To hear and absolutely to determine Of what conditions we shall stand upon? West. That is intended in the general's name: I muse you make so slight a question. Arch. Then take, my Lord of Westmoreland, this schedule, For this contains our general grievances: Each several article herein redress'd, All members of our cause, both here and hence, That are insinew'd to this action, West. This will I show the general. Please you, lords, In sight of both our battles we may meet; And either end in peace, which God so frame! Or to the place of difference call the swords Arch. My lord, we will do so. [Exit West. Mowb. There is a thing within my bosom tells me That no conditions of our peace can stand. Hast. Fear you not that: if we can make our peace Upon such large terms and so absolute As our conditions shall consist upon, Our peace shall stand as firm as rocky mountains. the king is weary Arch. No, no, my lord. Note this, Revives two greater in the heirs of life; To new remembrance: for full well he knows He doth unfasten so and shake a friend. Hast. Besides, the king hath wasted all his rods So that his power, like to a fangless lion, And therefore be assur'd, my good lord marshal, Our peace will, like a broken limb united, Mowb. Be it so. Here is return'd my Lord of Westmoreland. Re-enter WESTMORELAND. West. The prince is here at hand: pleaseth your lordship To meet his grace just distance 'tween our armies. Mowb. Your grace of York, in God's name, then, set forward. Arch. Before, and greet his grace: my lord, we come. [Exeunt. SCENE II. Another part of the forest. Enter, from one side, MOWBRAY, the Archbishop, HASTINGS, and others; from the other side, Prince JOHN of Lancaster, WESTMORELAND, Officers, and Attendants. P. John. You're well encounter'd here, my cousin Mow bray: Good day to you, gentle lord árchbishop; Than now to see you here an iron man, Arch. Good my Lord of Lancaster, I am not here against your father's peace; Whose dangerous eyes may well be charm'd asleep Mowb. If not, we ready are to try our fortunes Hast. And though we here fall down, We have supplies to second our attempt: P. John. You are too shallow, Hastings, much too shallow, To sound the bottom of the after-times. West. Pleaseth your grace to answer them directly, How far-forth you do like their articles. P. John. I like them all, and do allow them well; And swear here, by the honour of my blood, My father's purposes have been mistook; My lord, these griefs shall be with speed redress'd; Arch. I take your princely word for these redresses. P. John. I give it you, and will maintain my word: And thereupon I drink unto your grace. [Drinks. Hast. [to an Officer] Go, captain, and deliver to the army This news of peace: let them have pay, and part: I know it will well please them. Hie thee, captain. [Exit Officer. Arch. To you, my noble Lord of Westmoreland. [Drinks. West. I pledge your grace [Drinks]; and, if you knew what pains I have bestow'd to breed this present peace, You would drink freely: but my love to ye Arch. I do not doubt you. West. I am glad of it. Health to my lord and gentle cousin, Mowbray. [Drinks. Mowb. You wish me health in very happy season; For I am, on the sudden, something ill. Arch. Against ill chances men are ever merry; But heaviness foreruns the good event. West. Therefore be merry, coz; since sudden sorrow Serves to say thus, "Some good thing comes to-morrow." Arch. Believe me, I am passing light in spirit. Mowb. So much the worse, if your own rule be true. [Shouts within. P. John. The word of peace is render'd: hark, how they shout! Mowb. This had been cheerful after victory. Arch. A peace is of the nature of a conquest; For then both parties nobly are subdu'd, And neither party loser. P. John. Go, my lord, And let our army be discharged too. [Exit Westmoreland. And, good my lord, so please you, let your trains We should have cop'd withal. |