Hieronimo.
But that I know your grace for just and wise,
And might seem partial in this difference,
Enforc'd by nature and by law of arms,
My tongue should plead for young Horatio's right.
He hunted well, that was a lion's death;
Not he that in a garment wore his skin:
So hares may pull dead lions by the beard.[49]
King.
Content thee, marshal, thou shalt have no wrong;
And, for thy sake, thy son shall want no right.
Will both abide the censure of my doom?
Lorenzo.
I crave no better than your grace awards.
Horatio.
Nor I, although I sit beside my right.
King.
Then, by my judgment, thus your strife shall end:
You both deserve, and both shall have reward:
Nephew, thou took'st his weapons and his horse:
His weapons and his horse are thy reward.
Horatio, thou didst force him first to yield:
His ransom therefore is thy valour's fee:
Appoint the sum, as you shall both agree.
But, nephew, thou shalt have the prince in guard;
For thine estate best fitteth such a guest.
Horatio's house were small for all his train;
Yet in regard thy substance passeth his,
And that just guerdon[50] may befall desert,
To him we yield the armour of the prince.
How likes Don Balthazar of this device?