West. Mowbray, you overween to take it so;
This offer comes from mercy, not from fear:150
For, lo! within a ken our army lies,
Upon mine honour, all too confident
To give admittance to a thought of fear.
Our battle is more full of names than yours,
Our men more perfect in the use of arms,155
Our armour all as strong, our cause the best;
Then reason will our hearts should be as good:[4036]
Say you not then our offer is compell'd.
Mowb. Well, by my will we shall admit no parley.[4037]
West. That argues but the shame of your offence:160
A rotten case abides no handling.[4038]
Hast. 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?165
West. That is intended in the general's name:[4039]
I muse you make so slight a question.
Arch. Then take, my Lord of Westmoreland, this schedule,
For this contains our general grievances:
Each several article herein redress'd,170
All members of our cause, both here and hence,[4040]
That are insinewed to this action,[4040][4041]
Acquitted by a true substantial form,[4040]
And present execution of our wills[4040][4042]
To us and to our purposes confined,[4043]175
We come within our awful banks again,[4044]
And knit our powers to the arm of peace.[4045]
West. This will I show the general. Please you, lords,
In sight of both our battles we may meet;[4046]
And either end in peace, which God so frame![4046][4047]180
Or to the place of difference call the swords
Which must decide it.
Which must decide it.
Arch. My lord, we will do so. [Exit West.
Mowb. There is a thing within my bosom tells me[4048]
That no conditions of our peace can stand.[4049]
Hast. Fear you not that: if we can make our peace[4050]185
Upon such large terms and so absolute
As our conditions shall consist upon,[4051]
Our peace shall stand as firm as rocky mountains.