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History of Henry IV, Part I

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Act IV, Scene 4

York. The ARCHBISHOP’S palace.

       
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[Enter the ARCHBISHOP and SIR MICHAEL]

  • Archbishop Scroop. Hie, good Sir Michael; bear this sealed brief
    With winged haste to the lord marshal;
    This to my cousin Scroop, and all the rest
    To whom they are directed. If you knew 2580
    How much they do to import, you would make haste.
  • Archbishop Scroop. Like enough you do.
    To-morrow, good Sir Michael, is a day 2585
    Wherein the fortune of ten thousand men
    Must bide the touch; for, sir, at Shrewsbury,
    As I am truly given to understand,
    The king with mighty and quick-raised power
    Meets with Lord Harry: and, I fear, Sir Michael, 2590
    What with the sickness of Northumberland,
    Whose power was in the first proportion,
    And what with Owen Glendower's absence thence,
    Who with them was a rated sinew too
    And comes not in, o'er-ruled by prophecies, 2595
    I fear the power of Percy is too weak
    To wage an instant trial with the king.
  • Sir Michael. Why, my good lord, you need not fear;
    There is Douglas and Lord Mortimer.
  • Sir Michael. But there is Mordake, Vernon, Lord Harry Percy,
    And there is my Lord of Worcester and a head
    Of gallant warriors, noble gentlemen.
  • Archbishop Scroop. And so there is: but yet the king hath drawn
    The special head of all the land together: 2605
    The Prince of Wales, Lord John of Lancaster,
    The noble Westmoreland and warlike Blunt;
    And moe corrivals and dear men
    Of estimation and command in arms.
  • Sir Michael. Doubt not, my lord, they shall be well opposed. 2610
  • Archbishop Scroop. I hope no less, yet needful 'tis to fear;
    And, to prevent the worst, Sir Michael, speed:
    For if Lord Percy thrive not, ere the king
    Dismiss his power, he means to visit us,
    For he hath heard of our confederacy, 2615
    And 'tis but wisdom to make strong against him:
    Therefore make haste. I must go write again
    To other friends; and so farewell, Sir Michael.

[Exeunt]