King John/Henry VIII (Signet Classics) Read online

140 amazed stunned/bewildered

  141 tide i.e. torrent of bad news

  142 Aloft above, afloat in

  144 sped succeeded/fared

  145 express communicate/reveal

  147 strangely fantasied full of strange imaginings 148 idle foolish/crazy

  152 treading ... heels i.e. following him closely 153 rude unlearned/lacking in polish

  154 Ascension Day celebration of the feast of ascension of Christ into heaven, the Thursday forty days after Easter 155 deliver up surrender

  161 safety safekeeping, i.e. custody

  162 gentle noble

  163 abroad out there, in public

  168 is was

  168 tonight last night

  169 suggestion instigation

  175 the ... before i.e. quickly

  176 subject enemies i.e. subjects who are enemies 177 adverse hostile

  178 stout bold/determined

  179 Mercury messenger of the Roman gods, often depicted with feathered sandals or feet 181 spirit ... time i.e. circumstances (conceivably spirit plays on the alchemical sense of "mercury") 182 sprightful spirited

  184 betwixt between

  188 tonight last night

  190 wondrous bizarre, unbelievable

  192 beldams old women

  193 prophesy upon it make predictions based on it 196 one to one

  198 fearful action frightened gestures

  205 Had ... feet he had mistakenly put on the wrong feet 206 a many thousand i.e. many thousands of 207 embattailed drawn up in battle array

  207 ranked arranged in ranks

  208 artificer artisan

  210 possess acquaint/occupy

  211 urgest thou do you present, bring forward

  211 oft often

  212 cause reason

  214 No had had none

  214 provoke incite

  216 humours whims, moods

  217 bloody ... life i.e. the body

  218 winking i.e. subtle signal

  219 understand a law interpret it as a mandate

  220 dangerous threatening

  220 perchance perhaps

  221 upon humour because of a whim

  221 advised respect careful deliberation

  222 hand signature

  223 account judgment

  226 means to do ways of doing, instruments for

  227 by at hand

  228 marked physically blemished/taken note of

  229 Quoted noted, specified

  229 signed marked distinctively

  231 aspect face/appearance

  233 liable suitable

  234 faintly halfheartedly/tentatively

  234 broke spoke

  236 conscience i.e. matter of moral dilemma 239 darkly obscurely

  241 As as though to

  241 express specific

  242 had would have

  243 wrought created

  245 parley negotiate

  247 rude violent/unkind

  250 state authority, sovereignty

  250 braved challenged, defied

  252 body ... land refers to England as a body, as well as to the king's own body (the popular metaphor of monarch as microcosm of state) 253 confine territory/limit/prison

  254 tumult disturbance, insurrection/confused and violent emotion 259 maiden unblemished/virginal (a similarity continued in the idea of hymenal/murderous blood) 262 motion suggestion/impulse

  263 form appearance

  264 rude exteriorly outwardly harsh-looking

  268 Throw cast (as if water on the fire of their rage) 269 tame submissive

  272 imaginary imaginative/nonexistent

  272 eyes of blood passionate, angry eyes/bloodshot eyes 274 closet private room

  276 conjure entreat, ask earnestly

  4.3 Location: England, a prison

  4 semblance appearance

  4 quite totally

  5 venture risk

  7 shifts stratagems (possibly puns on the sense of "changes of clothing") 8 die ... stay i.e. risk death by escaping than stay and face certain death 11 him i.e. Lewis the dauphin

  11 Saint Edmundsbury Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk

  12 safety best safeguard

  13 gentle courteous/noble

  16 private confidential talk

  17 general universal, all-embracing

  20 or ere before

  20 we i.e. the English lords and Lewis

  21 distempered vexed, discontented

  22 straight straight away

  23 dispossessed himself caused himself to lose possession, i.e. lost our support 24 line supply a lining for, i.e. fortify

  24 bestained marked with stains

  24 cloak cover for his deeds

  25 attend the foot i.e. serve one

  29 griefs grievances, complaints

  29 reason speak, debate (the Bastard shifts the sense to "good sense, rationality") 32 impatience anger

  32 privilege freedom/advantage

  33 'Tis ... else refers to the proverbial saying "anger punishes itself"

  37 as as if

  38 lay it open reveal the deed openly

  39 he i.e. murder

  41 Sir Richard i.e. the Bastard

  41 beheld ... think i.e. ever encountered or imagined (anything like this) 43 think wonder

  44 That ... see what you see in front of you/that your eyes are functioning correctly 44 object sight (of Arthur's body)

  46 crest heraldic device in the upper portion of a coat of arms (sense has shifted from "pinnacle") 47 arms coat of arms

  49 wall-eyed pale-eyed/squinting

  50 remorse pity

  51 excused pardoned

  51 in i.e. in comparison to

  52 sole unique, unrivaled

  54 times the future

  56 Exampled compared with the precedent of

  56 heinous infamous, wicked

  58 graceless ungodly/coarse

  58 heavy oppressive/clumsy

  61 light foresight, indication

  63 practice plot

  66 breathless dead/inexpressible

  67 incense perfumed smoke/breath

  69 infected affected, stirred

  71 set added

  72 worship honor

  73 religiously solemnly/devoutly

  73 confirm strengthen, support

  77 Avaunt be gone

  79 rob the law i.e. by taking the law into my own hands and killing you myself 81 bright i.e. unused

  81 up away

  81 murderer's skin animal leather was the usual material used for sword scabbards 85 tempt test

  85 danger damage/peril

  85 defence legal defense/self-defense in a fight 86 marking paying sole attention to

  88 brave challenge, defy

  92 prove me so i.e. by making me kill you

  93 Yet so far

  93 Whose tongue soe'er whoever's tongue

  97 by aside

  97 gall injure

  100 spleen temper/spirit

  101 betime at once

  102 toasting-iron i.e. sword (contemptuous) 105 Second support/act as deputy to

  110 date duration

  112 rheum watery matter/tears

  113 traded practiced

  116 savours smells

  119 inquire us out seek us

  126 black traditionally the color of the devil

  127 Prince Lucifer the rebel archangel who fell from heaven to hell, i.e. Satan, the devil 131 but nothing but

  132 want'st lack

  132 cord rope (to hang yourself)

  134 rush reed

  135 wouldst should you/if you wish to

  138 stifle suffocate, drown

  139 grievously strongly

  142 embounded enclosed

  142 clay i.e. Arthur's flesh

  143 want lack

  146 amazed confused

  148 take ... up i.e. lift up Arthur's body (playing on the sense of "cause the English nation to take up arms") 152 scamble scramble, struggle, make
shift

  152 part tear apart

  153 unowed interest portion not owned by a universally recognized king (plays on the financial senses of the words: the nobles do not owe the king allegiance, imagined as monetary interest to be fought over) 154 for on behalf of

  154 bare-picked ... majesty sovereign authority that has been almost stripped bare of dignity and grandeur by being fought over like dogs with a bone 155 dogged fierce/cruel/doglike

  155 crest hackles/heraldic device on a coat of arms 157 powers armies

  157 from away from

  157 discontents discontented persons

  158 line i.e. united purpose

  158 confusion disaster/chaos/destruction

  160 wrested pomp majesty seized by force

  161 he is he

  161 cincture belt

  162 Hold out weather, endure

  164 brief in hand will soon be underway/must be dealt with urgently 5.1 Location: England, the court of King John

  2 circle ... glory i.e. my stately crown

  4 as holding of in tenure, leasehold from (i.e. John must recognize papal authority once more) 8 inflamed consumed by fire

  9 counties shires/counts, i.e. noblemen

  11 love of soul deepest love

  12 stranger foreign

  13 inundation flood

  13 mistempered humour anger, ill-temper/bodily imbalance 14 Rests remains

  14 only alone

  14 qualified calmed

  16 present instant, taking immediate effect

  16 ministered administered, given

  17 overthrow bodily collapse (with political connotations) 19 usage treatment

  20 convertite convert/penitent

  22 blust'ring turbulent, stormy

  28 give off give up, hand over

  29 constraint compulsion

  34 hear listen to, take notice of

  37 doubtful fearful/untrustworthy

  45 droop look downcast

  48 motion movement

  49 stirring as active

  49 the time i.e. current events

  50 outface defy

  50 brow countenance

  51 bragging boastful/bullying

  51 inferior eyes i.e. the king's subjects 52 borrow ... from model their actions on

  55 god of war i.e. the Roman god Mars

  56 become grace/come to

  56 field battlefield

  60 forage overrun (an area)/ pillage

  62 nigh near

  64 happy fortunate, opportune

  67 inglorious shameful

  68 upon ... land standing on our own soil/because land is being paced by foreign soldiers 69 fair-play honorable, lacking cunning

  70 Insinuation suggestions, attempts to gain favor 70 base dishonorable, cowardly

  72 cockered pampered

  72 silken effeminate/luxurious/clothed in silk

  72 wanton spoiled child

  72 brave challenge

  73 flesh initiate (in warfare)/ plunge in (as one would a weapon into flesh) 74 colours battle flags

  74 idly foolishly/frivolously

  75 check resistance

  78 purpose intention, plan

  79 ordering management

  81 prouder superior/more arrogant

  5.2 Location: England, the French camp

  3 precedent original (copy)

  4 fair just/neatly written

  4 order agreement

  6 took the sacrament received communion (a way of confirming the sacredness of vows) 7 faiths pledges

  9 albeit although

  12 sore of time wound of the present

  13 contemned despised, contemptible

  14 canker ulcer/corruption

  16 metal i.e. sword

  18 rescue and defence rescue of England from John/defense of England against the French 19 Cries out upon appeals to/rejects

  21 physic cure

  22 deal but proceed in any way other than

  23 confused disastrous, disorderly

  27 step after march behind, support

  27 stranger foreigner

  30 spot place/blemish, moral stain

  31 grace honor, support

  32 unacquainted unfamiliar

  33 remove move, depart

  34 Neptune Roman god of the sea

  34 clippeth embrace

  35 bear carry

  36 grapple bind, attach

  36 pagan ... league i.e. the English and French might unite against a common non-Christian enemy 39 spend ... unneighbourly waste it in such an unneighborly manner 40 temper disposition

  41 affections emotions, loyalties

  42 earthquake i.e. tumult

  44 compulsion necessity (of opposing John)

  44 brave respect noble regard (for your country) 45 dew i.e. tears

  48 ordinary commonplace, everyday

  52 vaulty arched roof

  53 Figured adorned

  55 heave bear

  56 Commend commit, entrust

  56 those baby eyes i.e. babies

  59 blood liveliness

  62 nobles may play on the sense of "gold coins"

  63 knit join

  63 sinews muscles, i.e. strength

  64 Even ... spake i.e. in this heaven supports us/I see already that the promise of financial reward will secure your support (alternatively, some editors speculate that the reference is to a trumpet signaling Pandulph's arrival) 64 angel gold coin/heavenly being

  65 apace quickly

  71 come in become reconciled, returned

  73 see bishopric/seat of a bishop in his church

  74 wind up furl

  76 fostered ... hand brought up by hand

  78 show appearance

  79 back go back

  80 propertied treated as an object

  81 secondary at control second in command, deputy 89 right justice/a rightful claim

  90 Acquainted me with introduced me to, made me aware of 90 interest valid claim

  98 penny ... borne expense has Rome sustained

  100 underprop support

  101 charge expense

  102 liable subject

  105 'Vive le roi' "Long live the king" (French; also a phrase in playing cards) 105 banked besieged (within banks of fortifications)/ captured, confined/skirted around ("bank" may also be a card-playing term, perhaps meaning "to secure as a winning" or "a card player's stake") 107 match game, contest (may play on the sense of "marriage," given Lewis's union with Blanche) 107 crown royal crown/coin, i.e. bet at cards 108 set series of games (won at cards)

  113 ample complete, great

  114 drew gathered

  114 head army

  115 culled selected

  116 outlook overcome/outstare

  118 lusty vigorous

  119 According to in accordance with

  120 have audience be heard

  122 dealt for him proceeded on his behalf

  123 scope extent

  124 warrant authority

  124 limited designated, permitted

  125 wilful-opposite stubbornly hostile

  126 temporize negotiate

  131 reason with good reason

  132 apish apelike, foolish

  132 unmannerly inappropriate, impolite (puns on "unmanly"--i.e. cowardly/not like a human) 133 harnessed armored

  133 masque courtly entertainment involving dancing and elaborate costumes 133 unadvised ill-considered

  134 unheard unheard of, extraordinary (plays on the literal sense as King John is not present, though he responds through the Bastard; some editors emend to "unhaired"--i.e. boyishly beardless) 136 whip i.e. drive

  136 pigmy very small

  139 take the hatch leap over the lower half of the door, i.e. retreat hastily 141 litter animal straw

  141 planks floors

  142 pawns goods pledged in exchange for a loan of money 143 hug i.e. curl up

  144 vaults cellars/tombs

  144 thrill tremble

  145 crow cocker
el, the French national symbol

  150 eyrie nest/brood

  151 souse swoop down on

  152 revolts rebels

  153 Neroes the Roman Emperor Nero was supposed to have torn open his mother's womb after killing her 156 Amazons race of warrior women

  156 tripping moving quickly and lightly

  157 gauntlets armored gloves

  160 brave challenge

  160 turn thy face i.e. retreat

  161 outscold outdo us in scolding/have more quarrelsome women than us 163 brabbler brawler/quarrelsome fault-finder

  166 attend listen

  172 ready braced prepared, with the skin tightened 175 welkin sky

  177 halting hesitating

  178 sport amusement

  179 forehead countenance

  180 bare-ribbed skeletal

  180 office duty, task

  183 find discover/suffer, experience

  5.3 Location: England, the battlefield Alarums battle calls 8 Swinstead actually Swineshead, Lincolnshire

  9 supply reinforcements

  11 Goodwin Sands dangerous sandbanks off the coast of Kent 12 Richard i.e. the Bastard

  13 coldly unenthusiastically

  13 retire themselves retreat

  16 litter bed for the transport of the sick or wounded 1 stored well supplied

  2 Up once again i.e. onward, back to battle

  3 miscarry fail

  4 misbegotten wrongfully conceived

  5 In ... spite despite everything

  6 sore grievously

  7 revolts rebels

  11 Fly flee

  11 bought and sold betrayed

  12 Unthread withdraw (like thread from a needle)

  12 eye needle's eye

  16 He i.e. Lewis, the French dauphin

  24 quantity small amount

  26 Resolveth dissolves, melts

  26 his figure its shape

  28 use practice/benefit

  30 hence from now on/in the next world

  32 forsworn perjured

  35 smokes grows misty/moves like smoke

  38 fine penalty

  38 rated assessed/rebuked

  39 fine ending/penalty

  42 respect factor

  45 lieu exchange, payment

  45 whereof of which

  46 rumour tumult, noise

  47 remnant remainder

  50 beshrew curse

  51 favour appearance/face/benevolence

  51 form appearance/outcome

  53 untread retrace

  54 bated diminished

  55 rankness swelling, excess (plays on the sense of "vileness") 56 bounds limits, boundaries

  61 Right clearly

  61 New flight i.e. toward King John

  62 happy fortunate

  62 old right i.e. loyalty to King John

  5.5 Location: England, the French camp

  5.5 train retinue

  1 loath reluctant

  2 welkin sky

  3 measure travel (over)

  4 faint retire weak retreat

  4 bravely splendidly

  4 came we off we left the field of combat

  5 needless superfluous, unnecessary

  7 tott'ring waving/tattered (from the battle)

  12 are ... off have once again withdrawn their allegiance 15 shrewd harsh

  19 stumbling i.e. causing the men to stumble 21 quarter watch

  23 adventure fortune/hazard

  5.6 Location: England, not far from Swinstead Abbey

  5.6 severally separately

  3 Of the part on the side

  8 perfect accurate

  9 upon all hazards whatever the risks

  14 come ... of am descended from (via one of my parents) 15 Unkind remembrance! Unnatural memory! (Hubert addresses his own memory; unkind may play on the sense of "lacking proper kinship") 17 accent utterance/way of speaking