No Fear Shakespeare: King John: Act 3 Scene 1

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King John

William Shakespeare

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Original Text	Modern Text
Enter CONSTANCE, ARTHUR, and SALISBURY.	Enter CONSTANCE, ARTHUR, and SALISBURY.
CONSTANCE , to SALISBURY Gone to be married? Gone to swear a peace? False blood to false blood joined? Gone to be friends? Shall Louis have Blanche and Blanche those provinces? 5 It is not so. Thou hast misspoke, misheard. Be well advised; tell o’er thy tale again. It cannot be; thou dost but say ’tis so. I trust I may not trust thee, for thy word Is but the vain breath of a common man. 10 Believe me, I do not believe thee, man. I have a king’s oath to the contrary. Thou shalt be punished for thus flighting me, For I am sick and capable of fears, Oppressed with wrongs and therefore full of fears, 15 A widow, husbandless, subject to fears, A woman naturally born to fears. And though thou now confess thou didst but jest, With my vexed spirits I cannot take a truce, But they will quake and tremble all this day. 20 What dost thou mean by shaking of thy head? Why dost thou look so sadly on my son? What means that hand upon that breast of thine? Why holds thine eye that lamentable rheum, Like a proud river peering o’er his bounds? 25 Be these sad signs confirmers of thy words? Then speak again—not all thy former tale, But this one word, whether thy tale be true.	CONSTANCE , to SALISBURY Gone to be married? Gone to swear a peace? False blood to false blood joined? Gone to be friends? Shall Louis have Blanche and Blanche those provinces? 5 It is not so. Thou hast misspoke, misheard. Be well advised; tell o’er thy tale again. It cannot be; thou dost but say ’tis so. I trust I may not trust thee, for thy word Is but the vain breath of a common man. 10 Believe me, I do not believe thee, man. I have a king’s oath to the contrary. Thou shalt be punished for thus flighting me, For I am sick and capable of fears, Oppressed with wrongs and therefore full of fears, 15 A widow, husbandless, subject to fears, A woman naturally born to fears. And though thou now confess thou didst but jest, With my vexed spirits I cannot take a truce, But they will quake and tremble all this day. 20 What dost thou mean by shaking of thy head? Why dost thou look so sadly on my son? What means that hand upon that breast of thine? Why holds thine eye that lamentable rheum, Like a proud river peering o’er his bounds? 25 Be these sad signs confirmers of thy words? Then speak again—not all thy former tale, But this one word, whether thy tale be true.
SALISBURY As true as I believe you think them false That give you cause to prove my saying true.	SALISBURY As true as I believe you think them false That give you cause to prove my saying true.
CONSTANCE 30 O, if thou teach me to believe this sorrow, Teach thou this sorrow how to make me die, And let belief and life encounter so As doth the fury of two desperate men Which in the very meeting fall and die. 35 Louis marry Blanche?—O, boy, then where art thou?— France friend with England? What becomes of me? Fellow, be gone. I cannot brook thy sight. This news hath made thee a most ugly man.	CONSTANCE 30 O, if thou teach me to believe this sorrow, Teach thou this sorrow how to make me die, And let belief and life encounter so As doth the fury of two desperate men Which in the very meeting fall and die. 35 Louis marry Blanche?—O, boy, then where art thou?— France friend with England? What becomes of me? Fellow, be gone. I cannot brook thy sight. This news hath made thee a most ugly man.
SALISBURY 40 What other harm have I, good lady, done But spoke the harm that is by others done?	SALISBURY 40 What other harm have I, good lady, done But spoke the harm that is by others done?
CONSTANCE Which harm within itself so heinous is As it makes harmful all that speak of it.	CONSTANCE Which harm within itself so heinous is As it makes harmful all that speak of it.
ARTHUR I do beseech you, madam, be content.	ARTHUR I do beseech you, madam, be content.
CONSTANCE 45 If thou that bidd’st me be content wert grim, Ugly, and sland’rous to thy mother’s womb, Full of unpleasing blots and sightless stains, Lame, foolish, crooked, swart, prodigious, Patched with foul moles and eye-offending marks, 50 I would not care; I then would be content, For then I should not love thee; no, nor thou Become thy great birth, nor deserve a crown. But thou art fair, and at thy birth, dear boy, Nature and Fortune joined to make thee great. 55 Of Nature’s gifts thou mayst with lilies boast, And with the half-blown rose. But Fortune, O, She is corrupted, changed, and won from thee; Sh’ adulterates hourly with thine Uncle John, And with her golden hand hath plucked on France 60 To tread down fair respect of sovereignty, And made his majesty the bawd to theirs. France is a bawd to Fortune and King John, That strumpet Fortune, that usurping John.— Tell me, thou fellow, is not France forsworn? 65 Envenom him with words, or get thee gone And leave those woes alone which I alone Am bound to underbear.	CONSTANCE 45 If thou that bidd’st me be content wert grim, Ugly, and sland’rous to thy mother’s womb, Full of unpleasing blots and sightless stains, Lame, foolish, crooked, swart, prodigious, Patched with foul moles and eye-offending marks, 50 I would not care; I then would be content, For then I should not love thee; no, nor thou Become thy great birth, nor deserve a crown. But thou art fair, and at thy birth, dear boy, Nature and Fortune joined to make thee great. 55 Of Nature’s gifts thou mayst with lilies boast, And with the half-blown rose. But Fortune, O, She is corrupted, changed, and won from thee; Sh’ adulterates hourly with thine Uncle John, And with her golden hand hath plucked on France 60 To tread down fair respect of sovereignty, And made his majesty the bawd to theirs. France is a bawd to Fortune and King John, That strumpet Fortune, that usurping John.— Tell me, thou fellow, is not France forsworn? 65 Envenom him with words, or get thee gone And leave those woes alone which I alone Am bound to underbear.
SALISBURY Pardon me, madam, I may not go without you to the Kings.	SALISBURY Pardon me, madam, I may not go without you to the Kings.
CONSTANCE 70 Thou mayst, thou shalt, I will not go with thee. I will instruct my sorrows to be proud, For grief is proud and makes his owner stoop. She sits down. To me and to the state of my great grief Let kings assemble, for my grief ’s so great 75 That no supporter but the huge firm Earth Can hold it up. Here I and sorrows sit. Here is my throne; bid kings come bow to it.	CONSTANCE 70 Thou mayst, thou shalt, I will not go with thee. I will instruct my sorrows to be proud, For grief is proud and makes his owner stoop. She sits down. To me and to the state of my great grief Let kings assemble, for my grief ’s so great 75 That no supporter but the huge firm Earth Can hold it up. Here I and sorrows sit. Here is my throne; bid kings come bow to it.
Enter KING JOHN, hand in hand with KING PHILIP OF FRANCE, LOUIS THE DAUPHIN, BLANCHE, QUEEN ELEANOR, BASTARD, AUSTRIA, and Attendants.	Enter KING JOHN, hand in hand with KING PHILIP OF FRANCE, LOUIS THE DAUPHIN, BLANCHE, QUEEN ELEANOR, BASTARD, AUSTRIA, and Attendants.
KING PHILIP , to BLANCHE ’Tis true, fair daughter, and this blessèd day Ever in France shall be kept festival. 80 To solemnize this day the glorious sun Stays in his course and plays the alchemist, Turning with splendor of his precious eye The meager cloddy earth to glittering gold. The yearly course that brings this day about 85 Shall never see it but a holy day.	KING PHILIP , to BLANCHE ’Tis true, fair daughter, and this blessèd day Ever in France shall be kept festival. 80 To solemnize this day the glorious sun Stays in his course and plays the alchemist, Turning with splendor of his precious eye The meager cloddy earth to glittering gold. The yearly course that brings this day about 85 Shall never see it but a holy day.
CONSTANCE , rising A wicked day, and not a holy day! What hath this day deserved? What hath it done That it in golden letters should be set Among the high tides in the calendar? 90 Nay, rather turn this day out of the week, This day of shame, oppression, perjury. Or if it must stand still, let wives with child Pray that their burdens may not fall this day, Lest that their hopes prodigiously be crossed. 95 But on this day let seamen fear no wrack; No bargains break that are not this day made; This day, all things begun come to ill end, Yea, faith itself to hollow falsehood change!	CONSTANCE , rising A wicked day, and not a holy day! What hath this day deserved? What hath it done That it in golden letters should be set Among the high tides in the calendar? 90 Nay, rather turn this day out of the week, This day of shame, oppression, perjury. Or if it must stand still, let wives with child Pray that their burdens may not fall this day, Lest that their hopes prodigiously be crossed. 95 But on this day let seamen fear no wrack; No bargains break that are not this day made; This day, all things begun come to ill end, Yea, faith itself to hollow falsehood change!
KING PHILIP By heaven, lady, you shall have no cause 100 To curse the fair proceedings of this day. Have I not pawned to you my majesty?	KING PHILIP By heaven, lady, you shall have no cause 100 To curse the fair proceedings of this day. Have I not pawned to you my majesty?
CONSTANCE You have beguiled me with a counterfeit Resembling majesty, which, being touched and tried, Proves valueless. You are forsworn, forsworn. 105 You came in arms to spill mine enemies’ blood, But now in arms you strengthen it with yours. The grappling vigor and rough frown of war Is cold in amity and painted peace, And our oppression hath made up this league. 110 Arm, arm, you heavens, against these perjured kings! A widow cries; be husband to me, God! Let not the hours of this ungodly day Wear out the days in peace, but ere sunset 115 Set armèd discord ’twixt these perjured kings. Hear me, O, hear me!	CONSTANCE You have beguiled me with a counterfeit Resembling majesty, which, being touched and tried, Proves valueless. You are forsworn, forsworn. 105 You came in arms to spill mine enemies’ blood, But now in arms you strengthen it with yours. The grappling vigor and rough frown of war Is cold in amity and painted peace, And our oppression hath made up this league. 110 Arm, arm, you heavens, against these perjured kings! A widow cries; be husband to me, God! Let not the hours of this ungodly day Wear out the days in peace, but ere sunset 115 Set armèd discord ’twixt these perjured kings. Hear me, O, hear me!
AUSTRIA Lady Constance, peace.	AUSTRIA Lady Constance, peace.
CONSTANCE War, war, no peace! Peace is to me a war. O Limoges, O Austria, thou dost shame 120 That bloody spoil. Thou slave, thou wretch, thou coward, Thou little valiant, great in villainy, Thou ever strong upon the stronger side, Thou Fortune’s champion, that dost never fight 125 But when her humorous Ladyship is by To teach thee safety. Thou art perjured too, And sooth’st up greatness. What a fool art thou, A ramping fool, to brag and stamp and swear Upon my party. Thou cold-blooded slave, 130 Hast thou not spoke like thunder on my side? Been sworn my soldier, bidding me depend Upon thy stars, thy fortune, and thy strength? And dost thou now fall over to my foes? Thou wear a lion’s hide! Doff it for shame, 135 And hang a calfskin on those recreant limbs.	CONSTANCE War, war, no peace! Peace is to me a war. O Limoges, O Austria, thou dost shame 120 That bloody spoil. Thou slave, thou wretch, thou coward, Thou little valiant, great in villainy, Thou ever strong upon the stronger side, Thou Fortune’s champion, that dost never fight 125 But when her humorous Ladyship is by To teach thee safety. Thou art perjured too, And sooth’st up greatness. What a fool art thou, A ramping fool, to brag and stamp and swear Upon my party. Thou cold-blooded slave, 130 Hast thou not spoke like thunder on my side? Been sworn my soldier, bidding me depend Upon thy stars, thy fortune, and thy strength? And dost thou now fall over to my foes? Thou wear a lion’s hide! Doff it for shame, 135 And hang a calfskin on those recreant limbs.
AUSTRIA O, that a man should speak those words to me!	AUSTRIA O, that a man should speak those words to me!
BASTARD “And hang a calfskin on those recreant limbs.”	BASTARD “And hang a calfskin on those recreant limbs.”
AUSTRIA Thou dar’st not say so, villain, for thy life!	AUSTRIA Thou dar’st not say so, villain, for thy life!
BASTARD “And hang a calfskin on those recreant limbs.”	BASTARD “And hang a calfskin on those recreant limbs.”
KING JOHN 140 We like not this. Thou dost forget thyself.	KING JOHN 140 We like not this. Thou dost forget thyself.
Enter PANDULPH.	Enter PANDULPH.
KING PHILIP Here comes the holy legate of the Pope.	KING PHILIP Here comes the holy legate of the Pope.
PANDULPH Hail, you anointed deputies of heaven! To thee, King John, my holy errand is. I, Pandulph, of fair Milan cardinal 145 And from Pope Innocent the legate here, Do in his name religiously demand Why thou against the Church, our holy mother, So willfully dost spurn, and force perforce Keep Stephen Langton, chosen Archbishop 150 Of Canterbury, from that Holy See. This, in our foresaid Holy Father’s name, Pope Innocent, I do demand of thee.	PANDULPH Hail, you anointed deputies of heaven! To thee, King John, my holy errand is. I, Pandulph, of fair Milan cardinal 145 And from Pope Innocent the legate here, Do in his name religiously demand Why thou against the Church, our holy mother, So willfully dost spurn, and force perforce Keep Stephen Langton, chosen Archbishop 150 Of Canterbury, from that Holy See. This, in our foresaid Holy Father’s name, Pope Innocent, I do demand of thee.
KING JOHN What earthy name to interrogatories Can task the free breath of a sacred king? 155 Thou canst not, cardinal, devise a name So slight, unworthy, and ridiculous To charge me to an answer, as the Pope. Tell him this tale, and from the mouth of England Add thus much more, that no Italian priest 160 Shall tithe or toll in our dominions; But as we under God are supreme head, So, under Him, that great supremacy Where we do reign we will alone uphold Without th’ assistance of a mortal hand. 165 So tell the Pope, all reverence set apart To him and his usurped authority.	KING JOHN What earthy name to interrogatories Can task the free breath of a sacred king? 155 Thou canst not, cardinal, devise a name So slight, unworthy, and ridiculous To charge me to an answer, as the Pope. Tell him this tale, and from the mouth of England Add thus much more, that no Italian priest 160 Shall tithe or toll in our dominions; But as we under God are supreme head, So, under Him, that great supremacy Where we do reign we will alone uphold Without th’ assistance of a mortal hand. 165 So tell the Pope, all reverence set apart To him and his usurped authority.
KING PHILIP Brother of England, you blaspheme in this.	KING PHILIP Brother of England, you blaspheme in this.
KING JOHN Though you and all the kings of Christendom Are led so grossly by this meddling priest, 170 Dreading the curse that money may buy out, And by the merit of vile gold, dross, dust, Purchase corrupted pardon of a man Who in that sale sells pardon from himself, Though you and all the rest, so grossly led, 175 This juggling witchcraft with revenue cherish, Yet I alone, alone do me oppose Against the Pope, and count his friends my foes.	KING JOHN Though you and all the kings of Christendom Are led so grossly by this meddling priest, 170 Dreading the curse that money may buy out, And by the merit of vile gold, dross, dust, Purchase corrupted pardon of a man Who in that sale sells pardon from himself, Though you and all the rest, so grossly led, 175 This juggling witchcraft with revenue cherish, Yet I alone, alone do me oppose Against the Pope, and count his friends my foes.
PANDULPH Then, by the lawful power that I have, Thou shalt stand cursed and excommunicate; 180 And blessèd shall he be that doth revolt From his allegiance to an heretic; And meritorious shall that hand be called, Canonizèd and worshiped as a saint, That takes away by any secret course 185 Thy hateful life.	PANDULPH Then, by the lawful power that I have, Thou shalt stand cursed and excommunicate; 180 And blessèd shall he be that doth revolt From his allegiance to an heretic; And meritorious shall that hand be called, Canonizèd and worshiped as a saint, That takes away by any secret course 185 Thy hateful life.
CONSTANCE O, lawful let it be That I have room with Rome to curse awhile! Good father cardinal, cry thou “Amen” To my keen curses, for without my wrong 190 There is no tongue hath power to curse him right.	CONSTANCE O, lawful let it be That I have room with Rome to curse awhile! Good father cardinal, cry thou “Amen” To my keen curses, for without my wrong 190 There is no tongue hath power to curse him right.
PANDULPH There’s law and warrant, lady, for my curse.	PANDULPH There’s law and warrant, lady, for my curse.
CONSTANCE And for mine, too. When law can do no right, Let it be lawful that law bar no wrong. Law cannot give my child his kingdom here, 195 For he that holds his kingdom holds the law. Therefore, since law itself is perfect wrong, How can the law forbid my tongue to curse?	CONSTANCE And for mine, too. When law can do no right, Let it be lawful that law bar no wrong. Law cannot give my child his kingdom here, 195 For he that holds his kingdom holds the law. Therefore, since law itself is perfect wrong, How can the law forbid my tongue to curse?
PANDULPH Philip of France, on peril of a curse, Let go the hand of that arch-heretic, 200 And raise the power of France upon his head Unless he do submit himself to Rome.	PANDULPH Philip of France, on peril of a curse, Let go the hand of that arch-heretic, 200 And raise the power of France upon his head Unless he do submit himself to Rome.
QUEEN ELEANOR Look’st thou pale, France? Do not let go thy hand.	QUEEN ELEANOR Look’st thou pale, France? Do not let go thy hand.
CONSTANCE Look to that, devil, lest that France repent And by disjoining hands, hell lose a soul.	CONSTANCE Look to that, devil, lest that France repent And by disjoining hands, hell lose a soul.
AUSTRIA 205 King Philip, listen to the Cardinal.	AUSTRIA 205 King Philip, listen to the Cardinal.
BASTARD And hang a calfskin on his recreant limbs.	BASTARD And hang a calfskin on his recreant limbs.
AUSTRIA Well, ruffian, I must pocket up these wrongs, Because—	AUSTRIA Well, ruffian, I must pocket up these wrongs, Because—
BASTARD Your breeches best may carry them.	BASTARD Your breeches best may carry them.

Original Text	Modern Text
Enter CONSTANCE, ARTHUR, and SALISBURY.	Enter CONSTANCE, ARTHUR, and SALISBURY.
CONSTANCE , to SALISBURY Gone to be married? Gone to swear a peace? False blood to false blood joined? Gone to be friends? Shall Louis have Blanche and Blanche those provinces? 5 It is not so. Thou hast misspoke, misheard. Be well advised; tell o’er thy tale again. It cannot be; thou dost but say ’tis so. I trust I may not trust thee, for thy word Is but the vain breath of a common man. 10 Believe me, I do not believe thee, man. I have a king’s oath to the contrary. Thou shalt be punished for thus flighting me, For I am sick and capable of fears, Oppressed with wrongs and therefore full of fears, 15 A widow, husbandless, subject to fears, A woman naturally born to fears. And though thou now confess thou didst but jest, With my vexed spirits I cannot take a truce, But they will quake and tremble all this day. 20 What dost thou mean by shaking of thy head? Why dost thou look so sadly on my son? What means that hand upon that breast of thine? Why holds thine eye that lamentable rheum, Like a proud river peering o’er his bounds? 25 Be these sad signs confirmers of thy words? Then speak again—not all thy former tale, But this one word, whether thy tale be true.	CONSTANCE , to SALISBURY Gone to be married? Gone to swear a peace? False blood to false blood joined? Gone to be friends? Shall Louis have Blanche and Blanche those provinces? 5 It is not so. Thou hast misspoke, misheard. Be well advised; tell o’er thy tale again. It cannot be; thou dost but say ’tis so. I trust I may not trust thee, for thy word Is but the vain breath of a common man. 10 Believe me, I do not believe thee, man. I have a king’s oath to the contrary. Thou shalt be punished for thus flighting me, For I am sick and capable of fears, Oppressed with wrongs and therefore full of fears, 15 A widow, husbandless, subject to fears, A woman naturally born to fears. And though thou now confess thou didst but jest, With my vexed spirits I cannot take a truce, But they will quake and tremble all this day. 20 What dost thou mean by shaking of thy head? Why dost thou look so sadly on my son? What means that hand upon that breast of thine? Why holds thine eye that lamentable rheum, Like a proud river peering o’er his bounds? 25 Be these sad signs confirmers of thy words? Then speak again—not all thy former tale, But this one word, whether thy tale be true.
SALISBURY As true as I believe you think them false That give you cause to prove my saying true.	SALISBURY As true as I believe you think them false That give you cause to prove my saying true.
CONSTANCE 30 O, if thou teach me to believe this sorrow, Teach thou this sorrow how to make me die, And let belief and life encounter so As doth the fury of two desperate men Which in the very meeting fall and die. 35 Louis marry Blanche?—O, boy, then where art thou?— France friend with England? What becomes of me? Fellow, be gone. I cannot brook thy sight. This news hath made thee a most ugly man.	CONSTANCE 30 O, if thou teach me to believe this sorrow, Teach thou this sorrow how to make me die, And let belief and life encounter so As doth the fury of two desperate men Which in the very meeting fall and die. 35 Louis marry Blanche?—O, boy, then where art thou?— France friend with England? What becomes of me? Fellow, be gone. I cannot brook thy sight. This news hath made thee a most ugly man.
SALISBURY 40 What other harm have I, good lady, done But spoke the harm that is by others done?	SALISBURY 40 What other harm have I, good lady, done But spoke the harm that is by others done?
CONSTANCE Which harm within itself so heinous is As it makes harmful all that speak of it.	CONSTANCE Which harm within itself so heinous is As it makes harmful all that speak of it.
ARTHUR I do beseech you, madam, be content.	ARTHUR I do beseech you, madam, be content.
CONSTANCE 45 If thou that bidd’st me be content wert grim, Ugly, and sland’rous to thy mother’s womb, Full of unpleasing blots and sightless stains, Lame, foolish, crooked, swart, prodigious, Patched with foul moles and eye-offending marks, 50 I would not care; I then would be content, For then I should not love thee; no, nor thou Become thy great birth, nor deserve a crown. But thou art fair, and at thy birth, dear boy, Nature and Fortune joined to make thee great. 55 Of Nature’s gifts thou mayst with lilies boast, And with the half-blown rose. But Fortune, O, She is corrupted, changed, and won from thee; Sh’ adulterates hourly with thine Uncle John, And with her golden hand hath plucked on France 60 To tread down fair respect of sovereignty, And made his majesty the bawd to theirs. France is a bawd to Fortune and King John, That strumpet Fortune, that usurping John.— Tell me, thou fellow, is not France forsworn? 65 Envenom him with words, or get thee gone And leave those woes alone which I alone Am bound to underbear.	CONSTANCE 45 If thou that bidd’st me be content wert grim, Ugly, and sland’rous to thy mother’s womb, Full of unpleasing blots and sightless stains, Lame, foolish, crooked, swart, prodigious, Patched with foul moles and eye-offending marks, 50 I would not care; I then would be content, For then I should not love thee; no, nor thou Become thy great birth, nor deserve a crown. But thou art fair, and at thy birth, dear boy, Nature and Fortune joined to make thee great. 55 Of Nature’s gifts thou mayst with lilies boast, And with the half-blown rose. But Fortune, O, She is corrupted, changed, and won from thee; Sh’ adulterates hourly with thine Uncle John, And with her golden hand hath plucked on France 60 To tread down fair respect of sovereignty, And made his majesty the bawd to theirs. France is a bawd to Fortune and King John, That strumpet Fortune, that usurping John.— Tell me, thou fellow, is not France forsworn? 65 Envenom him with words, or get thee gone And leave those woes alone which I alone Am bound to underbear.
SALISBURY Pardon me, madam, I may not go without you to the Kings.	SALISBURY Pardon me, madam, I may not go without you to the Kings.
CONSTANCE 70 Thou mayst, thou shalt, I will not go with thee. I will instruct my sorrows to be proud, For grief is proud and makes his owner stoop. She sits down. To me and to the state of my great grief Let kings assemble, for my grief ’s so great 75 That no supporter but the huge firm Earth Can hold it up. Here I and sorrows sit. Here is my throne; bid kings come bow to it.	CONSTANCE 70 Thou mayst, thou shalt, I will not go with thee. I will instruct my sorrows to be proud, For grief is proud and makes his owner stoop. She sits down. To me and to the state of my great grief Let kings assemble, for my grief ’s so great 75 That no supporter but the huge firm Earth Can hold it up. Here I and sorrows sit. Here is my throne; bid kings come bow to it.
Enter KING JOHN, hand in hand with KING PHILIP OF FRANCE, LOUIS THE DAUPHIN, BLANCHE, QUEEN ELEANOR, BASTARD, AUSTRIA, and Attendants.	Enter KING JOHN, hand in hand with KING PHILIP OF FRANCE, LOUIS THE DAUPHIN, BLANCHE, QUEEN ELEANOR, BASTARD, AUSTRIA, and Attendants.
KING PHILIP , to BLANCHE ’Tis true, fair daughter, and this blessèd day Ever in France shall be kept festival. 80 To solemnize this day the glorious sun Stays in his course and plays the alchemist, Turning with splendor of his precious eye The meager cloddy earth to glittering gold. The yearly course that brings this day about 85 Shall never see it but a holy day.	KING PHILIP , to BLANCHE ’Tis true, fair daughter, and this blessèd day Ever in France shall be kept festival. 80 To solemnize this day the glorious sun Stays in his course and plays the alchemist, Turning with splendor of his precious eye The meager cloddy earth to glittering gold. The yearly course that brings this day about 85 Shall never see it but a holy day.
CONSTANCE , rising A wicked day, and not a holy day! What hath this day deserved? What hath it done That it in golden letters should be set Among the high tides in the calendar? 90 Nay, rather turn this day out of the week, This day of shame, oppression, perjury. Or if it must stand still, let wives with child Pray that their burdens may not fall this day, Lest that their hopes prodigiously be crossed. 95 But on this day let seamen fear no wrack; No bargains break that are not this day made; This day, all things begun come to ill end, Yea, faith itself to hollow falsehood change!	CONSTANCE , rising A wicked day, and not a holy day! What hath this day deserved? What hath it done That it in golden letters should be set Among the high tides in the calendar? 90 Nay, rather turn this day out of the week, This day of shame, oppression, perjury. Or if it must stand still, let wives with child Pray that their burdens may not fall this day, Lest that their hopes prodigiously be crossed. 95 But on this day let seamen fear no wrack; No bargains break that are not this day made; This day, all things begun come to ill end, Yea, faith itself to hollow falsehood change!
KING PHILIP By heaven, lady, you shall have no cause 100 To curse the fair proceedings of this day. Have I not pawned to you my majesty?	KING PHILIP By heaven, lady, you shall have no cause 100 To curse the fair proceedings of this day. Have I not pawned to you my majesty?
CONSTANCE You have beguiled me with a counterfeit Resembling majesty, which, being touched and tried, Proves valueless. You are forsworn, forsworn. 105 You came in arms to spill mine enemies’ blood, But now in arms you strengthen it with yours. The grappling vigor and rough frown of war Is cold in amity and painted peace, And our oppression hath made up this league. 110 Arm, arm, you heavens, against these perjured kings! A widow cries; be husband to me, God! Let not the hours of this ungodly day Wear out the days in peace, but ere sunset 115 Set armèd discord ’twixt these perjured kings. Hear me, O, hear me!	CONSTANCE You have beguiled me with a counterfeit Resembling majesty, which, being touched and tried, Proves valueless. You are forsworn, forsworn. 105 You came in arms to spill mine enemies’ blood, But now in arms you strengthen it with yours. The grappling vigor and rough frown of war Is cold in amity and painted peace, And our oppression hath made up this league. 110 Arm, arm, you heavens, against these perjured kings! A widow cries; be husband to me, God! Let not the hours of this ungodly day Wear out the days in peace, but ere sunset 115 Set armèd discord ’twixt these perjured kings. Hear me, O, hear me!
AUSTRIA Lady Constance, peace.	AUSTRIA Lady Constance, peace.
CONSTANCE War, war, no peace! Peace is to me a war. O Limoges, O Austria, thou dost shame 120 That bloody spoil. Thou slave, thou wretch, thou coward, Thou little valiant, great in villainy, Thou ever strong upon the stronger side, Thou Fortune’s champion, that dost never fight 125 But when her humorous Ladyship is by To teach thee safety. Thou art perjured too, And sooth’st up greatness. What a fool art thou, A ramping fool, to brag and stamp and swear Upon my party. Thou cold-blooded slave, 130 Hast thou not spoke like thunder on my side? Been sworn my soldier, bidding me depend Upon thy stars, thy fortune, and thy strength? And dost thou now fall over to my foes? Thou wear a lion’s hide! Doff it for shame, 135 And hang a calfskin on those recreant limbs.	CONSTANCE War, war, no peace! Peace is to me a war. O Limoges, O Austria, thou dost shame 120 That bloody spoil. Thou slave, thou wretch, thou coward, Thou little valiant, great in villainy, Thou ever strong upon the stronger side, Thou Fortune’s champion, that dost never fight 125 But when her humorous Ladyship is by To teach thee safety. Thou art perjured too, And sooth’st up greatness. What a fool art thou, A ramping fool, to brag and stamp and swear Upon my party. Thou cold-blooded slave, 130 Hast thou not spoke like thunder on my side? Been sworn my soldier, bidding me depend Upon thy stars, thy fortune, and thy strength? And dost thou now fall over to my foes? Thou wear a lion’s hide! Doff it for shame, 135 And hang a calfskin on those recreant limbs.
AUSTRIA O, that a man should speak those words to me!	AUSTRIA O, that a man should speak those words to me!
BASTARD “And hang a calfskin on those recreant limbs.”	BASTARD “And hang a calfskin on those recreant limbs.”
AUSTRIA Thou dar’st not say so, villain, for thy life!	AUSTRIA Thou dar’st not say so, villain, for thy life!
BASTARD “And hang a calfskin on those recreant limbs.”	BASTARD “And hang a calfskin on those recreant limbs.”
KING JOHN 140 We like not this. Thou dost forget thyself.	KING JOHN 140 We like not this. Thou dost forget thyself.
Enter PANDULPH.	Enter PANDULPH.
KING PHILIP Here comes the holy legate of the Pope.	KING PHILIP Here comes the holy legate of the Pope.
PANDULPH Hail, you anointed deputies of heaven! To thee, King John, my holy errand is. I, Pandulph, of fair Milan cardinal 145 And from Pope Innocent the legate here, Do in his name religiously demand Why thou against the Church, our holy mother, So willfully dost spurn, and force perforce Keep Stephen Langton, chosen Archbishop 150 Of Canterbury, from that Holy See. This, in our foresaid Holy Father’s name, Pope Innocent, I do demand of thee.	PANDULPH Hail, you anointed deputies of heaven! To thee, King John, my holy errand is. I, Pandulph, of fair Milan cardinal 145 And from Pope Innocent the legate here, Do in his name religiously demand Why thou against the Church, our holy mother, So willfully dost spurn, and force perforce Keep Stephen Langton, chosen Archbishop 150 Of Canterbury, from that Holy See. This, in our foresaid Holy Father’s name, Pope Innocent, I do demand of thee.
KING JOHN What earthy name to interrogatories Can task the free breath of a sacred king? 155 Thou canst not, cardinal, devise a name So slight, unworthy, and ridiculous To charge me to an answer, as the Pope. Tell him this tale, and from the mouth of England Add thus much more, that no Italian priest 160 Shall tithe or toll in our dominions; But as we under God are supreme head, So, under Him, that great supremacy Where we do reign we will alone uphold Without th’ assistance of a mortal hand. 165 So tell the Pope, all reverence set apart To him and his usurped authority.	KING JOHN What earthy name to interrogatories Can task the free breath of a sacred king? 155 Thou canst not, cardinal, devise a name So slight, unworthy, and ridiculous To charge me to an answer, as the Pope. Tell him this tale, and from the mouth of England Add thus much more, that no Italian priest 160 Shall tithe or toll in our dominions; But as we under God are supreme head, So, under Him, that great supremacy Where we do reign we will alone uphold Without th’ assistance of a mortal hand. 165 So tell the Pope, all reverence set apart To him and his usurped authority.
KING PHILIP Brother of England, you blaspheme in this.	KING PHILIP Brother of England, you blaspheme in this.
KING JOHN Though you and all the kings of Christendom Are led so grossly by this meddling priest, 170 Dreading the curse that money may buy out, And by the merit of vile gold, dross, dust, Purchase corrupted pardon of a man Who in that sale sells pardon from himself, Though you and all the rest, so grossly led, 175 This juggling witchcraft with revenue cherish, Yet I alone, alone do me oppose Against the Pope, and count his friends my foes.	KING JOHN Though you and all the kings of Christendom Are led so grossly by this meddling priest, 170 Dreading the curse that money may buy out, And by the merit of vile gold, dross, dust, Purchase corrupted pardon of a man Who in that sale sells pardon from himself, Though you and all the rest, so grossly led, 175 This juggling witchcraft with revenue cherish, Yet I alone, alone do me oppose Against the Pope, and count his friends my foes.
PANDULPH Then, by the lawful power that I have, Thou shalt stand cursed and excommunicate; 180 And blessèd shall he be that doth revolt From his allegiance to an heretic; And meritorious shall that hand be called, Canonizèd and worshiped as a saint, That takes away by any secret course 185 Thy hateful life.	PANDULPH Then, by the lawful power that I have, Thou shalt stand cursed and excommunicate; 180 And blessèd shall he be that doth revolt From his allegiance to an heretic; And meritorious shall that hand be called, Canonizèd and worshiped as a saint, That takes away by any secret course 185 Thy hateful life.
CONSTANCE O, lawful let it be That I have room with Rome to curse awhile! Good father cardinal, cry thou “Amen” To my keen curses, for without my wrong 190 There is no tongue hath power to curse him right.	CONSTANCE O, lawful let it be That I have room with Rome to curse awhile! Good father cardinal, cry thou “Amen” To my keen curses, for without my wrong 190 There is no tongue hath power to curse him right.
PANDULPH There’s law and warrant, lady, for my curse.	PANDULPH There’s law and warrant, lady, for my curse.
CONSTANCE And for mine, too. When law can do no right, Let it be lawful that law bar no wrong. Law cannot give my child his kingdom here, 195 For he that holds his kingdom holds the law. Therefore, since law itself is perfect wrong, How can the law forbid my tongue to curse?	CONSTANCE And for mine, too. When law can do no right, Let it be lawful that law bar no wrong. Law cannot give my child his kingdom here, 195 For he that holds his kingdom holds the law. Therefore, since law itself is perfect wrong, How can the law forbid my tongue to curse?
PANDULPH Philip of France, on peril of a curse, Let go the hand of that arch-heretic, 200 And raise the power of France upon his head Unless he do submit himself to Rome.	PANDULPH Philip of France, on peril of a curse, Let go the hand of that arch-heretic, 200 And raise the power of France upon his head Unless he do submit himself to Rome.
QUEEN ELEANOR Look’st thou pale, France? Do not let go thy hand.	QUEEN ELEANOR Look’st thou pale, France? Do not let go thy hand.
CONSTANCE Look to that, devil, lest that France repent And by disjoining hands, hell lose a soul.	CONSTANCE Look to that, devil, lest that France repent And by disjoining hands, hell lose a soul.
AUSTRIA 205 King Philip, listen to the Cardinal.	AUSTRIA 205 King Philip, listen to the Cardinal.
BASTARD And hang a calfskin on his recreant limbs.	BASTARD And hang a calfskin on his recreant limbs.
AUSTRIA Well, ruffian, I must pocket up these wrongs, Because—	AUSTRIA Well, ruffian, I must pocket up these wrongs, Because—
BASTARD Your breeches best may carry them.	BASTARD Your breeches best may carry them.