Page 181 - Shakespeare - Vol. 2
P. 181
LEWIS
Bethink you, father; for the difference
Is purchase of a heavy curse from Rome, [205]
Or the light loss of England for a friend:
Forgo the easier.
BLANCHE
That’s the curse of Rome.
CONSTANCE
O Lewis, stand fast! the devil tempts thee here
In likeness of a new untrimmed bride.
BLANCHE
The Lady Constance speaks not from her faith, [210]
But from her need.
CONSTANCE
O, if thou grant my need,
Which only lives but by the death of faith,
That need must needs infer this principle,
That faith would live again by death of need.
O then tread down my need, and faith mounts up: [215]
Keep my need up, and faith is trodden down!
KING JOHN
The king is mov’d, and answers not to this.
CONSTANCE
O, be remov’d from him, and answer well!
AUSTRIA
Do so, King Philip; hang no more in doubt.
BASTARD
Hang nothing but a calve’s-skin, most sweet lout. [220]
