john old castle(约翰古老的城堡)-第14章
按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页,按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页,按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部!
————未阅读完?加入书签已便下次继续阅读!
KING。 If you deny it; here is evidence。 See you these men? you never
counseled; Nor offered them assistance in their wars?
COBHAM。 Speak; sirs。 Not one but all; I crave no favour。 Have ever
I been conversant with you; Or written letters to encourage you; Or
kindled but the least or smallest part Of this your late unnatural rebellion?
Speak; for I dare the uttermost you can。
MURLEY。 In and out upon occasion; I know you not。
KING。 No? didst not say that sir John Old…castle Was one with whom
you purposed to have met?
MURLEY。 True; I did say so; but in what respect? Because I heard it
was reported so。
KING。 Was there no other argument but that?
ACTON。 To clear my conscience ere I die; my lord; I must confess; we
have no other ground But only Rumor; to accuse this lord; Which now I
see was merely fabulous。
KING。 The more pernitious you to taint him then; Whom you knew not
was faulty; yea or no。
COBHAM。 Let this; my Lord; which I present your grace; Speak for
my loyalty: read these articles; And then give sentence of my life or
death。
KING。 Earl Cambridge; Scroop; and Gray corrupted With bribes from
Charles of France; either to win My Crown from me; or secretly contrive
My death by treason? Is this possible?
71
… Page 72…
John Oldcastle
COBHAM。 There is the platform; and their hands; my lord; Each
severally subscribed to the same。
KING。 Oh never heard of; base ingratitude! Even those I hug within
my bosom most Are readiest evermore to sting my heart。 Pardon me;
Cobham; I have done thee wrong; Hereafter I will live to make amends。 Is;
then; their time of meeting no near hand? We'll meet with them; but little
for their ease; If God permit。 Go; take these rebels hence; Let them have
martial law: but as for thee; Friend to thy king and country; still be free。
'Exeunt。'
MURLEY。 Be it more or less; what a world is this? Would I had
continued still of the order of knaves; And never sought knighthood; since
it costs so dear。 Sir Roger; I may thank you for all。
ACTON。 Now tis too late to have it remedied; I prithee; Murley; do
not urge me with it。
HUNTINGTON。 Will you away; and make no more to do?
MURLEY。 Fie; paltry; paltry! to and fro; as occasion serves; If you be
so hasty; take my place。
HUNTINGTON。 No; good sir knight; you shall begin in your hand。
MURLEY。 I could be glad to give my betters place。
'Exeunt。'
72
… Page 73…
John Oldcastle
73
… Page 74…
John Oldcastle
SCENE III。 Kent。 Court before lord Cobham's
house。
'Enter Bishop; lord Warden; Cromer the Shrieve; Lady Cob; and
attendants。'
BISHOP。 I tell ye; Lady; it's not possible But you should know where
he conveys himself; And you have hid him in some secret place。
LADY COBHAM。 My Lord; believe me; as I have a soul; I know not
where my lord my husband is。
BISHOP。 Go to; go to; ye are an heretic; And will be forced by torture
to confess; If fair means will not serve to make ye tell。
LADY COBHAM。 My husband is a noble gentleman; And need not
hide himself for any fact That ere I heard of; therefore wrong him not。
BISHOP。 Your husband is a dangerous schismatic; Traitor to God; the
King; and common wealth: And therefore; master Croamer; shrieve of
Kent; I charge you take her to your custody; And seize the goods of Sir
John Old…castle To the King's use。 Let her go in no more; To fetch so
much as her apparel out。 There is your warrant from his majesty。
LORD WARDEN。 Good my Lord Bishop; pacify your wrath Against
the Lady。
BISHOP。 Then let her confess Where Old…castle her husband is
concealed。
LORD WARDEN。 I dare engage mine honor and my life; Poor
gentlewoman; she is ignorant And innocent of all his practises; If any evil
by him be practised。
BISHOP。 If; my Lord Warden? nay; then I charge you; That all the
cinque Ports; whereof you are chief; Be laid forthwith; that he escape us
not。 Shew him his highness' warrant; Master Shrieve。
LORD WARDEN。 I am sorry for the noble gentleman
'Enter Old…castle and Harpoole。'
BISHOP。 Peace; he comes here; now do your office。
COBHAM。 Harpoole; what business have we here in hand? What
makes the Bishop and the Sheriff here? I fear my coming home is
74
… Page 75…
John Oldcastle
dangerous; I would I had not made such haste to Cobham。
HARPOOLE。 Be of good cheer; my Lord: if they be foes; we'll
scramble shrewdly with them: if they be friends; they are welcome。
One of them (my Lord Warden) is your friend; but me thinks my lady
weeps; I like not that。
CROAMER。 Sir John Old…castle; Lord Cobham; in the King's
majesty's name; I arrest ye of high treason。
COBHAM。 Treason; Master Croamer?
HARPOOLE。 Treason; Master Shrieve? sblood; what treason?
COBHAM。 Harpoole; I charge thee; stir not; but be quiet still。 Do ye
arrest me; Master Shrieve; for treason?
BISHOP。 Yea; of high treason; traitor; heretic。
COBHAM。 Defiance in his face that calls me so。 I am as true a loyal
gentleman Unto his highness as my proudest enemy。 The King shall
witness my late faithful service; For safety of his sacred majesty。
BISHOP。 What thou art the king's hand shall testify: Shewt him; Lord
Warden。
COBHAM。 Jesu defend me! Is't possible your cunning could so
temper The princely disposition of his mind; To sign the damage of a loyal
subject? Well; the best is; it bears an antedate; Procured by my absence;
and your malice; But I; since that; have shewd my self as true As any
churchman that dare challenge me。 Let me be brought before his majesty;
If he acquit me not; then do your worst。
BISHOP。 We are not bound to do king offices For any traitor;
schismatic; nor heretic。 The king's hand is our warrant for our work; Who
is departed on his way for France; And at Southhampton doth repose this
night。
HARPOOLE。 O that it were the blessed will of God; that thou and I
were within twenty mile of it; on Salisbury plan! I would lose my head if
ever thou broughtst thy head hither again。
'Aside。'
COBHAM。 My Lord Warden o' the cinque Ports; & my Lord of
Rochester; ye are joint Commissioners: favor me so much; On my
expence to bring me to the king。
75
… Page 76…
John Oldcastle
BISHOP。 What; to Southhampton?
COBHAM。 Thither; my good Lord; And if he do not clear me of all
guilt; And all suspicion of conspiracy; Pawning his princely warrant for
my truth: I ask no favour; but extremest torture。 Bring me; or send me to
him; good my Lord: Good my Lord Warden; Master Shrieve; entreat。
'Here the Lord Warden; and Croamer uncover the Bishop; and secretly
whisper