND, CORNWALL AND WALES, AND TO THEIR TERRITORIES, IN THE DEFENCE WHEREOF I UPON THE HOLY ALTAR SWEAR ALL FORWARDNESS. (ALL THE ENGLISH LORDS SWEAR. LORDS. AS THE NOBLE EARL HATH SWORN, SO SWEAR WE ALL. LOUIS. I REST ASSURED ON YOUR HOLY OATH, AND ON THIS ALTAR IN LIKE SORT I SWEAR LOVE TO YOU ALL, AND PRINCELY RECOMPENCE TO GUERDON YOUR GOOD WILLS UNTO THE FULL. AND SINCE I AM AT THIS RELIGIOUS SHRINE, MY GOOD WELLWISHERS, GIVE US LEAVE A WHILE TO USE SOME ORISONS OURSELVES APART TO ALL THE HOLY COMPANY OF HEAVEN, THAT THEY WILL SMILE UPON OUR PURPOSES, AND BRING THEM TO A FORTUNATE EVENT. SALISBURY. WE LEAVE YOUR HIGHNESS TO YOUR GOOD INTENT. LOUIS. WELL, MELOUN, WELL, LET'S SMOOTH WITH THEM A WHILE, UNTIL WE HAVE AS MUCH AS THEY CAN DO; AND WHEN THEIR VIRTUE IS EXHALED DRY, I'LL HANG THEM FOR THE GUERDON OF THEIR HELP. MEANWHILE WE'LL USE THEM AS PRECIOUS POISON TO UNDERTAKE THE ISSUE OF OUR HOPE. FR.LORD. TIS POLICY (MY LORD) TO BAIT OUR HOOKS WITH MERRY SMILES, AND PROMISE OF MUCH WEIGHT; BUT WHEN YOUR HIGHNESS NEEDETH THEM NO MORE, THIS GOOD MAKE SURE WORK WITH THEM, LEST INDEED THEY PROVE TO YOU AS TO THEIR NATURAL KING. MELOUN. TRUST ME, MY LORD, RIGHT WELL HAVE YOU ADVIS'D. VENOM FOR USE, BUT NEVER FOR A SPORT IS TO BE DALLIED WITH, LEST IT INFECT. BE FREE FROM TRAITORS, AND DISPATCH THEM ALL. LOUIS. THAT SO I MEAN, I SWEAR BEFORE YOU ALL ON THIS SAME ALTAR, AND BY HEAVEN'S POWER, THERE'S NOT AN ENGLISH TRAITOR OF THEM ALL, JOHN ONCE DISPATCH'D, AND I FAIR ENGLAND'S KING, SHALL ON HIS SHOULDERS BEAR HIS HEAD ONE DAY, BUT I WILL CROP IT FOR THEIR GUILT'S DESERT: NOR SHALL THEIR HEIRS ENJOY THEIR SIGNORIES, BUT PERISH BY THEIR PARENTS' FOUL AMISS. THIS HAVE I SWORN, AND THIS WILL I PERFORM, IF ERE I COME UNTO THE HEIGHT I HOPE. LAY DOWN YOUR HANDS, AND SWEAR THE SAME WITH ME. (THE FRENCH LORDS SWEAR. WHY SO, NOW CALL THEM IN, AND SPEAK THEM FAIR, A SMILE OF FRANCE WILL FEED AN ENGLISH FOOL. BEAR THEM IN HAND AS FRIENDS, FOR SO THEY BE; BUT IN THE HEART LIKE TRAITORS AS THEY ARE. (ENTER THE ENGLISH LORDS. NOW, FAMOUS FOLLOWERS, CHIEFTAINS OF THE WORLD, HAVE WE SOLICITED WITH HEARTY PRAYER THE HEAVEN IN FAVOR OF OUR HIGH ATTEMPT. LEAVE WE THIS PLACE, AND MARCH WE WITH OUR POWER TO ROWSE THE TYRANT FROM HIS CHIEFEST HOLD; AND WHEN OUR LABORS HAVE A PROSP'ROUS END, EACH MAN SHALL REAP THE FRUIT OF HIS DESERT. AND SO RESOLV'D, BRAVE FOLLOWERS, LET US HENCE. ENTER KING JOHN, BASTARD, PANDULPH, AND A MANY PRIESTS WITH THEM. PANDULPH. THUS, JOHN, THOU ART ABSOLV'D FROM ALL THY SINS, AND FREED BY ORDER FROM OUR FATHER'S CURSE. RECEIVE THY CROWN AGAIN, WITH THIS PROVISO, THAT THOU REMAIN TRUE LIEGEMAN TO THE POPE, AND CARRY ARMS IN RIGHT OF HOLY ROME. JOHN. I HOLD THE SAME AS TENANT TO THE POPE, AND THANK YOUR HOLINESS FOR YOUR KINDNESS SHOWN. PHILIP. A PROPER JEST, WHEN KINGS MUST STOOP TO FRIARS, NEED HATH NO LAW, WHEN FRIARS MUST BE KINGS. ENTER A MESSENGER. MESS. PLEASE IT YOUR MAJESTY, THE PRINCE OF FRANCE, WITH ALL THE NOBLES OF YOUR GRACE'S LAND, WHERE E'ER THEY SET THEIR FOOT, ALL PLACES YIELD: THY LAND IS THEIRS, AND NOT A FOOT HOLDS OUT BUT DOVER CASTLE, WHICH IS HARD BESIEG'D. PANDULPH. FEAR NOT, KING JOHN, THY KINGDOM IS THE POPE'S, AND THEY SHALL KNOW HIS HOLINESS HATH POWER, TO BEAT THEM SOON FROM WHENCE HE HATH TO DO. DRUMS AND TRUMPETS. ENTER LOUIS, MELUN, SALISBURY, ESSEX, PEMBROKE, AND ALL THE NOBLES FROM FRANCE, AND ENGLAND. LOUIS. PANDULPH, AS GAVE HIS HOLINESS IN CHARGE, SO HATH THE DOLPHIN MUSTERED UP HIS TROOPS AND WON THE GREATEST PART OF ALL THIS LAND. BUT ILL BECOMES YOUR GRACE, LORD CARDINAL, THUS TO CONVERSE WITH JOHN THAT IS ACCURS'D. PANDULPH. LOUIS OF FRANCE, VICTORIOUS CONQUEROR, WHOSE SWORD HATH MADE THIS ISLAND QUAKE FOR FEAR, THY FORWARDNESS TO FIGHT FOR HOLY ROME, SHALL BE REMUNERATED TO THE FULL: BUT KNOW, MY LORD, KING JOHN IS NOW ABSOLV'D, THE POPE IS PLEAS'D, THE LAND IS BLEST AGAIN, AND THOU HAST BROUGHT EACH THING TO GOOD EFFECT. IT RESTETH THEN THAT THOU WITHDRAW THY POWERS, AND QUIETLY RETURN TO FRANCE AGAIN; FOR ALL IS DONE THE POPE WOULD WISH THEE DO. LOUIS. BUT ALL'S NOT DONE THAT LOUIS CAME TO DO. WHY, PANDULPH, HATH KING PHILIP SENT HIS SON IN THEE, THE POPE, AND ALL THE CHURCH OF ROME, THUS TO INSULT ON KINGS OF CHRISTENDOM, NOW WITH A WORD TO MAKE THEM CARRY ARMS, THEN WITH A WORD TO MAKE THEM LEAVE THEIR ARMS. THIS MUST NOT BE: PRINCE LOUIS, KEEP THINE OWN, LET POPE AND POPELINGS CURSE THEIR BELLIES' FULL. BAST. MY LORD OF MELUN, WHAT TITLE HAD THE PRINCE TO ENGLAND AND THE CROWN OF ALBION, BUT SUCH A TITLE AS THE POPE CONFIRM'D? THE PRELATE NOW LETS FALL HIS FEIGNED CLAIM: LOUIS IS BUT THE AGENT FOR THE POPE, THEN MUST THE DOLPHIN CEASE, SITH HE HATH CEAS'D; BUT CEASE OR NO, IT GREATLY MATTERS NOT, IF YOU, MY LORDS AND BARONS OF THE LAND FOR SHAME, YE PEERS OF ENGLAND, SUFFER NOT YOUR SELVES, YOUR HONORS, AND YOUR LAND TO FALL: BUT WITH RESOLVED THOUGHTS BEAT BACK THE FRENCH, AND FREE THE LAND FROM YOKE OF SERVITUDE. SALISBURY. PHILIP, NOT SO, LORD LOUIS IS OUR KING, AND WE WILL FOLLOW HIM UNTO THE DEATH. PAND. THEN IN THE NAME OF INNOCENT THE POPE, I CURSE THE PRINCE AND ALL THAT TAKE HIS PART, AND EXCOMMUNICATE THE REBEL PEERS AS TRAITORS TO THE KING, AND TO THE POPE. LOUIS. PANDULP, OUR SWORDS SHALL BLESS OURSELVES AGAIN. PREPARE THEE, JOHN; LORDS, FOLLOW ME YOUR KING. (EXEUNT. JOHN. ACCURSED JOHN, THE DEVIL OWES THEE SHAME, RESISTING ROME, OR YIELDING TO THE POPE, ALL'S ONE. THE DEVIL TAKE THE POPE, THE PEERS, AND FRANCE: SHAME BE MY SHARE FOR YIELDING TO THE PRIEST. PAND. COMFORT THYSELF, KING JOHN, THE CARDINAL GOES UPON HIS CURSE TO MAKE THEM LEAVE THEIR ARMS. (EXIT. BASTARD. COMFORT, MY LORD, AND CURSE THE CARDINAL, BETAKE YOURSELF TO ARMS, MY TROOPS ARE PRESS'D TO ANSWER LOUIS WITH A LUSTY SHOCK; THE ENGLISH ARCHERS HAVE THEIR QUIVERS FULL, THEIR BOWS ARE BENT, THE PIKES ARE PRESS'D TO PUSH. GOD CHEER MY LORD, KING RICHARD'S FORTUNE HANGS UPON THE PLUME OF WARLIKE PHILIP'S HELM. THEN LET THEM KNOW HIS BROTHER AND HIS SON ARE LEADERS OF THE ENGLISHMEN AT ARMS. JOHN. PHILIP, I KNOW NOT HOW TO ANSWER THEE; BUT LET US HENCE, TO ANSWER LOUIS' PRIDE. (EXCURSIONS; ENTER MELOUN WITH ENGLISH LORDS. MEL. O, I AM SLAIN, NOBLES, SALISBURY, PEMBROKE, MY SOUL IS CHARGED, HEAR ME; FOR WHAT I SAY CONCERNS THE PEERS OF ENGLAND, AND THEIR STATE. LISTEN, BRAVE LORDS, A FEARFUL MOURNING TALE TO BE DELIVERED BY A MAN OF DEATH. BEHOLD THESE SCARS, THE DOLE OF BLOODY MARS ARE HARBINGERS FROM NATURE'S COMMON FOE, CITING THIS TRUNK TO TELLUS' PRISON HOUSE; LIFE'S CHARTER (LORDINGS) LASTETH NOT AN HOUR: BID ME GIVE PHYSIC TO A SICKLY SOUL. O, PEERS OF ENGLAND, KNOW YOU WHAT YOU DO, THERE'S BUT A HAIR THAT SUNDERS YOU FROM HARM, THE HOOK IS BAITED, AND THE TRAIN IS MADE, AND SIMPLY YOU RUN DOTING TO YOUR DEATHS. BUT LEST I DIE, AND LEAVE MY TALE UNTOLD, WITH SILENCE SLAUGHTERING SO BRAVE A CREW, THIS I AVER, IF LOUIS WIN THE DAY, THERE'S NOT AN ENGLISHMAN THAT LIFTS HIS HAND AGAINST KING JOHN TO PLANT THE HEIR OF FRANCE, BUT IS ALREADY DAMN'D TO CRUEL DEATH. I HEARD IT VOW'D; MYSELF AMONGST THE REST SWORE ON THE ALTAR AID TO THIS EDICT. TWO CAUSES, LORDS, MAKE ME DISPLAY THIS DRIFT, THE GREATEST FOR THE FREEDOM OF MY SOUL, THAT LONGS TO LEAVE THIS MANSION FREE FROM GUILT: THE OTHER ON A NATURAL INSTINCT, FOR THAT MY GRANDSIRE WAS AN ENGLISHMAN. MISDOUBT NOT, LORDS, THE TRUTH OF MY DISCOURSE, NO FRENZY, NOR NO BRAINSICK IDLE FIT, BUT WELL ADVIS'D, AND WOTTING WHAT I SAY. PRONOUNCE I HERE BEFORE THE FACE OF HEAVEN, THAT NOTHING IS DISCOVERED BUT A TRUTH. TIS TIME TO FLY, SUBMIT YOURSELVES TO JOHN, THE SMILES OF FRANCE SHADE IN THE FROWNS OF DEATH. AND FOR MY KINDNESS GIVE ME GRAVE ROOM HERE. MY SOUL DOTH FLEET; WORLD'S VANITIES, FAREWELL. SALS. NOW JOY BETIDE THY SOUL WELL-MEANING MAN. HOW NOW, MY LORDS, WHAT COOLING CARD IS THIS, A GREATER GRIEF GROWS NOW THAN ERST HATH BEEN. WHAT COUNSEL GIVE YOU, SHALL WE STAY AND DIE? OR SHALL WE HOME, AND KNEEL UNTO THE KING. PEMB. MY HEART MISGAVE THIS SAD ACCURSED NEWS: WHAT HAVE WE DONE, FIE LORDS, WHAT FRENZY MOVED OUR HEARTS TO YIELD UNTO THE PRIDE OF FRANCE? IF WE PERSEVER, WE ARE SURE TO DIE; IF WE DESIST, SMALL HOPE AGAIN OF LIFE. SALSB. BEAR HENCE THE BODY OF THIS WRETCHED MAN, THAT MADE US WRETCHED WITH HIS DYING TALE, AND STAND NOT WAILING ON OUR PRESENT HARMS, AS WOMEN WONT: BUT SEEK OUR HARMS REDRESS. AND KNEEL FOR PARDON TO OUR SOVEREIGN JOHN. PEMB. AY, THERE'S THE WAY, LET'S RATHER KNEEL TO HIM, THAN TO THE FRENCH THAT WOULD CONFOUND US ALL. (EXEUNT. ENTER KING JOHN CARRIED BETWEEN 2 LORDS. JOHN. SET DOWN, SET DOWN THE LOAD NOT WORTH YOUR PAIN, FOR DONE I AM WITH DEADLY WOUNDING GRIEF: SICKLY AND SUCCORLESS, HOPELESS OF ANY GOOD, THE WORLD HATH WEARIED ME, AND I HAVE WEARIED IT: IT LOATHES I LIVE, I LIVE AND LOATHE MYSELF. WHO PITIES ME? TO WHOM HAVE I BEEN KIND? BUT TO A FEW; A FEW WILL PITY ME. WHY DIE I NOT? DEATH SCORNS SO VILE A PREY. WHY LIVE I NOT, LIFE HATES SO SAD A PRIZE. I SUE TO BOTH TO BE RETAIN'D OF EITHER, BUT BOTH ARE DEAF, I CAN BE HEARD OF NEITHER. NOR DEATH, NOR LIFE, YET LIFE AND NE'ER THE NEAR'R, YMIXT WITH DEATH BIDING I WOT NOT WHERE. PHILIP. HOW FARES MY LORD THAT HE IS CARRIED THUS, NOT ALL THE AWKWARD FORTUNES YET BEFALL'N, MADE SUCH IMPRESSION OF LAMENT IN ME. NOR EVER DID MY EYE ATTAINT MY HEART WITH ANY OBJECT MOVING MORE REMORSE, THAN NOW BEHOLDING OF A MIGHTY KING, BORN BY HIS LORDS IN SUCH DISTRESSED STATE. JOHN. WHAT NEWS WITH THEE, IF BAD, REPORT IT STRAIGHT: IF GOO, BE MUTE, IT DOTH BUT FLATTER ME. PHILIP. SUCH AS IT IS, AND HEAVY THOUGH IT BE TO GLUT THE WORLD WITH TRAGIC ELEGIES, ONCE WILL I BREATHE TO AGGRAVATE THE REST, ANOTHER MOAN TO MAKE THE MEASURE FULL. THE BRAVEST BOWMAN HAD NOT YET SENT FORTH TWO ARROWS FROM THE QUIVER AT HIS SIDE, BUT THAT A RUMOR WENT THROUGHOUT OUR CAMP, THAT JOHN WAS FLED, THE KING HAD LEFT THE FIELD. AT LAST THE RUMOR SCAL'D THESE EARS OF MINE, WHO RATHER CHOSE AS SACRIFICE FOR MARS, THAN IGNOMINIOUS SCANDAL BY RETIRE. I CHEER'D THE TROOPS AS DID THE PRINCE OF TROY HIS WEARY FOLLOWERS 'GAINST THE MYRMIDONS, CRYING ALOUD 'SAINT GEORGE, THE DAY IS OURS'. BUT FEAR HAD CAPTIVATED COURAGE QUITE, SO HEARTLESS FLED OUR WARMEN FROM THE FIELD. SHORT TALE TO MAKE, MYSELF AMONGST THE REST, WAS FAIN TO FLY BEFORE THE EAGER FOE. BY THIS TIME NIGHT HAD SHADOWED ALL THE EARTH, WITH SABLE CURTAINS OF THE BLACKEST HUE, AND FENC'D US FROM THE FURY OF THE FRENCH, AS IO FROM THE JEALOUS JUNO'S EYE, WHEN IN THE MORNING OUR TROOPS DID GATHER HEAD, PASSING THE WASHES WITH OUR CARRIAGES, THE IMPARTIAL TIDE DEADLY AND INEXORABLE, CAME RAGING IN WITH BILLOWS THREAT'NING DEATH, AND SWALLOWED UP THE MOST OF ALL OUR MEN, MYSELF UPON A GALLOWY RIGHT FREE, WELL PAC'D, OUTSTRIPP'D THE FLOODS THAT FOLLOWED WAVE BY WAVE, I SO ESCAP'D TO TELL THIS TRAGIC TALE. JOHN. GRIEF UPON GRIEF, YET NONE SO GREAT A GRIEF, TO END THIS LIFE, AND THEREBY RID MY GRIEF. WAS EVER ANY SO UNFORTUNATE, THE RIGHT IDEA OF A CURSED MAN, AS I, POOR I, A TRIUMPH FOR DESPITE. MY FEVER GROWS, WHAT AGUE SHAKES ME SO? ABBOT. SUCH WELCOME AS OUR ABBEY CAN AFFORD, YOUR MAJESTY SHALL BE ASSURED OF. PHILIP. THE KING THOU SEEST IS WEAK AND VERY FAINT; WHAT VICTUALS HAST THOU TO REFRESH HIS GRACE? ABBOT. GOOD STORE, MY LORD, OF THAT YOU NEED NOT FEAR, FOR LINCOLNSHIRE, AND THESE OUR ABBEY GROUNDS WERE NEVER FATTER, NOR IN BETTER PLIGHT. JOHN. PHILIP, THOU NEVER NEED'ST TO DOUBT OF CATES, NOR KING, NOR LORD IS SEATED HALF SO WELL, AS ARE THE ABBEYS THROUGHOUT ALL THE LAND; IF ANY PLOT OF GROUND DO PASS ANOTHER, THE FRIARS FATTEN ON IT STRAIGHT. BUT LET US IN TO TASTE OF THEIR REPAST, IT GOES AGAINST MY HEART TO FEED WITH THEM, OR BE BEHOLDING TO SUCH ABBEY GROOMS. (EXEUNT. MANET THE MONK. MONK. IS THIS THE KING THAT NEVER LOV'D A FRIAR? IS THIS THE MAN THAT DOTH CONTEMN THE POPE? IS THIS THE MAN THAT ROBB'D THE HOLY CHURCH, AND YET WILL FLY UNTO A PRIORY? IS THIS THE KING THAT AIMS AT ABBEYS' LANDS? AND YET WILL FLY UNTO A FRIARY? ACCURS'D BE SWINSTED ABBEY, ABBOT, FRIARS, MONKS, NUNS, AND CLERKS, AND ALL THAT DWELL THEREIN, IF WICKED JOHN ESCAPE ALIVE AWAY. NOW IF THAT THOU WILT LOOK TO MERIT HEAVEN, AND BE CANONIZ'D FOR A HOLY SAINT: TO PLEASE THE WORLD WITH A DESERVING WORK, BE THOU THE MAN TO SET THY COUNTRY FREE, AND MURDER HIM THAT SEEKS TO MURDER THEE. ENTER THE ABBOT. ABBOT. WHY ARE NOT YOU WITHIN TO CHEER THE KING? HE NOW BEGINS TO MEND, AND WILL TO MEAT. MONK. WHAT IF I SAY TO STRANGLE HIM IN HIS SLEEP? ABBOT. WHAT, AT THY MUMPSIMUS? AWAY, AND SEEK SOME MEANS FOR TO PASTIME THE KING. MONK. I'LL SET A DUDGEON DAGGER AT HIS HEART, AND WITH A MALLET KNOCK HIM ON THE HEAD. ABBOT. ALAS, WHAT MEANS THIS MONK, TO MURDER ME? DARE LAY MY LIFE HE'LL KILL ME FOR MY PLACE. MONK. I'LL POISON HIM, AND IT SHALL NE'ER BE KNOWN, AND THEN SHALL I BE CHIEFEST OF MY HOUSE. ABBOT. IF I WERE DEAD, INDEED HE IS THE NEXT, BUT I'LL AWAY, FOR WHY THE MONK IS MAD, AND IN HIS MADNESS HE WILL MURDER ME. MONK. MY LORD, I CRY YOUR LORDSHIP MERCY, I SAW YOU NOT. ABBOT. ALAS, GOOD THOMAS, DO NOT MURDER ME, AND THOU SHALT HAVE MY PLACE WITH THOUSAND THANKS. MONK. I MURDER YOU? GOD SHIELD FROM SUCH A THOUGHT. ABBOT. IF THOU WILT NEEDS, YET LET ME SAY MY PRAYERS. MONK. I WILL NOT HURT YOUR LORDSHIP, GOOD MY LORD: BUT IF YOU PLEASE, I WILL IMPART A THING THAT SHALL BE BENEFICIAL TO US ALL. ABBOT. WILT THOU NOT HURT ME? HOLY MONK, SAY ON. MONK. YOU KNOW, MY LORD, THE KING IS IN OUR HOUSE. ABBOT. TRUE. MONK. YOU KNOW LIKEWISE THE KING ABHORS A FRIAR. ABBOT. TRUE. MONK. AND HE THAT LOVES NOT A FRIAR IS OUR ENEMY. ABBOT. THOU SAY'ST TRUE. MONK. THEN THE KING IS OUR ENEMY. ABBOT. TRUE. MONK. WHY, THEN SHOULD WE NOT KILL OUR ENEMY, AND THE KING BEING OUR ABBOT. O BLESSED MONK, I SEE GOD MOVES THY MIND TO FREE THIS LAND FROM TYRANT'S SLAVERY. BUT WHO DARE VENTURE FOR TO DO THIS DEED? MONK. WHO DARE? WHY, I, MY LORD, DARE DO THE DEED; I'LL FREE MY COUNTRY AND THE CHURCH FROM FOES, AND MERIT HEAVEN BY KILLING OF A KING. ABBOT. THOMAS, KNEEL DOWN, AND IF THOU ART RESOLV'D, I WILL ABSOLVE THEE HERE FROM ALL THY SINS, FOR WHY THE DEED IS MERITORIOUS. FORWARD AND FEAR NOT, MAN, FOR EVERY MONTH OUR FRIARS SHALL SING A MASS FOR THOMAS' SOUL. MONK. GOD AND SAINT FRANCIS PROSPER MY ATTEMPT, FOR NOW, MY LORD, I GO ABOUT MY WORK. (EXEUNT. ENTER LOUIS AND HIS ARMY. LOUIS. THUS VICTORY IN BLOODY LAUREL CLAD, FOLLOWS THE FORTUNE OF YOUNG LODOWICK, TRIUMPH IN CONQUEST OF THAT TYRANT JOHN, THE BETTER HALF OF ENGLAND IS OUR OWN, AND TOWARDS THE CONQUEST OF THE OTHER PART, WE HAVE THE FACE OF ALL THE ENGLISH LORDS, WHAT THEN REMAINS BUT OVERRUN THE LAND. BE RESOLUTE, MY WARLIKE FOLLOWERS, AND IF GOOD FORTUNE SERVE AS SHE BEGINS, THE POOREST PEASANT OF THE REALM OF FRANCE SHALL BE A MASTER O'ER AN ENGLISH LORD. ENTER A MESSENGER. LOUIS. FELLOW, WHAT NEWS. MESSEN. PLEASETH YOUR GRACE, THE EARL OF SALISBURY, PEMBROKE, ESSEX, CLARE, AND ARUNDEL, WITH ALL THE BARONS THAT DID FIGHT FOR THEE, ARE ON A SUDDEN FLED WITH ALL THEIR POWERS, TO JOIN WITH JOHN, TO DRIVE THEE BACK AGAIN. ENTER ANOTHER MESSENGER. MESSEN. LOUIS, MY LORD, WHY STAND'ST THOU IN A MAZE? GATHER THY TROOPS, HOPE OUT OF HELP FROM FRANCE, FOR ALL THY FORCES BEING FIFTY SAIL, CONTAINING TWENTY THOUSAND SOLDIERS, WITH VICTUAL AND MUNITION FOR THE WAR, PUTTING FROM CALAIS IN UNLUCKY TIME, DID CROSS THE SEAS, AND ON THE GOODWIN SANDS, THE MEN, MUNITION, AND THE SHIPS ARE LOST. ENTER ANOTHER MESSENGER. MESSEN. JOHN (MY LORD) WITH ALL HIS SCATTERED TROOPS, FLYING THE FURY OF YOUR CONQUERING SWORD, AS PHARAOH ERST WITHIN THE BLOODY SEA, SO HE AND HIS ENVIRONED WITH THE TIDE, ON LINCOLN WASHES ALL WERE OVERWHELMED, THE BARONS FLED, OUR FORCES CAST AWAY. LOUIS. WAS EVER HEARD SUCH UNEXPECTED NEWS? MESSENGER. YET, LODOWICK, REVIVE THY DYING HEART: KING JOHN AND ALL HIS FORCES ARE CONSUM'D. THE LESS THOU NEED'ST THE AID OF ENGLISH EARLS, THE LESS THOU NEED'ST TO GRIEVE THY NAVY'S WRACK, AND FOLLOW TIME'S ADVANTAGE WITH SUCCESS. LOUIS. BRAVE FRENCHMEN, ARM'D WITH MAGNANIMITY, MARCH AFTER LOUIS WHO WILL LEAD YOU ON TO CHASE THE BARON'S POWER THAT WANTS A HEAD, FOR JOHN IS DROWN'D, AND I AM ENGLAND'S KING. THOUGH OUR MUNITION AND OUR MEN BE LOST, PHILIP OF FRANCE WILL SEND US FRESH SUPPLIES. (EXEUNT. ENTER TWO FRIARS LAYING A CLOTH. FRIAR. DISPATCH, DISPATCH, THE KING DESIRES TO EAT. WOULD A MIGHT EAT HIS LAST FOR THE LOVE HE BEARS TO CHURCHMEN. FRIAR. I AM OF THY MIND TOO, AND SO IT SHOULD BE AND WE MIGHT BE OUR OWN CARVERS. I MARVEL WHY THEY DINE HERE IN THE ORCHARD. FRIAR. I KNOW NOT, NOR I CARE NOT. THE KING COMES. JOHN. COME ON, LORD ABBOT, SHALL WE SIT TOGETHER? ABBOT. PLEASETH YOUR GRACE, SIT DOWN. JOHN. TAKE YOUR PLACES, SIRS, NO POMP IN PENURY, ALL BEGGARS AND FRIENDS MAY COME, WHERE NECESSITY KEEPS THE HOUSE, COURTESY IS BARR'D THE TABLE. SIT DOWN, PHILIP. BAST. MY LORD, I AM LOATH TO ALLUDE SO MUCH TO THE PROVERB: 'HONORS CHANGE MANNERS'; A KING IS A KING, THOUGH FORTUNE DO HER WORST, AND WE AS DUTIFUL IN DESPITE OF HER FROWN, AS IF YOUR HIGHNESS WERE NOW IN THE HIGHEST TYPE OF DIGNITY. JOHN. COME, NO MORE ADO, AND YOU TELL ME MUCH OF DIGNITY, YOU'LL MAR MY APPETITE IN A SURFEIT OF SORROW. KNOWS HIS GUEST HATH NO MONEY TO PAY THE RECK'NING? ABBOT. NO, MY LIEGE, IF I FROWN AT ALL, IT IS FOR I FEAR THIS CHEER TOO HOMELY TO ENTERTAIN SO MIGHTY A GUEST AS YOUR MAJESTY. BASTARD. I THINK RATHER, MY LORD ABBOT, YOU REMEMBER MY LAST BEING HERE, WHEN I WENT IN PROGRESS FOR POUCHES, AND THE RANCOR OF HIS HEART BREAKS OUT IN HIS COUNTENANCE, TO SHOW HE HATH NOT FORGOT ME. ABBOT. NOT SO, MY LORD, YOU AND THE MEANEST FOLLOWER OF HIS MAJESTY, ARE HEARTILY WELCOME TO ME. MONK. WASSAIL, MY LIEGE, AND AS A POOR MONK MAY SAY, WELCOME TO SWINSTED. JOHN. BEGIN, MONK, AND REPORT HEREAFTER THOU WAST TASTER TO A KING. MONK. AS MUCH HEALTH TO YOUR HIGHNESS, AS TO MY OWN HEART. JOHN. I PLEDGE THEE, KIND MONK. MONK. THE MERRIEST DRAUGHT THAT EVER WAS DRUNK IN ENGLAND. AM I NOT TOO BOLD WITH YOUR HIGHNESS? JOHN. NOT A WHIT, ALL FRIENDS AND FELLOWS FOR A TIME. MONK. IF THE INWARDS OF A TOAD BE A COMPOUND OF ANY THERE LIE THE ABBOT, ABBEY, LUBBER, DEVIL. MARCH WITH THE MONK UNTO THE GATES OF HELL. HOW FARES MY LORD? JOHN. PHILIP, SOME DRINK! OH, FOR THE FROZEN ALPS, TO TUMBLE ON AND COOL THIS INWARD HEAT THAT RAGETH AS THE FURNACE SEVENFOLD HOT, TO BURN THE HOLY TREE IN BABYLON. POWER AFTER POWER FORSAKE THEIR PROPER POWER, ONLY THE HEART IMPUGNS WITH FAINT RESIST THE FIERCE INVADE OF HIM THAT CONQUERS KINGS. HELP GOD, O PAIN, DIE JOHN, O PLAGUE INFLICTED ON THEE FOR THY GRIEVOUS SINS. PHILIP, A CHAIR, AND BY AND BY A GRAVE, MY LEGS DISDAIN THE CARRIAGE OF A KING. BASTARD. AH, GOOD MY LIEGE, WITH PATIENCE CONQUER GRIEF, AND BEAR THIS PAIN WITH KINGLY FORTITUDE. JOHN. METHINKS I SEE A CATALOGUE OF SIN WRIT BY A FIEND IN MARBLE CHARACTERS, THE LEAST ENOUGH TO LOSE MY PART IN HEAVEN. METHINKS THE DEVIL WHISPERS IN MINE EARS AND TELLS ME TIS IN VAIN TO HOPE FOR GRACE, I SEE, I SEE A THOUSAND THOUSAND MEN COME TO ACCUSE ME FOR MY WRONG ON EARTH, AND THERE IS NONE SO MERCIFULL A GOD THAT WILL FORGIVE THE NUMBER OF MY SINS. HOW HAVE I LIV'D, BUT BY ANOTHER'S LOSS? WHAT HAVE I LOV'D BUT WRACK OF OTHER'S WEAL? WHEN HAVE I VOW'D, AND NOT INFRING'D MINE OATH? WHERE HAVE I DONE A DEED DESERVING WELL? WHO, WHAT, WHEN, AND WHERE, HAVE I BESTOW'D A DAY THAT TENDED NOT TO SOME NOTORIOUS ILL. MY LIFE REPLETE WITH RAGE AND TYRANNY, CRAVES LITTLE PITY FOR SO STRANGE A DEATH. OR WHO WILL SAY THAT JOHN DECEAS'D TOO SOON, WHO WILL NOT SAY HE RATHER LIV'D TOO LONG. DISHONOR DID ATTAINT ME IN MY LIFE, AND SHAME ATTENDETH JOHN UNTO HIS DEATH. WHY DID I SCAPE THE FURY OF THE FRENCH, AND DIED NOT BY THE TEMPER OF THEIR SWORDS? SHAMELESS MY LIFE, AND SHAMEFULLY IT ENDS, SCORN'D BY MY FOES, DISDAINED OF MY FRIENDS. BASTARD. FORGIVE THE WORLD AND ALL YOUR EARTHLY FOES, AND CALL ON CHRIST, WHO IS YOUR LATEST FRIEND. JOHN. MY TONGUE DOTH FALTER, PHILIP, I TELL THEE, MAN, SINCE JOHN DID YIELD UNTO THE PRIEST OF ROME, NOR HE NOR HIS HAVE PROSPER'D ON THE EARTH. CURS'D ARE HIS BLESSINGS, AND HIS CURSE IS BLISS. BUT IN THE SPIRIT I CRY UNTO MY GOD, AS DID THE KINGLY PROPHET DAVID CRY, (WHOSE HANDS, AS MINE, WITH MURDER WERE ATTAINT) I AM NOT HE SHALL BUILD THE LORD A HOUSE, OR ROOT THESE LOCUSTS FROM THE FACE OF EARTH: BUT IF MY DYING HEART DECEIVE ME NOT, FROM OUT THESE LOINS SHALL SPRING A KINGLY BRANCH WHOSE ARMS SHALL REACH UNTO THE GATES OF ROME, AND WITH HIS FEET TREADS DOWN THE STRUMPET'S PRIDE, THAT SITS UPON THE CHAIR OF BABYLON. PHILIP, MY HEART STRINGS BREAK, THE POISON'S FLAME HATH OVERCOME IN ME WEAK NATURE'S POWER, AND IN THE FAITH OF JESU JOHN DOTH DIE. BASTARD. SEE HOW HE STRIVES FOR LIFE, UNHAPPY LORD, WHOSE BOWELS ARE DIVIDED IN THEMSELVES. ARE SLAIN AND SHOULDER'D OUT BY MONKS AND FRIARS. ENTER A MESSENGER. MESS. PLEASE IT YOUR GRACE, THE BARONS OF THE LAND, WHICH ALL THIS WHILE BARE ARMS AGAINST THE KING, CONDUCTED BY THE LEGATE OF THE POPE, TOGETHER WITH THE PRINCE HIS HIGHNESS' SON, DO CRAVE TO BE ADMITTED TO THE PRESENCE OF THE KING. BASTARD. YOUR SON, MY LORD, YOUNG HENRY CRAVES TO SEE YOUR MAJESTY, AND BRINGS WITH HIM BESIDE THE BARONS THAT REVOLTED FROM YOUR GRACE. O PIERCING SIGHT, HE FUMBLETH IN THE MOUTH, HIS SPEECH DOTH FAIL: LIFT UP YOURSELF, MY LORD. AND SEE THE PRINCE TO COMFORT YOU IN DEATH. ENTER PANDULPH, YOUNG HENRY, THE BARONS WITH DAGGERS IN THEIR HANDS. PRINCE. O LET ME SEE MY FATHER ERE HE DIE: O UNCLE, WERE YOU HERE, AND SUFFER'D HIM AND VOW TO FIGHT FOR ENGLAND AND HER KING: AND IN THE SIGHT OF JOHN OUR SOVEREIGN LORD, IN SPITE OF LOUIS AND THE POWER OF FRANCE WHO HITHERWARD ARE MARCHING IN ALL HASTE, WE CROWN YOUNG HENRY IN HIS FATHER'S STEAD. HENRY. HELP, HELP, HE DIES! AH, FATHER, LOOK ON ME. LEGATE. KING JOHN, FAREWELL: IN TOKEN OF THY FAITH, AND SIGN THOU DIEST THE SERVANT OF THE LORD, LIFT UP THY HAND, THAT WE MAY WITNESS HERE THOU DIED'ST THE SERVANT OF OUR SAVIOR CHRIST. NOW JOY BETIDE THY SOUL: WHAT NOISE IS THIS? ENTER A MESSENGER. MESS. HELP, LORDS, THE DOLPHIN MAKETH HITHERWARD WITH ENSIGNS OF DEFIANCE IN THE WIND, AND ALL OUR ARMY STANDETH AT A GAZE EXPECTING WHAT THEIR LEADERS WILL COMMAND. BASTARD. LET'S ARM OURSELVES IN YOUNG KING HENRY'S RIGHT, AND BEAT THE POWER OF FRANCE TO SEA AGAIN. LEGATE. PHILIP, NOT SO, BUT I WILL TO THE PRINCE, AND BRING HIM FACE TO FACE TO PARLE WITH YOU. BASTARD. LORD SALISBURY, YOUR SELF SHALL MARCH WITH ME, SO SHALL WE BRING THESE TROUBLES TO AN END. KING. SWEET UNCLE, IF THOU LOVE THY SOVEREIGN, BUT PULL THE HOUSE ABOUT THE FRIARS' EARS: FOR THY HAVE KILL'D MY FATHER AND MY KING. (EXEUNT. A PARLEY SOUNDED: LOUIS, PANDULPH, SALISBURY, ETC. PANDULPH. LOUIS OF FRANCE, YOUNG HENRY, ENGLAND'S KING REQUIRES TO KNOW THE REASON OF THE CLAIM THAT THOU CANST MAKE TO ANYTHING OF HIS. KING JOHN THAT DID OFFEND IS DEAD AND GONE, SEE WHERE HIS BREATHLESS TRUNK IN PRESENCE LIES, AND HE AS HEIR APPARENT TO THE CROWN IS NOW SUCCEEDED IN HIS FATHER'S ROOM. HENRY. LOUIS, WHAT LAW OF ARMS DOTH LEAD THEE THUS, TO KEEP POSSESSION OF MY LAWFUL RIGHT? ANSWER IN FINE IF THOU WILT TAKE A PEACE, AND MAKE SURRENDER OF MY RIGHT AGAIN, OR TRY THY TITLE WITH THE DINT OF SWORD. I TELL THEE, DOLPHIN, HENRY FEARS THEE NOT, FOR NOW THE BARONS CLEAVE UNTO THEIR KING, AND WHAT THOU HAST IN ENGLAND THEY DID GET. LOUIS. HENRY OF ENGLAND, NOW THAT JOHN IS DEAD, THAT WAS THE CHIEFEST ENEMY TO FRANCE, I MAY THE RATHER BE INDUC'D TO PEACE. BUT SALISBURY, AND YOU, BARONS OF THE REALM, THIS STRANGE REVOLT AGREES NOT WITH THE OATH THAT YOU ON 'BURY ALTAR LATELY SWARE. SALISBURY. NOR DID THE OATH YOUR HIGHNESS THERE DID TAKE AGREE WITH HONOR OF THE PRINCE OF FRANCE. BASTARD. MY LORD, WHAT ANSWER MAKE YOU TO THE KING? DOLPHIN. FAITH, PHILIP, THIS I SAY: IT BOOTS NOT ME, NOR ANY PRINCE, NOR POWER OF CHRISTENDOM TO SEEK TO WIN THIS ISLAND ALBION, UNLESS HE HAVE A PARTY IN THE REALM BY TREASON FOR TO HELP HIM IN HIS WARS. THE PEERS WHICH WERE THE PARTY ON MY SIDE, ARE FLED FROM ME: THEN BOOTS NOT ME TO FIGHT, BUT ON CONDITIONS, AS MINE HONOR WILLS, I AM CONTENTED TO DEPART THE REALM. HENRY. ON WHAT CONDITIONS WILL YOUR HIGHNESS YIELD? LOUIS. THAT SHALL WE THINK UPON BY MORE ADVICE. BASTARD. THEN, KINGS AND PRINCES, LET THESE BROILS HAVE END, AND AT MORE LEISURE TALK UPON THE LEAGUE. AND THERE INTER HIS BODY, AS BESEEMS. BUT FIRST, IN SIGHT OF LOUIS, HEIR OF FRANCE, LORDS, TAKE THE CROWN, AND SET IT ON HIS HEAD, THAT BY SUCCESSION IS OUR LAWFULL KING. THEY CROWN YOUNG HENRY. THUS ENGLAND'S PEACE BEGINS IN HENRY'S REIGN, AND BLOODY WARS ARE CLOS'D WITH HAPPY LEAGUE. LET ENGLAND LIVE BUT TRUE WITHIN ITSELF, AND ALL THE WORLD CAN NEVER WRONG HER STATE. LOUIS, THOU SHALT BE BRAVELY SHIPP'D TO FRANCE, FOR NEVER FRENCHMAN GOT OF ENGLISH GROUND THE TWENTIETH PART THAT THOU HAST CONQUERED. DOLPHIN, THY HAND, TO WORSTER WE WILL MARCH, LORDS, ALL LAY HANDS TO BEAR YOUR SOVEREIGN