If that young Arthur be not gone already,

Even at that news he dies; and then the hearts

Of all his people shall revolt from him,

And kiss the lips of unacquainted change,

And pick strong matter of revolt and wrath

Out of the bloody fingers’ ends of John.

Methinks I see this hurly all on foot,

And O, what better matter breeds for you 170

Than I have named! The Bastard Falconbridge

Is now in England, ransacking the Church,

Offending charity. If but a dozen French

Were there in arms, they would be as a call

To train ten thousand English to their side, 175

Or as a little snow tumbled about

Anon becomes a mountain. O noble Dauphin,

Go with me to the King. ’Tis wonderful

What may be wrought out of their discontent

Now that their souls are top-full of offence. 180

For England, go! I will whet on the King.

LOUIS THE DAUPHIN

Strong reasons make strange actions. Let us go.

If you say ay, the King will not say no. Exeunt

4.1 Enter Hubert, and Executioners with a rope and irons

HUBERT

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

And bind the boy which you shall find with me

Fast to the chair. Be heedful. Hence, and watch! 5

EXECUTIONER

I hope your warrant will bear out the deed.

HUBERT

Uncleanly scruples: fear not you. Look to’t!

⌈The Executioners withdraw behind the arras⌉

Young lad, come forth, I have to say with you.

Enter Arthur Duke of Brittaine

ARTHUR

Good morrow, Hubert.

Good morrow, little Prince.

ARTHUR

As little prince, having so great a title 10

To be more prince, as may be. You are sad.

HUBERT

Indeed I have been merrier.

ARTHURMercy on me!

Methinks nobody should be sad but I.

Yet I remember, when I was in France,

Young gentlemen would be as sad as night 15

Only for wantonness. By my christendom,

So I were out of prison and kept sheep,

I should be as merry as the day is long;

And so I would be here, but that I doubt

My uncle practises more harm to me. 20

He is afraid of me, and I of him.

Is it my fault that I was Geoffrey’s son?

No, indeed is’t not, and I would to God

I were your son, so you would love me, Hubert.

HUBERT (aside)

If I talk to him, with his innocent prate 25

He will awake my mercy, which lies dead;

Therefore I will be sudden, and dispatch.

ARTHUR

Are you sick, Hubert? You look pale today.

In sooth, I would you were a little sick,

That I might sit all night and watch with you. 30

I warrant I love you more than you do me.

HUBERT(aside)

His words do take possession of my bosom.

He shows Arthur a paper

Read here, young Arthur. (Aside) 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.

(To Arthur) Can you not read it? Is it not fair writ?

ARTHUR

Too fairly, Hubert, for so foul effect.

Must you with hot irons burn out both mine eyes?

HUBERT

Young boy, I must.

ARTHUR And will you?

HUBERTAnd I will. 40

ARTHUR

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,

And like the watchful minutes to the hour

Still and anon cheered up the heavy time,

Saying ‘What lack you?’ and ‘Where lies your grief?’

Or ‘What good love may I perform for you?’

Many a poor man’s son would have lain still

And ne’er have spoke a loving word to you,

But you at your sick service had a prince.

Nay, you may think my love was crafty love,

And call it cunning. Do, an if you will.

If heaven be pleased that you must use me ill, 55

Why then you must. Will you put out mine eyes,

These eyes that never did, nor never shall,

So much as frown on you?

HUBERTI have sworn to do it,

And with hot irons must I burn them out.

ARTHUR

Ah, none but in this iron age would do it. 60

The iron of itself, though heat red hot,

Approaching near these eyes would drink my tears,

And quench his fiery indignation

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?

An if an angel should have come to me

And told me Hubert should put out mine eyes,

I would not have believed him; no tongue but

Hubert’s.

Hubert stamps his foot

HUBERT

Come forth!

The Executioners come forth

Do as I bid you do.

ARTHUR

O, save me, Hubert, save me! My eyes are out

Even with the fierce looks of these bloody men.

HUBERT (to the Executioners)

Give me the iron, I say, and bind him here.

He takes the iron

ARTHUR