Thou art the issue of my dear offence, Which was so strongly urg'd past my defence. Bast. Now, by this light, were again, to get Madam, I would not wish a better father. Needs must you lay your heart at his dispose,- He, that perforce robs lions of their hearts, When I was got, I'll send his soul to hell. And they shall say, when Richard me begot, If thou hadst said him nay, it had been sin: Who says it was, he lies: I say, 'twas not. [Exeunt. ACT II. SCENE I. 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 Attendants. Lew. Before Angiers well met, brave Austria. Arthur, that great forerunner of thy blood, At our importance hither is he come, Of thy unnatural uncle, English John; Arth. God shall forgive you Coeur-de-lion's death, The rather, that you give his offspring life, 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-fac'd shore, Whose foot spurns back the ocean's roaring tides, And coops from other lands her islanders, That water-walled bulwark, still secure 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. In such a just and charitable war. shall be bent cannon Against the brows of this resisting town. Const. Stay for an answer to your embassy, Lest unadvis'd you stain your swords with blood: My lord Chatillon may from England bring That right in peace, which here war; we urge in And then we shall repent each drop of blood, That hot rash haste so indirectly shed. Enter CHATILLON. K. Phi. A wonder, Lady!-lo, upon thy wish, Our messenger Chatillon is arriv'd, What England says, say briefly, gentle Lord, We coldly pause for thee; Chatillon, speak. Chat. Then turn your forces from this paltry siege, And stir them up against a mightier task. Hath put himself in arms; the adverse winds, In brief, a braver choice of dauntless spirits, To do offence and scath in Christendom. [Drums beat. Cut off more circumstance: they are at hand, To parley, or to fight; therefore, prepare. K. Phi. How much unlook'd for is this ex pedition! 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, PEMEBOKE, and Forces. K. John. Peace be to France if France in peace permit Onr Our just and lineal entrance to our own! If not; bleed France, and peace ascend to heaven! Whiles we, God's wrathful agent, do correct Their proud contempt that beat his peace to heaven. < K. Phi. Peace be to England; if that war re turn From France to England, there to live in peace! his: This little abstract doth contain that large, In any breast of strong authority, To look into the blots and stains of right. VOL. VIII. 2 |