Like egg-shells moved upon their surges, cracked
As easily 'gainst our rocks: for joy whereof
The famed Cassibelan, who was once at point
(O giglot fortune!) to master Caesar's sword,
Made Lud's town with rejoicing fires bright,
And Britons strut with courage.

Cymbeline [to Lucius]. You must know,
Till the injurious Romans did extort

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30

This tribute from us, we were free: Caesar's ambition Did put the yoke upon's; which to shake off,

Becomes a warlike people, whom we reckon

Ourselves to be.

Cloten and Lords. We do.

Cymbeline.

35

Say then to Caesar,
Our ancestor was that Mulmutius which
Ordained our laws, whose use the sword of Caesar
Hath too much mangled; whose repair and franchise
Shall, by the power we hold, be our good deed,
Though Rome be therefore angry. Mulmutius made our
laws,

Who was the first of Britain which did put
His brows within a golden crown, and called
Himself a king.

Lucius.

I am sorry, Cymbeline,

That I am to pronounce Augustus Caesar
(Caesar, that hath moe kings his servants than
Thyself domestic officers) thine enemy.

Receive it from me, then :-War and confusion,
In Caesar's name, pronounce I 'gainst thee look
For fury not to be resisted. Thus defied,
I thank thee for myself.

Cymbeline.
Thou art welcome, Caius.
Thy Caesar knighted me; my youth I spent
Much under him; of him I gathered honour,
Behoves me keep at utterance. I am perfect
That the Pannonians and Dalmatians, for
Their liberties, are now in arms; a precedent
Which not to read would show the Britons cold:
So Caesar shall not find them.

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45

50

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Lucius. Let proof speak. Cloten. His majesty bids you welcome. Make pastime with us a day or two, or longer if you seek us afterwards in other terms, you shall find us in our salt-water

girdle: if you beat us out of it, it is yours; if you fall in the adventure, our crows shall fare the better for you; and there's an end.

Lucius. So, sir.

65

Cymbeline. I know your master's pleasure, and he

mine:

All the remain is, welcome.

[Exeunt.

III. HUBERT AND ARTHUR

BY WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE

King John, capturing his nephew Arthur, Duke of Brittany, whom the King of France has set up as a rival claimant to the throne, hands him over to the custody of Hubert de Burgh, and then sends orders for his eyes to be put out. The scene is a room in the Castle of Northampton.

Enter Hubert and two Executioners.

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,
Fast to the chair: be heedful: hence, and watch. 5
First Executioner. I hope your warrant will bear out
the deed.

Hubert. Uncleanly scruples! Fear not you look to 't. [Exeunt the Executioners. Young lad, come forth; I have to say with you. Enter Arthur.

IO

Arthur. Good morrow, Hubert. Hubert. Good morrow, little prince. 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.

Arthur.

Mercy on me!

Methinks no body 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,
I should be as merry as the day is long;

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And so I would be here, but that I doubt
My uncle practises more harm to me:
He is afraid of me, and I of him:

Is it my fault that I was Geffrey's son ?
No, indeed, is 't not; and I would to heaven

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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.

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Arthur. Are you sick, Hubert ? you look pale to-day. 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.

Read here, young Arthur.

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[Showing a paper.

[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.
[Aloud.] 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?
Hubert. Young boy, I must.

Arthur.

Hubert.

And will you?

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And I will. 40

Arthur. Have you the heart? When your head did but

ache,

I knit my handkercher about your brows

And I did never ask it you again;

(The best I had, a princess wrought it me),

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,

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Saying What lack you?' and 'Where lies your grief ? '
Or What good love may I perform for you?
Many a poor man's son would have lain 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,
And call it cunning: do, an if you will:

If heaven be pleased that you must use me ill,

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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.

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
And quench his fiery indignatión

Even in the matter of mine innocence;
Nay, after that, consume away in rust,
But for containing fire to harm mine eye.

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Are you more stubborn-hard than hammered 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's-
Hubert. Come forth. [He stamps, and the Executioners
enter with a cord and irons.] Do as I bid you do.
Arthur [clinging to Hubert]. Oh, 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.
Arthur. Alas, what need you be so boisterous-rough?

I will not struggle, I will stand stone-still.
For heaven 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,
Nor look upon the iron angerly:

Thrust but these men away, and I'll forgive you,
Whatever torment you do put me to.

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Hubert. Go, stand within; let me alone with him. 84 First Executioner. I am best pleased to be from such a deed. [Exeunt Executioners.

Arthur. 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.

Arthur. Is there no remedy?
Hubert.

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None, but to lose your eyes.

Arthur. O heaven, that there were but a mote in yours, A grain, a dust, a gnat, a wandering hair,

Any annoyance in that precious sense!

Then, feeling what small things are boisterous there,
Your vile intent must needs seem horrible.

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Hubert. Is this your promise? go to, hold your tongue. Arthur. 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: oh, spare mine eyes,
Though to no use but still to look on you!
Lo! by my troth, the instrument is cold,
And would not harm me.

Hubert.

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I can heat it, boy.
Arthur. No, in good sooth; the fire is dead with grief.
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 Arthur. All things that you should use to do me wrong

Deny their office: only you do lack

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That mercy which fierce fire and iron extends,
Creatures of note for mercy-lacking uses.

For all the treasure that thine uncle owes :

Hubert. Well, see to live; I will not touch thine eyes

Yet am I sworn and I did purpose, boy,

With this same very iron to burn them out.

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Arthur. Oh, now you look like Hubert! all this while You were disguised.

Hubert.
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
Will not offend thee.

120

Arthur. O heaven! I thank you, Hubert. Hubert. Silence; no more: go closely in with me: Much danger do I undergo for thee.

[Exeunt.