The canon of the law is laid on him, Const. I have but this to say, That he is not only plagued for her sin, And with her plague her sin: his injury Her injury the beadle to her sin, All punish'd in the person of this child, Eli. Thou unadvised scold, I can produce A will, that bars the title of thy son. Const. Ay, who doubts that? a will! a wicked will; A woman's will: a canker'd grandam's will! K. Phi. Peace, lady! pause, or be more temperate. It ill beseems this presence, to ery aim To these ill-tuned repetitions. Some trumpet summon hither to the walls These men of Angiers: let us hear them speak, Trumpets sound. Enter Citizens upon the walls. K. John. England, for itself. You men of Angiers, and my loving subjects, K. Phi. You loving men of Angiers, Arthur's subjects, Our trumpet call'd you to this gentle parle. K. John. For our advantage; therefore, hear us first. These flags of France, that are advanced here Before the eye and prospect of your town, Have hither march'd to your endamagement: The cannons have their bowels full of wrath, And ready mounted are they, to spit forth Their iron indignation 'gainst your walls: All preparation for a bloody siege, And merciless proceeding by these French, Crave harbourage within your city walls. K. Phi. When I have said, make answer to us both. Lo! in this right hand, whose protection In warlike march these greens before your town; Than the constraint of hospitable zeal, To pay that duty, which you truly owe, To him that owes it, namely, this young prince; Save in aspect, have all offence seal'd up: With unhack'd swords, and helmets all unbruis'd, Cit. In brief, we are the king of England's subjects: For him, and in his right, we hold this town. K, John. Acknowledge then the king, and let me in. To him will we prove loyal: till that time, Have we ramm'd up our gates against the world. K. John. Doth not the crown of England prove the king? And, if not that, I bring you witnesses, Twice fifteen thousand hearts of England's breed, Bast. Bastards, and else. K. John. To verify our title with their lives. K. Phi. As many, and as well-born bloods as those, K. Phi. Stand in his face to contradict his claim. Cit. Till you compound whose right is worthiest, We for the worthiest hold the right from both. K. John. Then God forgive the sin of all those souls, That to their everlasting residence Before the dew of evening fall shall fleet, In dreadful trial of our kingdom's king! K. Phi. Amen, Amen. Mount, chevaliers! to arms! Bast. St. George, that swing'd the dragon, and e'er since, Sits on his horseback at mine hostess' door, Teach us some fence! [To AUSTRIA.] Sirrah, were I at home, At your den, sirrah, with your lioness, I would set an ox-head to your lion's hide, And make a monster of you. Aust. Peace! no more. Bast. O tremble, for you hear the lion roar. K. John. Up higher to the plain; where we 'll set forth In best appointment all our regiments. Bast. Speed, then, to take advantage of the field. [To LEWIS.] and at the other hill God, and our right! SCENE II. The Same. [Exeunt. Alarums and Excursions; then a Retreat. Enter a French Herald, with trumpets, to the gates. F. Her. You men of Angiers, open wide your gates, Who by the hand of France this day hath made Arthur of Bretagne, England's king, and yours. Enter an English Herald, with trumpets. E. Her. Rejoice, you men of Angiers, ring your bells: King John, your king and England's, doth approach, Commander of this hot malicious day. Their armours, that march'd hence so silver-bright, That is removed by a staff of France: That did display them when we first march'd forth; Cit. Heralds, from off our towers we might behold, Blood hath bought blood, and blows have answer'd blows; One must prove greatest: while they weigh so even, We hold our town for neither, yet for both. Enter, at one side, KING JOHN, with his power, ELINor, K. John. France, hast thou yet more blood to cast away? A peaceful progress to the ocean. K. Phi. England, thou hast not sav'd one drop of blood, In this hot trial, more than we of France; Rather, lost more: and by this hand I swear, That sways the earth this climate overlooks, We'll put thee down, 'gainst whom these arms we bear, |