To make a faithless error in your ears; 230

Which trust accordingly, kind citizens,

And let us in, your king, whose laboured spirits,

Forwearied in this action of swift speed,

Craves harbourage within your city walls.

KING PHILIP

When I have said, make answer to us both.

He takes Arthur’s hand

Lo, in this right hand, whose protection

Is most divinely vowed upon the right

Of him it holds, stands young Plantagenet,

Son to the elder brother of this man

And king o‘er him and all that he enjoys. 240

For this downtrodden equity we tread

In warlike march these greens before your town,

Being no further enemy to you

Than the constraint of hospitable zeal

In the relief of this oppressèd child 245

Religiously provokes. Be pleased then

To pay that duty which you truly owe

To him that owes it, namely this young prince;

And then our arms, like to a muzzled bear,

Save in aspect, hath all offence sealed up:

Our cannons’ malice vainly shall be spent

Against th’invulnerable clouds of heaven,

And with a blessèd and unvexed retire,

With unhacked swords and helmets all unbruised,

We will bear home that lusty blood again

Which here we came to spout against your town,

And leave your children, wives, and you in peace.

But if you fondly pass our proffered offer,

’Tis not the roundure of your old-faced walls

Can hide you from our messengers of war, 260

Though all these English and their discipline

Were harboured in their rude circumference.

Then tell us, shall your city call us lord

In that behalf which we have challenged it,

Or shall we give the signal to our rage, 265

And stalk in blood to our possession?

CITIZEN

In brief, we are the King of England’s subjects.

For him and in his right we hold this town.

KING JOHN

Acknowledge then the King, and let me in.

CITIZEN

That can we not; but he that proves the king, 270

To him will we prove loyal; till that time

Have we rammed up our gates against the world.

KING 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—

BASTARD (aside) Bastards and else. 276

KING JOHN

To verify our title with their lives.

KING PHILIP

As many and as well-born bloods as those—

BASTARD (aside) Some bastards too.

KING PHILIP

Stand in his face to contradict his claim. 280

CITIZEN

Till you compound whose right is worthiest,

We for the worthiest hold the right from both.

KING JOHN

Then God forgive the sin of all those souls

That to their everlasting residence,

Before the dew of evening fall, shall fleet 285

In dreadful trial of our kingdom’s king.

KING PHILIP

Amen, Amen! Mount, chevaliers! To arms!

BASTARD

Saint George that swinged the dragon, and e’er since

Sits on’s horseback at mine hostess’ door,

Teach us some fence! (To Austria) Sirrah, were I at

home 290

At your den, sirrah, with your lioness,

I would set an ox-head to your lion’s hide

And make a monster of you.

AUSTRIA Peace, no more.

BASTARD

O tremble, for you hear the lion roar!

KING JOHN

Up higher to the plain, where we’ll set forth 295

In best appointment all our regiments.

BASTARD

Speed then, to take advantage of the field.

KING PHILIP

It shall be so, and at the other hill

Command the rest to stand. God and our right!

Exeunt ⌈severally⌉ King John and King Philip with their powers. The Citizen remains on the walls ⌈Alarum.⌉ Here, after excursions, enter ⌈at one door⌉

FRENCH HERALD

You men of Angers, open wide your gates 300

And let young Arthur Duke of Brittaine in,

Who by the hand of France this day hath made

Much work for tears in many an English mother,

Whose sons lie scattered on the bleeding ground;

Many a widow’s husband grovelling lies, 305

Coldly embracing the discoloured earth;

And victory with little loss doth play

Upon the dancing banners of the French,

Who are at hand, triumphantly displayed,

To enter conquerors, and to proclaim 310

Arthur of Brittaine England’s king and yours.

Enter ⌈at another door⌉ the English Herald, with a trumpeter

ENGLISH HERALD

Rejoice, you men of Angers, ring your bells!

King John, your king and England’s, doth approach,

Commander of this hot malicious day.

Their armours that marched hence so silver-bright 315

Hither return all gilt with Frenchmen’s blood.

There stuck no plume in any English crest

That is removed by a staff of France;

Our colours do return in those same hands

That did display them when we first marched forth;

And like a jolly troop of huntsmen come 321

Our lusty English, all with purpled hands

Dyed in the dying slaughter of their foes.

Open your gates and give the victors way.

⌈CITIZEN⌉

Heralds, from off our towers we might behold 325