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| <title>SCENE I. The French King's pavilion. | |
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| <tr><td class="play" align="center">The Life and Death of King John | |
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| | <A href="/Shakespeare/john/">King John</A> | |
| | Act 3, Scene 1 | |
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| <H3>SCENE I. The French King's pavilion.</h3> | |
| <p><blockquote> | |
| <i>Enter CONSTANCE, ARTHUR, and SALISBURY</i> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech1><b>CONSTANCE</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=1>Gone to be married! gone to swear a peace!</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=2>False blood to false blood join'd! gone to be friends!</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=3>Shall Lewis have Blanch, and Blanch those provinces?</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=4>It is not so; thou hast misspoke, misheard:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=5>Be well advised, tell o'er thy tale again:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=6>It cannot be; thou dost but say 'tis so:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=7>I trust I may not trust thee; for thy word</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=8>Is but the vain breath of a common man:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=9>Believe me, I do not believe thee, man;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=10>I have a king's oath to the contrary.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=11>Thou shalt be punish'd for thus frighting me,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=12>For I am sick and capable of fears,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=13>Oppress'd with wrongs and therefore full of fears,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=14>A widow, husbandless, subject to fears,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=15>A woman, naturally born to fears;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=16>And though thou now confess thou didst but jest,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=17>With my vex'd spirits I cannot take a truce,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=18>But they will quake and tremble all this day.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=19>What dost thou mean by shaking of thy head?</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=20>Why dost thou look so sadly on my son?</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=21>What means that hand upon that breast of thine?</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=22>Why holds thine eye that lamentable rheum,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=23>Like a proud river peering o'er his bounds?</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=24>Be these sad signs confirmers of thy words?</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=25>Then speak again; not all thy former tale,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=26>But this one word, whether thy tale be true.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech2><b>SALISBURY</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=27>As true as I believe you think them false</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=28>That give you cause to prove my saying true.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech3><b>CONSTANCE</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=29>O, if thou teach me to believe this sorrow,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=30>Teach thou this sorrow how to make me die,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=31>And let belief and life encounter so</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=32>As doth the fury of two desperate men</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=33>Which in the very meeting fall and die.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=34>Lewis marry Blanch! O boy, then where art thou?</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=35>France friend with England, what becomes of me?</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=36>Fellow, be gone: I cannot brook thy sight:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=37>This news hath made thee a most ugly man.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech4><b>SALISBURY</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=38>What other harm have I, good lady, done,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=39>But spoke the harm that is by others done?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech5><b>CONSTANCE</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=40>Which harm within itself so heinous is</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=41>As it makes harmful all that speak of it.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech6><b>ARTHUR</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=42>I do beseech you, madam, be content.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech7><b>CONSTANCE</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=43>If thou, that bid'st me be content, wert grim,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=44>Ugly and slanderous to thy mother's womb,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=45>Full of unpleasing blots and sightless stains,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=46>Lame, foolish, crooked, swart, prodigious,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=47>Patch'd with foul moles and eye-offending marks,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=48>I would not care, I then would be content,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=49>For then I should not love thee, no, nor thou</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=50>Become thy great birth nor deserve a crown.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=51>But thou art fair, and at thy birth, dear boy,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=52>Nature and Fortune join'd to make thee great:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=53>Of Nature's gifts thou mayst with lilies boast,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=54>And with the half-blown rose. But Fortune, O,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=55>She is corrupted, changed and won from thee;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=56>She adulterates hourly with thine uncle John,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=57>And with her golden hand hath pluck'd on France</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=58>To tread down fair respect of sovereignty,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=59>And made his majesty the bawd to theirs.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=60>France is a bawd to Fortune and King John,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=61>That strumpet Fortune, that usurping John!</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=62>Tell me, thou fellow, is not France forsworn?</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=63>Envenom him with words, or get thee gone</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=64>And leave those woes alone which I alone</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=65>Am bound to under-bear.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech8><b>SALISBURY</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=66>Pardon me, madam,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=67>I may not go without you to the kings.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech9><b>CONSTANCE</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=68>Thou mayst, thou shalt; I will not go with thee:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=69>I will instruct my sorrows to be proud;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=70>For grief is proud and makes his owner stoop.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=71>To me and to the state of my great grief</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=72>Let kings assemble; for my grief's so great</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=73>That no supporter but the huge firm earth</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=74>Can hold it up: here I and sorrows sit;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=75>Here is my throne, bid kings come bow to it.</A><br> | |
| <p><i>Seats herself on the ground</i></p> | |
| <p><i>Enter KING JOHN, KING PHILLIP, LEWIS, BLANCH, QUEEN ELINOR, the BASTARD, AUSTRIA, and Attendants</i></p> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech10><b>KING PHILIP</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=76>'Tis true, fair daughter; and this blessed day</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=77>Ever in France shall be kept festival:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=78>To solemnize this day the glorious sun</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=79>Stays in his course and plays the alchemist,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=80>Turning with splendor of his precious eye</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=81>The meagre cloddy earth to glittering gold:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=82>The yearly course that brings this day about</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=83>Shall never see it but a holiday.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech11><b>CONSTANCE</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=84>A wicked day, and not a holy day!</A><br> | |
| <p><i>Rising</i></p> | |
| <A NAME=85>What hath this day deserved? what hath it done,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=86>That it in golden letters should be set</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=87>Among the high tides in the calendar?</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=88>Nay, rather turn this day out of the week,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=89>This day of shame, oppression, perjury.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=90>Or, if it must stand still, let wives with child</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=91>Pray that their burthens may not fall this day,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=92>Lest that their hopes prodigiously be cross'd:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=93>But on this day let seamen fear no wreck;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=94>No bargains break that are not this day made:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=95>This day, all things begun come to ill end,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=96>Yea, faith itself to hollow falsehood change!</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech12><b>KING PHILIP</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=97>By heaven, lady, you shall have no cause</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=98>To curse the fair proceedings of this day:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=99>Have I not pawn'd to you my majesty?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech13><b>CONSTANCE</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=100>You have beguiled me with a counterfeit</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=101>Resembling majesty, which, being touch'd and tried,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=102>Proves valueless: you are forsworn, forsworn;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=103>You came in arms to spill mine enemies' blood,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=104>But now in arms you strengthen it with yours:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=105>The grappling vigour and rough frown of war</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=106>Is cold in amity and painted peace,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=107>And our oppression hath made up this league.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=108>Arm, arm, you heavens, against these perjured kings!</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=109>A widow cries; be husband to me, heavens!</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=110>Let not the hours of this ungodly day</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=111>Wear out the day in peace; but, ere sunset,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=112>Set armed discord 'twixt these perjured kings!</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=113>Hear me, O, hear me!</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech14><b>AUSTRIA</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=114>Lady Constance, peace!</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech15><b>CONSTANCE</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=115>War! war! no peace! peace is to me a war</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=116>O Lymoges! O Austria! thou dost shame</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=117>That bloody spoil: thou slave, thou wretch, thou coward!</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=118>Thou little valiant, great in villany!</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=119>Thou ever strong upon the stronger side!</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=120>Thou Fortune's champion that dost never fight</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=121>But when her humorous ladyship is by</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=122>To teach thee safety! thou art perjured too,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=123>And soothest up greatness. What a fool art thou,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=124>A ramping fool, to brag and stamp and swear</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=125>Upon my party! Thou cold-blooded slave,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=126>Hast thou not spoke like thunder on my side,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=127>Been sworn my soldier, bidding me depend</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=128>Upon thy stars, thy fortune and thy strength,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=129>And dost thou now fall over to my fores?</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=130>Thou wear a lion's hide! doff it for shame,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=131>And hang a calf's-skin on those recreant limbs.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech16><b>AUSTRIA</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=132>O, that a man should speak those words to me!</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech17><b>BASTARD</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=133>And hang a calf's-skin on those recreant limbs.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech18><b>AUSTRIA</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=134>Thou darest not say so, villain, for thy life.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech19><b>BASTARD</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=135>And hang a calf's-skin on those recreant limbs.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech20><b>KING JOHN</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=136>We like not this; thou dost forget thyself.</A><br> | |
| <p><i>Enter CARDINAL PANDULPH</i></p> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech21><b>KING PHILIP</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=137>Here comes the holy legate of the pope.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech22><b>CARDINAL PANDULPH</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=138>Hail, you anointed deputies of heaven!</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=139>To thee, King John, my holy errand is.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=140>I Pandulph, of fair Milan cardinal,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=141>And from Pope Innocent the legate here,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=142>Do in his name religiously demand</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=143>Why thou against the church, our holy mother,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=144>So wilfully dost spurn; and force perforce</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=145>Keep Stephen Langton, chosen archbishop</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=146>Of Canterbury, from that holy see?</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=147>This, in our foresaid holy father's name,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=148>Pope Innocent, I do demand of thee.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech23><b>KING JOHN</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=149>What earthy name to interrogatories</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=150>Can task the free breath of a sacred king?</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=151>Thou canst not, cardinal, devise a name</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=152>So slight, unworthy and ridiculous,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=153>To charge me to an answer, as the pope.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=154>Tell him this tale; and from the mouth of England</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=155>Add thus much more, that no Italian priest</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=156>Shall tithe or toll in our dominions;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=157>But as we, under heaven, are supreme head,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=158>So under Him that great supremacy,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=159>Where we do reign, we will alone uphold,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=160>Without the assistance of a mortal hand:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=161>So tell the pope, all reverence set apart</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=162>To him and his usurp'd authority.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech24><b>KING PHILIP</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=163>Brother of England, you blaspheme in this.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech25><b>KING JOHN</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=164>Though you and all the kings of Christendom</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=165>Are led so grossly by this meddling priest,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=166>Dreading the curse that money may buy out;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=167>And by the merit of vile gold, dross, dust,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=168>Purchase corrupted pardon of a man,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=169>Who in that sale sells pardon from himself,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=170>Though you and all the rest so grossly led</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=171>This juggling witchcraft with revenue cherish,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=172>Yet I alone, alone do me oppose</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=173>Against the pope and count his friends my foes.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech26><b>CARDINAL PANDULPH</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=174>Then, by the lawful power that I have,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=175>Thou shalt stand cursed and excommunicate.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=176>And blessed shall he be that doth revolt</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=177>From his allegiance to an heretic;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=178>And meritorious shall that hand be call'd,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=179>Canonized and worshipped as a saint,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=180>That takes away by any secret course</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=181>Thy hateful life.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech27><b>CONSTANCE</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=182> O, lawful let it be</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=183>That I have room with Rome to curse awhile!</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=184>Good father cardinal, cry thou amen</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=185>To my keen curses; for without my wrong</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=186>There is no tongue hath power to curse him right.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech28><b>CARDINAL PANDULPH</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=187>There's law and warrant, lady, for my curse.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech29><b>CONSTANCE</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=188>And for mine too: when law can do no right,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=189>Let it be lawful that law bar no wrong:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=190>Law cannot give my child his kingdom here,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=191>For he that holds his kingdom holds the law;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=192>Therefore, since law itself is perfect wrong,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=193>How can the law forbid my tongue to curse?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech30><b>CARDINAL PANDULPH</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=194>Philip of France, on peril of a curse,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=195>Let go the hand of that arch-heretic;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=196>And raise the power of France upon his head,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=197>Unless he do submit himself to Rome.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech31><b>QUEEN ELINOR</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=198>Look'st thou pale, France? do not let go thy hand.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech32><b>CONSTANCE</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=199>Look to that, devil; lest that France repent,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=200>And by disjoining hands, hell lose a soul.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech33><b>AUSTRIA</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=201>King Philip, listen to the cardinal.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech34><b>BASTARD</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=202>And hang a calf's-skin on his recreant limbs.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech35><b>AUSTRIA</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=203>Well, ruffian, I must pocket up these wrongs, Because--</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech36><b>BASTARD</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=204> Your breeches best may carry them.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech37><b>KING JOHN</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=205>Philip, what say'st thou to the cardinal?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech38><b>CONSTANCE</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=206>What should he say, but as the cardinal?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech39><b>LEWIS</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=207>Bethink you, father; for the difference</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=208>Is purchase of a heavy curse from Rome,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=209>Or the light loss of England for a friend:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=210>Forego the easier.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech40><b>BLANCH</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=211> That's the curse of Rome.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech41><b>CONSTANCE</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=212>O Lewis, stand fast! the devil tempts thee here</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=213>In likeness of a new untrimmed bride.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech42><b>BLANCH</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=214>The Lady Constance speaks not from her faith,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=215>But from her need.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech43><b>CONSTANCE</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=216> O, if thou grant my need,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=217>Which only lives but by the death of faith,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=218>That need must needs infer this principle,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=219>That faith would live again by death of need.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=220>O then, tread down my need, and faith mounts up;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=221>Keep my need up, and faith is trodden down!</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech44><b>KING JOHN</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=222>The king is moved, and answers not to this.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech45><b>CONSTANCE</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=223>O, be removed from him, and answer well!</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech46><b>AUSTRIA</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=224>Do so, King Philip; hang no more in doubt.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech47><b>BASTARD</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=225>Hang nothing but a calf's-skin, most sweet lout.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech48><b>KING PHILIP</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=226>I am perplex'd, and know not what to say.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech49><b>CARDINAL PANDULPH</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=227>What canst thou say but will perplex thee more,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=228>If thou stand excommunicate and cursed?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech50><b>KING PHILIP</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=229>Good reverend father, make my person yours,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=230>And tell me how you would bestow yourself.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=231>This royal hand and mine are newly knit,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=232>And the conjunction of our inward souls</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=233>Married in league, coupled and linked together</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=234>With all religious strength of sacred vows;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=235>The latest breath that gave the sound of words</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=236>Was deep-sworn faith, peace, amity, true love</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=237>Between our kingdoms and our royal selves,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=238>And even before this truce, but new before,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=239>No longer than we well could wash our hands</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=240>To clap this royal bargain up of peace,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=241>Heaven knows, they were besmear'd and over-stain'd</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=242>With slaughter's pencil, where revenge did paint</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=243>The fearful difference of incensed kings:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=244>And shall these hands, so lately purged of blood,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=245>So newly join'd in love, so strong in both,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=246>Unyoke this seizure and this kind regreet?</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=247>Play fast and loose with faith? so jest with heaven,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=248>Make such unconstant children of ourselves,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=249>As now again to snatch our palm from palm,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=250>Unswear faith sworn, and on the marriage-bed</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=251>Of smiling peace to march a bloody host,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=252>And make a riot on the gentle brow</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=253>Of true sincerity? O, holy sir,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=254>My reverend father, let it not be so!</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=255>Out of your grace, devise, ordain, impose</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=256>Some gentle order; and then we shall be blest</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=257>To do your pleasure and continue friends.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech51><b>CARDINAL PANDULPH</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=258>All form is formless, order orderless,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=259>Save what is opposite to England's love.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=260>Therefore to arms! be champion of our church,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=261>Or let the church, our mother, breathe her curse,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=262>A mother's curse, on her revolting son.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=263>France, thou mayst hold a serpent by the tongue,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=264>A chafed lion by the mortal paw,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=265>A fasting tiger safer by the tooth,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=266>Than keep in peace that hand which thou dost hold.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech52><b>KING PHILIP</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=267>I may disjoin my hand, but not my faith.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech53><b>CARDINAL PANDULPH</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=268>So makest thou faith an enemy to faith;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=269>And like a civil war set'st oath to oath,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=270>Thy tongue against thy tongue. O, let thy vow</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=271>First made to heaven, first be to heaven perform'd,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=272>That is, to be the champion of our church!</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=273>What since thou sworest is sworn against thyself</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=274>And may not be performed by thyself,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=275>For that which thou hast sworn to do amiss</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=276>Is not amiss when it is truly done,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=277>And being not done, where doing tends to ill,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=278>The truth is then most done not doing it:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=279>The better act of purposes mistook</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=280>Is to mistake again; though indirect,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=281>Yet indirection thereby grows direct,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=282>And falsehood falsehood cures, as fire cools fire</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=283>Within the scorched veins of one new-burn'd.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=284>It is religion that doth make vows kept;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=285>But thou hast sworn against religion,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=286>By what thou swear'st against the thing thou swear'st,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=287>And makest an oath the surety for thy truth</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=288>Against an oath: the truth thou art unsure</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=289>To swear, swears only not to be forsworn;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=290>Else what a mockery should it be to swear!</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=291>But thou dost swear only to be forsworn;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=292>And most forsworn, to keep what thou dost swear.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=293>Therefore thy later vows against thy first</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=294>Is in thyself rebellion to thyself;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=295>And better conquest never canst thou make</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=296>Than arm thy constant and thy nobler parts</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=297>Against these giddy loose suggestions:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=298>Upon which better part our prayers come in,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=299>If thou vouchsafe them. But if not, then know</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=300>The peril of our curses light on thee</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=301>So heavy as thou shalt not shake them off,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=302>But in despair die under their black weight.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech54><b>AUSTRIA</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=303>Rebellion, flat rebellion!</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech55><b>BASTARD</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=304>Will't not be?</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=305>Will not a calfs-skin stop that mouth of thine?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech56><b>LEWIS</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=306>Father, to arms!</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech57><b>BLANCH</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=307> Upon thy wedding-day?</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=308>Against the blood that thou hast married?</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=309>What, shall our feast be kept with slaughter'd men?</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=310>Shall braying trumpets and loud churlish drums,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=311>Clamours of hell, be measures to our pomp?</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=312>O husband, hear me! ay, alack, how new</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=313>Is husband in my mouth! even for that name,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=314>Which till this time my tongue did ne'er pronounce,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=315>Upon my knee I beg, go not to arms</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=316>Against mine uncle.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech58><b>CONSTANCE</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=317>O, upon my knee,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=318>Made hard with kneeling, I do pray to thee,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=319>Thou virtuous Dauphin, alter not the doom</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=320>Forethought by heaven!</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech59><b>BLANCH</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=321>Now shall I see thy love: what motive may</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=322>Be stronger with thee than the name of wife?</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech60><b>CONSTANCE</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=323>That which upholdeth him that thee upholds,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=324>His honour: O, thine honour, Lewis, thine honour!</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech61><b>LEWIS</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=325>I muse your majesty doth seem so cold,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=326>When such profound respects do pull you on.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech62><b>CARDINAL PANDULPH</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=327>I will denounce a curse upon his head.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech63><b>KING PHILIP</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=328>Thou shalt not need. England, I will fall from thee.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech64><b>CONSTANCE</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=329>O fair return of banish'd majesty!</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech65><b>QUEEN ELINOR</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=330>O foul revolt of French inconstancy!</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech66><b>KING JOHN</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=331>France, thou shalt rue this hour within this hour.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech67><b>BASTARD</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=332>Old Time the clock-setter, that bald sexton Time,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=333>Is it as he will? well then, France shall rue.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech68><b>BLANCH</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=334>The sun's o'ercast with blood: fair day, adieu!</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=335>Which is the side that I must go withal?</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=336>I am with both: each army hath a hand;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=337>And in their rage, I having hold of both,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=338>They swirl asunder and dismember me.</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=339>Husband, I cannot pray that thou mayst win;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=340>Uncle, I needs must pray that thou mayst lose;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=341>Father, I may not wish the fortune thine;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=342>Grandam, I will not wish thy fortunes thrive:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=343>Whoever wins, on that side shall I lose</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=344>Assured loss before the match be play'd.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech69><b>LEWIS</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=345>Lady, with me, with me thy fortune lies.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech70><b>BLANCH</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=346>There where my fortune lives, there my life dies.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech71><b>KING JOHN</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=347>Cousin, go draw our puissance together.</A><br> | |
| <p><i>Exit BASTARD</i></p> | |
| <A NAME=348>France, I am burn'd up with inflaming wrath;</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=349>A rage whose heat hath this condition,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=350>That nothing can allay, nothing but blood,</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=351>The blood, and dearest-valued blood, of France.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech72><b>KING PHILIP</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=352>Thy rage sham burn thee up, and thou shalt turn</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=353>To ashes, ere our blood shall quench that fire:</A><br> | |
| <A NAME=354>Look to thyself, thou art in jeopardy.</A><br> | |
| </blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=speech73><b>KING JOHN</b></a> | |
| <blockquote> | |
| <A NAME=355>No more than he that threats. To arms let's hie!</A><br> | |
| <p><i>Exeunt</i></p> | |
| </blockquote> | |
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