_Hubert._ Heat me these irons, and be sure keep within call: when I
stamp with my foot, come in, and bind the boy that will be with me, fast
to the chair. Take heed, and listen to my call.
_Attendant._ I hope you have authority for what you do.
_Hub._ Obey my orders, and let me have none of your scruples; for the
present retire! Young lad, come here, I have something to say to you.
(_Prince Arthur comes in._
_Arthur._ Good morrow, Hubert.
_Hub._ Good morrow, little prince.
_Arth._ You look sad, good Hubert.
_Hub._ To say truth, I am not very happy.
_Arth._ Heaven take pity on me! I think nobody should be sad but I. Were
I but out of prison, and a shepherd's boy, I could be cheerful all day
long; nay, even here I could be happy, were I not afraid my uncle
intends me harm. I fear him, and he fears me. Is it my fault that I was
Geoffrey's son? Oh! that I were but your son, so you would but love me,
Hubert.
_Hub._ If I listen to his innocent prattle, I shall awaken that
compassion I have taken so much pains to stifle; therefore I will lose
no time.
(_Aside._
_Arth._ Are you ill, Hubert? you look very pale; if you were ill, I
would attend you night and day, would watch by you, and show how much I
love you.
_Hub._ How his words affect me! he shakes my resolution, but I will be
firm, and smother these womanish feelings. Arthur, read that paper.
_Arth._ (_Reads_). Alas! alas! and will you burn out both my eyes?
_Hub._ I must and will.
_Arth._ Can you be so cruel? I have always loved you tenderly, have
behaved to you as if I had been your son, watched your very looks,
obeyed your orders, attended you when you were sick, and rejoiced at
every symptom of recovery. Can you have the heart to put my eyes out?
which never did, nor never shall, frown upon you.
_Hub._ I have sworn to do it, and must not break my oath.
_Arth._ It is better to break a wicked promise than to keep it. Had you
a child you fondly loved, think what you would suffer to have him
treated thus? My innocence should plead for me. I could not have
believed that Hubert had been so hard-hearted.
_Hub._ Come in (_Stamps, the attendants come in with cords, irons,
&c._), do as I bid you.
_Arth._ Oh! save me, Hubert, save me. The fierce looks of these bloody
men terrify me to death.
_Hub._ Give me the irons, I say, and bind him here.
_Arth._ Alas! you need not be so rough, there is no occasion to bind me.
I will be as gentle as a lamb, if you will but send these men away. I
will not stir nor make a noise, whatever pain you put me to.
_Hub._ Withdraw, and leave me alone with him.
_Atten._ I am glad to be rid of such a business.
_Arth._ Alas! then I have driven away my friend, let him come back, that
he may plead for me.
_Hub._ Come, boy, prepare yourself.
_Arth._ Will nothing avail me?
_Hub._ Nothing; prepare.
_Arth._ Oh! Hubert, that a gnat would fly in your eye, that you might
feel the pain so small a thing would cause; perhaps that might move your
sympathy, and lead you to consider what I must suffer.
_Hub._ How ill you keep your promise, be silent.
_Arth._ Forgive me, Hubert, if I try to move you; you once were tender
and compassionate, and you will be happier from yielding to these gentle
dispositions, than from all the wealth and honours my uncle can bestow.
_Hub._ Well, your innocence has unnerved my firmest resolution. I am
subdued, and will not touch your eyes for all the treasures of your
uncle's crown. Yet have I sworn, and fully purposed to have
performed----.
_Arth._ O, now you look like Hubert! Before you were disguised.
_Hub._ Hush, be quiet; I must conceal you from your uncle's vengeance
till I have an opportunity of escaping with you to a foreign country,
where we shall be secure from his resentment. For your sake I resign all
my hopes of preferment, and incur the danger of my life, should I be
taken whilst in your uncle's territories; but, poverty with innocence,
is infinitely preferable to a crown with a guilty conscience. Fear
nothing, but retire; not India's wealth should bribe me to injure you.