Henry the Fourth, Part Two (Folio 1 1623)
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¶
INDVCTION.
¶
Enter Rumour.
5The vent of Hearing, when loud Rumor speakes?
¶I, from the Orient, to the drooping West
¶The Acts commenced on this Ball of Earth.
¶Vpon my Tongue, continuall Slanders ride,
10The which, in euery Language, I pronounce,
¶Stuffing the Eares of them with false Reports:
¶I speake of Peace, while couert Enmitie
¶(Vnder the smile of Safety) wounds the World:
¶And who but Rumour, who but onely I
15Make fearfull Musters, and prepar'd Defence,
¶Is thought with childe, by the sterne Tyrant, Warre,
¶And no such matter? Rumour, is a Pipe
¶That the blunt Monster, with vncounted heads,
¶Can play vpon it. But what neede I thus
¶My well-knowne Body to Anathomize
25Among my houshold? Why is Rumour heere?
¶I run before King Harries victory,
¶Who in a bloodie field by Shrewsburie
¶Hath beaten downe yong Hotspurre, and his Troopes,
¶Quenching the flame of bold Rebellion,
30Euen with the Rebels blood. But what meane I
¶To noyse abroad, that Harry Monmouth fell
¶Vnder the Wrath of Noble Hotspurres Sword:
¶And that the King, before the Dowglas Rage
35Stoop'd his Annointed head, as low as death.
¶This haue I rumour'd through the peasant-Townes,
¶Betweene the Royall Field of Shrewsburie,
¶And this Worme-eaten-Hole of ragged Stone,
¶Where Hotspurres Father, old Northumberland,
¶And not a man of them brings other newes
¶Then they haue learn'd of Me. From Rumours Tongues,
¶wrongs.
Exit.
