Page 223 - Shakespeare - Vol. 2

ACT V IT

Scene I IT

[The Court of England.]

Enter King John, Pandulph, and Attendants.

KING JOHN
Thus have I yielded up into your hand
The circle of my glory.
[Giving the crown.]

PANDULPH
Take again

[Giving back the crown.]
From this my hand, as holding of the pope,
Your sovereign greatness and authority.

KING JOHN
Now keep your holy word: go meet the French, [5]

And from his holiness use all your power
To stop their marches ’fore we are inflam’d.
Our discontented counties do revolt;
Our people quarrel with obedience,

Swearing allegiance and the love of soul [10]
To stranger blood, to foreign royalty.
This inundation of mistemp’red humour
Rests by you only to be qualified:

Then pause not; for the present time’s so sick
That present med’cine must be minist’red [15]
Or overthrow incurable ensues.