Page 143 - Shakespeare - Vol. 2
P. 143
BASTARD
Madam, and if my brother had my shape,
And I had his, Sir Robert’s his like him;
And if my legs were two such riding-rods, [140]
My arms such eel-skins stuff’d, my face so thin
That in mine ear I durst not stick a rose
Lest men should say “Look, where three-farthings goes!”
And, to his shape, were heir to all this land,
Would I might never stir from off this place, [145]
I would give it every foot to have this face:
It would not be Sir Knob in any case.
ELEANOR
I like thee well: wilt thou forsake thy fortune,
Bequeath thy land to him and follow me?
I am a soldier and now bound to France. [150]
BASTARD
Brother, take you my land, I’ll take my chance.
Your face hath got five hundred pound a year,
Yet sell your face for five pence and ’tis dear.
Madam, I’ll follow you unto the death.
ELEANOR
Nay, I would have you go before me thither. [155]
BASTARD
Our country manners give our betters way.
KING JOHN
What is thy name?
BASTARD
Philip, my liege, so is my name begun;
Philip, good old Sir Robert’s wive’s eldest son.
KING JOHN
