Arthur. 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, Reënter Attendants, with cord, irons, &c. Do as I bid you do. [Stamps Arthur. 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. 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, Hubert. Go, stand within; let me alone with him. [Attendants retire. Arthur. Alas! I then have chid away my friend: Hubert. Arthur. Is there no remedy? Come, boy, prepare yourself. Hubert. None, but to lose your eyes. Arthur. O heaven! that there were but a mote in yours, 'The two negatives in this line are a poetic license. A grain, a dust, a gnat, a wandering hair, Then feeling what small things are boisterous there, Hubert. Is this your promise? Go to; hold your tongue. Let me not hold my tongue; let me not, Hubert! Lo, by my troth, the instrument is cold, And would not harm me. Arthur. 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 its spirit out, Hubert. But with my breath I can revive it, boy. That mercy which fierce fire and iron extends,— Hubert. Well, see to live: I will not touch thine eyes Yet I am sworn, and I did purpose, boy, With this same věry iron to burn them out. Arthur. Oh, now you look like Hubert! all this while 'Cre åte', poetical license for created.- Tårre, to excite; to set on.'Creature (kret' yer), any thing created; hence Shakspeare here calls fire and iron creatures.- Owes, owns. Peace: no more. Adieu! You were disguised. Arthur. O heaven!-I thank you, Hubert. Hubert. Silence: no more. Go closely in with me: Much danger do I undergo for thee. 150. FROM THE TRAGEDY OF KING JOHN-CONCLUDED [Prince Arthur is supposed to have been assassinated.] Hubert. 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? Hubert. Old men, and beldams, in the streets Do prophesy upon it dangerously: Young Arthur's death is common in their mouths: And he that speaks doth gripe the hearer's wrist, Dog' ged, sullen; sour; severe.—' Bål' dåm, old or scolding woman - Ar tlf' i cer, a mechanic; a contriver. Cuts off his tale, and talks of Arthur's death. 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. Hubert. Had none, my lord! Why, did not you provoke me? K. John It is the curse of kings to be attended By slaves, that take their humors for a warrant To break within the bloody house of life: And, on the winking of authority, To understand a law; to know the meaning Of dangerous majesty, when, perchance, it frowns More upon humor than advised respect. Hubert. Here is your hand and seal for what I did. K. John. Oh, when the last account 'twixt heaven and earth Is to be made, then shall this hand and seal Witness against us to damnation!1 How oft the sight of means to do ill deeds A fellow by the hand of nature mark'd, 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 turn'd an eye of doubt upon my face, As bid me tell my tale in ex'press words; Deep shame had struck me dumb, made me break off, And didst in signs again parley with sin; 1 Dåm nå' tion, condemnation. Yea, without stop, didst let thy heart consent, The deed, which both our tongues held vile to name. My nobles leave me; and my state is braved, This kingdom, this confine of blood and breath, Between my conscience and my cousin's death. 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? Oh, haste thee to the peers, Forgive the comment that my passion made SHAKSPEARE. 151. THE HISTORY OF PRINCE ARTHUR. AT two-and-thirty years of age, in the year 1200, John be came king of England. His pretty little nephew, Arthur, "Fleshly land," "kingdom," "confine of blood and breath".--these expressions mean his own body, or person.- Pretty (prit' ty). |