We now imagine the gradual approach and entry_of the forces forming the expedition from England. The next immediate speakers are the kings, John and Philip. [John.] Peace be to France, if France in peace permit Our just and lineal entrance to our own: If not, bleed France, and peace ascend to heaven. [Philip.] Peace be to England, if that war return [John.] From whom hast thou this great commission, France, To draw my answer from thy articles? [Philip.] From that supernal Judge, that stirs good thoughts In any breast of strong authority, To look into the blots and stains of right: That Judge hath made me guardian to this boy; Wilt thou resign them, and lay down thine arms? [John.] My life as soon: I do defy thee, France. Arthur of Bretagne, yield thee to my hand, During this time, we may imagine that Faulconbridge has been surveying, with indignation and contempt, the person of the duke of Austria, over whose armour appears the lion's skin, which had been worn by Richard, the father of Faulconbridge. At this moment, Austria, if we suppose him to utter aloud the following call, will be the prominent person on the scene: [Austria.] Some trumpet summon hither to the walls [Austria.] Who the devil art thou? [Faulconbridge.] One that will play the devil, Sir, with you, [Austria.] What cracker is this same, that deafs our ears With this abundance of superfluous breath? -Princes, determine what we shall do straight. The citizens being summoned to their walls by the heralds of each party, declare their purpose of keeping their gates closed, till, by agreement, or the force of arms, the future king is with certainty determined. A battle in consequence takes place, during a pause in which the two kings again hold a parley: [John.] France, hast thou yet more blood to cast away? [Philip.] England, thou hast not sav'd one drop of blood Faulconbridge comes forward. [Faulconbridge.] Ha, majesty! how high thy glory towers, Then let confusion of one part, confirm The other's peace: till then, blows, blood, and death! [John.] Whose party do the townsmen yet admit ? [Philip.] Speak, citizens, for England: who's your king? The citizens being formally summoned, repeat their declaration to keep the gates closed till the undoubted king shall be determined. Faulconbridge continues. [Faulconbridge.] By heavens, these scroyles of Angiers flout And stand securely on their battlements, [you, Kings, As in a theatre, to gape and point At your industrious scenes and acts of death. How like you this wild counsel, mighty states? [John.] Now, by the sky that hangs above our heads, An agreement is concluded between the powers to make a common assault on the city. The citizens are no sooner sensible of this movement, than, entreating a parley, a herald thus speaks: [Herald.] Hear us, great Kings: vouchsafe awhile to stay, And we shall show you how, with fair-fac'd league, To win the city without stroke or wound, And rescue breathing lives to die in beds, Which here come sacrifices for the field. The kings manifest a disposition to listen favourably; on which the herald descending, as we may suppose, to a nearer situation, continues his address: That daughter there of Spain, the Lady Blanche, Is the young dauphin every way complete : And two such shores to two such streams made one, As we to keep our city from your hands. The Queen Eleanor whispers King John. [Eleanor.] Son, list to this conjunction; make this match; Mark how they whisper: urge them while their souls After a pause, the Herald continues. [Herald.] Why answer not the double majesties This friendly treaty of our threaten'd town? [Philip.] Let England speak, that hath been forward first To speak unto this city: what say you? [John.] If that the dauphin there, thy princely son, To England's crown, shall gild her bridal bed. What say the young ones? What say you, my niece? [a pause.] Prince dauphin, speak; say, can you love the lady? [Lewis.] Nay, ask me if I can refrain from love; For I do love her most unfeignedly. [John.] She still is silent: what say you, my niece? [Philip.] It likes me well: Young princes, join your hands. Now citizens of Angiers, ope your gates, Let in the amity which you have made. Where is she, and her son? tell me, who knows? [Lewis.] She' is sad and passio'nate at your highness' tent. [Philip.] And, by my faith, this league that we have made Will give her sadness very little cure. Brother of England, how may we content [John.] We will heal all up; For we'll create young Arthur duke of Bretagne, |