SCENE II. A Forest in Yorkshire. A March-then a Parley. Enter the ARCHBISHOP OF YORK, MOWBRAY, HASTINGS, and other GENTLEMEN, meeting WESTMORELAND, GOWER, and other GENTLE MEN. West. Health and fair greeting from our general, The Prince, Lord John of Lancaster. Archb. Say on, my Lord of Westmoreland, in peace; What doth concern your coming? West. Then, my lord, Unto your grace do I in chief address The substance of my speech. If that rebellion With your fair honours. You, Lord Archbishop,- Whose learning and good letters peace hath tutor'd; Wherefore do you so ill translate yourself Out of the speech of peace, that bears such grace, Into the harsh and boist'rous tongue of war? Archb. I have in equal balance justly weigh'd What wrongs our arms may do, what wrongs we suffer, And find our griefs heavier than our offences. We have the summary of all our griefs, Even by those men, that most have done us wrong. Mowb. But he hath forc'd us to compell this offer; And it proceeds from policy, not love. West. Mowbray, you over-ween, to take it so; Mowb. Well, by my will, we shall admit no parley. 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. Archb. 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, 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 !— Or to the place of difference call the swords, Which must decide it. Archb. My lord, we will do so. [Trumpets sound. Exeunt WESTMORELAND, GOWER, and other GENTLEMEN. 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. Archb. No, no, my lord; Note this, the king is Of dainty and such picking grievances : He doth unfasten so, and shake a friend. Hast. Besides, the king hath wasted all his rods On late offenders, that he now doth lack The very instruments of chastisement: So that his power, like to a fangless lion, May offer, but not hold. Archb. 'Tis very true;— And therefore be assur'd, my good Lord Marshal, Mowb. Be it so. [Trumpets sound a Parley.] Here is return'd my Lord of Westmoreland. Enter WESTMORELAND. West. The prince is here at hand: Pleaseth your lordship, To meet his grace just distance 'tween our armies ? Archb. Before, and greet his grace :-my lord, we come. [Flourish of Trumpets and Drums.-Exeunt WESTMORELAND, the ARCHBISHOP, MOWBRAY, HASTINGS, and their Friends, SCENE III. Another Part of the Forest. Trumpets sound a Parley. Enter on one Side, the ARCHBISHOP, MOWBRAY, HASTINGS, and Other GENTLEMEN :-from the other Side, PRINCE JOHN OF LANCASTER, WESTMORELAND, GOWER, GENTLEMEN, and GUARDS. P. John. You are well encounter'd here, my cousin Mowbray : Good day to you, gentle Lord Archbishop; Archb. My Lord of Lancaster, I sent your grace The parcels and particulars of our grief; The which hath been with scorn shov'd from the court; Whereon this Hydra son of war is born : Whose dangerous eyes may well be charm'd asleep, With grant of our most just and right desires. Mowb. If not, we ready are to try our fortunes To the last man. West. Pleaseth your grace, to answer them directly, How far forth you do like their articles ? |