Where is my sword? This trumpet in mine ears,
So far, so faint, is yet a call to war—

To horse! To horse!" Erect he sate, and shook
His sword, cried, "God for England!" and was dead.

Queen Isabel.-MENELLA SMEDLEY.

ARTHUR OF BRITTANY IN PRISON.

1202.

From Shakespeare's "King John." The scene is placed in the castle of Northampton incorrectly, for Arthur was imprisoned at Rouen. The persons present are Hubert de Burgh, the governor of the castle, and two attendants. Arthur is represented as much younger than he really

was,

HUBERT.

Heat me these irons hot, and look thou stand
Within the arras; when I strike my foot
Upon the bosom of the ground, rush forth,
And bind the boy which you shall find with me
Fast to the ground. Hence and watch.

ATTENDANT.

I hope your warrant will bear out the deed.

HUBERT.

Uncleanly scruples! Fear not you. Look to 't!

[Exeunt Attendant. Young lad, come forth, I have to say with you.

The tapestry hangings of the room.

D

Enter ARTHUR.

Good morrow, Hubert.

HUBERT.

Good morrow, little prince.

ARTHUR.

As little prince (having so great a title
To be more prince) as may be. You are sad.

HUBERT.

Indeed I have been merrier.

ARTHUR.

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,

1

Only for wantonness. By my Christendom,"
So I were out of prison and kept sheep,

I should be 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 am Geoffrey's son ?

No, indeed it's not, and I would to Heaven

I were your son, so you would love me, Hubert,

1 For nothing.

2 Generally meaning all the Christian world. Here it means the fact of being a Christian.

HUBERT (aside).

If I talk to him, with his innocent prate,
He will awake my mercy, which lies dead,
Therefore I will be sudden and despatch.

ARTHUR.

Are you sick, Hubert? you look pale to-day:
In sooth,1 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.

HUBERT.

His words do take possession of my bosom. Read here young Arthur (showing a paper). How now, foolish rheum,

Turning dispiteous3 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?

ARTHUR.

Too fairly, Hubert, for so foul effect. I

Must you with hot irons burn out both mine eyes?

Young boy, I must.

HUBERT.

1 Truth.

2 Moisture of eyes or nose.

3 Without pit.

ARTHUR.

And will you?

HUBERT.

And I will.

ARTHUR.

Have you the heart? When your head did but ache

I knit my handkerchief about your brow

(The best I had-a princess wrought it 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 anon1 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 been 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.

1 Anon means "now, directly." The whole expression means "every now and then."

2 Even.

HUBERT.

I have sworn to do it,

And with hot irons must I burn them out.

ARTHUR.

Ah! none but in this iron age1 would do it!
The iron of itself, though heat red hot,
Approaching near these eyes would drink my tears,
And quench his fiery indignation,

Even 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 hammer'd 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 but Hubert's.

HUBERT (stamps). Enter Attendant with cord and irons.

Come forth. Do as I bid you!

ARTHUR.

Oh save me, Hubert, save me! My eyes are out
Even with the fierce looks of these bloody men.

HUBERT.

Give me the iron, I say, and bind his feet.

An iron age has become a proverb for a cruel time.