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  • Title: Henry IV, Part 2 (Quarto 1, 1600)
  • Editor: Rosemary Gaby

  • Copyright Rosemary Gaby. This text may be freely used for educational, non-profit purposes; for all other uses contact the Editor.
    Author: William Shakespeare
    Editor: Rosemary Gaby
    Not Peer Reviewed

    Henry IV, Part 2 (Quarto 1, 1600)

    Henry the fourth.
    And it proceedes from policie, not loue.
    2015West. Mowbray, you ouerweene to take it so:
    This offer comes from mercy, not from feare:
    For loe, within a ken our army lies:
    Vpon mine honour, all too confident
    To giue admittance to a thought of feare:
    2020Our battell is more full of names than yours,
    Our men more perfect in the vse of armes,
    Our armour all as strong, our cause the best:
    Then Reason will our hearts should be as good:
    Say you not then, our offer is compelld.
    2025Mow. Well, by my will, we shall admit no parlee.
    West. That argues but the shame of your offence,
    A rotten case abides no handling.
    Hastings Hath the prince Iohn a full commission,
    In very ample vertue of his father,
    2030To heare, and absolutely to determine
    Of what conditions we shall stand vpon?
    West. That is intended in the Generalles name,
    I muse you make so slight a question.
    Bishop Then take, my lord of Westmerland, this scedule,
    2035For this containes our generall grieuances,
    Each seuerall article herein redrest.
    All members of our cause both here and hence,
    That are ensinewed to this action,
    Acquitted by a true substantiall forme,
    2040And present execution of our willes,
    To vs and our purposes confinde,
    We come within our awefull bancks againe,
    And knit our powers to the arme of peace.
    West. This will I shew the Generall, please you Lords,
    2045In sight of both our battells we may meete,
    At either end in peace, which God so frame,
    Or to the place of diffrence call the swords,
    Which must decide it. Exit Westmerland
    Bishop My lord, we will doe so.
    G Mow.