Bastard's Monologue

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(First line)

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Mad world, mad kings, mad composition!

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Mad world, mad kings, mad composition!

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John, to stop Arthur's title in the whole,

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John, to stop Arthur's title in the whole,

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Hath willingly departed with a part;

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Hath willingly departed with a part;

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And France, whose armor conscience buckled on,

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And France, whose armor conscience buckled on,

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Whom zeal and charity brought to the field

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Whom zeal and charity brought to the field

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As God's own soldier, rounded in the ear

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As God's own soldier, rounded in the ear

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With that same purpose-changer, that sly devil,

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With that same purpose-changer, that sly devil,

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That broker that still breaks the pate of faith,

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That broker that still breaks the pate of faith,

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That daily break-vow, he that wins of all,

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That daily break-vow, he that wins of all,

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Of kings, of beggars, old men, young men, maids-

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Of kings, of beggars, old men, young men, maids-

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Who, having no external thing to lose

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Who, having no external thing to lose

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But the word "maid," cheats the poor maid of that-

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But the word "maid," cheats the poor maid of that-

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That smooth-faced gentleman, tickling Commodity,

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That smooth-faced gentleman, tickling Commodity,

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Commodity, the bias of the world-

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Commodity, the bias of the world-

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The world, who of itself is peisèd well

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The world, who of itself is peisèd well

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Made to run even upon even ground,

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Made to run even upon even ground,

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Till this advantage, this vile-drawing bias,

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Till this advantage, this vile-drawing bias,

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This sway of motion, this Commodity,

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This sway of motion, this Commodity,

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Makes it take head from all indifferency,

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Makes it take head from all indifferency,

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From all direction, purpose, course, intent.

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From all direction, purpose, course, intent.

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And this same bias, this Commodity,

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And this same bias, this Commodity

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This bawd, this broker, this all-changing word

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This bawd, this broker, this all-changing word

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Clapped on the outward eye of fickle France,

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Clapped on the outward eye of fickle France,

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Hath drawn him from his own determined aid,

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Hath drawn him from his own determined aid,

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From a resolved and honorable war,

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From a resolved and honorable war,

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To a most base and vile-concluded peace.

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To a most base and vile-concluded peace.

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And why rail I on this Commodity?

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And why rail I on this Commodity?

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But for because he hath not wooed me yet.

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But for because he hath not wooed me yet.

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Not that I have the power to clutch my hand

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Not that I have the power to clutch my hand

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When his fair angels would salute my palm,

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When his fair angels would salute my palm,

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But for my hand, as unattempted yet,

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But for my hand, as unattempted yet,

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Like a poor beggar, raileth on the rich.

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Like a poor beggar, raileth on the rich.

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Well, whiles I am a beggar, I will rail

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Well, whiles I am a beggar, I will rail

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And say there is no sin but to be rich;

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And say there is no sin but to be rich;

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And being rich, my virtue then shall be

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And being rich, my virtue then shall be

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To say there is no vice but beggary.

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To say there is no vice but beggary.

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Since kings break faith upon Commodity,

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Since kings break faith upon Commodity,

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Gain, be my lord, for I will worship thee.