JOHN. I had rather hear of Gloster than of him.
GLO. Gloster did cheat him of the same gold chain,
That deceiv'd Sir Richard Fauconbridge.
He got your sword, Prince John: 'twas he that sav'd
The porter, and beguil'd the pursuivant.
JOHN. A vengeance on him!
GLO. Do not curse, good prince;
He's bad enough, 'twere better pray for him.
JOHN. I'll kill thee, and thou bid us pray for him,
I'll fell [the] woods, and ring thee round with fire,
Make thee an offering unto fierce revenge,
If thou have but a thought to pray for him.
GLO. I am bound to pray for[514] all men, chiefly Christians.
JOHN. Ha, ha, for Christians? think'st thou he is one?
For men? hast thou opinion he is a man?
He that changes himself to sundry shapes,
Is he a Christian? can he be a man?
O irreligious thoughts!
GLO. Why, worthy prince,
I saw him christened, dipp'd into the font.
JOHN. Then nine times, like the northern Laplanders,
He backward circled the sacred font,
And nine times backward said his orisons:
As often curs'd the glorious host of heaven,
As many times invok'd the fiends of hell,
And so turn'd witch; for Gloster is a witch.
GLO. Have patience, gentle prince; he shall appear
Before your kingly father speedily.