Is second childishness, and mere oblivion; Sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans every thing. KING JOHN DIRECTING HUBERT TO THE MURDER OF PRINCE ARTHUR. King John. Come hither, Hubert. O my gentle Hubert There is a soul, counts thee her creditor, Hub. I am much bounden to your majesty. King John. Good friend, thou hast no cause to say so yet But thou shalt have; and creep time ne'er so slow, I had a thing to say,-But let it go: The sun is in the heaven, and the proud day, Had bak'd thy blood, and made it heavy, thick; Or if that thou could'st see me without eyes, King John. Do not I know, thou would'st? He is a very serpent in my way; And, wheresoe'er this foot of mine doth tread, Hub. And I will keep him so, That he shall not offend your majesty. Hub. My lord? King John. A grave. Hub. He shall not live. King John. Enough. I could be merry, now: Hubert, I love thee; HUBERT PREVENTED FROM DOING the murdeR, BY THE INNOCENCE AND ENTREATIES OF THE CHILD. 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, 1st Attend. I hope, your warrant will bear out the deed Young lad, come forth; I have to say with you. Enter ARTHUR. Arth. Good morrow, Hubert. Hub. Good morrow, little prince. Arth. As little prince (having so great a title Arth. Mercy on me! Methinks, nobody should be sad but I: Is it my fault that I was Jeffrey's son? 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; That I might sit all night, and watch with you: · How now, foolish rheum! Turning dispiteous torture out of door! I must be brief; lest resolution drop [Showing a paper Out of mine eyes, in tender womanish tears.-— Arth. Too fairly, Hubert, for so foul effect: Must you with hot irons burn out both mine eyes? Arth. And will you? Hub. And I will. [Aside Arth. Have you the heart? When your head did but ake, 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? 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: Nay, after that, consume away in rust, Are you more stubborn-hard than hammer'd iron? And told me, Hubert should put out mine eyes, [Stamps. I would not have believed no tongue, but Hubert's. Re-enter ATTENDANTS, with Cord, 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. 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. 1st Attend. I am best pleas'd to be from such a deed. [Exeunt ATTENDANTS, Arth. Alas, I then have chid away my friend; He hath a stern look, but a gentle heart :Let him come back, that his compassion may Give life to yours. Hub. Come, boy, prepare yourself. Hub. None, but to lose your eyes. : Arth. O Heaven!-that there were but a mote in yours, A grain, a dust, a gnat, a wand'ring hair, Any annoyance in that precious sense! Then, feeling what small things are boist'rous there, Your vile intent must needs seem horrible. Hub. Is this your promise? go to, hold your tongue. Arth. Let me not hold my tongue; let me not, Hubert! Or, Hubert, if you will, cut out my tongue, So I may keep mine eyes; O, spare mine eyes; Though to no use, but still to look on you!! Lo, by my troth, the instrument is cold, And would not harm me. Hub. I can heat it, boy. Arth. No, in good sooth; the fire is dead with grief. 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 : Yet am I sworn, and I did purpose, boy, Arth. O, now you look like Hubert! all this while Hub. Peace: no more. Adieu; Arth. O Heaven!-I thank you, Hubert. Hub. Silence; no more: Go closely in with me; Much danger do I undergo for thee. REMORSE OF KING JOHN. King John and Hubert. Hub. My lord, they say, five moons were seen to-night : Four fixed; and the fifth did whirl about The other four, in wond'rous motion. K. John. Five moons? Hub. 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 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 mighty cause Hub. Had none, my lord! Why, did you not provoke me? K. John. It is the curse of kings, to be attended By slaves, that take their humours for a warrant And, on the winking of authority, To understand a law; to know the meaning Of dangerous majesty, when, perchance, it frowns Hub. Here is your hand and seal for what I did. |