Eli. A strange beginning: 'borrowed majesty!'[2]5
K. John. Silence, good mother; hear the embassy.
Chat. Philip of France, in right and true behalf
Of thy deceased brother Geffrey's son,[3]
Arthur Plantagenet, lays most lawful claim[4]
To this fair island and the territories,10
To Ireland, Poictiers, Anjou, Touraine, Maine,[5]
Desiring thee to lay aside the sword
Which sways usurpingly these several titles,
And put the same into young Arthur's hand,
Thy nephew and right royal sovereign.15
K. John. What follows if we disallow of this?
Chat. The proud control of fierce and bloody war,
To enforce these rights so forcibly withheld.
K. John. Here have we war for war and blood for blood,
Controlment for controlment: so answer France.[6]20
Chat. Then take my king's defiance from my mouth,
The farthest limit of my embassy.
K. John. Bear mine to him, and so depart in peace:
Be thou as lightning in the eyes of France;
For ere thou canst report I will be there,[7]25
The thunder of my cannon shall be heard:
So hence! Be thou the trumpet of our wrath
And sullen presage of your own decay.[8]
An honourable conduct let him have:
Pembroke, look to't. Farewell, Chatillon.[9]30
[Exeunt Chatillon and Pembroke.
Eli. What now, my son! have I not ever said
How that ambitious Constance would not cease
Till she had kindled France and all the world,
Upon the right and party of her son?
This might have been prevented and made whole35
With very easy arguments of love,
Which now the manage of two kingdoms must[10]
With fearful bloody issue arbitrate.