Here is my throne, bid Kings come bow to it, [She throws herself on the ground. Enter King JOHN, King PHILIP, LEWIS, BLANCH, ELINOR, Bastard, AUSTRIA, and Attendants. K. Phi. 'Tis true, fair daughter; and this Ever in France shall be kept festival: Const. A wicked day, and not a holyday! [Rising. What hath this day deserv'd? what hath it done; That it in golden letters should be set, Among the high tides, in the kalendar? Nay, rather, turn this day out of the week; This day of shame, oppression, perjury: Or, if it must stand still, let wives with child Pray, that their burdens may not fall this day, Lest that their hopes prodigiously be cross'd: But on this day!, let seamen fear no wreck; No bargains break, that are not this day made: This day, all things begun come to ill end; Yea, faith itself to hollow falsehood change! K. Phi. By heaven, Lady, you shall have no cause To curse the fair proceedings of this day: Const. You have beguil'd me with a coun terfeit, Resembling majesty; which, being touch'd, and tried, Proves valueless: You are forsworn, forsworn; You came in arms to spill mine enemies' blood, But now in arms you strengthen it with yours: The grappling vigour and rough frown of war, Is cold in amity and painted peace, And our oppression hath made up this league :- A widow cries; be husband to me, heavens! Wear out the day in peace; but, ere sunset, Aust. Lady Constance, peace. Const. War! war! no peace! peace is to me a war. O Lymoges! O Austria! thou dost shame Thou little valiant, great in villainy! And hang a calf's-skin on those recreant limbs. Aust. O, that a man should speak those words to me! Bast. And hang a calf's-skin on those recreant limbs. Aust. Thou dar'st not say so, villain, for thy life. Bast. And hang a calf's-skin on those recreant limbs. K. John. We like not this; thou dost forget thyself. Enter PANDULPH. K. Phi. Here comes the holy legate of the Pope. Why thou against the church, our holy mother, K. John. What earthly name to interroga- Can task the free breath of a sacred King? Add thus much more, That no Italian priest Shall tithe or toll in our dominions} But as we under heaven are supreme head, K, Phi. Brother of England, you blaspheme in this. K. John. Though you, and all the Kings of Christendom, Are led so grossly by this meddling priest, Dreading the curse that money may buy out; And, by the merit of vile gold, dross, dust, Purchase corrupted pardon of a man, Who, in that sale, sells pardon from himself: Against the Pope, and count his friends my foes. Const. O, lawful let it be, That I have room with Rome to curse a while! Good father Cardinal, cry thou, amen, To my keen curses; for, without my wrong, There is no tongue hath power to curse him right, Pand. There's law and warrant, Lady, for my curse. Const. And for mine too; when law can de Let it be lawful, that law bar no wrong: And raise the power of France upon his head, Eli. Look'st thou pale, France? do not let go thy hand. Const, Look to that, devil! lest that France repent, And, by disjoining hands, hell lose a soul. Aust. King Philip, listen to the Cardinal. Bast. And hang a calf's-skin on his recreant limbs. Aust. Well, ruffian, I must pocket up these wrongs, Because Const. What should he say, but as the Cardinal? Lew. Bethink you, father; for the difference Is, purchase of a heavy curse from Rome, Or the light loss of England for a friend : Forgo the easier. Blanch. That's the curse of Rome. Const. O Lewis, stand fast; the devil templs thee here, In likeness of a new untrimmed bride, |