The Complete Works of William Shakespeare In Plain and Simple English (Translated) by William Shakespeare Read Free Book Online Page A

two such shores, two such streams running into one,
    you will be two controlling banks to them, kings,
    if you join them together in marriage.
    This marriage would be more likely to open our
    solidly closed gates than any artillery; if it happened
    we would fling our gates wide open faster
    than any assault could hope to do,
    and let you in: but without the marriage
    the raging sea is not half as deaf,
    lions not half as confident, mountains and rocks
    more still, no, death himself
    is not so determined as he seeks out mortals
    as we will be in defending our city.
     
    BASTARD.
    Here's a stay
    That shakes the rotten carcass of old Death
    Out of his rags! Here's a large mouth, indeed,
    That spits forth death and mountains, rocks and seas;
    Talks as familiarly of roaring lions
    As maids of thirteen do of puppy-dogs!
    What cannoneer begot this lusty blood?
    He speaks plain cannon-fire, and smoke and bounce;
    He gives the bastinado with his tongue;
    Our ears are cudgell'd; not a word of his
    But buffets better than a fist of France.
    Zounds! I was never so bethump'd with words
    Since I first call'd my brother's father dad.
     
    Here's an obstacle
    that will shake the rotten carcass of old Death
    out of his rags! Here's a brave talker,
    who goes on about death and mountains, rocks and seas;
    talks as casually about roaring lions
    as girls of thirteen do about puppies!
    What artillery man fathered this lusty chap?
    He speaks like a cannon, with smoke and explosions;
    his tongue is like a club,
    it cudgels our ears; everything he says
    makes a better attack than any blows of France.
    By God! I was never so clobbered with words
    since I first called my brother's father dad.
     
    ELINOR.
    Son, list to this conjunction, make this match;
    Give with our niece a dowry large enough;
    For by this knot thou shalt so surely tie
    Thy now unsur'd assurance to the crown
    That yon green boy shall have no sun to ripe
    The bloom that promiseth a mighty fruit.
    I see a yielding in the looks of France;
    Mark how they whisper. Urge them while their souls
    Are capable of this ambition,
    Lest zeal, now melted by the windy breath
    Of soft petitions, pity, and remorse,
    Cool and congeal again to what it was.
     
    Son, listen to this scheme, make this marriage;
    give a good large dowry with our niece;
    for making this marriage you will make your
    currently dubious claim to the crown so solid
    that that young lad will have no chance
    of developing his claim.
    I can see doubt in the looks of the French;
    look how they whisper. Encourage them while they are
    keen on this plan,
    in case their keenness, strong at the moment due to
    soft petitions, pity and remorse,
    cools down again and returns to how it was.
     
    CITIZEN.
    Why answer not the double majesties
    This friendly treaty of our threat'ned town?
     
    Why do the two kings not answer
    this friendly request by our threatened town?
     
    KING PHILIP.
    Speak England first, that hath been forward first
    To speak unto this city: what say you?
     
    Let England speak first, who was the first one
    to speak to this city: what do you say?
     
    KING JOHN.
    If that the Dauphin there, thy princely son,
    Can in this book of beauty read 'I love,'
    Her dowry shall weigh equal with a queen;
    For Anjou, and fair Touraine, Maine, Poictiers,
    And all that we upon this side the sea-
    Except this city now by us besieg'd-
    Find liable to our crown and dignity,
    Shall gild her bridal bed, and make her rich
    In titles, honours, and promotions,
    As she in beauty, education, blood,
    Holds hand with any princess of the world.
     
    If your princely son, that Dauphin there,
    looks at this beauty and loves her,
    she shall have a dowry equal to the Queen;
    Anjou, fair Touraine, Maine, Poitiers,
    and everything that is ours on this side of the Channel–
    except for this city we are now besieging–
    that is subject to our rule,
    will decorate her bridal bed, and make her rich
    in titles, honours and promotions,
    as rich as she is in