Ross. And living too; for now his son is duke.225
Willo. Barely in title, not in revenue.[1071]
North. Richly in both, if justice had her right.
Ross. My heart is great; but it must break with silence,
Ere't be disburden'd with a liberal tongue.
North. Nay, speak thy mind; and let him ne'er speak more230
That speaks thy words again to do thee harm!
Willo. Tends that thou wouldst speak to the Duke of Hereford?[1072]
If it be so, out with it boldly, man;
Quick is mine ear to hear of good towards him.
Ross. No good at all that I can do for him;235
Unless you call it good to pity him,
Bereft and gelded of his patrimony.
North. Now, afore God, 'tis shame such wrongs are borne[1073]
In him a royal prince and many moe[1074]
Of noble blood in this declining land.240
The king is not himself, but basely led
By flatterers; and what they will inform.
Merely in hate, 'gainst any of us all,[1075]
That will the king severely prosecute
'Gainst us, our lives, our children, and our heirs.[1075][1076]245
Ross. The commons hath he pill'd with grievous taxes,[1077]
And quite lost their hearts: the nobles hath he fined[1078]
For ancient quarrels, and quite lost their hearts.[1079]
Willo. And daily new exactions are devised,
As blanks, benevolences, and I wot not what:[1080]250
But what, o' God's name, doth become of this?[1081]