Zounds! I was never so bethump'd with words, Eli. Son, list to this conjunction, make this match; Thy now unsur'd assurance to the crown, Mark, how they whisper: urge them, while their souls Lest zeal, now melted, by the windy breath 1 Cit. Why answer not the double majesties This friendly treaty of our threaten'd town? K. Phi. Speak England first, that hath been for ward first To speak unto this city: What say you? K. John. If that the Dauphin there, thy princely son, Can in this book of beauty read, I love, Her dowry shall weigh equal with a queen : For Anjou, and fair Touraine, Maine, Poictiers, And all that we upon this side the sea (Except this city now by us besieg'd) Find liable to our crown and dignity, Shall gild her bridal bed; and make her rich In titles, honours, and promotions, Holds hand with any princess of the world. K. Phi. What say'st thou, boy? look in the lady's face. Lew. I do, my lord, and in her eye I find I do protest, I never lov'd myself, Drawn in the flattering table of her eye. [Whispers with BLANCH. Bast. Drawn in the flattering table of her eye!Hang'd in the frowning wrinkle of her brow!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: 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; Or, if you will, (to speak more properly,) I will enforce it easily to my love. 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. K. John. What say these young ones? What say you, my niece? Blanch. That she is bound in honour still to do • Picture. What you in wisdom shall vouchsafe to say. love this lady? Lew. Nay, ask me if I can refrain from love; For I do love her most unfeignedly. K. John. Then do I give Volquessen, Touraine, Maine, Poictiers, and Anjou, these five provinces, K. Phi. It likes us well;-Young princes, close your hands. Aust. And your lips too; for, I am well assur'd, That I did so, when I was first assur'd.2 K. Phi. Now, citizens of Angiers, ope your gates, Let in that amity which you have made; For at saint Mary's chapel, presently, The rites of marriage shall be solemniz'd.Is not the lady Constance in this troop ?I know, she is not; for this match, made up, Her presence would have interrupted much :Where is she and her son? tell me, who knows. Lew. She is sad and passionate at your highness' tent. K. Phi. And, by my faith, this league, that we Will give her sadness very little cure.- 2 Affianced. 3 Mournful. Which we, God knows, have turn'd another way, To our own vantage.4 We will heal up all For we'll create young Arthur duke of Bretagne, And earl of Richmond; and this rich fair town We make him lord of. Call the lady Constance; Some speedy messenger bid her repair To our solemnity :-I trust we shall, 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. [Exeunt all but the Bastard. The Citizens retire from the walls. Bast. Mad world! mad kings! mad composition! And France, (whose armour conscience buckled on; But the word maid, - cheats the poor maid of that; The world, who of itself is peised well, 4 Advantage. 5 Conspired. 6 Interest. 7 Poised, balanced. Made to run even, upon even ground; ACT III. SCENE I. The same. The French King's Tent. Enter CONSTANCE, ARTHUR, and SALISBURY. Const. Gone to be married! gone to swear a peace! False blood to false blood join'd! Gone to be friends! 8 Clasp. 9 Coin. |