University of Virginia Library

SCENE V.

The Queen's Apartment at Windsor.
Eleanor. Prince Richard and Prince John at games.
Eleanor.
My doughty Urchin, that would thrust her head
Into the snap-trap, comes not back. I guess'd
Malice so sanguine defter to deceive
Itself than others. Though she can transmute
Those loose joints and flab features to all shapes
But one not hideous,—such that I scarce know
My own familiar devil when it appears,
Deforming her deformity still more,—
The hellicat hath been caught, and nine times kill'd,
Else she had stolen to me ere now. I've lost
My ablest minister, and must be henceforth
Both council and executive myself.
Yet I am all at fault!—They say this boy,
In his wild hardihood, broke fence at Woodstock,
For which the Warder sends him home but now:
Perchance his errantry hath some apt thing
Discover'd, and his innocence may betray it?
Come hither, Dick Plantagenet!

Richard.
Madam, ay.

Eleanor.
So, sir, you broke into the Labyrinth?

Richard.
Yes.

Eleanor.
Spite of penalties which make me pale
With fear.—Even to the Bowery Palace?

Richard.
Yes.

Eleanor.
Iron-head! And where then?

Richard.
Why to be sure
Into the Bower itself!—O fairy-land!

Eleanor.
Well, and whom saw ye?

Richard.
Saw?—the Fairy Queen!
At least the Queen of Fair Ones! Would I were
But big enough to be her knight!—I'll tell you:
As we sat feasting in her ‘chamber-precious’
(So it is call'd), with foliage all festoon'd,
There was a maiden-blush hung by her cheek
(Do ye know what a maiden-blush is, Madam?)
And her cheek look'd the prettier rose of the two,
Though white her brow as lily o' the valley.
That is the reason, now I think of it,
She is named Rosamond—fair Rosamond.

Eleanor.
O! 'twas the minion then herself!

Richard.
The minion?
Minion! minion!—O you'd say Mignonne,
French for our home-word, darling?—Yes, it was:
Would I were with her now, instead of here!

Eleanor.
Couldst find thy way back thither, think you, lad,
To feast in that same bower once more with her
Your maggot-pate so runs on?

Richard.
Let me try!
It has a thousand marks I can remember:
Let me, good Mother!

Eleanor.
You'll take me along?

Richard.
You?—O you'd be a spoil-feast! You would sour
The wine; and keep me much too strict; O, no!
I could not take you with me.

Eleanor.
See what's here:
A silver-hafted poll-axe, which I got
Made for you, when you proved a docile boy.

Richard.
I am a docile boy: give it me straight!

[Snatching it.
Eleanor.
Now what are those same marks which you remember
To trace your path with through that winding maze?—
Let me but reach its heart, and I shall soon
Reach that of its foul Mistress!

Richard.
O ho, ho!—
Yes, I have heard you are very jealous of her,
Because she is so beautiful and young.
Here, take your silver toy again!—My wooden one
Can give as stout a thwack. I am no traitor!

Eleanor.
No, but a naughty rebel!—Tell me all
Thou know'st, or I will cuff thee!

Richard.
Do, good Mother!—
She 'll only hurt her hand upon my brawn,
And cry for pain, when she can give me none!

Eleanor
(shaking him).
Tell me, thou stubborn—

Richard.
Not one word of it!
By Mahound I will not!

Eleanor.
Hear how the monkey
Takes on the man! Talks of his maiden blushes,
And swears his Mahounds and his Tyrmagaunts
Like a bronzed warrior!—Incorrigible!
Thou 'rt not my son!

Richard.
No! Sour-faced Jack i'the corner,
He is your own, own son; I am the King's!

Eleanor.
Like him as lion's cub is to the lion,
Tan-hair'd and huge-limb'd, hot-brain'd and head-strong.

Richard.
Yea, and heart-strong!—Did not Fair Rosamond
Christen me Cœur-de-Lion? better I wot
Than “duck” and “chick” you nickname brother John.

Eleanor.
And what so gallant had you done, that she
So call'd you, my fine Squire of Dames?

Richard.
Your ear!

Eleanor.
Well?

[Bending down.
Richard.
“Chantons Rolant! le preux et puissant!”
[Shouting a song.
Ha! ha! ha! ha!

Eleanor.
Get to thy chamber, thou unnatural knave!
Thou shalt have bread and water for three days!

Richard.
Anything but the goodies you give John
To gulp—panado and sweet pap—I hate them!
“Chantons Rolant! le preux et puissant!”

[Marches out singing, Eleanor following.
Eleanor.
Perverse, undutiful little villain! None
Can tame him, save the king, and with a strength
The father of his own. Get to thy chamber!