ACT II Sc. I All punish'd in the person of this child, A will that bars the title of thy son. CONST. Ay; who doubts that? a will! a wicked will; K. PHI. Peace, Lady! pause, or be more temperate : To these ill-tuned repetitions. Some trumpet summon hither to the walls These men of Angiers: let us hear them speak Trumpet sounds. Enter certain Citizens upon FIRST CIT. Who is it that hath warn'd us to the walls? K. JOHN. England, for itself. You men of Angiers, and my loving subjects— your Town, K. JOHN. For our advantage; therefore hear us first. All preparation for a bloody siege And merciless proceeding by these French 1 headstrong. 16 190 200 210 220 2 (archers') = to encourage: 'Go it again!' 3 shut: like eyes in sleep. in smoke, To save unscratch'd your City's threaten'd cheeks, Crave harbourage within your city walls. K. PHI. When I have said, make answer to us both. And King o'er him and all that he enjoys: For this down-trodden equity we tread In warlike march these greens1 before your Town; Prince : Than the constraint of hospitable zeal peace. With unhack'd swords and helmets all unbruis'd 2 5 compass. 17 ACT II Sc. I Or shall we give the signal to our rage, And stalk in blood to our possession? FIRST 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. To him will we prove loyal: till that time Have we ramm'd up our gates against the world. 270 K. JOHN. Doth not the crown of England prove the King? And if not that, I bring you witnesses, Twice fifteen thousand hearts of England's breed— BAST. Bastards, and else.1 K. JOHN. To verify our title with their lives. K. PHI. As many and as well-born bloods as those- K. PHI. -Stand in his face, to contradict his claim. Before the dew of evening fall, shall fleet In dreadful trial of our kingdom's King! 280 K. PHI. Amen, amen! Mount, Chevaliers! to arms! since Sits on his horse' back at mine hostess' door, Teach us some fence! [to AUST.] Sirrah, were I at home, At your den, sirrah, with your lioness, I would set an ox-head to your lion's hide, And make a monster of you. AUST. Peace! no more. BAST. O, tremble, for you hear the lion roar ! ago K. JOHN. Up higher to the plain; where we'll set forth In best appointment all our regiments. BAST. Speed, then, to take advantage of the field. K. PHI. It shall be so; and at the other hill Command the rest to stand. God and our right! [exeunt. Here, after excursions, enter the Herald of France, with F. HER. You Men of Angiers, open wide your gates, 300 And let young Arthur, Duke of Bretagne, in, Who by the hand of France this day hath made Enter the English Herald, with Trumpets. E. HER. Rejoice, you Men of Angiers, ring your bells! Their armours, that march'd hence so silver-bright, That is removed by a staff2 of France; Our colours do return in those same hands, 310 That did display them when we first march'd forth; 320 FIRST CIT. Heralds, from off our towers we might behold From first to last the onset and retire Of both your armies; whose equality By our best eyes cannot be censured:* Blood hath bought blood, and blows have answer'd blows; 1 trumpeters. 2 lance. Cf. vol. 1., Twelfth Night, ACT II Sc. I ACT II Sc. I Strength match'd with strength, and power confronted power: Both are alike; and both alike we like. One must prove greatest: while they weigh so even, Re-enter the two KINGS, with their Powers, at 330 K. JOHN. France, hast thou yet more blood to cast away? With course disturb'd even thy confining shores, A peaceful progress to the Ocean. K. PHI. England, thou hast not sav'd one drop of blood Rather, lost more: and by this hand I swear, That sways the earth this climate1 overlooks, 340 We'll put thee down, 'gainst whom these arms we bear, Gracing the scroll that tells of this war's loss In undetermin'd differences of Kings. Why stand these royal fronts amazed thus? Cry Havoc! Kings; back to the stained field, Then let confusion of one part confirm 350 361 The other's peace; till then, blows, blood, and death! K. PHI. Know him in us, that here hold up his right. 1 i.e. the sky of France. 2 i.e. a king or kings. 3 mous'ling, i.e. lipping and tonguing. 5 side. |