"William Shakespeare. King Edward The Third (англ.)" - читать интересную книгу автора

You are the lineal watchman of our peace,
And John of Valois indirectly climbs;
What then should subjects but embrace their King?
Ah, where in may our duty more be seen,
Than striving to rebate a tyrant's pride
And place the true shepherd of our commonwealth?

KING EDWARD.
This counsel, Artois, like to fruitful showers,
Hath added growth unto my dignity;
And, by the fiery vigor of thy words,
Hot courage is engendered in my breast,
Which heretofore was raked in ignorance,
But now doth mount with golden wings of fame,
And will approve fair Isabel's descent,
Able to yoke their stubborn necks with steel,
That spurn against my sovereignty in France.

[Sound a horn.]

A messenger?--Lord Audley, know from whence.

[Exit Audley, and returns.]

AUDLEY.
The Duke of Lorrain, having crossed the seas,
Entreats he may have conference with your highness.

KING EDWARD.
Admit him, Lords, that we may hear the news.

[Exeunt Lords. King takes his State. Re-enter Lords;
with Lorrain, attended.]

Say, Duke of Lorrain, wherefore art thou come?

LORRAIN.
The most renowned prince, King John of France,
Doth greet thee, Edward, and by me commands,
That, for so much as by his liberal gift
The Guyen Dukedom is entailed to thee,
Thou do him lowly homage for the same.
And, for that purpose, here I summon thee,
Repair to France within these forty days,
That there, according as the custom is,
Thou mayst be sworn true liegeman to our King;
Or else thy title in that province dies,
And he him self will repossess the place.

KING EDWARD.