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, Enter CHATILLON. K. Phi. A wonder, lady!-lo, upon thy wish, Our messenger Chatillon is arriv’d. What England says, say briefly, gentle lord, And stir them up against a mightier task. 2 His marches are expedient to this town, 1 Best stations to over-awe the town. 2 Immediate, expeditious. 3 The Goddess of Revenge. With them a bastard of the king deceas'd: [Drums beat. Cuts off more circumstance: they are at hand, To parley, or to fight; therefore, prepare. K. Phi. How much unlook'd for is this expedition! Aust. By how much unexpected, by so much We must awake endeavour for defence; For courage mounteth with occasion : Let them be welcome then, we are prepar'd. Enter King JOHN, ELINOR, BLANCH, the Bastard, PEMBROKE, and Forces. K. John. Peace be to France; if France in permit Our just and lineal entrance to our own! peace If not; bleed France, and peace ascend to heaven. 4 Mischief. That thou hast under-wrought his lawful king, 6 To draw my answer from thy articles? K. Phi. From that supernal judge, that stirs good thoughts In any breast of strong authority, To look into the blots and stains of right. K. John. Alack, thou dost usurp authority. It cannot be, an if thou wert his mother. 5 A short writing. Own. Eli. There's a good mother, boy, that blots thy father. Const. There's a good grandam, boy, that would blot thee. Aust. Peace! Bast. Aust. Hear the crier. What the devil art thou? Bast. One that will play the devil, sir, with you, An 'a may catch your hide and you alone. You are the hare of whom the proverb goes, Whose valour plucks dead lions by the beard; I'll smoke your skin-coat, an I catch you right; Sirrah, look to't; i'faith, I will, i'faith. Blanch. O, well did he become that lion's robe, That did disrobe the lion of that robe! Bast. It lies as sightly on the back of him, As great Alcides' shoes upon an ass:But, ass, I'll take that burden from your back; Or lay on that, shall make your shoulders crack. Aust. What cracker is this same, that deafs our ears With this abundance of superfluous breath? K. Phi. Lewis, determine what we shall do straight. Lew. Women and fools, break off your confer ence. King John, this is the very sum of all, 1 Wilt thou resign them, and lay down thy arms? France. Arthur of Bretagne, yield thee to my hand; Eli. Give grandam kingdom, and it' grandam will There's a good grandam. Arth. Good my mother, peace! I would, that I were low laid in my grave; I am not worth this coil that's made for me. Eli. His mother shames him so, poor boy, he weeps. 6 Const. Now shame upon you, whe'r she does, or no! His grandam's wrongs, and not his mother's shames, Draw those heaven-moving pearls from his poor eyes, Which heaven shall take in nature of a fee; Ay, with these crystal beads heaven shall be brib'd To do him justice, and revenge on you. Eli. Thou monstrous slanderer of heaven and earth! Const. Thou monstrous injurer of heaven and earth! Call not me slanderer; thou, and thine, usurp Of this oppressed boy: This is thy eldest son's son, Thy sins are visited in this poor child. Eli. Thou unadvised scold, I can produce A will, that bars the title of thy son. Const. Ay, who doubts that? a will! a wicked will; A woman's will; a canker'd grandam's will! K. Phi. Peace, lady; pause, or be more temperate: It ill beseems this presence, to cry aim 7 Some trumpet summon hither to the walls 6 Bustle. 7 To encourage. VOL. IV. A A |