But now will canker-sorrow eat my bud As dim and meagre as an ague's fit, And so he'll die; and, rising so again, When I shall meet him in the court of heaven 84 88 PANDULPH. You hold too heinous a respect of grief. CONSTANCE. 92 He talks to me, that never had a son. PHILIP. You are as fond of grief as of your child. CONSTANCE. Grief fills the room up of my absent child, 96 Lies in his bed, walks up and down with me, LEWIS. 100 104 [Exit. [Exit. There's nothing in this world can make me joy : Life is as tedious as a twice-told tale, Vexing the dull ear of a drowsy man; 108 And bitter shame hath spoil'd the sweet world's taste, That it yields nought but shame and bitterness. The fit is strongest: evils that take leave, 116 120 PANDULPH. If you had won it, certainly you had. No, no; when Fortune means to men most good, She looks upon them with a threatening eye. 'Tis strange to think how much King John hath lost In this which he accounts so clearly won. Are not you griev'd that Arthur is his prisoner? LEWIS. As heartily as he is glad he hath him. PANDULPH. Your mind is all as youthful as your blood. Now hear me speak with a prophetic spirit; For even the breath of what I mean to speak Shall blow each dust, each straw, each little rub, Out of the path which shall directly lead Thy foot to England's throne; and therefore mark. John hath seiz'd Arthur; and it cannot be, 124 128 That whiles warm life plays in that infant's veins 132 Must be as boisterously maintain'd as gain'd; 136 140 LEWIS. But what shall I gain by young Arthur's fall? PANDULPH. You, in the right of Lady Blanch your wife, May then make all the claim that Arthur did. PANDULPH. world! John lays you plots; the times conspire with you; 144 Shall find but bloody safety and untrue. 148 That none so small advantage shall step forth To check his reign, but they will cherish it; 152 No scope of nature, no distemper'd day, But they will pluck away his natural cause 156 LEWIS. May be he will not touch young Arthur's life, But hold himself safe in his prisonment. 161 PANDULPH. 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 164 And, O! what better matter breeds for you Anon becomes a mountain. O noble Dauphin! What may be wrought out of their discontent 168 172 176 180 LEWIS. Strong reasons make strong actions. Let us go: If you say ay, the king will not say no. ACT IV. [Exeunt. SCENE I.-Northampton. A Room in the Castle. HUBERT. Heat me these irons hot; and look thou And bind the boy which you shall find with me HUBERT. Uncleanly scruples! fear not you to 't. look [Exeunt Attendants. Young lad, come forth; I have to say with you. ARTHUR. HUBERT. ARTHUR. Enter ARTHUR. Good morrow, Hubert. Good morrow, little prince. To be more prince,- -as may be. You are sad. ARTHUR. Mercy on me! 12 Methinks nobody should be sad but I: Is it my fault that I was Geffrey's son ? 8 16 20 24 I were your son, so you would love me, Hubert. HUBERT. [Aside.] If I talk to him with his innocent prate He will awake my mercy which lies dead: ARTHUR. Are you sick, Hubert? you look pale to-day: In sooth, I would you were a little sick, HUBERT. 28 [Aside.] His words do take possession of my bosom. Read here, young Arthur. 32 [Showing a paper. [Asid.] How now, foolish rheum! Turning dispiteous torture out of door! I must be brief, lest resolution drop Out at mine eyes in tender womanish tears. ARTHUR. Too fairly, Hubert, for so foul effect. Must you with hot irons burn out both mine eyes? HUBERT. Young boy, I must. ARTHUR. HUBERT. ARTHUR. And will you? 36 And I will. 40 Have you the heart? When your head did but ache, I knit my handkercher about your brows,- And with my hand at midnight held your head, 44 Saying, 'What lack you?' and, 'Where lies your grief?' Or, What good love may I perform for you?' 48 52 If heaven be pleas'd that you must use me ill, So much as frown on you? HUBERT. I have sworn to do it; And with hot irons must I burn them out. ARTHUR. Ah! none but in this iron age would do it! The iron of itself, though heat red-hot, Approaching near these eyes, would drink my tears, Even in the matter of mine innocence; Are you more stubborn-hard than hammer'd iron ? 61 64 68 |