York. My Lord of Lancaster, I am not here Against your Father's peace, against my Country. But ftern oppreffion joins our common strength In preservation of our dearest rights I fent Grace th' occafion of our wrongs, your Which have with fcorn been flighted by the Court, Whofe dang'rous eyes may well be charm'd asleep, If Then true obedience fhall, with honeft zeal, Stoop tamely to the foot of Majesty. Mow. If not, we are prepar'd to try our fortunes Mor. And tho' we here fall down, West. Please you, my Lord, to end this war of words, To answer how you like their articles. Lanc. Here by the honor of my blood I swear, My Lord, these griefs shall be with speed redress'd. Let's Let's drink together friendly, and embrace. York. I take your Princely word for thefe redreffes. Lanc. I give it you, and will maintain that word. Thus to your Grace I drink. Hast. (to MORTON). We'll to the army This news of peace deliver; give them pay, And fend them fhouting to their peaceful homes. (Exit with MORTON, York. To you, my noble Lord of Weftmoreland! West. I pledge your Grace; and if you knew what pains I have bestow'd to frame this happy peace, Lane. The word of peace is giv'n. Hark, hark, they shout! Mow. This had been cheerful, after victory. York. A peace is of the nature of a conqueft, Lane. Lanc. Then, my Lord, Our army too shall be difcharg'd in peace. The leaders know their duties. Enter HASTINGS. (Aside to WEST. Hast. Good my Lord, Our army is difpers'd; they take their courfes, Like youthful steers unyok'd, and hie them home. Lanc. Good tidings, my Lord Hastings; for behold, I do arreft thee, traitor, for high treafon; And you, Lord Archbishop, and you, Lord Mowbray. Mow. Is this proceeding juft and honorable ? York. Will you thus break your faith? Lane. I pawn'd you none. I promis'd you redress of grievances, Of which you did complain; which, by my honor, I will perform with a most solemn care. But for you, Rebels, look to tafte the due (Exeunt. SCENE III. Another part of the Field. (Drums - Trumpets - Fight.) Enter FALSTAFF and MORTON, meeting. Fal. Yield thee, rebel, to my valor! Base fugitive, yield. Mor. We fly indeed, not vanquished by the valor, but deceived by the treachery, of our enemies. Are you not Sir John Falstaff? Fal. As good a man as he, Sir, whoever I am. Yield, Sir; roufe up fear and trembling, and do obfervance to my mercy. Mor. Had the decifion of the day depended on the fingle combat between us both, the victory of your friends would have been won much dearer than it has. Now, Sir John, defend yourself. Fal. Thou art a valiant enemy; and I will not take advantage of thy defeat. I am as valorous as the Lion, and as magnanimous. The Lion does not prey upon the fallen animals; neither will I vent the fury of my fword against thee !-Come, let us exchange weapons. Thou shalt be Diomede, and I will be as generous as Glaucus ;I will give golden arms, fuch as will fack cities. (Pulls (Palls out his bottle) This will mollify the hardness of steel, and warm the coldeft iron. Mor. I am not in a trifling vein to day. No temporizing now! Come on, Sir ! Fal. (retreating) Away! thou mad compound of ignorance and folly! Tempt not the danger of my fury, or I will make thee eat iron like an oftridge away! I am not blood-thirsty. Enter BARDOLPH and PAGE. Nay, (advancing), an thou wilt rush on the point of my Iword, I will make thee swallow a piece of it. Stand, thou cowardly varlet, thou beggarly knave, ftand!-I'll make the fun fhine thro' thee. -Strike, Bardolph, down with him! Cut the rebel's throat! Mor. Ev'n Hercules himself must yield to odds. I must fain yield to thee, thou most brave, valorous, and thrice worthy Knight! Enter PRINCE JOHN, WESTMORELAND, &C. Lanc. The heat is past, pursue no further now. Call in our powers, good Coufin Weftmoreland. Exit WEST. Now, Falstaff, where have you been all this while? When ev'ry thing is ended, then you come. These tardy tricks will break fome gallows' back. |