Life is as tedious as a twice-told tale, Vexing the dull ear of a drowsyman; And bitter shame hath spoil'd the sweet world's taste, † Even in the instant of repair and health, Thy foot to England's throne; and, therefore, mark. That, whiles warm life plays in that infant's veins, Lew. But what shall I gain by young Arthur's fall? +"sweet word's taste," - MALONE: who says that the sweet word is life. Pand. You, in the right of lady Blanch your wife, May then make all the claim that Arthur did. Lew. And lose it, life and all, as Arthur did. Pand. How green are you, and fresh in this old world! John lays you plots; the times conspire with you: Lew. May be, he will not touch young Arthur's life, But hold himself safe in his prisonment. Pand. O, sir, when he shall hear of your approach, If that young Arthur be not gone already, Even at that news he dies: and then the hearts Of all his people shall revolt from him, And kiss the lips of unacquainted change; Anon becomes a mountain. O noble Dauphin, Go with me to the king: 'Tis wonderful, Lew. Strong reasons make strong actions:† If you say, ay, the king will not say, no. Let us go: [Exeunt. ACT IV. SCENE I.-Northampton. A Room in the Castle. Enter HUBERT and two Attendants. Hub. Heat me these irons hot; and, look thou stand Within the arras: when I strike my foot Upon the bosom of the ground, rush forth: And bind the boy, which you shall find with me, 1 Attend. I hope, your warrant will bear out the deed. Hub. Uncleanly scruples! Fear not you: look to't.— [Exeunt Attendants. Young lad, come forth; I have to say with you. Enter ARTHUR. Good morrow, little prince. Arth. Good morrow, Hubert. Hub. +"strange actions:"-MALONE. 2 Northampton.] The fact is, that Arthur was first confined at Falaise, and afterwards at Rouen, in Normandy, where he was put to death. Our author has deviated, in this particular, from the history, and brought king John's nephew to England; but there is no circumstance, either in the original play, or in this of Shakspeare, to point out the particular castle in which he is supposed to be confined. The castle of Northampton has been mentioned, in some modern editions, as the place, merely because, in the first Act, King John seems to have been in that town. In the old copy there is no where any notice of place. |