And he that stands upon a slipp'ry place That John may stand, then Arthur needs must fall: Lew. But what shall I gain by young Arthur's fall? Lew. And lose it, life and all, as Arthur did. Shall find but bloody safety and untrue. But hold himself safe in his prisonment. 140 150 Lew. May be he will not touch young Arthur's life, 160 Pand. O, sir, when he shall hear of your approach, If that young Arthur be not gone already, Even at that news he dies; and then the hearts And kiss the lips of unacquainted change 170 Now that their souls are topful of offence. For England go: I will whet on the King. Lew. Strong reasons make strong actions: let us go: If you say ay, the King will not say no. [Exeunt. ACT IV. SCENE I. A room in a castle. Enter HUBERT and Executioners. Hub. Heat me these irons hot; and look thou stand Within the arras: when I strike my foot Upon the bosom of the ground, rush forth, And bind the boy which you shall find with me First Exec. I hope your warrant will bear out the deed. Young lad, come forth; I have to say with you. Enter ARTHUR. Arth. Good morrow, Hubert. [Exeunt Executioners. Good morrow, little prince. Arth. As little prince, having so great a title To be more prince, as may be. You are sad. Hub. Indeed, I have been merrier. Arth. Mercy on me! Methinks no body should be sad but I: I were your son, so you would love me, Hubert. Hub. [Aside.] If I talk to him, with his innocent prate He will awake my mercy which lies dead : Therefore I will be sudden and dispatch. Arth. Are you sick, Hubert? you look pale to-day : In sooth, I would you were a little sick, That I might sit all night and watch with you: I warrant I love you more than you do me. Hub. [Aside. His words do take possession of my bosom. Read here, young Arthur. 30 [Showing a paper. [Asile.] How now, foolish rheum! Walls: so called from the town Arras, where, chiefly, it was made. s: that is, tapestry hung on tenter-hooks, a short distance from the rough rheum water or any fluid from the eyes or nose. See "An hour in clamour and quarter in rheum." Much Ado About Nothing, Act V. Sc. 2, line 66, and this play, Act IV. Sc. 3, line 108. Turning dispiteous torture out of door! Out at mine eyes in tender womanish tears. Arth. Too fairly, Hubert, for so foul effect: Arth. Hub. And will you? Arth. Have you the heart? When your head did but ache, I knit my handkercher about your brows, The best I had, a princess wrought it me, And I did never ask it you again ; your head, And with my hand at midnight held 66 Saying, "What lack you? and Where lies your grief?" So much as frown on you. Hub. I have sworn to do it; And with hot irons must I burn them out. Arth. Ah, none but in this iron age would do it! The iron of itself, though heat red-hot, 5c 60 Approaching near these eyes, would drink And quench his fiery indignation Even in the water of mine innocence; Nay, after that, consume away in rust, But for containing fire to harm mine eye. Are you more stubborn-hard than hammer'd iron? And told me Hubert should put out mine eyes, -no tongue but Hubert's. 70 Hub. Come forth. [Stamps. Re-enter Executicners, with a cord, irons, etc. 43 wrought it me ask it you: that is, for me, from you: a use of the pronouns Do as I bid you do. in a dative sense less common in the United States than in England. 61 heat red hot heated, etc. We sometimes hear the same strong form of the verb pronounced het. Arth. O, save me, Hubert, save me! my eyes are out Hub. Give me the iron, I say, and bind him here. I will not stir, nor wince, nor speak a word, Thrust but these men away, and I'll forgive you, Hub. Go, stand within; let me alone with him. First Exec. I am best pleas'd to be from such a deed. 80 [Exeunt Executioners. Arth. Alas, I then have chid away my friend! He hath a stern look, but a gentle heart: Let him come back, that his compassion may Give life to yours. Hub. Come, boy, prepare yourself. Arth. Is there no remedy? Hub. None, but to lose your eyes. Arth. O heaven, that there were but a mote in yours, A grain, a dust, a gnat, a wandering hair, Any annoyance in that precious sense! Then feeling what small things are boisterous there, Hub. In this your promise? go to, hold your tongue. And would not harm me. Hub. I can heat it, boy. Arth. No, in good sooth; the fire is dead with grief, Being create for comfort, to be used In undeserv'd extremes: see else yourself; There is no malice burning in this coal; The breath of heaven has blown his spirit out And strew'd repentant ashes on his head. 18 For heaven sake. The possessive form was often omitted before nouns beginning with . 101 create created: a use common with S. Arth. An if you do, you will but make it blush That mercy which fierce fire and iron extends, Hub. Well, see to live; I will not touch thine eye Yet am I sworn and I did purpose, boy, With this same very iron to burn them out. Arth. O, now you look like Hubert! all this while You were disguis'd. Hub. Peace; no more. Adieu. Your uncle must not know but you are dead; Arth. SCENE II. KING JOHN's palace. 120 130 [Exeunt. Enter KING JOHN, PEMBROKE, SALISBURY, and other Lords. K. John. Here once again we sit, once again crown'd, And look'd upon, I hope, with cheerful eyes. 66 Pem. This once again," but that your highness pleas'd, And that high royalty was ne'er pluck'd off, Sal. Therefore, to be possess'd with double pomp, To guard a title that was rich before, To seek the beauteous eye of heaven to garnish, Is wasteful and ridiculous excess. 10 to guard to decorate, as with lace and embroidery. 10 |