Page:William Hazlitt - Characters of Shakespear's Plays (1817).djvu/253

Rh There is as little sincerity afterwards in his affected resignation to his fate, as there is fortitude in this exaggerated picture of his misfortunes before they have happened.

When Northumberland comes back with the message from Bolingbroke, he exclaims, anticipating the result,—

How differently is all this expressed in King Henry's soliloquy during the battle with Edward's party:—

"This battle fares like to the morning's war, When dying clouds contend with growing light, What time the shepherd blowing of his nails, Can neither call it perfect day or night. Here on this mole-hill will I sit me down; To whom God will, there be the victory! For Margaret my Queen and Clifford too Have chid me from the battle, swearing both They prosper best of all whence I am thence. Would I were dead, if God's good will were so.