Lady F. Hast thou conspired with thy brother too,[66]
That for thine own gain shouldst defend mine honour?
What means this scorn, thou most untoward knave?
Bast. Knight, knight, good mother, Basilisco-like.[67]
What! I am dubb'd! I have it on my shoulder.[68]245
But, mother, I am not sir Robert's son;
I have disclaim'd sir Robert and my land;
Legitimation, name and all is gone:
Then, good my mother, let me know my father;
Some proper man, I hope: who was it, mother?250
Lady F. Hast thou denied thyself a Faulconbridge?
Bast. As faithfully as I deny the devil.
Lady F. King Richard Cœur-de-lion was thy father:
By long and vehement suit I was seduced
To make room for him in my husband's bed:255
Heaven lay not my transgression to my charge![69]
Thou art the issue of my dear offence,[70]
Which was so strongly urged past my defence.
Bast. Now, by this light, were I to get again,
Madam, I would not wish a better father.260
Some sins do bear their privilege on earth,
And so doth yours; your fault was not your folly:[71]
Needs must you lay your heart at his dispose.
Subjected tribute to commanding love,
Against whose fury and unmatched force265
The aweless lion could not wage the fight,
Nor keep his princely heart from Richard's hand.[72]
He that perforce robs lions of their hearts
May easily win a woman's. Ay, my mother,[73]
With all my heart I thank thee for my father!270
Who lives and dares but say thou didst not well
When I was got, I'll send his soul to hell.
Come, lady, I will show thee to my kin;[74]
And they shall say, when Richard me begot,
If thou hadst said him nay, it had been sin:275
Who says it was, he lies; I say 'twas not. [Exeunt.
FOOTNOTES:
[1] Scene I King John's palace] The court of England. Pope. Northampton ... palace. Capell.
Salisbury, and others] Capell and Salisbury. Ff.
Chatillon] Johnson. Chattilon Rowe. the Chattylion of France. Ff.