host at Saint Albans, or the red-nose inn-keeper of Daintry. But that's all one; they'll find linen enough on every hedge. Enter PRINCE HENRY and WESTMORELAND. P. Hen. How now, blown Jack? how now, quilt? Fal. What, Hal? How now, mad wag? what a devil dost thou in Warwickshire?-My good lord of Westmoreland, I cry you mercy; I thought, your honour had already been at Shrewsbury. West. 'Faith, Sir John, 'tis more than time that I were there, and you too; but my powers are there already: The king, I can tell you, looks for us all: we must away all night. Fal. Tut, never fear me: I am as vigilant as a cat to steal cream. P. Hen. I think, to steal cream indeed; for thy theft hath already made thee butter. But tell me, Jack; whose fellows are these that come after? Fal. Mine, Hal, mine. P. Hen. I did never see such pitiful rascals. Fal. Tut, tut; good enough to toss; food for powder, food for powder; they'll fill a pit, as well as better: tush, man, mortal men, mortal men. West. Ay, but, Sir John, methinks they are exceeding poor and bare; too beggarly. Fal. Faith, for their poverty,-I know not where they had that: and for their bareness,— I am sure they never learn'd that of me. P. Hen. No, I'll be sworn; unless you call three fingers on the ribs, bare. But, sirrah, make haste; Percy is already in the field. Fal. What, is the king encamped? West. He is, Sir John; I fear, we shall stay too long. Fal. Well, To the latter end of a fray, and the beginning of a feast, Fits a dull fighter, and a keen guest. [Exeunt. SCENE III. The Rebel Camp near Shrewsbury. Hot. We'll fight with him to-night. It may not be. Not a whit. Doug. You give him then advantage. Hot. Why say you so? looks he not for supply? Hot. His is certain, ours is doubtful. Wor. Good cousin, be advis'd; stir not to night. Ver. Do not, my lord. Doug. You do not counsel well; You speak it out of fear, and cold heart. Ver. Do me no slander, Douglas: by my life (And I dare well maintain it with my life), If well respected honour bid me on, I hold as little counsel with weak fear, Doug. Ver. Yea, or to-night. Hot. To-night, say I. Content. Ver. Come, come, it may not be. I wonder much, being men of such great leading, That you foresee not what impediments Drag back our expedition: Certain horse Of my cousin Vernon's are not yet come up: Your uncle Worcester's horse came but to-day; And now their pride and mettle is asleep, Their courage with hard labour tame and dull, That not a horse is half the half of himself. Hot. So are the horses of the enemy In general, journey-bated, and brought low; The better part of ours is full of rest. Wor. The number of the king exceedeth ours: For God's sake, consin, stay till all come in. [The Trumpet sounds a parley. Enter SIR WALTER BLUNT. Blunt. I come with gracious offers from the king, If you vouchsafe me hearing, and respect. Hot. Welcome, Sir Walter Blunt; And 'would to God, You were of our determination! Some of us love you well: and even those some Blunt. And God defend, but still I should stand so, So long as, out of limit, and true rule, But, to my charge.-The king hath sent to know Have any way your good deserts forgot,- He bids you name your griefs; and, with all speed, You shall have your desires, with interest; Hot. The king is kind; and, well we know, the king Knows at what time to promise, when to pay. Did give him that same royalty he wears: He came but to be duke of Lancaster, Even at the heels, in golden multitudes. Made to my father, while his blood was poor, Too indirect for long continuance. Blunt. Shall I return this answer to the king? Hot. Not so, Sir Walter; We'll withdraw awhile. Go to the king; and let there be impawn'd Hot. And, may be, so we shall. Blunt. 'Pray heaven, you do! [Exeunt. SCENE IV. York. A Room in the Archbishop's House. Enter the ARCHBISHOP OF YORK, and a Gentleman. Arch. Hie, good Sir Michael; bear this sealed brief, With winged haste, to the lord marshal; I guess their tenor. Arch. Like enough, you do. To-morrow, good Sir Michael, is a day, Wherein the fortune of ten thousand men Must 'bide the touch: For, sir, at Shrewsbury, As I am truly given to understand, The king, with mighty and quick raised power, Meets with Lord Harry and I fear, Sir Michael, What with the sickness of Northumberland (Who with them was a rated sinew too, Gent. Why, good my lord, you need not fear; there's Douglas, And Lord Mortimer. Arch. No, Mortimer's not there. Gent. But there is Mordake, Vernon, Lord Harry Percy, And there's my lord of Worcester; and a head Of gallant warriors, noble gentlemen. Arch. And so there is: but yet the king hatlı drawn The special head of all the land together:- Gent. Doubt not, my lord, they shall be well oppos'd. |