Are capable of this ambition ;

Command thy son and daughter to join hands. Lest zeal, now melted, by the windy breath K. Phil. Ít likes us well;- Young princes, Of soft petitions, pity, and remorse,

close your hands. Cool and congeal again to what it was.

Aust. And your lips too; for, I am well assur'd, Cit. Why answer not the double majesties 5 That I did so, when I was first assur'd'. This friendly treaty of our threatend town? K. Phil. Now, citizens of Angiers, ope your gates,

K. Phil. Speak England first, that hath been for- Let in that amity which you have made: To speak unto this city: What say you? (ward tirst for at St. Mary's chapel, presently,

K.John. Ifthat the Dauphin there, thy princely The rites of marriage shall be solemniz'd. Can in this book of beauty read, I love, [son, 10 Is not the lady Constance in this troop?Her dowry shall weigh equal with a queen: I know, she is not; for this match, made up, For Anjou, and fairTouraine, Maine, and Poictiers, Her presence would have interrupted much: And all that we upon this side the sea

Where is she and her son ; tell me, who knows? (Except this city now by us besieg'd)

Lewis. She is sad and passionate at your bighFind liable to our crown and dignity,

15)
ness' tent.

[have made, Shall gild her bridal bed; and make her rich K. Phil. And, by my faith, this league, that we In titles, honours, and promotions,

Will give her sadness very little cure.As she in beauty, education, blood,

Brother of England, how may we content Holds hand with any princess of the world. [face. This widow lady? In her right we came; K.Phil. What say'st thou, boy? look in the lady's 20 Which we, God knows, have turn'd another way,

Lewis. I do, my lord; and in her eye I find To our own vantage. A wonder, or a wondrous miracle,

K. John. We will heal up all : The shadow of myself form'd in her eye;

For we'il create young Arthur duke of Bretagne, Which, being but the shadow of your son, And earl of Richmond; and this rich fair town Becomes a sun, and makes your son a shadow: | 25 We make him lord of.--Call the lady Constance; I do protest, I never lov'd myself,

Some speedy messenger bid her repair 'Till now infixed I beheld myself,

To our solemnity:-1 trust we shall,
Drawn in the flattering table of her eye.

Juf not fill up the measure of her will,
[Whispers with Blinch. Yet in some measure satisfy her so,
Faulc.Drawn in the flattering table of her eye!—30 l'hat we shall stop her exclamation.
Hang'd in the frowning wrinkle of her brow! - Go we, as well as haste will suffer us,
And quarter'd in her heart!-he doth espy

To this unlook'd for unprepared pomp.
Himself love's traitor : This is pity now,

(Exeunt all but Faulconbridge. That hang'd, and drawn, and quarter'd; there Faulc. Mad world! mad kings! mad composishould be,

35 John, to stop Arthur's title in the whole, [tion! In such a love, so vile a lout as he.

Hath willingly departed with a part: Blanch. My uncle's will, in this respect, is mine: AndFrance,(whose armour conscience buckled on; If he see aught in you, that makes him like, Whom zeal and charity brought to the field, That any thing he sees, which moves his liking, As God's own soldier) rounded in the ear* I can with ease translate it to my will;

40 With that same purpose-changer, that sly devil; Or, if you will, (to speak more properly) That bruker, that still breaks the pate of faith; I will enforce it easily to my love.

That daily break-vow; he that wins of all, Further I will not flatter you, my lord,

Of kings, of beggars, old men, young men, maids, 'That all I see in you is worthy love,

(Who having no external thing to lose Than this,—that nothing do I see in you, 45 But the word maid, cheats the poor maid of that) (Though churlish thoughts themselves should be That sinooth-fac'd gentleman, tickling commoyour jucige)

Commodity', the bias of the world; [dity,That I can find should merit any hate.

The world, who of itself is peised well, K. John. What say these young ones? What Made to run even, upon even ground; say you, my piece

50 Till this advantage, this vile drawing bias, Blanch. That she is bound in honour still to do This sway of motion, this commodity, What you in wisdom still vouchsafe to say. Makes it take head from all indifferency, K.John. Speak then, prince Dauphin; can you From all direction, purpose, course, intent: love this lady?

And this same bias, this commodity; Lewis. Nay, ask me if I can refrain froin love; 55 This bawd, this broker, this all-changing word, For I do love her most upfeignedly. [Maine, Clapt on the outward eye of fickle France,

K.John. Then do I give Volquessen',Touraine, Hath drawn him from his own determin'd aid,
Poictiers, and Anjou, these five provinces, From a resolv'd and honourable war,
With her to thee; and this addition more,

To a most base and vile-concluded peace.
Full thirty thousand marks of English coin.- 60 And why rail I on this commodity ?
Philip of France, if thou be pleas’d withal, But for because he hath not woo'd me yet:

This is the ancient name for the country now call’d the Verin. aj. e. affianced, contracted. To purt and to depart were formerly synonymous. nie, whispered in the ear. si, e. interest.

Not

Not that I have the power to clutch my hand', And say,—there is no sin, but to be rich;
When his fair angels would salute my palm; And being rich, my virtue then shall be,
But for my hand, as unattempted yet,

To say—there is no vice, but beggary:
Like a poor beggar, raileth on the rich.

Since kings break faith upon commodity, Well, whiles I am a beggar, I will rail,

5. Gain, be my lord; for I will worship thee! [Erit.

SCENE I.

Full of unpleasing blots, and sightless ? stains,
The French King's pavilion.

Lame, foolish, crooked, swart", prodigious *,

15 Patch'd with foul moles, and eye-offending marks, Enter Constance, Arthur, and Salisbury. I would not care, I then would be content; Con.GONEtobe marry'd gone to sweara peace!

For then I should not love thee; no, nor thou False blood to false blood join'd! Gone Become thy great birth, nor deserve a crown. to be friends!

But thou art fair ; and at thy birth, dear boy! Shall Lewis have Blanch? and Blanch those pro-20 Nature and fortune join’d to make thee great: vinces ?

Of nature's gifts thou may'st with lilies boast, It is not so; thou hast mis-spoke, mis-heard; And with the half-blown rose: but fortune, ob! Be well advis’d, tell o'er thy tale again:

She is corrupted, chang'd, and won from thee; It cannot be; thou dost but say, 'tis so;

She adulterates hourly with thine uncle John, I trust, I may not trust thee: for thy word 25 And with her golden band hath pluck'd on France Is but the vain breath of a common man: To tread down fair respect of sovreignty, Believe me, I do not believe thèe, man ;

And made his majesty the hawd to theirs. I have a king's oath to the contrary.

France is a bawd to fortune, and king John; Thou shalt be punishi’d for thus frighting me, That strumpet fortune, that usurping John: For I am sick, and capable of fears ;

30 Tell me, thou fellow, is not France forsworn? Oppress’d with wrongs, and therefore full of fears; Envenom him with words; or get thee gone, A widow, husbandless, subject to fears;

And leave those woes alone, which I alone A woman, naturally born to fears:

Am bound to under-bear.
And though thou now confess, thou didst but jest, Sal. Pardon me, madam,
With my vext spirits I cannot take a truce, 35 I may not go without you to the kings,
But they will quake and tremble all this day. Const. Thou may'st, thou shalt, I will not go
What dost thou mean by shaking of thy head?

with thee:
Why dost thou look so sadly on my son ? I will instruct my sorrows to be proud;
What means that hand upon that breast of thine? For grief is proud, and makes his owner stout.
Why holds thine eye that lamentable rhenm, 40 To me, and to the state of my great grief,
Like a proud river peering o'er his bounds ? Let kings assemble; for my grief's so great,
Be these sad signs confirmers of thy words? That no supporter but the huge tirin earth
Then speak again; not all thy former tale, Can hold it up: here I and sorrows sit;
But this one word, whether thy tale be true. Here is my throne, bid kings come bow to it.
Sal. As true, as I believe, you think them false, 45

[Throz's herself on the ground. That give you cause to prove my saying true. Enter King John, King Philip, Lerris, Blanch,

Const.Oh, if thou teachine to believe this sorrow, Elinor, Faulconbridge, and Austria. Teach thou this worrow how to make me die; K.Phil. ”T is true, fair daughter; and this blessed! And let beliet and life encounter so,

Ever in France shall be kept festival: [day As doth the fury of two desperate men, 150 To solemnize this day, the glorious sun Which, in the very meeting, fall and die. Stays in his course, and plays the alchymist; Lewis marry Blanch! Oh boy, then where art thou? Turning, with splendor of his precious eye, Francefriend with England! what becomes of me:- The meagre cloddy earth to glittering gold: Fellow, he gone; I cannot brook thy sight; The yearly course that brings this day about, This news hath made thee a most ugly man. 155 Shall never see it but a holy-day.

Sul. What other harm have I, good lady, done, Const. A wicked day, and not a holy-days But spoke the harm that is by others done?

[Rising Const. Which harm within itself so heinous is, What hath this day deserv'd? what hath it done; As it makes harmful all that speak of it.

That it in golden letters should be set,
Arth. I do beseech you, madam, be content. 60 Among the high tides', in the kalendar?
Const. If thou, that bidst me be content, were grim, Nay, rather, turn this day out of the week;
l'gly, and sland'sous to thy mother's womb, (This day of shame, oppression, perjury:

'To clutch the hand, is to clasp it close. Sightless here means disagreeable to the sight. 'je. black, taway. “i. e. portinous, such as may seem a prodigy. 'i. e. solemn seasons.

1

2

.

Or, if it must stand still, let wives with child Keep Stephen Langton, chosen archbishop
Pray, that their burdens may not fall this day, Of Canterbury, from that holy see?
Lest that their hopes prodigiously be crost: |This in our 'foresaid holy father's name,
But on this day, let seamen fear no wreck; Pope Innocent, I do demand of thee.
No bargains break, that are on this day made: 5 K. John. What earthly name to interrogalories
This day, all things begun coine to ill end : Can task the free breath of a sacred king?
Yea, faith itself to hollow falsehood change! Thou canst not, cardinal, devise a name

K. Phil. By heaven, lady, you shall have no So slight, unworthy, and ridiculous,
To curse the fair proceedings of this day : [cause To charge me to an answer, as the pope.
Have I not pawn'd to you my majesty? 10 Tell him this tale: and from the mouthof England

Const. You have beguild me with a counterfeit, Add thus much more,– That no Italian priest Resembling majesty; which, being touch'd, and Shall tithe or toil in our dominions; try'd,

But as we under heaven are supreme head, Proves valueless: You are forsworn, forsworn;

So, under him, that great supremacy, You came in arms to spill mine enemies' blood, 15 Where we do reign, we will alone uphold, But now in arms you strengthen it with yours :

Without the assistance of a mortal hand: The grappling vigour and rough frown of war, So tell the pope ; all reverence set apart, Is cold in amity and painted peace,

To him, and his usurp'd authority. [this. And our oppression hath made up this league:- K. Phil. Brother of England, you blaspheme in Arm,arm, you heavens against these perjur'd kings! 20 K. John. Though you, and all the kings of A widow cries; be husband to me, heavens !

Christendom, Let not the hours of this ungodly day

Are led so grossly by this meddling priest, Wear out the day in peace; but, ere sun-set,

Dreading the curse that money may buy out; Set armed discord 'twixt these perjur'd kings! And, by the merit of vile gold, dross, dust, Ilear me, oh, hear me!

25]Purchase corrupted pardon of a man, Aust. Lady Constance, peace.

Who, in that sale, sells pardon from himself: Const. War! war! no peace! peace is to me a Though you, and all the rest, so grossly led, O Lymoges! ( Austria ! thou dost shame (war. This juggling witchcraft with revenue cherish, Thai bloody spoil: Thou slave, thou wretch, thou

Yet Ỉ, alone, alone do me oppose coward;

30 Against the pope, and count his friends my foes. Thou little valiant, great in villainy!

Pand. Then, by the lawful power that I have,
Thou ever strong upon the stronger side! Thou shalt stand curst, and excommunicate ;
Thou fortune's chainpion, that dost never fight And blessed shall he be, that doth revolt
But when her humorous ladyship is by

From his allegiance to an heretic;
To teach thee safety! thou art perjurd too, 135 And ineritorious shall that hand be called,
And sooth’st up greatness. What a fool art thou, Canonized, and worship'd as a saint,
A ramping fool; to brag, and stamp, and swear, That takes away by any secret course
Upon my party! Thou cold-blooded slave, fl'hy hateful life.
Hast thou not spoke like thunder on my side? Const. O, lawful let it be,
Been sworn my soldier? bidding me depend

40 That I have room with Roine to curse a while! Upon thy stars, thy fortune, and thy strength ? Good father cardinal, cry thou Amen, And dost thou now fall over to

my.
foes?

To my keen curses : for, without my wrong, Thou wear a lion's hide! doff it } for shame, There is no tongue hath power to curse him right. And hang a calf's-skin on those recreant limbs'. Pand. There's law and warrant, lady,for my curse. Aust.O,that a man wouldspeak those words tome! 45 Const. And for mine too; when law can dono right, Faulc. And hang a calf's-skin on those recreant

Let it be lawful, that law bar no wrong: limbs.

Law cannot give my child his kingdom here; Aust. Thou dar'st not say so, villain, for thy life. For he that holds his kingdom, holds the law : Faulc. And hang a calf's-skin on those recreant

Therefore, since law itself is perfect wrong, linibs.

50 flow can the law forbid my tongue to curse? X. John. We like not this; thou dost forget thyself.

Pund. Philip ot France, on peril of a curse, Enter Pandulph.

Let go the hand of that arch heretic;

And raise the power of France upon his head, K. Phil. Here comes the holy legate ofthe pope. Unless he do submit bimself to Rome.

Pand. Hail, you anointed deputies of heaven-55 Eli. Looh'st thou pale, France? do not let go To thee, king John, my holy errand is.

'thy hand.

(repent, I Pandulph, of fair Milan cardinal,

Const. Look to that, devil ! lest that France And from pope Innocent the legate here,

And, by disjoining hands, hell lose a soul. Do, in his naine, religiously demand,

Aust. King Philip, listen to the cardinal. Why thou against the church, our holy mother, 100 Faulc. And hang a calt’s-skin on his recreant So wilfully dost spurn; and force, perforce,

limbs. 'j. e. be disappointed by the production of a prodigy, or monster. But here signifies except. 'i.e. put it off. “When fools were kept for amusement in great families, they were distinguished by a cult-skin coat, which had the buttons down the back. This circumstance will explain the sarcasm of Constance and Faulconbridge, who mean to call Austria a fool. ' i. e, cowardly.

Aust.

.

Aust. Well, ruffian, I must pocket up these France, thou may'st hold a serpent by the tongue, Because

[wrongs, A cased lion by the mortal paw, Faulo. Your breeches best may carry them. A fasting tyger safer by the tooth, K. John. Philip, what say'st thou to the cardinal: Than keep in peace that hand whichthou dost hold. Const. What should he say, but as the cardinal: K. Phil. I may disjoin my hand, but not my faith.

Leruis. Bethink you, father; for the difference Pand. So mak'st thou faith an enemy to faith; Is, purchase of a heavy curse from Rome,

And, like a civil war, set'st oath to oath, Or the light loss of England for a friend :

Thy tongue against thy tongue. 0, let thy vow Forego the easier,

First made to heaven, first be to heaven perform’d; Blanch. That's the curse of Rome. [here 10 That is, to be the champion of our church! Const. O Lewis, stand fast: thedevil tempts thee What since thou swor'st, is sworn against thyself, In likeness of a new untrimmed' bride. [faith, And may not be performed by thyself:

Blanch. The lady Constance speaks not from her For that, which thou hast sworn to do amiss, But froin her need.

Is't not amiss, when it is truly done?
Const. O, if thou grant my need,

15. And being not done, where doing tends to ill,
Which only lives but by the death of faith, The truth is then most done not doing it :
That need must needs infer this principle,- The better act of purposes mistook
That faith will live again by death of need: is, to mistake again; though indirect,
O, then, trear down myneed, and faith mounts up; Yet indirection thereby grows direct,
Keep my need up, and faith is trodden down. [this. 20 And falshood falshood cures; as fire cools fire,

K. John. The king is mov'd, and answers not to Within the scorched veins of one new burn'd.
Const. O, beremov'd from him, and answer well. It is religion, that doth make vows kept;
Aust. Do so, King Philip; hang no more in doubt. But thou hast sworn against religion: (swear'st;
Faulo. Hang nothing but a calf's-skin, mostsweet By which thou swear'st against the thing thou
Jout.

[say. 25 And mak'st an oath the surety for thy truth
K. Phil. I am perplex'd, and know not what to Against an oath : The truth thou art unsure
Pand. What canst thou say, but will perplex Toswear, swear only not to be forsworn;
thee more,

Else what a mockery should it be to swear! If thou stand excommunicate, and curst ? [yours, But thou dost swear only to be forsworn;

K. Phil. Good reverend father,inake my person 30 And most forsworn to keep what thou dost swear., And tell me, how you would bestow yourself

. Therefore thy latter vows, against thy first,
This royal hand and mine are newly knit; Is in thyself rebellion to thyself:
And the conjunction of our inward souls

And better conquest never canst thou make,
Marry'd in league, coupled and link'd together Than arm thy constant and thy nobler parts
With all religious strength of sacred vows; 35 Against these giddy loose suggestions:
The latest breath, that gave the sound of words, Upon which better part our prayers come in,
Was deep-sworn faith, peace, amity, true love, If thou vouchsafe them: but, if not, then know,
Between our kingloms, and our royal selves; The peril of our curses light on thee;
And even before this truce, but new before, So heavy as thou shalt not shake them off,
No longer than we well could wash our hands, 40 But, in despair, die under their black weight.
To clap this royal bargain up of peace,- (stain'd Aust. Rebellion, flat rebellion!
Heaven knows, they were besmear'd and over- Faulc. Will't not be?
With slaughter's pencil ; where revenge did paint Will not a calf's-skin stop that mouth of thine ?
The fearful difference of incensed kings:

Lewis. Father, to arms!
And sball these hands so lately purg'd of blood, 45 Blanch. L'pon thy wedding day?
So newly join'd in love, so strong in both, Against the blood that thou hast married ?
Unyoke this seizure, and this kind regreet?? What, shallour feast be kept with slaughter'dmen?
Play fast and loose with faith? so jest with heaven, Shall braying trumpets, and loud churlish drums,-
Make such unconstant children of ourselves, Ciamours of hell, ---be measures to our pomp?
As now again to snatch our palm from palm; 500 husband, hear me !maye, alack, how new
Unswear faith sworn; and on the marriage bed Is husband in my mouth! even for that name,
Of smiling peace to march a bloody host, Which 'till this time niy tongue did ne'er pro-
And make a riot on the gentle brow

Upon my knee I beg, fo not to arms (nounce,
Of true sincerity? O holy sir,

Against mine uncle.
My reverend father, let it not be so :

551 Const. O, upon my knee,
Out of your grace, devise, ordain, impose Made hard with kne cling, I do pray to thee,
Some gentle order; and then we shall be blest Thou virtuous Dauphin, alter not the doom
To do your pleasure, and continue friends. Fore-thought by heaven.

(may
Pand. All form is formless, order orderless, Blanch. Now shall I see thy love; what motive
Save what is opposite to England's love. 60 Be stronger with thee than the name of wife?
Therefore to arms! be champion of our church! Const. That which upholdeth him that thee up,
Or let the church, our mother, breathe her curse,

holds, A mother's curse, on her revolting son.

His honour: Ób, thine honour, Lewis, thine ho! i. e. undressed. ' ? A regreet is an exchange of salutation. Some editions read chased.

Lewis.

[nous !

Lewis. I muse, your majesty doth seem so cold, As dear be to thee as thy father was. [grief. When such profound respects do pull you on. Arth. O, this will make my mother die with

Pand. I will denounce a curse upon his head. K. John. Cousin, away for England: haste beK. Phil. Thou shalt not need:-England, I'll fall

fore:

(To Faulconbridge. from thee.

5 And ere our coming, see thou shake the bags Const. O fair return of banish'd inajesty! Of hoarding abbots; imprisoned angels Eli. O foul revolt of French inconstancy! Set at liberty: the fat ribs of peace K. Jokn. France, thou shalt rue this bour within Must by the hungry now be fed upon: this hour.

(ton time, Use our commission in his utmost force. (back, Faulc. Old time the clock-setter, that bald sex- 10 Faulc. Bell book and candle shall not drive me Is it as he will? well then, France shall rue. When gold and silver becks me to come on.

Blanch. The sun'so'ercast with blood : Fair day I leave your highness :-Grandam, I will pray Which is the side that I must go withal? (adieu! (If ever I remember to be holy) I am with both: each army hath a hand: For your fair safety; so I kiss your hand. And, in their rage, I having hold of both, 15 Eli. Farewell, gentle cousin. They whirl asunder, and dismember me.

K. John. Coz, farewell.. [Erit Faule. Husband, I cannot pray that thou may’st win ; Eli. Come hither, little kinsman; hark, a word, Uncle, I needs must pray that thou may'st lose :

[Taking him to one side of the stage. Father, I may not wish the fortune thine;

K. John. Come bither, Hubert. O mygentle HuGrandam, I will not wish thy wishes thrive: 20 We owe thee much; within this wallof flesh (bert, Whoever wins, on that side shall I lose;

There is a soul counts thee her creditor,
Assured loss, before the match be play'd. [lies. And with advantage means to pay thy love:

Lewis. Lady, with me; with me thy fortune And, my good friend, thy voluntary oath
Blanch. There where my fortune lives, there my Lives in this bosom, dearly cherished.
life dies.

[ther.-25 Give me thy hand. I had a thing to say, K. John. Cousin, go draw our puissance toge- But I will fit it with some better tiine.

[Exit Faulconbridge. By heaven, Hubert, I am almost asham'd France, I am burned up with inflaming wrath; To say what good respect I have of thee. A rage whose heat hath this condition,

Hub.I am much bounden to your majesty.[so yet : That nothing can allay, nothing but blood, 30 K. John. Good friend, thou hast no cause to say The blood, and dearest-valu'd blood, of France. But thou shalt have; and creep time ne'er so slow, K. Phil. Thy rage shall burn thee up, and thou Yet it shall come to me to do thee good. shalt turn

I had a thing to say,—But let it go : To ashes, ere our blood shall quench that fire : The sun is in the heaven, and the proud day, Look to thyself, thou art in jeopardy.

35 Attended with the pleasures of the world, K. John. No more than he that threats.-To Is all too wanton, and too full of gawds , arms, let's hie!

[Ereunt. To give me audience:-if the midnight bell
S CE N E II.

Did with his iron tongue and brazen mouth,
A field of battle.

Sound on’ unto the drowsy race of night; Alarums, ercursions : enter Faulconbridge, with 40 If this same were a church-yard where we stand, Austria's head.

And thou possessed with a thousand wrongs ; Faulc. Now, by my life, this day grows wondrous Or if that surly spirit, melancholy, Some airy devil hovers in the sky, shot: Had bak'd thy blood, and made it heavy, thick ;

down mischief. Austria's head lie there; (Which, else, runs tickling up and down the veins, While Philip breathes.

45 Making that ideot, laughter, keep men's eyes, Enter King John, Arthur, and Hubert. And strain their cheeks to idle merriment, K. John. Hubert, keep this boy :-Philip' make A passion hateful to my purposes), My mother is assailed in our tent, [up:

Or if that thou could'st see me without eyes, And ta'en, I fear.

Hear me without thine ears, and make reply Faulc. My lord, I rescu'd her;

150 Without a tongue, using conceit alone, Her highness is in safety, fear you not :

Without eyes, ears, and harmful sound of words; But on, my liege ; for very little pains

Then, in despight of broad-ey'd watchful day, Will bring this labour to an happy end. [Ereunt. I would into thy bosom pour my thoughts: S CE N E III.

But, ah, I will not :-Yet I love thee well; Alarums, excursions, retreat. Re-enter King John, 55 And, by my troth, I think thou lov'st me well. Elinor, Arthur, Faulconbridge, Hubert and lords. Hub. So well that what you bid me undertake, K. John. So shall it be ; your grace shall stay Though that my death were adjunct to my act, behind,

[To Elinor. By heaven, I would do it. So strongly guarded. - Cousin, look not sad: K. John. Do not I know thou would'st?

[To Arthur. 60 Good Hubert, Hubert, Hubert, throw thine eye Thy grandam loves thee ; and thy uncle will I lOn yon young boy: I'll tell thee what, my friend,

· Here the king, who kad knighted him by the name of Sir Richard, calls him by his former name. * Gauds are any showy ornaments. * Warburton thinks we should read, “ sound one" and Mr. Malone observes, that on and one are perpetually confounded in the old copies of Shakspeare,

He

And pours