LOUIS

Before Angiers well met brave Austria, Arthur that great forerunner of thy blood, Richard that robbed the Lion of his heart, And fought the holy Wars in Palestine, By this brave Duke came early to his graven: And for amends to his posterity, At our importance hither is he come, To spread his colours boy, in thy behalf, And to rebuke the usurpation Of thy unnatural Uncle, English John, Embrace him, love him, give him welcome hither. A noble boy, who would not do thee right? Women & fools, break off your conference. King John, this is the very sum of all: England and Ireland, Angiers, Toraine, Main, In right of Arthur do I claim of thee: Wilt thou resign them, and lay down thy Arms? I do my Lord, and in her eye I find A wonder, or a wondrous miracle, The shadow of my self formed in her eye, Which being but the shadow of your son, Becomes a son and makes your son a shadow: I do protest I never loved my self Till now, infixed I beheld my self, Drawn in the flattering table of her eye. Nay ask me if I can refrain from love, For I do love her most unfeignedly. She is sad and passionate at your highness Tent. What he hath wone, that hath he fortified: So hight a speed, with such advice disposed, Such temperate order in so fierce a cause, Does want example: who hath read, or herd Of any kindred-action Like to this? 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 words taste, That it yields nought but shame and bitterness. All days of glory, joy and happiness. As heartily as he is glad he hath him. But what shall I gain by young Arthurs fallen? And lose it, life and all, as Arthur did. May be he will not touch young Arthurs life, But hold himself safe in his prisonment. Strong reasons makes strange actions: let us go, If you say I, the King will not say no. My Lord Melloone, let this be copied out, And keep it safe for our remembrance: Return the president to these Lords again, That having our fair order written down, Both they and we, perusing over these notes May know wherefore we took the Sacrament, And keep our faith's firm and inviolable. Your Grace shall pardon me, I will not back: I am too highborn to be proportied To be a secondary at control, Or useful servingman, and Instrument To any Sovereign State throughout the world. Your breath first kindled the dead coal of wars, Between this chastized kingdom and my self, And brought in matter that should feed this fire; And now it's far too huge to be blown out With that same weak wind, which enkindled it: You taught me how to know the face of right, Acquainted me with interest to this Land, Yea, thrust this enterprise into my heart, And come you now to tell me John hath made His peace with Room? what is that peace to me? I (by the honour of my marriage bed) After young Arthur, claim this Land for mine, And now it is half conquered, must I back, Because that John hath made his peace with Room ? Am I Rome's slave? What penny hath Room born? What men provided? What munition sent To underprop this Actium? Is't not I That undergo this charge? Who else but I, And such as to my claim are liable, Sweat in this business, and maintain this war? Have I not herd these Islanders shout out Ʋ iue le Roy ; as I have banked their Towns? Have I not here the best Cards for the game To win this easy match, played for a Crown? And shall I now give over the yielded Set? No, no, on my soul it never shall be said. Outside or inside, I will not return Till my attempt so much be glorified, As to my ample hope was promised, Before I drew this gallant head of war, And culled these fiery spirits from the world To outlook Conquest, and to win renown Even in the jaws of danger, and of death: What lusty Trumpet thus does summon us? There end thy brave, and turn thy face in peace, We grant thou canst out-scold us: Far thee well, We hold our time too precious to be spent With such a brabbler. We will attend to neither: Strike up the drums, and let the tongue of war Plead for our interest, and our being here. Strike up our drums, to find this danger out. The Sun of heaven (me thought) was loath to set; But stayed, and made the Western Welkin blush, When English measure backward their own ground In faint Retire: O bravely came we off, When with a volley of our needless shot, After such bloody toil, we bid good night, And wooned our tottering colours clearly up, Last in the field, and almost Lords of it. Here: what news? Ah fowl, shrewed news. Beshrew thy very heart: I did not think to be so sad to night As this hath made me. Who was he that said King John did fly and hour or two before The stumbling night did partly our weary powers? Well: keep good quarter, & good care to night, The day shall not be up so soon as I, To try the fair adventure of to morrow. Bethink you father, for the difference Is purchase of a heavy curse from Room, Or the light lose of England, for a friend: Forgo the easier. I muse your Majesty does seem so cold, When such profound respects do pull you on? Lady, with me, with me thy fortune lies. A noble temper dost thou show in this, And great affections wrestling in thy bosom Does make and earthquake of Nobility: O, what a noble combat hast fought Between compulsion, and a brave respect: Let me wipe off this honourable dew, That silverly does progress on thy cheeks: My heart hath melted at a Ladies tears, Being and ordinary Inundation: But this effusion of such manly drops, This shower, blown up by tempest of the soul, Startles mine eyes, and makes me more amazed Then had I seen the vaulty top of heaven Figured quite over with burning Meteors. Lift up thy brow (renowned Salisbury ) And with a great heart heave away this storm: Commend these waters to those baby-eyes That never saw the giant-world enraged, Nor met with Fortune, other then at feasts, Full warm of blood, of mirth, of gossipping: Come, come; for thou shalt thrust thy hand as deep Into the purse of rich prosperity As Lewis himself: so (Nobles) shall you all, That knit your sinews to the strength of mine. And even there, methinks and Angel spoke, Look where the holy Legate comes apace, To give us warrant from the hand of heaven, And on our actions set the name of right With holy breath. Father, to Arms.