_Bast._ Mad world! mad kings! mad composition![235] John, to stop Arthur's title in the whole, Hath willingly departed with a part, And France, whose armour conscience buckled on, Whom zeal and charity brought to the field 565 As God's own soldier, rounded in the ear With that same purpose-changer, that sly devil, That broker, that still breaks the pate of faith, That daily break-vow, he that wins of all, Of kings, of beggars, old men, young men, maids, 570 Who, having no external thing to lose[236] But the word 'maid,' cheats the poor maid of that,[237] That smooth-faced gentleman, tickling Commodity, Commodity, the bias of the world, The world, who of itself is peised well,[238] 575 Made to run even upon even ground, Till this advantage, this vile-drawing bias,[239] This sway of motion, this Commodity, Makes it take head from all indifferency, From all direction, purpose, course, intent: 580 And this same bias, this Commodity, This bawd, this broker, this all-changing word,[240] Clapp'd on the outward eye of fickle France, Hath drawn him from his own determined aid,[241] From a resolved and honourable war, 585 To a most base and vile-concluded peace.[242] And why rail I on this Commodity?[243] But for because he hath not woo'd me yet: Not that I have the power to clutch my hand,[244] When his fair angels would salute my palm; 590 But for my hand, as unattempted yet,[245] Like a poor beggar, raileth on the rich. Well, whiles I am a beggar, I will rail[246] And say there is no sin but to be rich; And being rich, my virtue then shall be 595 To say there is no vice but beggary. Since kings break faith upon commodity, Gain, be my lord, for I will worship thee.[247] [_Exit._ FOOTNOTES: [75] ACT II. SCENE I. Rowe (ed. 2). Scæna Secunda. Ff. France ...] Capell. Enter before Angiers, Philip King of France, Lewis, Daulphin, Austria, Constance, Arthur Ff. [76] Lew.] King Philip. Theobald conj. [77] _their_] _his_ Collier MS. [78] _unstained_] _unstrained_ Collier (Collier MS.). [79] _utmost_] _outmost_ F₄. [80] _that_] _who_ F₄. [81] _work: our_] _work, our_ F₄. _worke our_ F₁ F₂. _work our_ F₃. _cannon_] _engines_ Pope. [82] _indirectly_] _indiscreetly_ Singer (Collier MS.). [83] _An Ate_] Rowe. _An Ace_ Ff. _As Ate_ Collier MS. [84] _king's_] _kings_ F₁. _king_ F₂ F₃ F₄. See note (XI). [85] _birthrights_] _birth-rights_ F₁ F₂. _birth-right_ F₃ F₄. [86] _Drum beats_] F₁ (after line 77). _Drummes beates._ F₂. _Drums beats._ F₃. _Drums beat._ F₄. [87] _hand, To ... fight;_] _hand, To ... fight,_ Ff. _hand. To ... fight,_ Pope.