K. Phi. You are as fond of grief, as of your child. Const. Grief fills the room up of my absent child, Lies in his bed, walks up and down with me; Puts on his pretty looks, repeats his words, Remembers me of all his gracious parts, Stuffs out his vacant garments with his form; Then, have I reason to be fond of grief. Fare you well; had you such a loss as I, I could give better comfort than you do.I will not keep this form upon my head, [Tearing off her head-dress. When there is such disorder in my wit. My widow-comfort, and my sorrow's cure! [Exit. K. Phi. I fear some outrage, and I'll follow her. [Exit. Lew. There's nothing in this world can make me joy; Life is as tedious as a twice-told tale, Vexing the dull ear of a drowsy man; And bitter shame hath spoiled the sweet world's1 taste, 1 The old copy reads word's. The alteration was made by Pope. Malone thinks that it is unnecessary; and that by the sweet word, life is meant. Steevens prefers Pope's emendation. For even the breath of what I mean to speak Thy foot to England's throne; and, therefore, mark. Lew. But what shall I gain by young Arthur's fall? Pand. You, in the right of lady Blanch, your wife, May then make all the claim that Arthur did. Lew. And lose it, life and all, as Arthur did. Pand. How green are you, and fresh in this old world! John lays you plots; the times conspire with you; For he that steeps his safety in true blood, Shall find but bloody safety, and untrue. This act, so evilly born, shall cool the hearts Of all his people, and freeze up their zeal ; That none so small advantage shall step forth, To check his reign, but they will cherish it; No natural exhalation in the sky, No scape of nature, no distempered day, No common wind, no customed event, But they will pluck away his natural cause, And call them meteors, prodigies, and signs, Abortives, presages, and tongues of Heaven, Plainly denouncing vengeance upon John. Lew. May be, he will not touch young Arthur's life, But hold himself safe in his prisonment. Pand. O, sir, when he shall hear of your approach, 1 "John lays you plots." A similar phrase occurs in the First Part of King Henry VI.: "He writes, me here." 2 The old copy reads scope. The emendation is Pope's. If that young Arthur be not gone already, Anon becomes a mountain. O, noble dauphin, If 3 Lew. Strong reasons make strong actions. Let us go; you say, ay, the king will not say, no. [Exeunt. ACT IV. SCENE I. Northampton. A Room in the Castle. Enter HUBERT and two Attendants. Hub. Heat me these irons hot; and, look thou stand 1 Hurly is tumult. 2 The image is taken from the manner in which birds are sometimes caught; one being placed for the purpose of drawing others to the net by his note or call. 3 The first folio reads strange; the second folio strong. 4 There is no circumstance, either in the original play or in this of Within the arras.1 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. 1 Atten. I hope your warrant will bear out the deed. to't. Hub, Uncleanly scruples! Fear not you; look [Exeunt Attendants. Young lad, come forth; I have to say with you. Enter ARTHUr. Good morrow, little prince. Arth. Good morrow, Hubert. Mercy on me! Arth. 2 Is it my fault that I was Geffrey's son? Shakspeare, to point out the particular castle in which Arthur is supposed to be confined. The castle of Northampton has been mentioned, merely because, in the first act, king John seems to have been in that town. It has already been stated that Arthur was in fact confined at Falaise, and afterwards at Rouen, where he was put to death. 1 Tapestry. 2 i. e. by my baptism. The use of this word for christening or baptism is not peculiar to Shakspeare; it was common in his time. Hearne has published a Prone from a MS. of Henry the Seventh's time, in the glossary to Robert of Gloucester, in a note on the word midewinter, by which it appears that it was the ancient orthography. "The childer ryzt schape & chrystyndome." It is also used by Lyly, Fanshaw, Harington, and Fairfaxe. Hub. If I talk to him, with his innocent prate He will awake my mercy, which lies dead. Therefore I will be sudden, and despatch. [Aside. Arth. Are you sick, Hubert? You look pale to-day: 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.Read here, young Arthur. [Showing a paper.] How now, foolish rheum! [Aside. Turning dispiteous torture out of door! Out at mine eyes, in tender, womanish tears Arth. Hub And will you? And I will. Arth. Have you the heart? When your head did but ache, I knit my handkerchief about your brows, (The best I had; a princess wrought it me,) And with my hand at midnight held your head; If Heaven be pleased that you must use me ill, So much as frown on you? Hub. I have sworn to do it; And with hot irons must I burn them out. |