Page 235 - Shakespeare - Vol. 2

What in the world should make me now deceive,
Since I must lose the use of all deceit?
Why should I then be false, since it is true
That I must die here and live hence by truth?

I say again, if Lewis do win the day, [30]
He is forsworn if e’er those eyes of yours
Behold another day break in the east:
But even this night, whose black contagious breath

Already smokes about the burning crest
Of the old, feeble and day-wearied sun, [35]
Even this ill night, your breathing shall expire,
Paying the fine of rated treachery

Even with a treacherous fine of all your lives,
If Lewis by your assistance win the day.
Commend me to one Hubert with your king: [40]
The love of him, and this respect besides,

For that my grandsire was an Englishman,
Awakes my conscience to confess all this.
In lieu whereof, I pray you, bear me hence
From forth the noise and rumour of the field, [45]

Where I may think the remnant of my thoughts
In peace, and part this body and my soul
With contemplation and devout desires.

SALISBURY
We do believe thee; and beshrew my soul

But I do love the favour and the form [50]
Of this most fair occasion, by the which
We will untread the steps of damned flight,
And like a bated and retired flood,
Leaving our rankness and irregular course,

Stoop low within those bounds we have o’erlook’d, [55]
And calmly run on in obedience
Even to our ocean, to our great King John.

My arm shall give thee help to bear thee hence;
For I do see the cruel pangs of death
Right in thine eye. Away, my friends! New flight; [60]
And happy newness, that intends old right!