Can you not read it? is it nct fair writ? Arth. Too fairly, Hubert, for so foul effect: Must you with hot irons burn out both mine eyes? Hub. Young boy, I must. Arth. Hub. And will you? And I will. 40 Arth. Have you the heart? When your head did but ache, I knit my handkercher about your brows, And with my hand at midnight held your head, Still and anon cheer'd up the heavy time, Saying, 'What lack you?' and 'Where lies your grief?' ་ Or What good love may I perform for you?' 50 If heaven be pleased that you must use me ill, Why then you must. Will you put out mine eyes? These eyes that never did nor never shall So much as frown on you. 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! The iron of itself, though heat red-hot, 60 Approaching near these eyes, would drink my tears And quench his fiery indignation Even in the matter of mine innocence; Nay, after that, consume away in rust, Are you more stubborn-hard than hammer'd iron? And told me Hubert should put out mine eyes, Hubert's. Hub. Come forth. -no tongue but Re-enter Executioners, with a cord, irons, &c. Do as I bid you do. Arth. O, save me, Hubert, save me! my eyes are out Even with the fierce looks of these bloody men. Hub. Give me the iron, I say, and bind him here. Arth. Alas, what need you be so boisterousrough? I will not struggle, I will stand stone-still. I will not stir, nor wince, nor speak a word, 80 Thrust but these men away, and I'll forgive you, Whatever torment you do put me to. Hub. Go, stand within; let me alone with him. First Exec. I am best pleased to be from such a deed. [Exeunt Executioners. 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. 90 Arth. Is there no remedy? 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 wandering hair, Any annoyance in that precious sense! Then feeling what small things are boisterous there, Your vile intent must needs seem horrible. Hub. Is this your promise? go to, hold your tongue. Arth. Hubert, the utterance of a brace of tongues ΙΟΙ Must needs want pleading for a pair of eyes: And would not harm me. 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; The breath of heaven has blown his spirit out 110 Hub. But with my breath I can revive it, boy. Arth. An if you do, you will but make it blush And glow with shame of your proceedings, Hubert: Nay, it perchance will sparkle in your eyes; That mercy which fierce fire and iron extends, 120 Hub. Well, see to live; I will not touch thine eye *Owns. For all the treasure that thine uncle owes:* while You were disguised. Peace; no more. Adieu. Hub. Your uncle must not know but you are dead; I'll fill these dogged spies with false reports: And, pretty child, sleep doubtless and secure, 130 That Hubert, for the wealth of all the world, Will not offend thee. Arth. O heaven! I thank you, Hubert. Hub. Silence; no more: go closely in with me: Much danger do I undergo for thee. SCENE II. KING JOHN'S palace. [Exeunt. Enter KING JOHN, PEMBROKE, SALISBURY, and other Lords. K. John. Here once again we sit, once again crown'd, And looked upon, I hope, with cheerful eyes. Pem. This once again,' but that your highness pleased, Was once superfluous: you were crown'd before, To guard a title that was rich before, To gild refined gold, to paint the lily, To smooth the ice, or add another hue To seek the beauteous eye of heaven to garnish, ΙΟ Pem. But that your royal pleasure must be done, This act is as an ancient tale new told, Sal. In this the antique and well noted face It makes the course of thoughts to fetch about, Startles and frights consideration, Makes sound opinion sick and truth suspected, For putting on so new a fashion'd robe. 20 Pem. When workmen strive to do better than well, They do confound their skill in covetousness; 30 Doth make the fault the worse by the excuse, Discredit more in hiding of the fault Sal. To this effect, before you were new We breathed our counsel: but it pleased your highness To overbear it, and we are all well pleased, Since all and every part of what we would 40 I have possess'd you with and think them strong; To sound the purposes of all their hearts, 50 The enfranchisement of Arthur; whose restraint That the time's enemies may not have this Enter HUBERT. 60 K. John. Let it be so: I do commit his youth Το your direction. Hubert, what news with you? [Taking him apart. Pem. This is the man should do the bloody deed; He show'd his warrant to a friend of mine: 70 The image of a wicked heinous fault Lives in his eye; that close aspect of his Does show the mood of a much troubled breast; |