Const. I have but this to say, That he's not only plagued for her sin, But God hath made her sin and her the plague Const. Ay, who doubts that? a will! a wicked will; A woman's will; a canker'd grandam's will! K. Phil. Peace, lady; pause, or be more tempe rate: It ill beseems this presence, to cry aim To these ill-tuned repetitions.— Some trumpet summon hither to the walls These men of Angiers; let us hear them speak, Whose title they admit, Arthur's or John's. Trumpets sound. Enter Citizens upon the walls. 1 Cit. Who is it, that hath warn'd us to the walls? K. Phil. "Tis France, for England. K. John. England, for itself; Our trumpet call'd you to this gentle parle. us first. These flags of France, that are advanced here Before the eye and prospect of your town, And merciless proceeding by these French, They shoot but calm words, folded up in smoke, Which trust accordingly, kind citizens, And let us in, your king; whose labour'd spirits, K.Phil. When I have said, make answer to us both. your town; And king o'er him, and all that he enjoys: To him that owes it; namely, this young prince; With unhack'd swords, and helmets all unbruis'd, We will bear home that lusty blood again, Which here we came to spout against your town, And leave your children, wives, and you, in peace. But if you fondly pass our proffer'd offer, 1 Cit. In brief, we are the king of England's subjects; For him, and in his right, we hold this town. K. John. Acknowledge then the king, and let me in. 1 Cit. That can we not: but he that proves the king, To him will we prove loyal; till that time, Have we ramm'd up our gates against the world. K. John. Doth not the crown of England prove And, if not that, I bring you witnesses, Twice fifteen thousand hearts of England's breed,— Bast. Bastards, and else. K. John. To verify our title with their lives. K. Phil. As many, and as well-born bloods as those, Bast. Some bastards too. K.Phil. Stand in his face, to contradict his claim. 1 Cit. Till you compound whose right is worthiest, We, for the worthiest, hold the right from both. K. John. Then God forgive the sin of all those souls, That to their everlasting residence, Before the dew of evening fall, shall fleet, In dreadful trial of our kingdom's king! K. Phil. Amen, Amen!-Mount, chevaliers! to arms! Bast. St. George,-that swing'd the dragon, and e'er since, Sits on his horseback at mine hostess' door, Teach us some fence!-Sirrah, were I at home, And make a monster of you. Aust. Peace; no more. Bast. O, tremble; for you hear the lion roar. K. John. Up higher to the plain; where we'll set forth, In best appointment, all our regiments. Bast. Speed then, to take advantage of the field. K. Phi. It shall be so;-[To Lewis.] and at the other hill Command the rest to stand.-God, and our right! [Exeunt. SCENE II. THE SAME, Alarums and Excursions; then a Retreat. Enter a French Herald, with trumpets, to the gates. F. Her. You men of Angiers, open wide your gates, And let young Arthur, duke of Bretagne, in; Who by the hand of France, this day hath made Much work for tears in many an English mother, Whose sons lie scatter'd on the bleeding ground: Many a widow's husband groveling lies, Coldly embracing the discolour'd earth; And victory, with little loss, doth play Upon the dancing banners of the French; Who To are at hand, triumphantly display'd, enter conquerors, and to proclaim Arthur of Bretagne, England's king, and y yours. |