DRAMATIC SCENES AND DIALOGUES. Ex. 189. Arthur and Hubert. Arth. Good morrow, Hubert. Hub. Good morrow, little prince. Arth. As little prince (having so great a title To be more prince), as may be. You are sad. Hub. Indeed, I have been merrier. Arth. Mercy on me! Methinks, nobody should be sad but I : Is it my fault that I was Geoffrey's son? Arth. Are you sick, Hubert? you look pale to-day: That I might sit all night, and watch with you: In sooth, I would you were a little sick; I warrant, I love you more than you do me. Hub. His words do take possession of my bosom.— [Aside. Read here, young Arthur. [Showing a paper.] 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. Can you not read it? is it not fair writ? Arth. Too fairly, Hubert, for so foul effect : Must you with hot irons burn out both mine eyes? Arth. And will you? Hub. And I will. Arth. Have you the heart? ache, [Aside. When your head did but I knit my handkerchief about your brows, And with my hand at midnight held your head; Hub. I have sworn to do it ; And with hot irons must I burn them out. Arth. Ah, none, but in this iron age, would do it! Approaching near these eyes, would drink my tears, Even in the matter of mine innocence: Nay, after that, consume away in rust, But for containing fire to harm mine eyes. Are you more stubborn-hard than hammer'd iron? 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'sHub. Come forth. Enter ATTENDANTS, with Cords, Irons, etc. Do as I bid you, do. [Stamps. Arth. O save me, Hubert, save me! my eyes are out, Hub. Give me the irons, I say, and bind him here. I will not struggle, I will stand stone-still. For heaven's sake, Hubert, let me not be bound! I will not stir, nor wince, nor speak a word, Thrust but these men away, and I'll forgive you, Hub. Go, stand within; let me alone with him. 1 Attend. I am best pleased to be from such a deed. [Exeunt ATTENDANTS. Arth. 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. Hub. Come, boy, prepare yourself. Hub. None, but to lose your eyes. Arth. O heaven!-that there were but a mote in yours, A grain, a dust, a gnat, a wand'ring hair, Any annoyance in that precious sense! Then, feeling what small things are boist'rous there, Hub. Is this your promise? go to, hold your tongue. Hub. I can heat it, boy. Arth. No, in good sooth; the fire is dead with grief, Being create for comfort, to be used 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. Hub. But with my breath I can revive it, boy. That mercy, which fierce fire and iron extends, Creatures of note, for mercy-lacking uses. Hub. Well, see to live; I will not touch thine eyes 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. Arth. O now you look like Hubert! all this while You were disguised. Hub. Peace: no more. Adieu; Your uncle must not know but you are dead : Arth. O heaven!-I thank you, Hubert. Hub. Silence; no more : Go closely in with me ; Much danger do I undergo for thee. Ex. 190. King John and Hubert. Shakspeare. Hub. My lord, they say, five moons were seen to-night : Four fixed; and the fifth did whirl about The other four, in wondrous motion. K. John. Five moons? Hub. Old men, and beldams, in the streets Do prophesy upon it dangerously : Young Arthur's death is common in their mouths : And when they talk of him, they shake their heads, K. John. Why seek'st thou to possess me with these fears? Why urgest thou so oft young Arthur's death? Thy hand hath murder'd him. I had a mighty cause To wish him dead, but thou hadst none to kill him. Hub. None had, my lord! Why, did you not provoke me? K. John. It is the curse of kings, to be attended By slaves, that take their humours for a warrant And, on the winking of authority, To understand a law; to know the meaning Of dangerous majesty, when, perchance it frowns More upon humour than advised respect. 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 Makes ill deeds done! Hadst not thou been by, A fellow by the hand of nature marked, Quoted, and signed, to do a deed of shame, Finding thee fit for bloody villany, I faintly broke with thee of Arthur's death; Made 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 turned an eye of doubt upon my face, As 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 : And didst in signs again parley with sin; 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. Hub. Arm you against your other enemies, The dreadful motion of a murderous thought; Is yet the cover of a fairer mind Than to be butcher of an innocent child. K. John. Doth Arthur live? O haste thee to the peers, Throw this report on their incensed rage, And make them tame to their obedience! Presented thee more hideous than thou art. Shakspeare. |