KING: Peace, you brawlers and brats, in this broadness embraced; And folks over-friendly, from forwardness refrain. Your tongues, from treating of trifles, restrain; Or this brand that is bright will burst in your brain. Plead for no places, but kneel in this plain. Draw no commotions, but address you in dread Of dashes. Travail not as traitors, trusting in tricks, Or by blood Mahound bled, with this blade you shall bleed! Thus I shall batter your bones in this breadth. Yes! And lash all your limbs with lashes. Dragons so dreadful shall lurk in their dens; When we writhe in wrath, or in rage we're wrapped up. With weapons we've joined against giants ungentle, And swans that are swimming, for our sweet life are swept up, And judged down, for the joy of our gentry engendered. Who chides our estate, we shall chop him in chains, And the ranks that are running to us shall be reverent. Thus I bid you to cease, before any bale be. That no brother so bold may boast for his blows; And you that love your lives, listen to me: As a lord who is learned, to lead you in laws. And you of my men, and of my company, Since we've come from one kin, as each of you knows, And assembled together in this city, It suits us to seriously set all our sayings. 1 DUKE: My lord, we shall keep to your call, And stir to no stead, unless you summon us. No grievances here, great or small. KING: Yeah, but look that to no faults you fall. 2 DUKE: Loyally, my lord, so we shall. No more is there need now to name it. 1 DUKE: Monsignor, demean you to honor in mind what I mean: Be bound now to bed-ward, for so I hold best. All the commoners, this court have avoided clean. Every man, as is reason, has gone to his rest. Wherefore I would counsel, my lord, that you call for a drink. KING: Certainly, I shall assent as he says, Now that all men have gone on their ways. Lightly, without any delays, Give us wine worthily, and then we shall wink, And see no disturbance be done. [Then the king drinks.] 1 DUKE: My lord, unlace you to lie; Here none shall come to cry. KING: Now speedily look that you spy, That no noise be near here this midnight. 1 DUKE: My lord, your bed is new made, you need not abide. KING: Yeah, but if heartily you love me, lay me down softly; For you know very well I am tenderly hided. 1 DUKE: How lie you, my good lord? KING: Right well, by this light. All whole at my desire. Wherefore, I pray to Sir Satan our sire, And Lucifer, lovely of limb: He save you all sirs, and give you good night. 1 SOLDIER: Sir knight, we have been warned to wend; We must know of this warlock, what is the king's will? 2 SOLDIER: Sir, here is Herod, right here at our hand, And our intent, quickly to tell him we will. 1 SOLDIER: Who is here? 1 DUKE: Who is there? 1 SOLDIER: We are knights of this land. We've come to your council, this churl to kill. 1 DUKE: Sirs, if your message may not mirth amend, Stalk forth in the street, or stand here stone still. 2 SOLDIER: Yes, certainly sir, of mirth we do mean The king shall have matters to meddle in. We are bringing a boy here between, Who will bring us great worship, we believe. 1 DUKE: Well sirs, so that no harm is seen, Attend him, and we shall go tell him. My lord, yonder a bound boy is brought in in blame. Hasten and hurry; they hover at your gate. KING: What?! Must I rise now, in the devil's name, To stickle with strangers in the stalls of estate? Have here my hand, hold now. See where my slippers are sitting. 1 DUKE: My lord, with good will shall I hold you; No wrong would I do but unwitting. But now lord, we can tell you of uncouth tidings. KING: Yeah, but look that you tell only tales that are true. 1 DUKE: They are bringing you yonder a boy bound in a band; This bodes either jokes, or bale's on the brew. KING: Then raise up the harrow, hastily at hand. 1 DUKE: My lord, there's some news I need note unto you. KING: Why? Do you hope that in haste he will hang? 1 DUKE: We don't know their will or their leaning. But a message full blithely they bring: KING: Now, do let us hear what they're saying. 2 DUKE: Lo sirs, you may carp with the king. And manfully tell him your meaning. 1 SOLDIER: Lord, wealth and worship be with you always. KING: What would you? 2 SOLDIER: A word lord, if your will it were. KING: Well, say on then. 1 SOLDIER: My lord, it's our job, fools to flay, Whom, you, would offend. KING: Well, good for the both of you, pair. 1 SOLDIER: My lord, when you hear what we say, Your heart it will rend. KING: Yes, but say what you have on hand there. 2 SOLDIER: A present from Pilate, lord - prince of our way. KING: Peace in my presence and name him no more. 1 SOLDIER: My lord, he would worship you fain. KING: I conceive you are full foes of him. 2 SOLDIER: My lord, he would honor you main. And therefore he sends you this swain. KING: Go quick with that scoundrel again, And tell him I hold him worth not one borrowed bean. 1 DUKE: Ah, my lord, with your leave, they have journeyed far; To try of your ways was no folly. 2 DUKE: My lord, if you send this wretch on, it grief were On this ground: he's gotten to grow great villainy. KING: You imply that this nothing would my might mar? 1 DUKE: Nay lord, but in this world he makes great mastery. KING: Go in. Let us see what the sayings are. If they're not to our pleasure, they'll both pay for it high. 2 SOLDIER: My lord, we are worthy of blame If we bring any message amiss. KING: Why then, can you name his name? 1 SOLDIER: Sir, Christ we have called him at home. KING: Ah! So this is the self and the same! Now sirs, you are welcome with this. In faith, I'm delighted he's found; His wonders to see and to tell. Now this game is correctly begun. 2 SOLDIER: Lord, in all loyalty, this we like well. KING: Yes, but do you hold heartily, that this harlot is he? 1 SOLDIER: Take heed my lord, and in haste you'll hear how. KING: Yes. But why was this message made out to me? 2 SOLDIER: I trust since it touches on treason somehow. 1 SOLDIER: My lord, he's called culpable in our country, On perilous points, as Pilate proves now. 2 SOLDIER: My lord, when Pilate learned he was gotten in Galilee, He said that this lordship belonged unto you. And thus till he know what your will is therefore, He'll not speak any further to spill him. KING: Then he knows that our might is more? 1 SOLDIER: Certainly sir, as we said there before. KING: Now sirs, then our friendship therefore We shall grant him: no grievance we will him. And sirs, as you should be, you're welcome to go, At your will; I will warrant your coming. For I've coveted kindly, that comely to know; For men call him both wise and cunning. 2 SOLDIER: My lord, if he told all the truths he may know, You saw never such wonders, by sea or by sand. KING: Now go on back, both, and let the boy blow. His ear, I'll have (hopefully) hastily at hand. 1 SOLDIER: Jerusalem and the Jews may have joy, And heal in their hearts for to hear him. KING: Say, bien-veniew in bon fay Ne plaisieur and a parle remoy? 2 SOLDIER: Nay, lord - there's no playful chat in this boy. KING: No sir? With your leave we shall teach him. 1 Son: My lord, see these knights that know and are keen? How'd they come to your court without any call? KING: Yes son, and they muster great masteries, what may this mean? 1 DUKE: My lord, since your might is far more than their all, They seek you as sovereign, as is certainly seen. KING: Now, certainly since you say so, assay him I shall; I'm more eager for this one, than for any fifteen; Yes, and whoever first found him - may fair things befall. 1 SOLDIER: Lord, we loyally lead you no lie; This life that he leads will lose him. KING: Well sirs, draw you aside. And good sirs, will you now bring him nigh. For if all of his sleights be sly, Yet before he may leave, we'll well use him. Oh, my heart hops for joy, To see now this prophet appear! We shall have a good game with this boy; Take heed, for in haste you shall hear. I believe we shall laugh and have liking, To see how this scoundrel alleges our laws. 2 DUKE: Hark cousin, you've come here to carp with a king; Pay attention, be cunning, and say what you know. 1 DUKE: Yeah, and see you don't sound like a sot in your saying, But seriously, soon you should set your sayings so. KING: Why, that's just why I've sought him to see; Look sir, you be to our abode bound. 1 DUKE: Kneel down to the king on your knee. 2 DUKE: No, it's needless, it just will not be. KING: Look sirs - he makes him no more meek to me, Than as if to a man of his town. 1 DUKE: Wow! You blockhead, learn now not to flout, Before some more charges they bring. KING: No, dreadless, without a doubt, He knows not the course of a king. And he's here in our hall - now play, or we end - Say first in beginning withall, where were you born? Come fellow, for faith now let us fall in. The first of your wonders: who fed you before? Deign you not? Lo, he deafens with this din. Where'd you scrape up this scoundrel? His language is lorn. 1 SOLDIER: Lord, to great and to lesser his wonders have been Before mustered among us, both midday and morn. 2 SOLDIER: My lord, it would be too many to tell All his miracles; he works them so quickly. 1 SOLDIER: Come on, man, mumbling may nothing avail. Go tell the king all, from the top to the tail. KING: Do bring us that boy into bale; We loyally leave him not lightly. 1 DUKE: This fool says he may judge men after their deeds; He makes many marvels and masteries with them. 2 DUKE: Five thousand fair folk, all at once he did feed, Five loaves and two fishes he gave them. KING: How many folk did you say that he fed? 2 DUKE: Five thousand, my lord, that came to his call. KING: Yeah boy? How'd you bake so much bread? 1 DUKE: Just five loaves, as I wager he said. KING: Now by the blood that Mahound once bled, This is a great wonder after all. 2 DUKE: Now lord, he then two fishes blessed, And gave them out, forgetting none. 1 DUKE: Yes lord, and twelve full baskets left, Of overflow, when all were done. KING: Of another such meal, no man may say. 2 DUKE: Excepting, my lord, he who musters this might. KING: But say sirs, are these things true that you say? 2 SOLDIER: Yes lord, and more wonderful still has been shown to our sight. One Lazarus, a lad who in our land lay, Lay locked in death's lair from limb and from light. And his sisters came rushing in rueful array, And because of their roaring, he raised him full right, And out of his grave got him going, Ever forth, without evil. KING: Now these lies are lasting too long. 1 SOLDIER: Why lord, do you mean that the wording is wrong? With our people, this lad is still living among. KING: Well, in there (hope I) be deeds of the devil. Why do you hasten to hang, One so newly annoying to you? 2 SOLDIER: My lord, since he calls himself king, And claims to be king of the Jews. KING: But say, was he king in his kin long ago? 1 SOLDIER: No. He calls himself king, so his cares he may heal. KING: Then it's no little wonder that now he is woe, To be cursed with such wrong, since he seems to work well. But he'll sit by myself, since you have said so Come near, king, to court - Say - can you not kneel? We shall have some good sport and some games ere you go. How's this suit you, lord - Not a word! What's the deal? I fault in my reverence, inutile moi; I am in features, fairer by far. Show me your judgement. Uta! Oy, oy! As far as I see, things getting worse are. Servicia primet Such wretches and scoundrels as you, Respicias timet What the devil and his dame should I do? Carp on, you churl; I can be your cure. Say, can you hear me? Oy man, are you mad? Now tell me in faith, how fared you before? Forth friend - by my faith, you are a fond lad. 1 DUKE: My lord, he's astonished; your shouting's so sore. He would rather have just stood stone still where he stood. KING: If the boy is abashed of Herod's big bluster, That's the best kind of sport, by Mahound's blood. 2 DUKE: My lord, I trust it's your sword that may flay, And delay him. KING: Now I loyally leave you, Therefore I shall wave it away, And softly now with a sceptre assay. Now sir, be pert I pray, For none of my grooms shall grieve you. Si loqueris tibi laus Paritur quoque prospera dantur Si loqueris tibi fraus Fell, fex et bella parantur. My men, go attend him with main, And look how that it would seem. 1 DUKE: Dukus fayff sir and sover-rain, 2 DUKE: Sir udins amangidre demain. KING: Go, answer them gravely again. What the devil? Do we dote or dream? 1 SOLDIER: No. We get not one word, I'd willingly bet, He's erased of his wits; his words are all gone. KING: Now, since he comes as a knave, and as knave he is clad, Why do you call him a King? 1 DUKE: Nay lord, he's none, But a rascal is he. KING: Well by the devil, I am hard pressed. One might as well stir up a stick or a stone. 1 SON: My lord, this faker's so foully afraid; Never looked he on lords for so long all alone. KING: No son - this rascal sees us so richly arrayed, He takes us for angels, each and every one. 2 DUKE: My lord, he's aghast of all this gay gear. KING: Great lords ought to be gay; No man shall do harm to you here. Therefore, name it, now that you're near; For by the great god, if you cause me to swear, You'll have never known dolor before today. Now quickly carp on, churl, of all of your kin. 1 DUKE: No, it's useless; to you he will ever name none. KING: He'll pay for this ere he is done. 2 DUKE: Oh, leave him, my lord. KING: Let me alone! 1 DUKE: Now lord, if you're able, be troubled no more; It's unfair to fight a fond fool. But go to your council and find comfort there. KING: You speak truth. We shall see whether wisdom they rule, For our sorrows are certainly sad. 2 SON: What sort of devil ails him? My lord, I can make you be glad. Opportunely, our master is mad; He lurks - lo, he looks like a lad - He is crazy, or else his wits fail him. 3 SON: My lord, you've attempted as much as you may; You could know him no further, if he were Mahound; Since this seems to be so, let us now assay. KING: Look well, my good sirs; to our bidding, you're bound. 1 DUKE: My lord, how should he doubt us? He dreads nothing you say. KING: Now go forth, may the devil him drown! Since he has framed falsehoods and raises foul fray, Roar loud on him rudely; let no whispers be found! 1 SON: My lord, since you say, I'll enforce myself so. Fellow: no feigning, and fear not therefore; But now tell us some trifles between us two, And none of these men will be meddling more, And therefore, some reason display. For your credit, do say something now! Can you hear anything that I say? You mumbling nothing! I may Help you, and preserve you from troubles somehow! 2 SON: Lightly look up, lad, and bow to my lord here. From bale to bliss, he can easily you borrow. Speak boldly, come now to conclude here. Say something, you saintling, for sorrow! Why stand you as still as a stone here? Spare not, but speak in this place here. You wretch - it may gain you some grace here. 3 SON: My lord, this fake's so afraid of your face here, At this point, no answers he's naming for nobody here. Good sir, for Belial's black blood and his bones, Say something - or things will get worse here. 1 SON: No. Not a word in this place he condones. 2 SON: Let's all shout at him all at once. ALL SONS: Oyay! Oyay! Oyay! KING: Oh, you make a foul noise for the nonce. 3 SON: Needless, my lord - we have got no more near. 1 SON: My lord, all this muteness amends not a mite. To mess with a madman's a marvel to me. Command your knights to clothe him in white; Let him go as he came to your country. KING: Lo sirs, we shall keep you no longer tonight. My son has said how it should be. 1 DUKE: Lord, fools who are feeble are fit for this fee. KING: What, in a white garment to go, Thus gaily girt in a gown? 2 DUKE: No lord, as a fool whose wits are slow. KING: How say you sirs, should it be so? ALL SONS: Yes lord. KING: Well, then there is no more. But boldly now bid them be bound. Sir knights, we'll endeavor to make you be glad; Our counsel has warned us wisely and well. White clothing is fitting for this foolish lad. Fully, all of his folly, in faith, we feel. 1 DUKE: With good will, for his white weeds we'll wend; Well enough we're aware just what weeds he will wear. 2 DUKE: Look, here's a garment right here to hand, Fashioned for fools who go forth for to fare. 1 SOLDIER: Well, this is a tunic of joy, Just as should be good for the boy. 1 DUKE: He shall be arrayed like a royal. And thus shall be found in his folly. 2 DUKE: Well, thank them boy - accursed you be! 1 SOLDIER: No, we get not a word, I am swearing. 2 SOLDIER: What, do you think he is wiser than we? Let's leave off and let the king see How he's been forced and is faring. My lord, have a look if you're paid, For now we have gotten his gear. KING: Why, is this ribald arrayed? My blessings, good sirs, you bear. Go, make a cry in my court and graciously write, All the deeds we have done in this same degree. Who finds himself grieved, let him soon tell it right, If we find no default, he deserves to go free. 1 DUKE: Oyay! If any man, of this wretch, can any worse state, (Works will bear witness against those who work wrong) Go bold to the bar now, his bales to abate, For my lord, by my faith, will not delay long. My lord, there appear to be none who'd impair his estate. KING: Well then, he ought to go free. Sir knights, then make ready to goodly be going; Repair with your present; to Pilate you'll say, That we grant our full friendship for him to be knowing. 1 SOLDIER: My lord, with your leave, we shall take our leave here. We'd like now no longer in here to abide. 2 SOLDIER: My lord, if any danger he should fear, We'll come again with good cheer. KING: Nay, good sirs, you'll find us not here, Our leave we shall take at this tide, And readily array us for rest, For these notes have annoyed us enough. 1 DUKE: Yes, certainly lord, this I hold best; This ungodly groundling has grieved you. 2 DUKE: Look you bear word as you ought, How well we've behaved us this while. 1 SOLDIER: Well, a wise man would deem that we dote, Unless we make an end of this note. KING: Go forth, the devil is in your throat! We find in him no fault to file. Why should we flay or condemn him? We find nothing in rolls of record; And since he is dumb, now to deem him - Would this be good law for a lord? No, wretches - unloyally, you've learned all too late - Go teach your lords what lessons you learned here. Repair with your present; to Pilate you'll say: We grant this one our power all plain to appear, And also our grievance: forgive we always; And we grant him our grace with every good cheer, Concerning this man, should he brawl or debate. Bid him work as he will; he has nothing to fear; Go tell him this message from me. 1 SOLDIER: My lord, with your leave, let him be. Too long we have led him already. 2 SOLDIER: What, you sirs - lord, will you see? KING: What, fellows? Will you not then attend what I tell you? You may deal with that yeoman, not me! 2 SOLDIER: Lord, he shall fare in an unpleasant way. KING: Good sirs, patience is virtue, I deem. Fare softly, for so it will seem. 1 SOLDIER: Now, since we do as you deem, Adieu sir. KING: Dance on, in the devil's way.
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