No Fear Shakespeare: King John: Act 4 Scene 1

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King John

William Shakespeare

Original Text

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Original Text

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Original Text	Modern Text
Enter HUBERT and EXECUTIONERS, with irons and rope.	Enter HUBERT and EXECUTIONERS, with irons and rope.
HUBERT Heat me these irons hot, and look thou stand Within the arras. When I strike my foot Upon the bosom of the ground, rush forth And bind the boy which you shall find with me 5 Fast to the chair. Be heedful. Hence, and watch.	HUBERT Heat me these irons hot, and look thou stand Within the arras. When I strike my foot Upon the bosom of the ground, rush forth And bind the boy which you shall find with me 5 Fast to the chair. Be heedful. Hence, and watch.
EXECUTIONER I hope your warrant will bear out the deed.	EXECUTIONER I hope your warrant will bear out the deed.
HUBERT Uncleanly scruples fear not you. Look to ’t. EXECUTIONERS exit. Young lad, come forth. I have to say with you.	HUBERT Uncleanly scruples fear not you. Look to ’t. EXECUTIONERS exit. Young lad, come forth. I have to say with you.
Enter ARTHUR.	Enter ARTHUR.
ARTHUR Good morrow, Hubert.	ARTHUR Good morrow, Hubert.
HUBERT 10 Good morrow, little prince.	HUBERT 10 Good morrow, little prince.
ARTHUR As little prince, having so great a title To be more prince, as may be. You are sad.	ARTHUR As little prince, having so great a title To be more prince, as may be. You are sad.
HUBERT Indeed, I have been merrier.	HUBERT Indeed, I have been merrier.
ARTHUR Mercy on me! 15 Methinks nobody should be sad but I. Yet I remember, when I was in France, Young gentlemen would be as sad as night Only for wantonness. By my christendom, So I were out of prison and kept sheep, 20 I should be as merry as the day is long. And so I would be here but that I doubt My uncle practices more harm to me. He is afraid of me, and I of him. Is it my fault that I was Geoffrey’s son? 25 No, indeed, is ’t not. And I would to heaven I were your son, so you would love me, Hubert.	ARTHUR Mercy on me! 15 Methinks nobody should be sad but I. Yet I remember, when I was in France, Young gentlemen would be as sad as night Only for wantonness. By my christendom, So I were out of prison and kept sheep, 20 I should be as merry as the day is long. And so I would be here but that I doubt My uncle practices more harm to me. He is afraid of me, and I of him. Is it my fault that I was Geoffrey’s son? 25 No, indeed, is ’t not. And I would to heaven I were your son, so you would love me, Hubert.
HUBERT , aside If I talk to him, with his innocent prate He will awake my mercy, which lies dead. Therefore I will be sudden and dispatch.	HUBERT , aside If I talk to him, with his innocent prate He will awake my mercy, which lies dead. Therefore I will be sudden and dispatch.
ARTHUR 30 Are you sick, Hubert? You look pale today. In sooth, I would you were a little sick That I might sit all night and watch with you. I warrant I love you more than you do me.	ARTHUR 30 Are you sick, Hubert? You look pale today. In sooth, I would you were a little sick That I might sit all night and watch with you. I warrant I love you more than you do me.
HUBERT , aside His words do take possession of my bosom. He shows ARTHUR a paper. 35 Read here, young Arthur. (Aside.) How now, foolish rheum? Turning dispiteous torture out of door? I must be brief lest resolution drop Out at mine eyes in tender womanish tears.— 40 Can you not read it? Is it not fair writ?	HUBERT , aside His words do take possession of my bosom. He shows ARTHUR a paper. 35 Read here, young Arthur. (Aside.) How now, foolish rheum? Turning dispiteous torture out of door? I must be brief lest resolution drop Out at mine eyes in tender womanish tears.— 40 Can you not read it? Is it not fair writ?
ARTHUR Too fairly, Hubert, for so foul effect. Must you with hot irons burn out both mine eyes?	ARTHUR Too fairly, Hubert, for so foul effect. Must you with hot irons burn out both mine eyes?
HUBERT Young boy, I must.	HUBERT Young boy, I must.
ARTHUR And will you?	ARTHUR And will you?
HUBERT 45 And I will.	HUBERT 45 And I will.
ARTHUR Have you the heart? When your head did but ache, I knit my handkercher about your brows— The best I had, a princess wrought it me— And I did never ask it you again; 50 And with my hand at midnight held your head, And like the watchful minutes to the hour Still and anon cheered up the heavy time, Saying “What lack you?” and “Where lies your grief?” 55 Or “What good love may I perform for you?” Many a poor man’s son would have lien still And ne’er have spoke a loving word to you; But you at your sick service had a prince. Nay, you may think my love was crafty love, 60 And call it cunning. Do, an if you will. If heaven be pleased that you must use me ill, Why then you must. Will you put out mine eyes— These eyes that never did nor never shall So much as frown on you?	ARTHUR Have you the heart? When your head did but ache, I knit my handkercher about your brows— The best I had, a princess wrought it me— And I did never ask it you again; 50 And with my hand at midnight held your head, And like the watchful minutes to the hour Still and anon cheered up the heavy time, Saying “What lack you?” and “Where lies your grief?” 55 Or “What good love may I perform for you?” Many a poor man’s son would have lien still And ne’er have spoke a loving word to you; But you at your sick service had a prince. Nay, you may think my love was crafty love, 60 And call it cunning. Do, an if you will. If heaven be pleased that you must use me ill, Why then you must. Will you put out mine eyes— These eyes that never did nor never shall So much as frown on you?
HUBERT 65 I have sworn to do it. And with hot irons must I burn them out.	HUBERT 65 I have sworn to do it. And with hot irons must I burn them out.
ARTHUR Ah, none but in this Iron Age would do it. The iron of itself, though heat red-hot, Approaching near these eyes, would drink my tears 70 And quench this fiery indignation Even in the matter of mine innocence; Nay, after that, consume away in rust But for containing fire to harm mine eye. Are you more stubborn-hard than hammered iron? 75 An if an angel should have come to me And told me Hubert should put out mine eyes, I would not have believed him. No tongue but Hubert’s.	ARTHUR Ah, none but in this Iron Age would do it. The iron of itself, though heat red-hot, Approaching near these eyes, would drink my tears 70 And quench this fiery indignation Even in the matter of mine innocence; Nay, after that, consume away in rust But for containing fire to harm mine eye. Are you more stubborn-hard than hammered iron? 75 An if an angel should have come to me And told me Hubert should put out mine eyes, I would not have believed him. No tongue but Hubert’s.
HUBERT stamps his foot and calls Come forth. Enter EXECUTIONERS with ropes, a heated iron, and a brazier of burning coals. 80 Do as I bid you do.	HUBERT stamps his foot and calls Come forth. Enter EXECUTIONERS with ropes, a heated iron, and a brazier of burning coals. 80 Do as I bid you do.
ARTHUR O, save me, Hubert, save me! My eyes are out Even with the fierce looks of these bloody men.	ARTHUR O, save me, Hubert, save me! My eyes are out Even with the fierce looks of these bloody men.
HUBERT Give me the iron, I say, and bind him here.	HUBERT Give me the iron, I say, and bind him here.
He takes the iron.	He takes the iron.
ARTHUR Alas, what need you be so boist’rous-rough? 85 I will not struggle; I will stand stone-still. For God’s sake, Hubert, let me not be bound! Nay, hear me, Hubert! Drive these men away, And I will sit as quiet as a lamb. I will not stir nor wince nor speak a word 90 Nor look upon the iron angerly. Thrust but these men away, and I’ll forgive you, Whatever torment you do put me to.	ARTHUR Alas, what need you be so boist’rous-rough? 85 I will not struggle; I will stand stone-still. For God’s sake, Hubert, let me not be bound! Nay, hear me, Hubert! Drive these men away, And I will sit as quiet as a lamb. I will not stir nor wince nor speak a word 90 Nor look upon the iron angerly. Thrust but these men away, and I’ll forgive you, Whatever torment you do put me to.
HUBERT , to EXECUTIONERS Go stand within. Let me alone with him.	HUBERT , to EXECUTIONERS Go stand within. Let me alone with him.
EXECUTIONER I am best pleased to be from such a deed.	EXECUTIONER I am best pleased to be from such a deed.
EXECUTIONERS exit.	EXECUTIONERS exit.
ARTHUR 95 Alas, I then have chid away my friend! He hath a stern look but a gentle heart. Let him come back, that his compassion may Give life to yours.	ARTHUR 95 Alas, I then have chid away my friend! He hath a stern look but a gentle heart. Let him come back, that his compassion may Give life to yours.
HUBERT Come, boy, prepare yourself.	HUBERT Come, boy, prepare yourself.
ARTHUR 100 Is there no remedy?	ARTHUR 100 Is there no remedy?
HUBERT None but to lose your eyes.	HUBERT None but to lose your eyes.
ARTHUR O God, that there were but a mote in yours, A grain, a dust, a gnat, a wandering hair, Any annoyance in that precious sense. 105 Then, feeling what small things are boisterous there, Your vile intent must needs seem horrible.	ARTHUR O God, that there were but a mote in yours, A grain, a dust, a gnat, a wandering hair, Any annoyance in that precious sense. 105 Then, feeling what small things are boisterous there, Your vile intent must needs seem horrible.
HUBERT Is this your promise? Go to, hold your tongue.	HUBERT Is this your promise? Go to, hold your tongue.
ARTHUR Hubert, the utterance of a brace of tongues 110 Must needs want pleading for a pair of eyes. Let me not hold my tongue. Let me not, Hubert, Or, Hubert, if you will, cut out my tongue, So I may keep mine eyes. O, spare mine eyes, Though to no use but still to look on you. He seizes the iron. 115 Lo, by my troth, the instrument is cold, And would not harm me.	ARTHUR Hubert, the utterance of a brace of tongues 110 Must needs want pleading for a pair of eyes. Let me not hold my tongue. Let me not, Hubert, Or, Hubert, if you will, cut out my tongue, So I may keep mine eyes. O, spare mine eyes, Though to no use but still to look on you. He seizes the iron. 115 Lo, by my troth, the instrument is cold, And would not harm me.
HUBERT , taking back the iron I can heat it, boy.	HUBERT , taking back the iron I can heat it, boy.
ARTHUR No, in good sooth. The fire is dead with grief, Being create for comfort, to be used 120 In undeserved extremes. See else yourself. There is no malice in this burning coal. The breath of heaven hath blown his spirit out And strewed repentant ashes on his head.	ARTHUR No, in good sooth. The fire is dead with grief, Being create for comfort, to be used 120 In undeserved extremes. See else yourself. There is no malice in this burning coal. The breath of heaven hath blown his spirit out And strewed repentant ashes on his head.
HUBERT But with my breath I can revive it, boy.	HUBERT But with my breath I can revive it, boy.
ARTHUR 125 An if you do, you will but make it blush And glow with shame of your proceedings, Hubert. Nay, it perchance will sparkle in your eyes, And, like a dog that is compelled to fight, Snatch at his master that doth tar him on. 130 All things that you should use to do me wrong Deny their office. Only you do lack That mercy which fierce fire and iron extends, Creatures of note for mercy-lacking uses.	ARTHUR 125 An if you do, you will but make it blush And glow with shame of your proceedings, Hubert. Nay, it perchance will sparkle in your eyes, And, like a dog that is compelled to fight, Snatch at his master that doth tar him on. 130 All things that you should use to do me wrong Deny their office. Only you do lack That mercy which fierce fire and iron extends, Creatures of note for mercy-lacking uses.
HUBERT Well, see to live. I will not touch thine eye 135 For all the treasure that thine uncle owes. Yet am I sworn, and I did purpose, boy, With this same very iron to burn them out.	HUBERT Well, see to live. I will not touch thine eye 135 For all the treasure that thine uncle owes. Yet am I sworn, and I did purpose, boy, With this same very iron to burn them out.
ARTHUR O, now you look like Hubert. All this while You were disguisèd.	ARTHUR O, now you look like Hubert. All this while You were disguisèd.
HUBERT 140 Peace. No more. Adieu. Your uncle must not know but you are dead. I’ll fill these doggèd spies with false reports. And, pretty child, sleep doubtless and secure That Hubert, for the wealth of all the world, 145 Will not offend thee.	HUBERT 140 Peace. No more. Adieu. Your uncle must not know but you are dead. I’ll fill these doggèd spies with false reports. And, pretty child, sleep doubtless and secure That Hubert, for the wealth of all the world, 145 Will not offend thee.
ARTHUR O heaven! I thank you, Hubert.	ARTHUR O heaven! I thank you, Hubert.
HUBERT Silence. No more. Go closely in with me. Much danger do I undergo for thee.	HUBERT Silence. No more. Go closely in with me. Much danger do I undergo for thee.
They exit.	They exit.