Page:Richard II (1921) Yale.djvu/47

King Richard the Second, II. i

But basely yielded upon compromise

That which his ancestors achiev'd with blows.

More hath he spent in peace than they in wars.

Ross. The Earl of Wiltshire hath the realm in farm.

Willo. The king's grown bankrupt, like a broken man.

North. Reproach and dissolution hangeth over him.

Ross. He hath not money for these Irish wars,

His burdenous taxations notwithstanding,

But by robbing of the banish'd duke.

North. His noble kinsman: most degenerate king!

But, lords, we hear this fearful tempest sing,

Yet seek no shelter to avoid the storm;

We see the wind sit sore upon our sails,

And yet we strike not, but securely perish.

Ross. We see the very wrack that we must suffer;

And unavoided is the danger now,

For suffering so the causes of our wrack.

North. Not so: even through the hollow eyes of death

I spy life peering; but I dare not say

How near the tidings of our comfort is.

Willo. Nay, let us share thy thoughts, as thou dost ours.

Ross. Be confident to speak, Northumberland:

We three are but thyself: and, speaking so,

Thy words are but as thoughts; therefore, be bold.

North. Then thus: I have from Port le Blanc, a bay

 254 compromise; cf. n.

267 strike: lower sail

securely: in false confidence

268 wrack: destruction

269 unavoided: unavoidable

270 suffering: bearing patiently

