Lady F. Where is that slave, thy brother? Where is he, That holds in chase mine honor up and down? Lady F. Sir Robert's son! ay, thou unreverend boy, Sir Robert's son! Why scorn'st thou at sir Robert? He is sir Robert's son; and so art thou. Bast. James Gurney, wilt thou give us leave awhile? Gur. Good leave, good Philip. Bast. Philip?-sparrow! 2-James, There's toys abroad; anon I'll tell thee more. Madam, I was not old sir Robert's son; [Exit GURNEY. Sir Robert might have eat his part in me Sir Robert never holp to make this leg. Lady F. Hast thou conspired with thy brother too, That for thine own gain shouldst defend mine honor? What means this scorn, thou most untoward knave? Bast. Knight, knight, good mother,-Basilisco-like.* 1 Colbrand was a Danish giant, whom Guy of Warwick discomfited in the presence of king Athelstan. The History of Guy was a popular book in the Poet's age. Drayton has described the combat very pompously in his Polyolbion. 2 The Bastard means "Philip! Do you take me for a sparrow?" The sparrow was called Philip from its note, which was supposed to have some resemblance to that word, "phip phip the sparrows as they fly."-Lyly's Mother Bombie. 3 i. e. rumors, idle reports. This is a piece of satire on the stupid, old drama of Soliman and Perseda, printed in 1599, which had probably become the butt for stage sarcasm. In this piece there is a bragging, cowardly knight called Basilisco. His pretension to valor is so blown and seen through, that Piston, a buffoon servant in the play, jumps upon his back, and will not disengage him till What! I am dubbed; I have it on my shoulder. Then, good my mother, let me know my father. Lady F. King Richard Coeur-de-lion was thy father; By long and vehement suit I was seduced defence. Bast. Now, by this light, were I to get again, he makes Basilisco swear upon his dagger to the contents, and in the terms he dictates; thus: Bas. O, I swear, I swear. Pist. By the contents of this blade, Bas. By the contents of this blade,— Pist. I, the aforesaid Basilico Bas. I, the aforesaid Basilico,-knight, good fellow, knight. 1 Shakspeare alludes to the fabulous history of king Richard I. which says that he derived his appellation of Cœur-de-lion from having plucked out a lion's heart, to whose fury he had been exposed by the duke of Austria for having slain his son with a blow of his fist. The story is related in several of the old chronicles, as well as in the old metrical ro mance. Come, lady, I will show thee to my kin; [Exeunt. ACT II. SCENE 1. France. Before the Walls of Angiers. Enter, on one side, the Archduke of Austria,' and Forces; on the other, PHILIP, King of France, and Forces; LEWIS, CONSTANCE, ARTHUR, and Attend ants. Lew. Before Angiers well met, brave Austria.- Of thy unnatural uncle, English John. 1 Leopold, duke of Austria, by whom Richard had been thrown into prison in 1193, died in consequence of a fall from his horse, 1195, some years before the date of the events upon which this play turns. The cause of the enmity between Richard and the duke of Austria is variously related by the old chroniclers. Shakspeare has been led into this anachronism by the old play of King John. 2 Importunity. But with a heart full of unstained love. Welcome before the gates of Angiers, duke. Lew. A noble boy! who would not do thee right? Aust. Upon thy cheek lay I this zealous kiss, As seal to this indenture of my love; That to my home I will no more return, Till Angiers, and the right thou hast in France, Together with that pale, that white-faced shore, Whose foot spurns back the ocean's roaring tides, And coops from other lands her islanders,Even till that England, hedged in with the main, That water-walled bulwark, still secure And confident from foreign purposes,Even till that utmost corner of the west Salute thee for her king. Till then, fair boy, Will I not think of home, but follow arms. Const. O, take his mother's thanks, a widow's thanks, Till your strong hand shall help to give him strength, To make a more requital to your love. Aust. The peace of heaven is theirs, that lift their swords In such a just and charitable war. K. Phi. Well, then, to work; our cannon shall be bent Against the brows of this resisting town. Const. Stay for an answer to your embassy, 1 i. e. greater. 2 To mark the best stations to overawe the town. Enter CHATIllon. K. Phi. A wonder, lady!-lo, upon thy wish, Our messenger Chatillon is arrived. What England says, say briefly, gentle lord; To do offence and scath in Christendom. The interruption of their churlish drums [Drums beat. Cuts off more circumstance; they are at haud, To parley, or to fight; therefore, prepare. K. Phi. How much unlooked for is this expedition! Aust. By how much unexpected, by so much We must awake endeavor for defence; For courage mounteth with occasion. Let them be welcome then; we are prepared. 1 Immediate, expeditious. |