He is afraid of me, and I of him : Is it my fault that I was Geffrey's son ? No, indeed, is 't not; and I would to Heaven I were your son, so you would love me, Hubert. He will awake my mercy, which lies dead: 30 [shewing a paper. How now, foolish Rheum, Turning dispiteous Torture out of door? I must be brief, lest Resolution drop ARTH. Too fairly, Hubert, for so foul effect: Must you with hot irons burn out both mine eyes? HUB. Young Boy, I must. ARTH. HUB. And will you? And I will. ARTH. Have you the heart? When your head did but ache, I knit my handkercher about your brows (The best I had, a Princess wrought it me) And I did never ask it you again; And with my hand at midnight held your head, And, like the watchful minutes to the hour, Still and anon cheer'd up the heavy time, Saying What lack you? and Where lies your grief? 41 50 ACT IV Sc. I ACT IV Sc. I These eyes HUB. I have sworn to do it; And with hot irons must I burn them out. Even in the water of mine innocence: Nay; after that, consume away in rust, Are you more stubborn-hard than hammer'd iron? An if an Angel should have come to me, And told me Hubert should put out mine eyes, 60 I would not have believ'd him: no tongue but Hubert's. HUB. Come forth! Re-enter Executioners, with cord, irons, etc. Do as I bid you do. ARTH. O, save me, Hubert, save me! my eyes are out Even with the fierce looks of these bloody men. For Heaven sake, Hubert, let me not be bound! ; I will not stir, nor wince, nor speak a word, Nor look upon the iron angerly: Thrust but these men away, and I'll forgive you, HUB. Go, stand within; let me alone with him. FIRST EXEC. I am best pleas'd to be from such a deed. 71 80 [Exeunt Executioners. ARTH. Alas, I then have chid away my friend! He hath a stern look, but a gentle heart: HUB. Come, Boy, prepare yourself. 90 ARTH. Is there no remedy? ACT IV Sc. I HUB. None but to lose your eyes. ARTH. O Heaven, that there were but a mote in your's, A grain, a dust, a gnat, a wandering hair, Any annoyance in that precious sense! Then, feeling what small things are boisterous there, HUB. Is this your promise? go to, hold your tongue. Must needs want utterance by a brace of tongues: HUB. I can heat it, Boy. ARTH. No, in good sooth; the fire is dead with grief, In undeserv'd extremes: see else yourself; The breath of Heaven hath blown his spirit out, HUB. But with my breath I can revive it, Boy. And glow with shame of your proceedings, Hubert: That mercy which fierce fire and iron extends; HUB. Well, see to live; I will not touch thine eyes Yet am I sworn, and I did purpose, Boy, ARTH. O, now you look like Hubert! all this while HUB. Peace; no more. Adieu. Your uncle must not know but you are dead; 100 110 120 1 urge. ACT IV I'll fill these dogged spies with false reports: ARTH. 130 O Heaven! I thank you, Hubert. HUB. Silence; no more: go closely in with me: Much danger do I undergo for thee. [exeunt. SCENE II. A Palace in England. Enter KING JOHN, PEMBROKE, SALISBURY, and K. JOHN. Here once again we sit, once again crown'd, To smooth the ice, or add another hue To seek the beauteous eye of Heaven to garnish, PEM. But that your royal pleasure must be done, SAL. In this the antique and well-noted face It makes the course of thoughts to fetch about, Makes sound Opinion sick, and Truth suspected, PEM. When workmen strive to do better than well, Doth make the fault the worse by the excuse; As patches set upon a little breach1 Discredit more in hiding of the fault Than did the fault before it was so patch'd. SAL. To this effect, before you were new-crown'd, We breath'd our counsel; but it pleas'd your High ness To overbear it, and we are all well pleas'd; Since all and every part of what we would I will both hear and grant you your requests. If what in rest you have in right you hold, Why should your fears (which, as they say, attend The rich advantage of good exercise? To grace occasions, let it be our suit That you have bid us ask his liberty; 1 rent. IV: G * keep close. 3 improve opportunities. 49 ACT IV Sc. II 30 40 50 60 |