Page 225 - Shakespeare - Vol. 2

KING JOHN

That villain Hubert told me he did live.

BASTARD
So, on my soul, he did, for aught he knew.
But wherefore do you droop? why look you sad?
Be great in act, as you have been in thought; [45]

Let not the world see fear and sad distrust
Govern the motion of a kingly eye!
Be stirring as the time, be fire with fire,
Threaten the threat’ner, and outface the brow

Of bragging horror: so shall inferior eyes, [50]
That borrow their behaviours from the great,
Grow great by your example and put on
The dauntless spirit of resolution.

Away, and glister like the god of war
When he intendeth to become the field: [55]
Show boldness and aspiring confidence!
What, shall they seek the lion in his den,

And fright him there? and make him tremble there?
O, let it not be said: forage, and run
To meet displeasure farther from the doors, [60]
And grapple with him ere he come so nigh!

KING JOHN

The legate of the pope hath been with me,
And I have made a happy peace with him;
And he hath promis’d to dismiss the powers
Led by the Dolphin.

BASTARD
O inglorious league! [65]

Shall we, upon the footing of our land,
Send fair-play orders and make comprimise,
Insinuation, parley and base truce
To arms invasive? shall a beardless boy,

A cock’red silken wanton, brave our fields, [70]
And flesh his spirit in a warlike soil,