King John: Act III, Scene i; First Folio

King John.         Act 3, Scene 1.      Constance

(This text is featured in our interview with Tracy Michelle Arnold)

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1008  A wicked day, and not a holy day.
1009  What hath this day deseru'd? what hath it done,
1010  That it in golden letters should be set
1011  Among the high tides in the Kalender?
1012  Nay, rather turne this day out of the weeke,
1013  This day of shame, oppression, periury.
1014  Or if it must stand still, let wiues with childe
1015  Pray that their burthens may not fall this day,
1016  Lest that their hopes prodigiously be crost:
1017  But (on this day) let Sea-men feare no wracke,
1018  No bargaines breake that are not this day made;
1019  This day all things begun, come to ill end,
1020  Yea, faith it selfe to hollow falshood change.
Fra. 
1021  By heauen Lady, you shall haue no cause
1022  To curse the faire proceedings of this day:
1023  Haue I not pawn'd to you my Maiesty?
Const. 
1024  You haue beguil'd me with a counterfeit
1025  Resembling Maiesty, which being touch'd and tride,
1026  Proues valuelesse: you are forsworne,forsworne,
1027  You came in Armes to spill mine enemies bloud,
1028  But now in Armes, you strengthen it with yours.
1029  The grapling vigor, and rough frowne of Warre
1030  Is cold in amitie, and painted peace,
1031  And our oppression hath made vp this league:
1032  Arme, arme, you heauens, against these periur'd Kings,
1033  A widdow cries, be husband to me (heauens)
1034  Let not the howres of this vngodly day
1035  Weare out the daies in Peace; but ere Sun-set,
1036  Set armed discord 'twixt these periur'd Kings,
1037  Heare me, Oh, heare me.