And chase the native beauty from his cheek, And so he'll die; and, rising so again, When I shall meet him in the court of heaven Pand. You hold too heinous a respect of grief. Fare [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 spoil'd the sweet word's taste3, That it yields nought, but shame, and bitterness. 7 I will not keep this form upon my head,] In the modern editions this line is followed by the stage-direction "Tearing off her head-dress," but nothing of the kind is found in the old copies. Constance perhaps wore no headdress, but her hair, as we may gather from the preceding part of the scene, and when she says, "I will not keep this form upon my head," she begins again to disorder her hair, which she had previously knit up at the words "But now, I envy at their liberty," &c. 8 the sweet WORD's taste,] Malone understands "word" here to refer to life, and as such may be the sense: we prefer the old text, although Pope, with much plausibility, altered "word's" to world's. Pand. Before the curing of a strong disease, Lew. All days of glory, joy, and happiness. Are not you griev'd, that Arthur is his prisoner? 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 you are, and fresh in this old world! John lays you plots; the times conspire with you, Shall find but bloody safety, and untrue. 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, If that young Arthur be not gone already, Even at that news he dies; and then the hearts Of all his people shall revolt from him, Anon becomes a mountain. O, noble Dauphin! This act, so evilly BORN,] It may be doubted whether we ought to understand "so evilly borne," as it is printed in the old copies, in the sense of having an evil birth, or merely as ill borne by John's subjects. The last is consistent with what is said afterwards, but seems to afford a poorer sense. A few lines afterwards the old copies have, "No scope of nature," usually, but perhaps injuriously printed scape by the modern editors. What may be wrought out of their discontent: Lew. Strong reasons make strange actions. Let us go: If 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 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, Fast to the chair?: be heedful. Hence, and watch. 1 Attend. I hope, your warrant will bear out the deed. Hub. Uncleanly scruples: fear not you: look to't.— [Exeunt Attendants. Young lad, come forth; I have to say with you. 10 Strong reasons make STRANGE actions :] So the first folio: the second substitutes strong for "strange," but certainly without any improvement, and perhaps, it was merely an error of the press. 1 Northampton.] Such has been the usual locality assigned to this scene, but on no authority, though it will answer the purpose as well as any other. "The fact is,” says Malone, "that Arthur was first confined at Falaise, and afterwards at Rouen, where he was put to death." The old stage-direction is merely, "Enter Hubert and Executioners," and all that is clear seems to be, that in Shakespeare, as well as in the old "King John," the scene is transferred to England. 2 Fast to the chair:] In the old "King John," we read at this point, "When you shall hear me (says Hubert) cry God save the king,' issue suddenly forth, lay hands on Arthur, set him in a chair, wherein once fast-bound, leave him to me to finish the rest." Enter ARTHUR. Arth. Good morrow, Hubert. Hub. Good morrow, little prince. Arth. As little prince (having so great a title To be more prince,) as may be.-You are sad. Hub. Indeed, I have been merrier. Mercy on me! Arth. Is it my fault that I was Geffrey's son? No, indeed, is't not; and I would to heaven, I were your son, so you would love me, Hubert. Hub. [Aside.] If I talk to him, with his innocent prate He will awake my mercy, which lies dead: Therefore I will be sudden, and dispatch. Arth. Are you sick, Hubert? you look pale to-day. In sooth, I would you were a little sick; 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? " in other 3 I SHOULD be as merry-] Malone reads, "I would be as merry: places he has confounded shall and will, as well as should and would. "Should" is as proper in this line, as "would" in the line which immediately follows. |