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Speeches (Lines) for Lord Hastings
in "Henry IV, Part II"

Total: 17

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# Act, Scene, Line
(Click to see in context)
Speech text

1

I,3,614

Lord Mowbray. I well allow the occasion of our amis;
But gladly would be better satisfied
How, in our means, we should advance ourselves
To look with forehead bold and big enough
Upon the power and puissance of the King.

Lord Hastings. Our present musters grow upon the file
To five and twenty thousand men of choice;
And our supplies live largely in the hope
Of great Northumberland, whose bosom burns
With an incensed fire of injuries.


2

I,3,622

Lord Bardolph. The question then, Lord Hastings, standeth thus:
Whether our present five and twenty thousand
May hold up head without Northumberland?

Lord Hastings. With him, we may.


3

I,3,639

Lord Bardolph. It was, my lord; who lin'd himself with hope,
Eating the air and promise of supply,
Flatt'ring himself in project of a power
Much smaller than the smallest of his thoughts;
And so, with great imagination
Proper to madmen, led his powers to death,
And, winking, leapt into destruction.

Lord Hastings. But, by your leave, it never yet did hurt
To lay down likelihoods and forms of hope.


4

I,3,668

Lord Bardolph. Yes, if this present quality of war-
Indeed the instant action, a cause on foot-
Lives so in hope, as in an early spring
We see th' appearing buds; which to prove fruit
Hope gives not so much warrant, as despair
That frosts will bite them. When we mean to build,
We first survey the plot, then draw the model;
And when we see the figure of the house,
Then we must rate the cost of the erection;
Which if we find outweighs ability,
What do we then but draw anew the model
In fewer offices, or at least desist
To build at all? Much more, in this great work—
Which is almost to pluck a kingdom down
And set another up—should we survey
The plot of situation and the model,
Consent upon a sure foundation,
Question surveyors, know our own estate
How able such a work to undergo-
To weigh against his opposite; or else
We fortify in paper and in figures,
Using the names of men instead of men;
Like one that draws the model of a house
Beyond his power to build it; who, half through,
Gives o'er and leaves his part-created cost
A naked subject to the weeping clouds
And waste for churlish winter's tyranny.

Lord Hastings. Grant that our hopes—yet likely of fair birth—
Should be still-born, and that we now possess'd
The utmost man of expectation,
I think we are so a body strong enough,
Even as we are, to equal with the King.


5

I,3,674

Lord Bardolph. What, is the King but five and twenty thousand?

Lord Hastings. To us no more; nay, not so much, Lord Bardolph;
For his divisions, as the times do brawl,
Are in three heads: one power against the French,
And one against Glendower; perforce a third
Must take up us. So is the unfirm King
In three divided; and his coffers sound
With hollow poverty and emptiness.


6

I,3,684

Archbishop Scroop. That he should draw his several strengths together
And come against us in full puissance
Need not be dreaded.

Lord Hastings. If he should do so,
He leaves his back unarm'd, the French and Welsh
Baying at his heels. Never fear that.


7

I,3,688

Lord Bardolph. Who is it like should lead his forces hither?

Lord Hastings. The Duke of Lancaster and Westmoreland;
Against the Welsh, himself and Harry Monmouth;
But who is substituted against the French
I have no certain notice.


8

I,3,717

Lord Mowbray. Shall we go draw our numbers, and set on?

Lord Hastings. We are time's subjects, and time bids be gone.


9

IV,1,2202

Archbishop Scroop. What is this forest call'd

Lord Hastings. 'Tis Gaultree Forest, an't shall please your Grace.


10

IV,1,2205

Archbishop Scroop. Here stand, my lords, and send discoverers forth
To know the numbers of our enemies.

Lord Hastings. We have sent forth already.


11

IV,1,2221

(stage directions). Enter A MESSENGER

Lord Hastings. Now, what news?


12

IV,1,2368

Earl of Westmoreland. That argues but the shame of your offence:
A rotten case abides no handling.

Lord Hastings. 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?


13

IV,1,2392

Lord Mowbray. There is a thing within my bosom tells me
That no conditions of our peace can stand.

Lord Hastings. 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.


14

IV,1,2422

Archbishop Scroop. 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 tell-tale to his memory
That may repeat and history his los
To new remembrance. For full well he knows
He cannot so precisely weed this land
As his misdoubts present occasion:
His foes are so enrooted with his friends
That, plucking to unfix an enemy,
He doth unfasten so and shake a friend.
So that this land, like an offensive wife
That hath enrag'd him on to offer strokes,
As he is striking, holds his infant up,
And hangs resolv'd correction in the arm
That was uprear'd to execution.

Lord Hastings. 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.


15

IV,2,2487

Lord Mowbray. If not, we ready are to try our fortunes
To the last man.

Lord Hastings. And though we here fall down,
We have supplies to second our attempt.
If they miscarry, theirs shall second them;
And so success of mischief shall be born,
And heir from heir shall hold this quarrel up
Whiles England shall have generation.


16

IV,2,2512

Prince John. I give it you, and will maintain my word;
And thereupon I drink unto your Grace.

Lord Hastings. Go, Captain, and deliver to the army
This news of peace. Let them have pay, and part.
I know it will please them. Hie thee, Captain.


17

IV,2,2555

(stage directions). Re-enter HASTINGS

Lord Hastings. My lord, our army is dispers'd already.
Like youthful steers unyok'd, they take their courses
East, west, north, south; or like a school broke up,
Each hurries toward his home and sporting-place.


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