_K. John._ Bear with me, cousin; for I was amazed Under the tide: but now I breathe again Aloft the flood, and can give audience To any tongue, speak it of what it will. 140 _Bast._ How I have sped among the clergy-men,[491] The sums I have collected shall express. But as I travell'd hither through the land, I find the people strangely fantasied; Possess'd with rumours, full of idle dreams, 145 Not knowing what they fear, but full of fear: And here's a prophet, that I brought with me From forth the streets of Pomfret, whom I found With many hundreds treading on his heels; To whom he sung, in rude harsh-sounding rhymes, 150 That, ere the next Ascension-day at noon, Your highness should deliver up your crown. _K. John._ Thou idle dreamer, wherefore didst thou so? _Peter._ Foreknowing that the truth will fall out so. _K. John._ Hubert, away with him; imprison him; 155 And on that day at noon, whereon he says I shall yield up my crown, let him be hang'd. Deliver him to safety; and return, For I must use thee. [_Exit Hubert with Peter._[492] O my gentle cousin, Hear'st thou the news abroad, who are arrived? 160 _Bast._ The French, my lord; men's mouths are full of it: Besides, I met Lord Bigot and Lord Salisbury, With eyes as red as new-enkindled fire, And others more, going to seek the grave Of Arthur, whom they say is kill'd to-night[493][494] 165 On your suggestion.[494] _K. John._ Gentle kinsman, go, And thrust thyself into their companies:[495] I have a way to win their loves again; Bring them before me. _Bast._ I will seek them out. _K. John._ Nay, but make haste; the better foot before. 170 O, let me have no subject enemies,[496] When adverse foreigners affright my towns With dreadful pomp of stout invasion! Be Mercury, set feathers to thy heels, And fly like thought from them to me again. 175 _Bast._ The spirit of the time shall teach me speed. [_Exit._ _K. John._ Spoke like a sprightful noble gentleman. Go after him; for he perhaps shall need Some messenger betwixt me and the peers; And be thou he. _Mess._ With all my heart, my liege. [_Exit._[497] 180 _K. John._ My mother dead! _Re-enter_ HUBERT.[498] _Hub._ My lord, they say five moons were seen to-night;[499] Four fixed, and the fifth did whirl about The other four in wondrous motion. _K. John._ Five moons!