Enter ARTHUR.
Arth. Good morrow, Hubert.
Hub.Good morrow, little prince.
Arth. As little prince (having so great a titleTo be more prince) as may be. -You are sad.
Hub. Indeed, I have been merrier.
Arth.Mercy on me!
Methinks nobody should be sad but I: Yet, I remember, when I was in France, Young gentlemen would be as sad as night,Only for wantonness. By my Christendom, So I were out of prison, and kept sheep,I should be as merry as the day is long; And so I would be here, but that I doubt My uncle practises more harm to me:
He is afraid of me, and I of him.
Is it my fault that I was Geffrey"s son?
No, indeed, is"t not; and I would, in sooth,I were your son, so you would love me, Hubert.
Hub.［Aside] If I talk to him, with his innocent prateHe will awake my mercy, which lies dead:
Therefore I will be sudden and dispatch.
Arth. Are you sick, Hubert? you look pale to-day: In sooth, I would you were a little sick.
That I might sit all night and watch with you: I warrant I love you more than you do me.
Hub.［Aside] His words do take possession of my bosom.
Read here, young Arthur.［Showing a paper.
［Aside] How now, foolish rheum!
Turning dispiteous torture out of door!
I must be brief, lest resolution drop
Out at mine eyes, in tender "womanish tears. -Can you not read it? is it not fair writ?
Arth. Too fairly, Hubert, for so foul effect:
Must you with hot irons burn out both mine eyes?
Hub. Young boy, I must.
Arth.And will you ?
HubAnd I will.
Arth. Have you the heart? When your head did but ache, I knit my handkerchief about your brows,(The best I had-a princess wrought it for me.)And I did never ask it you again:
And with my hand at midnight held your head; And, like the watchful minutes to the hour, Still and anon cheered up the heavy time;Saying, What lack you? and, Where lies your grief ? Or, What good love may I perform for you ?
Many a poor man"s son would have lain still, And ne"er have spoke a loving word to you; But you at your sick service had a prince. Nay, you may think my love was crafty love, And call it cunning: do, an if you will:
If Heaven be pleased that you must use me ill, Why then you must-Will you put out mine eyes? These eyes, that never did, nor never shall,So much as frown on you?
Hub.I have sworn to do it; And with hot irons must I burn them out,Arth . Ah, none but in this iron age would do it! The iron of itself, though heat red-hot, Approaching near these eyes, would drink my tears, And quench his fiery indignationEven in the matter of mine innocence: Nay, after that, consume away in rust, But for containing fire to harm mine eye.
Are you more stubborn-hard than hammered iron? An if an angel should have come to me,And told me, Hubert should put out mine eyes,I would not have believed him, -no tongue Hubert"s.
Hub. Come forth.［Stamps
Re-enter Attendants, with cords, irons, d. c.
Do as I bid you.
Arth. O, save me, Hubert, save me! my eyes are out,Even with the fierce looks of these bloody men. Hub. Give me the iron, I say, and bind him here. Arth. Alas! what need you be so boisterous-rough?
I will not struggle, I will stand stone-still.
For pity, Hubert, let me not be bound!
Nay, hear me, Hubert! drive these men away, And I will sit as quiet as a lamb;I will not stir, nor wince, nor speak a word, Nor look upon the iron angrily:
Thrust but these men away, and I"ll forgive you, Whatever torment you do put me to.
Hub. Go, stand within; let me alone with him.
lst Attend. I am best pleased to be from such a deed.
［Exeunt Attendants.
Arth. Alas! I then have chid away my friend!
He hath a stern look, but a gentle heart:
Let him come back, that his compassion may Give life to yours.
Hub.Come, boy, prepare yourself.
Arth. Is there no remedy ?
Hub.None, but to lose your eyes.
Arth. O Hubert, were there but a mote in yours, A grain, a dust, a gnat, a wandering hair,Any annoyance in that precious sense!
Then, feeling what small things are boisterous there, Your vile intent must needs seem horrible.
Hub. Is this your promise? go to, hold your tongue.
Arth. Hubert, the utterance of a brace of tongues Must needs want pleading for a pair of eyes:
Let me not hold my tongue; let me not, Hubert; -Or, Hubert, if you will, cut out my tongue,So I may keep mine eyes. O, spare mine eyes; Though to no use but still to look on you! - Lo, by my troth, the "instrument is cold,And would not harm me!
Hub.I can heat it, boy.
Arth. No, in good sooth; the fire is dead with grief,Being create for comfort, to be usedIn undeserved extremes. See else yourself; There is no malice in this burning coal;The breath of heaven hath blown his spirit out, And strewed repentant ashes on his head.
Hub. But with my breath I can revive it, boy.
Arth. And if you do, you will but make it blush And glow with shame of your proceedings, Hubert: Nay, it perchance will sparkle in your eyes;And, like a dog that is compelled to fight,Snatch at his master that doth tarre him on. All things, that you should use to do me wrong, Deny their office: only you do lackThat mercy which fierce fire and iron extends,Creatures of note for mercy-lacking uses.
Hub. Well, see to live; I will not touch thine eyesFor all the treasure that thine uncle owes: Yet am I sworn, and I did purpose, boy, With this same very iron to burn them out.
Arth. O, now you look like Hubert! all this while You were disguised.
Hub.Peace: no more. Adieu. Your uncle must not know but you are dead: I"ll fill these dogged spies with false reports. And, pretty child, sleep doubtless and secure, That Hubert, for the wealth of all the world, Will not offend thee.
Arth.O Heaven! -I thank you, Hubert.
Hub. Silence; no more: go closely in with me.
Much danger do I undergo for thee.
［Exeunt
WORDS
annoyance, cause of pain. approaching, advancing. ashamed, abashed. attended, followed. audience, hearing. boisterous, violent. calamity, affliction. compassion, pity. cunning, deceit. disguised, masked. disorder, derangement. dispatch, make haste. heedful, careful.
heinous, serious. indignation, wrath. innocence, blamelessness.