Volume Viii Part 25 (1/2)

Take it, I pray thee, though it be more worth.

_Rush in_ SIR DONCASTER _with his crew_.

DON. Smite down! lay hold on outlaw'd Huntington!

LIT. JOHN. Soft, hot-spurr'd priest, 'tis not so quickly done.

DON. Now, out alas! the friar and the maid Have to false thieves Sir Doncaster betray'd.

[_Exeunt omnes_.[211]

ACT IV., SCENE 1.

_Enter_ JOHN _crowned_, QUEEN ELINOR, CHESTER, SALISBURY, LORD PRIOR. _Sit down all_. WARMAN _stands_.

JOHN. As G.o.d's vicegerent, John ascends this throne, His head impal'd with England's diadem,[212]

And in his hand the awful rod of rule, Giving the humble place of excellence, And to the low earth casting down the proud.

QUEEN. Such upright rule is in each realm allow'd.

JOHN. Chester, you once were Ely's open friend, And yet are doubtful whether he deserve A public trial for his private wrongs.

CHES. I still am doubtful whether it be fit To punish private faults with public shame In such a person as Lord Ely is.

PRIOR. Yes, honourable Chester, more it fits To make apparent sins of mighty men, And on their persons sharply to correct A little fault, a very small defect, Than on the poor to practise chastis.e.m.e.nt: For if a poor man die, or suffer shame, Only the poor and vile respect the same; But if the mighty fall, fear then besets The proud heart of the mighty ones, his mates: They think the world is garnished with nets, And traps ordained to entrap their states; Which fear in them begets a fear of ill, And makes them good, contrary to their will.

JOHN. Your lords.h.i.+p hath said right. Lord Salisbury, Is not your mind as ours concerning Ely?

SAL. I judge him worthy of reproof and shame.

JOHN. Warman, bring forth your prisoner, Ely, the chancellor; And with him bring the seal that he detains.

Warman, why goest thou not?

WAR. Be good to me, my lord.

JOHN. What hast thou done?

WAR. Speak for me, my Lord Prior: All my good lords entreat his grace for me.

Ely, my lord--

JOHN. Why, where is Ely, Warman?

WAR. Fled to-day: this misty morning he is fled away.

JOHN. O Judas! whom nor friend nor foe may trust, Think'st thou with tears and plaints to answer this?

Do I not know thy heart? do I not know That bribes have purchas'd Ely this escape?

Never make antic faces, never bend With feigned humblesse thy still crouching knee, But with fix'd eyes unto thy doom attend.

Villain! I'll plague thee for abusing me.