In right of Arthur do I claim of thee. Wilt thou resign them, and lay down thy arms ܕ܂ K. John. My life as soon: I do defy thee, France. Arthur of Bretagne, yield thee to my hand; And out of my dear love I'll give thee more Eli. Come to thy grandam, child. Const. Do, child, go to it grandam, child: Give grandam kingdom, and it grandam will Give it a plum, a cherry, and a fig: There's a good grandam. Arth. Good my mother, peace! I would that I were low laid in my grave; I am not worth this coil that's made for me. Eli. His mother shames him so, poor boy, he weeps. Const. Now shame upon you, whe'r she does, or no! His grandam's wrongs, and not his mother's shames, Eli. Thou monstrous slanderer of Heaven and Const. Thou monstrous injurer of Heaven and Earth! Call not me slanderer: thou and thine usurp The dominations, royalties, and rights, Of this oppressed boy. This is thy eldest son's son, Infortunate in nothing but in thee: Thy sins are visited in this poor child; The canon of the law is laid on him, Being but the second generation I have but this to say, That he is not only plagued for her sin, But God hath made her sin and her the plague And with her plagu'd; her sin, his injury; All punish'd in the person of this child, And all for her; a plague upon her! Eli. Thou unadvised scold, I can produce A will that bars the title of thy son. Const. Ay, who doubts that? a will! a wicked will; A woman's will: a canker'd grandam's will! K. Phi. Peace, lady! pause, or be more temperate. It ill beseems this presence, to cry aim To these ill-tuned repetitions. Some trumpet summon hither to the walls These men of Angiers: let us hear them speak. Trumpet sounds. Enter Citizens upon the walls. Citizen. Who is it, that hath warn'd us to the walls? K. Phi. 'Tis France, for England. K. John. England, for itself. You men of Angiers, and my loving subjects, K. Phi. You loving men of Angiers, Arthur's subjects, Our trumpet call'd you to this gentle parle. K. John. For our advantage; therefore, hear us first. These flags of France, that are advanced here Have hither march'd to your endamagement: And merciless proceeding by these French Which trust accordingly, kind citizens, And let us in, your King; whose labour'd spirits, Forwearied in this action of swift speed, Crave harbourage within your city walls. K. Phi. When I have said, make answer to us both. Lo! in this right hand, whose protection Is most divinely vow'd upon the right And King o'er him, and all that he enjoys. In warlike march these greens before your town; Being no farther enemy to you To him that owes it, namely, this young prince; With unhack'd swords and helmets all unbruis'd, Or shall we give the signal to our rage, And stalk in blood to our possession? Cit. In brief, we are the King of England's subjects: For him, and in his right, we hold this town. K. John. Acknowledge then the King, and let me in. Cit. That can we not; but he that proves the King, To him will we prove loyal: till that time Have we ramm'd up our gates against the world. the King? And if not that, I bring you witnesses, Twice fifteen thousand hearts of England's breed, Bast. Bastards, and else. K. John. - To verify our title with their lives. K. Phi. As many, and as well-born bloods as K. Phi. -Stand in his face to contradict his claim. Cit. Till you compound whose right is worthiest, We for the worthiest hold the right from both. K. John. Then God forgive the sin of all those souls That to their everlasting residence, Before the dew of evening fall, shall fleet, In dreadful trial of our kingdom's King! K. Phi. Amen, Amen. arms! Mount, chevaliers ! to Bast. St. George, that swinged the dragon, and e'er since, Sits on his horse' back at mine hostess' door, Teach us some fence! [To AUSTRIA.] Sirrah, were I at home, At your den, sirrah, with your lioness, I would set an ox-head to your lion's hide, Aust. Peace! no more. Bast. O, tremble, for you hear the lion roar! K. John. Up higher to the plain; where we'li set forth In best appointment all our regiments. Bast. Speed, then, to take advantage of the field. K. Phi. It shall be so; -[to LOUIS.] and at the other hill Command the rest to stand. - God, and our right! [Exeunt on opposite sides, the English and French Kings, with their Forces. |