Another lean unwash'd artificer Cuts off his tale, and talks of Arthur's death. K. John. Why seek'st thou to possess me with these fears? Why urgest thou so oft young Arthur's death? K. John. It is the curse of kings, to be attended To understand a law; to know the meaning Hub. Here is your hand and seal for what I did. K. John. O, when the last account 'twixt Heaven and earth Is to be made, then shall this hand and seal Witness against us to damnation !— How oft the sight of means to do ill deeds I faintly broke with thee of Arthur's death; Mad'st it no conscience to destroy a prince. K. John. Hadst thou but shook thy head, or made a pause, When I spake darkly what I purposed; Or turn'd an eye of doubt upon my face, And bid me tell my tale in express words; Deep shame had struck me dumb, made me break off, And those thy fears might have wrought fears in me: The deed, which both our tongues held vile to name→ This kingdom, this confine of blood and breath, Between my conscience, and my cousin's death. Is yet a maiden and an innocent hand, Is yet the cover of a fairer mind Than to be butcher of an innocent child. Young Arthur is alive. K. John. Doth Arthur live? O, haste thee to the peers, Throw this report on their incensed rage, Presented thee more hideous than thou art.› [Exeunt KING JOHN and HUBERT. SCENE IV. England. The Gates of a Castle. : Enter ARTHUR on the Walls of the Castle. Arth. The wall is high and yet will I leap down: Good ground, be pitiful, and hurt me not; I am afraid; and yet I'll venture it. If I get down, and do not break my limbs, I'll find a thousand shifts to get away: As good to die, and go, as die, and stay. [Leaps down. O me! my uncle's spirit is in these stones:Heaven take my soul, and England keep my bones! [Dies. Enter SALISBURY, with Letters, PEMBROKE, and ESSEX. Sal, Lords, I will meet him at St. Edmund's Bury; It is our safety, and we must embrace This gentle offer of the perilous time. Pem. Who brought that letter from the Cardinal? Sal. Count Chatillon a noble lord of France; Whose private with me, of the Dauphin's love, Is much more general than these lines import. Ess. To-morrow morning let us meet him then. Enter FAULCON bridge. Faul. Once more to-day well met, distemper'd lords! The King, by me, requests your presence straight. Sal. The King hath dispossess'd himself of us; We'll not attend the foot, That leaves the print of blood where'er it walks; Faul. Whate'er you think, good words, I think, were best, Ess. Our griefs, and not our manners, reason now. Faul. But there is little reason in your grief; Therefore, 'twere reason, you had manners now. Pem. Sir, sir, impatience hath his privilege. Faul. 'Tis true; to hurt his master, no man else. Sal. This is the prison:-What is he lies here? [Seeing ARTHUR. Pem. O death, made proud with pure and princely beauty! The earth had not a hole to hide this deed. Sal. Murder, as hating what himself hath done, Doth lay it open, to urge on revenge. Ess. Or, when he doom'd this beauty to a grave, Found it too precious-princely for a grave. Sal. Sir Richard, what think you? Have you be Or have you read, or heard,—or could you think,- Sal. If that it be the work of any hand?- Never to be infected with delight, Nor conversant with ease and idleness, Pem. Our souls religiously confirm thy words. Hub. Lords, I am hot with haste in seeking you: Arthur doth live; the King hath sent for you. Sal. Avaunt, thou hateful villain, get thee gone! Hub. I am no villain. Sal. Must I rob the law? [Draws his Sword. By Heaven, I think my sword as sharp as yours: Sal. Out, dunghill! dar'st thou brave a nobleman? Sal. Thou art a murderer. Hub. Do not prove me so; Yet I am none:-Whose tongue soe'er speaks false, Not truly speaks; who speaks not truly, lies. Pem. Cut him to pieces. [PEMBROKE and ESSEX draw. Faul. Keep the peace, I say. Sal. Stand by; or I shall gall you, Faulconbridge. Faul. Thou wert better gall the devil, Salisbury:If thou but frown on me, or stir thy foot, Or teach thy hasty spleen to do me shame, I'll strike thee dead. Put up thy sword betime; Or I'll so maul you and your toasting iron, That you shall think the devil is come from hell. |