By the rough torrent of occasion; And have the summary of all our griefs, When we are wronged, and would unfold our griefs, 2 Even by those men that most have done us wrong. West. When ever yet was your appeal denied? Arch. My brother general, the commonwealth, I make my quarrel in particular.^ West. There is no need of any such redress, Or, if there were, it not belongs to you. Mowb. Why not to him, in part; and to us all, That feel the bruises of the days before; And suffer the condition of these times 1 In Holinshed, the archbishop says, "Where he and his comparie were in armes, it was for feare of the king, to whom he could have no free accesse, by reason of such a multitude of flatterers as were about him." 2 Examples which every minute instances or supplies;" which even the present minute presses on their notice. 3 This line is omitted in the folio. 4 The second line of this obscure speech is omitted in the folio. Something appears to be wanting to render it intelligible. Johnson proposes to substitute the word quarrel for brother in the first line, and suggests the following paraphrase: "My general cause of discontent is public misman agement; my particular cause a domestic injury done to my natural brother," who had been beheaded by the king's order. To lay a heavy and unequal hand O, when the king did throw his warder down, Then threw he down himself; and all their lives, Have since miscarried under Bolingbroke. West. You speak, lord Mowbray, now you know not what. 4 The earl of Hereford was reputed then In England the most valiant gentleman; Who knows, on whom fortune would then have smiled? But, if your father had been victor there, 1 The thirty-seven following lines are not in the quarto. 2 i. e. their lances fixed in the rest for the encounter. 3 The perforated part of the helmets, through which they could see to direct their aim (visiere, Fr.). 4 This is a mistake; he was duke of Hereford. He ne'er had borne it out of Coventry; For all the country, in a general voice, Cried hate upon him; and all their prayers, and love. And blessed, and graced indeed, more than the king. To know your griefs; to tell you from his grace, Mowb. But he hath forced us to compel this offer, And it proceeds from policy, not love. West. Mowbray, you overween, to take it so. Mowb. Well, by my will, we shall admit no parley West. That argues but the shame of your offence. A rotten case abides no handling. Hast. Hath the prince John a full commission, In very ample virtue of his father, 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 redressed; All members of our cause, both here and hence, That are insinewed to this action, Acquitted by a true, substantial form, And present execution of our wills 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 Heaven so frame; 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 consist3 upon, Our peace shall stand as firm as rocky mountains. And good from bad find no partition. Arch. No, no, my lord. Note this; the king is weary Of dainty and such picking" grievances; For he hath found, to end one doubt by death, Revives two greater in the heirs of life. And therefore will he wipe his tables clean; And keep no telltale to his memory, 1 The old copy reads confined. Johnson proposed to read consigned; which must be understood in the Latin sense, consignatus, signed, sealed, ratified, confirmed; which was indeed the old meaning. Shakspeare use consign and consigning in other places in this sense. 2 Awful for lawful; or under the due awe of authority. 3 To consist, to rest; consisto.-Baret. 4 The faith due to a king. 5 Insignificant. 6 Alluding to table books of slate, ivory, &c. That may repeat and history his loss To new remembrance. For full well he knows Hast. Besides, the king hath wasted all his rods Arch. "Tis very true ;- Mowb. Be it so. Here is returned 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 [Exeunt. come. |