Previous Next
 

Continue reading with a SparkNotes PLUS trial

Original Text

Modern Text
Enter, before Angiers, at one side, with Forces, PHILIP KING OF FRANCE, LOUIS THE DAUPHIN, CONSTANCE, ARTHUR, and Attendants; at the other side, with Forces, AUSTRIA, wearing a lion’s skin.
Enter, before Angiers, at one side, with Forces, PHILIP KING OF FRANCE, LOUIS THE DAUPHIN, CONSTANCE, ARTHUR, and Attendants; at the other side, with Forces, AUSTRIA, wearing a lion’s skin.
DAUPHIN
Before Angiers well met, brave Austria.—
Arthur, that great forerunner of thy blood,
Richard, that robbed the lion of his heart
And fought the holy wars in Palestine,
5
By this brave duke came early to his grave.                             
And, for amends to his posterity,
At our importance hither is he come
To spread his colors, boy, in thy behalf,
And to rebuke the usurpation
10
Of thy unnatural uncle, English John.                                    
Embrace him, love him, give him welcome hither.
DAUPHIN
Before Angiers well met, brave Austria.—
Arthur, that great forerunner of thy blood,
Richard, that robbed the lion of his heart
And fought the holy wars in Palestine,
5
By this brave duke came early to his grave.                             
And, for amends to his posterity,
At our importance hither is he come
To spread his colors, boy, in thy behalf,
And to rebuke the usurpation
10
Of thy unnatural uncle, English John.                                    
Embrace him, love him, give him welcome hither.
ARTHUR
God shall forgive you Coeur de Lion’s death
The rather that you give his offspring life,
Shadowing their right under your wings of war.
15
I give you welcome with a powerless hand                            
But with a heart full of unstainèd love.
Welcome before the gates of Angiers, duke.
ARTHUR
God shall forgive you Coeur de Lion’s death
The rather that you give his offspring life,
Shadowing their right under your wings of war.
15
I give you welcome with a powerless hand                            
But with a heart full of unstainèd love.
Welcome before the gates of Angiers, duke.
DAUPHIN
A noble boy. Who would not do thee right?
DAUPHIN
A noble boy. Who would not do thee right?
AUSTRIA , to ARTHUR
Upon thy cheek lay I this zealous kiss
20
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-faced shore,
Whose foot spurns back the ocean’s roaring tides
25
And coops from other lands her islanders,                             
Even till that England, hedged in with the main,
That water-wallèd bulwark, still secure
And confident from foreign purposes,
Even till that utmost corner of the West
30
Salute thee for her king. Till then, fair boy,                           
Will I not think of home, but follow arms.
AUSTRIA , to ARTHUR
Upon thy cheek lay I this zealous kiss
20
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-faced shore,
Whose foot spurns back the ocean’s roaring tides
25
And coops from other lands her islanders,                             
Even till that England, hedged in with the main,
That water-wallèd bulwark, still secure
And confident from foreign purposes,
Even till that utmost corner of the West
30
Salute thee for her king. Till then, fair boy,                           
Will I not think of home, but follow arms.
CONSTANCE
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.
CONSTANCE
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.
AUSTRIA
35
The peace of heaven is theirs that lift their swords                
In such a just and charitable war.
AUSTRIA
35
The peace of heaven is theirs that lift their swords                
In such a just and charitable war.
KING PHILIP
Well, then, to work. Our cannon shall be bent
Against the brows of this resisting town.
Call for our chiefest men of discipline
40
To cull the plots of best advantages.                                       
We’ll lay before this town our royal bones,
Wade to the marketplace in Frenchmen’s blood,
But we will make it subject to this boy.
KING PHILIP
Well, then, to work. Our cannon shall be bent
Against the brows of this resisting town.
Call for our chiefest men of discipline
40
To cull the plots of best advantages.                                       
We’ll lay before this town our royal bones,
Wade to the marketplace in Frenchmen’s blood,
But we will make it subject to this boy.
CONSTANCE
Stay for an answer to your embassy,
45
Lest unadvised you stain your swords with blood.                
My lord Chatillion may from England bring
That right in peace which here we urge in war,
And then we shall repent each drop of blood
That hot rash haste so indirectly shed.
CONSTANCE
Stay for an answer to your embassy,
45
Lest unadvised you stain your swords with blood.                
My lord Chatillion may from England bring
That right in peace which here we urge in war,
And then we shall repent each drop of blood
That hot rash haste so indirectly shed.
Enter CHATILLION.
Enter CHATILLION.
KING PHILIP
50
A wonder, lady! Lo, upon thy wish                                        
Our messenger Chatillion is arrived.—
What England says say briefly, gentle lord.
We coldly pause for thee. Chatillion, speak.
KING PHILIP
50
A wonder, lady! Lo, upon thy wish                                        
Our messenger Chatillion is arrived.—
What England says say briefly, gentle lord.
We coldly pause for thee. Chatillion, speak.
CHATILLION
Then turn your forces from this paltry siege
55
And stir them up against a mightier task.                               
England, impatient of your just demands,
Hath put himself in arms. The adverse winds,
Whose leisure I have stayed, have given him time
To land his legions all as soon as I.
60
His marches are expedient to this town,                                 
His forces strong, his soldiers confident.
With him along is come the Mother Queen,
An Ate stirring him to blood and strife;
With her her niece, the Lady Blanche of Spain;
65
With them a bastard of the King’s deceased.                         
And all th’ unsettled humors of the land—
Rash, inconsiderate, fiery voluntaries,
With ladies’ faces and fierce dragons’ spleens—
Have sold their fortunes at their native homes,
70
Bearing their birthrights proudly on their backs,                   
To make a hazard of new fortunes here.
In brief, a braver choice of dauntless spirits
Than now the English bottoms have waft o’er
Did never float upon the swelling tide
75
To do offense and scathe in Christendom.                             
Drum beats .
The interruption of their churlish drums
Cuts off more circumstance. They are at hand,
To parley or to fight, therefore prepare.
CHATILLION
Then turn your forces from this paltry siege
55
And stir them up against a mightier task.                               
England, impatient of your just demands,
Hath put himself in arms. The adverse winds,
Whose leisure I have stayed, have given him time
To land his legions all as soon as I.
60
His marches are expedient to this town,                                 
His forces strong, his soldiers confident.
With him along is come the Mother Queen,
An Ate stirring him to blood and strife;
With her her niece, the Lady Blanche of Spain;
65
With them a bastard of the King’s deceased.                         
And all th’ unsettled humors of the land—
Rash, inconsiderate, fiery voluntaries,
With ladies’ faces and fierce dragons’ spleens—
Have sold their fortunes at their native homes,
70
Bearing their birthrights proudly on their backs,                   
To make a hazard of new fortunes here.
In brief, a braver choice of dauntless spirits
Than now the English bottoms have waft o’er
Did never float upon the swelling tide
75
To do offense and scathe in Christendom.                             
Drum beats .
The interruption of their churlish drums
Cuts off more circumstance. They are at hand,
To parley or to fight, therefore prepare.
KING PHILIP
How much unlooked-for is this expedition.
KING PHILIP
How much unlooked-for is this expedition.
AUSTRIA
80
By how much unexpected, by so much                                  
We must awake endeavor for defense,
For courage mounteth with occasion.
Let them be welcome, then. We are prepared.
AUSTRIA
80
By how much unexpected, by so much                                  
We must awake endeavor for defense,
For courage mounteth with occasion.
Let them be welcome, then. We are prepared.
Enter KING JOHN OF ENGLAND, BASTARD, QUEEN ELEANOR, BLANCHE, SALISBURY, PEMBROKE, and others.
Enter KING JOHN OF ENGLAND, BASTARD, QUEEN ELEANOR, BLANCHE, SALISBURY, PEMBROKE, and others.
KING JOHN
Peace be to France, if France in peace permit
85
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 beats his peace to heaven.
KING JOHN
Peace be to France, if France in peace permit
85
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 beats his peace to heaven.
KING PHILIP
Peace be to England, if that war return
90
From France to England, there to live in peace.                    
England we love, and for that England’s sake
With burden of our armor here we sweat.
This toil of ours should be a work of thine;
But thou from loving England art so far
95
That thou hast underwrought his lawful king,                        
Cut off the sequence of posterity,
Outfacèd infant state, and done a rape
Upon the maiden virtue of the crown.
Look here upon thy brother Geoffrey’s face.
He points to ARTHUR.
100
These eyes, these brows, were molded out of his;               
This little abstract doth contain that large
Which died in Geoffrey, and the hand of time
Shall draw this brief into as huge a volume.
That Geoffrey was thy elder brother born,
105
And this his son. England was Geoffrey’s right,                 
And this is Geoffrey’s. In the name of God,
How comes it then that thou art called a king,
When living blood doth in these temples beat
Which owe the crown that thou o’ermasterest?
KING PHILIP
Peace be to England, if that war return
90
From France to England, there to live in peace.                    
England we love, and for that England’s sake
With burden of our armor here we sweat.
This toil of ours should be a work of thine;
But thou from loving England art so far
95
That thou hast underwrought his lawful king,                        
Cut off the sequence of posterity,
Outfacèd infant state, and done a rape
Upon the maiden virtue of the crown.
Look here upon thy brother Geoffrey’s face.
He points to ARTHUR.
100
These eyes, these brows, were molded out of his;               
This little abstract doth contain that large
Which died in Geoffrey, and the hand of time
Shall draw this brief into as huge a volume.
That Geoffrey was thy elder brother born,
105
And this his son. England was Geoffrey’s right,                 
And this is Geoffrey’s. In the name of God,
How comes it then that thou art called a king,
When living blood doth in these temples beat
Which owe the crown that thou o’ermasterest?
KING JOHN
110
From whom hast thou this great commission,                     
               France,
To draw my answer from thy articles?
KING JOHN
110
From whom hast thou this great commission,                     
               France,
To draw my answer from thy articles?
KING PHILIP
From that supernal judge that stirs good thoughts
In any breast of strong authority
115
To look into the blots and stains of right.                             
That judge hath made me guardian to this boy,
Under whose warrant I impeach thy wrong,
And by whose help I mean to chastise it.
KING PHILIP
From that supernal judge that stirs good thoughts
In any breast of strong authority
115
To look into the blots and stains of right.                             
That judge hath made me guardian to this boy,
Under whose warrant I impeach thy wrong,
And by whose help I mean to chastise it.
KING JOHN
Alack, thou dost usurp authority.
KING JOHN
Alack, thou dost usurp authority.
KING PHILIP
120
Excuse it is to beat usurping down.                                      
KING PHILIP
120
Excuse it is to beat usurping down.                                      
QUEEN ELEANOR
Who is it thou dost call usurper, France?
QUEEN ELEANOR
Who is it thou dost call usurper, France?
CONSTANCE
Let me make answer: thy usurping son.
CONSTANCE
Let me make answer: thy usurping son.
QUEEN ELEANOR
Out, insolent! Thy bastard shall be king
That thou mayst be a queen and check the world.
QUEEN ELEANOR
Out, insolent! Thy bastard shall be king
That thou mayst be a queen and check the world.
CONSTANCE
125
My bed was ever to thy son as true
As thine was to thy husband, and this boy
Liker in feature to his father Geoffrey
Than thou and John, in manners being as like
As rain to water or devil to his dam.
130
My boy a bastard? By my soul, I think                                 
His father never was so true begot.
It cannot be, an if thou wert his mother.                                     
CONSTANCE
125
My bed was ever to thy son as true
As thine was to thy husband, and this boy
Liker in feature to his father Geoffrey
Than thou and John, in manners being as like
As rain to water or devil to his dam.
130
My boy a bastard? By my soul, I think                                 
His father never was so true begot.
It cannot be, an if thou wert his mother.                                     
QUEEN ELEANOR , to ARTHUR
There’s a good mother, boy, that blots thy father.
QUEEN ELEANOR , to ARTHUR
There’s a good mother, boy, that blots thy father.
CONSTANCE
There’s a good grandam, boy, that would blot thee.
CONSTANCE
There’s a good grandam, boy, that would blot thee.
AUSTRIA
135
Peace!                                                                                      
AUSTRIA
135
Peace!                                                                                      
BASTARD
Hear the crier!
BASTARD
Hear the crier!
AUSTRIA
What the devil art thou?
AUSTRIA
What the devil art thou?
BASTARD
One that will play the devil, sir, with you,
An he may catch your hide and you alone.
140
You are the hare of whom the proverb goes,                       
Whose valor 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!
BASTARD
One that will play the devil, sir, with you,
An he may catch your hide and you alone.
140
You are the hare of whom the proverb goes,                       
Whose valor 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!
BLANCHE
O, well did he become that lion’s robe
145
That did disrobe the lion of that robe.                                  
BLANCHE
O, well did he become that lion’s robe
145
That did disrobe the lion of that robe.                                  
BASTARD
It lies as sightly on the back of him
As great Alcides’ shoes upon an ass.—
But, ass, I’ll take that burden from your back
Or lay on that shall make your shoulders crack.
BASTARD
It lies as sightly on the back of him
As great Alcides’ shoes upon an ass.—
But, ass, I’ll take that burden from your back
Or lay on that shall make your shoulders crack.
AUSTRIA
150
What cracker is this same that deafs our ears                      
With this abundance of superfluous breath?
AUSTRIA
150
What cracker is this same that deafs our ears                      
With this abundance of superfluous breath?
KING PHILIP
Louis, determine what we shall do straight.
KING PHILIP
Louis, determine what we shall do straight.
DAUPHIN
Women and fools, break off your conference.—
King John, this is the very sum of all:
155
England and Ireland, Anjou, Touraine, Maine,                    
In right of Arthur do I claim of thee.
Wilt thou resign them and lay down thy arms?
DAUPHIN
Women and fools, break off your conference.—
King John, this is the very sum of all:
155
England and Ireland, Anjou, Touraine, Maine,                    
In right of Arthur do I claim of thee.
Wilt thou resign them and lay down thy arms?
KING JOHN
My life as soon! I do defy thee, France.—
Arthur of Brittany, yield thee to my hand,
160
And out of my dear love I’ll give thee more                        
Than e’er the coward hand of France can win.
Submit thee, boy.
KING JOHN
My life as soon! I do defy thee, France.—
Arthur of Brittany, yield thee to my hand,
160
And out of my dear love I’ll give thee more                        
Than e’er the coward hand of France can win.
Submit thee, boy.
QUEEN ELEANOR
Come to thy grandam, child.
QUEEN ELEANOR
Come to thy grandam, child.
CONSTANCE
Do, child, go to it grandam, child.
165
Give grandam kingdom, and it grandam will                       
Give it a plum, a cherry, and a fig.
There’s a good grandam.
CONSTANCE
Do, child, go to it grandam, child.
165
Give grandam kingdom, and it grandam will                       
Give it a plum, a cherry, and a fig.
There’s a good grandam.
ARTHUR , weeping
Good my mother, peace.
I would that I were low laid in my grave.
170
I am not worth this coil that’s made for me.                        
ARTHUR , weeping
Good my mother, peace.
I would that I were low laid in my grave.
170
I am not worth this coil that’s made for me.                        
QUEEN ELEANOR
His mother shames him so, poor boy, he weeps.
QUEEN ELEANOR
His mother shames him so, poor boy, he weeps.
CONSTANCE
Now shame upon you whe’er she does or no!
His grandam’s wrongs, and not his mother’s
               shames,
175
Draws 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 bribed
To do him justice and revenge on you.
CONSTANCE
Now shame upon you whe’er she does or no!
His grandam’s wrongs, and not his mother’s
               shames,
175
Draws 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 bribed
To do him justice and revenge on you.
QUEEN ELEANOR
180
Thou monstrous slanderer of heaven and Earth!                 
QUEEN ELEANOR
180
Thou monstrous slanderer of heaven and Earth!                 
CONSTANCE
Thou monstrous injurer of heaven and Earth,
Call not me slanderer. Thou and thine usurp
The dominations, royalties, and rights
Of this oppressèd boy. This is thy eldest son’s son,
185
Infortunate in nothing but in thee.                                         
Thy sins are visited in this poor child.
The canon of the law is laid on him,
Being but the second generation
Removèd from thy sin-conceiving womb.
CONSTANCE
Thou monstrous injurer of heaven and Earth,
Call not me slanderer. Thou and thine usurp
The dominations, royalties, and rights
Of this oppressèd boy. This is thy eldest son’s son,
185
Infortunate in nothing but in thee.                                         
Thy sins are visited in this poor child.
The canon of the law is laid on him,
Being but the second generation
Removèd from thy sin-conceiving womb.
KING JOHN
190
Bedlam, have done.                                                                
KING JOHN
190
Bedlam, have done.                                                                
CONSTANCE
I have but this to say,
That he is not only plaguèd for her sin,
But God hath made her sin and her the plague
On this removèd issue, plagued for her,
195
And with her plague; her sin his injury,                               
Her injury the beadle to her sin,
All punished in the person of this child
And all for her. A plague upon her!
CONSTANCE
I have but this to say,
That he is not only plaguèd for her sin,
But God hath made her sin and her the plague
On this removèd issue, plagued for her,
195
And with her plague; her sin his injury,                               
Her injury the beadle to her sin,
All punished in the person of this child
And all for her. A plague upon her!
QUEEN ELEANOR
Thou unadvisèd scold, I can produce
200
A will that bars the title of thy son.                                       
QUEEN ELEANOR
Thou unadvisèd scold, I can produce
200
A will that bars the title of thy son.                                       
CONSTANCE
Ay, who doubts that? A will—a wicked will,
A woman’s will, a cankered grandam’s will.
CONSTANCE
Ay, who doubts that? A will—a wicked will,
A woman’s will, a cankered grandam’s will.
KING PHILIP
Peace, lady. Pause, or be more temperate.
It ill beseems this presence to cry aim
205
To these ill-tunèd repetitions.—                                            
Some trumpet summon hither to the walls
These men of Angiers. Let us hear them speak
Whose title they admit, Arthur’s or John’s.
KING PHILIP
Peace, lady. Pause, or be more temperate.
It ill beseems this presence to cry aim
205
To these ill-tunèd repetitions.—                                            
Some trumpet summon hither to the walls
These men of Angiers. Let us hear them speak
Whose title they admit, Arthur’s or John’s.
Trumpet sounds.
Trumpet sounds.
Enter CITIZENS upon the walls.
Enter CITIZENS upon the walls.
CITIZEN
Who is it that hath warned us to the walls?
CITIZEN
Who is it that hath warned us to the walls?
KING PHILIP
210
’Tis France, for England.                                                       
KING PHILIP
210
’Tis France, for England.                                                       
KING JOHN
England, for itself.
You men of Angiers, and my loving subjects—
KING JOHN
England, for itself.
You men of Angiers, and my loving subjects—
KING PHILIP
You loving men of Angiers, Arthur’s subjects,
Our trumpet called you to this gentle parle—
KING PHILIP
You loving men of Angiers, Arthur’s subjects,
Our trumpet called you to this gentle parle—
KING JOHN
215
For our advantage. Therefore hear us first.                          
These flags of France that are advancèd here
Before the eye and prospect of your town,
Have hither marched to your endamagement.
The cannons have their bowels full of wrath,
220
And ready mounted are they to spit forth                             
Their iron indignation ’gainst your walls.
All preparation for a bloody siege
And merciless proceeding by these French
Confronts your city’s eyes, your winking gates,
225
And, but for our approach, those sleeping stones,               
That as a waist doth girdle you about,
By the compulsion of their ordinance
By this time from their fixèd beds of lime
Had been dishabited, and wide havoc made
230
For bloody power to rush upon your peace.                         
But on the sight of us your lawful king,
Who painfully with much expedient march
Have brought a countercheck before your gates
To save unscratched your city’s threatened cheeks,
235
Behold, the French, amazed, vouchsafe a parle.                  
And now, instead of bullets wrapped in fire
To make a shaking fever in your walls,
They shoot but calm words folded up in smoke
To make a faithless error in your ears,
240
Which trust accordingly, kind citizens,                                
And let us in. Your king, whose labored spirits
Forwearied in this action of swift speed,
Craves harborage within your city walls.
KING JOHN
215
For our advantage. Therefore hear us first.                          
These flags of France that are advancèd here
Before the eye and prospect of your town,
Have hither marched to your endamagement.
The cannons have their bowels full of wrath,
220
And ready mounted are they to spit forth                             
Their iron indignation ’gainst your walls.
All preparation for a bloody siege
And merciless proceeding by these French
Confronts your city’s eyes, your winking gates,
225
And, but for our approach, those sleeping stones,               
That as a waist doth girdle you about,
By the compulsion of their ordinance
By this time from their fixèd beds of lime
Had been dishabited, and wide havoc made
230
For bloody power to rush upon your peace.                         
But on the sight of us your lawful king,
Who painfully with much expedient march
Have brought a countercheck before your gates
To save unscratched your city’s threatened cheeks,
235
Behold, the French, amazed, vouchsafe a parle.                  
And now, instead of bullets wrapped in fire
To make a shaking fever in your walls,
They shoot but calm words folded up in smoke
To make a faithless error in your ears,
240
Which trust accordingly, kind citizens,                                
And let us in. Your king, whose labored spirits
Forwearied in this action of swift speed,
Craves harborage within your city walls.
KING PHILIP
When I have said, make answer to us both.
He takes ARTHUR by the hand.
245
Lo, in this right hand, whose protection                               
Is most divinely vowed upon the right
Of him it holds, stands young Plantagenet,
Son to the elder brother of this man,
And king o’er him and all that he enjoys.
250
For this downtrodden equity we tread                                  
In warlike march these greens before your town,
Being no further enemy to you
Than the constraint of hospitable zeal
In the relief of this oppressèd child
255
Religiously provokes. Be pleasèd then                                 
To pay that duty which you truly owe
To him that owes it, namely, this young prince,
And then our arms, like to a muzzled bear
Save in aspect, hath all offense sealed up.
260
Our cannons’ malice vainly shall be spent
Against th’ invulnerable clouds of heaven,
And with a blessèd and unvexed retire,
With unbacked swords and helmets all unbruised,
We will bear home that lusty blood again
265
Which here we came to spout against your town,
And leave your children, wives, and you in peace.
But if you fondly pass our proffered offer,
’Tis not the roundure of your old-faced walls
Can hide you from our messengers of war,
270
Though all these English and their discipline
Were harbored in their rude circumference.
Then tell us, shall your city call us lord
In that behalf which we have challenged it?
Or shall we give the signal to our rage
275
And stalk in blood to our possession?
KING PHILIP
When I have said, make answer to us both.
He takes ARTHUR by the hand.
245
Lo, in this right hand, whose protection                               
Is most divinely vowed upon the right
Of him it holds, stands young Plantagenet,
Son to the elder brother of this man,
And king o’er him and all that he enjoys.
250
For this downtrodden equity we tread                                  
In warlike march these greens before your town,
Being no further enemy to you
Than the constraint of hospitable zeal
In the relief of this oppressèd child
255
Religiously provokes. Be pleasèd then                                 
To pay that duty which you truly owe
To him that owes it, namely, this young prince,
And then our arms, like to a muzzled bear
Save in aspect, hath all offense sealed up.
260
Our cannons’ malice vainly shall be spent
Against th’ invulnerable clouds of heaven,
And with a blessèd and unvexed retire,
With unbacked swords and helmets all unbruised,
We will bear home that lusty blood again
265
Which here we came to spout against your town,
And leave your children, wives, and you in peace.
But if you fondly pass our proffered offer,
’Tis not the roundure of your old-faced walls
Can hide you from our messengers of war,
270
Though all these English and their discipline
Were harbored in their rude circumference.
Then tell us, shall your city call us lord
In that behalf which we have challenged it?
Or shall we give the signal to our rage
275
And stalk in blood to our possession?
CITIZEN
In brief, we are the King of England’s subjects.
For him, and in his right, we hold this town.
CITIZEN
In brief, we are the King of England’s subjects.
For him, and in his right, we hold this town.
KING JOHN
Acknowledge then the King and let me in.
KING JOHN
Acknowledge then the King and let me in.
CITIZEN
That can we not. But he that proves the King,
280
To him will we prove loyal. Till that time
Have we rammed up our gates against the world.
CITIZEN
That can we not. But he that proves the King,
280
To him will we prove loyal. Till that time
Have we rammed up our gates against the world.
KING 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—
KING 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—
BASTARD
285
Bastards and else.
BASTARD
285
Bastards and else.
KING JOHN
To verify our title with their lives.
KING JOHN
To verify our title with their lives.
KING PHILIP
As many and as wellborn bloods as those—
KING PHILIP
As many and as wellborn bloods as those—
BASTARD
Some bastards too.
BASTARD
Some bastards too.
KING PHILIP
Stand in his face to contradict his claim.
KING PHILIP
Stand in his face to contradict his claim.
CITIZEN
290
Till you compound whose right is worthiest,
We for the worthiest hold the right from both.
CITIZEN
290
Till you compound whose right is worthiest,
We for the worthiest hold the right from both.
KING JOHN
Then God forgive the sin of all those souls
That to their everlasting residence,
Before the dew of evening fall, shall fleet
295
In dreadful trial of our kingdom’s king.
KING JOHN
Then God forgive the sin of all those souls
That to their everlasting residence,
Before the dew of evening fall, shall fleet
295
In dreadful trial of our kingdom’s king.
KING PHILIP
Amen, amen.—Mount, chevaliers! To arms!
KING PHILIP
Amen, amen.—Mount, chevaliers! To arms!
BASTARD
Saint George, that swinged the dragon and e’er
               since
Sits on ’s horseback at mine hostess’ door,
300
Teach us some fence! To AUSTRIA . Sirrah, were I at
               home
At your den, sirrah, with your lioness,
I would set an ox head to your lion’s hide
               And make a monster of you.
BASTARD
Saint George, that swinged the dragon and e’er
               since
Sits on ’s horseback at mine hostess’ door,
300
Teach us some fence! To AUSTRIA . Sirrah, were I at
               home
At your den, sirrah, with your lioness,
I would set an ox head to your lion’s hide
               And make a monster of you.
AUSTRIA
305
Peace! No more.
AUSTRIA
305
Peace! No more.
BASTARD
O, tremble, for you hear the lion roar.
BASTARD
O, tremble, for you hear the lion roar.
KING JOHN , to his officers
Up higher to the plain, where we’ll set forth
In best appointment all our regiments.
KING JOHN , to his officers
Up higher to the plain, where we’ll set forth
In best appointment all our regiments.
BASTARD
Speed, then, to take advantage of the field.
BASTARD
Speed, then, to take advantage of the field.
KING PHILIP , to his officers
310
It shall be so, and at the other hill
Command the rest to stand. God and our right!
KING PHILIP , to his officers
310
It shall be so, and at the other hill
Command the rest to stand. God and our right!
They exit. CITIZENS remain, above.
They exit. CITIZENS remain, above.
Here, after excursions, enter the HERALD OF FRANCE, with Trumpets, to the gates.
Here, after excursions, enter the HERALD OF FRANCE, with Trumpets, to the gates.
FRENCH HERALD
You men of Angiers, open wide your gates,
And let young Arthur, Duke of Brittany, in,
Who by the hand of France this day hath made
315
Much work for tears in many an English mother,               
Whose sons lie scattered on the bleeding ground.
Many a widow’s husband groveling lies
Coldly embracing the discolored earth,
And victory with little loss doth play
320
Upon the dancing banners of the French,                             
Who are at hand, triumphantly displayed,
To enter conquerors and to proclaim
Arthur of Brittany England’s king and yours.
FRENCH HERALD
You men of Angiers, open wide your gates,
And let young Arthur, Duke of Brittany, in,
Who by the hand of France this day hath made
315
Much work for tears in many an English mother,               
Whose sons lie scattered on the bleeding ground.
Many a widow’s husband groveling lies
Coldly embracing the discolored earth,
And victory with little loss doth play
320
Upon the dancing banners of the French,                             
Who are at hand, triumphantly displayed,
To enter conquerors and to proclaim
Arthur of Brittany England’s king and yours.
Enter ENGLISH HERALD, with Trumpet.
Enter ENGLISH HERALD, with Trumpet.
ENGLISH HERALD
Rejoice, you men of Angiers, ring your bells!
325
King John, your king and England’s, doth approach,
Commander of this hot malicious day.
Their armors, that marched hence so silver bright,
Hither return all gilt with Frenchmen’s blood.
There stuck no plume in any English crest
330
That is removèd by a staff of France.
Our colors do return in those same hands
That did display them when we first marched forth,
And like a jolly troop of huntsmen come
Our lusty English, all with purpled hands,
335
Dyed in the dying slaughter of their foes.
Open your gates, and give the victors way.
ENGLISH HERALD
Rejoice, you men of Angiers, ring your bells!
325
King John, your king and England’s, doth approach,
Commander of this hot malicious day.
Their armors, that marched hence so silver bright,
Hither return all gilt with Frenchmen’s blood.
There stuck no plume in any English crest
330
That is removèd by a staff of France.
Our colors do return in those same hands
That did display them when we first marched forth,
And like a jolly troop of huntsmen come
Our lusty English, all with purpled hands,
335
Dyed in the dying slaughter of their foes.
Open your gates, and give the victors way.
CITIZEN
Heralds, from off our towers we might behold
From first to last the onset and retire
Of both your armies, whose equality
340
By our best eyes cannot be censurèd.                                   
Blood hath bought blood, and blows have answered
               blows,
Strength matched with strength, and power
               confronted power.
345
Both are alike, and both alike we like.                                 
One must prove greatest. While they weigh so even,
We hold our town for neither, yet for both.
CITIZEN
Heralds, from off our towers we might behold
From first to last the onset and retire
Of both your armies, whose equality
340
By our best eyes cannot be censurèd.                                   
Blood hath bought blood, and blows have answered
               blows,
Strength matched with strength, and power
               confronted power.
345
Both are alike, and both alike we like.                                 
One must prove greatest. While they weigh so even,
We hold our town for neither, yet for both.
Enter the two KINGS with their Powers (including the BASTARD, QUEEN ELEANOR, BLANCHE, and SALISBURY; AUSTRIA, and LOUIS THE DAUPHIN), at several doors.
Enter the two KINGS with their Powers (including the BASTARD, QUEEN ELEANOR, BLANCHE, and SALISBURY; AUSTRIA, and LOUIS THE DAUPHIN), at several doors.
KING JOHN
France, hast thou yet more blood to cast away?
Say, shall the current of our right roam on,
350
Whose passage, vexed with thy impediment,
Shall leave his native channel and o’erswell
With course disturbed even thy confining shores,
Unless thou let his silver water keep
A peaceful progress to the ocean?
KING JOHN
France, hast thou yet more blood to cast away?
Say, shall the current of our right roam on,
350
Whose passage, vexed with thy impediment,
Shall leave his native channel and o’erswell
With course disturbed even thy confining shores,
Unless thou let his silver water keep
A peaceful progress to the ocean?
KING PHILIP
355
England, thou hast not saved one drop of blood                  
In this hot trial more than we of France,
Rather lost more. And by this hand I swear
That sways the earth this climate overlooks,
Before we will lay down our just-borne arms,
360
We’ll put thee down, ’gainst whom these arms we             
               bear,
Or add a royal number to the dead,
Gracing the scroll that tells of this war’s loss
With slaughter coupled to the name of kings.
KING PHILIP
355
England, thou hast not saved one drop of blood                  
In this hot trial more than we of France,
Rather lost more. And by this hand I swear
That sways the earth this climate overlooks,
Before we will lay down our just-borne arms,
360
We’ll put thee down, ’gainst whom these arms we             
               bear,
Or add a royal number to the dead,
Gracing the scroll that tells of this war’s loss
With slaughter coupled to the name of kings.
BASTARD , aside
365
Ha, majesty! How high thy glory towers
When the rich blood of kings is set on fire!
O, now doth Death line his dead chaps with steel,
The swords of soldiers are his teeth, his fangs,
And now he feasts, mousing the flesh of men
370
In undetermined differences of kings.
Why stand these royal fronts amazèd thus?
Cry havoc, kings! Back to the stainèd field,
You equal potents, fiery-kindled spirits.
Then let confusion of one part confirm
375
The other’s peace. Till then, blows, blood, and
               death!
BASTARD , aside
365
Ha, majesty! How high thy glory towers
When the rich blood of kings is set on fire!
O, now doth Death line his dead chaps with steel,
The swords of soldiers are his teeth, his fangs,
And now he feasts, mousing the flesh of men
370
In undetermined differences of kings.
Why stand these royal fronts amazèd thus?
Cry havoc, kings! Back to the stainèd field,
You equal potents, fiery-kindled spirits.
Then let confusion of one part confirm
375
The other’s peace. Till then, blows, blood, and
               death!
KING JOHN
Whose party do the townsmen yet admit?
KING JOHN
Whose party do the townsmen yet admit?
KING PHILIP
Speak, citizens, for England. Who’s your king?
KING PHILIP
Speak, citizens, for England. Who’s your king?
CITIZEN
The King of England, when we know the King.
CITIZEN
The King of England, when we know the King.
KING PHILIP
380
Know him in us, that here hold up his right.
KING PHILIP
380
Know him in us, that here hold up his right.
KING JOHN
In us, that are our own great deputy
And bear possession of our person here,
Lord of our presence, Angiers, and of you.
KING JOHN
In us, that are our own great deputy
And bear possession of our person here,
Lord of our presence, Angiers, and of you.
CITIZEN
A greater power than we denies all this,
385
And till it be undoubted, we do lock                                     
Our former scruple in our strong-barred gates,
Kings of our fear, until our fears resolved
Be by some certain king purged and deposed.
CITIZEN
A greater power than we denies all this,
385
And till it be undoubted, we do lock                                     
Our former scruple in our strong-barred gates,
Kings of our fear, until our fears resolved
Be by some certain king purged and deposed.
BASTARD
By heaven, these scroyles of Angiers flout you, kings,
390
And stand securely on their battlements
As in a theater, whence they gape and point
At your industrious scenes and acts of death.
Your royal presences, be ruled by me:
Do like the mutines of Jerusalem,
395
Be friends awhile, and both conjointly bend
Your sharpest deeds of malice on this town.
By east and west let France and England mount
Their battering cannon chargèd to the mouths,
Till their soul-fearing clamors have brawled down
400
The flinty ribs of this contemptuous city.
I’d play incessantly upon these jades,
Even till unfencèd desolation
Leave them as naked as the vulgar air.
That done, dissever your united strengths
405
And part your mingled colors once again;
Turn face to face and bloody point to point.
Then in a moment Fortune shall cull forth
Out of one side her happy minion,
To whom in favor she shall give the day
410
And kiss him with a glorious victory.
How like you this wild counsel, mighty states?
Smacks it not something of the policy?
BASTARD
By heaven, these scroyles of Angiers flout you, kings,
390
And stand securely on their battlements
As in a theater, whence they gape and point
At your industrious scenes and acts of death.
Your royal presences, be ruled by me:
Do like the mutines of Jerusalem,
395
Be friends awhile, and both conjointly bend
Your sharpest deeds of malice on this town.
By east and west let France and England mount
Their battering cannon chargèd to the mouths,
Till their soul-fearing clamors have brawled down
400
The flinty ribs of this contemptuous city.
I’d play incessantly upon these jades,
Even till unfencèd desolation
Leave them as naked as the vulgar air.
That done, dissever your united strengths
405
And part your mingled colors once again;
Turn face to face and bloody point to point.
Then in a moment Fortune shall cull forth
Out of one side her happy minion,
To whom in favor she shall give the day
410
And kiss him with a glorious victory.
How like you this wild counsel, mighty states?
Smacks it not something of the policy?
KING JOHN
Now by the sky that hangs above our heads,
I like it well. France, shall we knit our powers
415
And lay this Angiers even with the ground,
Then after fight who shall be king of it?
KING JOHN
Now by the sky that hangs above our heads,
I like it well. France, shall we knit our powers
415
And lay this Angiers even with the ground,
Then after fight who shall be king of it?
BASTARD , to KING PHILIP
An if thou hast the mettle of a king,
Being wronged as we are by this peevish town,
Turn thou the mouth of thy artillery,
420
As we will ours, against these saucy walls,
And when that we have dashed them to the ground,
Why, then, defy each other and pell-mell
Make work upon ourselves, for heaven or hell.
BASTARD , to KING PHILIP
An if thou hast the mettle of a king,
Being wronged as we are by this peevish town,
Turn thou the mouth of thy artillery,
420
As we will ours, against these saucy walls,
And when that we have dashed them to the ground,
Why, then, defy each other and pell-mell
Make work upon ourselves, for heaven or hell.
KING PHILIP
Let it be so. Say, where will you assault?
KING PHILIP
Let it be so. Say, where will you assault?
KING JOHN
425
We from the west will send destruction
Into this city’s bosom.
KING JOHN
425
We from the west will send destruction
Into this city’s bosom.
AUSTRIA
I from the north.
AUSTRIA
I from the north.
KING PHILIP
Our thunder from the south
Shall rain their drift of bullets on this town.
KING PHILIP
Our thunder from the south
Shall rain their drift of bullets on this town.
BASTARD , aside
430
O, prudent discipline! From north to south,
Austria and France shoot in each other’s mouth.
I’ll stir them to it. — Come, away, away!
BASTARD , aside
430
O, prudent discipline! From north to south,
Austria and France shoot in each other’s mouth.
I’ll stir them to it. — Come, away, away!
CITIZEN
Hear us, great kings. Vouchsafe awhile to stay,
And I shall show you peace and fair-faced league,
435
Win you this city without stroke or wound,
Rescue those breathing lives to die in beds
That here come sacrifices for the field.
Persever not, but hear me, mighty kings.
CITIZEN
Hear us, great kings. Vouchsafe awhile to stay,
And I shall show you peace and fair-faced league,
435
Win you this city without stroke or wound,
Rescue those breathing lives to die in beds
That here come sacrifices for the field.
Persever not, but hear me, mighty kings.
KING JOHN
Speak on with favor. We are bent to hear.
KING JOHN
Speak on with favor. We are bent to hear.
CITIZEN
440
That daughter there of Spain, the Lady Blanche,
Is near to England. Look upon the years
Of Louis the Dauphin and that lovely maid.
If lusty love should go in quest of beauty,
Where should he find it fairer than in Blanche?
445
If zealous love should go in search of virtue,
Where should he find it purer than in Blanche?
If love ambitious sought a match of birth,
Whose veins bound richer blood than Lady
               Blanche?
450
Such as she is, in beauty, virtue, birth,
Is the young Dauphin every way complete.
If not complete of, say he is not she,
And she again wants nothing, to name want,
If want it be not that she is not he.
455
He is the half part of a blessèd man,
Left to be finishèd by such as she,
And she a fair divided excellence,
Whose fullness of perfection lies in him.
O, two such silver currents when they join
460
Do glorify the banks that bound them in,
And two such shores to two such streams made one,
Two such controlling bounds shall you be, kings,
To these two princes, if you marry them.
This union shall do more than battery can
465
To our fast-closèd gates, for at this match,
With swifter spleen than powder can enforce,
The mouth of passage shall we fling wide ope
And give you entrance. But without this match,
The sea enragèd is not half so deaf,
470
Lions more confident, mountains and rocks
More free from motion, no, not Death himself
In mortal fury half so peremptory
As we to keep this city.
CITIZEN
440
That daughter there of Spain, the Lady Blanche,
Is near to England. Look upon the years
Of Louis the Dauphin and that lovely maid.
If lusty love should go in quest of beauty,
Where should he find it fairer than in Blanche?
445
If zealous love should go in search of virtue,
Where should he find it purer than in Blanche?
If love ambitious sought a match of birth,
Whose veins bound richer blood than Lady
               Blanche?
450
Such as she is, in beauty, virtue, birth,
Is the young Dauphin every way complete.
If not complete of, say he is not she,
And she again wants nothing, to name want,
If want it be not that she is not he.
455
He is the half part of a blessèd man,
Left to be finishèd by such as she,
And she a fair divided excellence,
Whose fullness of perfection lies in him.
O, two such silver currents when they join
460
Do glorify the banks that bound them in,
And two such shores to two such streams made one,
Two such controlling bounds shall you be, kings,
To these two princes, if you marry them.
This union shall do more than battery can
465
To our fast-closèd gates, for at this match,
With swifter spleen than powder can enforce,
The mouth of passage shall we fling wide ope
And give you entrance. But without this match,
The sea enragèd is not half so deaf,
470
Lions more confident, mountains and rocks
More free from motion, no, not Death himself
In mortal fury half so peremptory
As we to keep this city.
KING PHILIP and LOUIS THE DAUPHIN walk aside and talk.
KING PHILIP and LOUIS THE DAUPHIN walk aside and talk.
BASTARD , aside
Here’s a stay
475
That shakes the rotten carcass of old Death
Out of his rags! Here’s a large mouth indeed
That spits forth death and mountains, rocks and
               seas;
Talks as familiarly of roaring lions
480
As maids of thirteen do of puppy dogs.
What cannoneer begot this lusty blood?
He speaks plain cannon fire, and smoke, and
               bounce.
He gives the bastinado with his tongue.
485
Our ears are cudgeled. Not a word of his
But buffets better than a fist of France.
Zounds, I was never so bethumped with words
Since I first called my brother’s father Dad.
BASTARD , aside
Here’s a stay
475
That shakes the rotten carcass of old Death
Out of his rags! Here’s a large mouth indeed
That spits forth death and mountains, rocks and
               seas;
Talks as familiarly of roaring lions
480
As maids of thirteen do of puppy dogs.
What cannoneer begot this lusty blood?
He speaks plain cannon fire, and smoke, and
               bounce.
He gives the bastinado with his tongue.
485
Our ears are cudgeled. Not a word of his
But buffets better than a fist of France.
Zounds, I was never so bethumped with words
Since I first called my brother’s father Dad.
QUEEN ELEANOR , aside to KING JOHN
Son, list to this conjunction; make this match.
490
Give with our niece a dowry large enough,
For by this knot thou shalt so surely tie
Thy now unsured assurance to the crown
That yon green boy shall have no sun to ripe
The bloom that promiseth a mighty fruit.
495
I see a yielding in the looks of France.
Mark how they whisper. Urge them while their
               souls
Are capable of this ambition,
Lest zeal, now melted by the windy breath
500
Of soft petitions, pity, and remorse,
Cool and congeal again to what it was.
QUEEN ELEANOR , aside to KING JOHN
Son, list to this conjunction; make this match.
490
Give with our niece a dowry large enough,
For by this knot thou shalt so surely tie
Thy now unsured assurance to the crown
That yon green boy shall have no sun to ripe
The bloom that promiseth a mighty fruit.
495
I see a yielding in the looks of France.
Mark how they whisper. Urge them while their
               souls
Are capable of this ambition,
Lest zeal, now melted by the windy breath
500
Of soft petitions, pity, and remorse,
Cool and congeal again to what it was.
CITIZEN
Why answer not the double majesties
This friendly treaty of our threatened town?
CITIZEN
Why answer not the double majesties
This friendly treaty of our threatened town?
KING PHILIP
Speak England first, that hath been forward first
505
To speak unto this city. What say you?
KING PHILIP
Speak England first, that hath been forward first
505
To speak unto this city. What say you?
KING JOHN
If that the Dauphin there, thy princely son,
Can in this book of beauty read “I love,”
Her dowry shall weigh equal with a queen.
For Anjou and fair Touraine, Maine, Poitiers,
510
And all that we upon this side the sea—
Except this city now by us besieged—
Find liable to our crown and dignity,
Shall gild her bridal bed and make her rich
In titles, honors, and promotions,
515
As she in beauty, education, blood,
Holds hand with any princess of the world.
KING JOHN
If that the Dauphin there, thy princely son,
Can in this book of beauty read “I love,”
Her dowry shall weigh equal with a queen.
For Anjou and fair Touraine, Maine, Poitiers,
510
And all that we upon this side the sea—
Except this city now by us besieged—
Find liable to our crown and dignity,
Shall gild her bridal bed and make her rich
In titles, honors, and promotions,
515
As she in beauty, education, blood,
Holds hand with any princess of the world.
KING PHILIP
What sayst thou, boy? Look in the lady’s face.
KING PHILIP
What sayst thou, boy? Look in the lady’s face.
DAUPHIN
I do, my lord, and in her eye I find
A wonder or a wondrous miracle,
520
The shadow of myself formed in her eye,
Which, being but the shadow of your son,
Becomes a sun and makes your son a shadow.
I do protest I never loved myself
Till now infixèd I beheld myself
525
Drawn in the flattering table of her eye.
DAUPHIN
I do, my lord, and in her eye I find
A wonder or a wondrous miracle,
520
The shadow of myself formed in her eye,
Which, being but the shadow of your son,
Becomes a sun and makes your son a shadow.
I do protest I never loved myself
Till now infixèd I beheld myself
525
Drawn in the flattering table of her eye.
He whispers with BLANCHE.
He whispers with BLANCHE.
BASTARD , aside
“Drawn in the flattering table of her eye”?
               Hanged in the frowning wrinkle of her brow
And quartered in her heart! He doth espy
               Himself love’s traitor. This is pity now,
530
That hanged and drawn and quartered there should
               be
In such a love so vile a lout as he.
BASTARD , aside
“Drawn in the flattering table of her eye”?
               Hanged in the frowning wrinkle of her brow
And quartered in her heart! He doth espy
               Himself love’s traitor. This is pity now,
530
That hanged and drawn and quartered there should
               be
In such a love so vile a lout as he.
BLANCHE , aside to DAUPHIN
My uncle’s will in this respect is mine.
If he see aught in you that makes him like,
535
That anything he sees which moves his liking
I can with ease translate it to my will.
Or if you will, to speak more properly,
I will enforce it eas’ly to my love.
Further I will not flatter you, my lord,
540
That all I see in you is worthy love,
Than this: that nothing do I see in you,
Though churlish thoughts themselves should be
               your judge,
That I can find should merit any hate.
BLANCHE , aside to DAUPHIN
My uncle’s will in this respect is mine.
If he see aught in you that makes him like,
535
That anything he sees which moves his liking
I can with ease translate it to my will.
Or if you will, to speak more properly,
I will enforce it eas’ly to my love.
Further I will not flatter you, my lord,
540
That all I see in you is worthy love,
Than this: that nothing do I see in you,
Though churlish thoughts themselves should be
               your judge,
That I can find should merit any hate.
KING JOHN
545
What say these young ones? What say you, my
               niece?
KING JOHN
545
What say these young ones? What say you, my
               niece?
BLANCHE
That she is bound in honor still to do
What you in wisdom still vouchsafe to say.
BLANCHE
That she is bound in honor still to do
What you in wisdom still vouchsafe to say.
KING JOHN
Speak then, Prince Dauphin. Can you love this lady?
KING JOHN
Speak then, Prince Dauphin. Can you love this lady?
DAUPHIN
550
Nay, ask me if I can refrain from love,
For I do love her most unfeignedly.
DAUPHIN
550
Nay, ask me if I can refrain from love,
For I do love her most unfeignedly.
KING JOHN
Then do I give Volquessen, Touraine, Maine,
Poitiers and Anjou, these five provinces
With her to thee, and this addition more:
555
Full thirty thousand marks of English coin.—
Philip of France, if thou be pleased withal,
Command thy son and daughter to join hands.
KING JOHN
Then do I give Volquessen, Touraine, Maine,
Poitiers and Anjou, these five provinces
With her to thee, and this addition more:
555
Full thirty thousand marks of English coin.—
Philip of France, if thou be pleased withal,
Command thy son and daughter to join hands.
KING PHILIP
It likes us well.—Young princes, close your hands.
KING PHILIP
It likes us well.—Young princes, close your hands.
AUSTRIA
And your lips too, for I am well assured
560
That I did so when I was first assured.
AUSTRIA
And your lips too, for I am well assured
560
That I did so when I was first assured.
DAUPHIN and BLANCHE join hands and kiss.
DAUPHIN and BLANCHE join hands and kiss.
KING PHILIP
Now, citizens of Angiers, ope your gates.
Let in that amity which you have made,
For at Saint Mary’s Chapel presently
The rites of marriage shall be solemnized.—
565
Is not the Lady Constance in this troop?
I know she is not, for this match made up
Her presence would have interrupted much.
Where is she and her son? Tell me, who knows.
KING PHILIP
Now, citizens of Angiers, ope your gates.
Let in that amity which you have made,
For at Saint Mary’s Chapel presently
The rites of marriage shall be solemnized.—
565
Is not the Lady Constance in this troop?
I know she is not, for this match made up
Her presence would have interrupted much.
Where is she and her son? Tell me, who knows.
DAUPHIN
She is sad and passionate at your Highness’ tent.
DAUPHIN
She is sad and passionate at your Highness’ tent.
KING PHILIP
570
And by my faith, this league that we have made
Will give her sadness very little cure.—
Brother of England, how may we content
This widow lady? In her right we came,
Which we, God knows, have turned another way
575
To our own vantage.
KING PHILIP
570
And by my faith, this league that we have made
Will give her sadness very little cure.—
Brother of England, how may we content
This widow lady? In her right we came,
Which we, God knows, have turned another way
575
To our own vantage.
KING JOHN
We will heal up all,
For we’ll create young Arthur Duke of Brittany
And Earl of Richmond, and this rich, fair town
We make him lord of.—Call the Lady Constance.
580
Some speedy messenger bid her repair
To our solemnity. SALISBURY exits. I trust we
               shall,
If not fill up the measure of her will,
Yet in some measure satisfy her so
585
That we shall stop her exclamation.
Go we as well as haste will suffer us
To this unlooked-for, unpreparèd pomp.
KING JOHN
We will heal up all,
For we’ll create young Arthur Duke of Brittany
And Earl of Richmond, and this rich, fair town
We make him lord of.—Call the Lady Constance.
580
Some speedy messenger bid her repair
To our solemnity. SALISBURY exits. I trust we
               shall,
If not fill up the measure of her will,
Yet in some measure satisfy her so
585
That we shall stop her exclamation.
Go we as well as haste will suffer us
To this unlooked-for, unpreparèd pomp.
All but the BASTARD exit.
All but the BASTARD exit.
BASTARD
Mad world, mad kings, mad composition!
John, to stop Arthur’s title in the whole,
590
Hath willingly departed with a part;
And France, whose armor conscience buckled on,
Whom zeal and charity brought to the field
As God’s own soldier, rounded in the ear
With that same purpose-changer, that sly devil,
595
That broker that still breaks the pate of faith,
That daily break-vow, he that wins of all,
Of kings, of beggars, old men, young men, maids—
Who having no external thing to lose
But the word “maid,” cheats the poor maid of
600
        that—
That smooth-faced gentleman, tickling Commodity,
Commodity, the bias of the world—
The world, who of itself is peisèd well,
Made to run even upon even ground,
605
Till this advantage, this vile-drawing bias,
This sway of motion, this Commodity,
Makes it take head from all indifferency,
From all direction, purpose, course, intent.
And this same bias, this Commodity,
610
This bawd, this broker, this all-changing word,
Clapped on the outward eye of fickle France,
Hath drawn him from his own determined aid,
From a resolved and honorable war
To a most base and vile-concluded peace.
615
And why rail I on this Commodity?
But for because he hath not wooed me yet.
Not that I have the power to clutch my hand
When his fair angels would salute my palm,
But for my hand, as unattempted yet,
620
Like a poor beggar raileth on the rich.
Well, whiles I am a beggar, I will rail
And say there is no sin but to be rich;
And being rich, my virtue then shall be
To say there is no vice but beggary.
625
Since kings break faith upon Commodity,
Gain, be my lord, for I will worship thee!
 
BASTARD
Mad world, mad kings, mad composition!
John, to stop Arthur’s title in the whole,
590
Hath willingly departed with a part;
And France, whose armor conscience buckled on,
Whom zeal and charity brought to the field
As God’s own soldier, rounded in the ear
With that same purpose-changer, that sly devil,
595
That broker that still breaks the pate of faith,
That daily break-vow, he that wins of all,
Of kings, of beggars, old men, young men, maids—
Who having no external thing to lose
But the word “maid,” cheats the poor maid of
600
        that—
That smooth-faced gentleman, tickling Commodity,
Commodity, the bias of the world—
The world, who of itself is peisèd well,
Made to run even upon even ground,
605
Till this advantage, this vile-drawing bias,
This sway of motion, this Commodity,
Makes it take head from all indifferency,
From all direction, purpose, course, intent.
And this same bias, this Commodity,
610
This bawd, this broker, this all-changing word,
Clapped on the outward eye of fickle France,
Hath drawn him from his own determined aid,
From a resolved and honorable war
To a most base and vile-concluded peace.
615
And why rail I on this Commodity?
But for because he hath not wooed me yet.
Not that I have the power to clutch my hand
When his fair angels would salute my palm,
But for my hand, as unattempted yet,
620
Like a poor beggar raileth on the rich.
Well, whiles I am a beggar, I will rail
And say there is no sin but to be rich;
And being rich, my virtue then shall be
To say there is no vice but beggary.
625
Since kings break faith upon Commodity,
Gain, be my lord, for I will worship thee!
 
He exits.
He exits.

Original Text

Modern Text
Enter, before Angiers, at one side, with Forces, PHILIP KING OF FRANCE, LOUIS THE DAUPHIN, CONSTANCE, ARTHUR, and Attendants; at the other side, with Forces, AUSTRIA, wearing a lion’s skin.
Enter, before Angiers, at one side, with Forces, PHILIP KING OF FRANCE, LOUIS THE DAUPHIN, CONSTANCE, ARTHUR, and Attendants; at the other side, with Forces, AUSTRIA, wearing a lion’s skin.
DAUPHIN
Before Angiers well met, brave Austria.—
Arthur, that great forerunner of thy blood,
Richard, that robbed the lion of his heart
And fought the holy wars in Palestine,
5
By this brave duke came early to his grave.                             
And, for amends to his posterity,
At our importance hither is he come
To spread his colors, boy, in thy behalf,
And to rebuke the usurpation
10
Of thy unnatural uncle, English John.                                    
Embrace him, love him, give him welcome hither.
DAUPHIN
Before Angiers well met, brave Austria.—
Arthur, that great forerunner of thy blood,
Richard, that robbed the lion of his heart
And fought the holy wars in Palestine,
5
By this brave duke came early to his grave.                             
And, for amends to his posterity,
At our importance hither is he come
To spread his colors, boy, in thy behalf,
And to rebuke the usurpation
10
Of thy unnatural uncle, English John.                                    
Embrace him, love him, give him welcome hither.
ARTHUR
God shall forgive you Coeur de Lion’s death
The rather that you give his offspring life,
Shadowing their right under your wings of war.
15
I give you welcome with a powerless hand                            
But with a heart full of unstainèd love.
Welcome before the gates of Angiers, duke.
ARTHUR
God shall forgive you Coeur de Lion’s death
The rather that you give his offspring life,
Shadowing their right under your wings of war.
15
I give you welcome with a powerless hand                            
But with a heart full of unstainèd love.
Welcome before the gates of Angiers, duke.
DAUPHIN
A noble boy. Who would not do thee right?
DAUPHIN
A noble boy. Who would not do thee right?
AUSTRIA , to ARTHUR
Upon thy cheek lay I this zealous kiss
20
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-faced shore,
Whose foot spurns back the ocean’s roaring tides
25
And coops from other lands her islanders,                             
Even till that England, hedged in with the main,
That water-wallèd bulwark, still secure
And confident from foreign purposes,
Even till that utmost corner of the West
30
Salute thee for her king. Till then, fair boy,                           
Will I not think of home, but follow arms.
AUSTRIA , to ARTHUR
Upon thy cheek lay I this zealous kiss
20
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-faced shore,
Whose foot spurns back the ocean’s roaring tides
25
And coops from other lands her islanders,                             
Even till that England, hedged in with the main,
That water-wallèd bulwark, still secure
And confident from foreign purposes,
Even till that utmost corner of the West
30
Salute thee for her king. Till then, fair boy,                           
Will I not think of home, but follow arms.
CONSTANCE
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.
CONSTANCE
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.
AUSTRIA
35
The peace of heaven is theirs that lift their swords                
In such a just and charitable war.
AUSTRIA
35
The peace of heaven is theirs that lift their swords                
In such a just and charitable war.
KING PHILIP
Well, then, to work. Our cannon shall be bent
Against the brows of this resisting town.
Call for our chiefest men of discipline
40
To cull the plots of best advantages.                                       
We’ll lay before this town our royal bones,
Wade to the marketplace in Frenchmen’s blood,
But we will make it subject to this boy.
KING PHILIP
Well, then, to work. Our cannon shall be bent
Against the brows of this resisting town.
Call for our chiefest men of discipline
40
To cull the plots of best advantages.                                       
We’ll lay before this town our royal bones,
Wade to the marketplace in Frenchmen’s blood,
But we will make it subject to this boy.
CONSTANCE
Stay for an answer to your embassy,
45
Lest unadvised you stain your swords with blood.                
My lord Chatillion may from England bring
That right in peace which here we urge in war,
And then we shall repent each drop of blood
That hot rash haste so indirectly shed.
CONSTANCE
Stay for an answer to your embassy,
45
Lest unadvised you stain your swords with blood.                
My lord Chatillion may from England bring
That right in peace which here we urge in war,
And then we shall repent each drop of blood
That hot rash haste so indirectly shed.
Enter CHATILLION.
Enter CHATILLION.
KING PHILIP
50
A wonder, lady! Lo, upon thy wish                                        
Our messenger Chatillion is arrived.—
What England says say briefly, gentle lord.
We coldly pause for thee. Chatillion, speak.
KING PHILIP
50
A wonder, lady! Lo, upon thy wish                                        
Our messenger Chatillion is arrived.—
What England says say briefly, gentle lord.
We coldly pause for thee. Chatillion, speak.
CHATILLION
Then turn your forces from this paltry siege
55
And stir them up against a mightier task.                               
England, impatient of your just demands,
Hath put himself in arms. The adverse winds,
Whose leisure I have stayed, have given him time
To land his legions all as soon as I.
60
His marches are expedient to this town,                                 
His forces strong, his soldiers confident.
With him along is come the Mother Queen,
An Ate stirring him to blood and strife;
With her her niece, the Lady Blanche of Spain;
65
With them a bastard of the King’s deceased.                         
And all th’ unsettled humors of the land—
Rash, inconsiderate, fiery voluntaries,
With ladies’ faces and fierce dragons’ spleens—
Have sold their fortunes at their native homes,
70
Bearing their birthrights proudly on their backs,                   
To make a hazard of new fortunes here.
In brief, a braver choice of dauntless spirits
Than now the English bottoms have waft o’er
Did never float upon the swelling tide
75
To do offense and scathe in Christendom.                             
Drum beats .
The interruption of their churlish drums
Cuts off more circumstance. They are at hand,
To parley or to fight, therefore prepare.
CHATILLION
Then turn your forces from this paltry siege
55
And stir them up against a mightier task.                               
England, impatient of your just demands,
Hath put himself in arms. The adverse winds,
Whose leisure I have stayed, have given him time
To land his legions all as soon as I.
60
His marches are expedient to this town,                                 
His forces strong, his soldiers confident.
With him along is come the Mother Queen,
An Ate stirring him to blood and strife;
With her her niece, the Lady Blanche of Spain;
65
With them a bastard of the King’s deceased.                         
And all th’ unsettled humors of the land—
Rash, inconsiderate, fiery voluntaries,
With ladies’ faces and fierce dragons’ spleens—
Have sold their fortunes at their native homes,
70
Bearing their birthrights proudly on their backs,                   
To make a hazard of new fortunes here.
In brief, a braver choice of dauntless spirits
Than now the English bottoms have waft o’er
Did never float upon the swelling tide
75
To do offense and scathe in Christendom.                             
Drum beats .
The interruption of their churlish drums
Cuts off more circumstance. They are at hand,
To parley or to fight, therefore prepare.
KING PHILIP
How much unlooked-for is this expedition.
KING PHILIP
How much unlooked-for is this expedition.
AUSTRIA
80
By how much unexpected, by so much                                  
We must awake endeavor for defense,
For courage mounteth with occasion.
Let them be welcome, then. We are prepared.
AUSTRIA
80
By how much unexpected, by so much                                  
We must awake endeavor for defense,
For courage mounteth with occasion.
Let them be welcome, then. We are prepared.
Enter KING JOHN OF ENGLAND, BASTARD, QUEEN ELEANOR, BLANCHE, SALISBURY, PEMBROKE, and others.
Enter KING JOHN OF ENGLAND, BASTARD, QUEEN ELEANOR, BLANCHE, SALISBURY, PEMBROKE, and others.
KING JOHN
Peace be to France, if France in peace permit
85
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 beats his peace to heaven.
KING JOHN
Peace be to France, if France in peace permit
85
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 beats his peace to heaven.
KING PHILIP
Peace be to England, if that war return
90
From France to England, there to live in peace.                    
England we love, and for that England’s sake
With burden of our armor here we sweat.
This toil of ours should be a work of thine;
But thou from loving England art so far
95
That thou hast underwrought his lawful king,                        
Cut off the sequence of posterity,
Outfacèd infant state, and done a rape
Upon the maiden virtue of the crown.
Look here upon thy brother Geoffrey’s face.
He points to ARTHUR.
100
These eyes, these brows, were molded out of his;               
This little abstract doth contain that large
Which died in Geoffrey, and the hand of time
Shall draw this brief into as huge a volume.
That Geoffrey was thy elder brother born,
105
And this his son. England was Geoffrey’s right,                 
And this is Geoffrey’s. In the name of God,
How comes it then that thou art called a king,
When living blood doth in these temples beat
Which owe the crown that thou o’ermasterest?
KING PHILIP
Peace be to England, if that war return
90
From France to England, there to live in peace.                    
England we love, and for that England’s sake
With burden of our armor here we sweat.
This toil of ours should be a work of thine;
But thou from loving England art so far
95
That thou hast underwrought his lawful king,                        
Cut off the sequence of posterity,
Outfacèd infant state, and done a rape
Upon the maiden virtue of the crown.
Look here upon thy brother Geoffrey’s face.
He points to ARTHUR.
100
These eyes, these brows, were molded out of his;               
This little abstract doth contain that large
Which died in Geoffrey, and the hand of time
Shall draw this brief into as huge a volume.
That Geoffrey was thy elder brother born,
105
And this his son. England was Geoffrey’s right,                 
And this is Geoffrey’s. In the name of God,
How comes it then that thou art called a king,
When living blood doth in these temples beat
Which owe the crown that thou o’ermasterest?
KING JOHN
110
From whom hast thou this great commission,                     
               France,
To draw my answer from thy articles?
KING JOHN
110
From whom hast thou this great commission,                     
               France,
To draw my answer from thy articles?
KING PHILIP
From that supernal judge that stirs good thoughts
In any breast of strong authority
115
To look into the blots and stains of right.                             
That judge hath made me guardian to this boy,
Under whose warrant I impeach thy wrong,
And by whose help I mean to chastise it.
KING PHILIP
From that supernal judge that stirs good thoughts
In any breast of strong authority
115
To look into the blots and stains of right.                             
That judge hath made me guardian to this boy,
Under whose warrant I impeach thy wrong,
And by whose help I mean to chastise it.
KING JOHN
Alack, thou dost usurp authority.
KING JOHN
Alack, thou dost usurp authority.
KING PHILIP
120
Excuse it is to beat usurping down.                                      
KING PHILIP
120
Excuse it is to beat usurping down.                                      
QUEEN ELEANOR
Who is it thou dost call usurper, France?
QUEEN ELEANOR
Who is it thou dost call usurper, France?
CONSTANCE
Let me make answer: thy usurping son.
CONSTANCE
Let me make answer: thy usurping son.
QUEEN ELEANOR
Out, insolent! Thy bastard shall be king
That thou mayst be a queen and check the world.
QUEEN ELEANOR
Out, insolent! Thy bastard shall be king
That thou mayst be a queen and check the world.
CONSTANCE
125
My bed was ever to thy son as true
As thine was to thy husband, and this boy
Liker in feature to his father Geoffrey
Than thou and John, in manners being as like
As rain to water or devil to his dam.
130
My boy a bastard? By my soul, I think                                 
His father never was so true begot.
It cannot be, an if thou wert his mother.                                     
CONSTANCE
125
My bed was ever to thy son as true
As thine was to thy husband, and this boy
Liker in feature to his father Geoffrey
Than thou and John, in manners being as like
As rain to water or devil to his dam.
130
My boy a bastard? By my soul, I think                                 
His father never was so true begot.
It cannot be, an if thou wert his mother.                                     
QUEEN ELEANOR , to ARTHUR
There’s a good mother, boy, that blots thy father.
QUEEN ELEANOR , to ARTHUR
There’s a good mother, boy, that blots thy father.
CONSTANCE
There’s a good grandam, boy, that would blot thee.
CONSTANCE
There’s a good grandam, boy, that would blot thee.
AUSTRIA
135
Peace!                                                                                      
AUSTRIA
135
Peace!                                                                                      
BASTARD
Hear the crier!
BASTARD
Hear the crier!
AUSTRIA
What the devil art thou?
AUSTRIA
What the devil art thou?
BASTARD
One that will play the devil, sir, with you,
An he may catch your hide and you alone.
140
You are the hare of whom the proverb goes,                       
Whose valor 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!
BASTARD
One that will play the devil, sir, with you,
An he may catch your hide and you alone.
140
You are the hare of whom the proverb goes,                       
Whose valor 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!
BLANCHE
O, well did he become that lion’s robe
145
That did disrobe the lion of that robe.                                  
BLANCHE
O, well did he become that lion’s robe
145
That did disrobe the lion of that robe.                                  
BASTARD
It lies as sightly on the back of him
As great Alcides’ shoes upon an ass.—
But, ass, I’ll take that burden from your back
Or lay on that shall make your shoulders crack.
BASTARD
It lies as sightly on the back of him
As great Alcides’ shoes upon an ass.—
But, ass, I’ll take that burden from your back
Or lay on that shall make your shoulders crack.
AUSTRIA
150
What cracker is this same that deafs our ears                      
With this abundance of superfluous breath?
AUSTRIA
150
What cracker is this same that deafs our ears                      
With this abundance of superfluous breath?
KING PHILIP
Louis, determine what we shall do straight.
KING PHILIP
Louis, determine what we shall do straight.
DAUPHIN
Women and fools, break off your conference.—
King John, this is the very sum of all:
155
England and Ireland, Anjou, Touraine, Maine,                    
In right of Arthur do I claim of thee.
Wilt thou resign them and lay down thy arms?
DAUPHIN
Women and fools, break off your conference.—
King John, this is the very sum of all:
155
England and Ireland, Anjou, Touraine, Maine,                    
In right of Arthur do I claim of thee.
Wilt thou resign them and lay down thy arms?
KING JOHN
My life as soon! I do defy thee, France.—
Arthur of Brittany, yield thee to my hand,
160
And out of my dear love I’ll give thee more                        
Than e’er the coward hand of France can win.
Submit thee, boy.
KING JOHN
My life as soon! I do defy thee, France.—
Arthur of Brittany, yield thee to my hand,
160
And out of my dear love I’ll give thee more                        
Than e’er the coward hand of France can win.
Submit thee, boy.
QUEEN ELEANOR
Come to thy grandam, child.
QUEEN ELEANOR
Come to thy grandam, child.
CONSTANCE
Do, child, go to it grandam, child.
165
Give grandam kingdom, and it grandam will                       
Give it a plum, a cherry, and a fig.
There’s a good grandam.
CONSTANCE
Do, child, go to it grandam, child.
165
Give grandam kingdom, and it grandam will                       
Give it a plum, a cherry, and a fig.
There’s a good grandam.
ARTHUR , weeping
Good my mother, peace.
I would that I were low laid in my grave.
170
I am not worth this coil that’s made for me.                        
ARTHUR , weeping
Good my mother, peace.
I would that I were low laid in my grave.
170
I am not worth this coil that’s made for me.                        
QUEEN ELEANOR
His mother shames him so, poor boy, he weeps.
QUEEN ELEANOR
His mother shames him so, poor boy, he weeps.
CONSTANCE
Now shame upon you whe’er she does or no!
His grandam’s wrongs, and not his mother’s
               shames,
175
Draws 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 bribed
To do him justice and revenge on you.
CONSTANCE
Now shame upon you whe’er she does or no!
His grandam’s wrongs, and not his mother’s
               shames,
175
Draws 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 bribed
To do him justice and revenge on you.
QUEEN ELEANOR
180
Thou monstrous slanderer of heaven and Earth!                 
QUEEN ELEANOR
180
Thou monstrous slanderer of heaven and Earth!                 
CONSTANCE
Thou monstrous injurer of heaven and Earth,
Call not me slanderer. Thou and thine usurp
The dominations, royalties, and rights
Of this oppressèd boy. This is thy eldest son’s son,
185
Infortunate in nothing but in thee.                                         
Thy sins are visited in this poor child.
The canon of the law is laid on him,
Being but the second generation
Removèd from thy sin-conceiving womb.
CONSTANCE
Thou monstrous injurer of heaven and Earth,
Call not me slanderer. Thou and thine usurp
The dominations, royalties, and rights
Of this oppressèd boy. This is thy eldest son’s son,
185
Infortunate in nothing but in thee.                                         
Thy sins are visited in this poor child.
The canon of the law is laid on him,
Being but the second generation
Removèd from thy sin-conceiving womb.
KING JOHN
190
Bedlam, have done.                                                                
KING JOHN
190
Bedlam, have done.                                                                
CONSTANCE
I have but this to say,
That he is not only plaguèd for her sin,
But God hath made her sin and her the plague
On this removèd issue, plagued for her,
195
And with her plague; her sin his injury,                               
Her injury the beadle to her sin,
All punished in the person of this child
And all for her. A plague upon her!
CONSTANCE
I have but this to say,
That he is not only plaguèd for her sin,
But God hath made her sin and her the plague
On this removèd issue, plagued for her,
195
And with her plague; her sin his injury,                               
Her injury the beadle to her sin,
All punished in the person of this child
And all for her. A plague upon her!
QUEEN ELEANOR
Thou unadvisèd scold, I can produce
200
A will that bars the title of thy son.                                       
QUEEN ELEANOR
Thou unadvisèd scold, I can produce
200
A will that bars the title of thy son.                                       
CONSTANCE
Ay, who doubts that? A will—a wicked will,
A woman’s will, a cankered grandam’s will.
CONSTANCE
Ay, who doubts that? A will—a wicked will,
A woman’s will, a cankered grandam’s will.
KING PHILIP
Peace, lady. Pause, or be more temperate.
It ill beseems this presence to cry aim
205
To these ill-tunèd repetitions.—                                            
Some trumpet summon hither to the walls
These men of Angiers. Let us hear them speak
Whose title they admit, Arthur’s or John’s.
KING PHILIP
Peace, lady. Pause, or be more temperate.
It ill beseems this presence to cry aim
205
To these ill-tunèd repetitions.—                                            
Some trumpet summon hither to the walls
These men of Angiers. Let us hear them speak
Whose title they admit, Arthur’s or John’s.
Trumpet sounds.
Trumpet sounds.
Enter CITIZENS upon the walls.
Enter CITIZENS upon the walls.
CITIZEN
Who is it that hath warned us to the walls?
CITIZEN
Who is it that hath warned us to the walls?
KING PHILIP
210
’Tis France, for England.                                                       
KING PHILIP
210
’Tis France, for England.                                                       
KING JOHN
England, for itself.
You men of Angiers, and my loving subjects—
KING JOHN
England, for itself.
You men of Angiers, and my loving subjects—
KING PHILIP
You loving men of Angiers, Arthur’s subjects,
Our trumpet called you to this gentle parle—
KING PHILIP
You loving men of Angiers, Arthur’s subjects,
Our trumpet called you to this gentle parle—
KING JOHN
215
For our advantage. Therefore hear us first.                          
These flags of France that are advancèd here
Before the eye and prospect of your town,
Have hither marched to your endamagement.
The cannons have their bowels full of wrath,
220
And ready mounted are they to spit forth                             
Their iron indignation ’gainst your walls.
All preparation for a bloody siege
And merciless proceeding by these French
Confronts your city’s eyes, your winking gates,
225
And, but for our approach, those sleeping stones,               
That as a waist doth girdle you about,
By the compulsion of their ordinance
By this time from their fixèd beds of lime
Had been dishabited, and wide havoc made
230
For bloody power to rush upon your peace.                         
But on the sight of us your lawful king,
Who painfully with much expedient march
Have brought a countercheck before your gates
To save unscratched your city’s threatened cheeks,
235
Behold, the French, amazed, vouchsafe a parle.                  
And now, instead of bullets wrapped in fire
To make a shaking fever in your walls,
They shoot but calm words folded up in smoke
To make a faithless error in your ears,
240
Which trust accordingly, kind citizens,                                
And let us in. Your king, whose labored spirits
Forwearied in this action of swift speed,
Craves harborage within your city walls.
KING JOHN
215
For our advantage. Therefore hear us first.                          
These flags of France that are advancèd here
Before the eye and prospect of your town,
Have hither marched to your endamagement.
The cannons have their bowels full of wrath,
220
And ready mounted are they to spit forth                             
Their iron indignation ’gainst your walls.
All preparation for a bloody siege
And merciless proceeding by these French
Confronts your city’s eyes, your winking gates,
225
And, but for our approach, those sleeping stones,               
That as a waist doth girdle you about,
By the compulsion of their ordinance
By this time from their fixèd beds of lime
Had been dishabited, and wide havoc made
230
For bloody power to rush upon your peace.                         
But on the sight of us your lawful king,
Who painfully with much expedient march
Have brought a countercheck before your gates
To save unscratched your city’s threatened cheeks,
235
Behold, the French, amazed, vouchsafe a parle.                  
And now, instead of bullets wrapped in fire
To make a shaking fever in your walls,
They shoot but calm words folded up in smoke
To make a faithless error in your ears,
240
Which trust accordingly, kind citizens,                                
And let us in. Your king, whose labored spirits
Forwearied in this action of swift speed,
Craves harborage within your city walls.
KING PHILIP
When I have said, make answer to us both.
He takes ARTHUR by the hand.
245
Lo, in this right hand, whose protection                               
Is most divinely vowed upon the right
Of him it holds, stands young Plantagenet,
Son to the elder brother of this man,
And king o’er him and all that he enjoys.
250
For this downtrodden equity we tread                                  
In warlike march these greens before your town,
Being no further enemy to you
Than the constraint of hospitable zeal
In the relief of this oppressèd child
255
Religiously provokes. Be pleasèd then                                 
To pay that duty which you truly owe
To him that owes it, namely, this young prince,
And then our arms, like to a muzzled bear
Save in aspect, hath all offense sealed up.
260
Our cannons’ malice vainly shall be spent
Against th’ invulnerable clouds of heaven,
And with a blessèd and unvexed retire,
With unbacked swords and helmets all unbruised,
We will bear home that lusty blood again
265
Which here we came to spout against your town,
And leave your children, wives, and you in peace.
But if you fondly pass our proffered offer,
’Tis not the roundure of your old-faced walls
Can hide you from our messengers of war,
270
Though all these English and their discipline
Were harbored in their rude circumference.
Then tell us, shall your city call us lord
In that behalf which we have challenged it?
Or shall we give the signal to our rage
275
And stalk in blood to our possession?
KING PHILIP
When I have said, make answer to us both.
He takes ARTHUR by the hand.
245
Lo, in this right hand, whose protection                               
Is most divinely vowed upon the right
Of him it holds, stands young Plantagenet,
Son to the elder brother of this man,
And king o’er him and all that he enjoys.
250
For this downtrodden equity we tread                                  
In warlike march these greens before your town,
Being no further enemy to you
Than the constraint of hospitable zeal
In the relief of this oppressèd child
255
Religiously provokes. Be pleasèd then                                 
To pay that duty which you truly owe
To him that owes it, namely, this young prince,
And then our arms, like to a muzzled bear
Save in aspect, hath all offense sealed up.
260
Our cannons’ malice vainly shall be spent
Against th’ invulnerable clouds of heaven,
And with a blessèd and unvexed retire,
With unbacked swords and helmets all unbruised,
We will bear home that lusty blood again
265
Which here we came to spout against your town,
And leave your children, wives, and you in peace.
But if you fondly pass our proffered offer,
’Tis not the roundure of your old-faced walls
Can hide you from our messengers of war,
270
Though all these English and their discipline
Were harbored in their rude circumference.
Then tell us, shall your city call us lord
In that behalf which we have challenged it?
Or shall we give the signal to our rage
275
And stalk in blood to our possession?
CITIZEN
In brief, we are the King of England’s subjects.
For him, and in his right, we hold this town.
CITIZEN
In brief, we are the King of England’s subjects.
For him, and in his right, we hold this town.
KING JOHN
Acknowledge then the King and let me in.
KING JOHN
Acknowledge then the King and let me in.
CITIZEN
That can we not. But he that proves the King,
280
To him will we prove loyal. Till that time
Have we rammed up our gates against the world.
CITIZEN
That can we not. But he that proves the King,
280
To him will we prove loyal. Till that time
Have we rammed up our gates against the world.
KING 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—
KING 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—
BASTARD
285
Bastards and else.
BASTARD
285
Bastards and else.
KING JOHN
To verify our title with their lives.
KING JOHN
To verify our title with their lives.
KING PHILIP
As many and as wellborn bloods as those—
KING PHILIP
As many and as wellborn bloods as those—
BASTARD
Some bastards too.
BASTARD
Some bastards too.
KING PHILIP
Stand in his face to contradict his claim.
KING PHILIP
Stand in his face to contradict his claim.
CITIZEN
290
Till you compound whose right is worthiest,
We for the worthiest hold the right from both.
CITIZEN
290
Till you compound whose right is worthiest,
We for the worthiest hold the right from both.
KING JOHN
Then God forgive the sin of all those souls
That to their everlasting residence,
Before the dew of evening fall, shall fleet
295
In dreadful trial of our kingdom’s king.
KING JOHN
Then God forgive the sin of all those souls
That to their everlasting residence,
Before the dew of evening fall, shall fleet
295
In dreadful trial of our kingdom’s king.
KING PHILIP
Amen, amen.—Mount, chevaliers! To arms!
KING PHILIP
Amen, amen.—Mount, chevaliers! To arms!
BASTARD
Saint George, that swinged the dragon and e’er
               since
Sits on ’s horseback at mine hostess’ door,
300
Teach us some fence! To AUSTRIA . Sirrah, were I at
               home
At your den, sirrah, with your lioness,
I would set an ox head to your lion’s hide
               And make a monster of you.
BASTARD
Saint George, that swinged the dragon and e’er
               since
Sits on ’s horseback at mine hostess’ door,
300
Teach us some fence! To AUSTRIA . Sirrah, were I at
               home
At your den, sirrah, with your lioness,
I would set an ox head to your lion’s hide
               And make a monster of you.
AUSTRIA
305
Peace! No more.
AUSTRIA
305
Peace! No more.
BASTARD
O, tremble, for you hear the lion roar.
BASTARD
O, tremble, for you hear the lion roar.
KING JOHN , to his officers
Up higher to the plain, where we’ll set forth
In best appointment all our regiments.
KING JOHN , to his officers
Up higher to the plain, where we’ll set forth
In best appointment all our regiments.
BASTARD
Speed, then, to take advantage of the field.
BASTARD
Speed, then, to take advantage of the field.
KING PHILIP , to his officers
310
It shall be so, and at the other hill
Command the rest to stand. God and our right!
KING PHILIP , to his officers
310
It shall be so, and at the other hill
Command the rest to stand. God and our right!
They exit. CITIZENS remain, above.
They exit. CITIZENS remain, above.
Here, after excursions, enter the HERALD OF FRANCE, with Trumpets, to the gates.
Here, after excursions, enter the HERALD OF FRANCE, with Trumpets, to the gates.
FRENCH HERALD
You men of Angiers, open wide your gates,
And let young Arthur, Duke of Brittany, in,
Who by the hand of France this day hath made
315
Much work for tears in many an English mother,               
Whose sons lie scattered on the bleeding ground.
Many a widow’s husband groveling lies
Coldly embracing the discolored earth,
And victory with little loss doth play
320
Upon the dancing banners of the French,                             
Who are at hand, triumphantly displayed,
To enter conquerors and to proclaim
Arthur of Brittany England’s king and yours.
FRENCH HERALD
You men of Angiers, open wide your gates,
And let young Arthur, Duke of Brittany, in,
Who by the hand of France this day hath made
315
Much work for tears in many an English mother,               
Whose sons lie scattered on the bleeding ground.
Many a widow’s husband groveling lies
Coldly embracing the discolored earth,
And victory with little loss doth play
320
Upon the dancing banners of the French,                             
Who are at hand, triumphantly displayed,
To enter conquerors and to proclaim
Arthur of Brittany England’s king and yours.
Enter ENGLISH HERALD, with Trumpet.
Enter ENGLISH HERALD, with Trumpet.
ENGLISH HERALD
Rejoice, you men of Angiers, ring your bells!
325
King John, your king and England’s, doth approach,
Commander of this hot malicious day.
Their armors, that marched hence so silver bright,
Hither return all gilt with Frenchmen’s blood.
There stuck no plume in any English crest
330
That is removèd by a staff of France.
Our colors do return in those same hands
That did display them when we first marched forth,
And like a jolly troop of huntsmen come
Our lusty English, all with purpled hands,
335
Dyed in the dying slaughter of their foes.
Open your gates, and give the victors way.
ENGLISH HERALD
Rejoice, you men of Angiers, ring your bells!
325
King John, your king and England’s, doth approach,
Commander of this hot malicious day.
Their armors, that marched hence so silver bright,
Hither return all gilt with Frenchmen’s blood.
There stuck no plume in any English crest
330
That is removèd by a staff of France.
Our colors do return in those same hands
That did display them when we first marched forth,
And like a jolly troop of huntsmen come
Our lusty English, all with purpled hands,
335
Dyed in the dying slaughter of their foes.
Open your gates, and give the victors way.
CITIZEN
Heralds, from off our towers we might behold
From first to last the onset and retire
Of both your armies, whose equality
340
By our best eyes cannot be censurèd.                                   
Blood hath bought blood, and blows have answered
               blows,
Strength matched with strength, and power
               confronted power.
345
Both are alike, and both alike we like.                                 
One must prove greatest. While they weigh so even,
We hold our town for neither, yet for both.
CITIZEN
Heralds, from off our towers we might behold
From first to last the onset and retire
Of both your armies, whose equality
340
By our best eyes cannot be censurèd.                                   
Blood hath bought blood, and blows have answered
               blows,
Strength matched with strength, and power
               confronted power.
345
Both are alike, and both alike we like.                                 
One must prove greatest. While they weigh so even,
We hold our town for neither, yet for both.
Enter the two KINGS with their Powers (including the BASTARD, QUEEN ELEANOR, BLANCHE, and SALISBURY; AUSTRIA, and LOUIS THE DAUPHIN), at several doors.
Enter the two KINGS with their Powers (including the BASTARD, QUEEN ELEANOR, BLANCHE, and SALISBURY; AUSTRIA, and LOUIS THE DAUPHIN), at several doors.
KING JOHN
France, hast thou yet more blood to cast away?
Say, shall the current of our right roam on,
350
Whose passage, vexed with thy impediment,
Shall leave his native channel and o’erswell
With course disturbed even thy confining shores,
Unless thou let his silver water keep
A peaceful progress to the ocean?
KING JOHN
France, hast thou yet more blood to cast away?
Say, shall the current of our right roam on,
350
Whose passage, vexed with thy impediment,
Shall leave his native channel and o’erswell
With course disturbed even thy confining shores,
Unless thou let his silver water keep
A peaceful progress to the ocean?
KING PHILIP
355
England, thou hast not saved one drop of blood                  
In this hot trial more than we of France,
Rather lost more. And by this hand I swear
That sways the earth this climate overlooks,
Before we will lay down our just-borne arms,
360
We’ll put thee down, ’gainst whom these arms we             
               bear,
Or add a royal number to the dead,
Gracing the scroll that tells of this war’s loss
With slaughter coupled to the name of kings.
KING PHILIP
355
England, thou hast not saved one drop of blood                  
In this hot trial more than we of France,
Rather lost more. And by this hand I swear
That sways the earth this climate overlooks,
Before we will lay down our just-borne arms,
360
We’ll put thee down, ’gainst whom these arms we             
               bear,
Or add a royal number to the dead,
Gracing the scroll that tells of this war’s loss
With slaughter coupled to the name of kings.
BASTARD , aside
365
Ha, majesty! How high thy glory towers
When the rich blood of kings is set on fire!
O, now doth Death line his dead chaps with steel,
The swords of soldiers are his teeth, his fangs,
And now he feasts, mousing the flesh of men
370
In undetermined differences of kings.
Why stand these royal fronts amazèd thus?
Cry havoc, kings! Back to the stainèd field,
You equal potents, fiery-kindled spirits.
Then let confusion of one part confirm
375
The other’s peace. Till then, blows, blood, and
               death!
BASTARD , aside
365
Ha, majesty! How high thy glory towers
When the rich blood of kings is set on fire!
O, now doth Death line his dead chaps with steel,
The swords of soldiers are his teeth, his fangs,
And now he feasts, mousing the flesh of men
370
In undetermined differences of kings.
Why stand these royal fronts amazèd thus?
Cry havoc, kings! Back to the stainèd field,
You equal potents, fiery-kindled spirits.
Then let confusion of one part confirm
375
The other’s peace. Till then, blows, blood, and
               death!
KING JOHN
Whose party do the townsmen yet admit?
KING JOHN
Whose party do the townsmen yet admit?
KING PHILIP
Speak, citizens, for England. Who’s your king?
KING PHILIP
Speak, citizens, for England. Who’s your king?
CITIZEN
The King of England, when we know the King.
CITIZEN
The King of England, when we know the King.
KING PHILIP
380
Know him in us, that here hold up his right.
KING PHILIP
380
Know him in us, that here hold up his right.
KING JOHN
In us, that are our own great deputy
And bear possession of our person here,
Lord of our presence, Angiers, and of you.
KING JOHN
In us, that are our own great deputy
And bear possession of our person here,
Lord of our presence, Angiers, and of you.
CITIZEN
A greater power than we denies all this,
385
And till it be undoubted, we do lock                                     
Our former scruple in our strong-barred gates,
Kings of our fear, until our fears resolved
Be by some certain king purged and deposed.
CITIZEN
A greater power than we denies all this,
385
And till it be undoubted, we do lock                                     
Our former scruple in our strong-barred gates,
Kings of our fear, until our fears resolved
Be by some certain king purged and deposed.
BASTARD
By heaven, these scroyles of Angiers flout you, kings,
390
And stand securely on their battlements
As in a theater, whence they gape and point
At your industrious scenes and acts of death.
Your royal presences, be ruled by me:
Do like the mutines of Jerusalem,
395
Be friends awhile, and both conjointly bend
Your sharpest deeds of malice on this town.
By east and west let France and England mount
Their battering cannon chargèd to the mouths,
Till their soul-fearing clamors have brawled down
400
The flinty ribs of this contemptuous city.
I’d play incessantly upon these jades,
Even till unfencèd desolation
Leave them as naked as the vulgar air.
That done, dissever your united strengths
405
And part your mingled colors once again;
Turn face to face and bloody point to point.
Then in a moment Fortune shall cull forth
Out of one side her happy minion,
To whom in favor she shall give the day
410
And kiss him with a glorious victory.
How like you this wild counsel, mighty states?
Smacks it not something of the policy?
BASTARD
By heaven, these scroyles of Angiers flout you, kings,
390
And stand securely on their battlements
As in a theater, whence they gape and point
At your industrious scenes and acts of death.
Your royal presences, be ruled by me:
Do like the mutines of Jerusalem,
395
Be friends awhile, and both conjointly bend
Your sharpest deeds of malice on this town.
By east and west let France and England mount
Their battering cannon chargèd to the mouths,
Till their soul-fearing clamors have brawled down
400
The flinty ribs of this contemptuous city.
I’d play incessantly upon these jades,
Even till unfencèd desolation
Leave them as naked as the vulgar air.
That done, dissever your united strengths
405
And part your mingled colors once again;
Turn face to face and bloody point to point.
Then in a moment Fortune shall cull forth
Out of one side her happy minion,
To whom in favor she shall give the day
410
And kiss him with a glorious victory.
How like you this wild counsel, mighty states?
Smacks it not something of the policy?
KING JOHN
Now by the sky that hangs above our heads,
I like it well. France, shall we knit our powers
415
And lay this Angiers even with the ground,
Then after fight who shall be king of it?
KING JOHN
Now by the sky that hangs above our heads,
I like it well. France, shall we knit our powers
415
And lay this Angiers even with the ground,
Then after fight who shall be king of it?
BASTARD , to KING PHILIP
An if thou hast the mettle of a king,
Being wronged as we are by this peevish town,
Turn thou the mouth of thy artillery,
420
As we will ours, against these saucy walls,
And when that we have dashed them to the ground,
Why, then, defy each other and pell-mell
Make work upon ourselves, for heaven or hell.
BASTARD , to KING PHILIP
An if thou hast the mettle of a king,
Being wronged as we are by this peevish town,
Turn thou the mouth of thy artillery,
420
As we will ours, against these saucy walls,
And when that we have dashed them to the ground,
Why, then, defy each other and pell-mell
Make work upon ourselves, for heaven or hell.
KING PHILIP
Let it be so. Say, where will you assault?
KING PHILIP
Let it be so. Say, where will you assault?
KING JOHN
425
We from the west will send destruction
Into this city’s bosom.
KING JOHN
425
We from the west will send destruction
Into this city’s bosom.
AUSTRIA
I from the north.
AUSTRIA
I from the north.
KING PHILIP
Our thunder from the south
Shall rain their drift of bullets on this town.
KING PHILIP
Our thunder from the south
Shall rain their drift of bullets on this town.
BASTARD , aside
430
O, prudent discipline! From north to south,
Austria and France shoot in each other’s mouth.
I’ll stir them to it. — Come, away, away!
BASTARD , aside
430
O, prudent discipline! From north to south,
Austria and France shoot in each other’s mouth.
I’ll stir them to it. — Come, away, away!
CITIZEN
Hear us, great kings. Vouchsafe awhile to stay,
And I shall show you peace and fair-faced league,
435
Win you this city without stroke or wound,
Rescue those breathing lives to die in beds
That here come sacrifices for the field.
Persever not, but hear me, mighty kings.
CITIZEN
Hear us, great kings. Vouchsafe awhile to stay,
And I shall show you peace and fair-faced league,
435
Win you this city without stroke or wound,
Rescue those breathing lives to die in beds
That here come sacrifices for the field.
Persever not, but hear me, mighty kings.
KING JOHN
Speak on with favor. We are bent to hear.
KING JOHN
Speak on with favor. We are bent to hear.
CITIZEN
440
That daughter there of Spain, the Lady Blanche,
Is near to England. Look upon the years
Of Louis the Dauphin and that lovely maid.
If lusty love should go in quest of beauty,
Where should he find it fairer than in Blanche?
445
If zealous love should go in search of virtue,
Where should he find it purer than in Blanche?
If love ambitious sought a match of birth,
Whose veins bound richer blood than Lady
               Blanche?
450
Such as she is, in beauty, virtue, birth,
Is the young Dauphin every way complete.
If not complete of, say he is not she,
And she again wants nothing, to name want,
If want it be not that she is not he.
455
He is the half part of a blessèd man,
Left to be finishèd by such as she,
And she a fair divided excellence,
Whose fullness of perfection lies in him.
O, two such silver currents when they join
460
Do glorify the banks that bound them in,
And two such shores to two such streams made one,
Two such controlling bounds shall you be, kings,
To these two princes, if you marry them.
This union shall do more than battery can
465
To our fast-closèd gates, for at this match,
With swifter spleen than powder can enforce,
The mouth of passage shall we fling wide ope
And give you entrance. But without this match,
The sea enragèd is not half so deaf,
470
Lions more confident, mountains and rocks
More free from motion, no, not Death himself
In mortal fury half so peremptory
As we to keep this city.
CITIZEN
440
That daughter there of Spain, the Lady Blanche,
Is near to England. Look upon the years
Of Louis the Dauphin and that lovely maid.
If lusty love should go in quest of beauty,
Where should he find it fairer than in Blanche?
445
If zealous love should go in search of virtue,
Where should he find it purer than in Blanche?
If love ambitious sought a match of birth,
Whose veins bound richer blood than Lady
               Blanche?
450
Such as she is, in beauty, virtue, birth,
Is the young Dauphin every way complete.
If not complete of, say he is not she,
And she again wants nothing, to name want,
If want it be not that she is not he.
455
He is the half part of a blessèd man,
Left to be finishèd by such as she,
And she a fair divided excellence,
Whose fullness of perfection lies in him.
O, two such silver currents when they join
460
Do glorify the banks that bound them in,
And two such shores to two such streams made one,
Two such controlling bounds shall you be, kings,
To these two princes, if you marry them.
This union shall do more than battery can
465
To our fast-closèd gates, for at this match,
With swifter spleen than powder can enforce,
The mouth of passage shall we fling wide ope
And give you entrance. But without this match,
The sea enragèd is not half so deaf,
470
Lions more confident, mountains and rocks
More free from motion, no, not Death himself
In mortal fury half so peremptory
As we to keep this city.
KING PHILIP and LOUIS THE DAUPHIN walk aside and talk.
KING PHILIP and LOUIS THE DAUPHIN walk aside and talk.
BASTARD , aside
Here’s a stay
475
That shakes the rotten carcass of old Death
Out of his rags! Here’s a large mouth indeed
That spits forth death and mountains, rocks and
               seas;
Talks as familiarly of roaring lions
480
As maids of thirteen do of puppy dogs.
What cannoneer begot this lusty blood?
He speaks plain cannon fire, and smoke, and
               bounce.
He gives the bastinado with his tongue.
485
Our ears are cudgeled. Not a word of his
But buffets better than a fist of France.
Zounds, I was never so bethumped with words
Since I first called my brother’s father Dad.
BASTARD , aside
Here’s a stay
475
That shakes the rotten carcass of old Death
Out of his rags! Here’s a large mouth indeed
That spits forth death and mountains, rocks and
               seas;
Talks as familiarly of roaring lions
480
As maids of thirteen do of puppy dogs.
What cannoneer begot this lusty blood?
He speaks plain cannon fire, and smoke, and
               bounce.
He gives the bastinado with his tongue.
485
Our ears are cudgeled. Not a word of his
But buffets better than a fist of France.
Zounds, I was never so bethumped with words
Since I first called my brother’s father Dad.
QUEEN ELEANOR , aside to KING JOHN
Son, list to this conjunction; make this match.
490
Give with our niece a dowry large enough,
For by this knot thou shalt so surely tie
Thy now unsured assurance to the crown
That yon green boy shall have no sun to ripe
The bloom that promiseth a mighty fruit.
495
I see a yielding in the looks of France.
Mark how they whisper. Urge them while their
               souls
Are capable of this ambition,
Lest zeal, now melted by the windy breath
500
Of soft petitions, pity, and remorse,
Cool and congeal again to what it was.
QUEEN ELEANOR , aside to KING JOHN
Son, list to this conjunction; make this match.
490
Give with our niece a dowry large enough,
For by this knot thou shalt so surely tie
Thy now unsured assurance to the crown
That yon green boy shall have no sun to ripe
The bloom that promiseth a mighty fruit.
495
I see a yielding in the looks of France.
Mark how they whisper. Urge them while their
               souls
Are capable of this ambition,
Lest zeal, now melted by the windy breath
500
Of soft petitions, pity, and remorse,
Cool and congeal again to what it was.
CITIZEN
Why answer not the double majesties
This friendly treaty of our threatened town?
CITIZEN
Why answer not the double majesties
This friendly treaty of our threatened town?
KING PHILIP
Speak England first, that hath been forward first
505
To speak unto this city. What say you?
KING PHILIP
Speak England first, that hath been forward first
505
To speak unto this city. What say you?
KING JOHN
If that the Dauphin there, thy princely son,
Can in this book of beauty read “I love,”
Her dowry shall weigh equal with a queen.
For Anjou and fair Touraine, Maine, Poitiers,
510
And all that we upon this side the sea—
Except this city now by us besieged—
Find liable to our crown and dignity,
Shall gild her bridal bed and make her rich
In titles, honors, and promotions,
515
As she in beauty, education, blood,
Holds hand with any princess of the world.
KING JOHN
If that the Dauphin there, thy princely son,
Can in this book of beauty read “I love,”
Her dowry shall weigh equal with a queen.
For Anjou and fair Touraine, Maine, Poitiers,
510
And all that we upon this side the sea—
Except this city now by us besieged—
Find liable to our crown and dignity,
Shall gild her bridal bed and make her rich
In titles, honors, and promotions,
515
As she in beauty, education, blood,
Holds hand with any princess of the world.
KING PHILIP
What sayst thou, boy? Look in the lady’s face.
KING PHILIP
What sayst thou, boy? Look in the lady’s face.
DAUPHIN
I do, my lord, and in her eye I find
A wonder or a wondrous miracle,
520
The shadow of myself formed in her eye,
Which, being but the shadow of your son,
Becomes a sun and makes your son a shadow.
I do protest I never loved myself
Till now infixèd I beheld myself
525
Drawn in the flattering table of her eye.
DAUPHIN
I do, my lord, and in her eye I find
A wonder or a wondrous miracle,
520
The shadow of myself formed in her eye,
Which, being but the shadow of your son,
Becomes a sun and makes your son a shadow.
I do protest I never loved myself
Till now infixèd I beheld myself
525
Drawn in the flattering table of her eye.
He whispers with BLANCHE.
He whispers with BLANCHE.
BASTARD , aside
“Drawn in the flattering table of her eye”?
               Hanged in the frowning wrinkle of her brow
And quartered in her heart! He doth espy
               Himself love’s traitor. This is pity now,
530
That hanged and drawn and quartered there should
               be
In such a love so vile a lout as he.
BASTARD , aside
“Drawn in the flattering table of her eye”?
               Hanged in the frowning wrinkle of her brow
And quartered in her heart! He doth espy
               Himself love’s traitor. This is pity now,
530
That hanged and drawn and quartered there should
               be
In such a love so vile a lout as he.
BLANCHE , aside to DAUPHIN
My uncle’s will in this respect is mine.
If he see aught in you that makes him like,
535
That anything he sees which moves his liking
I can with ease translate it to my will.
Or if you will, to speak more properly,
I will enforce it eas’ly to my love.
Further I will not flatter you, my lord,
540
That all I see in you is worthy love,
Than this: that nothing do I see in you,
Though churlish thoughts themselves should be
               your judge,
That I can find should merit any hate.
BLANCHE , aside to DAUPHIN
My uncle’s will in this respect is mine.
If he see aught in you that makes him like,
535
That anything he sees which moves his liking
I can with ease translate it to my will.
Or if you will, to speak more properly,
I will enforce it eas’ly to my love.
Further I will not flatter you, my lord,
540
That all I see in you is worthy love,
Than this: that nothing do I see in you,
Though churlish thoughts themselves should be
               your judge,
That I can find should merit any hate.
KING JOHN
545
What say these young ones? What say you, my
               niece?
KING JOHN
545
What say these young ones? What say you, my
               niece?
BLANCHE
That she is bound in honor still to do
What you in wisdom still vouchsafe to say.
BLANCHE
That she is bound in honor still to do
What you in wisdom still vouchsafe to say.
KING JOHN
Speak then, Prince Dauphin. Can you love this lady?
KING JOHN
Speak then, Prince Dauphin. Can you love this lady?
DAUPHIN
550
Nay, ask me if I can refrain from love,
For I do love her most unfeignedly.
DAUPHIN
550
Nay, ask me if I can refrain from love,
For I do love her most unfeignedly.
KING JOHN
Then do I give Volquessen, Touraine, Maine,
Poitiers and Anjou, these five provinces
With her to thee, and this addition more:
555
Full thirty thousand marks of English coin.—
Philip of France, if thou be pleased withal,
Command thy son and daughter to join hands.
KING JOHN
Then do I give Volquessen, Touraine, Maine,
Poitiers and Anjou, these five provinces
With her to thee, and this addition more:
555
Full thirty thousand marks of English coin.—
Philip of France, if thou be pleased withal,
Command thy son and daughter to join hands.
KING PHILIP
It likes us well.—Young princes, close your hands.
KING PHILIP
It likes us well.—Young princes, close your hands.
AUSTRIA
And your lips too, for I am well assured
560
That I did so when I was first assured.
AUSTRIA
And your lips too, for I am well assured
560
That I did so when I was first assured.
DAUPHIN and BLANCHE join hands and kiss.
DAUPHIN and BLANCHE join hands and kiss.
KING PHILIP
Now, citizens of Angiers, ope your gates.
Let in that amity which you have made,
For at Saint Mary’s Chapel presently
The rites of marriage shall be solemnized.—
565
Is not the Lady Constance in this troop?
I know she is not, for this match made up
Her presence would have interrupted much.
Where is she and her son? Tell me, who knows.
KING PHILIP
Now, citizens of Angiers, ope your gates.
Let in that amity which you have made,
For at Saint Mary’s Chapel presently
The rites of marriage shall be solemnized.—
565
Is not the Lady Constance in this troop?
I know she is not, for this match made up
Her presence would have interrupted much.
Where is she and her son? Tell me, who knows.
DAUPHIN
She is sad and passionate at your Highness’ tent.
DAUPHIN
She is sad and passionate at your Highness’ tent.
KING PHILIP
570
And by my faith, this league that we have made
Will give her sadness very little cure.—
Brother of England, how may we content
This widow lady? In her right we came,
Which we, God knows, have turned another way
575
To our own vantage.
KING PHILIP
570
And by my faith, this league that we have made
Will give her sadness very little cure.—
Brother of England, how may we content
This widow lady? In her right we came,
Which we, God knows, have turned another way
575
To our own vantage.
KING JOHN
We will heal up all,
For we’ll create young Arthur Duke of Brittany
And Earl of Richmond, and this rich, fair town
We make him lord of.—Call the Lady Constance.
580
Some speedy messenger bid her repair
To our solemnity. SALISBURY exits. I trust we
               shall,
If not fill up the measure of her will,
Yet in some measure satisfy her so
585
That we shall stop her exclamation.
Go we as well as haste will suffer us
To this unlooked-for, unpreparèd pomp.
KING JOHN
We will heal up all,
For we’ll create young Arthur Duke of Brittany
And Earl of Richmond, and this rich, fair town
We make him lord of.—Call the Lady Constance.
580
Some speedy messenger bid her repair
To our solemnity. SALISBURY exits. I trust we
               shall,
If not fill up the measure of her will,
Yet in some measure satisfy her so
585
That we shall stop her exclamation.
Go we as well as haste will suffer us
To this unlooked-for, unpreparèd pomp.
All but the BASTARD exit.
All but the BASTARD exit.
BASTARD
Mad world, mad kings, mad composition!
John, to stop Arthur’s title in the whole,
590
Hath willingly departed with a part;
And France, whose armor conscience buckled on,
Whom zeal and charity brought to the field
As God’s own soldier, rounded in the ear
With that same purpose-changer, that sly devil,
595
That broker that still breaks the pate of faith,
That daily break-vow, he that wins of all,
Of kings, of beggars, old men, young men, maids—
Who having no external thing to lose
But the word “maid,” cheats the poor maid of
600
        that—
That smooth-faced gentleman, tickling Commodity,
Commodity, the bias of the world—
The world, who of itself is peisèd well,
Made to run even upon even ground,
605
Till this advantage, this vile-drawing bias,
This sway of motion, this Commodity,
Makes it take head from all indifferency,
From all direction, purpose, course, intent.
And this same bias, this Commodity,
610
This bawd, this broker, this all-changing word,
Clapped on the outward eye of fickle France,
Hath drawn him from his own determined aid,
From a resolved and honorable war
To a most base and vile-concluded peace.
615
And why rail I on this Commodity?
But for because he hath not wooed me yet.
Not that I have the power to clutch my hand
When his fair angels would salute my palm,
But for my hand, as unattempted yet,
620
Like a poor beggar raileth on the rich.
Well, whiles I am a beggar, I will rail
And say there is no sin but to be rich;
And being rich, my virtue then shall be
To say there is no vice but beggary.
625
Since kings break faith upon Commodity,
Gain, be my lord, for I will worship thee!
 
BASTARD
Mad world, mad kings, mad composition!
John, to stop Arthur’s title in the whole,
590
Hath willingly departed with a part;
And France, whose armor conscience buckled on,
Whom zeal and charity brought to the field
As God’s own soldier, rounded in the ear
With that same purpose-changer, that sly devil,
595
That broker that still breaks the pate of faith,
That daily break-vow, he that wins of all,
Of kings, of beggars, old men, young men, maids—
Who having no external thing to lose
But the word “maid,” cheats the poor maid of
600
        that—
That smooth-faced gentleman, tickling Commodity,
Commodity, the bias of the world—
The world, who of itself is peisèd well,
Made to run even upon even ground,
605
Till this advantage, this vile-drawing bias,
This sway of motion, this Commodity,
Makes it take head from all indifferency,
From all direction, purpose, course, intent.
And this same bias, this Commodity,
610
This bawd, this broker, this all-changing word,
Clapped on the outward eye of fickle France,
Hath drawn him from his own determined aid,
From a resolved and honorable war
To a most base and vile-concluded peace.
615
And why rail I on this Commodity?
But for because he hath not wooed me yet.
Not that I have the power to clutch my hand
When his fair angels would salute my palm,
But for my hand, as unattempted yet,
620
Like a poor beggar raileth on the rich.
Well, whiles I am a beggar, I will rail
And say there is no sin but to be rich;
And being rich, my virtue then shall be
To say there is no vice but beggary.
625
Since kings break faith upon Commodity,
Gain, be my lord, for I will worship thee!
 
He exits.
He exits.
Previous page Act 1, Scene 1 Next page Act 3, Scene 1

Popular pages: King John

Take a Study Break