Excerpt
from Act
I, Scene I. London. The Palace.
[Archbishop of Rouen ushers the Austrian Ambassador off,
followed
by all except Earl John and Falconberg,
who
is stayed by a subtle gesture from John.]
FALC. What would your grace?
JOHN. When we are finished here
With
this imperial errand-boy, I must
Make
way in haste—and secret—unto France.
But,
in a month, I shall return and seek
A
service of thee, which ye may enjoy.
There
soon shall be great monies gathered up,
Much
traffic in the riches of the realm;
And
much too much to tally to account.
Those
with authority to raise this ransom
Shall
have the liberty of every purse,
Of
every abbey’s chest and beggar’s cup,
From
Humber’s[1]
hills to yon St. Michael’s Mount.[2]
I
bid thee, think on this, while speaking mum,[3]
Till
I return.
FALC. My lord, the matter sleeps
Bestirs
it hence.
JOHN. I thank thee, good sir knight.
[Falconberg bows and exits.]
Or
should or should I not dispraise[4]
these stars
Which
benefit me, to my brother’s pain?
Who
has so much may lose so much, he’s found;
Who
little has has much to gain, he’ll learn.
I’ll
soon to France, to coffer[5]
Philip’s love
And
fost’ring aid in this: But, as for now,
I’ll
seem to pluck a page from mother’s book:
I’ll
be content to listen, watch, and see
What
opportunity these broils[6] may
bring
The
able brother of an absent king.
[John exits.]