tent. And earl of Richmond; and this rich fair town Some speedy messenger: bid her repair The gates of the town are opened; the kings, princes, and others of rank, enter with their attendants: a messenger moves in a different direction toward King Philip's Faulconbridge stands in gaze on the passing multitude, and, when left alone, breaks out in exclamations: [Faulconb.] Mad world! mad kings! mad composition! John, to stop Arthur's title in the whole, Hath willingly departed with a part: And France whose armour conscience buckled on, Is poised well to run on even ground, But for because he hath not woo'd me yet? Well, while I am a beggar I will rail, And say there is no vice but to be rich: And being rich, my virtue then shall be, To say there is no vice but beggary, And break my faith, like kings, upon Commodity. THE DESERTION OF ARTHUR'S CAUSE; THE GRIEF AND ANGER OF CONSTANCE; THE INTERPOSITION OF PAPAL POWER; THE EXCOMMUNICATION OF JOHN; AND THE SERVICES OF KING PHILIP ENGAGED IN FAVOUR OF THE POPE; REPRESENTED BY SCENES WHICH ARE IMAGINED TO OCCUR IN KING PHILIP'S TENT IN SEQUENCE OF THE FOREGOING. HISTORICAL MEMORANDA: The events here brought together occurred in different parts of John's reign. Lewis and Blanche were married in 1200. The services of King Philip were secured by Innocent III. in 1213. It was in the same year at Dover that cardinal Pandulph had an interview with John, after the spirit of that King's opposition to the Church had been abated, and he was beginning to give way to the cowardice which was at the bottom of his character. The tent discovers three persons, the Messenger from the two Kings, who has just delivered his tidings; the Lady Constance; and her Son. [Constance.] Gone to be married! gone to swear a peace! What, Lewis have Blanche? and Blanche those proIt is not so; thou hast mis-spoke, mis-heard; [vinces ? I have a king's oath to the contrary. Believe me, I do not believe thee, man: Thou shalt be punish'd for thus frighting me; Oppress'd with wrongs, and therefore full of fears; A woman, naturally born to fears: And though thou now confess thou didst but jest, [Messenger.] As true, as, I believe, you think them false, That give you cause to prove my saying true. [Constance.] O, if thou teach me to believe this sorrow, Teach thou this sorrow how to make me die. Lewis marry Blanche! Oh boy, then where art thou? France friends with England! What becomes of me? Fellow, begone! I cannot brook thy sight. [Arthur.] I do beseech you, mother, be content. [Constance.] If thou that bidst me be content, wert grim, [Messenger.] Pardon me, Madam; I may not go without you to the kings. [Constance.] Thou mayst, thou shalt; I will not go with thee; I will instruct my sorrows to be proud; For grief is proud, and makes his owner stout. Here is my throne; bid kings come bow to it. While Constance, in the madness and majesty of her sorrow, is seated on the ground, the two kings, with the dauphin and princess newly married, the duke of Austria, Faulconbridge, and others of rank, with numerous attendants, enter; the kings declaring that, in their respective dominions, the day which they celebrate shall never return but as a holiday. Constance rises at this declaration, and speaks: A wicked day, and not a holy day, A day of shame, oppression, perjury. Arm, arm, you heavens, against these perjur'd kings; Let not the hours of this ungodly day Wear out the day in peace; but ere sun-set The Kings, taken by surprise, are mute; Austria, little delicate in his perceptions, and forward to recommend himself to those in power, advances to her. [Austria.] Lady Constance, peace! [Constance.] War! war! no peace! peace is to me a war. O Lymoges! O Austria! thou dost shame That bloody spoil: thou slave, thou wretch, thou coward, Thou ever strong upon the stronger side! Hast thou not spoken like thunder in my cause? Been sworn my soldier, bidding me depend Upon thy stars, thy fortune, and thy strength? And dost thou now fall over to my foes? Thou wear a lion's hide! doff it for shame, And hang a calf's skin on those recreant limbs. [Austria.] O, that a man should speak those words to me! Faulconbridge advances. [Faulconb.] And hang a calf's skin on those recreant limbs. [Austria.] Thou dar'st not say so, villain, for thy life. [Faulconb.] And hang a calf's skin on those recreant limbs. King John interposes, telling Faulconbridge that he likes not his behaviour-that he forgets himself: and the two frowning warriors retire. The pause which ensues is soon broken by the approach and entrance of a personage new upon the scene, the cardinal Pandulph, who, without any preface which may give opportunity for a guarded reply, at once begins his address. [Pandulph.] Hail, you annointed deputies of heaven! [John.] What earthly name to interrogatories, Tell him this tale; and from the mouth of England, But as we, under heaven, are supreme head, [Pandulph.] Then, by the lawful power that I have, From his allegiance to a heretic, And meritorious shall that hand be call'd, [Constance.] O, lawful let it be To join a woman's curse to that of Rome! To my keen curses; for without my wrong, There is no tongue hath power to curse him right. [Pandulph.] There's law, ay warrant, lady, for my curse. |