For even the breath of what I mean to speak Thy foot to England's throne; and, therefore, mark. That, whiles warm life plays in that infant's veins, 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. No 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, 3 2 Lew. Strong reasons make strong 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 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. Hub. Mercy on me! Arth. Is it my fault that I was Geffrey's son? I were your son, so you would love me, Hubert. 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; 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. Too fairly, Hubert, for so foul effect. 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; Saying, What lack you? and, Where lies your grief? So much as frown on you? Hub. you 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! The iron of itself, though heat' red-hot, Approaching near these eyes, would drink my tears, Even in the matter of mine innocence; Are you more stubborn-hard than hammered iron? And told me, Hubert should put out mine eyes, I would not have believed him; no tongue, but Hu bert's. Hub. Come forth. [Stamps. Re-enter Attendants, with cords, irons, &c. Do as I bid you do. Arth. O, save me, Hubert, save me; my eyes are out, Even with the fierce looks of these bloody men. Hub. Give me the iron, I say, and bind him here. Arth. Alas! what need you be so boisterous-rough? 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. He hath a stern look, but a gentle heart. 1 The participle heat, though now obsolete, was in use in Shakspeare's time. "He commanded that they should heat the furnace one seven times more than it was wont to be heat.”—Daniel iii. 19. |