Page 229 - Shakespeare - Vol. 2

Your breath first kindled the dead coal of wars
Between this chastis’d kingdom and myself,
And brought in matter that should feed this fire; [85]
And now ’tis far too huge to be blown out

With that same weak wind which enkindled it.
You taught me how to know the face of right,
Acquainted me with interest to this land,
Yea, thrust this enterprise into my heart; [90]

And come ye now to tell me John hath made
His peace with Rome? What is that peace to me?
I, by the honour of my marriage-bed,
After young Arthur, claim this land for mine;

And, now it is half-conquer’d, must I back [95]
Because that John hath made his peace with Rome?
Am I Rome’s slave? What penny hath Rome borne,
What men provided, what munition sent,

To underprop this action? Is’t not I
That undergo this charge? who else but I, [100]
And such as to my claim are liable,
Sweat in this business and maintain this war?

Have I not heard these islanders shout out
“Vive le roi!” as I have bank’d their towns?
Have I not here the best cards for the game [105]
To win this easy match play’d for a crown?

And shall I now give o’er the yielded set?
No, no, on my soul, it never shall be said.

PANDULPH
You look but on the outside of this work.

LEWIS
Outside or inside, I will not return [110]
Till my attempt so much be glorified

As to my ample hope was promised
Before I drew this gallant head of war,
And cull’d these fiery spirits from the world,
To outlook conquest and to win renown [115]

Even in the jaws of danger and of death.