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The Works of William Shakespeare [Cambridge Edition] [Vol. 4 of 9]

Act 2 — Scene I. France. Before Angiers.

Reading edition

Enter Austria and forces, drums, etc. on one side: on the other King Philip of France and his Power; Lewis, Arthur, Constance and attendants.[75]

Lew. Before Angiers well met, brave Austria.[76] Arthur, that great forerunner of thy blood, Richard, that robb'd the lion of his heart And fought the holy wars in Palestine, By this brave duke came early to his grave:5 And for amends to his posterity, At our importance hither is he come, To spread his colours, boy, in thy behalf, And to rebuke the usurpation Of thy unnatural uncle, English John:10 Embrace him, love him, give him welcome hither. Arth. God shall forgive you Cœur-de-lion's death The rather that you give his offspring life, Shadowing their right under your wings of war:[77] I give you welcome with a powerless hand,15 But with a heart full of unstained love:[78] Welcome before the gates of Angiers, duke. Lew. A noble boy! Who would not do thee right? Aust. Upon thy cheek lay I this zealous kiss, As seal to this indenture of my love,20 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 And coops from other lands her islanders,25 Even till that England, hedged in with the main, That water-walled bulwark, still secure And confident from foreign purposes, Even till that utmost corner of the west[79] Salute thee for her king: till then, fair boy,30 Will I not think of home, but follow arms. Const. 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! Aust. The peace of heaven is theirs that lift their swords[80]35 In such a just and charitable war. K. Phi. Well then, to work: our cannon shall be bent[81] Against the brows of this resisting town. Call for our chiefest men of discipline, To cull the plots of best advantages:40 We'll lay before this town our royal bones, Wade to the market-place in Frenchmen's blood, But we will make it subject to this boy. Const. Stay for an answer to your embassy, Lest unadvised you stain your swords with blood:45 My Lord Chatillon 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.[82]

Enter Chatillon.

K. Phi. A wonder, lady! lo, upon thy wish,50 Our messenger Chatillon is arrived! What England says, say briefly, gentle lord; We coldly pause for thee; Chatillon, speak. Chat. Then turn your forces from this paltry siege And stir them up against a mightier task.55 England, impatient of your just demands, Hath put himself in arms: the adverse winds, Whose leisure I have stay'd, have given him time To land his legions all as soon as I; His marches are expedient to this town,60 His forces strong, his soldiers confident. With him along is come the mother-queen, An Ate, stirring him to blood and strife;[83] With her her niece, the Lady Blanch of Spain; With them a bastard of the king's deceased;[84]65 And all the unsettled humours of the land, Rash, inconsiderate, fiery voluntaries, With ladies' faces and fierce dragons' spleens, Have sold their fortunes at their native homes, Bearing their birthrights proudly on their backs,[85]70 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, To do offence and scath in Christendom. [Drum beats.[86]75 The interruption of their churlish drums Cuts off more circumstance: they are at hand,[87] To parley or to fight; therefore prepare.[87] K. Phi. How much unlook'd for is this expedition! Aust. By how much unexpected, by so much80 We must awake endeavour for defence; For courage mounteth with occasion: Let them be welcome then; we are prepared.

Enter King John, Elinor, Blanch, the Bastard, Lords, and Forces.[88]

K. John. Peace be to France, if France in peace permit[89] Our just and lineal entrance to our own;85 If not, bleed France, and peace ascend to heaven, Whiles we, God's wrathful agent, do correct[90] Their proud contempt that beats His peace to heaven.[91] K. Phi. Peace be to England, if that war return From France to England, there to live in peace.90 England we love; and for that England's sake With burden of our armour here we sweat. This toil of ours should be a work of thine; But thou from loving England art so far, That thou hast under-wrought his lawful king,[92]95 Cut off the sequence of posterity, Out-faced infant state and done a rape Upon the maiden virtue of the crown. Look here upon thy brother Geffrey's face; These eyes, these brows, were moulded out of his:100 This little abstract doth contain that large Which died in Geffrey, and the hand of time Shall draw this brief into as huge a volume.[93] That Geffrey was thy elder brother born, And this his son; England was Geffrey's right105 And this is Geffrey's: in the name of God[94] How comes it then that thou art call'd a king, When living blood doth in these temples beat, Which owe the crown that thou o'ermasterest? K. John. From whom hast thou this great commission, France,110 To draw my answer from thy articles?[95] K. Phi. From that supernal judge, that stirs good thoughts In any breast of strong authority,[96] To look into the blots and stains of right:[97] That judge hath made me guardian to this boy:115 Under whose warrant I impeach thy wrong And by whose help I mean to chastise it. K. John. Alack, thou dost usurp authority.[98] K. Phi. Excuse; it is to beat usurping down.[98][99] Eli. Who is it thou dost call usurper, France?[98][100]120 Const. Let me make answer; thy usurping son.[98] Eli. Out, insolent! thy bastard shall be king,[98] That thou mayst be a queen, and check the world![98] Const. My bed was ever to thy son as true[98] As thine was to thy husband; and this boy[98]125 Liker in feature to his father Geffrey[98] Than thou and John in manners; being as like[98][101] As rain to water, or devil to his dam.[98] My boy a bastard! By my soul, I think[98] His father never was so true begot:[98]130 It cannot be, an if thou wert his mother.[98][102] Eli. There's a good mother, boy, that blots thy father.[98] Const. There's a good grandam, boy, that would blot thee.[98][103] Aust. Peace![98] Bast. Hear the crier.[98] Aust. What the devil art thou?[98] Bast. One that will play the devil, sir, with you,[98]135 An a' may catch your hide and you alone:[98][104] You are the hare of whom the proverb goes,[98] Whose valour plucks dead lions by the beard:[98] I'll smoke your skin-coat, an I catch you right;[98][105] Sirrah, look to't; i' faith, I will, i' faith.[98]140 Blanch. O, well did he become that lion's robe[98] That did disrobe the lion of that robe![98] Bast. It lies as sightly on the back of him[98] As great Alcides' shows upon an ass:[98][106] But, ass, I'll take that burthen from your back,[98]145 Or lay on that shall make your shoulders crack.[98] Aust. What cracker is this same that deafs our ears[98] With this abundance of superfluous breath?[98] K. Phi. Lewis, determine what we shall do straight.[98][107] Lew. Women and fools, break off your conference.[98][108]150 King John, this is the very sum of all; England and Ireland, Anjou, Touraine, Maine,[109] In right of Arthur do I claim of thee:[110] Wilt thou resign them and lay down thy arms? K. John. My life as soon: I do defy thee, France.155 Arthur of Bretagne, yield thee to my hand;[111] And out of my dear love I'll give thee more Than e'er the coward hand of France can win: Submit thee, boy.[112] Eli. Come to thy grandam, child.[112] Const. Do, child, go to it grandam, child;[112][113][114]160 Give grandam kingdom, and it grandam will[112][114] Give it a plum, a cherry, and a fig:[112] There's a good grandam.[112] Arth. Good my mother, peace![112] I would that I were low laid in my grave:[112] I am not worth this coil that's made for me.[112]165 Eli. His mother shames him so, poor boy, he weeps.[112] Const. Now shame upon you, whether she does or no![112][115] His grandam's wrongs, and not his mother's shames,[112][116] Draws those heaven-moving pearls from his poor eyes,[112][117] Which heaven shall take in nature of a fee;[112]170 Ay, with these crystal beads heaven shall be bribed[112][118] To do him justice and revenge on you.[112] Eli. Thou monstrous slanderer of heaven and earth![112] Const. Thou monstrous injurer of heaven and earth![112] Call not me slanderer; thou and thine usurp[112][119]175 The dominations, royalties and rights[112][120] Of this oppressed boy: this is thy eld'st son's son,[112][121] Infortunate in nothing but in thee:[112] Thy sins are visited in this poor child;[112][122] The canon of the law is laid on him,[112]180 Being but the second generation[112] Removed from thy sin-conceiving womb.[112] K. John. Bedlam, have done.[112][123] Const. I have but this to say,[112] That he is not only plagued for her sin,[112] But God hath made her sin and her the plague[112]185 On this removed issue, plagued for her[112] And with her plague; her sin his injury,[112][124] Her injury the beadle to her sin,[112][125] All punish'd in the person of this child,[112] And all for her; a plague upon her![112][126]190 Eli. Thou unadvised scold, I can produce[112] A will that bars the title of thy son.[112] Const. Ay, who doubts that? a will! a wicked will;[112] A woman's will; a canker'd grandam's will![112] K. Phi. Peace, lady! pause, or be more temperate:[112]195 It ill beseems this presence to cry aim[112][127] To these ill-tuned repetitions.[112] 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.200

Trumpet sounds. Enter certain Citizens upon the walls.[128]

First Cit. Who is it that hath warn'd us to the walls? K. Phi. 'Tis France, for England. K. John. England, for itself. You men of Angiers, and my loving subjects,— K. Phi. You loving men of Angiers, Arthur's subjects, Our trumpet call'd you to this gentle parle,—205 K. John. For our advantage; therefore hear us first.[129] These flags of France, that are advanced here Before the eye and prospect of your town, Have hither march'd to your endamagement: The cannons have their bowels full of wrath,210 And ready mounted are they to spit forth Their iron indignation 'gainst your walls: All preparation for a bloody siege[130] And merciless proceeding by these French[131] Confronts your city's eyes, your winking gates;[132]215 And but for our approach those sleeping stones, That as a waist doth girdle you about,[133] By the compulsion of their ordinance[134] By this time from their fixed beds of lime Had been dishabited, and wide havoc made220 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 unscratch'd your city's threatened cheeks,[135]225 Behold, the French amazed vouchsafe a parle; And now, instead of bullets wrapp'd in fire,[136] 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:230 Which trust accordingly kind citizens, And let us in, your king, whose labour'd spirits,[137] Forwearied in this action of swift speed,[138] Crave harbourage within your city walls.[139] K. Phi. When I have said, make answer to us both.235 Lo, in this right hand, whose protection Is most divinely vow'd 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:240 For this down-trodden 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 oppressed child245 Religiously provokes. Be pleased then To pay that duty which you truly owe To him that owes it, namely this young prince:[140] And then our arms, like to a muzzled bear, Save in aspect, hath all offence seal'd up;[141]250 Our cannons' malice vainly shall be spent Against the invulnerable clouds of heaven;[142] And with a blessed and unvex'd retire, With unhack'd swords and helmets all unbruised. We will bear home that lusty blood again255 Which here we came to spout against your town, And leave your children, wives and you in peace. But if you fondly pass our proffer'd offer,[143] 'Tis not the roundure of your old-faced walls[144] Can hide you from our messengers of war,260 Though all these English and their discipline Were harbour'd in their rude circumference.[145] Then tell us, shall your city call us lord, In that behalf which we have challenged it?[146] Or shall we give the signal to our rage265 And stalk in blood to our possession? First Cit. In brief, we are the king of England's subjects: For him, and in his right, we hold this town.[147] K. John. Acknowledge then the king, and let me in. First Cit. That can we not; but he that proves the king,270 To him will we prove loyal: till that time Have we ramm'd up our gates against the world. K. 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,—275 Bast. Bastards, and else.[148] K. John. To verify our title with their lives. K. Phi. As many and as well-born bloods as those,— Bast. Some bastards too.[148] K. Phi. Stand in his face to contradict his claim.280 First Cit. Till you compound whose right is worthiest, We for the worthiest hold the right from both. K. John. Then God forgive the sin of all those souls[149] That to their everlasting residence, Before the dew of evening fall, shall fleet,285 In dreadful trial of our kingdom's king! K. Phi. Amen, amen! Mount, chevaliers! to arms! Bast. Saint George, that swinged the dragon, and e'er since[150] Sits on his horse back at mine hostess' door,[150][151] Teach us some fence! [To Aust.] Sirrah, were I at home,[152]290 At your den, sirrah, with your lioness, I would set an ox-head to your lion's hide,[153] And make a monster of you. Aust. Peace! no more. Bast. O, tremble, for you hear the lion roar. K. John. Up higher to the plain; where we'll set forth295 In best appointment all our regiments. Bast. Speed then, to take advantage of the field.[154] K. Phi. It shall be so; and at the other hill[155] Command the rest to stand. God and our right! [Exeunt.

Here after excursions, enter the Herald of France, with trumpets, to the gates.[156]

F. Her. You men of Angiers, open wide your gates,[157]300 And let young Arthur, Duke of Bretagne, in,[158] Who by the hand of France this day hath made Much work for tears in many an English mother, Whose sons lie scattered on the bleeding ground:[159] Many a widow's husband grovelling lies,[160]305 Coldly embracing the discoloured earth;[161] And victory, with little loss, doth play[162] Upon the dancing banners of the French, Who are at hand, triumphantly display'd,[163] To enter conquerors and to proclaim310 Arthur of Bretagne England's king and yours.[158]

Enter English Herald, with trumpet.[164]

E. Her. Rejoice, you men of Angiers, ring your bells; King John, your king and England's, doth approach, Commander of this hot malicious day: Their armours, that march'd hence so silver-bright,315 Hither return all gilt with Frenchmen's blood;[165] There stuck no plume in any English crest That is removed by a staff of France;[166] Our colours do return in those same hands That did display them when we first march'd forth;320 And, like a jolly troop of huntsmen, come Our lusty English, all with purpled hands, Dyed in the dying slaughter of their foes:[167] Open your gates and give the victors way. First Cit. Heralds, from off our towers we might behold,[168]325 From first to last, the onset and retire Of both your armies; whose equality By our best eyes cannot be censured: Blood hath bought blood and blows have answer'd blows; Strength match'd with strength, and power confronted power:330 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.

Re-enter the two Kings, with their powers, severally.[169]

K. John. France, hast thou yet more blood to cast away?[170] Say, shall the current of our right run on?[171]335 Whose passage, vex'd with thy impediment, Shall leave his native channel, and o'erswell With course disturb'd even thy confining shores, Unless thou let his silver water keep[172] A peaceful progress to the ocean.340 K. Phi. 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,[173]345 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. Bast. Ha, majesty! how high thy glory towers,350 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,[174] In undetermined differences of kings.355 Why stand these royal fronts amazed thus? Cry, 'havoc!' kings; back to the stained field, You equal potents, fiery kindled spirits![175] Then let confusion of one part confirm The other's peace; till then, blows, blood, and death!360 K. John. Whose party do the townsmen yet admit? K. Phi. Speak, citizens, for England; who's your king?[176] First Cit. The king of England, when we know the king. K. Phi. Know him in us, that here hold up his right. K. John. In us, that are our own great deputy,365 And bear possession of our person here,[177] Lord of our presence, Angiers, and of you.[178] First Cit. A greater power than we denies all this;[179] And till it be undoubted, we do lock Our former scruple in our strong-barr'd gates;370 King'd of our fears, until our fears, resolved,[180][181] Be by some certain king purged and deposed.[181] Bast. By heaven, these scroyles of Angiers flout you, kings,[182] And stand securely on their battlements, As in a theatre, whence they gape and point375 At your industrious scenes and acts of death.[183] Your royal presences be ruled by me:[184] Do like the mutines of Jerusalem,[185] Be friends awhile and both conjointly bend[186] Your sharpest deeds of malice on this town:380 By east and west let France and England mount Their battering cannon charged to the mouths, Till their soul-fearing clamours have brawl'd down The flinty ribs of this contemptuous city: I'ld play incessantly upon these jades,385 Even till unfenced desolation Leave them as naked as the vulgar air. That done, dissever your united strengths, And part your mingled colours once again; Turn face to face and bloody point to point;390 Then, in a moment, Fortune shall cull forth Out of one side her happy minion, To whom in favour she shall give the day, And kiss him with a glorious victory. How like you this wild counsel, mighty states?395 Smacks it not something of the policy?[187] K. John. Now, by the sky that hangs above our heads, I like it well. France, shall we knit our powers And lay this Angiers even with the ground; Then after fight who shall be king of it?400 Bast. An if them hast the mettle of a king,[188] Being wrong'd as we are by this peevish town, Turn thou the mouth of thy artillery, As we will ours, against these saucy walls; And when that we have dash'd them to the ground,405 Why then defy each other, and pell-mell Make work upon ourselves, for heaven or hell. K. Phi. Let it be so. Say, where will you assault? K. John. We from the west will send destruction Into this city's bosom.410 Aust. I from the north. K. Phi. Our thunder from the south[189] Shall rain their drift of bullets on this town. Bast. O prudent discipline! From north to south:[190] Austria and France shoot in each other's mouth:[190] I'll stir them to it. Come, away, away![190]415 First Cit. Hear us, great kings: vouchsafe awhile to stay, And I shall show you peace and fair-faced league; Win you this city without stroke or wound; Rescue those breathing lives to die in beds, That here come sacrifices for the field:420 Persever not, but hear me, mighty kings. K. John. Speak on with favour; we are bent to hear.[191] First Cit. That daughter there of Spain, the Lady Blanch, Is niece to England: look upon the years[192] Of Lewis the Dauphin and that lovely maid:[193]425 If lusty love should go in quest of beauty, Where should he find it fairer than in Blanch? If zealous love should go in search of virtue,[194] Where should he find it purer than in Blanch? If love ambitious sought a match of birth,430 Whose veins bound richer blood than Lady Blanch? Such as she is, in beauty, virtue, birth, Is the young Dauphin every way complete:[193] If not complete of, say he is not she;[195] And she again wants nothing, to name want,435 If want it be not that she is not he:[196] He is the half part of a blessed man, Left to be finished by such as she;[197] And she a fair divided excellence,[198] Whose fulness of perfection lies in him.440 O, two such silver currents, when they join, 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.445 This union shall do more than battery can To our fast-closed gates; for at this match, With swifter spleen than powder can enforce,[199] The mouth of passage shall we fling wide ope. And give you entrance: but without this match,450 The sea enraged is not half so deaf, Lions more confident, mountains and rocks[200] More free from motion, no, not Death himself[200] In mortal fury half so peremptory, As we to keep this city. Bast. Here's a stay[201]455 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 As maids of thirteen do of puppy-dogs!460 What cannoneer begot this lusty blood?[202] He speaks plain cannon fire, and smoke and bounce;[203] He gives the bastinado with his tongue: Our ears are cudgell'd; not a word of his But buffets better than a fist of France:465 Zounds! I was never so bethump'd with words Since I first call'd my brother's father dad.[204] Eli. Son, list to this conjunction, make this match;[205][206] Give with our niece a dowry large enough:[206] For by this knot thou shalt so surely tie[206]470 Thy now unsured assurance to the crown,[206][207] That yon green boy shall have no sun to ripe[206] The bloom that promiseth a mighty fruit.[206] I see a yielding in the looks of France;[206] Mark, how they whisper: urge them while their souls[206]475 Are capable of this ambition,[206] Lest zeal, now melted by the windy breath[206][208] Of soft petitions, pity and remorse,[206] Cool and congeal again to what it was.[206] First Cit. Why answer not the double majesties480 This friendly treaty of our threaten'd town? K. Phi. Speak England first, that hath been forward first[209] To speak unto this city: what say you? K. John. If that the Dauphin there, thy princely son,[193] Can in this book of beauty read 'I love,'485 Her dowry shall weigh equal with a queen:[210] For Anjou, and fair Touraine, Maine, Poictiers,[211] And all that we upon this side the sea, Except this city now by us besieged, Find liable to our crown and dignity,490 Shall gild her bridal bed and make her rich In titles, honours and promotions, As she in beauty, education, blood,[212] Holds hand with any princess of the world.[213] K. Phi. What say'st thou, boy? look in the lady's face.495 Lew. I do, my lord; and in her eye I find[214] A wonder, or a wondrous miracle, The shadow of myself form'd in her eye;[215] Which, being but the shadow of your son,[215] Becomes a sun and makes your son a shadow:[215][216]500 I do protest I never loved myself Till now infixed I beheld myself[217] Drawn in the flattering table of her eye.[218]

[Whispers with Blanch.

Bast. Drawn in the flattering table of her eye![219] Hang'd in the frowning-wrinkle of her brow!505 And quarter'd in her heart! he doth espy Himself love's traitor: this is pity now, That, hang'd and drawn and quarter'd, there should be In such a love so vile a lout as he. Blanch. My uncle's will in this respect is mine:[220]510 If he see aught in you that makes him like, That any thing he sees, which moves his liking, I can with ease translate it to my will;[221] Or if you will, to speak more properly, I will enforce it easily to my love.[222]515 Further I will not flatter you, my lord, 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.520 K. John. What say these young ones? What say you, my niece? Blanch. That she is bound in honour still to do What you in wisdom still vouchsafe to say.[223] K. John. Speak then, prince Dauphin; can you love this lady? Lew. Nay, ask me if I can refrain from love;525 For I do love her most unfeignedly. K. John. Then do I give Volquessen, Touraine, Maine, Poictiers, and Anjou, these five provinces,[224] With her to thee; and this addition more, Full thirty thousand marks of English coin.530 Philip of France, if thou be pleased withal, Command thy son and daughter to join hands. K. Phi. It likes us well; young princes, close your hands.[225] Aust. And your lips too; for I am well assured[226] That I did so when I was first assured.[226]535 K. Phi. Now, citizens of Angiers, ope your gates,[227] Let in that amity which you have made; For at Saint Mary's chapel presently The rites of marriage shall be solemnized. Is not the Lady Constance in this troop?540 I know she is not, for this match made up[228] Her presence would have interrupted much: Where is she and her son? tell me, who knows.[229] Lew. She is sad and passionate at your highness' tent.[230] K. Phil. And, by my faith, this league that we have made545 Will give her sadness very little cure. Brother of England, how may we content This widow lady? In her right we came;[231] Which we, God knows, have turn'd another way, To our own vantage. K. John. We will heal up all;550 For we'll create young Arthur Duke of Bretagne[232] And Earl of Richmond; and this rich fair town We make him lord of. Call the Lady Constance;[233] Some speedy messenger bid her repair To our solemnity: I trust we shall,555 If not fill up the measure of her will, Yet in some measure satisfy her so That we shall stop her exclamation. Go we, as well as haste will suffer us, To this unlook'd for, unprepared pomp.560

[Exeunt all but the Bastard.[234]

Bast. Mad world! mad kings! mad composition![235] John, to stop Arthur's title in the whole, Hath willingly departed with a part, And France, whose armour conscience buckled on, Whom zeal and charity brought to the field565 As God's own soldier, rounded in the ear With that same purpose-changer, that sly devil, 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,570 Who, having no external thing to lose[236] But the word 'maid,' cheats the poor maid of that,[237] That smooth-faced gentleman, tickling Commodity, Commodity, the bias of the world, The world, who of itself is peised well,[238]575 Made to run even upon even ground, Till this advantage, this vile-drawing bias,[239] This sway of motion, this Commodity, Makes it take head from all indifferency, From all direction, purpose, course, intent:580 And this same bias, this Commodity, This bawd, this broker, this all-changing word,[240] Clapp'd on the outward eye of fickle France, Hath drawn him from his own determined aid,[241] From a resolved and honourable war,585 To a most base and vile-concluded peace.[242] And why rail I on this Commodity?[243] But for because he hath not woo'd me yet: Not that I have the power to clutch my hand,[244] When his fair angels would salute my palm;590 But for my hand, as unattempted yet,[245] Like a poor beggar, raileth on the rich. Well, whiles I am a beggar, I will rail[246] And say there is no sin but to be rich; And being rich, my virtue then shall be595 To say there is no vice but beggary. Since kings break faith upon commodity, Gain, be my lord, for I will worship thee.[247] [Exit.

FOOTNOTES:

Notes in this chapter

Note 1 · Act II. Scene I. Rowe (ed. 2). Scæna Secunda. Ff. France ...] Capell. Enter before Angiers, Philip King of France, Lewis, Daulphin, Austria,Note 2 · Lew.] King Philip. Theobald conj.Note 3 · their] his Collier MS.Note 4 · unstained] unstrained Collier (Collier MS.).Note 5 · utmost] outmost F4.Note 6 · that] who F4.Note 7 · work: our] work, our F4. worke our F1 F2. work our F3. cannon] engines Pope.Note 8 · indirectly] indiscreetly Singer (Collier MS.).Note 9 · An Ate] Rowe. An Ace Ff. As Ate Collier MS.Note 10 · king's] kings F1. king F2 F3 F4. See note (XI).Note 11 · birthrights] birth-rights F1 F2. birth-right F3 F4.Note 12 · Drum beats] F1 (after line 77). Drummes beates. F2. Drums beats. F3. Drums beat. F4.Note 13 · hand, To ... fight;] hand, To ... fight, Ff. hand. To ... fight, Pope.Note 14 · Enter ...] Enter K. of England, Bastard, Queene, Blanch, Pembroke, and others. Ff.Note 15 · Scene II. Pope.Note 16 · Whiles] Whilst Rowe.Note 17 · beats] beat Hanmer.Note 18 · his] its Rowe. her Collier (Collier MS.).Note 19 · huge] large Rowe. See note (VIII).Note 20 · this] his Grant White (Mason conj.). this is Geffrey's] Geffry is his or Geffry's right is his Seymour conj. Geffrey's: in the name of God] Note 21 · from] to Hanmer.Note 22 · breast] beast F1.Note 23 · blots] bolts Warburton.Note 24 · Alack ... conference] Put in the margin, as spurious, by Pope.Note 25 · Excuse; it is] Malone. Excuse it is Ff. Excuse it, 'tis Rowe (ed. 2).Note 26 · is it] Ff. is it that Rowe (ed. 1). is't that Rowe (ed. 2).Note 27 · John in manners; being] Capell (Roderick conj.). John, in manners being Ff.Note 28 · an if] Theobald. and if Ff.Note 29 · There's ... thee] As two lines in Ff, ending boy ... thee. would] wouldst Theobald.Note 30 · An a'] Theobald. And a Ff.Note 31 · an] Theobald. and Ff.Note 32 · Alcides' shows] Alcides' shews Theobald. Alcides shooes Ff. (shoos F4). Alcides' should Keightley conj.Note 33 · K. Phi. Lewis] Capell. King Lewis Ff. King Philip Theobald. King,—Lewis Knight (Malone conj., withdrawn). See note (IX).Note 34 · Lew.] K. Philip. Theobald.Note 35 · Anjou] Theobald. Angiers Ff.Note 36 · do I] I do Theobald.Note 37 · Bretagne] Hanmer. Britaine F1 F2. Britain F3. Brittain F4.Note 38 · Submit thee ... repetitions] Put in the margin, as spurious, by Pope.Note 39 · Do, child, go] Do, go, child, go; go Capell.Note 40 · it ... it] F2 F3 F4. yt ... it F1. it' ... it' Johnson. it's ... it's Capell.Note 41 · whether] where F1 F2 F3. whe're F4. she] he Ritson conj.Note 42 · wrongs] wrong F4.Note 43 · Draws] Ff. Draw Capell.Note 44 · heaven shall] shall heaven Collier MS.Note 45 · not me] me not F4.Note 46 · dominations] F1. domination F2 F3 F4.Note 47 · this is thy eld'st] Capell. this is thy eldest Ff. thy eld'st Ritson conj. eld'st son's son] eldest's son Anon. conj.Note 48 · in] on Anon. conj.Note 49 · Bedlam] Ff. Beldam Rann (Ritson conj.).Note 50 · with her plague; her sin] Edd. (Roby conj.). with her plague her sinne: Ff. with her—Plague her son! Johnson. with her sin, her plague CapelNote 51 · sin] sins Malone conj.Note 52 · And all for her;] And all for her, and by her; Lettsom conj.Note 53 · aim] ayme F1. ay me F2 F3 F4. amen Rowe (ed. 2). j'aime Johnson conj. shame Jackson conj.Note 54 · Scene III. Pope. certain Citizens] Capell. a Citizen Ff. First Cit.] 1 Cit. Capell (and throughout the scene). Cit. F1. Citti. F2. Citt. F3 Note 55 · our] your Tyrwhitt conj.Note 56 · preparation] preparations Pope.Note 57 · And merciless proceeding by these French] And ... proceeding, ... French. Ff. And ... proceeding, ... French, Rowe. And, ... proceeding, ...Note 58 · Confronts your] Capell Confront your Rowe. Comfort yours F1 F2. Comfort your F3 F4. Come 'fore Collier (Collier MS.).Note 59 · waist] waiste F4. waste F1 F2 F3. doth] do Rowe.Note 60 · ordinance] ordnance Malone.Note 61 · threatened] F2. threatned F1 F3 F4.Note 62 · instead] F3. insteed F1 F2. in stead F4.Note 63 · us in, your] Capell. us in. Your Ff. in us, your Pope.Note 64 · Forwearied] Steevens. Forewearied Ff.Note 65 · Crave] Pope. Craves Ff.Note 66 · owes] owns Pope.Note 67 · hath] have Hanmer.Note 68 · invulnerable] F2 F3 F4. involuerable F1.Note 69 · our] your Theobald. proffer'd] proper Jervis conj. offer] love S. Walker conj.Note 70 · roundure] Capell. rounder Ff. rondure Singer. old-faced] bold-faced Williams conj.Note 71 · rude] wide Williams conj.Note 72 · which] in which Keightley conj.Note 73 · See note (XI).Note 74 · Marked as 'Aside' by Pope.Note 75 · sin] sins Collier MS.Note 76 · Arranged as in Pope. The first line ends at dragon, in Ff.Note 77 · on his] Pope. on's Ff. See note (XII).Note 78 · [To Aust.] Pope.Note 79 · I would] I'd Pope.Note 80 · advantage] th' advantage Pope. [Exeunt English. Capell.Note 81 · and] [to Lew.] and Capell.Note 82 · [Exeunt] Exeunt French. Capell. Here....] Ff. A long Charge sounded: then ... Warburton. Alarums, as of a Battel join'd; Excursions; afterwaNote 83 · Scene IV. Pope. Scene II. Capell. om. Ff. See note (XIII).Note 84 · Bretagne] Rowe (ed. 2). Britaine F1 F2. Britain F3 F4.Note 85 · scattered] scatter'd Rowe.Note 86 · Many] And many Pope.Note 87 · discoloured] discolour'd Rowe.Note 88 · And] While Pope.Note 89 · Who ... display'd] Triumphantly display'd; who are at hand Keightley conj. display'd] Rowe. displayed Ff.Note 90 · trumpet.] trumpets. Hanmer.Note 91 · with] in Rowe.Note 92 · removed by a] remov'd by any Collier (Collier MS.).Note 93 · Dyed] Stain'd Pope.Note 94 · First Cit.] 1 Cit. Capell. Citi. Rowe. Hub. Ff (and throughout the scene). See note (XIV).Note 95 · Re-enter ... severally.] Enter ... at severall doores. Ff. Flourish. Enter King John, and his Power, on one Side, Bastard, Elinor, Blanch, &Note 96 · Scene V. Pope.Note 97 · run] F3 F4. runne F2. rome F1. roam Malone. foam Nicholson conj.Note 98 · water] waters Grant White (Collier MS.).Note 99 · lay down] lay by Pope.Note 100 · mousing] mouthing Pope.Note 101 · equal potents] equal potent Collier (Collier MS.). fiery kindled] F2 F3 F4. fierie kindled F1. fiery-kindled Pope. firey-kindled Collier (CoNote 102 · who's] F2 F3 F4. whose F1.Note 103 · possession] procession Collier MS.Note 104 · of you] F1 F4. if you F2 F3.Note 105 · First Cit.] 1 C. Capell. Citi. Rowe. Fra. F1. Fran. F2 F3 F4. we] ye Theobald (Warburton).Note 106 · King'd of our fears,] Rann (Tyrwhitt conj.). Kings of our feare, F1 F2. Kings of our fear, F3 F4. Kings of our fears,— Theobald. Kings are oNote 107 · King'd ... deposed.] Put in the margin, as spurious, by Pope.Note 108 · these] the Warburton.Note 109 · industrious] illustrious Capell conj.Note 110 · Your] You Rowe.Note 111 · mutines] mutiners Spedding conj.Note 112 · awhile] a-while F1 F2. a' while F3 F4.Note 113 · Smacks ... policy?] Omitted by Pope.Note 114 · [To Phi. Capell. An if] Capell. And if Ff.Note 115 · thunder] thunders Grant White (Capell conj.).Note 116 · O prudent ... away!] Put in the margin, as spurious, by Pope. O prudent ... it] Marked as 'Aside' by Capell.Note 117 · Speak on with favour; we] Speak on with favour, we Ff. Speak on; with favour we Rowe.Note 118 · niece] Singer (Collier MS.). neere F1 F2. near F3 F4.Note 119 · Dauphin] Rowe. Dolphin Ff (and passim).Note 120 · should] F1 F4 om. F2 F3.Note 121 · complete of, say] compleat of,—say, Theobald. compleat, oh! say Hanmer. completed, say Lloyd conj.Note 122 · be not, that] be, but that Jervis conj.Note 123 · as she] Ff. a she Theobald (Thirlby conj.).Note 124 · fair divided] fair-divided S. Walker conj.Note 125 · With ... enforce] Swifter than powder can in spleen enforce Becket conj. spleen] speed Pope.Note 126 · more ... More] so ... So Pope.Note 127 · stay] flaw Johnson conj. say Singer (Becket conj.). story or storm Spedding conj.Note 128 · lusty blood] lusty-blood Anon. conj.Note 129 · cannon fire,] Ff. cannon,—fire Capell.Note 130 · I first] first I Anon. conj.Note 131 · Eli.] Rowe. Old Qu. Ff.Note 132 · Son ... it was.] Marked as 'Aside to John' by Capell.Note 133 · unsured] unsure Anon. conj.Note 134 · Lest] F4. Least F1 F2 F3. Let Jackson conj. now melted by] now melted, by Hanmer. windy] whining Jackson conj.Note 135 · hath] have Anon. conj.Note 136 · queen] queen's Keightley conj.Note 137 · Anjou] Pope, ed. 2, (Theobald). Angiers Ff.Note 138 · As] Ff. And Rowe.Note 139 · hand] F1. hands F2 F3 F4.Note 140 · Lew.] Dol. Ff.Note 141 · The shadow ... a shadow] Put in the margin, as spurious, by Pope.Note 142 · sun] Rowe (ed. 2). sonne F1 F2. son F3 F4.Note 143 · beheld] behold Hanmer.Note 144 · Whispers ...] Ff. Courts in dumb Shew. Capell.Note 145 · [Aside. Dyce.Note 146 · [To Lew. Capell.Note 147 · it to] into Anon. conj.Note 148 · easily] F3 F4. easlie F1 F2.Note 149 · still] will Pope. shall Steevens (Capell conj.).Note 150 · Anjou] F4. Aniow F1. Anjow F2 F3. See note (XI).Note 151 · well; young princes, close] Rowe. well young princes; close Ff.Note 152 · And your ... assured] Put in the margin, as spurious, by Pope. assured ... assured] assured ... affied S. Walker conj.Note 153 · Angiers] Angires F1.Note 154 · not, for] F3 F4. not for F1 F2.Note 155 · son?... knows] Steevens (1793) son, ... knows? Ff.Note 156 · She is] She's Pope.Note 157 · widow] widow'd Collier (Collier MS.).Note 158 · Bretagne] Hanmer. Britaine F1 F2. Britain F3 F4.Note 159 · We] We'll Anon. conj.Note 160 · Exeunt all....] Rowe. Exeunt. Ff.Note 161 · Scene VI. Pope.Note 162 · having] as they have Hanmer.Note 163 · 'maid' ... maid] maids ... maids Hanmer. cheats ... that] are cheated e'en of that Seymour conj.Note 164 · who] which Pope. peised] peysed F1 F2 F3. poysed F4.Note 165 · vile-drawing] vile drawing Ff.Note 166 · this all-changing word] this all-changing-word F1. that all-changing-world F2 F3 F4.Note 167 · aid] aim Collier, ed. 2 (Mason conj.). deed Bubier conj.Note 168 · vile-concluded] F1. vile concluded F2 F3 F4.Note 169 · on this] thus on Anon. conj.Note 170 · Not that I have the] Nor that I have the Hanmer. Not but I have the or Not that I have not Collier conj. Not that I have no Collier MS.Note 171 · But for] But that Pope.Note 172 · whiles] while Pope.Note 173 · Gain, be] Theobald. Gaine be Ff (Gain F3 F4).
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