Page 149 - Shakespeare - Vol. 2

ACT II IT

Scene I IT

[France. Before Angiers.]

Enter, on one side, the Archduke of Austria, and Forces; on the other,
Philip, King of France, and Forces, Lewis, Constance, Arthur, and Attendants.

LEWIS
Before Angiers well met, brave Austria.

KING PHILIP
Arthur, that great forerunner of thy blood,
Richard, that robb’d the lion of his heart

And fought the holy wars in Palestine,
By this brave duke came early to his grave: [5]
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: [10]
Embrace him, love him, give him welcome hither.

ARTHUR
God shall forgive you Cœur-de-lion’s death
The rather that you give his offspring life,
Shadowing their right under your wings of war:
I give you welcome with a powerless hand, [15]

But with a heart full of unstained love:
Welcome before the gates of Angiers, duke.

LEWIS