Lew. A noble boy! Who would not do thee right? Aust. Upon thy cheek lay I this zealous kiss, Salute thee for her King: till then, fair boy, Con. 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. Aust. The peace of Heaven is theirs, that lift their swords In such a just and charitable war. K. Phil. Well then, to work; our cannon shall be bent Against the brows of this resisting town.- Con. Stay for an answer to your embassy, [A Trumpet sounds. K. Phil, A wonder, lady!—lo, upon thy wish, Our messenger Chatillon is arriv'd.— Enter CHATILLON and FRENCH GENTLEMEN. What England says, say briefly, gentle lord; Chatillon, speak; Cha. Then turn your forces from this paltry siege, And stir them up against a mightier task. With him along is come the mother Queen, [A March at a Distance. The interruption of their churlish drums Cuts off more circumstance: they are at hand, I To parley, or to fight; therefore, prepare. K. Phil. How much unlook'd for is this expedition ! A March. Enter KING JOHN, FAULCONBRIDGE, ELINor, SaLISBURY, BLANCH, PEMBROKE, ESSEX, HUBERT, ENGLISH HERALD, GENTLEMEN, a TRUMPET, and GUARDS. K. John. Peace be to France; if France in peace permit Our just and lineal entrance to our own! And this his son; England was Geffrey's right, When living blood doth in these temples beat, K. John. From whom hast thou this great commission, France, To draw my answer from thy articles? K. Phil. 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. I would, that I were low laid in my grave; weeps. Con. 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! Aust. Peace! Faul. Hear the crier, Aust. What the devil art thou? Faul, 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. K. Phil. King John, this is the very sum of all, England and Ireland, Anjou, Touraine, Maine, Wilt thou resign them, and lay down thy arms? These men of Angiers; let us hear them speak, [The French Trumpet sounds a Parley, Enter CITIZENS upon the Walls. Cit. Who is it, that hath warn'd us to the walls? K. Phil. "Tis France, for England. K. John, England, for itself: You men of Angiers, and my loving subjects,— K. Phil. You loving men of Angiers, Arthur's subjects, Our trumpet call'd you to this gentle parle. K. John. For your advantage; therefore, hear us first. These flags of France, that are advanced here And merciless proceeding by these French, And let us in, your King, whose labour'd spirits, Crave harbourage within your city walls. K. Phil. When I have said, make answer to us both. Lo, in this right hand, Stands Young Plantagenet : Son to the elder brother of this man, your town; And King o'er him, and all that he enjoys : Then tell us, shall your city call us lord, And stalk in blood to our possession? Cit. In brief, we are the King of England's subjects; For him, and in his right, we hold this town. K. John. Acknowledge then the King, and let me in. Cit. That can we not: but he that proves the King, To him will we prove loyal; till that time, Have we ramm'd up our gates against the world. K. John. Doth not the crown of England prove the King? And, if not that, I bring you witnesses, Twice fifteen thousand hearts of England's breed,Faul. Bastards, and else. K. John. To verify our title with their lives. K. Phil. As many, and as well-born bloods as those, Faul. Some bastards too. K. Phil. Stand in his face, to contradict his claim. |