15. The room being cleared, the Duke summoned the host, who, while standing in trembling dismay before his incensed1 lord, was forced to listen to words which were, it would seem, neither soft as oil, nor sweet as honey; for after the Duke had mounted his fiery charger, he called back, 'Be sure and write my words behind your ear, so that the hens can't scratch them out;' and mine host pulled a face dismally long. But the best result of all was that the ale-house meetings on Sunday were put an end to; and though the peasants went to church at first for fear of the Duke, many went afterwards from a love of God's Word, and that village became one of the most orderly and church-going in the whole duchy. When Duke Eric was told this, he laughed heartily and said: 'There are many cures for disorderly doings, but "Pass it on" has proved not the least effectual of them.' SUNDAY. SUNDAYS observe. Think, when the bells do chime, 1 Incensed, angry. HERBERT. HUBERT AND ARTHUR. K. John. Come hither, Hubert. O my gentle O, I love thee well; And by my troth, I think thou lov'st me well. Though that my death were adjunct to my act,1 K. John. wouldst ? Do not I know thou Good Hubert, Hubert, Hubert, throw thine eye On yon young boy: I'll tell thee what, my friend, He is a very serpent in my way; 10. And wheresoe'er this foot of mine doth tread He lies before me: Dost thou understand me? Hub. And I'll keep him so, I could be merry now: Hubert, I love thee. 'Adjunct to my act, altho' my life were dependent upon it. SCENE.-Northampton. A Room in the Castle. Enter HUBERT and Two Attendants; afterwards ARTHUR. Hub. Heat me these irons hot; and look thou stand Within the arras: when I strike my foot 20. Upon the bosom of the ground, rush forth, And bind the boy, which you shall find with me, to 't. Hub. Uncleanly scruples! Fear not you: look [Exeunt Attendants. Young lad, come forth; I have to say with you. Enter ARTHUR. Arth. Good morrow, Hubert. Hub. Good morrow, little prince. Arth. As little prince (having so great a title To be more prince) as may be.—You are sad. Hub. Indeed, I have been merrier. Arth. Mercy on me! 30. Methinks nobody should be sad but I: 1 2 Arras, tapestry hangings of rooms. A passage was left between them and the wall. 2 Wantonness, playfulness, sportiveness, not used here in a bad sense. So I were out of prison and kept sheep, Is it my fault that I was Geffrey's son ? Arth. Are you sick, Hubert? you look pale to-day : 2 In sooth, I would you were a little sick, That I might sit all night, and watch with you: Hub. His words do take possession of my 50. Read here, young Arthur. [Showing a paper.] How now, foolish rheum !3 Turning dispiteous torture out of door! [Aside. Arth. Too fairly, Hubert, for so foul effect: 'Prate, prattle, childish talk. 2 Sooth, 4 truth. Rheum, tears. And will you? Turning, &c., relieving inward sorrow by the relief of tears. Hub. And I will. Arth. Have you the heart? When your head did but ache, I knit my hand-kercher about your brows, 60. (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; Saying, What lack you? and, Where lies your Or, What good love may I perform for you? If heaven be pleased that you must use me ill, These eyes, that never did, nor never shall, 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! The iron of itself, though heat1 red-hot, Approaching near these eyes, would drink my tears, 80. And quench his fiery indignation, Even in the matter of mine innocence; Nay, after that consume away in rust, v. & VI. 1 Heat, old participle for heated. K |