Eli. Your strong possession, much more than your right; Or else it must go wrong with you, and me. Ess. My liege, here is the strangest controversy [Exit ENGLISH HERALD. Our abbeys and our priories shall pay This expedition's charge.— Enter ENGLISH HERALD, with PHILIP and ROBERT FAULCONBRIDGE. What men are you? [Exit ENGLISH HERALD. Faul. Your faithful subject I, a gentleman, Born in Northamptonshire; and eldest son, As I suppose, to Robert Faulconbridge; A soldier, by the honour-giving hand Of Coeur-de-lion, knighted in the field. K. John. What art thou? Rob. The son and heir to that same Faulconbridge. K. John. Is that the elder, and art thou the heir? You came not of one mother then, it seems. Faul. Most certain of one mother, mighty King, That is well known; and, as I think, one father: But, for the certain knowledge of that truth, I put you o'er to Heaven, and to my mother: Of that I doubt, as all men's children may. Eli. Out on thee, rude man! thou dost shame thy mother, And wound her honour with this diffidence. Faul. I, madam? no, I have no reason for it; K. John. A good blunt fellow.-Why, being younger born, Doth he lay claim to thine inheritance ? Faul. I know not why, except to get the land. But once he slander'd me with bastardy: But whether I be as true begot or no, That still I lay upon my mother's head; And were our father, and this son like him ;- I give Heaven thanks, I was not like to thee. K. John. Why, what a mad-cap hath Heaven lent us here! Eli. He hath a trick of Coeur-de-lion's face; : The accent of his tongue affecteth him :- In the large composition of this man? K. John. Mine eye hath well examined his parts, And finds them perfect Richard.—Sirrah, speak, What doth move you to claim your brother's land? Rob. My gracious liege, when that my father liv'd, Your brother did employ my father much ; Faul. Well, sir, by this you cannot get my land; Your tale must be how he employ'd my mother. Rob. And once despatch'd him in an embassy To Germany, there, with the Emperor, To treat of high affairs touching that time: The advantage of his absence took the King, And in the mean time sojourn'd at my father's; Where how he did prevail I shame to speak: But truth is truth; large lengths of seas and shores Between my father and my mother lay, (As I have heard my father speak himself,) When this same lusty gentleman was got. Full fourteen weeks before the course of time :- K. John. Sirrah, your brother is legitimate; Your father's heir must have your father's land. Faul. Of no more force to dispossess me, sir, Eli. Whether hadst thou rather, be a Faulconbridge, And like thy brother, to enjoy thy land; Or the reputed son of Coeur-de-lion, Faul. Madam, and if my brother had my shape, I would not be Sir Nob in any case. Eli. I like thee well:-Wilt thou forsake thy fortune, Bequeath thy land to him, and follow me ? I am a soldier, and now bound to France. Faul. Brother, take you my land, I'll take my chance: Your face hath got five hundred pound a year; Eli. Nay, I would have you go before me thither. Faul. Philip, my liege; so is my name begun; K. John. From henceforth bear his name, whose Kneel thou down, Philip, but arise more great; Faul. Brother, by my mother's side, give me your hand; My father gave me honour, yours gave land :- K. John. Go, Faulconbridge! now hast thou thy desire, A landless knight makes thee a landed 'squire.[Exit ROBERT FAULCONBRIDGE. Come, madam, and come, Richard: we must speed For France, for France; for it is more than need. [Flourish of Drums and Trumpets.—Exeunt all but FAULCON BRIDGE. Faul. A foot of honour better than I was; What woman post is this? hath she no husband Enter LADY FAULCONBRIDGE and GURNEY. How now, good lady? What brings you here to court so hastily? L. Faul. Where is that slave, thy brother? Where is he? That holds in chase mine honour up and down? L. Faul. Sir Robert's son! Ay, thou unreverend boy, Sir Robert's son: Why scorn'st thou at Sir Robert ? He is Sir Robert's son, and so art thou. Faul. James Gurney, wilt thou give us leave a while? Gur, Good leave, good Philip. Faul. Philip ?-sparrow !-James, There's toys abroad; anon I'll tell thee more, [Exit GURNEY, Madam, I was not old Sir Robert's son: Sir Robert never holp to make this leg. L. Faul. Hast thou conspired with thy brother too, That for thine own gain should'st defend mine honour? What means this scorn, thou most untoward knave? Faul. Knight, knight, good mother:-Basilisco like! What! I am dubb'd! I have it on my shoulder. — But, mother, I am not Sir Robert's son; I have disclaim'd Sir Robert, and my land: C |