Go with me to the king. 'Tis wonderful, Lew. Strong reasons make strange actions. Let us go: 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 Within the arras: when I strike my foot Upon the bosom of the ground, rush forth, And bind the boy, which you shall find with me, [Exeunt. 1 Attend. I hope, your warrant will bear out the deed. [Exeunt Attentands. Young lad, come forth; I have to say with you. Arth. Good morrow, Hubert. Hub. Enter ARTHur. Good morrow, little prince. Arth. As little prince (having so great a title To be more prince,) as may be. - You are sad. Mercy on me! Hub. Indeed, I have been merrier. Methinks, no body should be sad but I: He is afraid of me, and I of him. Is it my fault that I was Geffrey's son? No, indeed, is 't not; and I would to heaven, Hub. [Aside.] If I talk to him, with his innocent prate Arth. Are you sick, Hubert? you look pale to-day. That I might sit all night, and watch with you: I warrant, I love you more than you do me. Hub. [Aside.] His words do take possession of my bosom. Read here, young Arthur. [Showing a paper.] [Aside.] How now, foolish rheum! Turning dispiteous torture out of door? 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. 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 I did never ask it you again : And with my hand at midnight held your head, Saying, What lack you? and, Where lies your grief? Why, then you must. - Will you put out mine eyes? 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. Approaching near these eyes would drink my tears, Even in the matter of mine innocence: Are you more stubborn-hard than hammer'd iron? And told me Hubert should put out mine eyes, I would not have believ'd nim; no tongue but Hubert's. Re-enter Attendants, with Cord, Irons, &c. Do as I bid you do. [Stamps. Arth. O! save me, Hubert, save me! my eyes are out, Hub. 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, Hub. Go, stand within: let me alone with him. [Exeunt Attendants. Arth. Alas! I then have chid away my friend : He hath a stern look, but a gentle heart. A grain, a dust, a gnat, a wandering hair, Any annoyance in that precious sense! Then, feeling what small things are boisterous there, Hub. Is this your promise? go to; hold your tongue. Though to no use, O! spare mine eyes; but still to look on you. Lo! by my troth, the instrument is cold, Hub. I can heat it, boy. Arth. No, in good sooth; the fire is dead with grief, Being create for comfort, to be us'd In undeserv'd extremes: see else yourself; There is no malice in this burning coal; The breath of heaven hath blown his spirit out, Hub. But with my breath I can revive it, boy. Arth. And if you do, you will but make it blush, All things that you should use to do me wrong, Deny their office: only you do lack That mercy, which fierce fire, and iron, extends, Hub. Well, see to live; I will not touch thine eyes For all the treasure that thine uncle owes: Arth. O! now you look like Hubert: all this while Hub. Peace! no more. Adieu. Your uncle must not know but you are dead: I'll fill these dogged spies with false reports; The Same. A Room of State in the Palace. Enter King JOHN, crowned; Pembroke, SalISBURY, and other Lords. The King takes his State. K. John. Here once again we sit, once again crown'd, And look'd upon, I hope, with cheerful eyes. Pem. This once again, but that your highness pleas'd, And that high royalty was ne'er pluck'd off; Sal. Therefore, to be possess'd with double pomp, To gild refined gold, to paint the lily, To seek the beauteous eye of heaven to garnish, Pem. But that your royal pleasure must be done, This act is as an ancient tale new told, |