GRIEF OF CONSTANCE.-ACT III. SCENE 4. Constance, mother to Prince Arthur, is overwhelmed with grief at the capture of her son. SCENE-The French King's tent. Pand. Lady, you utter madness, and not sorrow. Const. Thou art not holy, to belie me1 so; I am not mad: this hair I tear is mine; My name is Constance; I was Geffrey's wife; Young Arthur is my son, and he is lost: I am not mad;—I would, in sooth, I were! For then, 'tis like I should forget myself: Oh, if I could, what grief should I forget!— Preach some philosophy to make me mad. If I were mad, I should forget my son: 3 I am not mad; too well, too well I feel K. Phi. Bind up those tresses.—Oh what love I note In the fair multitude of these her hairs! 5 10 When but by chance a silver drop hath fallen, 15 Like true, inseparable, faithful lovers, Bind up your hairs. 20 Const. Yes, that I will; and wherefore will I do it? I tore them from their bonds; and cried aloud, And, father cardinal, I have heard you say, heaven: If that be true, I shall see my boy again; 25 30 For since the birth of Cain, the first male child, 7 As dim and meagre as an ague's fit; And so he'll die; and, rising so again, 8 Pand. You hold too heinous a respect of grief. Const. He talks to me that never had a son. K. Phi. You are as fond of grief as of your child. Const. Grief fills the room up of my absent child, Lies in his bed, walks up and down with me; Puts on his pretty looks, repeats his words, Remembers me of all his gracious parts, Stuffs out his vacant garments with his form; Then have I reason to be fond of grief.Fare you well had you such a loss as I, I could give better comfort than you do.I will not keep this form upon my head, [Tearing it off. When there is such disorder in my wit.O Lord! my boy, my Arthur, my fair son ! My life, my joy, my food, my all the world! My widow-comfort, and my sorrow's cure! [Exit. K. Phi. I fear some outrage, and I'll follow her. 45 50 55 NOTES ON "GRIEF OF CONSTANCE." 1 (l. 2). Belie me, saying that of me which is untrue. 8 (1.4). Geffrey, the third son of Henry II. was King John's elder brother. 8 (l. 9). Philosophy, knowledge, wis. dom. 4 (l. 32). Suspire, breathe. 5 (l. 34). Canker, corroding, causing 9 (l. 49). Vacant garments, the clothes to rust, or eat away as canker. he wore. HUBERT AND ARTHUR. ACT IV. SCENE 1. Arthur, having been sent to England, is imprisoned in Northampton SCENE.-A room in Northampton Castle. Hub. Heat me these irons hot; and, look thou stand Within the arras: 1 when I strike my foot Upon the bosom of the ground, rush forth, And bind the boy, which 2 you shall find with me, Fast to the chair: be heedful: hence, and Arth. As little prince" (having so great a title To be more prince) as may be.-You are sad. 6 Arth. 9 8 Is it my fault that I was Geffrey's son ? 10 He will awake my mercy, which lies dead: In sooth,12 I would you were a little sick, 15 20 25 30 Read here, young Arthur. [Showing a paper. 35 [Aside] How now, foolish rheum! 13 14 Turning dispiteous torture out of door! |