Page:Henry IV Part 2 (1921) Yale.djvu/83

King Henry the Fourth, IV. i

Their cold intent, tenour and substance, thus:

Here doth he wish his person, with such powers

As might hold sortance with his quality;

The which he could not levy; whereupon

He is retir'd, to ripe his growing fortunes,

To Scotland; and concludes in hearty prayers

That your attempts may overlive the hazard

And fearful meeting of their opposite.

Mowb. Thus do the hopes we have in him touch ground

And dash themselves to pieces.

Hast.Now, what news?

Mess. West of this forest, scarcely off a mile,

In goodly form comes on the enemy;

And, by the ground they hide, I judge their number

Upon or near the rate of thirty thousand.

Mowb. The just proportion that we gave them out.

Let us sway on and face them in the field.

Arch. What well-appointed leader fronts us here?

Mowb. I think it is my Lord of Westmoreland.

West. Health and fair greeting from our general,

The Prince, Lord John and Duke of Lancaster.

Arch. 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

Came like itself, in base and abject routs,

 11 hold sortance: be in accord

quality: rank

20 form : formation

23 just proportion: exact size

gave them out: described them

33 routs: gangs 