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 spoiled the sweet world's taste, Are not you grieved that Arthur is his prisoner? 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. Pand. How green are you, and fresh in this old world! John lays you plots; the times conspire with you; For he that steeps his safety in true blood, Shall find but bloody safety, and untrue. This act, so evilly born, shall cool the hearts Of all his people, and freeze up their zeal; That none so small advantage shall step forth, To check his reign, but they will cherish it; No natural exhalation in the sky, 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 Lew. Strong reasons make strong actions. Let us go; [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, Hub. Uncleanly scruples! Fear not you; look to't. [Exeunt Attendants. Young lad, come forth; I have to say with you. Enter ARTHur. Arth. Good morrow, Hubert. Hub. Good morrow, little prince. Mercy on me! Arth. Is it my fault that I was Geffrey's son? I were your son, so you would love me, Hubert. [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. I warrant I love you more than you do me. Hub. His words do take possession of my bosom.Read here, young Arthur. [Showing a paper.] How now, foolish rheum! Turning dispiteous torture out of door! I must be brief, lest resolution drop Out at mine eyes, in tender, womanish tears.- [Aside. Must you with hot irons burn out both mine eyes? 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; If Heaven be pleased that you must use me ill, 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, But for containing fire to harm mine eye. 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 Hubert'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. 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. Arth. Alas! I then have chid away my friend; Hub. Come, boy, prepare yourself. Arth. Is there no remedy? Hub. None, but to lose you eyes. Arth. O Heaven!-that there were but a mote in yours, 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. Hub. I can heat it, boy. Arth. No, in good sooth; the fire is dead with grief, Being create for comfort, to be used In undeserved 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. That mercy, which fierce fire, and iron, extends, Creatures of note for mercy-lacking uses. 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, With this same very iron to burn them out. Arth. O, now you look like Hubert! all this while You were disguised. Hub. Peace; no more. Adieu; Your uncle must not know but you are dead: |