The Tragedy of Arthur_ A Novel - Arthur Phillips [147]
Bright-armored33 Gloucester called his mind to it;
War counsel comes from one who shunned the brawl!
What man would wink at that one’s cowardice
Then heed the stratagems he would propose?
No oath adheres to such a paltry king,
But for the love I bore his poisoned sire. Exit
[ACT II, SCENE VIII]
[Location: Arthur’s camp at Lincoln]
Enter Arthur, Gloucester, servants, messengers
ARTHUR
Our late inspect1 of Britain’s sorrowing breadth
Shows us a land all brought to waste by war,
From hunger lamed, abandoned of the law.
Now plague and famine stalk our market towns,
And gripes2 make claim of sovereignty for death
Where Arthur would establish gentler court.
Here is a worthy challenge for a king.
No Pendragon forepast3 hath seen as I
The glory of a king is weighed on scale
By what prosperity his kingdom joys.
Watch Arthur now drive sickness, dearth, and war
From out his realm as I did whip the Scot.
Send men to learn what towns have stores of corn.
Set reeves to fix my law in every shire.4
Strong fort each town on coast and northern line.
Enter Constantine [Cornwall]
My dear, good Cornwall! Rise and let me kiss you!
CORNWALL
My king, I bring all love and of more boot5
Five thousand Cornish blades as you require.
ARTHUR
Again, again, embrace me, Constantine, brave
Cornwall!6 Now help me to remember, friend: when
were we last together?
CORNWALL
’Twas Gloucestershire. Our fathers lived and we
did pass each day at swim and running. You ever
were the best.
ARTHUR
And thou, to make a match of heaven,7 wert always
second.
CORNWALL
Too sadly true.
ARTHUR
And when thou wert king of the woods and I was king
of the waters, or I king of the woods and thou of
waters, our pastance8 was to act great deeds for the
the princess of the flowers. How fares thy gentle
sister? Still pleasant in her humors, the girl we
strived9 to please?
CORNWALL
No more a girl, but still doth ask in humility to be
remembered.
ARTHUR
I remember no store of humility in her.
CORNWALL
Your wit10 is most royally acute. But you will observe
her alterations, for she rides to join with us anon. It
was her will, and her will is beyond my certain
manage.
ARTHUR
You were my joy of younger days, good earl,
And now I swear upon this fruitful plain,
That you and I will be inseparate.
CORNWALL
You deem this blasted,11 war-ripped turf so rich?
ARTHUR
Ay, Cornwall! All our enemies are flown,
And we will in this loam plant seeds of peace.
Enter messenger
A frantic look in this one’s eye.—What is’t?
MESSENGER
My king, as you did by their bond require,
The Saxons lifted sail from Lincoln Wash.
But soon a change of wind did hale12 them back.
Their priests addeemed13 this blessed by pagan gods.
They spilled from ship anew upon our isle,
Contemptibly stepped back onto our sands.
They throw their eyes on gold and church and field,
They kill our countrymen and burn our land.
ARTHUR
O, God! What scorn I do deserve from thee!
What villainy is this? What have I wrought?
What arrogant and idle prince am I!
And where were men to chide my fond, mad youth?
I should be scorned for my vain clemency.
I am not mocked enough! O sugar-prince,
A headstrong jade14 that should be roughly spurred!
Let those who judge me weak be made at once
My chosen privy councillors.—Which way?
MESSENGER
Towards Bath, my king.
ARTHUR
We’ll cote15 them ere they wash.
This crime has touched me; I am powder-hot.
To rear now post my word: our mercy’s pact
Refused, each prisoner’s throat is to be cut.
GLOUCESTER
The tidings speak but Saxon perfidy,
Not Scot nor Pict. A moment’s calm, I beg.
ARTHUR
I’ll not be tender pitying more, good duke.—
Exit messenger
My men, imperfect16 is our bloody task
So follow me, unsheathe your late-hacked blade
And dispatch hell-born foes to hellish shade.
Exeunt
[ACT II, SCENE IX]
[Location: The Pictish Court]
Enter Doctor and Conranus
DOCTOR
I have to all my texts submitted Loth,
To all my wit, invention, fancy, hopes,
To strong balsamo,1 leeches,