BOOK FOURTH. STANDARD DIALOGUES. CCCXXXI. PRINCE ARTHUR OF BRETAGNE. PRINCE ARTHUR .HUBERT ATTENDANTS. HUB. 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 chair: be heedful: hence, and watch. 1 Att. I hope your warrant will bear out the deed. Hub. Uncleanly scruples! Fear not you look to it. [Exeunt Attendants.] Young lad, come forth; I have to say with you. [Enter Arth.] Good morrow, Hubert. Good morrow, little prince. As little prince (having so great a title Arth. Hub. Arth. Methinks nobody should be sad but I: Is it my fault that I was Geffrey's son? No, indeed, is 't not; and I would to Heaven, That I might sit all night, and watch with you. I warrant, I love you more than you do me. Hub. His words do take possession of my bosom. Read here, young Arthur. [Showing a paper.] How now, foolish rheum. [Aside.] Turning dispiteous torture out of door! I must be brief, lest resolution drop Out at mine eyes, in tender womanish tears. Arth. Too fairly, Hubert, for so foul effect. Must you with hot irons burn out both mine eyes? Arth. Hub. Arth. And will you? And I will. 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 me,) And I did never ask it you again; And with my hand at midnight held your head; Still and anon cheered up the heavy time ; Saying, What lack you? and Where lies your grief? If Heaven be pleased that you should use me ill, 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! Approaching near these eyes, would drink my tears, Even in the matter of mine innocence : Nay, after that, consume away in rust, 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, but Hubert's. Do as I bid you. [Stamps. Reënter Attendants.] 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. Alas! what need you be so boisterous rough? For Heaven's sake, Hubert, let me not be bound! I will not stir, nor wince, nor speak a word, Thrust but these men away, and I'll forgive you, Hub. Go, stand within; let me alone with him. He hath a stern look, but a gentle heart. Let him come back, that his compassion may 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 Let me not hold my tongue; let me not, Hubert ! Arth. No, in good sooth; the fire is dead with grief, — Being create for comfort, In undeserved extremes. to be used There is no malice in this burning coal; Hub. But with my breath I can revive it, boy. That mercy, which fierce fire, and iron, extends, Creatures of note for mercy-lacking uses. Hub. Well, see to live; I will not touch thine eyes For all the treasure that thine uncle owes. Yet I am sworn, and I did purpose, boy, Arth. O, now you look like Hubert! all this while Hub. |