Page 208 - Shakespeare - Vol. 2

PEMBROKE

Indeed we heard how near his death he was,
Before the child himself felt he was sick:
This must be answer’d, either here or hence.

KING JOHN
Why do you bend such solemn brows on me? [90]

Think you I bear the shears of destiny?
Have I commandment on the pulse of life?

SALISBURY
It is apparent foul-play; and ’tis shame
That greatness should so grossly offer it:
So thrive it in your game! and so, farewell. [95]

PEMBROKE

Stay yet, Lord Salisbury; I’ll go with thee,
And find th’ inheritance of this poor child,
His little kingdom of a forced grave.
That blood which ow’d the breadth of all this isle

Three foot of it doth hold: bad world the while! [100]
This must not be thus borne: this will break out
To all our sorrows, and ere long I doubt.
[Exeunt Lords.]

KING JOHN
They burn in indignation. [Enter a Messenger.] I repent:

There is no sure foundation set on blood,
No certain life achiev’d by others’ death. [105]
[To the Messenger.]

A fearful eye thou hast: where is that blood
That I have seen inhabit in those cheeks?
So foul a sky clears not without a storm:
Pour down thy weather: how goes all in France?

MESSENGER
From France to England. Never such a power [110]

For any foreign preparation